24 November 2024

• Elections: Day-after analysis of Maharashtra and Jharkhand results. Devendra Fadnavis emerged as the frontrunner for Maharashtra Chief Minister. Hemant Soren was confirmed as Jharkhand CM.
• Governance: The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty from the Rio G20 took shape with 81 member countries.
• Economy: India-CARICOM Summit outcomes: IT scholarships, Jan Aushadhi sharing and ISA membership invitations.
• Constitution: Constitution Day (Samvidhan Diwas) was to be observed on 26 November, marking the 75th anniversary of adoption.

GS area: Polity, Governance

The Mahayuti's sweeping victory in Maharashtra raised governance and constitutional questions.

• Chief Minister race: Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) emerged as frontrunner. The alliance seat arithmetic favoured BJP given its 132-seat performance.
• Ladki Bahin Yojana: The cash transfer scheme giving women 1,500 rupees monthly was credited with the swing in women's votes. Such welfare schemes and their electoral impact are standard mains essay material.
• Anti-defection and party splits: The 2022 split in the Shiv Sena (original) and NCP led to two competing factions. The Election Commission recognised the Eknath Shinde faction as the "real" Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar faction as the "real" NCP. These decisions are legally contested.
• Article 75 equivalent at state level: Article 164 governs appointment of Chief Ministers and Council of Ministers in states. The CM must command the confidence of the state legislature.

Static linkage: State polity, anti-defection law, elections.

GS area: Polity, Social Justice

Hemant Soren's return to power in Jharkhand after his earlier incarceration revealed patterns in tribal-belt politics.

• Jharkhand's composition: The state has a significant Scheduled Tribe population, particularly Mundas, Santals, Oraons and Khariyas.
• The Forest Rights Act 2006: Recognises tribal communities' rights over traditionally occupied forest land. Its implementation (or lack of it) is the central political issue in Jharkhand.
• Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 (PESA): Gives gram sabhas special powers in Fifth Schedule areas. Jharkhand is a Fifth Schedule state.
• Hemant Soren's January 2024 arrest: He was arrested on land fraud charges by the Enforcement Directorate. Released on bail after six months. He contested the election and won.

Static linkage: Tribal rights, Fifth Schedule, Jharkhand.

GS area: Polity

26 November marks the anniversary of the Constitution's adoption in 1949. The 75th anniversary was to be observed from 26 November 2024.

• Adoption: 26 November 1949. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution. It came into force on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day).
• Constituent Assembly: First session: 9 December 1946. Chairman: Rajendra Prasad. Drafting Committee Chairman: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Original text: 243 articles and 13 schedules. Through amendments, it now has 448 articles and 12 schedules (one schedule was deleted).
• Duration of drafting: Two years, eleven months and seventeen days.
• Special features: India borrowed concepts from multiple constitutions:
  • Fundamental Rights: USA.
  • Parliamentary system: UK.
  • Directive Principles: Ireland.
  • Emergency provisions: Germany (Weimar Constitution).
  • Federal structure with strong centre: Canada.

Static linkage: Constitutional history, Constituent Assembly, fundamental rights.

GS area: Economy, Governance

The International Cooperative Alliance held its Global Cooperative Conference in India for the first time.

• ICA: International Cooperative Alliance. Established 1895. Represents over 1 billion cooperative members across 105 countries.
• 2024 Conference theme: "Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All."
• First India hosting: A signal of India's growing global cooperative footprint.
• UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025: Launched concurrent with the conference.
• India's cooperative landscape: The Ministry of Cooperation (2021), computerisation of 63,000 PACS, model bye-laws for PACS adopted by 32 states.

Static linkage: Rural economy, cooperative law, international organisations.

GS area: International Relations, Environment

Analysis of COP29's climate finance outcome continued after the conference closed.

• The deal: Developed nations committed to 300 billion dollars annually by 2035. Broader mobilisation goal: 1.3 trillion dollars from all sources.
• Developing country reaction: India and other G77 members expressed disappointment. The 300 billion falls far short of the 1 trillion dollar annual demand.
• India's specific objection: The deal relies too heavily on private finance (loans, equity) rather than grants. Developing countries would service debt to fund their own climate adaptation.
• Loss and Damage fund: Agreed at COP27 (2022). Hosted by the Philippines. Operationalised at COP28 (2023). Separate from climate finance but related.
• Next COP: COP30 in Belem, Brazil, 2025. Progress on these finance gaps will be reviewed.

Static linkage: Climate finance, UNFCCC, developing country interests.

• UNICEF State of the World's Children 2024: Projects 2.3 billion children globally by 2050. About 1 billion will be in climate high-risk zones. Africa will have the highest proportion of the global child population by 2050 due to demographic trends.
• Kanbirapoil Megalithic footprints (Kerala): Twenty-four pairs of carved footprints from the megalithic period (3rd century BCE to 1st century CE) discovered in Kasaragod district. Similar rock carvings have been found across Harappan and megalithic sites in India.
• Thrissur-Ponnani Kole Wetlands: In Thrissur and Malappuram districts, Kerala. Area: 13,632 hectares. A Ramsar site. Provides 40 per cent of Kerala's rice requirement. Part of the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.