14th FEBRUARY, 2025 A.) Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 Why in News? India ranked 96th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, with a score of 38. This marks a decline from 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022. Background • The CPI is a global ranking that measures perceived levels of public sector corruption. • It is published annually by Transparency International, a Germany-based NGO. • The index uses a 0 to 100 scale, where 0 = highly corrupt and 100 = very clean. • The ranking is based on a minimum of three data sources from 13 distinct corruption assessments, including those by the World Bank and World Economic Forum. • Denmark ranked 1st, followed by Finland and Singapore. Details • India’s performance: India’s CPI score dropped from 40 in 2022 to 38 in 2024, indicating an increasing perception of corruption. • South Asia Comparison: o Bangladesh: Score 23 (one of the largest recipients of climate finance but highly vulnerable to embezzlement). o Pakistan: Score 27. o Sri Lanka: Score 32. • Corruption & Climate Change: The CPI report highlights that corruption hinders climate action, with funds meant for climate mitigation being misused. It also affects policy implementation, leading to further environmental damage. This declining trend in India's score calls for strengthened anti-corruption measures and greater transparency in governance.   B.) 63rd Session of the UN Commission for Social Development Why in News? The 63rd Session of the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD) is focusing on “Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion, and social cohesion” as part of advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Background • The UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD) operates under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). • It provides policy advice to the UN on global social development issues. • The 63rd session emphasizes the need for inclusive and cohesive societies to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). Details What is Social Cohesion? • Social cohesion refers to the bonds that unite society, ensuring harmony and collective progress. • It involves mechanisms to include disadvantaged groups, irrespective of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, economic status, or migration status. Dimensions of Social Cohesion Social cohesion is shaped by three key factors: 1. Social Inclusion – Ensuring equal opportunities and access to resources. 2. Institutional Mechanisms – Policies that promote equality and prevent discrimination. 3. Solidarity & Trust – A sense of mutual cooperation among individuals and faith in institutions. Challenges to Social Cohesion • Polarization and rising social divisions. • Poverty and marginalization, which deepen inequalities. • Geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in governance. Key Recommendations to Promote Social Cohesion • Ensuring decent work opportunities for all. • Affordable healthcare for vulnerable populations. • Progressive and effective taxation to reduce wealth inequality. • Fighting misinformation and disinformation to maintain trust in institutions. The 63rd session highlights the urgent need for inclusive policies to create resilient and united societies, essential for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.   C.) Lifetime Ban on Convicted Politicians Why in News? The Supreme Court is hearing petitions, including one by Ashwin Upadhyay, seeking a lifetime ban on convicted persons from contesting elections. Background • A 2024 ADR report states that 251 MPs (46%) in the Lok Sabha have criminal cases, and 171 (31%) face serious charges like rape, murder, attempt to murder, and kidnapping. • The report also found that candidates with a criminal background had a 15.4% chance of winning, compared to 4.4% for those with a clean record. Details Current Disqualification Rules • Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951: o Disqualifies any person convicted of an offense and sentenced to at least two years in jail. o Such a person remains disqualified for six years after release. • Section 8(1) of the RP Act, 1951: o Disqualifies individuals convicted of heinous crimes (e.g., rape, terrorism under UAPA, corruption, untouchability under the PCR Act) irrespective of sentence length. Key Supreme Court Judgments 1. Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) Case (2002): o Made it mandatory for candidates to disclose criminal records before elections. 2. CEC vs. Jan Chaukidar (2013): o The SC upheld a Patna HC ruling, interpreting that under-trial prisoners cannot contest elections since they cease to be ‘electors’ under Section 62(5) of the RP Act. o However, Parliament amended the law in 2013 to overturn this judgment. 3. Lily Thomas Case (2013): o Struck down Section 8(4) of the RP Act, which allowed sitting legislators to continue in office despite conviction if they appealed. o Now, any convicted legislator is immediately disqualified upon sentencing. Additional Information • Section 11 of the RP Act, 1951: o Allows the Election Commission (EC) to reduce or remove disqualification. o In 2019, EC reduced the disqualification of Prem Singh Tamang (CM of Sikkim) from six years to 13 months, allowing him to contest elections. The Supreme Court’s ruling on this petition could reshape electoral eligibility criteria and impact the political representation of convicted individuals in India.  D.) New Income Tax Bill: Repealing the IT Act, 1961 Why in News? A new Income Tax Bill has been proposed to replace the 60-year-old Income-tax Act, 1961, aiming to simplify tax laws and enhance ease of doing business. Background • The Income-tax Act, 1961, has undergone numerous amendments, affecting its basic structure and clarity. • The complex language increases compliance costs and reduces the efficiency of tax administration. Details Key Highlights of the Bill 1. Reduced Volume o Removes 283 sections and 24 chapters to streamline tax laws. 2. Language Simplification o Replaces confusing terms like ‘financial year’ and ‘assessment year’ with ‘tax year’. 3. Clear Tax Framework o Clearly defines taxable income, compliance requirements, and restrictions on commercial activities. 4. Taxation of Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) o Introduces a clear definition and taxation framework for VDAs like cryptocurrencies and NFTs. 5. No Changes to Tax Slabs o Retains existing tax slabs and rebate structures, ensuring continuity for taxpayers. 6. Removal of Redundant Provisions o Eliminates outdated taxes like ‘fringe benefit tax’ to simplify compliance. 7. Additional Features o Taxpayer-friendly tables for better understanding. o Taxpayers’ charter outlining rights and responsibilities. o Alternate dispute resolution mechanisms for faster resolution of tax disputes. The new bill aims to modernize India’s tax system, making it simpler, more transparent, and business-friendly.   E.) WHO Declares Georgia Malaria-Free Why in News? The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Georgia as the 45th country to eliminate malaria, marking a significant public health milestone. Background • Despite global efforts, malaria still causes over 240 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths annually. • Malaria elimination requires consistent disease surveillance, vector control, and treatment strategies. Details What is Malaria? Malaria is a life-threatening vector-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Causative Agent (Plasmodium Parasites) There are five species of Plasmodium that infect humans: 1. Plasmodium falciparum – Causes the most severe form, responsible for cerebral malaria. 2. Plasmodium vivax – Can cause relapsing malaria due to a dormant liver stage. 3. Plasmodium malariae – Milder infection but can persist for years. 4. Plasmodium ovale – Rare, found mainly in Africa and Asia. 5. Plasmodium knowlesi – A zoonotic malaria parasite found in Southeast Asia. Transmission Cycle 1. An infected mosquito bites a human. 2. Parasites enter the liver, multiply, and later infect red blood cells (RBCs). 3. The infection leads to fever, chills, and other symptoms. 4. Some parasites develop into gametocytes, which are taken up by another mosquito, continuing the cycle. Malaria Distribution & Impact • Endemic in tropical regions, including Africa, South Asia, and South America. • India: Malaria cases are declining but still prevalent in tribal areas, Northeast, and forested regions. Vaccination Against Malaria 1. RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) – First WHO-approved malaria vaccine (2021). 2. R21/Matrix-M – Another promising candidate under development. Challenges in Developing an Effective Malaria Vaccine 1. Complex Life Cycle of Plasmodium • The parasite undergoes multiple stages (liver, blood, and mosquito stages), making it difficult to target with a single vaccine. 2. Antigenic Variability & Immune Evasion • Plasmodium has thousands of antigens and changes its surface proteins, making vaccine-induced immunity short-lived. 3. Intracellular Nature of the Parasite • Malaria parasites hide inside liver and red blood cells, making them difficult for the immune system to detect and eliminate. 4. Lack of Effective Animal Models • Human malaria does not replicate well in animals, making vaccine research challenging. • In contrast, viruses like polio and influenza have better animal models for vaccine testing. Conclusion While the elimination of malaria in Georgia is a major achievement, malaria remains a global health challenge. Effective vaccines, improved vector control, and continuous surveillance are key to achieving malaria eradication worldwide.   F.) Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking Why in News? A report titled ‘Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States’ analyzes how well Panchayats are equipped to fulfill their constitutional role under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Background • The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and mandated devolution of powers, responsibilities, and resources to Panchayats. • Effective devolution ensures grassroots democracy, participatory governance, and efficient local administration. Key Highlights of the Report 1. Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI): o Ranks States/UTs based on 6 dimensions of devolution:  Framework (Legal provisions for PRIs)  Functions (Extent of powers given)  Finances (Funds allocated)  Functionaries (Human resource availability)  Capacity Enhancement (Training and skill-building)  Accountability (Transparency and monitoring mechanisms) 2. Overall Improvement in Devolution: o Devolution has increased from 39.9% to 43.9% between 2013-14 to 2021-22. 3. Top 3 States in Panchayat Devolution: o Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have been ranked highest. 4. Capacity Enhancement: o Increased from 44% to 54.6% due to initiatives like Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA). Major Concerns in Effective Devolution 1. Election Management Issues: o State Election Commissions (SECs) often need state government approval for fixing election dates, leading to delays and political interference. 2. Weak District Planning Committees (DPCs): o Article 243ZD mandates the creation of District Planning Committees (DPCs) for grassroots planning. o However, detailed grassroots planning is almost non-existent in most states. 3. Non-Centrality of Panchayats: o Parallel bodies (such as special-purpose agencies for rural development) operate in areas reserved for Panchayats under the Eleventh Schedule, reducing their role. Key Recommendations 1. Autonomy for SECs: o SECs should have complete authority over election-related matters like:  Fixing election dates  Delimitation of constituencies  Seat reservation policies o This would prevent political interference in Panchayat elections. 2. Strengthening Panchayat Autonomy: o Regular district planning and coordination with state and national policies. o Ensure Panchayats play a central role in rural governance. 3. Fund Allocation Reform: o All Union and State Government funds for subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule should be directly transferred to Panchayats. o Avoid routing funds through parallel agencies, which weakens Panchayats. Conclusion While devolution to Panchayats has improved, political interference, weak planning structures, and financial constraints hinder their effectiveness. The recommended reforms can strengthen local governance and ensure true grassroots democracy.