25th JANUARY, 2025 A.) National Voters’ Day WHY IN NEWS - January 25 is celebrated annually as National Voters’ Day to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI), established on January 25, 1950. Background: The 15th National Voters’ Day in 2025 is being celebrated with the theme “Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure”. The theme emphasizes the importance of active participation in elections and encourages voters to take pride in exercising their franchise. Details: 1. Importance of Voting in Democracy: o Voting is fundamental to expressing one’s faith in the political process and exercising citizenship rights. o In 2013, the Supreme Court of India introduced the option ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) for Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assembly elections, enhancing voter choice. o The court emphasized that NOTA promotes democracy by enabling voters to express dissent and sending a strong message to political parties. 2. Postal Ballots: Postal ballots allow voters unable to be physically present at polling stations to vote remotely, as per Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA). o Eligible Categories:  Special voters: High-ranking dignitaries like the President, Governors, Cabinet Ministers, etc., and their spouses.  Service voters: Armed forces personnel, paramilitary forces, state police members serving outside their state, and government employees posted abroad, along with their spouses.  Election duty voters: Election officers, police personnel, and other staff involved in polling day activities.  Electors under preventive detention.  Absentee voters: Introduced in 2019, this category includes:  Senior citizens aged 85+.  Persons with at least 40% disability.  Covid-19 suspects or affected persons.  Essential service employees. National Voters’ Day celebrates the spirit of democracy, reinforcing the value of every vote in shaping the nation’s future. B.) Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) WHY IN NEWS - Tamil Nadu’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), Arittapatti, located in Madurai district, has been recognized for its ecological and historical value. Background: Arittapatti is known for its rich heritage, including megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, and 2,200-year-old rock-cut temples. This decision aims to conserve the site and its unique biodiversity. Details: 1. About Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS): o Definition: BHS are well-defined areas with unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems comprising one or more significant biodiversity components. o First BHS in India: Nallur Tamarind Grove, Bengaluru (2007). o Current Status: As of December 2024, there are 47 BHS in India. 2. Legal Provisions: o Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA):  Under Section 37, state governments, in consultation with local bodies, can notify areas of biodiversity importance as BHS.  Rules for management and conservation can be framed by state governments in consultation with the central government. 3. Management: o Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs):  Every local body in a state must establish a BMC to promote conservation, sustainable use, and documentation of biological diversity. o In the absence of a BMC, other appropriate institutions may manage the BHS. 4. Monitoring: o State Biodiversity Boards establish state-level monitoring committees for oversight. o Communities are generally allowed to continue prevailing practices and utilize resources within the BHS. Arittapatti BHS highlights the integration of ecological conservation with cultural heritage, making it a significant landmark in Tamil Nadu’s environmental efforts.   C.) Loudspeakers and Noise Pollution Control WHY IN NEWS - The Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra government to implement a mechanism to control decibel levels of loudspeakers, public address systems, or sound-emitting devices used at places of worship or institutions, irrespective of religion, observing that loudspeakers are not an essential part of any religion. Background: The directive was issued in response to a plea highlighting the failure to take action against the use of loudspeakers and amplifiers beyond permissible hours and decibel limits. Details: 1. Key Judicial Observations: o 2016 HC Judgment:  Directed strict implementation of the Noise Pollution (Regulations and Control) Rules, 2000.  Declared that loudspeakers are not an essential part of any religion and thus do not qualify for protection under Article 25 (freedom of religion). o Shirur Mutt Case (1954):  Introduced the doctrine of “essentiality,” which defines "religion" as encompassing rituals and practices integral to the religion.  The judiciary assumed the responsibility of determining the essential and non-essential practices of a religion. 2. Criticism of the Essentiality Doctrine: o Scholarly Critique:  Constitutional experts argue that the essentiality doctrine often takes courts into areas beyond their competence.  Judges have inconsistently decided whether practices are essential, relying on religious texts, empirical behavior of followers, or historical origin. o Autonomy Concerns:  Scholars suggest that the essentiality test infringes on the autonomy of individuals to practice their beliefs. 3. Freedom of Religion and Autonomy: o Ratilal Panachand Gandhi vs The State of Bombay (1954):  Emphasized the fundamental right of every person to practice religious beliefs as approved by their judgment or conscience. o The Supreme Court’s emphasis on autonomy and choice in landmark judgments such as Privacy (2017), Section 377 (2018), and Adultery (2018) aligns with the argument for individual freedom in religious practices. The Bombay High Court’s directive seeks to balance religious freedoms with public interest and noise pollution control, upholding the principles of secular governance and individual rights.   D.) Antiquity of Iron Technology in Tamil Nadu WHY IN NEWS - • A study titled ‘Antiquity of Iron: Recent Radiometric Dates from Tamil Nadu’ challenges global and Indian assumptions about the Iron Age timeline. The findings reveal the earliest evidence of iron technology globally. Key Findings: • Iron technology in Tamil Nadu dates back as far as 3345 BCE, making it the earliest recorded evidence globally. • Charcoal and potsherds from the Sivagalai site date between 2953 BCE and 3345 BCE. • A sarcophagus burial at Kilnamandi (1692 BCE) is the earliest-dated burial of its kind in Tamil Nadu. • Iron-smelting furnaces were identified at sites like Mayiladumparai, Kilnamandi, and Perungalur, showcasing the region’s technological sophistication in producing durable iron tools and weapons. Significance: • Challenges Global Iron Age Timeline: Pushes the origin of iron technology nearly two millennia earlier than the Hittite Empire in Anatolia (Turkey), traditionally dated to 1300 BCE. • Challenges Established Cultural Linearity: Globally, the Iron Age is believed to have succeeded the Copper-Bronze Age due to advanced metallurgical expertise. However, in India, the Iron Age and Copper-Bronze Age were likely contemporary. • Redefines Indian Iron Age Timeline: Previously believed to begin between 1500 BCE and 2000 BCE, closely following the Indus Valley Civilization. • Questions Prevailing Theories: Contradicts the theories of V. Gordon Childe and Mortimer Wheeler, which proposed that iron technology spread to India from a single Western center. Dating Techniques Used: • Radiometric Dating: Determines the age of materials by analyzing the decay of radioactive isotopes. • Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS): A high-precision radiometric dating method used to measure radioisotope ratios. • Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) Analysis: Dates the last exposure of minerals (quartz or feldspar) to light or heat. These findings redefine India’s metallurgical history, demonstrating Tamil Nadu’s pioneering role in early iron technology and challenging established global timelines.   E.) Supreme Court Suggestion on Ad Hoc Judges to Address Case Backlog WHY IN NEWS The Supreme Court recently suggested appointing retired judges on an ad hoc basis under Article 224A of the Constitution to address the growing backlog of pending criminal cases in several High Courts. Background: • In 2021, the Supreme Court noted that there have been only three recorded instances of ad hoc judges being appointed under Article 224A, calling it a “dormant provision.” Key Takeaways: • Article 224A of the Constitution: o Allows the Chief Justice of a High Court to request retired High Court judges to serve as judges again, with the President’s permission. o These appointees are entitled to allowances determined by the President and possess the same jurisdiction, powers, and privileges as High Court judges, though they are not “deemed” as such. o Both the retired judge and the President must consent to the appointment. • Appointment Process (1998 Memorandum of Procedure - MOP): o After a retired judge consents, the Chief Justice forwards the name and duration of the appointment to the Chief Minister of the state. o The Chief Minister forwards the recommendation to the Union Law Minister, who consults the Chief Justice of India (CJI). o The CJI’s advice is forwarded to the Prime Minister, who advises the President on the appointment. • Lok Prahari Case (2021): o The Supreme Court held that recommendations for ad hoc appointments must be routed through the Supreme Court Collegium (CJI and two seniormost judges). o The Court expressed concerns that Article 224A could be misused to delay regular judge appointments. When Can Ad Hoc Judges Be Appointed? • Trigger Points: o High Court vacancies exceed 20% of sanctioned strength (excluding pending proposals for appointments). o More than 10% of pending cases in the High Court are over five years old. • Conditions: o Article 224A can be invoked only when the process for filling regular vacancies has already been initiated. o Ad hoc judges should generally serve for 2-3 years, with 2-5 ad hoc judges per High Court, depending on the backlog. • Panel of Judges: o Each Chief Justice should maintain a panel of retired and soon-to-retire judges for potential ad hoc appointments. This move aims to reduce case pendency while ensuring that regular judicial appointments are not neglected.   F.) Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025 WHY IN NEWS – The Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025 highlights the fiscal performance of Indian states, emphasizing their crucial role in managing public spending and revenue for development and infrastructure. Background: States are responsible for two-thirds of public spending and one-third of revenue collection, making their fiscal health vital for achieving national progress and balanced regional development. Details: 1. Top Performing States: o Odisha leads with the highest overall score, excelling in the Debt Index and Debt Sustainability rankings. 2. Aspirational States: o These states face challenges such as:  Low-quality expenditure.  Debt sustainability concerns.  Revenue mobilization issues. 3. Revenue Mobilization Leaders: o Goa, Telangana, and Odisha perform exceptionally in revenue generation. 4. Capital Expenditure: o Achiever and Front Runner States allocate 27% of developmental expenditure to capital projects. o Performer and Aspirational States allocate only 10%, indicating limited focus on long-term infrastructure development. 5. Debt Sustainability Concerns: o States like West Bengal and Punjab face increasing debt burdens, raising concerns about their ability to sustain and manage their debts. About Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025: • Purpose: o To evaluate the fiscal health of states and ensure balanced regional development and economic stability. • Assessment: o Covers 18 major states using five sub-indices: 1. Quality of Expenditure. 2. Revenue Mobilization. 3. Fiscal Prudence. 4. Debt Index. 5. Debt Sustainability. • Significance: o Provides a framework for fiscal consolidation, transparency, and resource management. o Supports the national vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047”, focusing on state-level fiscal discipline as a cornerstone of India’s economic transformation.