PRELIMS
Jammu & Kashmir High Court on UAPA and Secessionist Statements
Why in News : J&K High Court held that statements asserting “J&K is illegally occupied” and advocating its separation from India attract provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Legal Provision:
- Section 13(1) UAPA: Punishes anyone who takes part in, incites, advocates, or abets unlawful activity with imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.
UAPA
- Purpose: Prevent unlawful activities threatening India’s sovereignty and integrity.
- Unlawful Association: Govt can ban groups promoting secession or questioning sovereignty; ban up to 5 years.
- Terrorist Organisation: Can be designated if involved in terrorism-related acts.
- Terrorist Acts: Defined as acts threatening unity, security, or striking terror; includes acts under international treaties.
- Extended Custody: Remand up to 30 days; judicial custody before charge sheet up to 180 days.
- Bail: Strict; onus on accused to prove innocence.
- Punishment: Death/life imprisonment for terrorist acts causing death; 5-10 years for other terror activities.
- NIA Role: Investigates UAPA cases; empowered officers from Inspector rank.
2019 Amendment:
- Govt can designate individuals as terrorists without court.
- NIA approval needed for property seizure.
Limitations:
- Broad definitions lead to misuse.
- Low conviction rate (~2.2%).
- Long detention without bail.
- Lack of transparency and procedural safeguards.
Henley Passport Index 2025:
Why in news: Current Rank: India moved up 8 spots to 77th in 2025 (from 85th in 2024).
- Visa-Free Access: Indian passport holders can now access 59 countries without prior visa (up from 57).
- New Visa-Free Countries: Vietnam (15 days), Thailand (extended to 30 days).
About Henley Passport Index:
- Global ranking based on number of countries accessible without prior visa.
- Reflects diplomatic strength and travel freedom.
- Compiled by Henley & Partners using IATA data; updated quarterly.
Top 3 Countries (Visa-Free Destinations):
1. Singapore (193)
2. Japan, South Korea (190)
3. European countries like France, Germany, Spain (189)
Significance for India:
- Indicates growing global diplomatic integration and better travel ease.
- India’s visa-free access (59) is below global average (109), showing room for improvement.
Hornbill Conservation Centre
Why in News: Tamil Nadu govt to set up India’s first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation at Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), Coimbatore.
Hornbills:
- Recognizable by large, curved beak and casque.
- Keystone species & “Farmers of the forest” – vital seed dispersers.
- Habitat: Tall evergreen forests (canopy dwellers).
- Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa, Indian Subcontinent, SE Asia.
- Threats: Deforestation, fragmentation, climate change.
Focus Species (Western Ghats):
- Great Indian Hornbill – Vulnerable
- Malabar Grey Hornbill – Vulnerable
- Malabar Pied Hornbill – Near Threatened
- Indian Grey Hornbill – Least Concern
Why ATR Selected:
- Rich biodiversity and history of protecting tigers, elephants, lion-tailed macaques, etc.
Key Activities:
- Nest monitoring, habitat mapping, research, forest restoration.
- Tree planting: Fig, Canarium (hornbill food sources).
- Community Role: Nest adoption, scholarships, seed collection for livelihoods.
- Awareness & Training: Capacity-building for staff; school visits; outreach programs.
National Cooperative Policy 2025
Why in News: Government unveiled the National Cooperative Policy 2025 to modernize and revitalise the cooperative sector, replacing the 2002 policy.
- Aim: Build a vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready cooperative ecosystem.
- GDP Target: Triple the cooperative sector’s contribution to GDP by 2034.
- Membership Goal: Activate 50 crore inactive/non-members.
- Expansion: Increase cooperative societies from 8.3 lakh to 10.7 lakh.
Six Pillars of the Policy
1. Strengthening cooperative foundations
2. Promoting vibrancy
3. Future preparedness
4. Enhancing inclusivity
5. Expanding reach
6. Youth engagement
Modernisation & Legal Reforms
- Legal amendments to remove outdated laws
- Cooperative banks brought under the Banking Regulation Act
- RBI to take a flexible approach to resolve cooperative banking issues
Participatory Approach
- Formulated by a 48-member committee chaired by Suresh Prabhu
Sectoral Expansion: Diversification into new sectors
- Tourism
- Taxi services
- Insurance
- Green energy
