Daily Current Affairs 6 March 2020 | UPSC Current Affairs 2020

Current Affairs Of Today Are

1) Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana Kendra

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shall participate in Jan Aushadi Diwas celebrations on 7th March 2020 through Video Conference from New Delhi. Shri Modi shall interact with seven Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadi Pariyojana Kendras. To celebrate achievements of the scheme and provide further impetus, 7th March is proposed to be celebrated as “Janaushadi Diwas” across India.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendra

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendra (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendras known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendra (PMBJPK) has been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs. BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply, and marketing of generic drugs through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
It has been launched by the current Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in the year 2014 for the noble cause – Quality Medicines at Affordable Prices for All. The campaign was undertaken through the sale of generic medicines through exclusive outlets namely "Jan Aushadhi Medical Store" in various districts of the country. In September 2015, the 'Jan Aushadhi Scheme' was revamped as 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana' (PMJAY). In November 2016, to give further impetus to the scheme, it was again renamed as "Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana" (PMBJP).

Benefits

The Jan Aushadhi initiative will make available quality drugs at affordable prices through dedicated stores selling generic medicines that are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.

About Jan Aushadhi Store (JAS)

BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply, and marketing of generic drugs through the Jan Aushadhi Stores.
The quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines are ensured by getting each batch of medicines procured from CPSUs as well as private suppliers tested from NABL approved laboratories and conforming to the required standards before the same are supplied to Super stockists / Jan Aushadhi Stores from the Warehouse of BPPI.
Jan Aushadhi Store (JAS) can be opened by State Governments or any organization / reputed NGOs / Trusts / Private hospitals / Charitable institutions / Doctors / Unemployed pharmacist/ individual entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for new Jan Aushadhi stores. The applicants shall have to employ one B Pharma / D Pharma degree holder as Pharmacist in their proposed store.

Criticism

The concept of Jan Aushadhi Kendra, which was launched at government hospitals to provide patients with medicines at affordable rates, has miserably failed to serve its purpose at Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. Only 20 percent of patients at Civil Hospital can benefit from this facility. Most of the stores, set up under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme to provide non-branded generic medicines to all, haven't stocked common medicines for months for lack of supply. These include medicines for seasonal infections, gas, cough, cold, etc. Officials said the shortage of medicines is due to logistical issues.

Source: PIB

2) Development of North East of India through the various scheme

Though the schemes of MDoNER are generally gender-neutral and the schemes are gap-filling measures related to the development of infrastructure in the North Eastern Region, NER

North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP)

There is one livelihood program called North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP), where females have been benefitted. The other livelihood scheme i.e. North East Rural Livelihoods Project (NERLP), has concluded on 30.09.2019. Similarly, two PSUs under the Ministry namely, North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) and North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) have benefitted some women entrepreneurs. Also, Cane & Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) have benefitted women in the region. The details are given below:
NERCORMP a livelihood project is being implemented in four States, viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya, running under North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS) (A registered Society under North Eastern Council, Chaired by Secretary NEC).

NaRMGs, (Natural Resource Management Groups)

The project strategy of forming NaRMGs, (Natural Resource Management Groups) with equal representation of men and women and promotion of women SHGs has strengthened women empowerment and agency of women in decision making processes alongside the men on matters of household and community wellbeing. Social sector project interventions, in particular, are aimed at reducing the drudgery of women through access to safe drinking water and low-cost latrines enhancing improved hygiene and social dignity of women. Sanitary toilets, Sanitary Napkins and drinking water supply in the village greatly benefit women and girl children as the chore of fetching water falls on them and they endure a great deal of inconvenience and personal indignities in the absence of covered toilets near the homestead. As an illustration, the activities carried out by 15 SHGs and NaRM-G are like Poultry farming, Handloom Weaving, Tea cultivation, Fishery, Drinking water facilities, Banning of alcohol and opium, Piggery and Horticulture among others.

NERLP (North East Rural Livelihoods Project)

Ministry of DoNER was implementing World Bank assisted NERLP (North East Rural Livelihoods Project) in the four States namely Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura for 5 years with a total project cost of Rs. 683 crore. The objective of the project was to improve rural livelihoods, especially that of women, unemployed youth and the most disadvantaged in these four States. The project was completed on 30th September 2019. Under the program 28, 154 SHG Groups have been formed consisting of 3,44,549 Households out of which there were 2,92,881 female beneficiaries.

NERAMAC (North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation)

NERAMAC (North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation) under its Integrated Export Development Project funded by NEC has supported 35 female beneficiaries from Assam and Mizoram. Under this program, skill development training on Export Management was held in Guwahati, Assam and Aizawl, Mizoram.

NEHHDC (North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation)

NEHHDC (North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation) was set up in March 1977 with the mandate of promotion and development of handicrafts and handlooms of the North Eastern Region of India. Over the years Ministry of DoNER has been supporting NEHHDC to provide supports to the female Artisans and Weavers of the North Eastern Region.

Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC):

Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC): The Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC) is mandated for incubating farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs for becoming self-sustaining by setting up micro and small enterprises using cane and bamboo as raw material. In this process, the CBTC has reached villages of all North Eastern States since its inception. Women have also participated in skill and awareness programs conducted by CBTC and got motivated to set up enterprises. CBTC has also been supporting these women to market their products in the domestic and international markets through exhibitions and tying up with wholesalers of bamboo handicrafts.

North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) - An initiative towards Women Empowerment:

To support micro and small borrowers including small farmers and recognizing that financial inclusion is a key driver of economic development and poverty alleviation in the region, NEDFi started the “NEDFi Micro Finance Scheme (NMFS)” to assist the grass-root small borrowers in unserved and underserved areas of the region.
Capacity-building support to NGOs/ MFIs: Also, NEDFi provides hand-holding support to the local organizations in developing them as Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) and capacity building initiatives involving training on risk management, operation management, systems and process, financial management, human resource management, etc.
Women Empowerment through Microfinance: The Microfinance scheme has been beneficial to the weaker sections in un-served & underserved areas of the region. About 96% of the beneficiaries are women and the project has enabled most of them to increase their earnings above the Poverty Line.
Sustainable Livelihood Programmes:

NEDFi organizes Programmes on various trades for providing alternative sustainable livelihood to the artisans. Through such initiatives, NEDFi covered 10,470 nos. of beneficiaries up to Feb 2020 out of which more than 80% are women beneficiaries. Some of the trades considered by NEDFi for conducting sustainable livelihood programs are given below:

Marketing Support:

NEDFi is also facilitating marketing support to the artisans of NER through exhibition participation and its various showrooms at Guwahati & Khetri in Assam, Imphal in Manipur, Aizwal in Mizoram, Namchi in Sikkim and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The showrooms at Guwahati, Khetri, and Aizwal are under NEDFi’s direct CSR support and the rest of the showrooms are set up in collaboration with various established NGOs/Societies of the locality. Till February 2020, a total of 5737 artisans was provided platforms in various exhibitions/ outlets, out of which more than 80% are women beneficiaries.

Source: PIB

3) Law for Rain Water Harvesting

As per information received from the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, the Model Building Bye
Laws, 2016, have been issued for the guidance of the States/UTs which has a chapter on ‘Rainwater Harvesting’.
33 States/UTs have adopted the rainwater harvesting provisions. The provisions of this chapter apply to all the buildings. The implementation of the rainwater harvesting policy comes within the purview of the State Government/Urban Local Body / Urban Development Authority. As per Model Building Bye-Laws- 2016, the provision of rainwater harvesting applies to all residential plots above 100 sq.m.
To regulate the Over-exploitation and consequent depletion of groundwater, the Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable groundwater legislation for the regulation of its development, which includes the provision of rainwater harvesting. So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the groundwater legislation on the lines of Model Bill.
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under Section 3(3) of the ‘Environment (Protection) Act, 1986’ for the purpose of regulation and control of groundwater development and management in the Country. CGWA is regulating groundwater withdrawal by industries/infrastructure/ mining projects in the country for which guidelines/ criteria have been framed which includes rainwater harvesting as one of the provisions while issuing No Objection Certificate.
Water being a State subject, initiatives on water management including conservation and water harvesting in the Country is primarily States’ responsibility. However, the important measures are taken by the Central Government for conservation, management of groundwater and effective implementation of rainwater harvesting in the country

Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is a type of harvest in which the raindrops are collected and stored for future use, rather than allowing it to run off. Rainwater can be collected from rivers or roofs and redirected to a deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), aquifer, a reservoir with percolation, or collected from dew or fog with nets or other tools. Its uses include water for gardens, livestock, irrigation, domestic use with proper treatment, indoor heating for houses, etc. The harvested water can also be used as drinking water, longer-term storage, and for other purposes such as groundwater recharge.
Rainwater harvesting is one of the simplest and oldest methods of self-supply of water for households usually financed by the user.

Advantages

Rainwater harvesting provides the independent water supply during regional water restrictions, and in developed countries, it is often used to supplement the main supply. It provides water when a drought occurs, can help mitigate flooding of low-lying areas, and reduces demand on wells which may enable groundwater levels to be sustained. It also helps in the availability of potable water, as rainwater is substantially free of salinity and other salts. Applications of rainwater harvesting in the urban water system provide a substantial benefit for both water supply and wastewater subsystems by reducing the need for clean water in water distribution systems, less generated stormwater in sewer systems, and a reduction in stormwater runoff polluting freshwater bodies.
A large body of work has focused on the development of life cycle assessment and its costing methodologies to assess the level of environmental impacts and money that can be saved by implementing rainwater harvesting systems

Source: PIB

4) The Freedom in the World 2020

The Freedom in the World 2020 report ranks India at the 83rd position, along with Timor-Leste and Senegal. This is near the bottom of the pile among the countries categorized as “Free”, with only Tunisia receiving a lower score. India’s score fell by four points to 71, the worst decline among the world’s 25 largest democracies this year.
The annulment of autonomy and the subsequent shutdown of Kashmir, the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, as well as the crackdown on mass protests, have been listed as the main signs of declining freedom in the report, released by Freedom House, a U.S.based watchdog, which has been tracking global political and civil liberties for almost half a century.
The report slammed the Internet blackout in Kashmir, terming it the longest shutdown ever imposed by democracy. It said freedom of expression was under threat in India, with journalists, academics and others facing harassment and intimidation when addressing politically sensitive topics
India scored 34 out of 40 points in the political rights category, but only 37 out of 60 in the civil liberties category, for a total score of 71, a drop from last year’s score of 75. The report treats “Indian Kashmir” as a separate territory, which saw its total score drop precipitously from 49 to 28 this year, moving it from a status of “Partly Free” to “Not Free”

Source: The Hindu

5) Ban on Cryptocurrency Trading Removed

The Supreme Court has struck down a ban on the trading of Virtual Currencies (VC) in India, which was imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in April 2018.

The RBI order prohibited banks and entities regulated by it from dealing in VCs or providing services for facilitating any person or entity in dealing with or settling VCs.
Such services include maintaining accounts, registering, trading, settling, clearing, giving loans against virtual tokens, accepting them as collateral, opening accounts of exchanges dealing with them and transfer/receipt of money in accounts relating to purchase/ sale of VCs.

Virtual Currencies

There is no globally accepted definition of what exactly is a virtual currency. Basically, virtual currency is the larger umbrella term for all forms of non-fiat currency being traded online.

Fiat Money is a kind of currency, issued by the government and regulated by a central authority such as a central bank. Such currencies act like legal tender and are not necessarily backed by a physical commodity.

Virtual currencies are mostly created, distributed and accepted in local virtual networks. Virtual Currencies also includes cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrencies have an extra layer of security, in the form of encryption algorithms.

Most cryptocurrencies now operate on the blockchain or distributed ledger technology, which allows everyone on the network to keep track of the transactions occurring globally.
Popular forms of cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.

Satoshi Nakamoto, widely regarded as the founder of the modern virtual currency bitcoin and the underlying technology called blockchain, defines bitcoins as “a new electronic cash system that’s fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party (central regulator)”.

Reasons Behind Banning Virtual Currencies

Lack of any underlying fiat, episodes of excessive volatility in their value, and their anonymous nature which goes against global money-laundering rules.
Risks and concerns about data security and consumer protection.
The potential impact on the effectiveness of the monetary policy.

Arguments in Support of Use of Virtual Currencies in India

Digital/virtual currencies (both private or government-backed) are an integral part of the digital economy and digital countries.
5 million Indians are engaged in virtual currency activities.
India is the second-largest user of Pundi X’s blockchain wallet.
India is at the forefront of all things digital and an inspiration to the world. Its balanced approach between risk and innovation can become a role model for the world.

Highlights of the Judgement

Test of Proportionality

The ban did not pass the “proportionality” test. The test of proportionality of any action by the government must pass the test of Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, which states that all citizens of the country will have the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation or trade and business.
To date, the RBI has not come out with a stand that any of the entities regulated by it have suffered any loss or adverse effect directly or indirectly, on account of VC exchanges.
Besides, the court found that the RBI did not consider the availability of alternatives before issuing the order i.e. achieving the same objective by imposing a less drastic restraint.

Inconsistent with the RBI’s Stand: The RBI’s order was disproportionate” with an otherwise consistent stand taken by the central bank that VCs are not prohibited in the country.
Referred to the Global Approach: Organisations across the globe have called for caution while dealing with virtual currencies, while also warning that a blanket ban of any sort could push the entire system underground, which in turn would mean no regulation.
On RBI’s Power: The Court held that the RBI has powers to regulate any currencies in the system.

Possible Impact of the Judgement

With the order, resumption of operations at cryptocurrency exchanges and backward linkages with the banking sector are expected.

Even as virtual currency investors and businesses will welcome the Supreme Court’s order on cryptocurrency, the relief for such players may be only temporary given that the Centre, in a draft law, has proposed to ban all private cryptocurrencies.

The Supreme Court’s judgment could lead to the RBI rethinking its policies surrounding virtual currencies.

Source: The Hindu

6) Visit of UN Delegation on Palestine to India

Recently, a UN delegation on Palestine visited New Delhi to seek India’s political and diplomatic support for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The delegation of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) intends to engage India in the settling of the question of Palestine.

Key Points

During the visit of the UN delegation on Palestine, India has reiterated its stand and supported the Two-State solution for the Israel-Palestine issue.
The visit aimed to enhance the political and diplomatic support of India for a peaceful solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and engaging Indian counterparts on synergies in capacity building for staff and institutions of Palestine.
The delegation intends to involve countries like India as it shares good relations with both Israel and Palestine, and are also attached to multilateral principles, to play a bigger role in the resolution of the issue.

Two-State Solution

The “two-state solution” is based on a UN resolution of 1947 which proposed two states - one would be a state where Zionist Jews constituted a majority, the other where the Palestinian Arabs would be a majority of the population. The idea was however rejected by the Arabs.
For decades, it has been held by the international community as the only realistic deal to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
India has consistently voted in favor of those resolutions that promote the two-state solution with a Palestinian claim to East Jerusalem.

India’s Stand on Israel-Palestine Issue

In June 2019, India voted in favor of a decision introduced by Israel in the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that objected to granting consultative status to a Palestinian non-governmental organization.
In June 2018, India had voted in favor of Palestine on the UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution to investigate an indiscriminate force usage by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians.
As a part of Link West Policy, India has de-hyphenated its relationship with Israel and Palestine in 2018 to treat both the countries mutually independent and exclusive.
In December 2017, India had criticized the United States vote for recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital at the UNGA vote.
In 2014, India favored UNHRC’s resolution to probe Israel’s human rights violations in Gaza. Despite supporting the probe, India abstained from voting against Israel in UNHRC in 2015.

CEIRPP

United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) was founded in 1975 by the United Nations General Assembly.
It aims to formulate a program to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination, to national independence and sovereignty, and the right of Palestine refugees to return.

Source: The Hindu

7) Increased Recycling of E-waste in India

Recently, the government has informed that E-waste recycling has doubled in the country compared to 2017-18.
The government has reported that the recycling rate of 10% in 2017-18 has risen to 20% in 2018-19.

E-waste

E-Waste is short for Electronic-Waste. It is the term used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded electronic appliances. It includes computers, mobiles, consumer electronics, etc.
It majorly includes electronic equipment, completely or in part discarded as waste by the consumer or bulk consumer as well as rejects from manufacturing, refurbishment and repair processes.

Why should E-waste be managed properly?

E-waste consists of toxic elements such as Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Chromium, Polybrominated biphenyls, and Polybrominated diphenyl.
Non-Disposal and burning of e-waste can have serious implications on human health and can cause air, soil pollution, and groundwater contamination.

Key Points

Production of E-waste in India:

According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2017, India generates about 2 million tonnes (MT) of E-waste annually.
India ranks fifth among E-waste producing countries, after the US, China, Japan, and Germany.
But the government has stated that the E-waste produced in India is lower than estimates by international agencies.

Management of E-waste:

Producers:

The government has implemented the E-waste (Management) Rules (2016) which enforces the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Under the EPR principle, the producers have been made responsible to collect a certain percentage of E-waste generated from their goods once they have reached their “end-of-life”.

State Governments:

They have been entrusted with the responsibility for maintaining industrial space for e-waste dismantling and recycling facilities.
They are also expected to establish measures for protecting the health and safety of workers engaged in the dismantling and recycling facilities for e-waste.

Recycling of E-waste:

Most of India’s e-waste is recycled by the informal sector and under hazardous conditions.
A report by the Union Environment Ministry in 2018 found that many of India’s e-waste recyclers couldn't handle a large quantity of waste.
India’s first e-waste clinic for segregating, processing and disposal of waste from household and commercial units will soon be set-up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 in supersession of the e-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011.
The new E-waste rules included Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury-containing lamps, as well as other such equipment.
For the first time, the rules brought the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets. Producers have been made responsible for the collection of E-waste and for its exchange.
Various producers can have a separate Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) and ensure collection of E-waste, as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner.
Deposit Refund Scheme has been introduced as an additional economic instrument wherein the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical and electronic equipment and returns it to the consumer along with interest when the end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment is returned.
The role of State Governments has been also introduced to ensure the safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations.
A provision of penalties for violation of rules has also been introduced.
Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Committee/Council/Corporation) has been assigned the duty to collect and channelize the orphan products to authorized dismantler or recycler.

Source: The Hindu

8) QS World University Subject Rankings 2020

The 2020 edition of the QS World University Subject Rankings has ranked as many as 26 departments of higher education institutions in India among the top 100 in the world in their respective subject category.

The QS World University Subject Rankings 2020 has been released from London by Quacquarelli Symonds. Quacquarelli Symonds is the world’s leading provider of services, analytics, and insight into the global higher education sector.
QS uses four key metrics to compile the rankings including academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper and the h-index which measures how productive an institution's research faculty are.
1,368 institutions have been ranked across 48 subjects in 5 broad categories across 159 locations.
Top Rankers: Globally, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT - USA) emerged as the world’s best-performing institution, achieving 12 number-one positions, followed by Harvard University (USA) with 11 number-one positions and University of Oxford (United Kingdom) with eight top-ranked subjects.

India’s Performance

As against 21 institutions getting ranked in 2019, the latest edition has seen 26 Indian departments entering the top-100 list for their subjects. All 26 departments are in institutions run by the Union government — IITs, IIMs, IISc and Delhi University.
QS has also seen an increase in the number of Indian programs ranking among the global top 50.

In terms of institutes and subjects, India’s highest-ranked programs included the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay’s Mineral & Mining Engineering program at 41st rank globally, shared jointly with the University of Delhi's Development Studies program.
Top-50 ranks have also been attained by IIT Kharagpur (46) for Mineral & Mining Engineering, IIT Delhi (49) for Electrical & Electronic Engineering and IIT Bombay (50) for Chemical Engineering.

IIT Bombay emerged with more top-100 ranks than any other Indian university in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020.
In the business and management studies subject category, both the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore was ranked in the 51-100 band.
The rankings indicate India’s particular strength in the natural sciences, life sciences, and engineering disciplines.

Source: Indian Express

9) MAC Binding

The authorities have removed a ban on social media and restored full internet access in Kashmir on 4th March 2020.

Among various conditions, Internet connectivity will be made available “with mac-binding”.

Key Points

Every device has a Media Access Control (MAC) address, a hardware identification number that is unique to it. While accessing the Internet, every device is assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

This forces a particular device to access the internet from a specific IP address.
If either the MAC (Media Access Control) address or the IP address changes, the device will not be able to access the internet.
MAC-binding will also enable authorities to trace a device based on its online activity.

Mobile internet services too will be available only on postpaid connections. Prepaid connections will not have access to the internet "unless verified as per the norms applicable to postpaid connections," the order said.
Further, internet speed is restricted to second-generation 2G networks, while the high-speed 4G networks will remain blocked.

Media Access Control (MAC) address

The address that uniquely defines a hardware interface is called MAC (Media Access Control) Address.
It identifies the physical address of a computer on the internet.
It is 48 bits (6 bytes) hexadecimal address.
MAC Address of each computer on a network is unique.

Internet Protocol (IP) address

The address provided to a connection in a network is called IP (Internet Protocol) address.
It identifies the connection of a computer on the internet.
IPv4 is a 32-bit (4 bytes) address, and IPv6 is a 128-bits (16 bytes) address.
The IP address does not uniquely identify a device on a network but, it specifies a particular connection in a network.
The IP address changes each time a device is connected to the network as it is dynamically allocated to the device when it participates in the network.

Source: Indian Express

10) Court Documents Accessibility to Third-party

Recently, a bench of the Supreme Court judges ruled that court documents such as copies of judgments and pleadings can now be obtained by third-parties or those not party to a case.

The information will be only available after the court rules permit it and not under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
This decision comes a few months after a five-judge bench of SC opened the office of the Chief Justice of India to scrutiny under the RTI Act.

Key Points

Rule 151 of Gujarat High Court Rules were being upheld, which allows access to certified copies of judgments, orders, and pleadings to a third-party, or those not party to a case, only under the order of an officer of the court.
High courts of Bombay, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madras, etc have similar provisions.
The bench held that the High Court holds the information as a trustee for the litigants in order to adjudicate upon the matter and administer justice.

Third parties should not be permitted to have open and easy access to such personal information of the litigants or information given by the government in the proceedings because there would be a misuse of the court process and the information to an unmanageable level.

According to the rules, litigants are entitled to receive copies of documents/judgments, etc on the filing of an application with prescribed court fees stamp.

Third parties are not given copies of judgments and other documents without the assistant registrar’s order.
The registrar, on being satisfied with the reasonable cause for seeking the information/certified copies of the documents, allows access to the documents.

Source: Indian Express