Delimitation Debate: Why Are Southern States Wary?

The Union Home Minister has assured that no parliamentary constituencies in southern states will be reduced in the proposed delimitation exercise. Delimitation aims to balance representation by adjusting parliamentary seats based on population changes. The 42nd Amendment (1976) froze seat allocation based on the 1971 Census to avoid penalizing states with population control success. With the 2021 Census expected to guide future delimitation, southern states fear losing representation due to their lower population growth compared to northern states. Proposals suggest increasing total seats instead of reducing any state’s share.

Integrating AI in India’s Judiciary and Law Enforcement

AI is being incorporated into India’s judiciary to address case backlogs, assist in legal research, and improve case management. The Supreme Court’s AI tools, like SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency), support judges by streamlining legal documentation. AI-based predictive policing and surveillance enhance crime detection and prevention. Challenges include ethical concerns, data security, and infrastructure limitations. Government initiatives like e-Courts (Phase III) and AI-powered translation tools aim to modernize judicial processes.

Concerns Raised by PwDs Over DPDP Rules

Disability rights activists have raised concerns over the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, particularly Section 9(1), which requires guardian consent for data processing of persons with disabilities (PwDs), similar to children. This provision contradicts the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, which advocates for assisted decision-making rather than full guardianship. Activists argue that the law undermines the digital autonomy of PwDs and should be revised to reflect the principles of independent living.

Harnessing AI to Generate Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance

Researchers at IIIT-Delhi and ICMR have developed AMRSense, an AI-powered tool that analyzes hospital data to track antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AI helps predict resistance patterns, enabling targeted antibiotic prescriptions. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to rising AMR, threatening global health security. AI-driven AMR surveillance can help hospitals and policymakers develop better antibiotic stewardship programs.

India’s ‘Look East’ Policy Has Transformed Into ‘Act East’

India’s ‘Look East’ policy, initiated in 1992, has evolved into ‘Act East’ under the Modi government, emphasizing deeper economic and strategic engagement with Southeast Asia. The focus areas include trade, defense cooperation, and connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. India’s Indo-Pacific vision aligns with ASEAN’s development goals, enhancing regional security and economic collaboration.

India’s First Indigenous Semiconductor Chip to be Ready by 2025

The Union IT Minister announced that India’s first indigenous semiconductor chip will be ready for production by 2025. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and a ₹76,000 crore incentive scheme aim to reduce reliance on imports. Semiconductor fabs are being developed to boost domestic manufacturing, supporting sectors like defense, telecom, and automotive. Global partnerships, such as the India-U.S. semiconductor initiative under QUAD, will further strengthen India’s chip-making ecosystem.

India’s Space Economy to Increase Five-Fold

India’s space economy is projected to grow fivefold to $44 billion by 2035. Private sector investments in space startups have surpassed ₹1,000 crore, with companies like Skyroot launching indigenous rockets. ISRO’s initiatives, such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and a Moon landing by 2040, highlight India’s expanding role in space exploration. Government reforms, including FDI policy changes and venture capital funding for space startups, are driving industry growth.

Public Accounts Committee

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) audits government expenditures and ensures parliamentary oversight. Comprising 22 members from both houses, it examines reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Recent discussions focus on the AAP government’s excise policy audit.

Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected under Article 93 of the Constitution. Although conventionally from the opposition, the position has remained vacant for extended periods in recent years, raising concerns over parliamentary balance.

SWAYATT Initiative

Launched in 2019, SWAYATT promotes startup, women, and youth participation in public procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). The initiative has facilitated ₹46,615 crore in orders for women entrepreneurs.

SPHEREx

NASA’s SPHEREx mission, set for launch in 2025, will map the universe’s evolution by studying cosmic inflation and interstellar ice. It aims to survey 450 million galaxies and analyze the history of star formation.

Black Plastic

A study on black plastic recycling highlights contamination from electronic waste, leading to toxic chemical exposure. Calls for stricter plastic recycling regulations have emerged.

Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater (Merops persicus)

The Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater, a migratory bird, has been found breeding in India’s Aandivilai saltpans for the first time. This discovery highlights the importance of wetland conservation for avian biodiversity.

Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN

India and Japan have commenced the 6th edition of Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN, focusing on counter-terrorism operations. The exercise strengthens defense ties under the Indo-Pacific security framework.