1. Article 22 of the Constitution of India – Polity

Why in News?

The Supreme Court of India has recently ruled that the requirement under Article 22(1) to inform an arrested individual of the grounds for their arrest is a mandatory constitutional obligation, not just a procedural formality. Failure to comply renders the arrest illegal.

Understanding Article 22

Article 22 provides crucial safeguards against arbitrary arrest and detention. These protections apply to all individuals, including non-citizens, but not to enemy aliens. The provisions cover both ordinary arrests and preventive detention.

Key Provisions of Article 22

1. Rights of Arrested Persons (Clauses 1 & 2)

• Article 22(1):
  • No person can be arrested or detained without being informed of the reasons for such actions.
  • They have the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of their choice.
• Article 22(2):
  • An arrested individual must be produced before a Magistrate within 24 hours of arrest (excluding travel time).
  • Detention beyond 24 hours requires Magistrate’s approval.

Purpose: These provisions prevent arbitrary detentions and ensure legal representation for detainees.

2. Exceptions for Enemy Aliens & Preventive Detention (Clause 3)

• Article 22(3):
  • The protections under clauses (1) and (2) do not apply to:
    1. Enemy aliens (citizens of hostile nations).
    2. Individuals detained under preventive detention laws.

Impact: This allows the government to take preventive action without immediate judicial oversight in specific situations.

3. Rules for Preventive Detention (Clauses 4-7)

Preventive detention allows the government to detain individuals without trial if they are deemed a threat to public order or national security.

• Article 22(4):
  • No one can be detained under preventive detention for more than three months unless an Advisory Board (comprising judges) finds the detention justified.
• Article 22(5):
  • Authorities must inform the detainee of the grounds for detention and allow them to challenge it.
• Article 22(6):
  • The government can withhold certain information if disclosure is against public interest.
• Article 22(7):
  • Parliament can:
    1. Set conditions where detention beyond three months is allowed without Advisory Board approval.
    2. Define maximum detention periods under preventive detention laws.

Significance: These provisions balance individual rights with national security concerns, ensuring judicial oversight in long-term detentions.

Why is This Important?

• Prevents misuse of power: Authorities cannot arbitrarily detain individuals without following legal procedures.
• Protects fundamental rights: Ensures that everyone, including non-citizens, receives legal representation.
• Regulates preventive detention: Limits the government’s power to detain individuals without trial.
• Judicial oversight: The Supreme Court ensures that constitutional safeguards are enforced.

Conclusion

Article 22 of the Indian Constitution is a vital safeguard against arbitrary arrest and detention, ensuring that law enforcement follows due process. The recent Supreme Court ruling reinforces these rights, emphasizing that informing a detainee of their arrest grounds is not optional but a constitutional necessity. This strengthens accountability in law enforcement and upholds justice.

2. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes(NCST): Recent Developments – Polity

Why in News?

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has asked the state governments of Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha to conduct surveys to determine the exact number of tribal individuals displaced from Chhattisgarh due to Maoist violence.

This initiative aims to collect data on tribal displacement, ensuring that policies and rehabilitation measures are effectively planned for the affected communities.

About the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

Establishment

• The NCST was created through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003, which modified Article 338 and added a new Article 338A.
• This amendment separated the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (NCSCST) into two distinct bodies:
  1. National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
  2. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

Composition

• Chairperson – Holds the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister.
• Vice-Chairperson – Holds the rank of a Minister of State.
• Three full-time members, including at least one female member.
• Members serve a three-year term from the date of assuming office.

Key Functions of the NCST

The NCST plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rights and welfare of Scheduled Tribes (STs). Its primary functions include:

1. Monitoring Constitutional Safeguards
   • Ensuring the implementation of legal protections for Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution and other laws.
2. Investigating Complaints
   • Addressing specific grievances related to violations of ST rights.
3. Advising on Policy Matters
   • Recommending measures for the socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes.
4. Annual Reports to the President
   • Submitting detailed reports on the welfare and progress of STs.
   • These reports are then tabled in Parliament for discussion and necessary action.
5. Additional Functions as Assigned by the President
   • Any other responsibilities designated by the President of India for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.

Significance of the Recent Initiative

• Highlights the challenges faced by tribal communities due to violence and displacement.
• Ensures data-driven policymaking for the rehabilitation and welfare of displaced tribal individuals.
• Strengthens government intervention in protecting tribal rights and addressing their grievances.

Conclusion

The NCST’s recent directive underscores the importance of accurate data collection to address the displacement of tribal communities caused by Maoist violence. This initiative reinforces the Commission’s role in protecting tribal rights, shaping effective welfare policies, and ensuring the rehabilitation of displaced tribal populations.

3. Restructured National Bamboo Mission(NBM) – Economy

Why in News?

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently provided details in the Lok Sabha about the restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM). The mission aims to boost bamboo cultivation and related industries in India.

Originally launched in 2018-19, the mission operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, offering financial assistance to both government and private sectors for bamboo propagation and cultivation.

Key Features of the Restructured National Bamboo Mission

1. Funding Pattern

The mission follows a differentiated funding pattern:

• 60:40 – Between Centre and State Governments for most states.
• 90:10 – For North Eastern and hilly states.
• 100% funding – For Union Territories and Bamboo Technology Support Groups (BTSGs).

This funding structure ensures greater financial support for regions with difficult terrain and underdeveloped bamboo industries.

2. Major Objectives

The National Bamboo Mission focuses on the development of the bamboo sector through the following key goals:

✅ Enhancing the availability of quality planting materials

• Promoting scientific propagation methods to improve bamboo productivity.

✅ Expanding bamboo cultivation areas

• Encouraging bamboo farming on degraded land, wastelands, and farmland.

✅ Strengthening post-harvest management & preservation technologies

• Developing storage, curing, and treatment methods to enhance bamboo durability.

✅ Developing market infrastructure & promoting skill development

• Supporting processing industries and creating job opportunities in bamboo-based businesses.

✅ Reducing dependence on bamboo imports

• Encouraging domestic production to substitute imported bamboo and bamboo products.

3. Implementation

• The mission is executed by state nodal departments, which are appointed by the respective State/UT governments.
• These departments oversee bamboo cultivation, research, training, and industry linkages.

Significance of the Restructured National Bamboo Mission

• Economic Impact – Strengthens India’s bamboo industry, providing employment and improving farmers’ incomes.
• Environmental Benefits – Bamboo cultivation helps in carbon sequestration, land restoration, and climate resilience.
• Import Substitution – Reduces reliance on imported bamboo, making India more self-sufficient in bamboo-based products.

Conclusion

The restructured National Bamboo Mission is a major step toward sustainable bamboo cultivation, helping India increase production, strengthen the bamboo-based economy, and support rural livelihoods. By focusing on quality planting materials, skill development, and market infrastructure, the mission aims to transform the bamboo sector into a viable commercial industry.

4. Chandrayaan-3’s Landing Region is About 3.7 Billion Years Old – Science and Technology

Why in News?

A recent ISRO study has revealed that the landing site of Chandrayaan-3, named Shiv Shakti Point, is approximately 3.7 billion years old. This timeframe aligns with the period when primitive microbial life is believed to have first appeared on Earth.

The findings contribute to our understanding of the Moon’s geological history and its evolution over time. Notably, India became the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole in August 2023.

Regional Geography: Craters Near the Landing Site

The Shiv Shakti Point is surrounded by several significant lunar craters, each offering insights into the Moon’s ancient history:

• Manzinus Crater
  • Diameter: 96 km
  • Age: ~3.9 billion years
  • Location: North of the landing site
• Boguslawsky Crater
  • Diameter: 95 km
  • Age: ~4 billion years
  • Location: Southeast of the landing site
• Schomberger Crater
  • Diameter: 86 km
  • Age: ~3.7 billion years
  • Location: South of the landing site

These craters provide clues about past meteorite impacts and the Moon’s geological evolution.

Significance of the Study

🔹 Understanding the Moon’s Violent Past

• The study helps scientists reconstruct the history of lunar impacts, which shaped the Moon’s surface over billions of years.
• This is crucial for future lunar missions and the development of permanent lunar bases.

🔹 High-Resolution Imaging and Terrain Analysis

• ISRO’s Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) analyzed data from Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander and Pragyan rover.
• The study used imaging from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to map craters and rock distributions.
• Findings were published in the journal Advances in Space Research.

🔹 Mapping Lunar Landscapes

• Helps determine the age and evolution of lunar highlands, especially in the south pole region.
• Supports better planning for future moon missions, including Artemis and ISRO’s upcoming lunar explorations.

Why is This Important?

• Early Earth-Moon Connection: The 3.7 billion-year-old age of the landing site coincides with the era when life may have started on Earth, offering potential clues about the early solar system environment.
• Key for Future Lunar Exploration: A deeper understanding of the Moon’s craters and rock formations can help in identifying potential sites for habitats, resource extraction, and scientific research.
• India’s Growing Space Capabilities: The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 and subsequent studies showcase India’s advanced space research capabilities and contribution to planetary science.

Conclusion

ISRO’s study of Chandrayaan-3’s landing site enhances our understanding of the Moon’s geological history and lunar evolution. The findings reinforce the importance of impact crater mapping and provide valuable insights for future lunar missions. As India expands its space research, such discoveries strengthen global scientific knowledge and lay the groundwork for human exploration of the Moon’s south pole.

5. Potash Mining Exploration in Punjab – Economy

Why in News?

The Punjab Mining Minister recently announced the government’s initiative to explore potash mining in the Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts.

Key Highlights:

• Surveys have identified significant potash reserves in three mining blocks.
• Potash is a crucial mineral for fertilizers, essential for agriculture.
• The initiative aims to reduce dependence on imports and support local farmers.

What is Potash?

• Potash is a group of potassium-rich inorganic compounds that are soluble in water.
• It is one of the three primary nutrients in fertilizers (N-P-K: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium).
• Over 90% of potash is used in fertilizer production.

Principal Ore of Potash:

• Sylvinite – A mixture of sylvite (KCl) and halite (NaCl).

Types of Potash Fertilizers & Their Uses

1️⃣ Sulphate of Potash (SOP)

• Chloride-free, making it ideal for high-value crops (fruits, vegetables, and leafy plants).
• Used in sensitive soils where excess chloride can harm plants.

2️⃣ Muriate of Potash (MOP)

• Most commonly used potash fertilizer.
• Contains chloride and is suited for carbohydrate-rich crops like wheat, rice, and sugarcane.

Global Potash Reserves & India’s Position

Major Potash Producers:

• Canada (31%)
• Belarus (21%)
• Russia (11%)
• China (10%)
• USA (6%)
• Germany (4%)
• Chile (3%)

🇮🇳 Potash Reserves in India:

• Rajasthan – 89% of India’s total reserves.
• Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have smaller reserves.

Significance of Potash Mining in Punjab

• Boosts Agricultural Productivity – Ensures a local supply of potash for fertilizer production.
• Economic Benefits – Reduces fertilizer import costs and promotes mining-based industries.
• Sustainable Agriculture – Enhances soil fertility and improves crop yields.
• 🇮🇳 Strengthens India’s Self-Reliance – Supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by reducing import dependency.

Conclusion

The exploration of potash mining in Punjab is a strategic move that can enhance agricultural sustainability, strengthen local economies, and reduce India’s dependence on imported fertilizers. If successfully developed, Punjab could emerge as an important player in India’s potash production, benefiting both farmers and the national economy.