22 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Modi, Vance See Progress in Bilateral Trade Talks

(Source: The Hindu – 22nd April 2025, Page 1 & 10)

Key Developments

• The BTA is being positioned as a modern, flexible framework for trade that aligns with the needs of both economies.
• Despite speculation, no announcements were made regarding tariff relaxations or student visa regulations, issues that affect Indian exporters and the diaspora.
• The launch of the proposed TRUST Technology Partnership (a tech collaboration platform) was deferred, suggesting ongoing negotiations or strategic recalibration.
• U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit India later in 2025 for the Quad Summit, hinting at broader regional coordination in the Indo-Pacific.

What is the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)?

• A BTA is a pact between two countries to facilitate trade by reducing tariffs, eliminating barriers, and increasing market access.
• The proposed India-U.S. BTA aims to:
  • Promote supply chain resilience post-COVID and amid China+1 strategies.
  • Enhance cooperation in sectors like semiconductors, critical minerals, defence, and pharma.
  • Support MSMEs and Indian exporters to gain better access to the American market.

Implications for India

1. Economic Diplomacy: This signifies India’s growing role in reshaping global trade architecture by aligning with major economies like the U.S.
2. Strategic Convergence: The BTA complements India’s broader engagement under Quad, targeting Indo-Pacific stability and technology collaboration.
3. Export Boost: Better trade terms with the U.S. can address India’s trade imbalance and provide a push to key sectors like textiles, IT, pharma, and clean energy.
4. Geopolitical Signaling: Amid U.S.-China tensions, deepening ties with the U.S. reaffirms India’s centrality in regional and global strategic frameworks.

2. SC on Article 355 & Judicial Overreach

Source: The Hindu – 22nd April 2025, Page 1 & 10

Understanding Article 355

• Text of Article 355:
  “It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”
• Nature of Provision:
  • It is directive and declaratory, not self-executing.
  • It does not provide automatic grounds for judicial enforcement.
  • Any action under it must conform with Article 356 (President’s Rule), which requires satisfaction of breakdown of constitutional machinery.

Key Judicial Observations

• The Court observed that it cannot compel the Union to invoke Article 355 or interfere in executive functions.
• It stressed the principle of separation of powers, wherein:
  • Executive decides when to act under Article 355/356.
  • Judiciary can only step in post-facto for constitutional review.
• It also connected the issue with ongoing discussions about the limits of judicial intervention, especially in governor-state relations.

The Larger Constitutional Debate

• The April 8 verdict addressed a situation where the Governor of Tamil Nadu delayed assent to 12 State Bills.
• The SC used Article 142 to declare 10 of those Bills as deemed assented—raising questions on whether the Court was overstepping into the executive domain.
• Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar criticized this move, calling it “judicial overreach”.

Implications for Indian Polity

Democratic Governance: Reinforces the idea that Governors and the Union must act within constitutional limits, not undermine State legislatures.

Centre–State Dynamics: Clarifies the non-interventionist role of the judiciary in invoking emergency provisions like Article 355, which remain the prerogative of the executive.

Checks and Balances: Strengthens the principle that judiciary must remain within its domain, ensuring accountability without encroachment.

Federalism: Ensures that emergency powers are not misused or triggered lightly, protecting States from arbitrary intervention.

3. Surat’s Emissions Trading Scheme Cuts Industrial Pollution by Up to 30%, Sets Model for India

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 14)

Analysis of the news:                                                    

Understanding Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS)

• ETS is a market-based mechanism designed to reduce emissions by capping the total allowed output and issuing tradable permits.
• Industries can buy or sell permits based on their emissions, incentivising cleaner technology and efficient pollution control.
• This ‘cap-and-trade’ approach provides economic flexibility while driving environmental compliance.

Implementation of the Surat ETS

• Launched in 2019, the Surat ETS focused on reducing fine particulate matter from 342 polluting textile units.
• The cap was initially set at 280 tons/month and later reduced to 170 tons. Plants received 80% of permits free and the rest through auctions.
• Trading occurred within a regulated price band (₹5–₹100 per kg) to prevent misuse or market distortion.

Compliance and Enforcement Mechanism

• The ETS enforced strict compliance through a bond-backed penalty system, where violators paid twice the ceiling price per excess emission unit.
• This ensured strong deterrence while allowing plants to adjust through a grace period known as the “true-up” phase.

Why ETS is a Game-Changer for India

• India’s traditional command-and-control regulatory model is often inefficient due to its rigid enforcement and resource constraints.
• ETS introduces flexibility, cost-efficiency, and accountability, particularly benefiting small and medium enterprises.
• It marks a significant shift toward smart environmental governance.

Global and Domestic Challenges

• While ETS schemes have shown promise globally, they face criticisms like permit over-allocation, lobbying by polluters, and insufficient caps—issues seen in Europe, the US, and China.
• The Surat pilot avoids many pitfalls through data-backed caps and transparent monitoring, offering a scalable model for other Indian cities.

4. CCI Approves Google’s Settlement in Android TV Antitrust Case

Allegations:

• Mandatory pre-installation of Google apps like Play Store and YouTube on smart TVs.
• Restrictions on OEMs (like Xiaomi, TCL) from developing or shipping Android forks (custom OS versions).

Investigation Findings:

• Google held a dominant position in the market for licensable smart TV operating systems and Android app stores.
• Agreements like the Television App Distribution Agreement (TADA) and Android Compatibility Commitments (ACC) imposed anti-competitive restrictions.

Settlement Details:

• Google submitted a settlement under the Settlement Regulations, 2024.
• Key provisions included:
  • Removal of mandatory bundling of Google apps.
  • Provision of standalone licenses for Google Play and Play Services.
  • Waiver of ACC terms for devices without Google apps.
• CCI accepted the settlement under Section 48A(3).
• Final settlement amount: ₹20.24 crore (after a 15% discount).

Significance:

• Reflects evolving legal tools for faster resolution in digital competition law.
• Highlights the role of regulatory bodies in curbing abuse of dominance by tech giants.

PRELIMS FACTS

1. WHO Pandemic Treaty Finalised

• Institution Involved: World Health Organization (WHO)
• Event: Finalisation of Pandemic Treaty after 13 negotiation rounds
• Key Provisions:
  • Global Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system established
  • 10% of vaccines to be donated to WHO, another 10% sold at affordable rates
  • Technology transfer to developing nations is mandatory on mutually agreed terms, not voluntary

2. Maharashtra’s Hindi Language Controversy

• State Involved: Maharashtra
• Issue: Compulsory Hindi from Classes 1 to 5
• Challenge: Filed by Language Consultation Committee Chief
• Key Concerns:
  • Violates NEP 2020, which allows only two languages (R1 and R2) till age 11
  • Overburdens students in a multilingual state
  • Teacher shortage and poor infrastructure
  • Potential cultural erosion of Marathi language

3. Climate Change May Spike Arsenic in Rice, Triggering Major Health Risks Across Asia by 2050

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained , Page – 14)

Analysis of the news:            

Health Implications of Elevated Arsenic

• Increased arsenic in rice poses serious health risks, including heightened chances of lung, bladder, and skin cancers.
• Non-cancer health impacts such as heart disease, diabetes, neurodevelopmental issues, and pregnancy complications are also projected to rise.

Widespread Risk in Asia

• The risk is particularly severe for South and Southeast Asia, where rice is a dietary staple.
• Countries like India, Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam are especially vulnerable.
• The study estimates tens of millions of new cancer cases by 2050, with China alone projected to see over 13 million cases.

Scientific Basis and Methodology

• Researchers conducted field tests on 28 rice strains over a decade and used models to estimate future arsenic exposure and associated health risks across seven Asian countries.
• Results showed a synergistic effect of temperature and CO₂ in increasing arsenic accumulation in rice.

Mitigation and Policy Recommendations

• To combat this looming threat, the authors suggest breeding rice varieties with lower arsenic uptake, improving soil and water management, and launching public health campaigns to raise awareness and reduce exposure.

check more – 17 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs