• NEWS 1 : Join Joint Action Committee on delimitation, CM seeks representatives from Odisha, Punjab, and Bengal, plus southern States
• GS-2 POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
• ISSUE: Delimitation based on the latest population data would result in a shift of political power from the southern states to the northern states, as the latter would gain more seats in Parliament. This has led to resistance from states that have controlled their population growth.
• DELIMITATION: Delimitation in India refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of parliamentary and assembly constituencies to ensure equal representation based on population changes. It is a critical aspect of India’s democratic framework, as it ensures that each vote carries roughly the same weight
• Delimitation Commission?
• Appointment:
  • The Commission is appointed by the President of India and works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India.
• Composition:
  • Retired Supreme Court judgeChief Election Commissioner
  • Respective State Election Commissioners
• Functions:
  • To determine the number and boundaries of constituencies to make the population of all constituencies nearly equal.
  • To identify seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, wherever their population is relatively large.
• Powers:
  • In case of a difference of opinion among members of the Commission, the opinion of the majority prevails.
  • The Delimitation Commission in India is a high-power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court.
• Constitutional Provisions:
•   Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census.
• Under Article 170, States also get divided into territorial constituencies as per Delimitation Act after every Census
• Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.
  • The first delimitation exercise was carried out by the President (with the help of the Election Commission) in 1950-51.
• History of delimitation :The last delimitation exercise that changed the state-wise composition of the Lok Sabha was completed in 1976 and done on the basis of the 1971 census.
• The Constitution of India mandates that the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha should be based on the population of each state so that the ratio of seats to population is as close as possible to being equal across all states. It is intended to ensure that each person’s vote carries roughly the same weight, regardless of which state they live in.
  • However, this provision meant that states that took little interest in population control could end up with a greater number of seats in Parliament.
• To avoid these consequences, the Constitution was amended 42^nd Amendment Act of 1976 froze the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha to the states and the division of each state into territorial constituencies till the year 2000 at the 1971 level.
• The 84^th Amendment Act of 2001 empowered the government to undertake readjustment and rationalization of territorial constituencies in the states on the basis of the population figures of 1991 census.
• The 87^th Amendment Act of 2003 provided for the delimitation of constituencies on the basis of 2001 census and not 1991 census.
  • However, this can be done without altering the number of seats allotted to each state in the Lok Sabha.
• The Delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is to be carried out on the basis of the First Census after 2026.
• The 2021 Census was originally postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently due to delays on the part of the Central government.
• NEWS:Boost value addition in spices to achieve $10-bn export target by 2030: The World Spice Organization (WSO)
• GS-3 AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING
• India being the largest producer and exporter of diverse varieties of spices in the world
• ,India’s share in the global seasoning market, pegged at $14 billion in 2024, is only a paltry 0.7%, against China’s 12% and U.S.’s 11%
• India currently exports 1.5 million tons of spices of all kinds worth $4.5 billion
•  commanding a quarter of the global spice market valued at $20 billion
• only 48% of India’s spice exports were valued-added products while the remaining bulk hits the markets as culinary whole spices
• To achieve the Spices Board of India’s export target of $10 billion by 2030, the country’s share in value-added spices should rise up to 70%
• it was also critical for the Indian spice sector to explore the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical value of spices
•  other than the traditional spice-growing States in the country, the North Eastern region, Odisha and Jharkhand were emerging as sizable producers of various spices.
• India has 15 different ago-climatic zones and this helps us grow a wide variety of spices, almost in all States
• WORLD SPICE ORGANISATION:
•         not a profit organisation
•       established as a central authority for the global spice industry

Spice production in India

  India is one of the world’s largest producers, consumers, and exporters of spices. The country has a rich history of spice cultivation and trade, dating back thousands of years. Spices are an integral part of Indian culture, cuisine, and economy. 

• Key Highlights of Spice Production in India

1. Global Leader in Spice Production:
   1. India produces over 75 varieties of spices out of the 109 listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
   2. It accounts for 50% of global spice production and contributes 25% of the global spice trade.
2. Major Spice-Producing States:
   1. Andhra Pradesh: Largest producer of chili and turmeric.
   1. Kerala: Known for black pepper, cardamom, and ginger.
   1. Gujarat: Major producer of cumin and fennel.
   1. Tamil Nadu: Significant producer of turmeric, tamarind, and curry leaves.

•          Rajasthan: Leading producer of coriander and fenugreek.
•          
•            Karnataka: Known for cardamom, pepper, and ginger.
•            Madhya Pradesh: Major producer of garlic and coriander
  •  

Top Spices Produced in India:

• Chili: India is the largest producer and exporter of chili.
• Turmeric: Known for its high curcumin content, Indian turmeric is in high demand globally.
• Black Pepper: Often referred to as the “King of Spices,” India is a major producer.
• Cardamom: India is one of the largest producers of both small and large cardamom.
• Cumin: India dominates global cumin production and trade.

Government Initiatives:

• Spices Board of India: A government body responsible for the development and promotion of Indian spices globally.
• Quality Improvement Programs: Initiatives to ensure high-quality spice production and meet international standards.
• Export Promotion: The government provides financial assistance and incentives to spice exporters.
• Geographical Indication (GI) Tags: Many Indian spices, such as Alleppey Green Cardamom and Badge Chili, have received GI tags to protect their unique identity

NEWS:Plight of prisoners with disabilities needs attention: SC

GS-2 GOVERNANCE

• Top court issues notice to Centre on plea that highlighted the trauma and inhumane conditions suffered by disabled prisoners
• even the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016 did not contain a legal framework to protect the rights of prisoners with disabilities and provide them “reasonable accommodation”
• There are no provisions for disabled prisoners that provide for their specific needs. They are still housed in the same facilities as non-disabled inmates, thereby receiving similar treatment regardless of their specialized requirements
• The prison manuals of most States continue to lack mandatory provisions for ramps and other accessibility measures in prisons.
• This failure persists in matters of basic mobility within prison premises, in direct contravention of the statutory requirements
• NEWS:global circumnavigation in sailing vessel INSV Tarina under Nayika Sagar Parikrama II

GS-1 GEOGRAPHY

• this challenging voyage as part of India’s continued eorts to showcase Nari Shakti in high-endurance missions
•  the crew crossed the remarkable milestones of crossing
•                  Point Nemo — the world’s most isolated waters
•                  the Drake Passage-one of the most treacherous water bodies

PONT NEMO:

It is officially known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility

•     Point Nemo lies in the South Pacific Ocean, specifically in a region known for its extreme isolation.
• The area is part of the South Pacific Gyre, a large system of rotating ocean currents that is characterized by:
  • Low biological activity: Due to its remoteness and limited nutrient availability, the region has very little marine life.
  • Calm waters: The gyre creates a relatively stable and calm ocean environment

Point Nemo is located at approximately 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W in the South Pacific Ocean.

DRAKE PASSAGE:

The Drake Passage is a body of water located between the southern tip of South America (Cape Horn, Chile) and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. It is one of the most famous and challenging maritime routes in the world, known for its rough seas, strong winds, and treacherous conditions. 

•       The Drake Passage lies between 56°S and 60°S latitude, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
• Width: It is approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) wide.
• Depth: The passage is very deep, with an average depth of about 3,400 meters (11,000 feet) and reaching depths of up to 4,800 meters (15,700 feet) in some areas.
• MAINS QUESTION

       Enumerate the special provisions needed for disables .critically examine the features of the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016 .