Current Affairs 16 June 2025

Content :

1. An FIR and an angry High Court
2. What are flue gas desulphurisation units?
3. Why have special economic zones rules been relaxed?
4. How do black boxes work?
5. Cash Plus model pushes up early breastfeeding rate, dietary diversity among Rajasthan women
6. AI and biomanufacturing: can the policies match our ambitions?

An FIR and an angry High Court

Background of the Case

• On May 14, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the State Police to register an FIR against Cabinet Minister Vijay Shah.
• Allegation: He made inflammatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an Army officer.
• The FIR invoked Sections 152, 196(1)(b), and 197(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which relate to:
  • Acts endangering national unity,
  • Promoting enmity between groups.

Relevance : GS 2(Judiciary ,Governance)

Court’s Concerns

• Though an FIR was registered the same day, the High Court criticized it for being deficient in material particulars.
• Concern: FIR lacked specific details of the alleged actions that would constitute each offence.
• The Court feared that such an FIR could be quashed later due to vagueness.

Judicial Response

• The Court:
  • Directed that the entire court order of May 14 be treated as part of the FIR.
  • Stated its intent to monitor the investigation to ensure fairness and impartiality.

Essentials of FIR Writing

• As per Section 171(1) of BNS, any information on a cognisable offence must be written and recorded properly.
• Best practice: Include the elements of the offence in the FIR to:
  • Justify the legal sections applied.
  • Allow the accused to seek bail or other remedies.
• Often, the original written complaint is copied into the FIR in entirety, especially after a preliminary inquiry.

Examples of FIR Quashing

• Vinod Dua v. Union of India (2021): SC quashed FIR as no offence was made out.
• Arnab Goswami v. State of Maharashtra (2020): Bail granted; SC held FIR lacked prima facie ingredients for abetment of suicide.

Principles for Quashing FIR (Bhajan Lal Guidelines, 1992)

• FIR can be quashed if:
  • Allegations do not prima facie constitute any offence.
  • Allegations do not disclose a cognisable offence under Section 156(1) (investigation without magistrate’s permission).
  • FIR is absurd, improbable, or has mala fide intentions.

Application to Current Case

• FIR includes the High Court’s full order, which details the speech and context.
• If challenged, this order becomes part of the FIR, bolstering its legal standing.
• The police should have included excerpts from the minister’s speech, but omission isn’t fatal.

Author’s Critique

• Though FIR drafting could’ve been better, police acted within legal norms.
• High Court’s harsh remarks against the police were unwarranted and premature.
• Monitoring the investigation is welcome, but overreaching criticism undermines procedural fairness.

Conclusion

• The case underscores the importance of:
  • Proper FIR drafting,
  • Judicial restraint,
  • Adherence to procedural justice,
  • And the balancing of free speech vs public order.

What are flue gas desulphurisation units?

Introduction:

• FGDs are pollution control devices used in coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) to remove sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from flue gas.
• SO₂ is produced during the combustion of sulphur-rich fossil fuels like coal.
• FGD units neutralise acidic SO₂ using basic compounds like limestone.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

Common Types of FGD Technologies

1. Dry Sorbent Injection:
   1. Uses powdered limestone or other sorbents.
   1. Reacts with SO₂ in flue gas and is filtered out using fabric filters or electrostatic precipitators.

• Wet Limestone Scrubbing (most common):
  • Uses limestone slurry to absorb SO₂, forming gypsum as a byproduct.
  • High efficiency; gypsum has commercial uses.

• Seawater FGD:
  • Used in coastal plants.
  • SO₂ is absorbed by seawater, which is then treated before being discharged.

Why are SO₂ Emissions Harmful?

• Greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
• Causes respiratory illnesses and worsens air quality.
• Converts into secondary PM2.5, a major pollutant.
  • ~15% of India’s ambient PM2.5 is from coal combustion.
  • Of that, 80% is from SO₂-derived secondary particles.

Status of FGD Compliance in India

• 2015: Government mandated FGDs in all 537 coal-fired TPPs.
• Deadlines were repeatedly postponed (2018 → 2027–29).
• As of April 2025, only 39 out of 537 plants had installed FGDs.
• December 2024: Deadline further extended by three years.
• April 2025: Committee led by PSA Ajay Sood recommended rollback of the FGD mandate.

Why is FGD Implementation Contentious?

• High capital cost: ₹1.2 crore/MW → ₹97,000 crore for planned 97,000 MW addition.
• Potential tariff hike of ₹0.72 per kWh (mostly fixed costs).
• Government concerns: balancing health, affordability, and energy expansion.

Expert Opinions on FGD Rollback

• Critics warn that skipping FGD:
  • Compromises clean air goals.
  • Undermines public health.
• FGDs are essential for reducing SO₂ and indirectly PM2.5.
• Tariff impact is manageable and largely predictable.

Is There Any Alternative to FGDs?

• No effective alternative exists for SO₂ removal from flue gases.
• Dr. Ganesan: FGDs are urgent and unavoidable for compliance.

Conclusion

• FGDs are technically essential but financially challenging.
• India must weigh short-term costs against long-term health and environmental gains.
• Delay in FGD installation risks worsening air pollution, especially from coal-based power generation.

Why have special economic zones rules been relaxed?

Why Are Semiconductors Important?

• Semiconductors are essential components in all modern electronic devices — smartphones, laptops, TVs, cars, etc.
• They power AI, machine learning, digitisation, and automation.
• Global supply chain disruption (esp. due to COVID-19) exposed overdependence on countries like China (which produced ~35% of semiconductors in 2021).
• Strategic significance: Semiconductor self-reliance is now critical for national security, economic resilience, and technological leadership.

Relevance : GS 3(Economy)

Why Were SEZ Rules Relaxed?

• To boost domestic manufacturing of semiconductors and electronic components.
• Part of broader efforts under the Semicon India programme (₹76,000 crore outlay).

Key Relaxations in SEZ Rules (June 2024)

1. Reduction in Minimum Land Area (Rule 5):
   1. From 50 hectares to 10 hectares for SEZs exclusively for semiconductor/electronics.
   1. Enables smaller-scale investments with full SEZ benefits.

• Relaxation of “Encumbrance-Free” Land Requirement (Rule 7):
  • Earlier requirement: land had to be free of legal disputes or liens.
  • Relaxed now due to India’s complex land records and slow legal systems.
  • Will accelerate SEZ setup by allowing flexibility in land acquisition.

• Permission for Domestic Sales (Rule 18):
  • SEZ units can now sell in the domestic market (after paying duties).
  • Earlier: SEZs were export-only.
  • Shields investors from global trade disruptions, supports domestic tech ecosystem.

Impact So Far

• Too early to assess long-term impact, but signs of positive momentum:
  • Micron Semiconductor Technology India:
    • ₹13,000 crore investment.
    • 37.64-hectare SEZ in Sanand, Gujarat.

• Hubballi Durable Goods Cluster (Aequs Group):₹100 crore investment.11.55-hectare SEZ in Dharwad, Karnataka.
  • Total new SEZ-linked investment: ₹13,100 crore.

Strategic Significance for India

• Enhances domestic capacity in a sector central to the digital economy.
• Reduces import dependence, especially from geopolitically sensitive nations.
• Supports Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s ambition to be a global electronics hub.

Conclusion

• The relaxation of SEZ rules is a targeted regulatory reform to promote investment in semiconductors.
• It aligns with India’s strategic and economic priorities, especially in a post-COVID, tech-driven world.
• Initial investments signal positive industry response, but sustained momentum will depend on policy consistency, infrastructure support, and ease of doing business.

How do black boxes work?

What Are Black Boxes?

• Despite the name, black boxes are painted bright orange for high visibility at crash sites.
• Modern aircraft black boxes include:
  • Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) – captures crew conversations, alarms, and ambient cockpit sounds.
  • Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) – records technical flight data such as altitude, speed, engine performance, etc.
• In many aircraft, CVR and DFDR are integrated into a single unit.

Relevance : GS 3(Technology, Disaster Management)

How Do They Work?

• Black boxes record data continuously during flight.
• Use solid-state memory chips for high durability and long recording duration.
• Are shock-resistant, fire-resistant, and often waterproof.
• Equipped with underwater locator beacons that emit signals to help locate them after a crash.
• Positioned typically at the rear of the aircraft, where survival chances are higher during a crash.

Technical Features

• Coated in bright orange with reflective materials.
• Designed to withstand extreme conditions:
  • Temperatures up to 1,100°C for 1 hour
  • Water pressure at depths up to 20,000 feet
  • High-impact crashes (forces of 3,400 Gs or more)
• CVRs usually record last 2 hours of cockpit audio.
• DFDRs record data on hundreds of parameters for 25 hours or more.

Historical Timeline

• 1950s: Flight recorders used metal foils.
• 1953: First commercial sale by General Mills; device used spherical shell.
• 1954: Invented by David Warren (Australia) while investigating the de Havilland Comet crash.
• 1960: FDRs and CVRs made mandatory in aircraft.
• 1965: Regulation to paint them orange or yellow for visibility.
• 1990: Magnetic tapes replaced by solid-state memory.

Use in Accident Investigation

• Investigated by agencies like India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
• AAIB has a dedicated flight recorders lab (established in New Delhi).
• Flight data + cockpit voice insights help reconstruct:
  • Pre-crash aircraft behaviour
  • Crew reactions, errors, or communication failures
  • External interference like radio disruptions
• Helps refine safety protocols, pilot training, and aircraft design.

Recent Context

• Used in ongoing probe into Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash near Ahmedabad.
• Remains a critical tool in global civil aviation safety infrastructure.

Cash Plus model pushes up early breastfeeding rate, dietary diversity among Rajasthan women

What is the Cash Plus Model?

• India’s first State-led pilot combining:
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for pregnant and lactating women.
  • Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), including:
    • Home-based counselling
    • Group sessions on nutrition and health
    • Community engagement
    • Use of digital media for outreach
• Augments the national PMMVY scheme, which provides cash support for the first child.

Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Governance ,Social Justice)

Key Outcomes (2021–2024 study findings)

• Early initiation of breastfeeding rose by 49%, now reaching 90% of newborns.
• 49% improvement in dietary diversity among pregnant women.
• 54% of women reported using cash benefits specifically for nutrition.
• 44% more women became receptive to counselling and home visits.
• 80% of women cited improved affordability and access to nutritious food.

Implementation Timeline

• Launched in 2020 as a pilot in 5 districts: Udaipur, Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Baran.
• Scaled statewide in 2022 with a budget of ₹210 crore.
• Target: ~3.5 lakh second-time pregnant women per year.
• Total beneficiaries to date: Over 3.3 million women.

Unique Features

• Includes second-time mothers, unlike PMMVY.
• Uses anganwadi network for registration, checkups, anemia detection, and counselling.
• Digital and social media outreach targets male members and youth for wider behavioural change.

Reported Benefits (Case Example)

• Early detection and treatment of anemia.
• Timely vaccinations and institutional delivery.
• Healthier birth outcomes — e.g., baby weight > 3 kg.

Challenges

• Data gaps in maternal mortality reporting.
• Disparities in service access across rural and tribal areas.
• Persistent poverty and low education hinder full behaviour change.
• Need for better monitoring and digital record-keeping.

Significance

• Sets a national precedent for integrating financial aid with behavioural interventions.
• Demonstrates a holistic approach to maternal and child health — not just money, but awareness and community support.
• Model may be replicable in other states to strengthen India’s nutrition and maternal health outcomes.

AI and biomanufacturing: can the policies match our ambitions?

India’s Biomanufacturing Context

• India is already a global leader in generic drugs and vaccines.
• The next leap: combining AI with biotechnology for biomanufacturing, drug discovery, and healthcare delivery.
• Modern Indian biomanufacturing uses robots, biosensors, and AI to improve precision and efficiency.

Relevance : GS 3 (Science and Technology)

AI in Biomanufacturing: Transformative Potential

• Biocon: Using AI for fermentation optimisation, drug screening, and cost-effective biologics.
• Strand Life Sciences: Employs AI for genomics and personalised medicine.
• Wipro & TCS: Developing AI tools for drug discovery, clinical trials, and treatment outcome prediction.
• AI-driven tools enable:
  • Predictive monitoring (e.g., pH, temperature shifts)
  • Reduced batch failures and waste
  • Digital twins for simulating and improving manufacturing processes
  • Faster, more efficient drug development pipelines

Policy Push: India’s Bold Initiatives

• BioE3 Policy (2024):
  • Envisions state-of-the-art biofoundries, AI-biotech hubs, and manufacturing infrastructure.
  • Significant funding support for startups and companies.

• IndiaAI Mission:
  • Focuses on ethical, explainable, and responsible AI.
  • Encourages standards for bias reduction, algorithm transparency, and AI safety in biotech applications.

Regulatory and Safety Challenges

• Current Indian drug/manufacturing laws are outdated and not tailored for AI systems.
• No clear process to ensure:
  • Data representativeness for India’s diverse conditions
  • AI model reliability under real-world disruptions
• Example risk: AI trained in urban labs may fail in rural setups due to infrastructure or environmental variability.

Global Best Practices

• EU AI Act (2024): Classifies AI tools into four risk categories, strict audits for high-risk tools.
• US FDA (2025):
  • Seven-step AI credibility framework
  • Allows predetermined model updates for evolving healthcare tech
• India currently lacks:
  • Risk-based evaluation
  • Context-aware regulation
  • Dynamic oversight mechanisms

Emerging Legal and Ethical Issues

• Data governance: Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) is insufficient for biotech-specific data needs.
• Bias and dataset quality: Clean, diverse, and unbiased datasets are essential — yet not mandated.
• Intellectual property:
  • Ambiguity over AI-invented molecules and processes
  • Risk of legal conflicts and stifled innovation

Path Ahead: Recommendations

1. Regulatory reform:
   1. Introduce risk-based, adaptive laws for AI in biomanufacturing.
   1. Define AI tool context and validation norms.
2. Nationwide investment:
   1. Infrastructure and talent development beyond metro cities.
3. Collaborative ecosystem:
   1. Involve industry, regulators, academia, and international partners.
4. Promote innovation over imitation:
   1. Transition from “copying generics” to AI-driven creation of novel drugs and processes.