Current Affair

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2. Current Affairs
Kasturirangan Committee to Develop a
New National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
Reference News-
The Centre has appointed former ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan as the head of a 12-member
steering committee responsible for developing a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
• Dr. Kasturirangan also chaired the drafting committee for the National Education Policy,
2020 which recommended the development of a new NCF.
Key takeaways
• The steering committee has been given a tenure of three years to complete its task.
• NCF is meant to be a guiding document for the development of textbooks, syllabi and
teaching practices in schools across the country.
• It will develop four such frameworks, one each to guide the curriculum of school education,
teacher education, early childhood education and adult education.
Major features of National Education Policy 2020
• The current 10+2 system will be
divided into 5 (3 to 8 years) +3 (8to
11 years) + 3 (11 to 14 years) + 4
(14 to 18 years) format.
• Co-curriculum and vocational
subjects like sports, arts,
commerce, science will be treated
at the same level.
• Wherever possible, the medium of
instruction in schools until at least
Class 5, but preferably until Class 8
and beyond, will be the home
language or mother tongue or
regional language
• Multi-disciplinary higher education
framework with portable credits,
and multiple exits with certificates,
diplomas and degrees.
• Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be set up as a single umbrella body for the
entire higher education, excluding medical and legal education.
• National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), will be created to provide a platform for
the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology.

3. Central Vigilance Commission
Reference News:
Principal Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Sanjeev Sanyal has recently
observed that the Vigilance Directorate of the Railways is functioning in violation of the Central
Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines.
About Railways Vigilance Directorate
• The Vigilance Directorate plays a very important role in the area of management in the
Indian Railways.
• It investigates complaints, conducts sample checks in respect of managerial decisions to
determine their conformity to rules and procedures.
About The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
• It was set up by the Government in 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on
Prevention of Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam. (Santhanam Committee).
• It is a statutory body governed by the Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003.
• Mandate: To inquire into offences which might have been committed under the Prevention
of Corruption Act, 1988 by certain categories of public servants.
• Composition: The Commission shall consist of a Central Vigilance Commissioner
(Chairperson); and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners (Members).
• Appointment: They are appointed by the President of India on recommendation of a
Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs and
the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK):
Reference News:
Centre government, for the first time issued uniform specifications for Fortified Rice Kernels
(FRK) for grade A & Common Rice. The specifications have been issued by the Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Background:
The fortified rice is to be distributed under various government schemes, including the public
distribution system (PDS) and midday meals in schools, by 2024.
Need for Rice fortification:
• The country has high levels of malnutrition among women and children.
• According to the Food Ministry, every second woman in the country is anaemic and every
third child is stunted.
• India ranks 94 out of 107 countries and is in the ‘serious hunger’ category on the Global
Hunger Index (GHI).

4. • Malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients in poor women and poor children poses major
obstacles in their development.
What is food fortification?
Food fortification is defined as the practice of adding vitamins and minerals to commonly
consumed foods during processing to increase their nutritional value.
• It is a proven, safe and cost-effective strategy for improving diets and for the prevention
and control of micronutrient deficiencies.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), defines fortification as
“deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients in a food so as to improve
the nutritional quality of food and to provide public health benefit with minimal risk to
health”.
Fortified rice:
According to the Food Ministry, fortification of rice is a cost-effective and complementary strategy
to increase vitamin and mineral content in diets.
• According to FSSAI norms, 1 kg fortified rice will contain iron (28 mg-42.5 mg), folic acid (75-
125 microgram) and Vitamin B-12 (0.75-1.25 microgram).
• In addition, rice may also be fortified with micronutrients, singly or in combination, with
zinc (10 mg-15 mg), Vitamin A (500-750 microgram RE), Vitamin B1 (1 mg-1.5 mg), Vitamin
B2 (1.25 mg-1.75 mg), Vitamin B3 (12.5 mg-20 mg) and Vitamin B6 (1.5 mg-2.5 mg) per kg.
What are the benefits of Fortification?
Since the nutrients are added to staple foods that are widely consumed, this is an excellent
method to improve the health of a large section of the population, all at once.
• Fortification is a safe method of improving nutrition among people. The addition of
micronutrients to food does not pose a health risk to people.
• It does not require any changes in food habits and patterns of people. It is a socio-
culturally acceptable way to deliver nutrients to people.
• It does not alter the characteristics of the food—the taste, the feel, the look.
• It can be implemented quickly as well as show results in improvement of health in a
relatively short period of time.
• This method is cost-effective especially if advantage is taken of the existing technology and
delivery platforms.
Recognition/derecognition of political parties
Reference news-
The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre, Delhi government and Election Commission to respond
to a petition seeking derecognition of the Aam Aadmi Party for organising a Ganesh Chaturthi
event using public money.

5. What’s the issue?
The petitioner has demanded derecognition of AAP as a party and remove CM Arvind Kejriwal and
other ministers from the Constitutional office due to alleged deliberate breach of the Constitution
and the Representation of People’s Act in the interest of the public.
Registration of political parties:
Registration of Political parties is governed by the provisions of Section 29A of the Representation
of the People Act, 1951.
• A party seeking registration under the said Section with the Election Commission has to
submit an application to the Commission within a period of 30 days following the date of its
formation as per guidelines prescribed by the Election Commission of India in exercise of
the powers conferred by Article 324 of the Commission of India and Section 29A of the
Representation of the People Act, 1951.
To be eligible for a ‘National Political Party of India:
1. It secures at least six percent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states, at a
general election to the House of the People or, to the State Legislative Assembly.
2. In addition, it wins at least four seats in the House of the People from any State or States.
3. It wins at least two percent seats in the House of the People (i.e., 11 seats in the existing
House having 543 members), and these members are elected from at least three different
States.
To be eligible for a ‘State Political Party:
1. It secures at least six percent of the valid votes polled in the State at a general election,
either to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned.
2. In addition, it wins at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned.
3. It wins at least three percent (3%) of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly
of the State, or at least three seats in the Assembly, whichever is more.
Benefits:
1. If a party is recognised as a State Party’, it is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved
symbol to the candidates set up by it in the State in which it is so recognised, and if a party is
recognised as a `National Party’ it is entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved
symbol to the candidates set up by it throughout India.
2. Recognized `State’ and `National’ parties need only one proposer for filing the
nomination and are also entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost at the time of
revision of rolls and their candidates get one copy of electoral roll free of cost during General
Elections.
3. They also get broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan during general
elections.
4. The travel expenses of star campaigners are not to be accounted for in the election expense
accounts of candidates of their party.

6. International Blue Flag Certification:
Reference News-
Two more Indian Beaches (Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry) get
coveted International Blue Flag Certification. India now has 10 Blue Flag beaches.
• This is another recognition of India’s commitment to protect and conserve the pristine
coastal and marine ecosystems through holistic management of the resources.
8 nominated beaches in India were awarded the Blue Flag certificate last year.
These are:
1. Shivrajpur-Gujarat.
2. Ghoghla-Diu.
3. Kasarkod -Karnataka.
4. Padubidri-Karnataka.
5. Kappad-Kerala.
6. Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh.
7. Golden-Odisha.
8. Radhanagar- Andaman and Nicobar.
What is the Blue flag certification?
• Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by “Foundation for
Environment Education in Denmark” based on 33 stringent criteria.
• The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-
governmental, non-profit organisation the ‘Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
• It was started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in
areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined.
• Neat and clean beaches are an indicator that the coastal environment is in good health and
the Blue Flag certification is a global recognition of India’s conservation and sustainable
development efforts.
• A waving “Blue Flag” is an indication of 100% compliance to these 33 stringent criteria and
sound health of the beach.
What is the ‘Blue Flag Beach’?
• The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an ‘eco-tourism model’.
• It marks out beaches as providing tourists and beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water,
facilities/amenities, a safe and healthy environment, and sustainable development of the
area.

7. Havana Syndrome:
Reference News-
A US intelligence officer travelling with CIA director William Burns has reported symptoms of
Havana Syndrome while the two were in India earlier this month.
• This is the first instance of the phenomenon being reported in India, at least on record,
and could have diplomatic implications.
What is Havana Syndrome?
Havana Syndrome refers to a set of mental health symptoms that are said to be experienced by
US intelligence and embassy officials in various countries.
• It typically involves symptoms such as hearing certain sounds without any outside noise
being present, nausea, vertigo and headaches, memory loss and issues with balance.
As the name suggests, it traces its roots to Cuba.
• Back in 2016, reports first emerged of US diplomats and other employees of the
government falling ill in Havana, the capital of Cuba.
• The patients said they heard strange sounds and experienced odd physical sensations in
their hotel rooms or homes, and had symptoms of nausea, severe headaches, fatigue,
dizziness, sleep problems and hearing loss.
• This mysterious illness came to be called the “Havana Syndrome”.
Daily Topic
Towards a more humane police force
Reference News-
Recently, Chief Justice of
India expressed concern at
the degree of human rights
violations in police stations in
the country.
Chief Justice of India said that
“the threat to human rights and
bodily integrity is the highest in
police stations”. He also said that
“in spite of constitutional
declarations and
guarantees, lack of effective
legal representation at the
police stations is a huge
detriment to detained persons”.

8. However, a reality check shows that the picture is not so bleak and efforts are being made to
improve the human rights protection regime in police stations.
Deaths in police custody:
1. Deaths in police custody are indeed a matter of grave concern. Each such death must be
seriously inquired into, to unravel the truth.
2. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data reveal that though the number of custodial
deaths varies year to year, on average of about 100 custodial deaths have taken place every
year between 2010 and 2019.
3. Of them, about 3.5 persons allegedly died due to injuries caused by policemen, 8.6 while
escaping from custody, 28.1 due to suicide, and the rest due to various reasons like illness
and injuries caused in road accidents.
4. Though every death in custody needs to be prevented, suspicious deaths which bring
disrepute to the police system must be rooted out completely.
5. The foremost measure to reduce instances of custodial violence is to reduce the number of
arrests.
6. The Supreme Court held that each arrest must be necessary and justified; having the
authority to arrest is alone not sufficient.
7. In Special Action Forum v. Union of India (2018), the Court further held that the police
officer shall furnish to the magistrate the reasons and materials which necessitated the
arrest for further detention of the accused.
8. The purpose of these checks is to ensure that the police does not abuse the power of arrest.
Various committees’ recommendations regarding Police Reforms:
1. The National Police Commission (1977-81), the Law Commission in its 154th report (1996)
and the Malimath Committee Report (2003), among others.
2. The Supreme Court in Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006), have recommended that
the investigating police should be separated from the law-and-order police to ensure
better expertise in investigation.
3. It was suggested that the separation start in towns which have more than 10 lakh
population.
4. It is believed that a separate wing will do more professional investigation and will not use
unwarranted methods to extract confession from the accused.
5. The Central Bureau of Investigation and the National Investigation Agency have already
earned the reputation of the country’s premier investigation agencies.
6. Though efforts have been made by some States in this direction, more resources are
required in policing to implement the Court’s directions.
7. Though the total police force has increased in the last five years, the civil police mostly
remain over-stretched.
8. Therefore, unless investigating officers are increased in proportion to the number of serious
offences, the quality of investigation may suffer.

9. 9. The Malimath Committee’s recommendation that an investigating officer should preferably
investigate no more than 10 cases every year will continue to remain a dream.
Police reforms linked to country’s progress:
1. The police are the central pillar of the criminal justice system and if that is not improved
other organs of the system will not be able to work efficiently. It must be revived,
strengthened, restructured, reformed.
2. The Supreme Court issued a judgment on police reforms on 22 September 2006, but
despite clear instructions, the recommendations have still not been fully implemented.
3. In its verdict, the top court had directed setting up of three new institutions — State
Security Commission to insulate the police from outside pressure, Police Establishment
Board to give autonomy to police officers in personnel matters, and Police Complaints
Authority to make the police more accountable.
4. The court had also prescribed a procedure for the appointment of Director General of Police
and the separation of investigation of crime from law and order in the metropolitan towns.
Usage of Technology in Police stations:
1. With the increase of newer types of crime like white collar crime and cybercrime, subject
experts are needed to assist the police in the investigation.
2. Further, in order to check the violation of human rights, CCTV cameras have been installed
in police stations.
3. In Paramvir Singh v. Baljit Singh (2020), the Supreme Court has directed States to cover
more area of each police station under CCTV cameras and have storage facility of audio-
video recording for 18 months.
4. An independent committee shall study the footage and periodically publish reports of its
observations.
5. Thus, sufficient steps are being taken to ensure that the abuse of human rights is
minimised.
6. Custodial death is perhaps one of the worst crimes in a civilised society governed by the
rule of law.
7. The guilty, therefore, must be punished severely for his misconduct and criminal act.
8. NCRB data show that on average about 47.2 criminal cases were registered annually against
policemen in last 10 years.
9. Departmental action against errant officers is a rule in the police force, rather than an
exception.
10.The National Human Rights Commission also oversees deaths in custody due to human
rights violations and recommends compensation in appropriate cases.
Way Ahead: Protecting human rights
1. The police officers must know that their mandate is to protect human rights and not violate
them.
2. They need to be sensitised regularly and encouraged to employ scientific tools of
interrogation and investigation like the lie detection test, narco test and brainfingerprinting
test.

10. 3. The Home Ministry has recently linked the ‘police modernisation scheme’ with police
reforms.
4. Unless sufficient action is taken by the State governments and the police authorities,
incentives in the form of additional funds will not be released.
5. Clear separation of law and order and crime functions of the police. Need to fill up the huge
vacancies in the police and upgrade its infrastructure in terms of housing, transport,
communications and forensics.
6. Police should be a SMART Police – a police which should be strict and sensitive, modern
and mobile, alert and accountable, reliable and responsible, tech-savvy and trained.
Conclusion:
The CJI’s suggestion to install display boards on human rights to disseminate information about
the constitutional right to legal aid and availability of free legal aid services may deter police
excesses.
Implementing Supreme Court’s directions in Prakash Singh case that police must be service
oriented for the citizenry in a manner which is efficient, scientific and consistent with human
dignity.
It is high time that Government considers bringing police in the “concurrent list” of the
Constitution.
Our commitment to the protection of human rights is unconditional and total. Many steps have
been taken so far to check custodial violence and no stone shall be left unturned to eliminate such
violence in toto.
Quiz
1. On which date, International Equal Pay
Day was celebrated?
(a) September 18
(b) September 20
(c) September 21
(d) September 15
2. Recently, who broke the national record in
women’s 1500 m race?
(a) B. Aishwarya
(b) Parul Chaudhary
(c) Harmilan Kaur Bains
(d) Sushila Chanu
3. Which state has declared ‘Cooper
Mahseer’ which is locally named ‘Katley’
as the state fish?
(a) West Bengal
(b) Sikkim
(c) Odisha
(d) Assam
4. With which organization, the Department
of Space under ISRO has entered into a
framework agreement to develop space
launch vehicles?
(a) Bellatrix Aerospace
(b) ROSCOSMOS
(c) DRDO
(d) Agnikul Cosmos
5. On which date, World Bamboo Day is
observed?
(a) 15 September
(b) 18 September
(c) 20 September
(d) 22 September