CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Recently, the Supreme Court invoked the doctrine of “constructive possession” in a ruling stating that merely viewing child pornography online, without downloading it, constitutes “possession” under Section 15 of the POCSO Act, provided the individual has some level of control over the material.
• Understanding the Doctrine of ‘Constructive Possession’:
  • Constructive possession is a legal principle that assigns possession of an item to a person, even if they do not physically hold it.
  • In criminal law, this doctrine applies when a person has both the intention and the ability to control an item, either on their own or with others. Unlike actual possession, which requires physical custody, constructive possession is based on the idea that an individual can be held accountable for items they can influence, even if those items are not in their direct possession.
  • The core components involve the intent and capacity to exercise control over the item in question. This principle allows individuals who may not physically possess something but still have control over it to be prosecuted for possession-related offenses.
  • Constructive possession frequently appears in cases related to illegal substances, firearms, or stolen goods, where a defendant lacks direct physical possession but has access or control over the items.
  • For effective prosecution under constructive possession, specific criteria must be satisfied, including:
  • Knowledge of the Item’s Existence: The individual must be aware of the item. Simply being nearby without knowledge does not establish constructive possession.
  • Ability to Control the Item: The person should have the capacity to exert control over it, indicating an intention and power to manage its use.
  • Intent to Possess: There should be a demonstrated intention to possess the item, which can often be inferred from the context, including the item’s location and the individual's behavior or statements.

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• Researchers have recently discovered a new species of ghost shark named the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, found in the Chatham Rise region near New Zealand.
• About Ghost Sharks:
• Ghost sharks, also known as chimaeras or spookfish, belong to a group of cartilaginous fish that are closely related to sharks and rays. They diverged from their shark relatives around 400 million years ago.
• Features:
  • Ghost sharks have elongated, tapered bodies with notably large heads.
  • The maximum recorded length is approximately 49 inches, although they may grow over six feet in certain instances.
  • Their skin displays a range of colors from black to pale blue and brownish grey.
  • Characterized by haunting black eyes and smooth, light brown, scale-free skin, they possess an ethereal appearance.
  • Their eyes are supported by a reflective tissue layer that gives them a glowing effect in low light, enhancing their ghostly look.
  • These creatures inhabit depths between 200 meters and 2,600 meters, typically staying near the ocean floor.
  • Their diet primarily consists of shellfish, mollusks, and worms found on or beneath the seafloor.
  • Known for their graceful movements, they are sometimes called the ocean’s butterflies due to the way they glide through the water using their large pectoral fins.
  • Ghost sharks are believed to be solitary creatures, as they are generally seen alone in their natural habitat.

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• In a striking display of maritime strength, Russia and China have initiated extensive naval exercises in the Sea of Japan.
• About the Sea of Japan:
  • The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean. It is bordered to the north by Russia and Sakhalin Island, while North Korea lies to the west, South Korea to the southwest, and the Japanese archipelago—comprising Hokkaidō, Honshū, and Kyūshū islands—forms its eastern and southern boundaries.
  • The sea connects to the East China Sea to the south through the Tsushima and Korea straits, and to the Okhotsk Sea to the north via the La Perouse and Tatar straits. To the east, it links to the Inland Sea of Japan through the Kanmon Strait and to the Pacific Ocean via the Tsugaru Strait. The deepest point in the Sea of Japan is Dohoku Seamount, an underwater volcano.
  • The relatively warm waters of the sea play a significant role in moderating Japan's climate. Notably, very few rivers flow into it, contributing less than one percent of its overall water volume. There are no large islands within the sea, with the exception of Ulleungdo, a small island off the South Korean coast; other minor islands are located near its eastern shores.
  • The Sea of Japan is economically significant, with mining activities focusing on mineral deposits such as magnetite, natural gas, and petroleum.
• Key Ports:
  • Russia: Vladivostok, Sovetskaya Gavan, Nakhodka, Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, and Kholmsk.
  • North Korea: Hamhung, Chongjin, and Wonsan.
  • Japan: Niigata, Tsuruta, and Maizuru.

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• The President of India recently conveyed her trust in the capabilities of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) to uphold the efficiency and integrity of public finances.
• About Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs):
  • SAIs are public oversight bodies tasked with auditing government revenues and expenditures. They play a vital role in a nation's accountability framework.
  • By examining public financial management and reporting, SAIs ensure that resources are utilized in accordance with established guidelines. Most SAIs derive their authority from constitutional provisions and/or legislation.
  • SAIs conduct financial audits to assess organizations’ accounting practices and financial statements, as well as compliance audits to evaluate the legality of transactions by the entities they audit. They also perform performance audits to assess the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of government operations.
  • The independence of SAIs from the executive bodies they audit is crucial for their function in holding governments accountable and fostering trust between state institutions and the public.
  • In India, the Supreme Audit Institution is represented by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IAAD) operating under his authority. Nearly all SAIs from United Nations member countries are part of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).

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• The Supreme Court recently requested a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) regarding incidents of stubble burning and the actions taken in response.
• About the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):
  • The CAQM is a statutory authority established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
  • Mandate: The commission aims to enhance coordination, conduct research, and identify and resolve issues related to air quality, as well as other connected matters. It is responsible for preventing and controlling air pollution in Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas that affect the air quality of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
  • The CAQM is tasked with coordinating air quality monitoring efforts with the governments of Delhi and neighboring states, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Powers:
  • It can restrict activities that impact air quality.
  • The commission investigates and conducts research related to environmental pollution affecting air quality and develops codes and guidelines to mitigate it.
  • It has the authority to issue binding directions on matters such as inspections and regulations, which must be followed by relevant individuals or authorities.
  • All directives and orders issued by the CAQM are binding, and compliance is mandatory for all individuals, officers, or authorities involved. The commission is directly accountable to Parliament.
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: The commission is led by a government official at the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary, serving a term of three years or until reaching the age of 70.
  • It includes five ex officio members, who are Chief Secretaries or Secretaries responsible for environment protection in the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Additionally, the commission comprises three full-time technical members and three representatives from non-governmental organizations, along with technical members from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Indian Space Research Organisation, and NITI Aayog.

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• Recently, the Union Minister for Power inaugurated the Computer Security Incident Response Team for the power sector (CSIRT-Power) in New Delhi.
• This initiative was launched by the Union Minister of Power in collaboration with CERT-In and aligns with the National Cyber Security Policy of 2013. CSIRT-Power will act as the central agency for responding to cyber incidents, ensuring coordinated responses across the sector.
• Objective:
  • The main goal of CSIRT-Power is to enhance cybersecurity resilience within the Indian power sector through a structured framework. This involves preventing and responding to cybersecurity incidents, coordinating responses to cyber threats, and gathering, analyzing, and sharing information about specific sector-related threats.
  • Additionally, CSIRT-Power will implement initiatives to raise cybersecurity awareness and strengthen the sector’s cybersecurity posture by promoting best practices, standard operating procedures, and security policies. The facility will offer cybersecurity expertise and support to utilities and foster collaboration among stakeholders to bolster overall cybersecurity efforts. It has been established under the Central Electricity Authority.
• What is CERT-In?
  • CERT-In is the national nodal agency tasked with responding to computer security incidents as they arise. It operates as a functional organization under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, with the mission of securing Indian cyberspace. CERT-In has been operational since January 2004.

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• Recently, the Mankidia community became the sixth Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) to be granted habitat rights over forests in Odisha.
• The Mankidia community is an Austro-Asiatic group that primarily relies on forest resources for their livelihood. They are considered a semi-nomadic segment of the Birhor tribe and have been recognized as a PVTG in Odisha.
• Occupation:
  • The Mankidia people mainly engage in food gathering and hunting. They are among the least-known forest-dwelling and wandering communities in both Odisha and India. They move through the forests in small groups and reside in temporary settlements called tandas, which consist of dome-shaped leaf huts known as Kumbhas.
• Language:
  • They speak a variant of the Munda language, and some members are also fluent in Odia.
• Beliefs:
  • Their spiritual beliefs encompass both malevolent and benevolent spirits, with Logobir and Budhimai recognized as their supreme deities. They honor their ancestors to promote health and ensure success in hunting and gathering forest produce.
• The Mankidia community is primarily found in Odisha, as well as parts of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.

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• Recently, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a “Pact for the Future,” a comprehensive agreement aimed at transforming global governance for the twenty-first century during the Summit of the Future.
• This landmark declaration reaffirms the commitment of UN Member States to sustainable development, peace, and enhanced global governance. The Pact focuses on five key areas:
• Sustainable Development:
  • It includes a commitment to accelerate progress towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfilling the Paris Agreement commitments on climate change.
• International Peace and Security:
  • The Pact emphasizes the need to intensify efforts to create and maintain peaceful, inclusive, and just societies, addressing the root causes of conflict and ensuring the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.
• Science, Technology, and the Digital Revolution:
  • It recognizes that science, technology, and innovation can significantly contribute to advancing the goals of the United Nations across its three core pillars of work.
• Youth and Future Generations:
  • The agreement stresses the importance of engaging young people in decision-making processes at both national and global levels.
• Transforming Global Governance:
  • It calls for the establishment of stronger partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and local and regional authorities to enhance governance structures.
  • This Pact represents a vital step towards a more collaborative and effective approach to global challenges in the coming years.

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• Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, successfully met its 100-Day Target of establishing 100 Nagar Vans under the Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), aimed at enhancing urban greenery.
• Launched in 2020, this initiative seeks to improve urban greenery to enhance quality of life and foster social cohesion in cities. The scheme offers financial support of ₹4 lakh per hectare for the creation and maintenance of these urban forests, encouraging participation from citizens, students, and various stakeholders in the development and management of these green spaces.
• Nagar Van areas can range from a minimum of 10 hectares to 50 hectares and the scheme is applicable to all cities with Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
• The initiative emphasizes biodiversity by promoting the planting of fruit-bearing, medicinal, and native species to attract wildlife and support ecological balance. Community participation is a key focus, with opportunities for public engagement through tree planting events, educational programs, and sustainable management practices.
• Each Nagar Van is required to have at least two-thirds of its area under tree cover and will include features such as Biodiversity Parks, Smriti Vans, Butterfly Conservatories, and Herbal Gardens, along with the newly introduced Matri Van under the Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative.
• Currently, the Nagar Van Yojana aims to establish 1,000 Nagar Vans by 2027, supported financially by the National Fund of the National Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (National CAMPA).