CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The President of India has recently approved the establishment of the 23rd Law Commission, which will serve a three-year term.
• About the Law Commission of India:
  • The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body established through a notification issued by the Government of India’s Ministry of Law & Justice.
  • It is set up with specific terms of reference to conduct legal research and make recommendations to the government in the form of reports based on these terms.
  • The Commission operates as an advisory entity to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• History:
  • The first Law Commission was set up before India gained independence, in 1834, by the British Government under the Charter Act of 1833 and was chaired by Lord Macaulay.
  • The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955, led by former Attorney General M. C. Setalvad.
  • Since then, Law Commissions have been reconstituted every three years by executive orders.
• Formation Process:
  • A new Law Commission is formed when the Union government passes a resolution to create one following the conclusion of the previous commission's term.
  • Upon the resolution's passage and Presidential assent, the government appoints a chairperson for the new commission.
• Functioning:
  • The Commission undertakes projects based on references from the Central Government and/or directives from the Supreme Court and High Courts.
  • It may also initiate studies on its own accord for significant issues.
  • The legal aspects of its work are supported by law officers from the Indian Legal Service, while administrative tasks are managed by the Central Secretariat Service.
  • The Commission invites suggestions from individuals, institutions, and organizations on matters under review.
• Reports:
  • The Law Commission’s reports are presented to Parliament by the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, and are sent to the relevant administrative departments and ministries for action.
  • The reports are considered by these departments and ministries based on government decisions.

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• The Union Cabinet has recently approved Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd’s proposal to establish a new semiconductor manufacturing unit in Sanand, Gujarat. This will be the fifth semiconductor facility to receive approval under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
• About the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM):
  • ISM is a dedicated and autonomous division within the Digital India Corporation.
  • Its objective is to foster a dynamic semiconductor and display ecosystem, positioning India as a global leader in electronics manufacturing and design.
  • ISM holds comprehensive administrative and financial authority, tasked with advancing India’s semiconductor ecosystem in manufacturing, packaging, and design.
  • An advisory board comprised of leading global semiconductor experts supports ISM.
  • ISM acts as the central agency for implementing schemes under the Semicon India Programme.
• Key Facts about the Semicon India Programme:
  • Launched in 2021, ISM operates with a financial allocation of Rs. 76,000 crores under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Government of India.
  • This initiative is part of a broader program aimed at developing a sustainable semiconductor and display ecosystem in India.
  • The programme provides financial incentives to companies investing in semiconductor and display manufacturing and design.
  • It also supports the generation of indigenous Intellectual Property (IP) and promotes the Transfer of Technologies (ToT).
  • Four key schemes have been introduced under this programme:
  • Scheme for the establishment of Semiconductor Fabrication (Fab) units in India.
  • Scheme for the establishment of Display Fabrication (Fab) units in India.
  • Scheme for the establishment of Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/Sensors Fabs and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP)/OSAT facilities in India.
  • Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.

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• With the recent grant of habitat rights to the Saora tribals of Gajapati district over their ancestral lands, Odisha has emerged as the leading state in India for bestowing such rights to the highest number of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• About the Saora Tribe:
  • The Saora tribe is one of the ancient indigenous groups of Odisha, mentioned in both the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics.
  • They are known by various names such as Savaras, Sabaras, Saura, and Sora.
  • While Odisha is their primary habitat, small populations are also found in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam.
• Language:
  • The Saoras speak Sora, a Munda language, and are among the few Indian tribes with their own script, known as Sorang Sompeng.
• Physical Characteristics:
  • The Saoras exhibit Proto-Australoid physical traits, which are common among the aboriginal populations of Central and Southern India.
• Religion:
  • The Saoras practice a complex and deeply ingrained religion, worshipping a pantheon of gods and spirits they believe govern their daily lives.
  • Their cultural practices include distinctive art forms, religious rituals, and a traditional tattooing art called ‘Tantangbo’.
• Economic Structure:
  • The Saoras can be categorized into two main economic groups:
  • Sudha Saora: Reside in the plains, relying on wet cultivation, wage labor, and selling firewood.
  • Lanjia Saora: Live in the hills, engaging in shifting and terraced cultivation on hill slopes.
• Settlement Patterns:
  • Saora villages lack a uniform settlement pattern, with houses scattered across the area.
  • Megaliths are erected near homes to honor deceased relatives.
  • Village guardian deities, such as Kitungsum, are placed at the village entrance.
  • Typical Saora homes are one-roomed, thatched structures with stone and mud walls, featuring a low roof, high plinth, and a front verandah. The walls are traditionally painted with red earth.

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• Russian forces recently targeted Kharkiv, Ukraine, using a Grom-E1 hybrid missile.
• About the Grom-E1 Missile:
  • The Grom-E1 is an advanced weapon derived from the Soviet-era Kh-38 “air-to-surface” missile.
  • Developed by Russia, it was first publicly introduced in 2018.
  • It integrates elements of both a missile and an aerial bomb.
• Features:
  • Maximum Range: 120 km (75 miles)
  • Warhead: It is equipped with a high-explosive modular warhead featuring a contact detonator.
  • Thermobaric Variant: There is a version designed with a thermobaric warhead capable of detonating at high altitudes.
  • Weight: The bomb has a total weight of 594 kg (1,310 pounds), with the warhead alone weighing 315 kg (694 pounds).
  • Performance: The Grom-E1's effectiveness varies with the altitude and speed of the launching aircraft. Its maximum range of 120 km (75 miles) is achievable when dropped from an altitude of 12 km (7.5 miles) at a speed of 1,600 km per hour (994 mph). At a lower altitude of 5 km, the range reduces to about 35 km.
• Deployment:
  • This missile can be launched from various Russian aircraft, including the MiG-35, Su-34, Su-35, Su-57, and specific helicopters.

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• Scientists and entrepreneurs are exploring innovative methods to cultivate cocoa beyond its traditional tropical regions.
• About Cocoa:
  • Cocoa is a vital plantation crop used globally for chocolate production. Originating in the Amazon basin of South America, it thrives in humid tropical climates.
  • Cocoa trees are typically found between 20 degrees north and south of the equator, in areas with warm temperatures and ample rainfall. Key growing regions include West Africa and South America.
• Required Climatic Conditions:
  • Altitude: Cocoa can be cultivated up to 300 meters above sea level.
  • Rainfall: It needs an annual rainfall ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 mm.
  • Temperature: The ideal temperature range for cocoa is between 15°C and 39°C, with an optimum temperature of 25°C.
  • Soil: Cocoa prefers deep, well-drained soils, with most cultivation occurring on clay loam and sandy loam. It thrives in soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
  • Shade Requirement: Originating as an under-storey crop in Amazonian forests, cocoa is best cultivated in plantations where around 50% of natural light is available.
• Major Producing Regions:
  • Approximately 70% of the world’s cocoa beans are produced in four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
  • In India, cocoa is predominantly grown in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, often as an intercrop with arecanut and coconut.