UPSC Daily Current Affairs – Prelims [24th February 2023]

Mohiniyattam

Source: IE

In News

Kanak Rele, the legendary exponent of classical dance, and Mohiniyattam dancer has passed away.

About Mohiniyattam

• Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form that originated in the state of Kerala, India.
  • It is a graceful dance style that is known for its fluid movements and subtle expressions.
  • The word “Mohiniyattam” is derived from the words “Mohini” (meaning enchantress) and “aattam” (meaning dance), which together signify the dance of the enchantress.
• Mohiniyattam is traditionally performed by women.
  • It is characterized by slow, rhythmic movements that follow the musical beats of Carnatic music.
  • The dance style incorporates elements of both dance and theater.
    • The dancer uses hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to convey the emotions and meanings of the accompanying song or story.
• Mohiniyattam is typically performed on stage or in temples during festivals and other cultural events.

Sansad Ratna Awards

Source: IE

In News

The Prime Minister of India extended his congratulations to the Members of Parliament (MPs) who will be receiving the Sansad Ratna Awards 2023.

What is Sansad Ratna Awards?

• Were instituted in 2010, inspired by the teachings of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who launched the first edition of the award function in Chennai.
• Seek to recognize and felicitate the top-performing Members of Parliament (MPs) based on their work in the apex legislative body.
• Its jury committee comprises eminent parliamentarians and members of civil society.
  • The committee is chaired by the MoS, Parliamentary Affairs, and co-chaired by T S Krishnamurthy (Former Chief Election Commissioner of India).
• The Awards are not given by the Government of India.
  • They are run by the Prime Point Foundation.

Extension of 22nd Law Commission

Source: BS

In News

The term of the twenty-second Law Commission of India has been extended by the government until August 31, 2024.

About Law Commission

• The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body established by the Government of India in 1955.
  • Its main function is to review and recommend changes in the legal framework of the country.
  • The first Law Commission of India was constituted in 1955, and twenty-two Law Commissions have been established to date.
• The term of each Law Commission is generally three years.
  • The Commission is either reconstituted or its term is extended after three years.
• The Law Commission consists of a Chairman and other members, who are appointed by the Government of India.
  • The Chairman is usually a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
  • The other members are usually legal experts, academicians, and practitioners.
• The Law Commission is tasked with examining and reviewing the existing laws in the country and recommending changes, amendments, or new legislation.
  • Its recommendations are not binding on the government, but they carry considerable weight and influence in shaping legal policy and reform in the country.

Recommendations of Law Commission

• Recommendations on electoral reforms:
  • The Law Commission has recommended that a ceiling be imposed on the expenditure of political parties during elections to curb the influence of money power in elections.
  • The Commission has recommended that electronic voting machines (EVMs) be equipped with a paper trail to ensure transparency and accuracy in elections.
  • The Commission has recommended that the Election Commission of India be given more powers to ensure free and fair elections.
• Recommendations on legal education:
  • The Law Commission has recommended reforms in legal education, including the introduction of a common entrance test for admission to law schools and increasing the number of law schools in the country.
  • The Commission has recommended the establishment of specialized law schools for training judges, prosecutors, and lawyers.
• Recommendations on criminal law:
  • The Law Commission has recommended several reforms in criminal law, including the abolition of the death penalty, the decriminalization of certain offenses such as attempt to suicide, and the introduction of plea bargaining.
  • The Commission has recommended the establishment of a witness protection program to protect witnesses in criminal cases.
• Recommendations on family law:
  • The Law Commission has recommended reforms in family law, including the enactment of a uniform civil code that would replace the existing personal laws based on religion.
  • The Commission has recommended that the minimum age of marriage be raised to 21 years for men and women.

Composition of Law Commission

• The Commission consists of a Chairman and other members, who are appointed by the Government of India.
• The Chairman is usually a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
• The other members are usually legal experts, academicians, and practitioners.
• The members are appointed based on their expertise and experience in the field of law.
• The number of members in the Commission can vary, but it usually ranges from three to five.
• The Commission may also have part-time members who are appointed based on their expertise in a particular area of law.
• The tenure of the Commission is generally for three years, after which it is either reconstituted or its term is extended.
• The Commission is assisted by a Secretary, who is usually a legal expert or an administrative officer with experience in the field of law.

Neutral citation system

Source: IE

In News

The announcement was made by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) that the Supreme Court will be implementing a “neutral citation system” for its judgments.

What is a Citation?

A “citation” is an identification tag for a legal judgment that includes a reference number, the year of the judgment, the name of the court, and other information. For instance, the citation for the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case is AIR 1973 SC 1461.

What is “neutral citation”?

• A “neutral citation” is a system where the court assigns its own citation for a judgment, separate from those given by traditional Law Reporters.
• This enables a uniform citation for judgments across the court system.
• Law Reporters are periodicals or annual digests that publish judgments, often with an editorial note to make them accessible for lawyers to refer to precedents.
• Several courts in India, including the Delhi, Kerala, and Madras High Courts, have already implemented neutral citation systems.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Source: PIB

In News

In 2022, the Scan and Share (QR-code-based) service was introduced by the National Health Authority (NHA) as a part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to facilitate faster OPD registrations.

In terms of performance, the initiative has been successful, as evidenced by its adoption by 365 hospitals and its ability to help over 500,000 patients save time by significantly reducing wait times within just five months of its launch.

About Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was launched in August 2018.
• The program aims to provide health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year to around 100 million families.
• The initiative leverages digital technologies to streamline the delivery of healthcare services, improve access, and enhance the quality of care.
• The establishment of digital health infrastructure is a key component of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which includes the creation of electronic health records for all citizens.
• It is a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme.
• It covers pre-existing diseases

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