08 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. A case for a fair seat allocation

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Meaning of Readjustment and Delimitation

• Readjustment of Lok Sabha seats means changing the number of seats based on population after each Census.
• Delimitation means redrawing the boundaries of constituencies.
• Under Article 82 of the Constitution, seat readjustment must follow each Census to match population changes.
• The current strength of the Lok Sabha was fixed based on the 1971 Census when India’s population was around 54.79 crore.
• This number has been frozen till 2026 through a constitutional amendment.

Population Growth and Regional Disparities

• India’s estimated population in March 2025 is about 141 crore.
• Northern States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have seen very high population growth.
• For example, Uttar Pradesh’s population grew from 8.38 crore in 1971 to 24.1 crore in 2025.
• Bihar’s population grew from 4.21 crore in 1971 to 13.1 crore in 2025.
• Southern States successfully controlled their population growth, leading to smaller increases.

Possible Impact of Seat Readjustment

• In 1971, one Lok Sabha seat represented about 10 lakh people, and this ratio was similar across States.
• If the same formula is applied now, States with higher population growth will get many more seats.
• For instance, Uttar Pradesh may get 240 seats instead of 80, while Kerala may only get 36 instead of 20.
• If the ratio is changed to 15 lakh people per seat, Uttar Pradesh may get 160 seats, but Kerala may get only a few more than 20.
• If the Lok Sabha expands to 800 seats, each seat will represent around 18 lakh people.

Concerns of Southern States

• There are concerns that population control efforts by southern States will be punished by giving them fewer seats.
• A recent meeting of leaders from southern States pointed to the possibility of the issue becoming a strong rallying point.

Need for a Fair Formula

• A fair solution could be to use the State with the lowest population growth as the standard.
• Kerala’s population grew by 68% since 1971. Applying this 68% increase to all States will maintain balance.
• This formula will raise the Lok Sabha seats to 912 and maintain existing proportions among States.

Equity in Representation

• Article 81(2)(a), which requires equal seat-to-population ratio for all States, may no longer suit present needs.
• Seat allocation should be based on the principle of equity and sensitivity to regional differences.
• A fair system must protect the federal balance and reflect the Union nature of India.

2. Indonesia’s Mega Deforestation Plan Sparks Global Alarm Over Biodiversity and Climate Impact

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The World, Page – 16)

Analysis of the news:                                                                               

Biodiversity at Risk

• Indonesia, home to the world’s third-largest rainforest, harbors endangered species like orangutans and elephants.
• Experts warn that replacing biodiverse forests with monoculture plantations will devastate habitats, erase species, and endanger indigenous communities reliant on forests for survival.

Food Security and Renewable Energy Ambitions

• The deforestation is part of long-term food estate plans initiated under former President Widodo and expanded by current President Prabowo Subianto.
• The goal is to boost food self-sufficiency and produce bioethanol, a renewable fuel, as part of a broader push for energy independence.

Bioethanol Production Potential and Challenges

• While Indonesia has vast farmland potential, past attempts at bioethanol production faltered due to a lack of sustainable feedstocks.
• The new push involves a 4.3 million-hectare estate, mainly in Papua and Kalimantan, raising concerns due to its overlap with ecologically and culturally sensitive areas.

Environmental and Social Fallout

• Clearing forests accelerates soil erosion, disrupts ecosystems, and worsens climate change.
• The Merauke estate in Papua alone spans over 3 million hectares, threatening unique ecoregions and indigenous livelihoods.

Reforestation Efforts: A Limited Solution

• The government plans to reforest 6.5 million hectares of degraded land.
• However, experts caution that newly planted forests cannot match the ecological value of old-growth forests, which are vital for carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity.

Conclusion

• Indonesia’s ambitious plan to boost food and energy security through large-scale deforestation poses a serious threat to biodiversity, indigenous communities, and climate stability.
• While reforestation is proposed as a mitigation step, it cannot replace the ecological value of natural forests, making it imperative to balance development goals with environmental conservation.

3. New magnetic nanoparticles may help treat Cancer

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2119803 )

Analysis of the news:

• Magnetic hyperthermia is a method that raises the temperature of tumour cells to kill them, using magnetic nanoparticles controlled by an external magnetic field.
• Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), in collaboration with NIT Nagaland, led this research.
• The nanoparticles were synthesised using the chemical co-precipitation method with varying Gd (Gadolinium) dopant contents.
• These nanoparticles, when placed in a fluid and exposed to an alternating magnetic field, generate heat.
• The heat can elevate cancer cell temperature up to 46°C, leading to necrosis in the tumour tissue.
• This method is potentially safer and more targeted than chemotherapy or radiation.

4. India launches first Digital Threat Report 2024 to support cybersecurity

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2119801 )

Launch of the Digital Threat Report 2024 for BFSI Sector

• A new report has been launched to boost cybersecurity in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.
• The report is a result of collaboration between national cybersecurity agencies and a global cybersecurity company.
• It gives a complete overview of current and future cyber threats facing the BFSI sector.

Need for a Unified Cybersecurity Framework

• The report highlights how the interconnected nature of financial systems increases the risk of large-scale cyberattacks.
• A coordinated cybersecurity strategy at both national and sectoral levels is urgently needed.
• It aims to help financial institutions strengthen their defenses and prepare for complex cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity as a Foundation of Financial Stability

• Cybersecurity is now a key part of financial stability, especially as digital transactions grow rapidly.
• The report stresses the importance of integrating technology, regulations, and threat intelligence.
• It helps financial institutions identify weak areas, predict risks, and improve their resilience.

Insights from Real-World Cyber Threats

• The report uses real data from cybersecurity incidents to provide deep insights into threat patterns and hacker tactics.
• It explains how cybercriminals target systems and shows how to build better security using people, processes, and technology.

A Call to Action for Cyber Resilience

• The report encourages financial organizations to stay ahead of risks using intelligence-sharing and collaboration.
• It highlights challenges such as AI-driven attacks, digital fraud, and regulatory issues.
• It serves as a guide for creating a safer and more secure digital financial ecosystem.

Prelims Facts

1. The magic of a mirror: how is it able to show your reflection?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

What is a Mirror?

• A mirror is an object that shows a clear reflection of whatever is in front of it.
• It feels like glass but always reflects light back, allowing us to see ourselves.
• Unlike plain glass which lets most light pass through, a mirror reflects most of it.

How Does a Mirror Work?

• A mirror has a clear glass front and a shiny metal layer at the back to reflect light.
• When you look into the mirror, light from your face goes through the glass and hits the metal.
• The shiny metal layer bounces the light back through the glass in the same direction it came.
• This reflected light enters your eyes, allowing you to see your own face or anything else clearly.
• The glass protects the metal layer and keeps the mirror safe while allowing light to pass through easily.

2. Japan emperor visits Iwo Jima to honour war dead

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 15)

Places In News – Iwo Jima:

• Iwo Jima is a small volcanic island located about 1,250 kilometers south of Tokyo, Japan.
• It was the site of a major five-week battle in 1945 during the Second World War between Japan and the United States.
• Around 21,000 Japanese soldiers died, and the U.S. suffered over 6,800 deaths and 19,000 injuries during the battle.
• The island is most remembered through a famous photo of U.S. Marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
• Currently, Iwo Jima is off-limits to civilians and remains littered with old war equipment.
• The air on the island smells of sulphur due to its volcanic nature, and search efforts for war dead continue.

3. Kashmir’s less-known spring blooms

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Species In News:

Colchicum luteum (Veer Kaum)

• A vibrant yellow flower blooming early in spring, carpeting hills and meadows.
• Traditionally valued for medicinal properties, it is now threatened by habitat loss.

Sternbergia vernalis (Goul Tour)

• A golden-yellow flower marking the arrival of spring in Kashmir.
• Its early blooming is now shifting due to climate change and milder winter conditions.

Salix (Braed Mushuk)

• Willow species with soft catkins, commonly found near water bodies in Kashmir.
• Culturally significant and ecologically vital, it supports early pollinators and prevents erosion.

Viburnum grandiflorum (Kulmansh)

• A shrub with large pink flowers blooming in spring, found on moist forest slopes.
• It holds medicinal value and supports pollinators in mid-altitude habitats.

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)

• Bright yellow and white spring flowers symbolising renewal in Kashmiri culture.
• They support early-season pollination and are often featured in gardens and folklore.

4. The 1997 Code of Judicial Ethics

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 17)

Analysis of the news:

The 1997 Code of Judicial Ethics

• The decision reinforces the 1997 Restatement of Values of Judicial Life, a code of ethics adopted by the Supreme Court to ensure high standards of conduct among judges.
• It outlines principles aimed at preserving judicial independence, impartiality, and integrity, and forms the ethical backbone of judicial accountability in India.

Key Ethical Guidelines for Judges

• The 16-point code urges judges to avoid actions that could undermine public faith in the judiciary.
• It includes maintaining aloofness from political or commercial engagements, avoiding conflicts of interest, and refraining from public commentary on issues likely to come up for judicial consideration.
• It also prohibits judges from engaging in speculative investments, accepting gifts, or using their position for personal gain.

Asset Disclosure: From Confidentiality to Transparency

• Initially, judges were required to submit asset declarations confidentially to the Chief Justice. However, a 2009 resolution allowed voluntary public disclosure.
• Further, in 2018, the Supreme Court clarified that judges’ assets do not constitute “personal information” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, paving the way for transparency in judicial conduct.

In-House Mechanism for Judicial Accountability

• Alongside ethical guidelines, an in-house inquiry procedure was adopted in 1999 to address misconduct without resorting to impeachment.
• This mechanism has been invoked in notable cases, including the recent inquiry against Justice Yashwant Varma and a 2014 case of alleged sexual harassment, providing a structured way to investigate allegations that fall short of “proven misbehaviour”.

Bridging the Accountability Gap

• The in-house procedure and values resolution aim to address the “gap between proved misbehaviour and bad conduct”, offering a mechanism for holding judges accountable without compromising judicial independence.
• This approach balances integrity with institutional autonomy, marking an important shift toward greater transparency.

check more – 07 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs