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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on December 16, 2024
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Can the Vice President be impeached?
For Preliminary Examination: Vice President of India, President of India
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance
Context:
On December 10, the Opposition submitted a notice to move a no-confidence or impeachment resolution against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The notice accuses him of engaging in “partisan” conduct and being an “impassioned spokesperson” of the government’s policies at public fora. A similar motion had been considered by the Opposition during the Budget session in August but was ultimately shelved as the session drew to a close
Read about:
President of India
Vice President of India
Key takeaways:
Procedure for Removing the Vice President
- The Vice President of India, the second-highest constitutional authority after the President, derives their powers from Article 63 of the Constitution. Article 64 further designates the Vice President as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, assigning them dual responsibilities as Vice President and Chairperson of the Upper House.
- The procedure for removing the Vice President is outlined in Article 67 of the Constitution. While the Vice President's term is fixed at five years, they may resign mid-term by submitting a resignation to the President.
- Under Article 67(b), the Vice President can also be removed through a resolution passed by a majority of members in the Rajya Sabha, which must then be approved by the Lok Sabha. However, this process requires a 14-day advance notice before the resolution is introduced.
- According to P.D.T. Achary, former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, the resolution can only be taken up for discussion after this notice period and requires a simple majority in both Houses for approval and implementation
Will the No-confidence Motion Be Considered?
- It appears unlikely that the no-confidence motion will be addressed in the current session of Parliament, as the Winter Session is set to conclude on December 20, leaving insufficient time for the mandated 14-day notice period.
- For example, in 2020, then Rajya Sabha Chairperson M. Venkaiah Naidu rejected a no-confidence motion against Deputy Chairperson Harivansh due to the absence of the required notice period.
- Furthermore, even if the motion is taken up, it is unlikely to succeed as the Opposition lacks the necessary numbers for its passage. This motion, therefore, seems to be largely a symbolic protest against the alleged partisan behavior of the current Vice President, Mr. Dhankhar.
- Notably, since this is a constitutional resolution, it does not lapse when the session is prorogued. It can be reconsidered in a future session or during a specially convened session of Parliament, as clarified by Mr. Achary
Can the Vice President Preside Over Such Proceedings?
The Vice President, in their role as Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, cannot preside over proceedings concerning their own removal. As per Article 92 of the Constitution, the Vice President, or Deputy Chairperson in their absence, is barred from chairing sessions when a resolution for their removal is under consideration. However, the Vice President is allowed to participate in the debate and present their perspective but is prohibited from voting on the resolution or any related matters during these proceedings.
This ensures impartiality and upholds the principles of natural justice during such critical deliberations
Follow Up Question
1.Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2013)
- The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
- While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer (b)
Statement 1:
Thus, Statement 1 is incorrect
Statement 2:
Thus, Statement 2 is correct |
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Somatic Gene Therapy:
- Targets non-reproductive (somatic) cells, meaning changes do not pass to offspring.
- Examples: Treatments for hemophilia or cancer using modified cells.
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Germline Gene Therapy:
- Involves altering genes in reproductive cells (sperm, egg, or embryo).
- Changes are heritable, but this is currently banned in many countries due to ethical concerns.
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Ex Vivo Gene Therapy:
- Cells are removed from the patient’s body, genetically modified in a laboratory, and then reintroduced into the patient.
- Example: CAR-T cell therapy for cancer.
-
In Vivo Gene Therapy:
- Genetic material is directly delivered into the patient’s body using vectors, like viruses or nanoparticles.
- Diseases caused by mutations in a single gene, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis
- Therapies like CAR-T cell therapy involve engineering immune cells to attack cancer
- Potential for treating conditions like Parkinson's disease and spinal muscular atrophy
- Addresses diseases with no existing treatment options by directly targeting genetic causes
1.Consider the following statements about Gene Therapy:
- Gene therapy involves altering the genetic material of a patient’s cells to treat or prevent disease.
- Gene therapy can only be used to treat inherited genetic disorders and cannot be applied to acquired conditions like cancer.
- In somatic gene therapy, changes made to the genetic material are passed on to the offspring.
- Viral vectors are commonly used in gene therapy to deliver genetic material into a patient’s cells.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 3, and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
|
Answer (a)
Statement 1: "Gene therapy involves altering the genetic material of a patient's cells to treat or prevent disease." ✓ CORRECT
Statement 2: "Gene therapy can only be used to treat inherited genetic disorders and cannot be applied to acquired conditions like cancer." ✗ INCORRECT
Statement 3: "In somatic gene therapy, changes made to the genetic material are passed on to the offspring." ✗ INCORRECT
Statement 4: "Viral vectors are commonly used in gene therapy to deliver genetic material into a patient's cells." ✓ CORRECT
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Signatures of Light
- When light travels around an extremely massive object like a black hole, its path bends due to the object’s intense gravitational pull. This bending causes some light rays to travel directly to the observer, while others may orbit the black hole multiple times before continuing on their path.
- As a result, light emitted by a distant source may reach Earth at different times, depending on how it interacts with black holes along its journey. When two light beams from the same source reach Earth at different times, the second beam acts as an echo of the first, a phenomenon known as a light echo.
- The degree to which light is bent by a black hole depends on its mass and radius. If the black hole is spinning (referred to as a Kerr black hole), the bending also depends on its angular momentum. According to the study, scientists could use light echoes to independently measure the masses and spins of black holes.
- Measuring a black hole's mass and spin can be challenging due to the complex interactions of surrounding matter, hot gases, and radiation, which make it difficult to isolate clear signals. However, light is affected differently, and light echoes could provide a clearer signal-to-noise ratio.
- A lens is any object that bends light, and black holes act as natural lenses due to their immense gravitational force. This phenomenon is known as gravitational lensing.
- Scientists had hypothesized that gravitational lensing could produce light echoes, but these had not been directly observed until now. To address this, the study proposes the use of long-baseline interferometry, a technique where the non-simultaneous arrival of two light signals can create a unique interference pattern.
- To detect light echoes from a black hole, telescopes could be positioned on Earth and in space. Despite the relatively small number of instruments, they would need to operate with precise technical accuracy.
- The study’s motivation stemmed from the discovery of bright light rings around supermassive black holes in the centers of the Milky Way and M87 galaxies, observed at a frequency of 230 GHz.
- These rings are influenced by astrophysical forces and the spacetime curvature around black holes, making them an ideal subject for study through very long baseline interferometry. One key goal is to track the black hole’s shadow in these rings to better understand the spacetime environment.
Independent of Color
- The focus of this study was on the black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy, a large target ideal for observing light echoes. However, the findings are applicable to other black holes as well.
- The "baseline" in long-baseline interferometry refers to the distance between two telescopes that receive the light.
- The study suggests this distance should be at least 40 G, where G is a unit of measurement indicating the telescopes' capacity to capture signals at a specific frequency.
- The research team from Princeton also conducted preliminary high-resolution simulations to validate their technique. They used the Event Horizon Telescope to gather thousands of images of light traveling around the M87 black hole, located about 55 million light-years away.
- The team then estimated the time it took for light beams to travel from the near side to the far side of the black hole, factoring in the black hole’s mass, angular momentum, and the telescope’s viewing angle. From this data, they were able to calculate the echo delay.
- Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity also predicted the existence of light echoes, particularly that they would be achromatic—meaning they should occur across all light frequencies.
- Since the unit G is inversely proportional to frequency, constructing a telescope to detect these echoes at different frequencies presents its own challenges. Nevertheless, detecting light echoes at multiple frequencies could be an excellent test of this new technique.
- A successful result would further confirm that Einstein's theory of relativity accurately describes the behavior of black holes
1.Consider the following statements about the Big Bang Theory:
- The Big Bang Theory explains the origin of the universe as a sudden expansion from an infinitely dense and hot state.
- According to the Big Bang Theory, the universe is expanding and will eventually contract in a "Big Crunch."
- Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB) is considered evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory, as it is a remnant of the heat from the early universe.
- The concept of dark matter is an essential element of the Big Bang Theory to explain the formation of galaxies and large-scale structures in the universe.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 2, and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
|
Answer (a)
Statement 1: "The Big Bang Theory explains the origin of the universe as a sudden expansion from an infinitely dense and hot state." ✓ CORRECT
Statement 2: "According to the Big Bang Theory, the universe is expanding and will eventually contract in a 'Big Crunch.'" ✗ INCORRECT
Statement 3: "Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB) is considered evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory, as it is a remnant of the heat from the early universe." ✓ CORRECT
Statement 4: "The concept of dark matter is an essential element of the Big Bang Theory to explain the formation of galaxies and large-scale structures in the universe." ✓ CORRECT
Therefore, statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct |
What is a Carbon Market?
- A carbon market is a system that allows the buying and selling of carbon emission rights. If a government wishes to limit the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere, it can issue carbon credits.
- These credits permit the holder to emit a specific amount of carbon, with one carbon credit representing 1,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide. By controlling the number of carbon credits issued, governments can regulate the total emissions.
- Importantly, anyone without carbon credits cannot emit carbon. Carbon credits were first introduced in the 1990s in the U.S. through a cap-and-trade model to manage sulfur dioxide emissions.
- Entities that have carbon credits but do not need them can sell them to others who require them. The price of these credits is determined by market dynamics—supply and demand.
- A carbon market may also involve trading carbon offsets, where companies that pollute the environment buy offsets from environmental groups that plant trees to absorb a certain amount of carbon.
Benefits of Carbon Markets
- Carbon emissions are a prime example of an externality, an economic term where the costs of an activity aren't reflected in the market price due to poorly defined property rights.
- For instance, a business pays for the raw materials it uses, but it doesn't pay for the carbon it emits into the atmosphere. This leads to pollution without financial consequences for the company.
- Carbon markets address this issue by attaching a cost to pollution, incentivizing companies to reduce their emissions.
- Advancements in standardizing carbon accounting and technology have improved corporations' ability to track and report emissions.
- However, small businesses, especially in developing countries, still face challenges, such as capturing supply chain emissions. Although many corporations prefer voluntary reporting systems like the Carbon Disclosure Project, they resist government-imposed emission limits, fearing restrictions on production or increased costs.
- Large multinational companies like ExxonMobil and General Motors advocate for carbon markets, where carbon credits can be traded freely, arguing that market-driven pricing results in a more efficient allocation of credits.
Challenges in Carbon Markets
- Even with a functioning carbon market, governments that are not committed to reducing emissions may increase the supply of carbon credits, lowering the cost of pollution rights, and thereby reducing the impact of the system.
- Alternatively, governments may strictly limit the supply of credits but allow firms to circumvent the rules by emitting carbon illegally.
- The effectiveness of carbon offsets depends on the motivation of business owners to genuinely address carbon emissions, with some critics suggesting that firms often purchase offsets to enhance their public image rather than to make a real environmental impact.
- Other critics question how governments can determine the optimal number of carbon credits.
- They argue that politicians, who do not personally suffer economic consequences from emission reductions, may not make decisions that benefit the environment in the long run
|
Answer (A)
The Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) refers to the monetary value of the long-term damage caused by the emission of one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a given year. It is a metric used to estimate the economic impact of CO2 emissions on climate change, including the costs related to damage to human health, agriculture, property, and ecosystems due to rising temperatures and climate impacts. This value helps inform climate policy and the setting of carbon taxes or emissions reduction targets.
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Examining Opposing Arguments
- Critics raise valid concerns about the financial benefits, arguing that the actual monetary savings are minimal. There's also a relatively new trend in Indian politics where national leaders extensively participate in state election campaigns.
- If governance disruption is the main worry, a simpler solution exists: state elections could be managed primarily by state-level party organizations, allowing national leaders to focus on governance. However, given the increasingly centralized and presidential nature of Indian election campaigns, this seems unlikely in the near term.
- Additional challenges have been highlighted. The first concerns the massive logistical undertaking of conducting simultaneous elections in a nation of over 1.4 billion people, where even state elections require multiple phases.
- A more fundamental issue relates to parliamentary democracy's core principles. Originally, India held concurrent central and state elections, but this system faltered in the late 1960s due to Article 356's implementation and the basic requirement that governments maintain parliamentary confidence or face dissolution.
The Practical Challenges
- Even if initial synchronization is achieved, the system would unravel when any government falls. Proposed remedies, such as imposing President's Rule until the next scheduled election or holding interim elections with truncated terms, create more problems than they solve. These solutions could undermine democratic principles and create ineffective governance periods.
- This situation might encourage avoiding government dissolutions through questionable means, particularly defections. Despite the Tenth Schedule's restrictions, political parties have found ways to circumvent anti-defection laws, with courts struggling to prevent such practices. As noted by legal expert Kapil Sibal, this could lead to increased political horse-trading, benefiting well-funded parties.
Constitutional Considerations
- Beyond implementation issues, two fundamental concerns emerge: federalism and democratic principles. Indian federalism recognizes diverse collective aspirations through statehood.
- While national democracy operates at the center, each state has its own democratic dynamics. Simultaneous elections risk merging these distinct democratic spaces, potentially overshadowing state-specific issues with national concerns.
- The federal structure serves as a check on power concentration, supported by institutions like the Rajya Sabha. Multiple democratic contests and regional political entities maintain this balance. Synchronized elections could weaken this diversity and lead to power centralization.
Democratic Participation
Regarding democracy, despite constitutional promises, public participation is largely limited to elections. While this merits separate discussion, frequent elections currently allow broader public engagement. Simultaneous elections would reduce these opportunities without introducing alternative forms of civic participation.
In conclusion, while the administrative advantages of simultaneous elections appear limited, the implementation challenges and potential threats to federal and democratic principles are substantial. These factors suggest that pursuing this approach could compromise constitutional values and democratic governance
1.Consider the following statements regarding the Election Commission of India:
- The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs) enjoy equal powers but receive different salaries.
- The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through impeachment by Parliament.
- The Constitution specifies the tenure of Election Commissioners as six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
- The Election Commission has the power to disqualify candidates who commit corrupt practices during elections.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 4 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
|
Answer (c)
Statement 1: ✗ INCORRECT
Statement 2: ✗ INCORRECT
Statement 3: ✗ INCORRECT
Statement 4: ✓ CORRECT
Therefore, only statement 4 is correct. The correct answer is (c) 4 only. |
| Subject | Topic | Description |
| History | Modern Indian History | Important Personalities |
| History | Modern Indian History | Independence and Partition |
| History | Modern Indian History | Constitutional Development in India |
| History | Modern Indian History | Peasants, Tribal and other movements |
|
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