1. The Allahabad High Court has deemed the UP Madarsa Act as a breach of secular principles.
2. The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules of 2024
3. Implementation of a Low Carbon Action Plan
4. Establishment of the National Internet Exchange of India
5. Introduction of the REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE-PUSHPAK
6. The Allahabad High Court has deemed the UP Madarsa Act as a breach of secular principles.

Context:

In a significant judgment, the Allahabad High Court has invalidated the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 (Madarsa Act, 2004) enacted by the state government.

Highlighted by the High Court:

• Describing the Act as unconstitutional, the Allahabad High Court declared it to be in violation of secular principles.
• The court concluded that it was impossible to salvage any part of the Act that would remain relevant and upheld.
• The state lacks the authority to establish a board solely for religious education or for a specific religion and its associated philosophy.
• The state is obligated to provide secular education, especially for minors up to the age of 18.
• It is impermissible for the state to offer different types of education based on religious affiliation, as such actions would contravene secular principles.

Secularism and Education in India:

• Secularism is an integral part of the Constitution’s basic structure.
• The value of secularism is deeply embedded throughout the Constitution, particularly in Articles 14, 19, 22, and 25.
• Education, recognized as a fundamental right under Article 21-A of the Constitution, plays a crucial role in nurturing a democratic society and fostering social cohesion.
• Secularism in education necessitates providing education free from religious bias or influence.
• It entails developing a curriculum that embraces diverse perspectives, cultures, and beliefs, promoting tolerance, pluralism, and respect for individual autonomy.

Impact of Denial:

• Education, serving as a tool for empowerment and societal change, should be accessible to all regardless of their religious affiliations.
• Refusing certain groups access to quality education on religious grounds not only perpetuates social inequality but also undermines the fundamental principles of democracy and secularism.

Significance of the Ruling:

• The Allahabad High Court’s judgment underscores the importance of upholding secular values in education.
• By declaring the Act unconstitutional due to its violation of secularism, the court reaffirmed the state’s responsibility to provide education that transcends religious boundaries and promotes the holistic development of all students.

1. The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules of 2024

https://www.blindia.com/download/epr/Plastic%20Waste%20Management%20(Amendment)%20Rules%202024.pdf

Introduction: Plastic Waste Management Rules 2024

• The Environment Ministry has introduced the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024, modifying the existing regulations from 2016.
• These updated rules impose stricter guidelines on producers of disposable plastic goods.
• Notably, the amendments focus on more stringent criteria for labeling products as ‘biodegradable’, aiming to curb misleading environmental claims.
• Additionally, there is now a requirement for manufacturers to ensure that their disposable plastic items do not leave behind any microplastics, reflecting the government’s dedication to tackling plastic pollution effectively.

Understanding Microplastics

• Microplastics, defined as minute solid plastic particles insoluble in water, have become a significant source of pollution, posing threats to rivers and oceans worldwide.

Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016: Objectives and Amendments

• The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 aimed to address this issue through objectives such as enhanced thickness standards for plastic carry bags and expanded applicability of the rules to rural areas.
• Producers and waste generators were assigned responsibilities within the plastic waste management system, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and promotion of recycling methods.

Challenges and Need for Amendments

• The need for amendments arose due to the ambiguity surrounding the definitions of biodegradable and compostable plastics.
• While biodegradable plastics are expected to degrade naturally over time, there were no definitive tests to confirm their complete degradation.
• Compostable plastics, while degradable, require specialized facilities for decomposition.
• This ambiguity led to confusion among manufacturers, especially after the government’s endorsement of biodegradable alternatives in 2022.

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024: Key Highlights

• The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024 define biodegradable plastics as materials capable of degrading through biological processes in specific environments like soil and landfills, without leaving behind microplastics.
• However, the amendment lacks clarity on the specific tests and thresholds for microplastic reduction.
• Manufacturers are permitted to produce carry bags and commodities using compostable or biodegradable plastics, with mandatory marking and labeling requirements set by the rules and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), particularly for items intended for food contact.

Certification and Responsibilities

• Manufacturers of compostable or biodegradable plastic products must obtain certification from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) before marketing or selling their goods.
• Additionally, they are required to process pre-consumer plastic waste generated during manufacturing and report these activities to the respective State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee.

1. Implementation of a Low Carbon Action Plan

Context:

In Bihar, a comprehensive initiative has been launched to bolster its waste management strategies through the development of a unique Low-Carbon Action Plan (LCAP) focused on the waste and domestic wastewater sectors.

The LCAP is strategically designed to address Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and promote sustainable waste management practices tailored specifically for Bihar’s needs, with the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2070.

Key Components:

1. Assessment: The LCAP begins with a thorough assessment of Bihar’s current waste management infrastructure, encompassing both solid waste and domestic wastewater management systems.

2. Data Collection: This phase involves gathering data on waste generation volumes, existing treatment methods, and associated GHG emissions.

3. Identifying Challenges: Primary challenges in Bihar’s waste management are highlighted, including inadequate sewage collection and treatment, insufficient waste segregation, and unregulated solid waste disposal.

4. Setting Targets: The LCAP establishes ambitious emission reduction and waste management goals with specific milestones for 2030, 2050, and the ultimate target of 2070.

5. Strategies and Recommendations: A range of low-carbon strategies are introduced to address identified challenges, such as improving source-level waste segregation, upgrading waste collection and transportation systems, adopting efficient treatment technologies, and promoting methane recovery from wastewater.

6. Stakeholder Engagement: The success of the LCAP depends on the active involvement of various stakeholders, including government bodies, local communities, and private sector entities.

7. Policy Enforcement: Strong policy-driven enforcement mechanisms are emphasized to ensure effective implementation and adherence to waste management regulations and sustainable practices.

Benefits and Challenges of LCAPs:

Benefits:

• Combatting Climate Change: LCAPs play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing emissions that contribute to the greenhouse effect, thereby helping to alleviate the adverse impacts of global warming.
• Improving Air Quality: By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, LCAPs can significantly improve air quality, leading to better public health outcomes with fewer respiratory ailments.
• Promoting Sustainable Transportation: LCAPs often advocate for eco-friendly transportation alternatives like walking, cycling, and public transit, which not only reduce carbon emissions but also promote physical activity, thus benefiting public health.
• Economic Opportunities: Embracing renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies can stimulate job growth in these sectors, while reducing long-term dependence on imported fossil fuels leads to substantial savings.

Challenges:

• Initial Investment Requirements: Transitioning to renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies often requires significant initial capital investment, which may deter some stakeholders.
• Resistance to Lifestyle Changes: Implementing low-carbon plans may necessitate lifestyle changes, such as increased reliance on public transport, which can face resistance from individuals accustomed to existing norms.
• Time and Persistence: Realizing tangible outcomes from LCAPs requires sustained effort and patience, with potential political opposition posing obstacles to progress, especially from affected industries.
• Equitable Transition: Ensuring an equitable transition to a low-carbon economy is crucial to distribute benefits evenly and avoid disproportionate burdens on vulnerable or disadvantaged groups.

1. Introduction of the REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE-PUSHPAK

Introduction

• Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) accomplished a significant milestone with the successful landing of its Reusable Launch Vehicle Pushpak at the Aeronautical Test Range in Challakere, Chitradurga, Karnataka.

About Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)

• The Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) is a pioneering space plane or shuttle designed to travel to low Earth orbits, deliver payloads, and return to Earth for reuse, making it a fully reusable launch vehicle.
• Unlike traditional launch vehicles, the RLV is engineered as a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle, promising cost-effective access to space by launching satellites into orbit and re-entering the atmosphere.

Features of RLV

• Characterized by its aircraft-like configuration, the RLV-TD serves as a versatile testbed for evaluating cutting-edge technologies such as hypersonic flight (HEX), autonomous landing (LEX), return flight experiment (REX), powered cruise flight, and Scramjet Propulsion Experiment (SPEX).

Launch of Pushpak

• During the launch, the Indian Air Force Chinook Helicopter facilitated the ascent of Pushpak to an altitude of 4.5 kilometers before its release.

Autonomous Approach and Landing

• Utilizing autonomous navigation systems, Pushpak accurately maneuvered towards the designated runway from a distance of 4 kilometers, compensating for cross-range variables.

Precision Landing and Braking

• Its precision landing capabilities were demonstrated as it executed a flawless touchdown on the runway and came to a stop using a combination of brake parachutes and nose wheel steering.

ISRO’s Vision for AVATAR

• Looking ahead, ISRO’s vision includes the development of AVATAR (Aerobic Vehicle for Transatmospheric Hypersonic Aerospace Transportation), a planned reusable launch vehicle platform.

About AVATAR

• AVATAR will revolutionize satellite launches by operating akin to conventional aircraft, taking off vertically and landing on a runway. Propelled by ramjets and scramjets, AVATAR represents the next frontier in space transportation.