DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS - 20 SEPTEMBER

1. 20 SEPTEMBER, 2022 www.iasscore.in GS ANALYST CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY

3. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 THE CONTROVERSY OVER NAAC’S SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING HIGHER EDUCATION CONTEXT: The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and allegations of bribery in the process. This has sparked a row over the accreditation and assessment procedure of NAAC. What is the controversy about? oNAAC had reportedly withheld the grading of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda after receiving a complaint that the university unduly tried to influence the peer review team. oThe process of Peer Team Visits adds substantial effort on the part of both NAAC and the HEIs. oNAAC academic advisory committee has recommended that the role of Peer Team visits be facilitatory in nature and not have a significant weightage in assessment and accreditation. What is NAAC? oNational Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC). oNAAC carries out quality checks or assessments of Indian Higher-level Educational Institutions (HEIs). oIt certifies Indian Higher-level Educational Institutions (HEIs) with gradings as part of accreditation. oThe ratings of institutions range from A++ to C. If an institution is graded D, it means it is not accredited. oThrough higher education institution learns whether it meets the standards of quality set by the evaluator in terms of curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, research, and other parameters. How is the accreditation process carried out? oThe current approach of accreditation has been described as “input-based” and NAAC heavily on self- assessment reports of applicant institutions. oIn the first step, the applicant institution submits a self-study report of information related to quantitative and qualitative metrics. oThe data is then validated by NAAC expert teams, followed by peer team visits to the institutions. This last step has sparked controversy. What are the alternatives being explored? oFrom the prevailing “input-based” approach, the NAAC plans to adopt an “outcome-based approach”. 3 www.iasscore.in

4. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 oIt suggests that emphasis should be on finding out if students are equipped with relevant skills and academic abilities. oRather than relying exclusively on the self-study reports of the HEIs, the NAAC should ask institutions to provide evidence such as samples of learning materials, continuous assessment tasks, and final examinations to show they have outcomes of learning specified in the syllabus Can all higher educational institutes apply for accreditation? oOnly higher education institutions that are at least six years old, or from where at least two batches of students have graduated, can apply. oThe accreditation is valid for five years. oAspiring institutes need to be recognized by the UGC and have regular students enrolled in their full-time teaching and research programs. oWhen an institution undergoes the accreditation process for the first time it is referred to as Cycle 1, and the subsequent five-year periods as Cycles 2, 3, and so on. How many institutions in India are accredited? oThere are 1,043 universities and 42,343 colleges listed on the portal of the All-India Survey on Higher Education. oAmong the states, Maharashtra accounts for the highest number of accredited colleges at 1,869 – more than twice as many as Karnataka’s 914, the second highest. oTamil Nadu has the most accredited universities at 43. CAN STATE IMPOSE LIMITS ON STUDENTS’ FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN THE CLASSROOM: SUPREME COURT CONTEXT: The Supreme Court has raised questions over the legitimacy of states placing curbs on the rights of students in classrooms (Karnataka hijab case). Religious Practices and Rights: Arguments oIt is argued in the court that, the Fundamental right can be exercised anywhere, whether in the classroom or any other place, subject to legitimate restrictions. oThe court has tried to seek an answer to, what actually amounts to a ‘religiouspractice’. Wearing a particular dress, while conducting puja, may be linked to religion. But is wearing a particular dress outside religious places within the ambit of ‘religious practice”? oIndia is a “beautiful democracy” where the majority are obliged not to discriminate against minorities. The secular state in the Indian Constitution meant a state that does not discriminate on religion, a state that does not patronize nor prefer one religion over the other. How is Religious Freedom Protected under the Constitution? oArticle 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees the “freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion”. oIt is a right that guarantees negative liberty, which means that the state shall ensure that there is no interference or obstacle to exercising this freedom. 4 www.iasscore.in

5. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 oHowever, like all fundamental rights, the state can restrict the right for grounds of public order, decency, morality, health, and other state interests. The argument in Support of the Hijab Ban: oHijab is not an essential religious practice and the freedom of religion can be subjected to reasonable restrictions under constitutional provisions for maintaining institutional discipline. oEducational institutions can impose dress codes/uniforms prohibiting religious dress to ensure secular education. oPublic places are meant to be secular; religion has to be kept out of them. oThe right to practice religion is subject to several restrictions and rules of public morality. oThe spirit behind a dress code is of ensuring homogeneity in a classroom and obliterating the visible class or caste divide. The argument against Hijab Ban oConstitutional Right - Wearing of hijab is their fundamental right under the right to freedom of religion under article 25, and also wearing a hijab is an expression protected under Article 19 of the Constitution which guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression. oIrrational restrictions - Government has the right to restrict fundamental rights to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of courts. ➤But Students silently wearing a hijab/headscarf and attending class cannot in any manner be said to be a practice that disturbs “publicorder”. oIndia is a land of diversity, and the diversity in the classroom must reflect this social reality, as this helps students to know about different diverse groups and they learn to respect diversity. ➤If the classroom becomes homogeneous then students could feel uncomfortable in a Heterogeneous Indian Society. Important cases: oAmna Bint Basheer v Central Board of Secondary Education (2016) oFathima Tasneem v State of Kerala (2018) INDIA, EGYPT TO FOCUS ON DEFENSE COPRODUCTION CONTEXT: India’s defense minister is on a 2-day visit to Egypt. The leadership of the two countries has agreed to develop military cooperation and focus on joint training. Key Highlights of the visit: oTo focus on deepening cooperation between the defense industries of the two countries. oTo emphasize specific proposals in relation to, joint training, defense coproduction, and maintenance of equipment. oTo exchange expertise and best practices in countering the threat of terrorism. oThe two countries are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation. oIndia acknowledged that Egypt is among the most important trading partners of India in the region and that bilateral trade has expanded. www.iasscore.in

6. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 oEgypt has expressed interest in acquiring military platforms from India. Among other things, Egypt is considering the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for its fighter requirement. India-Egypt Relations: oDiplomatic relations between Egypt and India were established with Egypt’s recognition of the independence of India on 18 August 1947, just three days after India’s independence. oGrowing Egypt-India economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening bilateral relationship Defense partnership: oIt is being revived with among other developments the visit of the Indian Navy ship to Egypt, a month- long Air Force exercise, and the visit of the Egyptian Air Force chief to India in recent months. Trade & Commerce: oEgypt has traditionally been one of India’s most important trading partners in the African continent. oThe India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has been in operation since March 1978 and is based on the Most Favored Nation clause. oMajor Egyptian exports to India include: ➤Raw cotton, raw and manufactured fertilizers, oil and oil products, organic and non-organic chemicals, leather and iron products. oMajor imports into Egypt from India are: oCotton yarn, sesame, coffee, herbs, tobacco, and lentils. oMineral fuel; vehicle parts; Ship, boat, and floating structure; cuts of boneless bovine frozen meat; and Electrical machinery and parts are also exported from India. oThere is a significant Indian presence in almost every field in Egypt. Cultural Links: oThe Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) was set up in Cairo in 1992 oIt aims to promote cultural cooperation between the two countries, through the implementation of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP). oThe Centre, in addition to popularizing Indian culture through Hindi, Urdu, and Yoga classes and the screening of movies, also organizes cultural festivals. ECI SEEKS RESTRICTIONS ON CASH DONATIONS TO POLITICAL PARTIES CONTEXT: Chief Election Commissioner has suggested a slew of amendments to the Representation of the People (RP) Act, to increase transparency and accountability on part of the candidate. Recent developments: oThe move comes in the backdrop of the poll panel recently delisting 284 defaulting and non-compliant registered unrecognized political parties (RUPPs). oThe Commission found that while donations reported by some political parties were nil, their audited accounts statement showed receipt of huge amounts, proving large-scale transactions in cash, below the threshold limit of ₹20,000. 6 www.iasscore.in

7. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 Proposal by the Election commission: oTo bring reforms and transparency in donations received by political parties. oReducing anonymous political donations to ₹2,000 from ₹20,000. oCapping cash donations at 20% or a maximum of ₹20 crores. Other recommendations: oThe Election Commission (EC) has sought to make digital transactions or account payee cheque transfers mandatory for all expenses above ₹2,000 to a single entity/person. oEC wants every candidate to open a separate bank account for election purposes, route all expenses and receipts through this account, and furnish these details in their account of election expenditure. ➤Presently, maintaining a separate bank account for poll expenditure is part of the instructions but it is not a part of the Conduct of Election Rules. oNo foreign donations creep into the funds of the parties as stipulated under the RP Act and the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010. About Election Commission of India: oThe Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India. oThe body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country. Related Constitutional Provisions: oPart XV of the Indian constitution deals with elections and establishes a commission for these matters. oThe Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950. oArticle 324 to 329 of the constitution deals with powers, function, tenure, eligibility, etc of the commission and the member. Representation of the People Act, 1951: It is an act of Parliament of India that has provisions for: •the conduct of election of the Houses of Parliament and to the House or Houses of the Legislature of each State, •the qualifications and disqualifications for membership in those Houses, •the corrupt practices and other offenses at or in connection with such elections and •the decision of doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with such elections. SUPREME COURT HAS REFERRED DEATH PENALTY ISSUES TO A CONSTITUTION BENCH CONTEXT: The question of providing accused in death penalty cases a “meaningful, real and effective” hearing before a trial judge has been referred to a Constitutional bench by the Supreme Court. What is the issue? oSentencing after conviction is a complex problem in cases relating to capital offenses. 7 www.iasscore.in

8. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 oMany times, the mitigating factor for awarding the death penalty is not properly taken into consideration due to the lack of any laid norms. oTrial judges are called upon to make a decision on whether only a death sentence will meet the ends of justice, or a life term will be enough. Supreme court view: oThe Supreme Court has laid down that the death penalty can be imposed only in the “rarest of rare” cases. oSubsequent judgments have laid the principle by holding that the gruesome nature of the offense may not be the sole criterion to decide what brings it under the ‘rarest of rare category. oOffender’s socio-economic background account. and his state of mind must also need to be taken into The Procedure is tilted against the Convict: oThe sentencing part of the trial takes place after the court records a conviction. oIt is only after the conviction that they are able to speak about mitigating circumstances. oThe prosecution presents its case from the beginning on how heinous the crime was, and how much the accused deserved maximum punishment. oThe courts must refer to the reports from the jail authorities, probation officers, and even trained psychologists to assess the mitigating factors in favor of not imposing the death penalty. When is ‘capital punishment ‘awarded? oThe term “Capital Punishment” stands for the most severe form of punishment. oIt is the punishment that is to be awarded for the most heinous, grievous, and detestable crimes against humanity. oWhile the definition and extent of such crimes vary, the implication of capital punishment has always been the death sentence. In Jagmohan Singh vs State of UP’ (1973), then in ‘Rajendra Prasad vs State of UP’ (1979), and finally in ‘Bachan Singh vs the State of Punjab’(1980), the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional validity of the death penalty. Arguments in favor: oForfeiture of life oMoral indignation of the victim oThe highest form of Justice oDeterrent against crime oProportional punishment oPrevailing lawlessness oPrevention of crime is non-existent Arguments against: oEye for an eye is not the cure oDeterrence is a myth oThe political tool of suppression oReverence for life’ principle oDiscriminatory nature 8 www.iasscore.in

9. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 ⦿WAY FORWARD: oIt is expected that the Constitution Bench may come up with new guidelines under which the trial courts themselves can hold a comprehensive investigation into factors related to the upbringing, education, and socio-economic conditions of an offender before deciding the punishment. ********** 9 www.iasscore.in

10. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 EDITORIAL TIME FOR GLOBAL DIGITAL GOVERNANCE CONTEXT: India’s G20 presidency is a chance to propose a global governance framework that brings together common challenges of regulating Big Tech. ⦿NEED FOR A POLICY ROADMAP: oAbsence of well-placed legislation: In the past few years, policies and regulations in India have been tweaked and amended to expand their scope and bring within their ambit internet companies, especially Big Tech. oNeed for Digital India Act: A Digital India Act that was being prepared to replace the Information Technology Act, 2000, encompassing regulatory challenges facing the digital economy including anti-trust, data governance, intermediary liabilities, consumer protection, and the ethical use of technologies. oNeed for Future-proof regulations: Digital platforms have now become our gateway to the internet. We need regulations that are future-proofed, essentially providing a method to carry out anti-trust investigations. ⦿THE TRENDSETTERS: oGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): The European Union led the way on privacy with its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) followed, more recently, by the Digital Services and Digital Market Acts. oUS and Austral, also catching up: The US and Australian initiatives are still brewing, as are those in several other parts of the world. The principles of regulation are mostly aligned, reflecting their unease with the inconceivable growth and influence of Big Tech. ⦿DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE SYSTEM: oDifficult to have a universal regulatory framework: Convergence may not be possible across the spectrum of regulatory challenges because of the inherited global nature of the platform oDetermining minimum Rights: The International Labour Organisation has already placed a proposal in the employment working group for digital labor platforms to develop an international governance system determining minimum rights and protections for platform workers. www.iasscore.in 10

11. CURRENT AFFAIRS DAILY SEPTEMBER, 2022 o Need for cooperation: On digital money, we need an institution on the lines of Bretton Woods to address the distrust in private currencies and to coordinate the implementation of central bank digital currency projects. ⦿QUESTION. A common minimum digital governance framework can be a win-win situation for both the government as well as big tech companies. Discuss. ********** www.iasscore.in 11