• On September 1, the Central government took a significant step by establishing a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
• The committee's primary mission is to delve into the feasibility of implementing the 'one nation, one election' (ONOE) plan.

2. About the ONOE Plan

• The ONOE plan revolves around a core concept synchronizing the timing of Lok Sabha (India's lower house of Parliament) and State Assembly elections across all states.
• The primary objective is to reduce the frequency of elections throughout the country.

3. Historical Perspective on Simultaneous Elections

• Taking a historical glance, the first-ever general elections to Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies occurred simultaneously in 1951-1952, immediately following the enforcement of the Constitution on January 26, 1950.
• This practice persisted through three subsequent Lok Sabha elections until 1967 when it was disrupted.
• The initial disruption took place in 1959 when Article 356 of the Constitution was invoked by the Centre to dismiss the Kerala government.
• Subsequently, due to political defections and counter-defections, several Legislative Assemblies dissolved post-1960, ultimately leading to separate elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Presently, assembly polls in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha are held in conjunction with Lok Sabha elections.

4. Insights from Reports on ONOE

• In August 2018, the Law Commission of India (LCI), chaired by Justice B. S. Chauhan, released a draft report on simultaneous elections.
• This comprehensive report analyzed the constitutional and legal aspects of the ONOE issue.
• Notably, the LCI submitted that simultaneous elections are not feasible within the current framework of the Constitution.
• The LCI emphasized that conducting simultaneous polls would require amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People's Act 1951, and the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Furthermore, the commission recommended that this proposal receive ratification from at least 50% of the states.
• However, in terms of the benefits of simultaneous elections, the commission argued that ONOE would result in substantial cost savings, reduced strain on the administrative setup and security forces, timely implementation of government policies, and a shift of managerial focus towards development activities instead of electioneering.
• Notably, this is not the first time such a proposal has been made, as a similar recommendation was made by the LCI in 1999, headed by Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy.

5. Concerns Surrounding ONOE

• The feasibility of ONOE is a matter of paramount concern. Articles 83(2) and 172 of the Constitution specify that the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, respectively, shall last for five years unless dissolved earlier.
• However, Article 356 provides for circumstances where assemblies can be dissolved earlier.
• Consequently, the ONOE plan raises crucial questions, such as what would happen if the Central or State government collapses mid-tenure.
• Would elections be held again in every state, or would President's rule be imposed
• Amending the Constitution to implement such a significant change would necessitate extensive consideration of various scenarios and provisions and could set a concerning precedent for further constitutional amendments.
• Another critical concern relates to the idea of ONOE not aligning with the concept of 'federalism.'
• Federalism is established on the notion that the entire nation is a "Union of States," which appears to contradict the concept of 'one nation' proposed by ONOE.

6. Benefits of Recurrent Elections

• The present system of recurrent elections is viewed by some as beneficial in a democracy.
• It allows voters to have their voices heard more frequently and ensures that issues at the national and state levels remain distinct.
• This separation of issues promotes greater accountability among elected officials.
• The Central government has highlighted the substantial costs associated with frequent elections as a key motivator for ONOE.
• The Election Commission's expenditure of ₹8,000 crore over five years, equivalent to ₹1,500 crore annually or ₹27 per voter per year, can truly be considered a 'massive' expense for maintaining India's status as the world's largest electoral democracy.

8. The Way Forward

• The 'One Nation, One Election' plan presents both advantages and challenges that warrant careful consideration and debate.
• It is essential to weigh the benefits of reduced election frequency against the potential disruption to the democratic process and the fundamental principles of federalism and accountability.

INDIAN DEEP SPACE NETWORK (IDSN)

 

 

1. Context

ISRO on September 2, 2023 launched the country’s ambitious Solar mission, Aditya-L1 eyeing history again after its successful lunar expedition, Chandrayan-3 a few days ago. As the 23:40-hour countdown concluded, the 44.4m tall Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) soared majestically at the prefixed time of 11:50 a.m. from this spaceport, located on the Eastern coast about 135 k.m. from Chennai.

 

 

2.Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN)

The IDSN Campus is located in the village of Byalalu near the city of Bengaluru, Karnataka state of India. IDSN consists of three large antennas for supporting communications with space science and planetary exploration missions of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

• 32 meter antenna (S/C – Band)
• 18 meter antenna (S – Band)
• 11 meter antenna (S/X – Band)

3. ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network)

Established in 1976, ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) plays the vital role of tracking and communicating with all the satellite and launch vehicle missions of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

 ISTRAC has a network of TTC ground stations at Bengaluru, Lucknow, Sriharikota, Thiruvananthapuram, and Port Blair in India and in Brunei, Biak (Indonesia) and Mauritius. ISTRAC also maintains the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) for space science and exploration missions

 

4. Mission Operations Complex

• MOX is part of the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) to perform all mission operations related to remote-sensing, science and exploration missions of the Indian Space Research organization (ISRO).
• MOX has facilities such as the Main Control Room, the Mission Analysis Room, Mission Planning and Flight Dynamics, the Mission Scheduling and Payload Scheduling Facility.
• All network stations of ISTRAC are connected to MOX through dedicated high-performance satellite/terrestrial communication links. ISRO has established MOX-1 (2008) and MOX-2 (2010) in a separate campus to support dual launch missions simultaneously.

5. Indian Space Science data Centre (ISSDC)

• ISSDC is a facility established by ISRO as the primary data center for the payload data archives of Indian Space Science and Exploration Missions. The data center, located in the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) campus is responsible for the ingestion, archive, and dissemination of the payload data and related ancillary data for these missions. 
• ISSDC interfaces with Mission Operations Complex (MOX) through dedicated communication links, Data reception centers, Payload designers, Payload operations centers, Principal investigators, Mission software developers and Science data users. 
• ISRO Science Data Archive (ISDA) is the repository of all the science data from the Indian space science and exploration missions. ISDA has adopted the Planetary Data System (PDS) standards. 
• ISRO is a member of the International Planetary Data Alliance.
•  

6. ISRO Navigation Centre (INC)

• The ISRO Navigation Center (INC) located at the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) Complex at Byalalu, near Bengaluru is the primary ground segment for the independent Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
• The INC is responsible for providing the time reference, generation of navigation messages and monitoring and control of ground facilities including ranging stations of IRNSS.
• It hosts several key technical facilities for supporting various navigation functions. The high precision timing facility at INC is equipped with high stability, high precision atomic clocks to provide stable and continuous time reference to the navigation system.
• The state of the art data processing and storage facilities at INC enable swift processing of data and support its systematic storage.
• INC is connected to the geographically distributed ranging stations across India and to the satellite control facilities through two highly reliable dedicated communication networks consisting of satellite and terrestrial links. 
• The hub for the satellite communication links is hosted at ISRO Navigation Center (INC).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous Year Questions With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018) 1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits. 2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq.km beyond its borders. 3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a)1 only b)1 and 2 only c)2 and 3 only d)None Answer a

Source: Aerospaceindia

MERCY PETITION

 

1. Context

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, the proposed replacement for the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), contains a new provision on mercy petitions in death sentence cases, which makes changes to the fundamental nature of the provision, including core aspects of its justiciability, the time-limit within which such pleas must be decided, and the 14-day gap between the rejection of a mercy plea by the President and its date of execution, as mandated by the Supreme Court in Shatrughan Chauhan vs Union of India (2014).

2. Mercy Petition

• Mercy petitions are formal requests made by individuals who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to death, asking for clemency or leniency from the highest executive authority in a country.
• These petitions are typically addressed to the head of state or the highest-ranking executive official, such as the President or the Governor, depending on the country's legal system.
• Under Article 72 of the Constitution, “the President shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence where the sentence is a sentence of death”.
• Similarly, Article 161 confers pardoning powers on the governor, but these do not extend to death sentences. 
• In its 1981 ruling in Maru Ram vs. Union of India, the SC held that while deciding mercy petitions under Article 72, the President must act on the advice of the council of ministers.
• Under the existing law, the President is bound by the Cabinet’s advice and can only return the plea for reconsideration once under Article 74 (1).
• After this, if the Council of Ministers decides against the changes suggested by the President, she has no option but to accept them. 

3. New Provision Under BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita):

Mercy Petitions in Death Sentence Cases:

• The proposed BNSS includes a provision regarding mercy petitions but doesn't require the President to act in line with the advice of the council of ministers in death sentence cases.

Filing Mercy Petitions:

• Section 473(1) allows convicts under a death sentence or their legal heirs to file a mercy petition.
• The petition can be submitted to the President of India (Article 72) or the Governor of the State (Article 161) within 30 days after specific events related to the appeal process.

Rejection and Forwarding to President:

• If the Governor rejects the petition, it must be forwarded to the President within 60 days from the rejection date.
• In cases with multiple convicts, all must file mercy petitions within 60 days; otherwise, the Superintendent will send their details to the Central or State Government.

Central Government's Role:

• Upon receiving the mercy petitions, the Central Government seeks the state government's input and reviews the case records.
• It makes recommendations to the President within 60 days after receiving the state government's comments and case records.

President's Decision:

• The President may decide on the plea, especially in cases with multiple convicts, in the interests of justice.
• The President's decision is communicated to the Centre, which then informs the state government's Home Department and the Jail Superintendent within 48 hours.

Finality of President's Decision:

• Section 473(7) specifies that there shall be no appeal against the President's order made under Article 72 of the Constitution.
• The President's decision is deemed final, and no court can inquire into the grounds for pardoning or commuting death sentences.

4. Contravention of Legal Precedent:

Judicial Review Undermined:

• Existing legal precedent, established in the case of Epuru Sudhakar & Another vs Andhra Pradesh and Others (2006), allows for judicial review of the President's or Governor's decisions under Articles 72 and 161.
• These decisions could be challenged on grounds such as lack of application of mind, malice, extraneous considerations, omission of relevant materials, or arbitrariness.

President's Decision Made Final:

• Section 437(7) of the proposed BNSS explicitly states that the President's decision on mercy petitions shall be final and not subject to court inquiry.
• This contravenes the established legal principle of judicial review.

Protection of Prisoner's Rights:

• In the 2014 case of Shatrughan Chauhan and Anr vs. Union of India, the Supreme Court emphasized the inherent rights of prisoners, including those on death row.
• The Court laid down guidelines, including providing a minimum period of 14 days between the rejection of a mercy petition and the scheduled execution, to allow prisoners to prepare mentally and address personal affairs.

No Time Limit for President's Decision:

• The BNSS lacks a specified time limit for the President to decide on mercy pleas, unlike the requirement set by the Supreme Court to prevent undue delays.

For Prelims: Mercy Petition, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Shatrughan Chauhan vs Union of India (2014), Article 72, Article 161, Article, Section 437(7) of the proposed BNSS, and Judicial Review. For Mains: 1. Discuss the significance of mercy petitions in the context of the death penalty. Analyze the role of mercy petitions in providing a safeguard against wrongful executions and ensuring fairness in the criminal justice system. (250 words).

 

Previous year Questions 1. Which one of the following statements relating to the power of the president of India to grant pardon is not correct? (UPSC CAPF 2018) A. The president has the power to grant pardon where punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial. B. The president can grant pardon in all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death. C. The Court's power of judicial review is very limited in relation to the decision of the President on the mercy petition. D. The power to grant a pardon by the President is the power that the sovereign never exercises against its own judicial mandate. Answer: D   2. Consider the following statements : (MPSC 2013 Prelims) (a) Nalinis death penalty for Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination was commuted to life imprisonment on the basis of a recommendation of the state cabinet and an appeal by Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi. (b) Justice K.T. Thomas who headed the Supreme Court bench that confirmed the death rap now feels that it would be incorrect to hang the remaining three sentenced to death for Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination as the antecedents, nature, and character of the accused were not considered before. A. Both (a) and (b) are correct B. Neither (a) nor (b) is correct C. (a) is correct (b) is not D. (b) is correct (a) is not Answer: A

Source: The Indian Express

ADITYA-L1 

1. Context 

• The recently launched Aditya-L1 mission, marks a significant milestone for India as it ventures into the elite group of nations studying the Sun through space probes.
• While India has previously conducted solar experiments via satellites, Aditya-L1 stands as the nation's maiden dedicated solar mission.

2. About Aditya-L1

• Aditya-L1's core objective revolves around positioning a spacecraft in the 'L1' spot in space, marking India's inaugural dedicated solar mission.
• This mission follows ISRO's successful AstroSat (2015), making it the agency's second astronomy observatory-class endeavour.

Image Source: ISRO

3. A Paradigm Shift in Solar Observations

• India's prior solar observations relied on ground-based telescopes and data from international solar missions.
• With ageing ground-based telescopes, India lacked a modern observational facility.
• Aditya-L1 seeks to address this gap and provide comprehensive solar data, advancing solar physics research.

4. Space weather alerts

• Astronomy-based space missions are gaining prominence due to their potential to inspire youth and contribute to scientific advancements.
• These missions, although time-consuming in development, play a crucial role in expanding our understanding of celestial phenomena.
• Solar flares, Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and solar winds can disrupt space weather and impact satellite-dependent operations, such as telecommunications and power grids.
• Aditya-L1's role in studying the Sun is pivotal in enhancing our ability to predict and manage space weather disruptions.
• While AstroSat remains operational after eight years, Aditya-L1 presents a promising path for future Indian astronomy missions.
• With seven payloads, including instruments dedicated to solar observation, Aditya-L1 aims to advance our understanding of solar eruptions and flares.
• Solar physics now demands multiwavelength astronomy to comprehensively study solar events.
• Coordinating data from various instruments on Aditya-L1 is crucial to unravelling the complexities of solar phenomena.
• Aditya-L1 seeks to provide user-friendly information for safeguarding satellite-dependent operations.
• It may generate space weather alerts based on data obtained, enhancing our preparedness for space weather disturbances.

5. The Significance of L1

• Aditya-L1 embarks on a journey of nearly 100 days to reach L1, a location between the Earth and the Sun.
• This journey is shorter than Mangalyaan's voyage to Mars in 2014.
• After departing Earth's gravity, Aditya-L1 will enter a heliocentric path before reaching the L1 orbit.
• Six of Aditya-L1's payloads will remain inactive until approximately January 6, 2024, when the spacecraft is expected to enter a 'halo' orbit near L1.
• The activation of these payloads will enable the calibration of instruments before the commencement of scientific data collection.
• The L1 point in space, where Aditya-L1 will position itself, is one of the five Lagrange Points existing between any two celestial bodies in space.
• Being at L1 allows the spacecraft to make continuous observations with minimal energy expenditure.
• L1 is favoured for its unobstructed view of the Sun, making it ideal for solar research.

12. The Way Forward

• The Aditya-L1 mission represents a significant step in India's space exploration journey, offering the nation a unique opportunity to study the Sun comprehensively and contribute to space weather predictions.
• Positioned at the L1 point, this mission holds great promise for advancing our understanding of the Sun and its impact on Earth's space environment.

 

For Prelims: ISRO, Aditya L1, AstroSat, Coronal Mass Ejections, 'halo' orbit,  For Mains:  1. Describe the significance of the Aditya-L1 mission in the context of India's space exploration efforts. Explain how it differs from India's previous solar experiments. (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018) 1. PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites. 2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth. 3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 C. 1 and 2 D. 3 only Answer: A   2. ISRO is related to: (SSC JE EE 2020)  A. space research       B. agricultural research       C. seed research          D. marine research   Answer: A   3. Aditya L1 is a ______. (ISRO IPRC Technical Assistant Mechanical 2016)  A. Long-range missile B. Rocket to moon C. Spacecraft project D. Light combat aircraft   Answer: C   4. With reference to 'Astrosat', the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC 2016) 1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space. 2. Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth. Select the correct answer using the code given below. A. 1 only           B.  2 only          C. Both 1 and 2         D. Neither 1 nor 2   Answer: D   5. If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth? (UPSC 2022) 1. GPS and navigation systems could fail. 2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions. 3. Power grids could be damaged. 4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth. 5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. 6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. 7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1, 2, 4 and 5 only    B. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only    C.  1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only    D.  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7   Answer: C

 

Source: The Indian Express