Nordic Countries | Euthanasia for Rabid and Dangerous Stray Dogs | Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) | Ayush Anudan Portal Under Ayush Grid Initiative | Oslo Summit | Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)

Nordic Countries

Syllabus: GS1/Places in News

Context

• After the Third India-Nordic Summit, Prime Minister Modi said that India and the Nordic countries are committed to “democracy, rule of law and multilateralism”.

Nordic Countries

• Nordic countries are a group of countries in northern Europe consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
• The designation includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are autonomous island regions of Denmark, and the Åland Islands, an autonomous island region of Finland.

Nordic countries

• The term is sometimes used interchangeably with Scandinavia, a peninsular region of northern Europe that serves as the geographic core of the Nordic countries.
• Scandinavia is typically defined more restrictively, however, and refers primarily to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
• Denmark, Sweden and Finland are members of the EU while Norway and Iceland are European Economic Area (EEA) members.
• Among them Sweden is the most populated country while Iceland is the least populated.

Euthanasia for Rabid and Dangerous Stray Dogs

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court has allowed euthanasia for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs, citing the need to protect human life and public safety.

Key Observations of the Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court observed that the State has a constitutional obligation to protect citizens from repeated stray dog attacks and rabies threats.
• The Court upheld its earlier order directing the removal of stray dogs from schools, hospitals, markets, and other high-footfall public spaces.

Constitutional and Legal Dimensions

• Article 21 and Human Security: The judgment expanded the interpretation of Article 21 by linking public safety with the right to life and dignity.
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960: The Act protects animals from unnecessary cruelty while permitting humane treatment in exceptional situations.
• Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023: The Rules emphasise sterilisation, vaccination, and scientific management of stray dog populations.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• Delhi Police has suggested a larger SC Bench to review the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) bail curbs.

UAPA Act

• Enacted: 1967
• Mandate: It is aimed at “more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations for dealing with terrorist activities”.
• Unlawful activity: Unlawful activity means any conduct which constitutes a crime or which contravenes any law.
• Terrorist act: Section 15 of the Act defines “terrorist act” and is punishable with imprisonment for a term of at least five years and up to life.
• Power to central government – The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which the Centre deems an activity as unlawful.
• Applicability: The provisions of this Act apply also to—

(a) citizens of India outside India;

(b) persons in the service of the Government, wherever they may be; and

(c) persons on ships and aircrafts, registered in India, wherever they may be.

Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) Amendment Act 2019

• The Act empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists.
• Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation

Ayush Anudan Portal Under Ayush Grid Initiative

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

In News

• Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare launched the Ayush Anudan Portal at Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi.

Ayush Anudan Portal

• It is developed by the Ministry of Ayush under the Ayush Grid initiative.
• Objective – It is a paperless, centralized digital grant-management platform launched by the Ministry of Ayush to streamline the end-to-end submission, processing, appraisal, and monitoring of funding proposals
• It is integrated with the NGO Darpan Portal and it ensures faster and more reliable verification of applicant organisations.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
• Significance – Replacing manual, paper-heavy traditional grant workflows with an automated, transparent, and easily accessible digital workflow.

Ayush Grid Project

• It is conceptualized by the Ministry of Ayush for creating a comprehensive Information Technology backbone for the entire Ayush sector.
• It envisages digitization of service delivery across the six functional areas — Health Services, Education, Research, Drug Administration, Medicinal Plants, and Ministry of Ayash Oversight along with capacity building and media outreach.
• It is aimed at establishing an integrated, transparent, and citizen-centric digital ecosystem for the Ayush sector through the use of modern technology.

Oslo Summit

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• PM Modi participated in the Third India–Nordic Summit held in Oslo.

Oslo Summit

• The summit brought together leaders of the five Nordic countries; Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.
• Objective – The summit aims to strengthen cooperation between India and Nordic countries in trade, investment, clean energy, technology, innovation, maritime affairs and sustainable development.
• The first India–Nordic Summit was held in Stockholm in 2018 and the second summit took place in Copenhagen in 2022.

Significance of Nordic Countries for India

• Technological Cooperation: Nordic countries are global leaders in clean technologies, innovation and digital governance.
• Green Energy Partnership: Nordic expertise in offshore wind, green hydrogen and sustainable technologies supports India’s energy transition goals.
• Maritime Cooperation: Nordic countries possess advanced capabilities in shipbuilding, maritime logistics and sustainable port infrastructure.
• Arctic Significance: Nordic cooperation is important for India’s climate research and Arctic engagement.
• Research and Innovation: Collaboration in research, education and start-up ecosystems can strengthen India’s knowledge economy.

Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Iran has established a new regulatory body named as Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA).

About

• Aim: To oversee and manage operations in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.
• Under the new system, vessels will be required to follow directives issued by the authority and secure transit permits before entering the Strait of Hormuz.
• The US, Gulf states, and European nations have all rejected the legality of Iran’s fee regime.

Strait of Hormuz

• Location – The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• At its narrowest point it is about 33 kilometres wide, with shipping lanes just a few kilometres across in either direction.
• Significance- Nearly half of India’s crude oil and around 60 per cent of its natural gas imports pass through the strait.