Current Affairs — July 2024
15 articles analyzed
Executive Summary
July 2024 was dominated by three major themes with strong UPSC relevance: the implementation of India's new criminal law codes, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, and the Union Budget 2024. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into force on July 1, replacing the Indian Penal Code (1860), Code of Criminal Procedure (1973), and Indian Evidence Act (1872) respectively — the most comprehensive overhaul of India's criminal justice framework since Independence. Understanding the new section numbers and conceptual changes is now essential for GS-2. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's participation in the SCO Summit in Astana underscored India's strategic engagement with Eurasia. The SCO — the world's largest regional organization by area and population — is a platform where India balances its interests across Pakistan, China, Russia, and Central Asian states. The same period saw India's Union Budget 2024, which announced temple corridor projects (Vishnupad and Mahabodhi in Bihar) and introduced a climate finance taxonomy — signaling a new direction in green financing aligned with India's net-zero commitments. Science and space exploration featured significantly in July 2024 with NASA's CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) mission concluding a year-long Mars simulation, and the discovery of a lunar lava tube cave — raising prospects for future human habitation on the Moon. New Covid-19 variants FLiRT and LB.1 driving surges in the US and UK reminded aspirants of the continuing relevance of pandemic preparedness and global health governance. Israel's Hannibal Directive and political developments across the US and Pakistan also provided international relations context.
Subject Breakdown
Key Themes
Monthly CA Journal — July 2024
Executive Summary
July 2024 was dominated by three major themes with strong UPSC relevance: the implementation of India's new criminal law codes, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, and the Union Budget 2024. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into force on July 1, replacing the Indian Penal Code (1860), Code of Criminal Procedure (1973), and Indian Evidence Act (1872) respectively — the most comprehensive overhaul of India's criminal justice framework since Independence. Understanding the new section numbers and conceptual changes is now essential for GS-2.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's participation in the SCO Summit in Astana underscored India's strategic engagement with Eurasia. The SCO — the world's largest regional organization by area and population — is a platform where India balances its interests across Pakistan, China, Russia, and Central Asian states. The same period saw India's Union Budget 2024, which announced temple corridor projects (Vishnupad and Mahabodhi in Bihar) and introduced a climate finance taxonomy — signaling a new direction in green financing aligned with India's net-zero commitments.
Science and space exploration featured significantly in July 2024 with NASA's CHAPEA mission concluding, and the discovery of a lunar lava tube cave raising prospects for future human habitation on the Moon. New Covid-19 variants FLiRT and LB.1 driving surges reminded aspirants of the relevance of pandemic preparedness and global health governance. Israel's Hannibal Directive and developments across the US and Pakistan also provided international relations context.
Subject-wise Highlights
GS-2: Indian Polity, Governance and International Relations
New Criminal Laws — BNS, BNSS, BSA (Effective July 1, 2024) India replaced three colonial-era laws with modern codes:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaces the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Murder is now Section 103 (was Section 302 IPC). Cheating is Section 318 (was Section 420 IPC).
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Key changes include: zero FIR (complaint at any police station regardless of jurisdiction), trial in absentia, mandatory video recording of crime scenes, organized crime and terrorism as separate offences, and the removal of sedition (Section 124A IPC).
Governors' Appointment President Droupadi Murmu appointed new Governors for nine states in July 2024. Constitutional provisions: Article 153 (Governor for each state), Article 155 (appointed by President), Article 156 (holds office during President's pleasure), Article 157–158 (qualifications). The Governor's dual role — as constitutional head of state and as an agent of the Centre — has been extensively debated in the Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commission reports.
Sanction to Prosecute Armed Forces Personnel Under Section 197 of the CrPC (now mirrored in BNSS), prior sanction of the Central/State government is required to prosecute public servants (including armed forces personnel) for acts done in the discharge of official duty. This provision has been the subject of several Supreme Court judgments on military accountability.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. Founded in 2001 (expanded from the Shanghai Five, 1996). Members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India (2017), Pakistan (2017), Iran (2023), Belarus (2024). Headquarters: Beijing. India joined SCO as a full member in 2017 at the Astana Summit. India's engagement is primarily driven by connectivity and counter-terrorism goals, though India-Pakistan tensions complicate the grouping's cohesion.
National Flag Day (July 22) On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly formally adopted the national flag of India (Tiranga). The Flag Code of India, 2002 governs the use of the flag. The Ashoka Chakra (24 spokes) replaced the Charkha (spinning wheel) in the flag adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Flag Code was amended in 2022 to allow polyester and machine-made flags and to permit display of the flag day and night.
GS-3: Economy, Environment and Science & Technology
Union Budget 2024 — Key Highlights
- Bihar Temple Corridors: Funding announced for Vishnupad Temple Corridor (Gaya) and Mahabodhi Temple Corridor (Bodh Gaya) — both Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites of national importance.
- Climate Finance Taxonomy: FM Sitharaman announced India would develop a climate finance taxonomy to classify financial products as green/sustainable. This aligns with India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and net-zero by 2070 target.
- Sectoral allocations for infrastructure, agriculture, and social sector under the UPSC budget analysis framework.
Lunar Lava Tube Cave Discovery Scientists confirmed the existence of a lava tube cave on the Moon near the Apollo 11 landing site. Lava tubes are hollow tunnels formed by ancient volcanic activity. They could serve as natural shelters for future lunar habitats — protecting astronauts from radiation, micrometeorites, and extreme temperature fluctuations. This is directly relevant to GS-3 Science and Technology and space exploration policy.
CHAPEA — Mars Simulation Mission NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission involved four volunteers living in a simulated Mars habitat (called Mars Dune Alpha) at Johnson Space Center for approximately one year. Objectives: study psychological and physical effects of long-duration space isolation. Relevant to discussions on human spaceflight, deep space exploration, and India's Gaganyaan mission context.
New Covid-19 Variants — FLiRT and LB.1 FLiRT (a group of Omicron sub-variants including KP.1.1 and KP.2) and LB.1 drove a summer 2024 surge in the US and UK. These variants are immune-evasive (escape prior immunity) but generally do not cause more severe disease. Relevant to GS-3 health policy: WHO surveillance systems, India's INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium), and pandemic preparedness frameworks.
GS-2: International Relations
Israel's Hannibal Directive The Hannibal Directive (or Hannibal Procedure) was an unofficial Israeli military protocol that, controversially, prioritized preventing the capture of Israeli soldiers even at risk to their lives. Reportedly used on October 7, 2023, and in earlier conflicts. Relevant to international humanitarian law, laws of armed conflict (Geneva Conventions), and the Israel-Gaza conflict context.
Barcelona Anti-Tourism Protests Residents in Barcelona protested mass tourism, using water pistols against tourists. This is relevant to the concept of over-tourism and its socio-economic impacts — a governance and social justice issue in GS-2.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) | New criminal code replacing IPC (1860); in force from July 1, 2024 |
| Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) | New procedural code replacing CrPC (1973); introduces zero FIR, trial in absentia |
| Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) | New evidence law replacing Indian Evidence Act (1872) |
| Zero FIR | Provision allowing filing of FIR at any police station regardless of jurisdiction; subsequently transferred to the jurisdictional station |
| Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) | Eurasian security and economic alliance; HQ Beijing; India joined as full member in 2017 |
| Climate Finance Taxonomy | Classification system for financial instruments based on environmental sustainability criteria; helps direct capital toward green projects |
| Hannibal Directive | Controversial Israeli military protocol related to preventing soldier capture; raised international humanitarian law concerns |
| Lava Tube | Hollow tunnel formed by flowing lava; confirmed on Moon near Apollo 11 site; potential for future human habitation |
| CHAPEA | NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog; year-long simulated Mars habitat study |
| FLiRT variants | Group of Omicron sub-variants (KP.1.1, KP.2) that drove a 2024 Covid resurgence in US and UK |
| National Flag Code, 2002 | Governs display and use of India's national flag; amended 2022 to allow machine-made polyester flags |
| Article 155 | Constitutional provision — Governors appointed by the President of India |
| Vishnupad Temple | Hindu temple in Gaya (Bihar) associated with Lord Vishnu's footprint; corridor announced in Budget 2024 |
| Mahabodhi Temple | UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bodh Gaya (Bihar); marks the site of the Buddha's enlightenment |
Practice Topics for UPSC Aspirants
New criminal laws — BNS, BNSS, BSA — Key changes from IPC/CrPC/Evidence Act; new provisions (zero FIR, trial in absentia, organized crime); removal of sedition
Governor's role in Indian federalism — Articles 153–162; appointment, removal, functions; Sarkaria and Punchhi Commission recommendations on Centre-State relations
SCO — structure, objectives, and India's strategic interest — Founding, members, agenda (security, connectivity, counter-terrorism); comparison with BRICS, ASEAN, Quad
Union Budget 2024 — key provisions and economic implications — Capital expenditure, fiscal deficit targets, green finance taxonomy, welfare allocations, infrastructure push
India's space programme and international collaborations — ISRO's Gaganyaan, lunar exploration (Chandrayaan-3 legacy), CHAPEA context, international space law
Pandemic preparedness and global health governance — WHO IHR amendments, INSACOG, One Health approach, vaccine development and equity
International humanitarian law — Geneva Conventions, protocols on conduct of war, treatment of prisoners; armed conflict in Gaza context
Climate finance and green taxonomy — India's NDCs, net-zero by 2070, UNFCCC mechanisms, Green Climate Fund, India's climate finance needs
Laws governing armed forces and accountability — AFSPA, Section 197 CrPC/BNSS, Supreme Court jurisprudence on military prosecutions
Heritage corridors and cultural tourism policy — Kashi Vishwanath, Mahabodhi, Vishnupad corridors; PRASAD scheme; sustainable tourism vs over-tourism