- AI CAN MAKE DRUG -TESTING PRECISE, AND RELEVANT TO HUMAN BIOLOGY
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- FDA Guidelines (2025): AI in drug safety evaluation due to AI’s predictive accuracy, especially for vulnerable populations (children, elderly).
- Benefits: Reduces animal testing, faster drug development, personalized treatments.
- Challenges: AI models depend on data quality; ‘garbage in, garbage out’ issue.
- Need for transparency in AI decisions and regulatory frameworks.
- Global Developments: EU, ICH have similar standards; India’s New Drugs & Clinical Trials Rules (2023) allow AI-based assessments
2. NAVY EYES FLEET OF 400 PLANES TO BOOST MARITIME SECURITY
SUBJECT: DEFENSE
- Roadmap 2047:Indigenous light, medium, heavy-lift aircraft for Naval Air Arm under ‘Atmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation Technology Roadmap 2047’.
- Key Developments:
- 5th-gen twin-engine deck-based fighter jets, long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, UAV platforms, amphibious aircraft.
- C-295 maritime reconnaissance aircraft by TATA Advanced Systems to be inducted.
- Focus on multi-role & heavy-lift helicopters, Utility Helicopter Maritime (UHM) program via joint ventures.
- Aim: Enhance maritime security amid rising non-state actor threats at sea
3. SHOULD CONVICTED PERSONS CONTEST ELECTIONS?
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Legal Provisions under RPA, 1951:
- Section 8(3): Disqualifies persons convicted for ≥2 years from contesting elections, extends 6 years after release.
- Section 8(1): Disqualifies those convicted under special laws (UAPA, Prevention of Corruption Act, etc.) regardless of sentence length.
- Key Supreme Court Rulings:
- ADR Case (2002): Mandatory disclosure of candidates’ criminal records.
- CEC vs. Jan Chaukidar (2013): Prisoners lose right to contest elections.
- Lily Thomas (2013): Immediate disqualification of convicted legislators (struck down Section 8(4) RPA).
- Election Commission’s Role:
- Can reduce disqualification period (e.g., Prem Singh Tamang case, 2019).
- Current Petition: Seeks lifetime ban on convicted politicians.
- Govt’s counter: MPs/MLAs don’t have service conditions like govt employees, so 6-year ban is adequate.
- Criminalization of Politics:
- ADR Report (2024): 46% of MPs face criminal charges; 31% face serious charges (e.g., rape, murder).
- Candidates with criminal records have higher election success rates.
4. NULCEAR ENERGY DANGEROUS CONCESSIONS ON LIABILITY
SUBJECT: DISASTER MANAGEMENT
- Amendments to Nuclear Liability Law:
- Amendments to Atomic Energy Act & Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act aim to dilute supplier liability, favoring US nuclear suppliers.
- Raises concerns about compromising nuclear safety.
- Liability Framework: Bhopal Gas Disaster (1984) established absolute liability for hazardous industries.
- Nuclear Liability Act (2010): Caps operator liability at ₹1,500 crore (Fukushima cleanup cost ~₹46 lakh crore).
- Right of recourse: Allows operator to sue suppliers for defective equipment (opposed by US suppliers).
- US Pressure & Influence:
- US lobbying for law changes to sell nuclear reactors to India.
- AP1000 reactors: High costs, delays, and cost overruns in the US raise economic concerns.
5. BUDGETING FOR A GENDER INCLUSIVE VIKSIT BHARAT
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Gender Budget Highlights:
- 8.8% of total budget (highest in 20 years) – ₹4.49 lakh crore across 49 ministries.
- Non-conventional sectors like railways, ports, pharma included.
- Women Workforce Participation:
- FLFPR:42% (2023-24) from 33% (2021-22), still lower than men (79%).
- e-Shram portal: Formalization of gig workers for social security.
- Skilling & Entrepreneurship: ₹1.24 lakh crore for schemes (Skill India, NRLM, PMEGP) – 52% funds for women.
- India AI Mission: ₹600 crore for digital education for women.
- Financial Inclusion:
- 20.5% MSMEs women-led, employing 27 million.
- Collateral-free loans and financial literacy for women entrepreneurs
