Syllabus:

• Mains – GS 2 & GS 3

Context: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) figures has been increasing over the years. But its contributiona towards agriculture remains a concern.

Background: –

• A decade ago, India became the first country to legally mandate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 outlines the rules and regulations governing CSR. According to the National CSR Portal, from 2014 to 2023, Rs 1.84 lakh crore of CSR funds were disbursed.

Key takeaways

• Corporate entities in India have shown clear intent to support climate action and sustainability in the agricultural sector through their CSR budgets.
• Capital requirements and infrastructural development are the most important needs of agriculture — and this is also where CSR activities have previously contributed and are expected to continue doing so. Some examples of such activities are establishing grain banks, farmer schools, livelihood projects based on agriculture and allied activities, water conservation projects, and energy-efficient irrigation.
• The recent paradigm shift in agriculture towards sustainability and modern agriculture makes a good case for CSR funds from the private sector.
• However, there is an important problem that hinders CSR’s potential in agriculture: there is currently no way to fully determine the extent of funding going into these projects consistently and distinctively, and to categorise them based on targeted sectors of CSR activities. In other words, current reporting mechanisms have little to no emphasis on agriculture-related CSR initiatives.
• This isn’t the case with CSR sectors like healthcare and education, which are the funds’ largest recipients and make up half of the total CSR contributions. Importantly, their allocations can be tracked effectively because their activities are clearly demarcated and well-defined.
• Under activities mentioned in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, activities targeting agricultural sustainability could fall under 11 of the 29 development sectors of CSR allocations specified in documents on the National CSR Portal. These are gender equality; agroforestry; poverty, eradicating hunger and malnutrition; technology incubators; animal welfare; environmental sustainability; livelihood enhancement projects; conservation of natural resources; rural development projects; socio-economic inequalities; and women’s empowerment.
• But there’s little chance of tracking the funds spent for agriculture-related initiatives alone because these 11 sectors encompass a great variety of activities, many of which are unrelated to agricultural sustainability, thus affecting reporting and limiting sectoral impact assessments.
• To encourage sustainable activities in land-based sectors in India, including agriculture, forestry, and fishing, this is of particular concern because these sectors are related to various aspects of human wellbeing and to policy priorities in India, including rural development and climate action.
• Given this issue as well as the importance of agriculture for the Indian economy, specifying agriculture as a distinct sector in CSR activities is crucial.
• Transitioning the reporting framework based on sectors receiving funds would also help streamline and better target the available funds, will add more meaning to the contributions, and will ensure transparency.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – POLITY

Context: The Supreme Court recently held that Section 197(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that mandates prior sanction from the government to take cognizance of an offence against public servants will apply to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) too.

Background: –

• Supreme Court said this while upholding the Telangana High Court decision, setting aside a trial court order taking cognizance of the complaint against IAS officers facing money laundering charges.

Key takeaways

• Section 197 (1) says, “When any person who is or was a judge or magistrate or a public servant not removable from his office save by or with the sanction of the government, is accused of any offence alleged to have been committed by him while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duty, no court shall take cognizance of such offence except with the previous sanction”.
• ED had 2 arguments in court. First one of the accused cannot be considered public servant. Secondly, ED contended that in view of Section 71 of the PMLA, its provisions have an overriding effect over the provisions of the other statutes, including the CrPC.
• The court did not agree with ED saying that first condition as required under Section 197(1), is satisfied in the case of both the respondents as they are civil servants. Also, the acts alleged against them are related to the discharge of the duties entrusted to them and thus the second condition for the applicability of Section 197(1) also stands satisfied.
• The ruling pointed out that Section 65 of PMLA makes the provisions of the CrPC applicable to all proceedings under the PMLA, provided the same are not inconsistent with the PMLA provisions.

Additional Information

• The PMLA lays down stringent standard for granting bail. Section 45 of the PMLA is a ‘negative’ provision — which bars courts from granting bail unless the accused can prove that there is no “prima facie” case against them, and that they will not commit any offence in the future.
• The first challenge to PMLA was against the alternate criminal law system that the PMLA creates since the ED is kept outside the purview of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The ED is not considered ‘police’, and hence does not follow the provisions of CrPC for searches, seizures, arrests, and attachment of properties.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is going to be held at Prayagraj from January 13th, 2025 to February 26th, 2025.

Background:

• The Maha Kumbh Mela is deeply embedded in Hindu mythology and represents one of the most significant gatherings of faith in the world.

Key takeaways

• Kumbh Mela is a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism, celebrated four times over the course of 12 years, the site of the observance rotating between four river-bank pilgrimage sites: Prayagraj (Ganges-Yamuna-Sarasvati confluence), Haridwar (Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra).
• The timing of each Kumbh Mela is determined by the astrological positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. The celebrations occur at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied, as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism.
• The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters. The act of immersing in these holy waters is believed to purify one of sins, liberate both individuals and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth, and ultimately guide them towards Moksha, or spiritual liberation.
• Kumbh Mela was recognized by UNESCO in 2017 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Source: PIB

Syllabus:

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Ten of the 25 tigers ‘allegedly missing’ from Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve have been traced, officials have confirmed

Background: –

• Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) had an estimated population of 88 tigers according to the 2022 census, published in 2023.

Key takeaways

• Location: Situated in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park lies at the northern edge of the Vindhya Range.
• It is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River.

History and Significance:

• Ranthambore Fort: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ranthambore Fort is located within the park. It was built in the 10th century by the Chauhan dynasty.
• Ranthambore was declared a national park in 1980 and became part of Project Tiger in 1973, making it a critical site for tiger conservation in India.

Biodiversity:

• Flora: The park features tropical dry deciduous forests, including species like dhok, babul, and ber trees. It also has grasslands and riverine vegetation.

Fauna:

• Carnivores: Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), leopards, striped hyenas, and jackals.
• Herbivores: Sambar deer, chital (spotted deer), nilgai (blue bull), wild boar, and langurs.
• Other animals: Sloth bears, Indian gazelle (chinkara), and crocodiles.
• Avifauna: Over 270 species of birds, including painted storks, pelicans, and eagles.

Tiger Conservation:

• Project Tiger: Ranthambore is one of the major reserves under the Project Tiger initiative launched by the Indian government in 1973 to conserve tigers in India.
• Tiger Population: The park has a healthy population of Bengal tigers, and due to the open landscape and waterholes, tiger sightings are relatively common.

Source: Down To Earth

Syllabus:

• Prelims – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), a central PSU, and Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant JSC (UKTMP JSC), Kazakhstan signed an agreement to establish an Indo-Kazakh joint venture company — for production of titanium slag in India utilising ilmenite from Odisha.

Background: –

• The company will function as a catalyst in developing titanium value chain within India as it shall benefit low-grade ilmenite into high-grade titanium feedstock while generating employment.
• India possesses approximately 11% of the world’s titanium-iron ore deposits, primarily found in the beach sands along the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.

Key takeaways

• Titanium is a strong, low-density, highly corrosion-resistant, and lustrous metallic element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22.
• Strength: Titanium is as strong as steel but significantly lighter (about 45% lighter), making it ideal for applications where strength-to-weight ratio is crucial.
• Corrosion Resistance: It has excellent corrosion resistance, especially against seawater, acids, and chlorine, due to a protective oxide film that forms naturally on its surface.
• Melting Point: High melting point of about 1,668°C (3,034°F), which makes it useful in high-temperature applications.
• Chemical Properties:
  • Oxidation: Titanium can easily form titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a stable oxide layer that provides its corrosion-resistant properties.
  • Alloying: It is commonly alloyed with other metals like aluminum, iron, vanadium, and molybdenum to enhance its mechanical properties.
  • Biocompatibility: Titanium is biocompatible and non-toxic, which makes it ideal for medical applications like implants, prosthetics, and surgical instruments.

Major Uses of Titanium

• Aerospace Industry: Titanium’s strength, light weight, and heat resistance make it an ideal material for aerospace components, including jet engines, aircraft frames, and missile structures. Titanium alloys help reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency in aircraft.
• Medical and Dental Applications: Due to its biocompatibility, titanium is widely used in orthopedic implants, dental implants, and bone plates. It is also used in surgical instruments and tools because it does not react adversely with body tissues.
• Automobile and Sports Equipment: High-performance car manufacturers use titanium in engines and exhaust systems for its strength and heat resistance. Titanium is also popular in sports equipment, like golf clubs, bicycles, and tennis rackets, for its light weight and durability.
• Pigments and Cosmetics: Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is widely used as a white pigment in paints, coatings, plastics, and cosmetics due to its opacity and brightness. It is also used in sunscreens for its UV-blocking properties.

Titanium Extraction and Production

• Ores: The main sources of titanium are ilmenite (FeTiO₃) and rutile (TiO₂). Australia, South Africa, Canada, and India are major producers.
• Extraction: The Kroll process is commonly used to extract titanium from its ores.
• Recycling: Titanium can be recycled efficiently, which is beneficial for industries like aerospace where material costs are high.

Source: Times of India

Q1.) With reference to the Kumbh Mela, consider the following statements:

1. Kumbh Mela is held at four different locations in India, namely Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain.
2. The Kumbh Mela is held every 24 years at each location.
3. The timing of the Kumbh Mela at each location is determined by the position of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) Consider the following statements regarding Titanium production and usage in India:

1. India has significant titanium-iron ore reserves, primarily found along the coastal states.
2. Titanium is prone to corrosion restricting its usage to dry environments.
3. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), derived from titanium ores, is commonly used as a white pigment in paints and coatings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Consider the following statements regarding Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve:

1. Ranthambore National Park is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
2. The park is part of the Project Tiger initiative, launched by the Government of India in 1973.
3. The Ranthambore Fort, located within the park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. The park is known for its population of Bengal Tigers and is considered one of the best places in India for tiger sightings.

Which of the above statements are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3, and 4 only
(c) 1, 3, and 4 only
(d) 2 and 4 only

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  d

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – b