Elevate Socio

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NPDS) Act, 1985 In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court recently overturned an order granting anticipatory bail to a respondent accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). About Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NPDS) Act, 1985: The NDPS Act prohibits any individual from engaging in any activity consisting of the production, cultivation, sale, purchase, transport, storage, and/or consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. Objectives: To take measures for preventing, combating, and regulating operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. To provide for the forfeiture of property derived from or used in, illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. To implement the provisions of the international conventions on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and for all relevant matters. To add or omit the list of psychotropic substances. What are Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances? “Narcotic Drug” means coca leaf, cannabis (hemp), opium, poppy straw, and includes all manufactured drugs. “Psychotropic substance” means any substance, natural or synthetic, or any natural material or any salt or preparation of such substance or material included in the list of psychotropic substances specified in the Schedule. Applicability: The NDPS Act prohibits a person from manufacture/production/cultivation/ possession/sale/purchase / transport / store / consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance without due permission from the appropriate authorities. Punishment under the NDPS Act: The Act follows a graded system of punishment, with the punishment varying and the quantum of punishment being dependent upon whether the offence pertains to small, commercial, and intermediate quantities of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. For offences involving commercial quantities of drugs, a minimum penalty of ten years of rigorous imprisonment is prescribed, which may extend to twenty years. Repeat offences attract one and a half times the penalty and, in a few cases, even the death penalty. By amendment to the Act in 1989, due to the serious nature of the offence, the sentence awarded under the NDPS Act became non-commutable except for the sentence awarded for the consumption of drugs.  Alongside these stringent provisions, the Act has procedural safeguards as follows: Personal search: Any person being searched has a right to be searched before a Gazetted Officer or a Magistrate (Section 50). Searches: Gazetted Officers of the empowered Departments can authorise Such authorization has to be based on information taken down in writing.  Searches can be made under certain circumstances without a warrant (from a magistrate) or authorization (from a Gazetted Officer).  Arrests: The person who is arrested should be informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds of his arrest [Section 52(1)]. If the arrest or seizure is based on a warrant issued by a magistrate, the person or the seized article should be forwarded to that magistrate. The officer who arrests a person has to make a full report to his official superior within 48 hours. Immunities: Officers: Officers acting in the discharge of their duties in good faith under the Act are immune from suits, prosecution, and other legal proceedings. Addicts: Addicts charged with the consumption of drugs or with offences involving small quantities will be immune from prosecution if they volunteer for de-addiction. This immunity may be withdrawn if the addict does not undergo complete treatment. Offenders: Central or state governments can tender immunity to an offender in order to obtain his evidence in the case. This immunity is granted by the government and not by the court. Juvenile offenders: Juvenile offenders (below 18 years of age) will be governed by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. Immunities to diplomats as applicable.

Shompen Tribe India's president recently made a whistle-stop tour of an island earmarked for multi-billion-dollar development that experts warn could wipe out the indigenous Shompen tribe, which calls it home. About Shompen Tribe: The Shompen are one of the most isolated tribes on Earth. They reside in the dense tropical rainforest of the Great Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands. They are one of the least studied Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India. Though according to the Census (2011), the estimated population of Shompen is 229, the exact population of Shompen is unknown till today. Most of them are uncontacted, refusing all interactions with outsiders. They live in small groups, whose territories are identified by the rivers that crisscross the rainforest. They are semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers, and their main sources of livelihood are hunting, gathering, fishing, and a little bit of horticultural activities in a rudimentary form. Primarily, they used to hunt wild pigs, python, monitor Lizard, crocodile, sea turtle etc. They collect a wide variety of forest plants, but their staple food is the pandanus fruit, which they call larop.  Shompen speak their own language, which has many dialects. Members of one band do not understand the dialect of the other.  They are of short to medium stature, have a round or nearly broad head shape, narrow nose, and a broad facial profile, and distinctly exhibit Mongoloid features such as light brown to yellow-brown skin and oblique eye features. Shompen have nuclear families comprising husband, wife, and their unmarried children. A Shompen family is controlled by the eldest male member, who controls all activities of the women and kids. Monogamy is the general rule, although polygamy is allowed too.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific According to a new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), at the current pace of growth, the region will not attain the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) until 2062 or will be 32 years behind schedule. About the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific: It is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in 1947. Mandate: To promote economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region by fostering cooperation between its members and associate members. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. It is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. It carries out work in areas like Macroeconomic Policy, Poverty Reduction and Financing for Development, Trade, Investment and Innovation, Transport, Environment and Development, Information and Communications Technology, Disaster Risk Reduction and Social Development etc. Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand What are Sustainable Development Goals? These were adopted by the United Nations in 2015as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The SDGs framework sets targets for 231 unique indicators across 17 SDG goals related to economic development, social welfare, and environmental sustainability, to be met by 2030. The 17 SDGs are integrated; they recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Pemba and Zanzibar Island Pemba Island is famous for the cultivation of cloves. The • Zanzibar an island in the Indian Ocean, is located off the coast of east-central Africa. • In 1964 Zanzibar, Pemba Island and some other smaller islands joined to form the United Republic of Tanzania. • It is located on the Indian Ocean trade routes making it accessible to both traders and colonists from Arabia, South Asia, and the African mainland. • Zanzibar and Pemba are believed to have once formed part of the African continent. • Pemba is known as the "clove island" because it is the world's main exporter of cloves. • Pemba's growing conditions are better than those on Unguja island.  • Zanzibar's main industries are spices, raffia, and tourism. The islands produce cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. • The Zanzibar Archipelago, along with Tanzania's Mafia Island, are sometimes called the "Spice Islands". #GS1 #Mapping

India and Greece Relations Context :- India and Greece have taken a significant step by upgrading their relationship to a strategic partnership. The partnership aims to double trade, enhance defence and security collaboration, and address shared challenges. On this occasion, the Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou conferred the Prime Minister(PM) of India with “The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour”. The Indian PM paid tribute at the ‘Tomb of Unknown Soldier’ in Athens. India's Relations with Greece Historical Linkages: India’s contacts with Greece began over 2500 years ago.  Alexander the Great’s campaign in the 4th century BCE, which reached the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent. Diplomatic, trade, and cultural relations between India and Greece were mentioned in Ashoka’s edicts. Trading between the Mauryan Kings and Greece is evidenced by coinage and writings.  Chanakya, in Chandragupta’s Court, records in Arthashastra about the Yavan Ambassador in the Kings’ court named Megasthenes. Gandhara art, which flourished in the region of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan, is believed to be a result of Indian and Greek influences. Commercial Relations Bilateral trade between India and Greece stood at  USD 2 billion in 2022-23.  India mainly exports aluminum, organic chemicals, fish and crustaceans and iron and steel to Greece, among other things.  Meanwhile, Greece’s top exports to India are minerals fuels, mineral oils and products, sulphur and aluminium foil. India Participated as ‘Honoured Country’ in the 84th Thessaloniki International Fair(TIF), 2019, the largest annual commercial exposition of Greece.  Political Relations Diplomatic relations were established between India and Greece in May 1950. Greece opened its embassy in Delhi in 1950 and India opened its embassy in Athens in 1978. Greece has been marked by consistent support to each other on issues of core national interest, such as Kashmir and Cyprus. Greece is also favouring United Nation Security Council (UNSC) expansion, with India as a permanent member. Defence Relations India and Greece's Defence Cooperation accelerated in 1998, which envisages cooperation in areas such as military training, joint exercises, defence industry collaboration, etc. Indian Air Force participation in EXERCISE INIOCHOS-23. Culture:  Dimitrios Galanos, a Greek, became the first European Indologist and spent 47 years in India translating many Hindu texts into Greek and compiled a Sanskrit-English-Greek dictionary of over 9000 words. A "Dimitrios Galanos" Chair for Hellenic Studies was established at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India in September 2000. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations has been offering an annual scholarship for Greek students to study in India. Prof. Nicholas Kazanas, a distinguished Greek Indologist, was declared as one of the awardees of the prestigious Padma Shri award on the occasion of the 72nd Republic Day of India in 2021. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece. It is dedicated to Greek soldiers who lost their lives in various wars. The tomb serves as a symbol of remembrance and honour for the sacrifices made by anonymous soldiers. It was sculpted between 1930 and 1932 by sculptor Fokion Rok.       Grand Cross of the Order of Honour The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour is the second-highest civilian honour in Greece, after the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer. The award was established in 1975 and features the head of goddess Athena on its front side, along with the inscription “ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE HONORED”. The award is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves in the fields of politics, diplomacy, culture, science, or social service, and who have promoted the interests and values of Greece Key Facts about Greece: Greece is a country in southern Europe with a long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

Greece is one of the oldest civilizations in the world and is considered the cradle of Western civilization. It is the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, theater, and the Olympic Games. Greece is a country in southern Europe with a long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Government: Parliamentary Republic. Capital: Athens, National Language: Greek Currency: Euro Major Mountains Ranges: Pindus and the Taurus mountains. The longest river in Greece is the river Haliacmon. Greece's highest mountain is Mount Olympus . #GS1 #Mapping

When no one believes in you, there will be your parents still supporting you. ✤Join @IndomitableIAS

  Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership - CPTPP GS Paper - 2 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests Global Groupings About: The CPTPP is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between 11 countries around the Pacific Rim which are : Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Japan. After the US withdrew from negotiations of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the remaining 11 participants scrambled to amend the text of the agreement, and the newly renamed CPTPP was signed in March 2018.  It came into force in December 2018 Significance: Removes Tariffs: The CPTPP removes 99% of tariffs on goods and services, just like the original TPP did. Broad Coverage: The CPTPP covers a broad range of goods and services. These include financial services, telecommunications, and food safety standards. Reduces Environmental Abuses: All countries agreed to cut down on wildlife trafficking. That helps elephants, rhinoceroses, and marine species the most. #GS2 #GS3

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA): CCPA is a regulatory body established in 2020 based on the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. CCPA works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Composition: It will have a Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other commissioners as members — one of whom will deal with matters relating to goods while the other will look into cases relating to services. The CCPA will have an Investigation Wing that will be headed by a Director General. District Collectors too, will have the power to investigate complaints of violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and false or misleading advertisements. Powers and Functions: Inquire or investigate into matters relating to violations of consumer rights or unfair trade practices suo moto, or on a complaint received, or on a direction from the central government. Impose a penalty up to Rs 10 lakh, with imprisonment up to two years, on the manufacturer or endorser of false and misleading advertisements. The penalty may go up to Rs 50 lakh, with imprisonment up to five years, for every subsequent offence committed by the same manufacturer or endorser. Ban the endorser of a false or misleading advertisement from making endorsement of any products or services in the future, for a period that may extend to one year. The ban may extend up to three years in every subsequent violation of the Act. File complaints of violation of consumer rights or unfair trade practices before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. About Consumer Protection Act 2019 Definition of consumer: A consumer is defined as a person who buys any good or avails a service for a consideration. It does not include a person who obtains a good for resale or a good or service for commercial purpose. It covers transactions through all modes including offline, and online through electronic means, teleshopping, multi-level marketing or direct selling. The Act defines “misleading advertisement” in relation to any product or service, as “an advertisement, which—(i) falsely describes such product or service; or (ii) gives a false guarantee to, or is likely to mislead the consumers as to the nature, substance, quantity or quality of such product or service; or (iii) conveys an express or implied representation which, if made by the manufacturer or seller or service provider thereof, would constitute an unfair trade practice; or (iv) deliberately conceals important information”. Rights of consumers: Six consumer rights have been defined in the Act, including the right to: right to safety, right to be Informed, right to choose, right to be heard, right to seek redressal and right to consumer education. #GS2

Significance of Chabahar Port for India About: Chabahar is Iran's only oceanic port. It is situated in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, on the Makran coast. There are two main ports in Chabahar – the Shahid Kalantari port and the Shahid Beheshti port. The Shahid Kalantari port was developed in the 1980s. Iran had offered India the project of developing the Shahid Beheshti port which was well received by India. Progress and Updates Regarding the Chabahar Port Deal: The two countries signed an initial agreement in 2016 for India to develop and operate the port’s Shahid Beheshti terminal for 10 years. However, the finalization of the long-term agreement has been delayed by several factors including differences on some clauses in the pact. One of the main sticking points was the clause related to jurisdiction for arbitration in case of disputes. India wanted the arbitration to be held in a neutral country, while Iran preferred its own courts or a friendly country. According to some recent reports, India and Iran have narrowed the gap on the arbitration issue and are looking at the option of taking up these matters at arbitration courts in a location such as Dubai. They have also made progress on other issues, such as tariffs, customs clearance, and security arrangements. Significance of Chabahar Port: Alternative Trade Route: Historically, India's access to Afghanistan and Central Asia has been largely dependent on transit routes through Pakistan. Chabahar Port offers an alternative route that bypasses Pakistan, reducing India's reliance on its neighbor for trade with Afghanistan and beyond. This is particularly important given the often-tense relations between India and Pakistan. Also, Chabahar port will boost India's access to Iran, the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor that has sea, rail and road routes between India, Iran, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. Economic Benefits: Chabahar Port offers India a gateway to the resource-rich and economically vibrant region of Central Asia. It can significantly enhance India's trade and investment opportunities in these markets, potentially leading to economic growth and job creation in India. Humanitarian Assistance: Chabahar Port can serve as a crucial entry point for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. India can use the port to provide aid, infrastructure development support, and other assistance to Afghanistan, contributing to regional stability. Strategic Influence: By developing and operating Chabahar Port, India can enhance its strategic influence in the Indian Ocean region, thus strengthening India's geopolitical position.