BioE3 Policy and Biotechnology in India    
Adverse Effects of Lithium Mining    
75 Years of Supreme Court: Key Highlights and Challenges    
National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)    

1.    BioE3 Policy and Biotechnology in India
Context:
•    The Union Cabinet recently approved the BioE3 Policy, which focuses on fostering high-performance biomanufacturing and aligns with India’s goals of a sustainable, net-zero carbon economy.

BioE3 Policy:
•    Aim: To promote biomanufacturing of bio-based products across sectors.
•    Objectives:
o    Innovation in R&D and entrepreneurship.
o    Establishment of Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs.
o    Development of a skilled biotech workforce.
o    Focus on regenerative bioeconomy and ethical biosafety.
•    Core Themes:
o    Bio-based chemicals, enzymes, and functional foods.
o    Precision biotherapeutics and climate-resilient agriculture.
o    Carbon capture and futuristic marine and space research.
Vigyan Dhara Scheme:
•    Background: Merges three existing schemes of the Science & Technology Ministry.
•    Objectives:
o    Enhance fund utilization and synchronization of sub-schemes.
o    Increase the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) researcher count.
o    Promote gender parity in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI).
•    Alignment: Supports BioE3 Policy by enhancing infrastructure and collaboration.
Biotechnology in India:
•    Healthcare: Enables advanced drugs, vaccines, gene therapy, and stem cell research.
•    Agriculture: Improves crop resilience and nutritional profiles.
•    Environment: Supports bioremediation and sustainable industrial processes.
•    Economic Growth: Drives job creation and global competitiveness.
•    Climate Change Mitigation: Promotes biofuels and carbon capture technologies.
Current State of Biotechnology in India:
•    Growth: India is among the top 12 global biotech destinations.
•    Bioeconomy: Valued at over USD 130 billion, with expectations to reach USD 300 billion by 2030. 
•    Government Initiatives: Include National Biopharma Mission, Biotech-KISAN Scheme, and Genome India Project.
•    Recent Achievements: Development of drought-tolerant chickpea, indigenous vaccines, and gene therapy trials.

Challenges:
•    Strategic Roadmap: Need for a comprehensive plan to advance biotechnology.
•    Bio-Networking: Improve interaction among biotech businesses.
•    Regulatory Burden: Streamline complex and slow approval processes.
•    Funding and Investment: Increase investment in high-risk research.
•    IT Integration: Enhance data management and technical standards.
Case Study: Hyderabad
•    Investments: Over USD 700 million, aiming for USD 250 billion by 2030.
•    Infrastructure: Projects like Genome Valley and Pharma City bolster the biotech ecosystem.
•    Job Creation: Over 450,000 jobs in life sciences, making Hyderabad a biotech hub.
Way Forward:
•    Training Programs: Expand initiatives like BITP to build a skilled workforce.
•    Investment: Encourage venture capital and public-private partnerships.
•    Supportive Policies: Implement policies for regulatory streamlining and tax benefits.
•    Global Engagement: Participate in global biotechnology initiatives and export products.
Prelims Question:

Question: Which of the following is NOT a core theme of the BioE3 Policy?
1.    Bio-based chemicals and enzymes
2.    Nuclear energy development
3.    Precision biotherapeutics
4.    Climate-resilient agriculture
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: A) 1 and 3 only
B)    2 only
C)    1, 2, and 4 only
D)    2 and 4 only Answer: B) 2 only Mains Question:
Question: Discuss the significance of
biotechnology in achieving India’s economic and environmental goals. How does the BioE3 Policy align with these objectives?

2. Adverse Effects of Lithium Mining
Context:
•    A recent study highlights the environmental consequences of lithium mining in Chile's Atacama salt flat, which is causing land subsidence.
Key Findings of the Study:
•    Land Subsidence: The Atacama salt flat is sinking at a rate of 1-2 cm per year due to lithium brine extraction.
•    Cause: The extraction process involves pumping salt-rich water to the surface, leading to faster depletion of lithium-rich brine than natural aquifer recharge, causing the ground to sink.
Environmental Impact of Lithium Mining:
•    Water Usage: Lithium mining requires vast amounts of water, with approximately 2,000 tons of water needed to produce one ton of lithium.
•    Water Scarcity: The extraction exacerbates water scarcity in the Atacama Desert, impacting local communities and ecosystems.
•    Chemical Contamination: Chemicals used in the extraction process, such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, contaminate soil and water, harming ecosystems. 
•    Impact on Wildlife: Reduced water levels have led to declining flamingo populations in the region, affecting their reproduction rates.

Potential Impact of Lithium Mining in Reasi (J&K):
•    Water Crisis: The already scarce water resources in Reasi could worsen, impacting local communities.
•    Biodiversity Threat: Mining could harm the biodiversity-rich Himalayan region, endangering species and ecosystems.
•    Food Insecurity: The environmental degradation caused by mining could lead to food security issues due to excessive carbon emissions and land use.
•    Pollution: Mining activities may pollute rivers, affecting the entire riparian ecosystem.
Key Facts about Lithium:
•    Properties: Lithium is a soft, silvery metal with high reactivity, low density, and excellent electrochemical properties.
•    Applications:

o    Batteries: Essential for rechargeable batteries in mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.
o    Alloys: Used in armour plating.
o    Air Conditioning: Lithium compounds are used in air conditioning and drying systems.
o    Lubricants: Lithium stearate serves as a high-temperature lubricant.
•    Global Reserves: Chile holds the largest lithium reserves, accounting for 36% of the global total, and is the second-largest producer.
•    Lithium Triangle: Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia form the "lithium triangle," a region rich in lithium reserves.
Atacama Desert:
•    Location: Situated in Chile between the Cordillera de la Costa and Andes Mountains.
•    Climate: The desert is shielded from rainfall by the Andes and experiences a temperate climate due to cold water upwelling from the Pacific Ocean.
•    Mineral Resources: Rich in lithium, copper, iodine, and other minerals, with significant salt deposits and a historic nitrate belt.
Prelims Question:
Question: Which of the following is a major environmental concern associated with lithium mining in the Atacama Desert?
1.    Deforestation
2.    Water scarcity
3.    Air pollution
4.    Soil erosion
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: A) 1 and 3 only
B)    2 and 4 only
C)    2 only
D)    1, 2, and 4 Answer: C) 2 only Mains Question:
Question: Discuss the environmental and social impacts of lithium mining in Chile’s Atacama
Desert. How might similar challenges manifest in 
India if large-scale lithium mining were to occur in regions like Jammu and Kashmir?

3. 75 Years of Supreme Court: Key Highlights and Challenges
Context:
•    The Supreme Court of India, established on January 26, 1950, recently celebrated its 75th year with the unveiling of a new flag and insignia by the President. The Prime Minister also released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the occasion.
Key Highlights of the Supreme Court’s Journey:
•    Role in Strengthening Democracy: The Supreme Court has been pivotal in upholding democracy and protecting individual rights since its inception. It has acted as a guardian of the Constitution and a protector of marginalized groups.
•    Evolution Over Four Phases:
o    First Phase (1950-1967): Focused on judicial restraint and respect for legislative supremacy. The court limited itself to interpreting the Constitution without overstepping its boundaries.
o    Second Phase (1967-1976): Marked by judicial activism and expansion of fundamental rights. Key rulings like the Keshavananda Bharati case introduced the 'basic structure' doctrine.
o    Third Phase (1978-2014): Post- Emergency, the court expanded Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and introduced the collegium system for judicial appointments.
o    Fourth Phase (2014-Present): Continued liberal interpretation of the Constitution, sustaining judicial activism while upholding constitutional rights.
Key Challenges Facing the Supreme Court:

•    Volume of Pending Cases: As of 2023, over 80,000 cases are pending, leading to delays in justice delivery.
•    Dominance of Special Leave Petitions (SLPs): SLPs constitute the majority of cases, overshadowing other important issues.
•    Selective Prioritization of Cases: Certain cases are prioritized over others, leading to perceptions of bias.
•    Judicial Evasion: Important cases are sometimes delayed or avoided, affecting public trust in the judiciary.
•    Conflict of Interest and Integrity: Allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest within the judiciary pose challenges to its credibility.
•    Concerns in Judicial Appointments: The collegium system for appointing judges has been contentious, with calls for more transparency and accountability.
Way Forward:
•    All India Judicial Recruitment: Establish a national standard for judicial recruitment to ensure consistency and quality across states.
•    Case Management Reforms: Implement advanced case management techniques and expand the use of the Supreme Court's Case Management System (CMS) to manage and reduce case backlogs.
•    Promote Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR): Encourage ADR mechanisms for cases that do not require Supreme Court intervention.
•    Transparent Case Listing: Develop a transparent protocol for listing and prioritizing cases, possibly through a public tracking system.
•    Clarify Institutional Goals: Define and communicate clear goals for the judiciary, supported by performance evaluations.
•    Strengthen Accountability Mechanisms: Implement stricter accountability measures, potentially through an Independent Judicial Accountability Commission.
Prelims Question:
Question: Which of the following cases is associated with the introduction of the 'basic structure' doctrine in the Indian Constitution?
1.    Keshavananda Bharati case
2.    Golak Nath case
3.    Minerva Mills case
4.    Maneka Gandhi case
Answer: A) Keshavananda Bharati case
Mains Question:
Question: Discuss the role of the Supreme Court in shaping the democracy of India since its establishment in 1950. What are the key challenges the judiciary faces today, and how can these be addressed?

4. National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)
Context:
•    The Supreme Court's ruling against the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act has sparked debates on judicial appointments and the role of the executive.
Background:
•    Supreme Court Ruling (2015): The Supreme Court quashed the NJAC Act and the 99th Constitutional Amendment, declaring them unconstitutional as they threatened judicial independence.
NJAC Overview:
•    Purpose: NJAC was created to replace the collegium system with a more transparent and accountable process involving both the judiciary and the executive.
•    Composition:
o    Chief Justice of India (Chairperson, ex-officio)
o    Two senior-most Supreme Court judges
o    Union Minister of Law and Justice
o    Two eminent persons nominated by a committee comprising the Prime Minister, CJI, and Leader of the Opposition
Supreme Court's Concerns:

•    Judicial Independence: The court ruled that including executive members in the NJAC could compromise the judiciary's independence, a cornerstone of India's democratic structure.
•    Basic Structure Doctrine: The court argued that the NJAC violated the basic structure of the Constitution by diluting judicial primacy in appointments.
Arguments in Favor of the Collegium System:
•    Judicial Independence: Ensures that the judiciary remains free from executive influence, crucial for upholding the rule of law.
•    Merit-Based Appointments: Focuses on selecting judges based on experience, qualifications, and judicial acumen.
•    Institutional Continuity: Relies on senior judges' collective wisdom, preserving institutional memory.
Arguments Against the Collegium System:
•    Lack of Transparency: Criticized for its opaque selection process, with decisions made behind closed doors.
•    Potential Nepotism: Concerns about favoritism and the "uncle judges" syndrome, where personal connections might influence appointments.
•    Limited Accountability: Absence of external checks or public input raises questions about accountability.
Comparative Perspective:
•    United States: Federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, balancing judicial independence with executive oversight.
•    United Kingdom: The Judicial Appointments Commission, including judges, legal experts, and lay members, oversees appointments, ensuring a broader perspective.
•    South Africa and Canada: Independent Judicial Appointment Commissions evaluate candidates, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Proposed Reforms:
•    Enhanced Transparency: Introduce clear guidelines and public consultations in the appointment process to build trust.
•    Balanced Role for the Executive: A revised NJAC with balanced representation from the judiciary, executive, and civil society can ensure both independence and accountability.
•    Merit-Based and Time-Bound Appointments: Strict adherence to merit- based criteria and timelines can address delays and ensure efficient judicial functioning.
•    Public Participation: Incorporating public input through consultations and feedback mechanisms can make the judiciary more responsive to societal needs.

Prelims Question: With reference to the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), consider the following statements:
1.    The NJAC was intended to replace the collegium system for judicial appointments.
2.    The NJAC included the Prime Minister as a member.
3.    The NJAC Act was upheld by the Supreme Court as constitutional.
4.    The NJAC sought to ensure transparency and accountability in judicial appointments.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    1 and 4 only
C)    2, 3, and 4 only
D)    1, 2, and 4 only
Answer: B) 1 and 4 only
Mains Question: Discuss the challenges associated with the collegium system in judicial appointments in India. How can a reformed National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) address these challenges while preserving judicial independence?