Topic of the Day Telegram Compilation - January 2020

1. TRUMP PEACE PLAN

Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve the Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People, commonly known as the Trump
peace plan, is a proposal by the Trump administration bearing the stated intention of resolving the Israeli–Palestinian
conflict. Donald Trump formally unveiled the plan in a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on January 28, 2020; Palestinian representatives were not invited.
The plan was authored by a team led by Trump's son-in-law, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States Jared
Kushner. Both the West Bank settlers' Yesha Council and the Palestinian leadership rejected the plan: the former because it
envisaged a Palestinian state, the latter arguing it is too biased in favor of Israel. The plan is divided into two parts, an
economic portion and a political portion. On June 22, 2019, the Trump administration released the economic portion of the
plan, titled "Peace to Prosperity". The political portion was released in late January 2020.
During the press conference announcing the plan, Netanyahu announced that the Israeli government would
immediately annex the Jordan Valley and West Bank settlements while committing not to create new settlements in areas
left to the Palestinians for at least four years. US Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman claimed that the Trump
administration had given permission for an immediate annexation, stating that "Israel does not have to wait at all" and "we
will recognize it". The Likud spokesman tweeted that Israeli sovereignty over settlements would be declared on the
following Sunday. The Trump administration clarified that no such green light had been given. No decision would take
place before new elections and a new government had been formed.
Opponents of the Trump Peace Plan – including all the leading Democratic presidential candidates– have denounced it as a
"smokescreen" for this annexation. Proposed benefits to the Palestinians from the plan are contingent on a list of
conditions that have been denounced by opponents of the plan as "impossible" or "fantastic". An editorial of the Los
Angeles Times stated that the plan had arrived 'dead in the water'.The New York Times's regional correspondents state
that the plan deprives Palestinians of almost everything they have fought for.

2. MALDIVES REJOINS COMMONWEALTH

The Maldives has once again become a member of the Commonwealth of nations. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made
the announcement fulfilling one of his key presidential pledges. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland,
confirmed Maldives’ reinstatement into the organization as its 54th member state. The Maldives first became a member of
the Commonwealth in 1982 but former President Abdulla Yameen decided to leave it in October 2016, amid mounting
pressure from the group over corruption and deteriorating human rights.
President Solih’s cabinet passed to rejoin the organization, shortly after assuming office in November 2018. President
stated that the Maldives shall long strive to uphold the Commonwealth’s values of democracy and human rights, adding
that rejoining the organization is symbolic of th administration’s commitment to engage with the international community
and to deliver on domestic pledges to citizens in good faith.

3. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND OCI CARDHOLDER

Recently, the Union government has told the Delhi High Court that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders do not enjoy
fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including the right to freedom of speech and expression.
This response was to a plea seeking information under the Right to informationThis response was to a plea seeking
information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. The plea also sought exemption for overseas citizens from
seeking permission under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA) to make donations to religious and
charitable institutions. According to the plea, the right to make donations to religious institutions and the fundamental
 right to freedom of religion are guaranteed by the Constitution.

Key Points
The Government has not specifically replied on the question of the right to practice religion in India. However, it says no
fundamental rights are applicable to the OCIs. Centre’s response contradicts earlier Delhi High Court ruling in 2018, where
it held that OCI cardholders have the right to enjoy the fundamental rights of equality and freedom of speech and
expression like other Indian citizens. In 2018, the Delhi High Court had said that an overseas citizen can exercise
fundamental rights guaranteed to “natural persons” under the constitution.
The Supreme Court, in multiple cases, has held that the Right to Information is enshrined in Article 19(1)(a), that is granted
to citizens and Article 21, which is guaranteed to all natural persons.
Article 19(1)(a)- Freedom of speech and expression: It provides every citizen with the right to express one’s views,
opinions, beliefs, and convictions freely by word of mouth, writing, printing, picturing or in any other manner.
Article 21: It declares that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure
established by law. This right is available to both citizens and non-citizens.

4. REMEMBERING MAHATMA
Every year January 30 is observed as Mahatma Gandhi's Martyrdom day. This year India is observing the 72nd death
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Nathuram Godse killed Mahatma Gandhi on the evening of January 30, 1948.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is known for his thoughts and principles during his lifetime. Union Minister Smriti Irani
tweeted on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary that she salutes to all those people who sacrificed their
lives for the freedom of the country. She also said that the bravery of martyrs will be remembered.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Assassination
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in Birla House on January 30, 1948. He was 78 at that time. Godse
was not agreeing with Gandhi’s views on the partition of India. Apart from this day, March 23 is also observed as Martyr's
Day because Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged on that day.
What happens on this day?
The President,, Vice President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister come together at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s
Samadhi. All dignitaries pay homage to Gandhi and remember his brave contributions during the freedom struggle.
About Mahatma Gandhi
• Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 02, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. He completed his early education from Gujarat
and Bombay University.
• Gandhiji went to London on September 04, 1888, to become a barrister.
• In 1893, Gandhiji went to South Africa with a one-year agreement. He faced discrimination against Indians in South
Africa.
• Champaran Movement in 1918 was Gandhi’s first achievement in the freedom struggle.
• He also organized the Noncooperation movement in 1920. However, it is believed as an unsuccessful attempt as some
incidents of violence occurred during the movement.
• After that, Mahatma Gandhi organized a civil disobedience movement in 1930, it is also known for Dandi Yatra.
• In 1942, Gandhi called the Quit India Movement which is known as one of the biggest and successful campaigns of his
lifetime.

5. BHUVAN PANCHAYAT
(Indian Space Research Organization) launched Bhuvan Panchayat version 3.0. Under the project, the ISRO will collaborate
with Gram panchayat members to understand their data requirements. The portal will function with the help of satellite
technology of ISRO. The project will run for two years. The portal aims at helping village development planning process
under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
What is Bhuvan Project?
 Bhuvan is a satellite application that is powered by ISRO. It allows users to explore 2D and 3D representation of the earth.
Other Initiatives of ISRO Along with Department of Land Resources ISRO has developed Srishti to monitor Integrated
Watershed Management Programme. ISRO is also setting up Telangana Water Resources Information System (TWRIS) on
the Bhuvan Web Portal.
Other Bhuvan Initiatives
Bhuvan-GAIL monitors pipelines using space technology to address pipeline safety concerns. The MGNREGA of every Gram
Panchayat are to be geo-tagged with the help of this portal.

6. BODOLAND RECENT AGREEMENT

A historic agreement was signed between Government of India, Government of Assam and Bodo representatives to end
the over 50-year old Bodo crisis.
Key highlights of the agreement
 Increase the scope and powers of the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) and to streamline its functioning;
 Set up a commission under Section 14 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, to recommend the inclusion
or exclusion of tribal population residing in villages adjoining Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) areas;
 The Government of Assam will establish a Bodo-Kachari Welfare Council;
 The Assam government will also notify Bodo language as an associate official language in the state and will set up a
separate directorate for Bodo medium schools;
 promote and protect Bodo's social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic identities
 Providing legislative protection for the land rights of tribals;
 A Special Development Package Rs. 1500 crores over three years will be given by the Union Government to undertake
specific projects for the development of Bodo areas.
 Rehabilitate members of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) factions (With this agreement, over 1500
armed cadres will abjure violence and join the mainstream).

7. BHIMA-KOREGAON CASE
The 2018 Koregaon Bhima stone pelting refers to attack on visitors during an annual celebratory gathering at Bhima
Koregaon to mark the 200th year of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon victory. The gathering consisted largely of Mahars, and
stone pelting by anti-social elements on the gathering resulted in death of 28-year old Rahul Patangale.The aftermath
consisted of various protests across India resulting in one death, 30 policemen being injured as well as over 300 people
being detained. A Maharashtra bandh was called by Adv Prakash Ambedkar on 3 January 2018. Protests were staged all
over Maharashtra. In Mumbai, suburban trains were affected due to which Dabbawalas suspended their
services.Investigation by the police in the following months resulted in various arrests, such as that of Rona Wilson in June
2018 under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Background: Battle of Koregaon
The 1818 Battle of Koregaon is of importance for Dalits. On 1 January 1818, 800 troops of the British Army, with small
number of Mahars (leather workers) predominant among them, defeated a numerically superior force of the Peshwa Baji
Rao II. A victory pillar (Vijay Sthamb) was erected in Koregaon by the British, commemorating the dead soldiers. In 1928,
the Dalit leader B. R. Ambedkar led the first commemoration ceremony here. Since then, on 1 January every year,
Ambedkarite Dalits gather at Bhima Koregaon to celebrate their victory against the upper caste Peshwa regime, whom
they see as their oppressors
Dubious decision: On NIA takeover of Bhima Koregaon case: 2020
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed that it has transferred the probe into the 2018 Bhima-Koregaon incident to
the National Investigation Agency (NIA).This makes the state Government concerned regarding centre decision.

8. CORONAVIRUS
 Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tract of mammals, including humans. They are
associated with the common cold, pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and can also affect the gut.
A coronavirus was first isolated in 1937 from an infectious bronchitis virus in birds that has the ability to seriously
devastate poultry stocks. These viruses are responsible for between 15 and 30 percent of common colds. Over the last 70
years, scientists have found that coronaviruses can infect mice, rats, dogs, cats, turkeys, horses, pigs, and cattle.
Fast facts on coronaviruses:
There is no cure for the common cold. A coronavirus causes both SARS and MERS. Coronaviruses infect many different
species. There are six known human coronaviruses. SARS spread from China to cause infection in 37 countries, killing 774
people. Human coronaviruses (HCoV) were first identified in the 1960s in the noses of patients with the common cold. Two
human coronaviruses are responsible for a large proportion of common colds OC43 and 229E.
Coronaviruses were given their name based on the crown-like projections on their surfaces. "Corona" in Latin means "halo"
or "crown." Among humans, infection most often occurs during the winter months as well as early spring. It is not
uncommon for a person to become ill with a cold that is caused by a coronavirus and then catch it again about four months
later. This is because coronavirus antibodies do not last for a very long time. Also, the antibodies for one strain of
coronavirus may be useless against other strains.

9. ICJ MYANMAR ORDER

ICJ orders Myanmar to take urgent steps to protect Rohingya Muslims.
The International court pronounced that Myanmar should take "all measures within its powers" to prevent alleged
genocide against Rohingyas.
The International Court of Justice announced its verdict in the Rohingya genocide case at the Hague on January 23, 2020.
The top court directed Myanmar to take urgent measures to protect the Muslim community from persecution.
The International court pronounced that Myanmar should take "all measures within its powers" to prevent alleged
genocide against Rohingyas and also preserve evidence of alleged crimes against them.
The ruling came on a petition filed by the Gambia at the ICJ against Myanmar, alleging genocide against the minority
Muslim Rohingya community. The Muslim-dominated nation had filed the lawsuit in November 2019, accusing Myanmar of
violating the 1948 Genocide Convention, which prohibits signatory states from committing genocide and compels them to
prevent and punish such a crime.
The 17-judge ICJ bench stated in a unanimous ruling that it believes that the Rohingya are in danger and steps must be
taken to protect them.
• Presiding Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf said that the Rohingya remain “at serious risk of genocide”. The court ordered Myanmar
to take all measures within its power to prevent all acts that are prohibited under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The 17-judge ICJ bench stated in a unanimous ruling that it believes that the Rohingya are in danger and steps must be
taken to protect them.
Presiding Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf said that the Rohingya remain “at serious risk of genocide”. The court ordered Myanmar
to take all measures within its power to prevent all acts that are prohibited under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The court directed Myanmar to report back to it within four months. It also ordered the Myanmar government to exercise
its military influence and influence over other armed groups to prevent the killing of Rohingya Muslims or cause serious
bodily or mental harm to the members of the community.
• Besides this, the court expressed its disappointment over the steps that Myanmar has claimed to have taken to enable
the safe return of the Rohingya refugees camped in Bangladesh and to promote peace and stability in Rakhine state, saying
that it does not appear to be sufficient.
Background
Over 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar after violence erupted in Rakhine state in August 2017. The minority
community was forced to flee to neighbouring nation Bangladesh to escape persecution.
India refused to give refuge to the fleeing Rohingyas stating that they would be a threat to the nation’s national security
and peace. It, however, helped out in their rehabilitation process. India had launched Operation Insaniyat in September
 2017, under which, it distributed relief material consisting of necessary items such as rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil,
tea, biscuits and mosquito nets, etc. Myanmar’s military is accused of killing and inflicting other types of atrocities upon the
Rohingya Muslims during a crackdown, forcing them to flee western Rakhine state. The violence is reported to have been
in response to an attack on the police posts in the region. Myanmar, however, has rejected the accusations. Myanmar
leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi was stripped of several awards including her honorary Canadian
citizenship in October 2018 and Freedom of Oxford award in November 2017 for her alleged role in the gross human rights
violations against the Rohingya people.
The ruling of the International Court of Justice is final and cannot be reviewed. However, there is no actual way of
enforcing them.

10. GSAT-30
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched ‘GSAT-30’ from French Guiana on January 17,
2020. The launch of the high power communication satellite is ISRO’s first satellite launch of the year 2020. GSAT-30
communication satellite was launched aboard Ariane 5 launch vehicle (VA 251) from French Guiana early morning on
January 17. The satellite with an approximate weight of 3357 kg will have a mission life of more than 15 years.
GSAT 30 will serve as a replacement to INSAT-4A spacecraft services with enhanced coverage. The satellite was launched
along with the European Space Company’s telecommunication satellite- Eutelsat Konnect
Objective
The GSAT-30 communication satellite will aim to provide high-quality telecommunications, television and broadcasting
services. GSAT-30 is an operational communication satellite with a mission life of up to 15 years. It has been configured to
give a boost to communication services such as television uplink, DTH, digital satellite.
• The satellite derives its heritage from ISRO's previous INSAT/GSAT satellite series. It will replace INSAT-4A spacecraft
services with enhanced coverage
It will mainly provide Indian mainland and island coverage in Ku-band. It will also provide extended coverage in C-band,
which will help television broadcasters to broadcast their programmes across India, Australia, Gulf nations and a large
number of Asian countries.
• The satellite was launched by ISRO in collaboration with the European aerospace company Arianespace. The launch
marks Ariane V launch vehicle’s 107th flight.
The launch vehicle first placed GSAT-30 in its designated orbit, followed by the release of Konnect. The full mission lasted
for approximately 38 minutes and 25 seconds from liftoff to final separation. GSAT 30 successfully separated from the
upper stage of Ariane 5.
Significance
The communication satellite will be used to support VSAT networks, DTH television services, digital satellite news
gathering, DTH television services, teleport services, television uplinking, cellular backhaul connectivity and other such
applications. The communication payload of the satellite has been specifically designed and optimised to maximise the
number of transponders on the spacecraft bus.
Background
The Indian space agency has planned to work on as many as 25 missions in 2020, including Chandrayaan 3 and Gaganyaan
mission simultaneously. ISRO Chairman K Sivan, however, stated that the planning for the first unmanned mission, which
was slated for this year, may slip over to next year.

11. GOLD HALLMARKING

Consumer Affairs Minister announced that from January 15, 2021, onwards, No jeweller will be allowed to sell gold
jewellery or artefacts without hallmark from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
About: What is it?
 Gold hallmarking is a purity certification. Mandatory hallmarking will protect the public against lower caratage and ensure
consumers do not get cheated while buying gold ornaments. Consumers have to watch out for four marks on hallmarked
gold jewellery: (1) BIS mark, (2) purity in carat, (3) assay centre’s name and (4) jewellers’ identification mark.
Grades available: Jewellers will be allowed to sell only 14, 18 and 22 carat gold jewellery. Instead of 10 grades earlier,
hallmarked gold jewellery will now be available in three caratage of 14 carat, 18 carat and 22 carat.
Deadline: Jewellers have been given a year’s time (i.e. till January, 2021) to register themselves with the BIS.
Penalty: If jewellery or artefacts made of 14, 18 and 22 carat gold are sold without a BIS hallmark, then the jeweller could
be charged penalty five times the cost of the object or even given imprisonment up to one year. The BIS Act 2016 has
enabling provisions under Section 14 & Section 16 for mandatory hallmarking of Gold jewellery & artefacts by the Central
Government. BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018 were notified w.e.f. 14.06.2018.

12. BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION

The Centre issued an Extraordinary Gazette Notification declaring a list of activities and facilities that would be permissible
in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas of certain beaches, which have been identified for obtaining the ‘Blue Flag’
certification.
Background
In July 2019, the Ministry of Environment had identified 13 beaches across the country for the Blue Flag certification.
According to the latest notification, the following activities and facilities would be permitted in the CRZ of these beaches,
including Islands, subject to maintaining a minimum distance of 10 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL): Grey water
treatment plant; Solar power plant; Landscaping lighting; CCTV surveillance; First aid station; Parking facilities etc. These
activities and facilities would be exempt from prior clearance under the provisions of CRZ Notification, Island Protection
Zone Notification and Island Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications respectively.
What is ‘Blue Flag’ certification?
The ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and
serves as an eco-label. The certification is known as an indication of high environmental and quality standards. The
certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) with 33 stringent
criteria under four major heads for the beaches: (i) Environmental Education and Information (ii) Bathing Water Quality (iii)
Environment Management and Conservation and (iv) Safety and Services. The Blue Flag Programme started in France in
1985 and in areas outside Europe since 2001. 47 countries currently participate in the program, and 4,573 beaches,
marinas, and boats have this certification.

13. ONE COUNTRY TWO NATION

One country, two systems" is a constitutional principle describing the governance of Hong Kong and Macau since they
became regions of China in 1997 and 1999, respectively. It was formulated in the early 1980s by Deng Xiaoping, the
Paramount Leader of China (PRC), during negotiations with the United Kingdom over Hong Kong. He suggested that there
would be only one China, but that these regions could retain their own economic and administrative systems, while the
rest of Mainland China uses the socialism with Chinese characteristics system. Under the principle, each of the two regions
could continue to have its own governmental system, legal, economic and financial affairs, including trade relations with
foreign countries, all of which are independent from those of the Mainland. The PRC has also proposed to apply the
principle in the unification it aims for with Taiwan.
2019–20 Hong Kong protests:
The 2019–20 Hong Kong protests are ongoing demonstrations in Hong Kong triggered by the introduction of the Fugitive
Offenders amendment bill by the Hong Kong government. If enacted, the bill would have allowed the extradition of
criminal fugitives who are wanted in territories with which Hong Kong does not currently have extradition agreements,
including Taiwan and mainland China. This led to concerns that the bill would subject Hong Kong residents and visitors to
the jurisdiction and legal system of mainland China, there by undermining the region's autonomy and Hong Kong people's
civil liberties. As the protests progressed, the protesters laid out five key demands, namely the withdrawal of the bill,
 investigation into alleged police brutality and misconduct, the release of arrested protesters, a complete retraction of the
official characterisation of the protests as "riots", and Chief Executive Carrie Lam's resignation along with the introduction
of universal suffrage for election of the Legislative Council and the Chief Executive.
14. E-Cigarettes
Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and
Advertisement) Bill, 2019 was passed by Parliament . It was introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Minister of Health and
Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. The Bill which seeks to prohibits the production, storage, trade, and advertisement of
electronic cigarettes, replaces an Ordinance promulgated in Sept2019.
Key Features of Bill
Electronic cigarettes: It defines electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes– as electronic devices that heat a substance, which may
contain nicotine and other chemicals, to create vapour for inhalation as well as contain different flavours.
Banning of e-cigarettes: It prohibits production/ manufacture/ sale/ transport/ import/ export/ transport/ distribution/
advertisement of e-cigarettes of e-cigarettes in India. Any person not adhering to this provision will be punishable with
imprisonment of up to 1 year, or a fine of up to 1 lakh rupees, or both and for any subsequent offence, the person will be
punishable with an imprisonment of up to 3 years, along with a fine of up to 5 lakh.

15. WHAT IS ARTICLE 131?

Article 131 vests the Supreme Court with original jurisdiction over any dispute arising between the states or between the
centre and state. The article gives the Supreme Court the power to take up such cases straight instead of going through a
lower court or reviewing a lower court’s judgement. Kerala became the first state to challenge the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act (CAA) before the Supreme Court. However, the legal route adopted by the state is different from the 60
petitions already pending before the court. The Kerala government has moved the apex court under Article 131 of the
Constitution, the provision under which the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction to deal with any dispute between the
Centre and a state; the Centre and a state on the one side and another state on the other side; and two or more states. the
Chhattisgarh government also filed a suit in the Supreme Court under Article 131, challenging the National Investigation
Agency (NIA) Act on the ground that it encroaches upon the state’s powers to maintain law and order. The Supreme Court
has three kinds of jurisdictions: original, appellate and advisory.
Under its advisory jurisdiction, the President has the power to seek an opinion from the apex court under Article 143 of the
Constitution. For a dispute to qualify as a dispute under Article 131, it has to necessarily be between states and the Centre,
and must involve a question of law or fact on which the existence of a legal right of the state or the Centre depends. In a
1978 judgment, State of Karnataka v Union of India, Justice P N Bhagwati had said that for the Supreme Court to accept a
suit under Article 131, the state need not show that its legal right is violated, but only that the dispute involves a legal
question. Article 131 cannot be used to settle political differences between state and central governments headed by
different parties.
So how is a suit under Article 131 different from the other petitions challenging the CAA?
The other petitions challenging the CAA have been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, which gives the court the
power to issue writs when fundamental rights are violated. A state government cannot move the court under this provision
because only people and citizens can claim fundamental rights.
Under Article 131, the challenge is made when the rights and power of a state or the Centre are in question.
However, the relief that the state (under Article 131) and petitioners under Article 32 have sought in the challenge to the
CAA is the same — declaration of the law as being unconstitutional.
But can the Supreme Court declare legislation unconstitutional under Article 131?
A 2012 dispute between Bihar and Jharkhand that is currently pending for consideration by a larger Bench of the court will
answer this question. The case deals with the issue of liability of Bihar to pay pension to employees of Jharkhand for the
period of their employment in the former, undivided Bihar state. Although earlier judgments had held that the
constitutionality of a law can be examined under Article 131, a 2011 judgment in the case of State of Madhya Pradesh v.
Union of India ruled otherwise. Since the 2011 case was also by a two-judge Bench and was later in time, the court could
 not overrule the case. However, the judges did not agree with the ruling. “We regret our inability to agree with the
conclusion recorded in the case of State of Madhya Pradesh v. Union of India and Anr. (supra), that in an original suit under
Article 131, the constitutionality of an enactment cannot be examined. Since the above decision is rendered by a
coordinate Bench of two judges, judicial discipline demands that we should not only refer the matter for examination of
the said question by a larger Bench of this Court, but are also obliged to record broadly the reasons which compel us to
disagree with the above-mentioned decision,” the court ruled in 2015, referring the case to a larger Bench. Incidentally, the
two judges who made the 2015 reference were Justice J Chelameswar (retd) and the current Chief Justice of India S A
Bobde. The case is set to be heard in two weeks by a three-judge Bench comprising Justices N V Ramana, Sanjiv Khanna
and Krishna Murari.
The decision of the larger Bench in State of Bihar v. Jharkhand would have a bearing on Kerala’s challenge to the CAA.

16. CHAGOS ISLAND DISPUTE

Sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is disputed between Mauritius, the Maldives and the United Kingdom. Mauritius
has repeatedly asserted that the Chagos Archipelago is part of its territory and that the United Kingdom (UK) claim is a
violation of United Nations resolutions banning the dismemberment of colonial territories before independence. The UK
government has stated that it has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Chagos, and has also said that the Chagos will be
returned to Mauritius once the islands are no longer required for defence purposes. Given the absence of any progress
with the UK, Mauritius and the Maldives has decided to "internationalise" the dispute and take up the matter at all
appropriate legal and political forums.
The African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement have expressed unanimous support for Mauritius on the Chagos issue.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area (MPA) which the United Kingdom
declared around the Chagos Archipelago was created in violation of international law.In January 2018, Henry Smith
introduced the British Indian Ocean Territory (Citizenship) Bill in the UK Parliament. It sought to allow anybody who is
descended from Chagossians born in BIOT to become British Overseas Territories Citizens. At present, only Chagossians
born in BIOT and the first generation that was born in the UK can do so. The Bill had still not received its second reading
when the previous Parliament was dissolved in November 2019.

17. REAL VS NOMINAL GDP

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
The Gross domestic Product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given
period of time. The GDP is the officially recognized totals. The following equation is used to calculate the GDP:
GDP=C+I+G+(X−M)GDP=C+I+G+(X−M)
Written out, the equation for calculating GDP is:
GDP = private consumption + gross investment + government investment + government spending + (exports – imports).
For the gross domestic product, “gross” means that the GDP measures production regardless of the various uses to which
the product can be put. Production can be used for immediate consumption, for investment into fixed assets or
inventories, or for replacing fixed assets that have depreciated. “Domestic” means that the measurement of GDP contains
only products from within its borders.
Nominal GDP
The nominal GDP is the value of all the final goods and services that an economy produced during a given year. It is
calculated by using the prices that are current in the year in which the output is produced. In economics, a nominal value is
expressed in monetary terms. For example, a nominal value can change due to shifts in quantity and price. The nominal
GDP takes into account all of the changes that occurred for all goods and services produced during a given year. If prices
change from one period to the next and the output does not change, the nominal GDP would change even though the
output remained constant.
Real GDP
 The real GDP is the total value of all of the final goods and services that an economy produces during a given year,
accounting for inflation. It is calculated using the prices of a selected base year. To calculate Real GDP, you must determine
how much GDP has been changed by inflation since the base year, and divide out the inflation each year. Real GDP,
therefore, accounts for the fact that if prices change but output doesn’t, nominal GDP would change.
18. AUSTRALIA WILDFIRES IN NEWS
Australia has been witnessing worst-ever wildfires for the past four months. According to the various reports, about 50
crore animals and birds have died or been seriously damaged. Thousands of people left their homes and property of
millions of dollars were damaged. The worst effect of Australian wildfires has been seen on koalas (a species of animal) as
their population drastically decreased due to fire. The mid-northern region of New South Wales has the highest number of
koalas. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an aid of two billion Australian dollars to provide relief to
those who lost their homes and livelihood due to the severe fire in the forests.
When and Where?
• Three states of Australia – South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria are witnessing this severe wildfire.
• It is reported that the fire was started in September 2019 but it turned severe in the last week of December 2019.
• As per the reports, about 15 million hectares of land have been affected by wildfire which is still increasing.
What Australia lost in wildfires?
The ecologists of the University of Sydney has estimated that about 50 crore animals have died due to wildfires.
• The Australian Government has also started a rescue operation to save animals. Kangaroos are fleeing to cities to save
their lives.
• More than 200 houses have also been gutted in the fire. The impact of the fire has now reached Sydney and thousands of
people have been evacuated to safer places.
• The impact of Australia's forest fire is also being seen in New Zealand.
• The Australian government has declared a state of emergency in many affected areas.
Measures
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency has formed under the chairmanship of former federal police Chief Andrew Colvin. It
will help the people of Australia to recover from wildfires. The Prime Minister announced that the agency would be given
an amount of two billion Australian dollars in the initial days to help the families, farmers and others affected by the forest
fire. Several NGOs, volunteers, and international agencies are working to save lives from wildfires.
What is Wildfire?
A forest fire is also known as a wildfire that is uncontrolled and massive in nature. Sometimes, forest fires are so large that
fire-fighters take a long time to regain control of the situation. This can result in massive destruction. There are several
regions in the world where wildfire breaks very often. These areas are – South America, Amazon forests, South Africa,
Australia, and Canada forests.

19. IRAN PASSES BILL DESIGNATING US FORCES, PENTAGON AS ‘TERRORISTS’

Iran’s parliament passed a bill designating all forces of the United States as terrorists on January 7, 2020. The move comes
after the US forces killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike.
Qasem Soleimani, the head of Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, was killed during a US drone strike
outside Baghdad airport on January 3, 2020. The strike attracted strong reactions from Iran, which announced that it will
not limit itself to the restrictions set under the 2015 Nuclear deal. The incident has escalated tensions between the US and
Iran with both releasing threatening statements. The UN Secretary-General appealed to both sides to exercise calm and
see that war is not a solution. The attack has raised fears of a possible World War III.Iran’s new bill designates all US forces
along with the employees of the Pentagon and its affiliated organizations including all agents, commanders and those who
ordered the killing of Soleimani as "terrorists". The bill stated that any aid provided to these forces including military,
intelligence, financial, technical, service or logistical will be considered as cooperation in a terrorist act.

20. WHAT IS CHRISTCHURCH CALL

 It is a political summit initiated by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and co-chaired by her and French President
Emmanuel Macron in the aftermath of Christchurch mosque shootings of 15 March 2019 in New Zealand. It was held on 15
May 2019 in Paris, France, at which the non-binding agreement.
Christchurch Call was signed by 18 leaders (including India) from around the globe to encourage tech companies and
countries to restraint online extremism. India’s support to Christchurch Call to Action Summit (or Christchurch Call), ‘to
eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online’ shows India’s commitment to work with like-minded countries for
ensuring that entire digital space serves towards advancement of our societies and economies, without
endangering their safety and security. Moreover, all countries need to arrive at a global understanding if not a global
regulation, in order that cyberspace remains open, safe and secure.

21. ECO
Eight West African nations have agreed to change the name of their common currency from ‘CFA franc’ to ‘Eco’, after they
jointly severed the CFA frank.links to former colonial ruler France. The announcement was made during a visit by French
President Emmanuel Macron to Ivory Coast, who hailed the decision as a historic reform. Even though the deal took six
months in making, common currency Eco will see the light of day in 2020.
Key Highlights:
The 8 West African countries namely- Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Guinea-Bissau
currently use CFA France as their currenc. All these countries, except Guinea-Bissau, are former French colonies.
The CFA franc was initially pegged to French franc and has been linked to euro for about two decades. The common
currency Eco will see the light of day in 2020. However, the Ivory Coast President announced the three major changes,
which included- (1) a change of name of the currency; (2) stopping Holding 50% of reserves in French Treasury.

22. CREAMY LAYER FOR SCS/STS

Recently, the Centre had asked the Supreme Court to refer the question of ‘whether the creamy layer concept should
apply or not to the Scheduled Castes (SCs)/Scheduled Tribes (STs) while providing them reservation in promotions’ to a
larger Bench reconsidering its earlier pronouncement in M. Nagaraj & Others vs Union of India case (2006).
What is the creamy layer concept?
The expression ‘means-test and creamy layer’ first found its mention in the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in
the Indra Sawhney vs Union of India case of 1992 (also known as Mandal Commission case), that was delivered by a nine-
judge Bench on November 16, 1992. The creamy layer was then described as- “some members of a backward class who are
socially, economically as well as educationally advanced as compared to the rest of the members of that community. They
constitute the forward section of that particular backward class and eat up all the benefits of reservations meant for that
class, without allowing benefits to reach the truly backward members”. The Court also asked the Central government to fix
the norms for income, property and status for identifying the creamy layer. In 1993, the creamy layer ceiling was fixed at
Rs 1 lakh. It was subsequently increased to Rs 2.5 lakh (2004), Rs 4.5 lakh (2008), Rs 6 lakh (2013), and at Rs 8 lakh since
2017.
Creamy Layer Chronology
In 1980, the Mandal Commission report recommended to provide 27% reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in
jobs.
In 1990, the V P Singh Government declared such reservation of 27% in government jobs for the OBCs.
In 1991, the Narasimha Rao Government introduced a change in order to give preference to the poorer sections among the
OBCs while granting the 27% quota.
In the Indra Sawhney judgment (1992), the Court upheld the government’s move and proclaimed that the advanced
sections among the OBCs (i.e, the creamy layer) must be excluded from the list of beneficiaries of reservation. It also held
that the concept of creamy layer must be excluded for SCs & STs.
How was the creamy layer made applicable to SC/ST members?
In the Nagaraj case (2006) the issue had arisen regarding the validity of the following four Constitutional amendments,
claiming that these amendments made by the government were meant to reverse the decisions made by the Court in
the Indra Sawhney Case, 1992. 77th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1995: The Indra Sawhney verdict had held there would
be reservation only in initial appointments and not promotions. But the government through this amendment
introduced Article 16(4A) to the Constitution, empowering the state to make provisions for reservation in matters of
promotion to SC/ST employees if the state feels they are not adequately represented.
81st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000: It introduced Article 16(4B), which says unfilled SC/ST quota of a particular year,
when carried forward to the next year, will be treated separately and not clubbed with the regular vacancies of that year.
While the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney Case capped the reservation quota at 50%, the government by this
amendment ensured that 50% ceiling for these carried forward unfilled posts does not apply. 82nd Constitutional
Amendment Act, 2000: It inserted a condition at the end of Article 335 that enables the state to make any provision in
favour of the members of the SC/STs for relaxation in qualifying marks in any examination or lowering the standards of
evaluation, for reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of services or posts in connection with the affairs
of the Union or of a State.
Constitutional Provision: Article 335 recognises that special measures need to be adopted for considering the claims of SCs
and STs to services and posts, in order to bring them at par. It is read as: “The claims of the members of the Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of
administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a
State.”
85th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001: It provided for the reservation in promotion can be applied with ‘consequential
seniority’ for the government servants belonging to the SCs and STs with retrospective effect from June 1995.
Key Pronouncements of M. Nagaraj Case (2006)
The Court in this case laid down three conditions for promotion of SCs and STs in public employment:
Government cannot introduce quota unless it proves that the particular community is backward,
Inadequately represented (based on quantifiable data), and
Providing reservation in promotion would not affect the overall efficiency of public administration.
The five-judges Bench in Nagaraj case although upheld the constitutional validity of all four amendments, but the following
two validations by the Supreme Court in this case became the bone of contention:
First: The Court proclaimed that the State is not bound to make reservation for SC/ST in the matter of promotions.
However if they wis h to exercise their discretion and make such provision, the State has to collect quantifiable data
showing backwardness of the class and inadequacy of representation of that class in public employment in addition to
compliance of Article 335.
Second: Also, it reversed its earlier stance in Mandal case, in which it had excluded the creamy layer concept on
SCs/STs (that was applicable on OBCs). The verdict in Nagaraj case made clear that even if the State has compelling reasons
(as stated above), the State needs to ensure that its reservation provision does not lead to excessiveness- breaching
the ceiling-limit of 50%, or destroying the creamy layer principle, or extending the reservation indefinitely. Therefore,
the Court extended the creamy layer principle to SCs and STs too in this verdict.
Current Demand by the Centre
The Centre asked the Court to review its stance on the above two issues:
As collecting quantifiable data showing backwardness is contrary to the Mandal case pronouncement where it was held
that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are the most backward among backward classes. It is, therefore, presumed
that once they are added in the Presidential List under Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution of India, there is no
question of proving backwardness of the SCs and STs all over again.
The said List cannot be altered by anybody except Parliament under Articles 341 and 342- defining who will be considered
as SCs or STs in any state or Union Territory.
And, the creamy layer concept has not been applied in the Indra Sawhney case.
The Court clarifying its stance in Jarnail Singh vs Lachhmi Narain Gupta case (2018) refused to refer the above issue to a
larger bench.
However, it invalidated the requirement of collecting quantifiable data by states on the backwardness of SCs and STs while
granting quota in promotions as laid down by the Court in Nagaraj verdict, but states need to back it with appropriate data
showing the inadequate representation of SCs & STs in the cadre.
On the creamy layer principle for excluding the well-off amongst the SC/ST communities from availing the benefit, the
Court followed the Nagaraj verdict.
The Court held that socially, educationally, and economically advanced cream of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes
communities must be excluded from the benefits of reservation in government services in order to transfer quota benefits
to the weakest of the weaker individuals and not be snatched away by members of the same class who were in the “top
creamy layer”.
The Court also observed that it will not be possible to uplift the weaker sections if only the creamy layer within that class
bags all the coveted jobs in the public sector and perpetuate themselves, leaving the rest of the class as backward as they
were.
The government is now asking the Supreme Court to reconsider its verdict in Jarnail Singh case with respect to the
applicability of creamy layer principle.
Reservation provides appropriate positive discrimination for the benefit of the socially and educationally backward
sections of the society. And the creamy layer concept helps in ensuring that only the genuinely deserving and the most
downtrodden members of any particular community get those reservation benefits.