In News:

The Union Cabinet approved the launching of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.

Key Highlights

Objective & Focus:

• Launch of NMNF by the Union Cabinet to promote chemical-free farming in India.
• Aim to improve soil health, reduce input costs, and produce nutritious food.
• Support the shift to natural farming (NF), emphasizing local knowledge and agro-ecological principles.

Financial Allocation:

• Total Outlay: ?2481 crore (Government of India share ?1584 crore, State share ?897 crore) until FY 2025-26.

Key Features of NMNF:

• Coverage: Targeting 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, covering 7.5 lakh hectares and impacting 1 crore farmers.
• Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs): 10,000 BRCs to supply ready-to-use natural farming inputs.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Agricultural Universities (AUs): Establishment of 2,000 model demonstration farms for hands-on training in natural farming techniques.
• Farmer Training: 18.75 lakh farmers to be trained in NF practices such as preparation of organic inputs like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit.
• Krishi Sakhis/CRPs: Deployment of 30,000 workers for farmer mobilization and awareness.

Implementation Strategy:

• Farmer Certification System: Providing easy, simple certification for marketing natural farming produce with dedicated branding.
• Monitoring: Real-time, geo-tagged monitoring of implementation through an online portal.
• Convergence with other government schemes and organizations for market linkages and support.

Natural Farming Practices:

• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Promote sustainable farming by using local livestock and diverse crop systems.
• Benefits: Reduce dependence on external inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides, rejuvenate soil quality, and increase resilience to climate risks (e.g., drought, floods).
• Encourage biodiversity, and improve soil carbon content and water-use efficiency.

Targeted Areas and Farmer Support:

• Focus on areas where NF practices are already being followed or where farmer producer organizations (FPOs) or self-help groups (SHGs) are active.
• Training through model demonstration farms will focus on practical, location-specific NF techniques tailored to regional agro-ecologies.

Impact on Agriculture and Environment:

• Environmental Impact: Encourages sustainable farming by reducing chemical exposure, improving soil health, and promoting climate resilience.
• Farmer Well-being: By reducing input costs and promoting nutritious food, it aims to improve farmer incomes and family health.
• Contributing to the long-term health of the environment, ensuring a healthy Mother Earth for future generations.

Challenges and Concerns:

• Soil Nutrient Compromise: Concerns that some crops, like rice, might require chemical fertilizers (e.g., NPK) for optimal growth, which may not be sufficiently replaced by organic manure alone.
• The shift to natural farming requires significant awareness and training to ensure sustainable and productive yields.

Institutional Framework:

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is the implementing body.
• Collaboration with KVKs, AUs, and farmer organizations ensures grassroots level support and knowledge dissemination.

In News:

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the ban on United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for five years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967.
• The notification specifically includes all factions, wings, and front organizations associated with ULFA.

Reason for Extension:

• ULFA continues to pursue secessionist objectives (separation of Assam from India).
• The group is involved in criminal activities such as extortion, intimidation, and violent actions.
• ULFA has maintained links with other insurgent groups and continues to engage in illegal activities like the possession of arms and ammunition.

Peace Process:

• Pro-talks faction of ULFA, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, signed a peace agreement with the central and Assam governments in December 2023.
• This faction has agreed to renounce violence, disband the organization, and join the democratic process.
• However, the hardline faction of ULFA, led by Paresh Baruah, remains active and continues its militant activities.

ULFA’s Formation and Objectives:

• ULFA was founded in 1979 with the goal of achieving the "restoration of Assam's sovereignty" through armed struggle.
• It has been a key player in the Assamese separatist movement for several decades.

Legal Framework:

• The UAPA (1967) empowers the government to declare an organization as unlawful or label individuals as terrorists if they engage in activities threatening India’s sovereignty, integrity, or promote terrorism and secession.
• The latest extension of the ban was made under Section 3(1) of UAPA.

Significance for Internal Security:

• This development is important for understanding insurgency and separatism in the Northeast and the government’s approach to national security and counterinsurgency.
• The ULFA issue highlights challenges in addressing regional insurgencies and the role of the UAPA in maintaining national integrity.

In News:

Supreme Court upholds ‘secular, socialist’ in Preamble of the Constitution.

Key Highlights of the Supreme Court Judgment

• Judgment Overview:
  • Supreme Court's Ruling: The Court upheld the inclusion of the terms ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.
  • Challenge: Petitioners, including BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, challenged the retrospective application of these terms, arguing they were not part of the original Preamble adopted in 1949.
• Court's Explanation:
  • Socialist: The term represents a welfare state aimed at reducing inequality and ensuring social, political, and economic justice, but does not prescribe a specific economic policy (left or right).
  • Secular: Denotes a state that treats all religions equally, ensuring religious freedom and neutrality in religious matters. It is linked to Articles 14, 15, and 16, which ensure equality and non-discrimination.
• Retrospective Application:The Court affirmed that Parliament’s amendment power under Article 368 extends to the Preamble, and the retrospective application of the terms was valid.
• Constitution as a ‘Living Document’:The Court emphasized that the Constitution is adaptable to societal changes and evolving needs. The inclusion of 'secular' and 'socialist' reflects India’s evolving democratic and social framework.
• Interpretation of Secularism and Socialism:
  • Secularism in India refers to the state's neutral stance towards all religions, promoting religious harmony.
  • Socialism signifies India’s commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity and promoting welfare policies, such as social justice and economic welfare.

Constitutional and Legal Framework

• Article 368: Grants Parliament the authority to amend the Constitution, including the Preamble. The Court affirmed that this power is unquestionable.
• Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973): Established the ‘basic structure doctrine,’ which means certain fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be altered. The inclusion of ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ is in line with this basic structure.
• S.R. Bommai Case (1994): Reinforced the secular nature of the Indian state.

Preamble to the Constitution

• Definition: The Preamble is an introductory statement that outlines the fundamental values and goals of the Indian Constitution.
• Key Objectives: Justice (social, economic, political), Liberty (thought, expression, belief), Equality (status and opportunity), and Fraternity (national unity and dignity).
• Terms in the Preamble:
  • Sovereign: India's independence in all matters.
  • Socialist: Commitment to social justice and welfare.
  • Secular: Equal respect for all religions.
  • Democratic: Governance by the people, through elected representatives.
  • Republic: Head of state elected, not hereditary.

42nd Amendment Act, 1976:

• Context: Introduced during the Emergency under Indira Gandhi's government.
• Key Changes: Added 'socialist' and 'secular' to the Preamble, revised 'Unity of the Nation' to 'Unity and Integrity of the Nation.'
• Significance: Strengthened constitutional values like inclusivity, equality, and justice.

Socialist and Secular Initiatives by Government

• Socialist Programs:
  • MGNREGA: Rural employment guarantee.
  • PDS: Food security system.
  • Right to Education (RTE): Free, compulsory education.
  • Housing Schemes: Awas Yojana for the economically weaker sections.
• Secular Programs:
  • Minority Welfare: Scholarships and skill development.
  • Religious Protection Laws: Protection of places of worship.
  • Communal Violence Laws: Special courts for violence-related cases.
  • Constitutional Safeguards: Equal rights for all religions under Articles 25-28.

Significance of the Supreme Court Judgment

• Reaffirmation of Constitutional Values: The inclusion of ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ reinforces India’s commitment to equality, justice, and democratic principles.
• Legitimacy of Amendments: Affirms Parliament's constitutional power to amend the Preamble.
• Evolving Interpretation: Recognizes that the Constitution must evolve in response to societal and political changes.

In News:

• A deep depression in the Southwest Bay of Bengal, 800 km south of Chennai and 500 km from Nagapattinam, is expected to become Cyclone Fengal within the next 24 hours.
• It is anticipated to move north-northwest towards Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Key Highlights:

Cyclone Fengal Naming:

• If the depression intensifies into a cyclone, it will be named Fengal, as suggested by Saudi Arabia.
• Fengal will follow Cyclone Dana, which made landfall in Odisha in October 2024.

Cyclone Naming Process:

• Panel Members: Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named by a panel of 13 countries under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
• Member countries include Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE, and Yemen.
• Process: Each member submits a list of 13 names, creating a rotational naming system. Names are assigned sequentially as cyclones form. Once used, a name is retired and not reused.

Cyclone Fengal’s Potential Impact:

• Fengal is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible coastal flooding.
• The system’s trajectory is being closely monitored, and preparedness measures are being implemented.

Terminology of Tropical Cyclones:

Terminology                                Region                                                                                         Impact Areas

Typhoons                                      China Sea, Pacific Ocean                                      Japan, China, Philippines

Hurricanes                                   Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean                           United States, Mexico,

                                                                                                                                      Caribbean nations

Tornadoes                                    Guinea Lands (West Africa), Southern USA       Southern USA, West Africa

Willy-willies                                 Northwestern Australia                                          Australia (especially

                                                                                                                                       Northwestern region)

In News:

• India reaffirms its commitment to inclusive growth and strengthening its intellectual property (IP) ecosystem.The signing of the treaty comes after nearly two decades of negotiations.

Key Highlights:

Purpose of the DLT:

• Aims to harmonize industrial design protection frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.
• Improves efficiency and accessibility of design registration processes.

Key Features of the DLT:

• Grace Period: A 12-month grace period after the first disclosure of the design, ensuring its validity for registration.
• Flexibility for Applicants: Provides relief measures such as relaxed deadlines, reinstatement of lost rights, and flexibility in adding priority claims.
• Simplified Processes: Includes simplified procedures for design renewals, assignment, and license recording.
• E-Filing Systems: Promotes the adoption of electronic filing systems and exchange of priority documents.

Benefits of DLT:

• Empowering SMEs and Startups: Helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups protect designs globally, enhancing competitiveness and market growth.
• Reduced Administrative Burden: Standardizes procedures, making the design protection process less complex, more predictable, and affordable.
• Support for Developing Countries: Offers technical assistance for implementation in developing and least-developed countries.

Significance for India:

• India’s rich heritage of design and craftsmanship underscores the importance of design protection for sustainable economic growth.
• Design registrations in India have surged, with a 120% increase in domestic filings over the last two years.

Supporting Programs:

• The treaty’s provisions align with India’s initiatives like Startup India and the Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) Scheme to boost the protection and commercialization of designs for Indian innovators.

Broader Impact:

• DLT aims to integrate design protection with traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, further enhancing protection for India’s diverse creative sectors.

About WIPO:

• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is a specialized UN agency established in 1967, promoting IP rights globally.
• India is a member of WIPO, which has 193 member countries.

Overview of Intellectual Property (IP):

• IP includes creations like inventions, industrial designs, literary and artistic works, symbols, and more, which are used in commerce.
• IP rights protect creators, allowing them to benefit from their work when commercially exploited.