Top News Highlights- 23 July 2024

Supreme Court Grants Bail under UAPA

• Context: The Supreme Court granted bail to an accused who had been in custody for nine years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
• Key Points:
• The Court noted the prolonged detention and slow trial progress.
• Law: Section 43D(5) of UAPA imposes strict conditions for bail.
• Judgement: In K A Najeeb vs. Union of India (2021), the SC ruled that UAPA’s bail restrictions should not override constitutional rights, specifically the Right to Life and Personal Liberty under Article 21.

India’s Performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad

• Context: Indian students achieved significant success at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2024.
• Key Points:
• A six-member Indian team won 4 Gold medals, 1 Silver medal, and 1 Honourable Mention.
• This marks the best performance by India since its debut in 1989.
• About IMO: It is the World Championship Mathematics Competition for High School students, first held in 1959 in Romania.

Nine-Dash Line Dispute Resolution

• Context: China and the Philippines reached a deal to end the confrontation over the disputed Shoal island in the South China Sea.
• Key Points:
• The dispute involves China’s ‘nine-dash line’ claims, covering nearly 90% of the South China Sea.
• The line overlaps with the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of several Southeast Asian countries.
• A 2016 UN Tribunal rejected China’s claims under the Nine-dash line.

Launch of U-WIN Portal for Vaccination

• Context: The Indian government launched the U-WIN Portal to streamline childhood vaccination.
• Key Points:
• The portal is designed to capture every vaccination event for children up to six years and pregnant women.
• It is linked to the existing eVIN platform for inventory management.
• Functions include locating vaccination centers, registering births, and providing digital vaccination certificates.

LiDAR Technology and National Security Concerns

• Context: The increasing use of LiDAR technology in various sectors has raised national security concerns.
• Key Points:
• LiDAR uses pulsed laser light to measure distances and map environments.
• Applications include agriculture, aerospace and defense, autonomous vehicles, and weather forecasting.
• China’s dominance in LiDAR technology has prompted security concerns globally.

India’s Textile Industry Challenges

• Context: A report highlighted key challenges and the way forward for India’s textile industry.
• Key Points:
• Current Value: The industry is valued at $250 billion and employs 50 million people.
• Challenges: Complex export procedures, high import duties, and weak weaving and processing sectors.
• Recommendations: Modify the PLI scheme, streamline import procedures, and enhance synthetic apparel production.

Keywords and Concepts

• UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act): A law aimed at preventing unlawful activities that threaten India’s sovereignty and integrity.
• International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO): A prestigious annual mathematics competition for high school students worldwide.
• Nine-Dash Line: A demarcation line used by China to assert claims over most of the South China Sea.
• U-WIN Portal: An online platform for managing childhood vaccinations, part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme.
• LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): A remote sensing technology using laser light to measure distances and create detailed maps.
• PLI Scheme (Production-Linked Incentive): A government initiative to boost domestic manufacturing by providing financial incentives.