27th JANUARY, 2025 A.) India-Indonesia Bilateral Relations WHY IN NEWS - Indonesia was the chief guest country on India’s first Republic Day in 1950. Recently, both countries signed pacts on maritime security, health, and traditional medicine, and are working on a framework agreement for defense cooperation, including technology sharing projects. Indonesia has also decided to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) early. Background • Historical Ties: India and Indonesia have shared civilizational ties, deeply rooted in culture, religion, and history. • Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): Both countries participated in the Bandung Conference of 1955, leading to the establishment of NAM in 1961. Details Key Areas of Cooperation 1. Defense: o Joint projects on surface-to-surface missiles, air defense systems, and submarine construction technology transfers. o Military exercises like Samudra Shakti and India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol enhance maritime security. 2. Trade: o Bilateral trade: US$29.4 billion (FY 2023-24). o Key Imports from Indonesia: Coal, palm oil, rubber. o India’s Exports: Refined petroleum, telecom equipment, agricultural products. 3. Geo-Strategic Significance: o Indonesia’s location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans makes it crucial for India’s SAGAR initiative. o Access to Sabang Port bolsters trade through the Malacca Strait and counters China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. 4. Geopolitical Cooperation: o Shared memberships in BRICS, G20, IORA, and the East Asia Summit. o Synergy between India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative with Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum vision strengthens ties. 5. Cultural Relations: o Indonesia’s culture reflects strong Hindu influence, with epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata deeply embedded in its art and folklore. o These shared cultural roots foster strong people-to-people ties. Significance of Indonesia for India • Geo-Economic: Indonesia is India’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN. • Geopolitical: Collaboration in multilateral organizations bolsters India’s global standing. • Geostrategic: Crucial for regional stability and safeguarding maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific.   B.) Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) WHY IN NEWS - A recent report highlights the critical role of OECMs in conserving land, water, and coastal areas, offering innovative approaches to biodiversity conservation. Background • Origin: The term "OECMs" first appeared in 2010 as part of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). • Adoption: The official definition of OECMs was adopted at CBD CoP-14 in 2018. Details About OECMs • Definition: OECMs are geographically defined areas outside of Protected Areas (PAs) that are managed to achieve long-term in-situ conservation of biodiversity. • Key Features: o Deliver conservation outcomes alongside ecosystem services and socio-cultural values. o Areas within or already established as PAs cannot be designated as OECMs. o Important for achieving Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework (conserving 30% of terrestrial, inland waters, and marine areas by 2030). o Governance may involve government agencies, NGOs, indigenous peoples, local communities, or shared arrangements. Difference Between OECMs and PAs 1. Primary Objective: o PAs focus solely on biodiversity conservation (e.g., preserving habitats for endangered species). o OECMs deliver conservation outcomes alongside other objectives, such as cultural or historical preservation. 2. Management: o PAs have a singular conservation-driven approach. o OECMs allow for diverse management goals while achieving biodiversity conservation. Significance OECMs provide a flexible and inclusive tool for biodiversity conservation, complementing traditional Protected Areas and promoting community and multi-stakeholder involvement.   C.) Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) WHY IN NEWS - Indore and Udaipur have become the first two Indian cities to be included in the global list of accredited wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Background • Indore: Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar Site, is recognized for its water bird congregation and is being developed as a bird sanctuary. • Udaipur: Known as the City of Lakes, it is surrounded by five major wetlands: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. Details About Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) • Objective: Recognizes cities valuing their natural or human-made wetlands, offering international recognition and positive publicity. • Approval: Adopted at COP12 of Ramsar Convention in Uruguay (2015). • Duration: Valid for six years, requiring renewal if the city continues to meet the six established criteria. Significance of WCA • Conservation and Wise Use: Encourages sustainable management of urban and peri-urban wetlands to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services. • Community Engagement: Strengthens the connection between cities and wetlands, especially those near Wetlands of International Importance. • Policy Alignment: Supports the implementation of the Amrit Dharohar initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), promoting wetland restoration and conservation. Importance for India This accreditation showcases India’s commitment to wetland conservation, aligning with global efforts to safeguard these vital ecosystems while promoting sustainable urban development. D.) Unified Pension System (UPS) WHY IN NEWS - The Unified Pension System (UPS) will be applicable to Central Government employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) who opt for it. It will be operational from April 1, 2025, with regulations to be issued by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Background The UPS aims to provide a secure retirement framework with features like assured pensions, family pensions, and inflation indexation, offering enhanced financial stability for government employees post-retirement. Details Salient Features of the UPS 1. Assured Pension: o 50% of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months before retirement. o Minimum qualifying service: 25 years. o Proportional pension for service periods less than 25 years, with a minimum service requirement of 10 years. 2. Assured Family Pension: o 60% of the employee’s pension at the time of their demise. 3. Assured Minimum Pension: o ₹10,000 per month for employees who retire with at least 10 years of service. 4. Inflation Indexation: o Applicable to assured pension, family pension, and minimum pension. o Linked to the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW), similar to service employees. 5. Lump Sum Payment: o Employees will receive a lump sum at retirement in addition to gratuity. o Equivalent to 1/10th of monthly emoluments (pay + DA) for every completed six months of service. Significance The UPS offers a more secure and inflation-adjusted pension system, addressing concerns of financial insecurity among retirees under the NPS. It ensures: • Stability: Assured pension and family pension. • Protection Against Inflation: Inflation indexation via AICPI-IW. • Financial Security: Minimum pension guarantee and additional benefits at superannuation. This reform underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding the retirement benefits of Central Government employees while aligning with global best practices.   E.) Essential Religious Practices (ERP) and Use of Loudspeakers WHY IN NEWS – The Bombay High Court reiterated its 2016 judgment in the Mahesh Vijay Case, holding that the use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion. It referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Church of God Case (2000), which stated that there is no fundamental right to use loudspeakers under Article 19(1)(a) or Article 25 of the Constitution. Background The Indian Judiciary uses the Essential Religious Practices (ERP) test to determine the essentiality of practices claimed under the right to freedom of religion. The ERP test assesses whether a religious practice is fundamental to the religion itself or can be regulated by the state. Details About the Essential Religious Practices (ERP) Test • Introduced in the Shri Shirur Mutt Case (1954), where the Supreme Court ruled that religious practices are part of the freedom of religion under the Constitution. • The Court held that the essentiality of a religious practice should be determined based on the doctrines of the religion itself. Supreme Court Judgments Related to ERP 1. Sri Adi Visheshwara Case (1997): o Distinguished between religious and secular functions of a temple. 2. Acharya Jagadisharananda Case (2004): o A religious practice is deemed essential only if its absence would fundamentally alter the religion. 3. Shayara Bano Case (2017): o Declared triple talaq unconstitutional, stating that practices merely permitted or not explicitly prohibited by religion cannot be deemed essential. On Loudspeakers and ERP • Church of God Case (2000): The Supreme Court ruled that Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression) and Article 25 (freedom of religion) do not include the fundamental right to use loudspeakers. • Mahesh Vijay Case (2016): Bombay HC reaffirmed that the use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion, supporting the regulation of noise pollution in public spaces. Significance • Balancing Rights: The ERP test ensures a balance between the right to freedom of religion and other fundamental rights, such as the right to a clean and peaceful environment. • Regulation of Practices: Provides a legal framework for the state to regulate religious practices that may interfere with public order, morality, or health. • Judicial Precedent: These rulings set significant precedents for resolving disputes involving religious practices and fundamental rights.   F.) World Magnetic Model (WMM) WHY IN NEWS – The World Magnetic Model (WMM), critical for navigation and heading reference systems, was recently updated to reflect changes in Earth's magnetic field. Background • What is WMM? o It is the standard model used for navigation, attitude, and heading referencing systems based on Earth's geomagnetic field. • Producers: Jointly developed by the United States' National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the United Kingdom's Defence Geographic Centre (DGC). • Update Frequency: Revised every five years to incorporate geomagnetic variations. • Significance: Ensures the accuracy of navigation systems for military, civilian, and scientific applications. Details 1. Shift in Earth’s Magnetic North Pole: o Magnetic North vs. Geographic North:  Magnetic North is where Earth's magnetic field lines converge in the Northern Hemisphere.  Geographic North is fixed and represents Earth's axis of rotation. o Since its discovery in 1831 by James Clark Ross, the Magnetic North Pole has gradually moved from Canada toward Siberia (Russia). o Movement accelerated to 31 miles/year by the 2000s but has slowed in the past five years. 2. Magnetic Declination: o Definition: The angle between Magnetic North and Geographic North at a specific location. o This angle changes due to continuous variations in Earth's magnetic field. 3. Pole Reversal: o Earth's magnetic poles occasionally swap positions (Magnetic North and South). o Paleomagnetic Records: Indicate 183 reversals in the last 83 million years. 4. Potential Implications of Magnetic Variations: o Navigation Errors: Impacts accuracy of navigation systems. o Effect on Migratory Species: Disrupts animals relying on geomagnetic fields for navigation (e.g., birds, turtles). o Risks from Solar Storms: Increases vulnerability of satellites, communication systems, and power grids. Key Takeaway The WMM plays a critical role in understanding Earth's geomagnetic field and ensuring reliable navigation systems. Monitoring shifts like Magnetic North's movement and pole reversals is essential for mitigating potential impacts on technology, ecosystems, and infrastructure.