19th September, 2021

Daily Handouts
 Handout No.694 |1|

INDEX

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS_19th September, 2021

1. TNA NOTES
(1) CJI calls for ‘Indianising’ legal system ............................................................................................. 1
(i) Challenges being faced by ordinary litigants ........................................................................... 1
(ii) Recommendations of CJI to address these challenges ............................................................. 1
(2) IISc researchers find a way to substitute for single-use plastics ....................................................... 1
(i) Intensity of Plastic Pollution .................................................................................................. 1
(ii) Challenges of Plastic Pollution................................................................................................ 1
(iii) Significance of this substitute................................................................................................. 1
(3) Bias in AI is a key topic of concern: Capgemini VP ........................................................................... 1
(i) Challenges of AI ..................................................................................................................... 2
(ii) What is Artificial Intelligence?................................................................................................ 2
(iii) Benefits of AI......................................................................................................................... 2
(iv) AI related Government initiatives .......................................................................................... 2
(v) Responsible AI for Youth Programme ..................................................................................... 2
(4) Why is it difficult for India to get to net zero?................................................................................. 2
(i) Global response..................................................................................................................... 2
(ii) Possible impact ..................................................................................................................... 2
(iii) Challenges of these commitments.......................................................................................... 2
(iv) Why India is opposing to adopt ‘net zero target’? ................................................................... 3
(v) What can enable India to adopt ‘net zero target’? .................................................................. 3
(vi) NET ZERO/Carbon Neutrality ................................................................................................. 3
(5) Auto boost .................................................................................................................................... 3
(6) NIA needs infra, specialists: experts ............................................................................................... 3
(i) Organisations in news - National Investigation Agency (NIA) .................................................. 3
(ii) Focus Areas ........................................................................................................................... 3
(iii) Functions .............................................................................................................................. 4
(iv) Provisions of NIA Amendment Act, 2019 ................................................................................ 4
(7) What is the need for a ‘bad bank’?................................................................................................. 4
(8) Can the telecom industry get out of the rut? .................................................................................. 4

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 Handout No.694
TNA NOTES
1. CJI calls for ‘Indianising’ legal system
 Syllabus: GS2 – Subject: Polity & Governance,
Topic: Judiciary
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: --------------------------
 Mains: Judicial reforms
 Context: Chief Justice of India (CJI) called for
Indianisation of the country’s legal system
 Synopsis:
o To address the challenges of judicial access to
citizens, CJI has suggested various measures
o Challenges being faced by ordinary litigants
 Lengthy and expensive judicial proceedings
 High technicalities in judgements making it
difficult to comprehend for ordinary citizens
 Language barriers (using English in court
proceedings)
 Present judicial practices and rules of courts
were foreign and sourced from the colonial
days
 Multiple barriers (of this kind) prevented
ordinary, poor and rural Indian citizen’s access
to justice
o Recommendations of CJI to address these
challenges: CJI suggested to,
 Simplify rules and procedures of justice
delivery
 Make justice delivery more transparent,
accessible and effective
 Indianize judiciary (i.e., adapting to the
practical realities of Indian society and
localising the justice delivery systems)
 Promote Alternative dispute mechanisms (like
mediation and conciliation) to reduce the
pending litigations
 Issue: Indianisation of legal system
 Dimension: measures to address judicial
challenges
2. IISc researchers find a way to substitute for single-
use plastics
 Syllabus: GS3–Subject: Environment, Topic:
Environmental Pollution & GS3–Subject:
Science & Technology, Topic: Recent
developments and their applications and
effects in everyday life
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: --------------------
 Mains: Plastic Pollution
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 Context: Researchers developed a
biodegradable substitute for single-use plastic
 Synopsis:
o To address the menace of single-use plastics,
researchers have developed a polymer using
non-edible oil and cellulose extracted from
agricultural stubble as a bio-degradable
substitute for single-use plastics
o Intensity of Plastic Pollution
 According to Central Pollution Control Board of
India, in 2018-2019 alone, 3.3 million metric
tonnes of plastic waste are generated in India
 Only 9% of total plastic waste produced in the
world is recycled and around 79% enters the
environment
 Landfills are being choked with single use
plastics leading to accumulation of plastics
damaging the health of environment
o Challenges of Plastic Pollution
 Plastics take longer to get decomposed
 Presence of plastic in saline water increases its
toxicity
 Intake of plastics will affect the health of
animals as they can’t digest plastic
 Breakdown of plastics will increase micro
plastics which can enter food system
o Significance of this substitute
 Non-toxic to environment (as it is bio-
degradable)
 Mitigates the problem of plastic accumulation
 Multi-purpose material (as it can be used for
food packaging and healthcare applications)
 Reduces air pollution in National Capital Region
(as it uses agricultural stubble as a raw
material)
 Issue: Plastic Pollution
 Dimension: Alternate inventions to substitute
single-use plastics
3. Bias in AI is a key topic of concern: Capgemini VP
 Syllabus: GS3–Subject: Science & Technology,
Topic: Recent developments and their
applications and effects in everyday life
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about Artificial Intelligence
 Mains: Challenges of Artificial Intelligence
 Context: Vice President of Capgemini (IT
company) outlined the challenges of AI
 Synopsis:
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 Handout No.694
o Despite having various advantages and
applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI) also
poses various challenges
 Challenges of AI
o Bias and discrimination of the system fed data
o Possibilities of misuse
o Usage of personal sensitive information (to
build algorithms) without informed consent
might compromise data privacy
o Ignorance on functioning of AI and its impact
to government and ordinary citizens
 What is Artificial Intelligence?
o A branch of computer science that deals with
creating computers or machines as intelligent
as human beings.
o It can make a computer, a computer-controlled
robot, or software to perform cognitive
tasks like thinking, perceiving, learning,
problem solving and decision making.
o Benefits of AI:
 Increases access and affordability of quality
healthcare.
 Enhances farmers’ income, increase farm
productivity and reduce wastage.
 Improves access and quality of education.
 Builds efficient infrastructure for the increasing
urban population.
 Develops smarter and safer modes of
transportation to address traffic and
congestion problems.
 Creates high skilled jobs
 Increases efficiency and enhance governance
across the government.
 Improves the ease of living
 Helps to enable India as a major manufacturing
hub in line with the ‘Make in India’
 AI related Government initiatives:
 Responsible AI for Social Empowerment
(Raise) 2020
o Organised by the MeitY in association with the
NITI Aayog
o Purpose: To bring together people to exchange
ideas on the use of Artificial Intelligence for
social empowerment like inclusion and
transformation in industries such as education,
smart mobility, agriculture and healthcare
among others.
o Theme: “AI for Social Transformation, Inclusion
and Empowerment”.
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 Responsible AI for Youth Programme
o Launched by: National e-Governance Division,
MeitY
o Purpose: To reach out to students from the
government schools pan India and empower
them to become ‘AI ready’ and help reduce the
AI skill gap in India.
o Eligibility: Open to students from Government
Schools, classes 8 – 12 across the country
 Practice Mains Question: What is artificial
intelligence? What is its current scenario and
what are its prospects? [Answer in 150 Words,
10 Marks]
 Issue: Artificial Intelligence
 Dimension: Challenges of Artificial Intelligence
4. Why is it difficult for India to get to net zero?
 Syllabus: GS3–Subject: Environment, Topic:
Climate Change
 Article relevance:
 Prelims: Learn about Net Zero target
 Mains: Measures to mitigate Climate Change
 Context: India opposed to adopt ‘net-zero
targets’
 Synopsis:
o United Nations (UN) asked the global nations
to declare national climate emergencies and
build a carbon neutral world by 2050.
o This target doesn’t consider historical
responsibilities, differentiation, size of
economy or development.
o It is applicable to all
o Global response:
 Nations contributing 65% of global CO2
emissions agreed
 China committed to net zero GHG emissions by
2060
 U.S. & EU also adopted net zero targets
o Possible impact:
 EU might impose carbon border levies on those
nations that do have high carbon cut-down
targets
 Despite having a small carbon footprint (2%),
India will be subjected to intense observation
which might affect its development measures
 It will modify WTO rules (at present it excludes
tariffs on environmental grounds)
o Challenges of these commitments:
 Lack of climate finance
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 Handout No.694
 Doesn’t consider historical responsibilities of
developed countries (U.S. & China)
 Reduces the available carbon space for
developing countries (like India)
o Why India is opposing to adopt ‘net zero
target’?
 With India’s developmental policy, India’s
emissions are likely to grow at the fastest pace
in the world
 Carbon dioxide removal technologies are still
unproven and are extremely expensive.
 2015 Paris Agreement requires every signatory
to take the best climate action it can but didn’t
mandate on net-zero
 The current rate of emissions are so high which
results in 30 to 40C rise in temperatures by
2100
 No amount of afforestation or reforestation
can compensate the increased emissions
 Shifting towards renewable energy sources will
cost India heavily (as India is still a developing
country, India cannot afford for such expensive
technologies)
o What can enable India to adopt ‘net zero
target’?
 A global fund with contributions from
countries based on their carbon emissions
 Incentivise renewable energy
 India has to gear up its diplomatic push for
decent carbon and policy space to meet its
developmental and global aspirations
 NET ZERO/Carbon Neutrality:
o A phenomenon where the carbon emissions of
a country will be compensated by removing
carbon from the atmosphere.
o How? Carbon emissions can be
 absorbed by creating carbon sinks like forests
 removed by using technologies like carbon
capture and storage.
 Issue: Net Zero Target
 Dimension: India’s opposition to net-Zero
5. Auto boost
 Syllabus: GS3–Subject: Economy, Topic:
Infrastructure
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about PLI scheme
 Mains: Efforts to become self-reliant in
Automobile sector
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 Context: Government approved PLI Scheme for
automobiles & drone Industry
 Synopsis:
o To promote Automobile & Drone industries,
Indian government has approved the
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.
 Refer to 16th September, 2021 LaEx Daily
Handout to learn the significance of PLI in
promoting Automobile & Drone industries
 Issue: Production Linked Incentive Scheme
 Sub-dimension: Promotion of Automobile &
Drone industries
6. NIA needs infra, specialists: experts
 Syllabus: GS3–Subject: Internal Security, Topic:
Various Security forces and agencies and their
mandates
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about NIA
 Mains: Infrastructural gaps in investigation
 Context: Experts recommended for capacity
building of National Investigation Agency (NIA)
 Synopsis:
o For effective functioning of NIA, experts opined
it needs additional infrastructure and experts
to deal with cyber terrorism
 Organisations in news - National Investigation
Agency (NIA):
o It is the Central Counter Terrorism Law
Enforcement Agency in India.
o Legality: Established in 2008 post Mumbai
terror attacks under National Investigation
Agency Act, 2008
o Purpose:
 To match best international standards in
counter terrorism and other national security
related investigations at national level by
developing a highly trained workforce.
 To develop a database for all terrorist related
information
o Focus Areas: It probes into offences like,
 Terrorist activities that threaten national
security and sovereignty like bomb blasts,
hijacking of aircraft and ships, and attacks on
nuclear installations
 Counterfeit currency
 Human trafficking
 Organized crime
 Narcotics or drugs
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 Handout No.694
 Violations of atomic energy act and weapons of
mass destruction Act
o Jurisdiction: It has concurrent jurisdiction to
deal with terror related crimes across states
without obtaining special permission from
states.
o Functions:
 In-depth professional investigation of
scheduled offences using the latest scientific
methods of investigation
 Ensuring effective and speedy trial
 Developing a professional work force through
regular training and exposure to the best
practices
 Displaying scientific temper and progressive
spirit while discharging the duties assigned
 Maintaining professional and cordial relations
with the governments of States and Union
Territories and other law enforcement
agencies
 Build a data base on all terrorist related
information
 Study and analyze laws relating to terrorism in
other countries
o In 2019, the NIA Act was amended
o Provisions of NIA Amendment Act, 2019:
 This amendment empowered the agency to
investigate crimes committed by persons,
which are against Indian citizens or “affecting
the interest of India”.
 It extends the NIA's jurisdiction outside India,
subjecting to international treaties and
domestic laws of the concerned foreign nation.
 It also allows for the constitution of special
courts by the Centre in order to conduct trials.
 According to the recent amendment to the NIA
Act, the Central government empowered the
NIA to investigate crimes, which involve
allegations of human trafficking, offences
under the Explosives Act, and certain offences
under the Arms Act.
 Practice Prelims Question
Which of the following statements is/are
correct about the National Investigation
Agency (NIA)?
1. NIA was established under National
Security Act, 1980
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2. NIA has jurisdiction outside India
3. NIA can detain persons hoarding COVID-
19 vaccines
Select the correct answer using the codes
given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: B
 Issue: National Investigation Agency
 Dimension: Infrastructural gaps to curb
terrorism
7. What is the need for a ‘bad bank’?
 Syllabus: GS3–Subject: Economy, Topic:
Banking & Investment models
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about bad bank & ARC
 Mains: Measures to resolve stressed assets
 Context: Union government has launched the
bad bank
 Synopsis:
o Union government has set up the ‘Bad Bank’
called National Asset Reconstruction Company
Limited (NARCL) to resolve the challenges
posed by Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
 Refer to 16th September, 2021 LaEx Daily
Handout to learn about ‘Bad Bank’ & its
significance
 Issue: Bad Bank
 Dimension: Significance of bad bank
8. Can the telecom industry get out of the rut?
 Syllabus: GS3–Subject: Economy, Topic:
Industry
 Article relevance for UPSC:
 Prelims: Learn about AGR
 Mains: Telecom Sector Reforms
 Context: Cabinet approved several reforms in
Telecom Sector
 Synopsis of the article:
o Since past few years, Indian telecom industry
has been struggling in various aspects like:
 Refer to 16th September, 2021 LaEx Daily
Handout to know the ‘telecom sector reforms’
 Issue: Telecom Sector Reforms
 Dimension: Measures to revive (or address
challenges) telecom sector.
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