The Top Current Affairs for UPSC of 22 April/2023.

 Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission (NOM)

The Indian Cabinet has approved the National Quantum Mission (NOM), which aims to promote research and development in the field of quantum technology. The mission is expected to help India become a leading player in the field of quantum technology and contribute to the country's overall technological advancement.

The National Quantum Mission will be implemented by the Department of Science and Technology, and will involve collaboration between various institutions and organizations in the country. The mission aims to support research and development in areas such as quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing.

The National Quantum Mission is part of the government's larger effort to promote scientific research and innovation in the country. The government has set a target of increasing the country's gross expenditure on research and development to 2% of GDP by 2025.

Overall, the National Quantum Mission represents a significant step forward for India's technological development and its position in the global scientific community. The mission is expected to contribute to the country's growth and development in the coming years.

State of World Population Report 2023 (SWPR)

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released the State of World Population Report 2023 (SWPR), which highlights some of the major trends and challenges related to population and development around the world.

According to the report, the world's population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, with the fastest growth expected in Africa. The report also notes the increasing number of older people, with the number of people aged 60 and above expected to more than double by 2050.

The report highlights the importance of addressing inequalities and ensuring that everyone has access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and reproductive health. It also emphasizes the need to promote gender equality and empower women and girls, who continue to face significant barriers to education, employment, and political participation in many parts of the world.

Overall, the State of World Population Report 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of some of the major trends and challenges related to population and development. It highlights the urgent need for action to promote sustainable development and ensure a better future for all.

 

The Supreme Court judgment that moved the needle on LGBTQ rights in India

In a landmark judgment in 2018, the Supreme Court of India decriminalized same-sex relationships, effectively overturning a colonial-era law that had been used to persecute LGBTQ individuals in the country.

The law, known as Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, had criminalized "unnatural" sexual acts, including same-sex relationships, with penalties that included imprisonment for up to 10 years. The law had been in place since the British colonial era and had been used to target and discriminate against LGBTQ individuals in India.

The Supreme Court's judgment was a significant milestone for LGBTQ rights in India and marked a major victory for activists who had been campaigning for the decriminalization of same-sex relationships for many years. The judgment recognized that sexual orientation is an integral part of an individual's identity and that criminalizing same-sex relationships was a violation of the rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

While the decriminalization of same-sex relationships was a significant victory, there is still much work to be done to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals in India. Discrimination and stigma against LGBTQ individuals persist, and there is a need for further legal and social reforms to address these issues. However, the Supreme Court's judgment was a historic moment that moved the needle on LGBTQ rights in India and paved the way for further progress in the future.

Suspension of Operations Agreement : Manipur Government

The Manipur government has signed a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with two militant groups operating in the state, the Kuki National Organization (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF). The agreement is aimed at ending decades-long armed conflict in the state and promoting peace and development in the region.

Under the SoO agreement, the KNO and UPF have agreed to suspend all offensive military operations against security forces and civilians in Manipur. In return, the government has agreed to suspend all counter-insurgency operations against the two groups and provide them with safe zones for their cadres.

Overall, the Suspension of Operations Agreement between the Manipur government and the Kuki National Organization and United People's Front represents a significant step forward in the efforts to end armed conflict and promote peace and development in the state. Click for more about Current Affairs for UPSC of 22 April/2023.