TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19.10.2024

1. POLITY

SUPREME COURT OPENS IIT DOOR FOR STUDENT WHO COULD NOT PAY FEES ON TIME

• Article 142 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court of India the power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing “complete justice” in any cause or matter pending before it. This article is a unique provision that allows the Supreme Court to transcend the limitations of statutory law to ensure justice is served.
• Key Points of Article 142:
• Plenary Power: Article 142(1) states that the Supreme Court may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.
• Enforcement: Article 142(2) provides that the Supreme Court can secure the attendance of any person, the discovery or production of any documents, or the investigation or punishment of any contempt of itself.
• Binding Nature: Orders passed under Article 142 are binding on all courts within the territory of India.
• Case of Atul Kumar: In the case of Atul Kumar, the Supreme Court exercised its extraordinary power under Article 142 to grant him admission to IIT Dhanbad despite his inability to pay the admission fee on time. This decision was made to ensure “complete justice” given his exceptional circumstances and academic merit

2. STATES

MANIPUR GOVERNMENT EXTENDS AFSPA IN HILL DISTRICTS FOR 6 MONTHS

• On September 26, 2024, the Manipur government issued a notification extending the provisions of AFSPA in the hill districts of the state for another six months, effective from October 1, 2024. This extension maintains the status quo established by three previous notifications since March 2023.
• The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), enacted in 1958, grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces in “disturbed areas” to maintain public order. The Act allows the armed forces to:
• Arrest without Warrant: Arrest individuals without a warrant based on suspicion.
• Search without Warrant: Search premises without a warrant.
• Use of Force: Use force, including lethal force, against individuals acting in contravention of the law.
• Protection from Prosecution: Armed forces personnel are protected from prosecution and legal suits without the Union government’s sanction.
• Authority and Notifications
• Both the State and Central governments have the authority to issue notifications regarding AFSPA. Currently:
• The Ministry of Home Affairs issues “disturbed area” notifications for Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
• The notifications for Manipur and Assam are issued by the respective State governments.

3. ECONOMY

TRADE DEFICIT WIDENS INDIA’S Q1FY25 CAD TO $9.7 BILLION

• A trade deficit occurs when a country’s imports of goods and services exceed its exports. This means the country is spending more on foreign trade than it is earning, leading to a net outflow of domestic currency to foreign markets.
• Q1 FY25 Trade Deficit: India’s trade deficit widened to $65.1 billion in Q1 FY25 from $56.7 billion in Q1 FY24.
• This increase in the trade deficit is a significant factor contributing to the widening of the Current Account Deficit (CAD).
• Current Account Deficit (CAD)
• The Current Account Deficit (CAD) is a measure of a country’s trade where the value of the goods and services it imports exceeds the value of the goods and services it exports. The CAD includes the trade balance, net income from abroad, and net current transfers.
• Q1 FY25 CAD: India’s CAD widened to $9.7 billion (1.1% of GDP) in Q1 FY25 from $8.9 billion (1% of GDP) in Q1 FY24.
• This is a significant shift from a surplus of $4.6 billion (0.5% of GDP) in Q4 FY24. Balance of Payments (BoP) The Balance of Payments (BoP) is a comprehensive record of a country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world. It includes the current account, capital account, and financial account.
• Q1 FY25 BoP: India’s BoP situation remained largely stable with a net accretion of $5.2 billion to forex reserves in Q1 FY25, compared to $24.4 billion in the same period last year.

4. ECONOMY

CORE SECTOR OUTPUT TANKS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 42 MONTHS

• To understand the recent trends in India’s core sectors, let’s break down the key concepts and data points:
• Index of Core Industries (ICI): The ICI measures the output of eight core sectors: Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity.
• These sectors constitute about 40% of the broader Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
• Index of Industrial Production (IIP): The IIP is an index that tracks manufacturing, mining, and electricity production in the economy.
• It is a key indicator of the industrial activity and economic health of a country.
• Year-on-Year (YoY) Growth:
• This measures the percentage change in output compared to the same month in the previous year.
• A positive YoY growth indicates an increase in production, while a negative YoY growth indicates a decrease.
• Sequential Decline: This refers to the month-on-month change in output levels.
• A sequential decline indicates that the output in the current month is lower than the previous month.
• Analysis: Base Effect:
• The high growth rate of 13.4% recorded last year has created a base effect, making the current year’s growth appear weaker in comparison.
• Monsoon Impact: The late withdrawal of the monsoon may have affected construction activities, leading to weaker performance in the cement and steel sectors.
• Economic Implications: The contraction in core sectors’ output indicates a slowdown in industrial activity.
• This could have broader implications for economic growth and employment.

5. ENVIRONMENT

DELHI’S GREEN WAR ROOM IS OPERATIONAL

• Green War Room: The Green War Room is an initiative by the Delhi government to monitor and manage air pollution levels in the city.
• It operates 24×7 to ensure the effective implementation of the Winter Action Plan, which aims to mitigate pollution during the winter months when air quality typically deteriorates.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Drones: Used to monitor construction sites, industrial areas, and other potential sources of pollution.
• Real-time Source Apportionment Study: Helps identify the specific sources of pollution in real-time, allowing for targeted interventions.
• Satellite Data: Provides information on stubble burning in neighboring states, which significantly contributes to Delhi’s air pollution during the winter months.

ONE LINER

1. India has moved up 39^th position in the International Innovation Index.
2. Andro village in Manipur, recently bagged Best Heritage Tourism Village Award 2024