GS PAPER – II

SC RESERVES ORDER ON CHILDREN FROM INVALID MARRIAGES INHERITING ANCESTRAL PROPERTY

Why in news?

• The Supreme Court reserved its judgment on whether children born out of invalid/void and voidable Hindu marriages can inherit their parents’ ancestral property.

About Void marriage

• A void marriage is not enforceable in law or is unlawful.
• A voidable marriage has to be declared a nullity through a decree.

The amended provision

• The case, before a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, is focused on an amended provision in the Hindu Marriage Act, Section 16(3).
• This provision deals with the inheritance rights of children from void or voidable marriages.
• The case was referred to a larger Bench in 2011 after a Division Bench of the top court refused to follow past precedents and championed the cause of children born out of illegitimate marriages.

Court’s decision

• The birth of a child in such a relationship has to be viewed independently of the relationship of the parents.
• A child born in such a relationship is innocent and is entitled to all the rights which are given to other children born in valid marriage.
• The Division Bench had held that such children would have a right to any property that belonged to their parents, whether they were self-acquired or ancestral.
• The Bench had however clarified that the children’s claims would be limited to the property of their parents and no other relation.

GS PAPER – III

ALL-INDIA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

Why in news?

• The All-India Consumer Price Index Number for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base: 1986-87=100) for the month of July, 2023 was released by the Labour Bureau. It increased by 19 points each to stand at 1215 (One thousand two hundred and fifteen) and 1226 (One thousand two hundred and twenty six) points respectively.

Findings of the index

• The major contribution towards the rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food group to the extent of 18.23 and 18.28 points respectively.
• It was mainly due to increase in prices of rice,  wheat atta, pulses, milk, fish-fresh/dry, gur, chillies-green/dry, turmeric, garlic, ginger, onion, mixed spices, brinjal, tomato, gourd, etc.
• The rise in index varied from State to State.
• In case of Agricultural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 1 to 29 points in 20 States.
• Tamil nadu with 1420 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with 932 points stood at the bottom.
• In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded an increase of 9 to 28 points in 20 States.
• Tamil nadu with 1407 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh with 993 points stood at the bottom.
• Amongst states, the maximum increase in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers was experienced by Tamilnadu (29 points) and for Rural Labourers by Tamilnadu and Kerala (28 points each) mainly due to rise in the prices of pulses, fish fresh/dry, chillies-green/dry, ginger, onion, brinjal, tomato, gourd, etc.

GS PAPER – II

Hate Speech

Why in news?

Recently, The Supreme Court said that instances of hate speech would be prosecuted equally, no matter the faith of the offender.

• Hate speech is a form of communication that attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as race, religion, etc.
• It is not protected by freedom of speech.
• The Indian government can restrict freedom of speech in certain cases, such as when it is necessary to protect public order or national security.
• There are a number of laws in India that deal with hate speech, such as Section 153A of the IPC. The Law Commission of India has recommended adding separate provisions to the IPC to criminalise hate speech.

Do You Know?

• The Law Commission of India has recommended adding separate provisions to the IPC to criminalize hate speech

GS PAPER – III

Three Dimensional (3D) Printing

Why in news?

Recently, India’s first 3D-printed post office was virtually inaugurated in Bengaluru’s Cambridge Layout.

• Its construction was completed in just 43 days — two days ahead of the deadline.
• Developed over 40 years ago, 3D printing entered the 2010s when many thought it would become part of everyday life. However, this process is expensive, slow, and error-prone.
• In recent years, many of these disadvantages have been corrected, making 3D printing more common than ever.

What is 3D Printing?

• 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process that uses computer-created design to make three-dimensional objects, layer by layer.
• It is an additive process, in which layers of a material like plastic, composites or bio-materials are built up to construct objects of various shapes, sizes, rigidity and colours.
• The 3D Model is designed using computer-aid design(CAD) software.

What is 4D Printing?

• 4D printing is a type of 3D printing that allows the printed object to change shape or properties over time in response to environmental stimuli.
• The 4th dimension in 4D printing refers to the time dimension, as the object’s shape changes over time.

Do You Know?

• Recently, Chennai-based space-tech startup Agnikul announced that it has developed a rocket with an entirely 3D-printed engine.

GS PAPER – III

RBI Circular on Loan Rates

Why in news?

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) asked all regulated entities (REs), including banks and non-banking finance companies, to give personal loan borrowers the option to switch over from a floating rate to a fixed rate regime at the time of re-setting interest rates.

• Borrowers will also be given the choice to opt for enhancement in equated monthly instalments (EMI) or elongation of the tenor, RBI said in a circular on ‘Reset of floating interest rate on EMI based personal loans’.
• The EMI of a floating rate loan changes with periodic changes in reset interest rates, the calculations of which are not uniform as the cost of funds differs between banks.

GS PAPER – I

Lakhpati Didi Scheme

Why in news?

Recently, the Prime Minister unveiled Lakhpati Didi scheme in his Independence Day Adress.

What is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?

• The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is a government initiative to economically empower women in rural areas.
• The scheme aims to create two crore “lakhpati didis” (prosperous sisters) by providing them with skill training and other support.
• Under the scheme, women will be trained in skills like LED bulb making, plumbing, and drone operation.
• Around 15,000 women’s SHGs will be given training in operating and repairing drones.
• The scheme also includes a provision for providing drones to women SHGs for agricultural activities.