CURRENT AFFAIRS ORGANIC AND ORGANISED DECEMBERAPRIL 2021 2019
A LETTER FROM MY HEART
Dear IAS Aspirant Friends, It gives me immense pleasure to present to you the 360º Current Affairs Magazine for the month of April 2021. The dedicated team that compiles and edits Current Affairs at IAS WINNISHERS has made sincere efforts to provide to you the most relevant and important news from the point of view of Interview, Mains and especially the soon approaching Prelims.
Our mission is to build IAS aspirants into human beings who can become IAS officers. In that direction, we strive to facilitate the current affairs knowledge that is ORGANIC and ORGANISED.
Due to the ongoing unfortunate situation, we fully empathize with your anxiety related to the exam. This compilation aids you in your preparation, especially the soon approaching Prelims exam. This issue also carries information on INTERVIEW GUIDANCE PROGRAM conducted by IAS WINNISHERS, which has produced amazing results in the past. Get more information on our website and benefit immensely from it.
Wishing You Success Vinay Kumar R Founder & CEO, IAS WINNISHERS
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Contents
1. POLITY& CONSTITUTION ...... 8 1.1.THE ELECTION COMMISSION’S NEW RULE FOR POLLING AGENTS, AND TMC’S OBJECTIONS TO IT...... 8 1.2.MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT ...... 9 1.3.ARTICLE 244 (A) AND ITS RELEVANCE...... 10 1.4.eCOURTS PROJECT ...... 11 1.5.ORDINANCE TO USHER IN TRIBUNAL REFORMS ISSUED ...... 12 1.6.CJI LAUNCHES TOP COURT’S AI-DRIVEN RESEARCH PORTAL ...... 13 1.7.DETENTION DESPITE BAIL: WHY DISTRICT MAGISTRATES LOVE THE NSA ...... 13 1.8.DURBAR MOVE: WHEN J&K MOVES FROM ONE CAPITAL TO ANOTHER ...... 15 1.9.GOVT. TO REBOOT DATED OPIUM STRATEGY ...... 16 1.10.THE ROLE, SIGNIFICANCE OF FILM CERTIFICATION TRIBUNAL, NOW ABOLISHED ...... 17 1.11CHANDRA APPOINTED CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER ...... 18 1.12.NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCs STARTS ONLINE COMPLAINTS PORTAL...... 19 1.13.THE ECI CANNOT BE A SUPER GOVERNMENT ...... 19 1.14.HIGH COURTS IN CRISIS SITUATION WITH HUGE VACANCIES ...... 22 1.15.GREEN AND RAW: ON ‘TRIBUNALISATION’ OF JUSTICE ...... 22 1.16.SHOULD ELECTION CAMPAIGNS BE MADE VIRTUAL? ...... 23 1.17.NEW CJI MUST SERIOUSLY ADDRESS SYSTEMIC ISSUES PLAGUING THE JUDICIARY ...... 24 1.18.INDIA RANKED 49TH IN CGGI ...... 26 1.19.INDEPENDENT ROLE OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN IMPLEMENTING DEVELOPMENTAL AGENDA ...... 26 1.20.MUCH NEEDED AND LONG OVERDUE: A WOMAN CHIEF JUSTICE...... 27 1.21.AMENDED DELHI ACT DOES NOT ALTER RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELECTED GOVT. ON HEALTH: MHA ...... 28
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS...... 30 2.1.HEART OF ASIA CONFERENCE ...... 30 2.2.BIDEN LETS TRUMP ERA H-1B VISA BANS EXPIRE ...... 32 2.3.INDIA – PAKISTAN TRADE ...... 32 2.4.WTO REVISES ITS GLOBAL TRADE PROJECTION...... 34 2.5.INDIA JOINS THE E9 INITIATIVE ...... 34 2.6.SECOND VIRTUAL G20 FINANCE MINISTERS & CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS MEETING...... 35 2.7.INDIA-SEYCHELLES HIGH LEVEL VIRTUAL EVENT ...... 36 2.8.INDIA HOSTS 30TH BASIC MINISTERIAL MEETING ON CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 37 2.9.INDIA-NETHERLANDS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN WATER SECTOR ...... 38 2.10.US TO WITHDRAW ALL REMAINING TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN ...... 39 2.11.SINGAPORE BECOMES THE FIRST COUNTRY TO RATIFY RCEP TRADE AGREEMENT ...... 40 2.12.HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX 2021 ...... 42 2.13.INCLUSIVE INTERNET INDEX 2021 ...... 43 2.14.INDIA ELECTED TO 3 KEY BODIES OF UN'S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL COUNCIL ...... 44 2.15.WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX...... 45 Copyright © by Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd
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2.16.AUSTRALIAN-INDIA INDO-PACIFIC OCEANS INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP ...... 47 2.17.RICH NATIONS IN ASIA-PACIFIC MAY RECOVER FASTER IN POST PANDEMIC ERA: UNDP, ADB, ESCAP REPORT..... 47 2.18.INDIA SIGNS $1.5 BILLION LOAN AGREEMENT WITH ADB FOR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AGAINST COVID-19 ...... 48 2.19.INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT 2021 ...... 49
3. ECONOMY ...... 54 AGRICULTURE AND RELATED ISSUES ...... 54 3.1.FERTILIZERS...... 54 3.2.SPICES BOARD...... 55 3.3.SUBSIDY FOR UREA PRODUCED VIA COAL GASIFICATION ...... 56 3.4.WHEAT PRODUCTION ...... 57 3.5.FAIR AND REMUNERATIVE PRICES FOR SUGARCANE ...... 58 ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT ...... 59 3.6.CAN INDIA TAKE IT'S ECONOMIC GROWTH TO DOUBLE DIGITS IN 2021-22? ...... 59 3.7.SPECIAL PURPOSE ACQUISITION COMPANIES ...... 60 FISCAL POLICY ...... 61 3.8.ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SURVEY OF ASIA AND PACIFIC 2021 ...... 61 3.9.PRE-PACK INSOLVENCY...... 63 BANKING AND FINANCIAL SECTOR ...... 64 3.10.NaBFID ...... 64 3.11.GREEN BONDS ...... 66 3.12.G-SAP ...... 67 3.13.MONEY TRANSFER OUTSIDE THE BANKING SYSTEM...... 69 3.14.RBI ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR TENURE OF BANK CEOs, MDs...... 70 EXTERNAL SECTOR ...... 71 3.15.REAL EXCHANGE RATE ...... 71 3.16.IMF SDR INCREASE...... 72 3.17.IMF REPORTS ...... 73 3.18.FPI INFLOWS ...... 74 INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 75 3.19.RENEWABLE ENERGY ...... 75 3.20.FALLING OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION ...... 75
4. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY...... 78 4.1.FIRE IN BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK ...... 78 4.2.ODISHA GOVERNMENT PROPOSES STATE’S SECOND BIOSPHERE RESERVE ...... 78 4.3.ILLEGAL SALT MINING IS THREATENING WETLAND ECOSYSTEM OF SAMBHAR LAKE ...... 79 4.4.BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITE IN MAHARASHTRA ...... 80 4.5.PROTECTED WETLANDS IN J AND K ...... 81 4.6.FORESTS UNDER INDIGENOUS PEOPLE MORE PROTECTED SAYS NEW REPORT...... 81 4.7.BIRTHS AMONG ENDANGERED RIGHT WHALES HIGHEST SINCE 2015 ...... 82 4.8.WHY THERE IS CONSISTENT FALL IN MIGRATORY BIRD POPULATION IN CHANDIGARH ...... 83 4.9.FOREST FIRES- WHY SO FREQUENT THIS YEAR ...... 84 4.10.INDIA RECORDS THIRD WARMEST MARCH IN 121 YEARS ...... 85 4.11.KOTA FARMER DEVELOPS MANGO VARIETY THAT BEARS FRUIT ROUND THE YEAR ...... 86 4.12.CLIMATE CHANGE SHRINKS MARINE LIFE RICHNESS NEAR EQUATOR ...... 86 4.13.INDIAN STAR TORTOISE ...... 87
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4.14.CONSUMER POSE 'GROWING THREAT ' TO TROPICAL FORESTS ...... 88 4.15.NET -ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050 ...... 89 4.16.NEW BIRD SPECIES SPOTTED IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH ...... 90 4.17.PATIALA VILLAGE USES UNIQUE METHOD TO TREAT WASTE WATER ...... 90 4.18.NEW FRESHWATER CRAB GENUS DISCOVERED ...... 92 4.19.NON -UNIFORMITY OF HIMALAYAS FORESEES SIGNIFICANTLY LARGE EARTHQUAKE EVENTS ...... 92 4.20.THIRD OF ANTARCTIC ICE SHELF AT COLLAPSE RISK DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING ...... 93 4.21.ASIATIC WILD DOG ...... 94 4.22.INDUS AND GANGES RIVER DOLPHINS ARE TWO DIFFERENT SPECIES ...... 94 4.23.ANTARCTICA’S DOOMSDAY GLACIER ...... 95 4.24.BOHAG BIHU BIRD COUNT 2021 ...... 96 4.25.LAST RHINOS TRANSLOCATED IN ASSAM UNDER VISION 2020 ...... 97 4.26.NGT DIRECTS TO SET UP NATIONAL TASK FORCE FOR AIR POLLUTION MONITORING ...... 98 4.27.ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS IN MALDIVES TO TIDE OVER THE RISING SEA LEVELS ...... 99 4.28.MEGHALAYA RECORDS INDIA’S FIRST BAT WITH STICKY DISKS ...... 100 4.29.DISCOVERY OF NEW SPECIES AND GENERA OF CYNODONTS VIA MICROFOSSILS ...... 101 4.30.IMD FORECAST ...... 102 4.31.FOREST FIRE ALERTS NEARLY DOUBLE THIS APRIL THAN IN 2020...... 102 4.32.NATIONAL CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT REPORT...... 104 4.33.GROUNDWATER DEPLETION ...... 106 4.34.EARTH DAY ...... 106 4.35.RIVERINE FOREST TO GET PROTECTION IN KERALA ...... 107 4.36.SMALL INDIAN CIVETS ...... 107 4.37.SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS ...... 107 4.38.TWO DAMSELFLY SPECIES DISCOVERED IN WESTERN GHATS ...... 108 4.39.THE ‘SAUDI GREEN INITIATIVE’ AND THE ‘MIDDLE EAST GREEN INITIATIVE’ ...... 108 4.40.COVID-19 HAS AGGRAVATED CHALLENGES TO MANAGE FORESTS: UN REPORT ...... 110
5. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY...... 112 SPACE RELATED ...... 112 5.1.TRACKING SOLAR ERUPTIONS ...... 112 5.2.SUPERNOVA EXPLOSION TRACED TO ONE OF THE HOTTEST KIND OF STARS ...... 113 5.3.NASA'S MARS ODYSSEY SPACECRAFT ...... 114 5.4.FARTHEST GAMMA-RAY EMITTING ACTIVE GALAXY ...... 114 5.5.ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER 12 RARE QUADRUPLE QUASARS ...... 115 5.6.GAGANYAAN MISSION ...... 116 5.7.LYRID METEOR SHOWER 2021 ...... 117 5.8.NASA'S MARS HELICOPTER INGENUITY ...... 118 5.9.COSMIC ROSE ...... 119 5.10.IN FIRST, NASA’S MARS ROVER MAKES OXYGEN ON ANOTHER PLANET ...... 119 5.11.CREW-2 MISSION ...... 120 5.12.CHINA'S FIRST MARS ROVER NAMED 'ZHURONG'...... 121 5.13.BLACK HOLE 'THE UNICORN' ...... 121 5.14.CHINA LAUNCHES ROBOT PROTOTYPE CAPABLE OF CATCHING SPACE DEBRIS ...... 122 OTHER NEWS ...... 123 5.15.BAIKAL-GVD ...... 123
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5.16.5V DUAL-CARBON BATTERY ...... 124 5.17.ROBOTS MADE FROM STEM CELLS OF FROGS ...... 125 5.18.FIRST GENE-TRANSFER BETWEEN INSECTS AND PLANTS ...... 125 5.19.ROBO-PLANTS ...... 126 5.20.OLD SAMSUNG GALAXY PHONES ARE RECYCLED INTO MEDICAL DEVICES...... 127 5.21.NANOSNIFFER ...... 127 5.22.IIT RESEARCH TO IMPROVE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PERFORMANCE ...... 128 5.23.CANADA'S TELESAT IN SPACE RACE TO PROVIDE FAST BROADBAND ...... 129 5.24.ROBOTS ON CALL FOR SINGAPORE HOME DELIVERIES ...... 129 5.25.DETECTING HYDROGEN SULPHIDE FROM SEWERS ...... 130 5.26.‘WHITEST EVER’ PAINT THAT CAN REFLECT 99 PER CENT OF SUNLIGHT ...... 130 5.27.PROJECT KUIPER ...... 131 5.28.COVIRAP DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY ...... 131 5.29.OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS ...... 132 5.30.CONCENTRATORS VERSUS OXYGEN CYLINDERS OR LMO ...... 133 5.31.RECYCLING ALUMINIUM SCRAPS ...... 133 5.32.IIT-M START-UP BUILDS A 3D PRINTED HOUSE ...... 134
6. SECURITY...... 136 6.1.LIGHT WEIGHT BULLET PROOF JACKET ...... 136 6.2.EXERCISE SHANTIR OGROSHENA-2021...... 136 6.3.THE ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWERS) ACT IN THREE DISTRICTS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH ...... 136 6.4.MILAN-2T ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILES TO INDIAN ARMY ...... 137 6.5.INDIAN NAVY SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT TO PARTICIPATE IN EXERCISE LA PEROUSE ...... 137 6.6.ADVANCED CHAFF TECHNOLOGY ...... 137 6.7.JOINT LOGISTICS FACILITY ...... 138 6.8.INS SARVEKSHAK ...... 138 6.9.S-400 SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEM ...... 138 6.10.CYBER SECURITY IN ATM ...... 139 6.11.Mk III VERSION OF ADVANCED LIGHT HELICOPTER...... 139 6.12.LEFT WING EXTREMISM IN INDIA ...... 140 6.13.EXERCISE VARUNA – 2021 ...... 141
7. SOCIAL ISSUES...... 143 SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES ...... 143 7.1.GLOBAL GENDER GAP INDEX ...... 143 7.2.THE CHENCHUS...... 144 7.3.THE ‘INFANT TODDLER AND CAREGIVER-FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOODS (ITCN) TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME ...... 146 7.4.MATUA COMMUNITY ...... 146 7.5.GENDER STEREOTYPES ...... 147 7.6.TRACKING INDIA’S PROGRESS IN CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION ...... 148 7.7.BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS ...... 149 7.8.TAMLA-DU FESTIVAL ...... 150 POVERTY AND HUNGER ISSUES ...... 151 7.9.GLOBAL FOOD POLICY REPORT, 2021...... 151 ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH ...... 152
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7.10.ENZYMES TO BLOCK HIV REACTIVATION ...... 152 7.11.RESEARCHERS FORESEE TRENDS IN DIPHTHERIA INCIDENCE ...... 153 7.12.NATIONAL POLICY FOR RARE DISEASES, 2021 ...... 155 7.13.INTEGRATED HEALTH INFORMATION PLATFORM (IHIP) ...... 156 7.14.DEVICE TO DIAGNOSE DENGUE WITHIN AN HOUR ...... 156 7.15.AAHAAR KRANTI ...... 157 7.16.AUGMENTATION OF MANUFACTURING CAPACITY FOR COVAXIN PRODUCTION UNDER MISSION COVID SURAKSHA ...... 158 7.17.OXYGEN CRISIS IN INDIA ...... 159 7.18.SHORTFALL OF SPECIALIST DOCTORS AT CHCS IN RURAL AREAS ...... 160 7.19.HARLEQUIN ICHTHYOSIS ...... 162 7.20.AFRICAN SWINE FEVER ...... 163 7.21.GOVT. BARS USE OF LIQUID OXYGEN FOR NON-MEDICAL PURPOSES ...... 164 7.22.ANTIVIRAL DRUG ‘VIRAFIN’ ...... 164 7.23.ICAR-IVRI TRANSFERS TECHNOLOGY - CSF & SHEEP POX VACCINE THROUGH AGRINNOVATE ...... 165 7.24.MEASLES CAMPAIGNS SUSPENDED IN MOST COUNTRIES ...... 166 ISSUES RELATED TO EDUCATION ...... 167 7.25.ACADEMIC RANKING OF WORLD UNIVERSITIES (ARWU 2020) ...... 167
8. SCHEMES ...... 169 8.1.NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME ...... 169 8.2.EMERGENCY CREDIT LINE GUARANTEE SCHEME ...... 169 8.3.DSIR-PRISM SCHEME ...... 170 8.4.EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT PROGRAMME ...... 172 8.5.NATIONAL SUPER COMPUTING MISSION (NSM) ...... 173 8.6.ATAL INNOVATION MISSION ...... 174 8.7.PRADHAN MANTRI MUDRA YOJANA ...... 175 8.8.SOLAR CHARKHA MISSION ...... 176 8.9.KALAM PROGRAM FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITERACY AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN (KAPILA)...... 177 8.10.SAMARTH ...... 178 8.11.PRADHAN MANTRI SHRAM YOGI MAAN-DHAN (PM-SYM) ...... 178 8.12.PRADHAN MANTRI MATSYA SAMPADA YOJANA (PMMSY) ...... 179 8.13.PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA ...... 180 8.14.ATAL BIMIT VYAKTI KALYAN YOJANA ...... 181 8.15.SVAMITVA SCHEME ...... 182 8.16.PARAMPARAGAT KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA ...... 184
9. MISCELLANEOUS & FACTS ...... 186 9.1.THREE IMPORTANT CANALS OF THE WORLD ...... 186 9.2.DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD ...... 188 9.3.KUMBH MELA ...... 189 9.4.MILITARY FARMS SERVICE ...... 189 9.5. “MYNEP2020” PLATFORM ...... 190 9.6.INTERNATIONAL RANGER AWARD ...... 191 9.7.BABU JAGJIVAN RAM...... 192 9.8.58TH NATIONAL MARITIME DAY-2021 ...... 193 9.9.SRINAGAR’S FAMOUS TULIP GARDEN ...... 193
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9.10.GURU TEGH BAHADUR ...... 194 9.11.SARALA DASA...... 195 9.12.KALINGA RATNA SAMMAN...... 196 9.13.THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE 2021 ...... 196 9.14.GLOBAL WIND REPORT 2021 ...... 197 9.15.CHINESE SCIENTIST,TU YOUYOU ...... 199 9.16 AQUEDUCT WATER RISK ATLAS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….199
9.16.BHAVANI JAMAKKALAMS ...... 200 9.17.HINDI VERSION OF ‘ODISHA ITIHAAS’ ...... 201 9.18.JYOTIBA PHULE JAYANTI ...... 201 9.19.HARVEST FESTIVAL ...... 202 9.20.AMBEDKAR JAYANTI ...... 202 9.21.e-SANTA ...... 203 9.22.“MANAS” APP ...... 204 9.23.ADHUKRANTI PORTAL AND HONEY CORNER ...... 205 9.24.NATIONAL INTERNET EXCHANGE OF INDIA (NIXI) ...... 206 9.25.INDIAN CLASSICAL LANGUAGES ...... 207 9.26.RO-PAX JETTY PROJECT ON ODISHA'S DHAMRA RIVER ...... 208 9.27.INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR MONUMENTS AND SITES ...... 209 9.28.SRI RAMANUJA ACHARYA ...... 210 9.29.M NARASIMHAM ...... 211 9.30.GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION INDEX ...... 212 9.31.CODEX COMMITTEE ON SPICES AND CULINARY HERBS (CCSCH) ...... 212 9.32.MAHAVIR JAYANTI ...... 214 9.33.INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS ...... 215 9.34.RICE OUTPUT RISING CONTINUOUSLY ...... 215 9.35.MICHAEL COLLINS...... 216
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1. POLITY & CONSTITUTION
1.1.THE ELECTION COMMISSION’S NEW RULE FOR POLLING AGENTS, AND TMC’S OBJECTIONS TO IT
Why in news? The Election Commission’s recent decision to change the rules for appointing polling agents has sparked off a debate in West Bengal.
Who is a polling agent? A polling agent is a person appointed as a representative of a political party as it is not possible for a candidate to be physically present at every polling booth on the day of the elections. Therefore, the Election Commission allows a candidate to appoint a polling agent who keeps an eye on the voting process.
What is the role of a polling agent? As per the Election Commission’s rules, a polling agent should be familiar with the rules and procedures to conduct elections using EVMs and VVPATs, and with the working of these machines. Towards this end, a polling agent attends the demonstrations arranged by the Returning Officer, where the functioning and operation of these machines are explained.
How were they appointed earlier? As per the earlier practice, polling agents had to be voters of the same polling stations or at least the neighbouring polling stations of the booth where she has been posted at.
What does the new rule say? The Election Commission of India, revising the rule, has allowed a party to nominate a polling agent for any booth within the assembly segment where the person is an electorate of. So, any voter from within an Assembly constituency can be a polling agent of any booth within that constituency.
What political parties say about it? The Trinamool has been opposing the change in rules, calling it “arbitrary, motivated and biased” and has also written to the Election Commission seeking withdrawal of the order. The BJP, on the other hand, has been supporting the move saying it ensures free and fair elections
What is the Election Commission’s stand? The poll body has defended the change in rule saying that the new norms have been formulated so that every political party gets to appoint polling agents as it is difficult to convince people to sit at the booths amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
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1.2.MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT
Why in news? Elections for selecting Members of Legislative Assembly are being held in five states between March 27 and April 29. These states are under the Model Code of Conduct since the poll dates were announced first on February 26 and will remain under it till the completion of the election process.
Background of MCC As per the ECI, the model code of conduct was first observed during the 1960 polls. Historically, the credit of giving the idea of a model code of conduct for political parties should go to the State of Kerala, which adopted, for the first time, a code of conduct for observance for Political Parties during the general election to the State Legislative Assembly in February 1960.
What is MCC? The Model Code of Conduct consists of a set of guidelines expected to be abiding by the political parties, their campaigners and the candidates. The Election Commission brings the Model Code of Conduct into effect to ensure free and fair elections. The Model Code of Conduct remains in place during the elections in respect of political parties and candidates which remains in force from the date the elections are announced by the Commission till the completion of elections. It is clarified that the provisions of MCC and related instructions of the Commission issued from time to time shall also apply to the content being posted on the internet, including social media websites, by candidates and political parties. Notably, the ECI in 2019 had decided to keep social media posts by the political parties and leaders under its vigil for detecting any MCC violation.
The MCC can be classified broadly into three parts. Here are some key highlights of the guidelines: Model Code of Conduct guidelines on General Conduct No party or candidate shall include in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic. Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and Candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided. There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, Churches, Temples or other places of worship shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda. All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 9
hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll, and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from the polling station. No political party or candidate shall permit its or his followers to make use of any individual’s land, building, compound wall etc., without his permission for erecting flag-staffs, suspending banners, pasting notices, writing slogans etc. Political parties and candidates shall ensure that their supporters do not create obstructions in or break up meetings and processions organized by other parties.
Model Code of Conduct guidelines on Meetings The party or candidate shall inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any proposed meeting well in time. A Party or candidate shall ascertain in advance if there is any restrictive or prohibitory order in force in the place proposed for the meeting if such orders exist, they shall be followed strictly. If permission or license is to be obtained for the use of loudspeakers or any other facility in connection with any proposed meeting, the party or candidate shall apply to the authority concerned well in advance.
Model Code of Conduct guidelines on Processions A Party or candidate organizing a procession shall decide beforehand the time and place of the starting of the procession, the route to be followed and the time and place at which the procession will terminate. The organizers shall give advance intimation to the local police authorities of the programme. The organizers shall ascertain if any restrictive orders are in force in the localities through which the procession has to pass, and shall comply with the restrictions unless exempted specially by the competent authority. If two or more political parties or candidates propose to take processions over the same route or parts thereof at about the same time, the organizers shall establish contact well in advance and decide upon the measures to be taken to see that the processions do not clash or cause hindrance to traffic. The political parties or candidates shall exercise control to the maximum extent possible in the matter of processionists carrying articles which may be put to misuse by undesirable elements especially in moments of excitement. The carrying of effigies purporting to represent members of other political parties or their leaders, burning such effigies in public and such other forms of demonstration shall not be countenanced by any political party or candidate.
Though the ECI does not have a judicial ability to penalise the violators of the Model Code of Conduct, it generally issues show-cause notice to the violators and in some cases, bars them from the poll campaign.
1.3.ARTICLE 244 (A) AND ITS RELEVANCE
In a video message, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised to implement Article 244 (A) of the Constitution to safeguard the interests of the people in Assam’s tribal-majority districts. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 10
What is Article 244(A) of the Constitution? Article 244(A) allows for creation of an ‘autonomous state’ within Assam in certain tribal areas. Inserted into the Constitution in 1969 by the then Congress government, it also has a provision for a Legislature and a Council of Ministers.
How is it different from Sixth schedule of the Constitution? Articles 244(2) and 275(1) — is a special provision that allows for greater political autonomy and decentralised governance in certain tribal areas of the Northeast through autonomous councils that are administered by elected representatives. In Assam, the hill districts of Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi and the Bodo Territorial Region are under this provision. Article 244(A) accounts for more autonomous powers to tribal areas. In Autonomous Councils under the Sixth Schedule, they do not have jurisdiction of law and order.
How did the demand arise? In the 1950s, a demand for a separate hill state arose around certain sections of the tribal population of undivided Assam. In 1960, various political parties of the hill areas merged to form the All Party Hill Leaders Conference, demanding a separate state. After prolonged agitations, Meghalaya gained statehood in 1972 In the 1980s, this demand took the form of a movement with a number of Karbi groups resorting to violence. It soon became an armed separatist insurgency demanding full statehood. While in February 2021, 1,040 militants of five militant groups of Karbi Anglong district ceremonially laid down arms at an event in Guwahati in the presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the entire political discourse here still revolves around the demand for grant of ‘autonomous state’ status to the region.
1.4.eCOURTS PROJECT
Why in news? In another major initiative the eCommittee of the Supreme Court has prepared the draft vision document for Phase III of the eCourts Project under the auspices of the Supreme Court of India. E-Courts Project is a mission mode project undertaken by the Department of Justice, Government of India.
About e-Committee Realising an overwhelming need for reforming the judicial sector in India by the adoption of new technologies and to devise a National Policy and Action Plan to implement ICT in courts, the then Chief Justice of India, Mr Justice R.C. Lahoti proposed the constitution of the e-Committee.
The e-Committee was to assist in formulating a National Policy enabling the Indian judiciary to prepare itself for the digital age, to adapt and apply technologies and communication tools making the justice delivery system more efficient and thus benefitting its various stakeholders.
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The digital platforms created by the e-Committee since than have enabled stakeholders- litigants, lawyers, governmental/law enforcement agencies and ordinary citizens to access judicial data and information in real-time. The digital database and interactive platforms enable Tracking the status and details of a particular case pending in any court in the country.
Objectives: The e-Committee is guided by these objectives: Interlinking of all courts across the country ICT enablement of the Indian judicial system Enabling courts to enhance judicial productivity, both qualitatively and quantitatively. To make the justice delivery system accessible, cost-effective, transparent and accountable.
Phase II objectives: Easy dissemination of case information to litigants through various service delivery channels like Kiosks, Web portal, Mobile App, email, SMS Pull, SMS Push. Planning and scheduling of cases for lawyers. Case Management for Judicial Officers along with caseload management Supervisory and monitoring facilities for Principal and other District Judges and High Court Judges. State-wide supervision and monitoring of cases in each District and Taluka by the High Courts, Department of Justice, Researchers and Academics. Formulation of plans for systemic improvement of the justice delivery system. Managing pendency of matters in various judicial institutions across the country. Extraction and utilisation of the database to fast track categories of cases. Efficient utilisation of court resources. Analysis of data to monitor and map the judiciary’s competencies and effectiveness.
1.5.ORDINANCE TO USHER IN TRIBUNAL REFORMS ISSUED
Why in news? The Centre has replaced Appellate authorities under as many as nine laws with High Courts. This has been done through the Tribunal Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance 2021, which was promulgated on 6th April.
What are the amendments done? Through this Ordinance, appellate authorities under nine Acts have been done away with and the right to hear appeals under the statute has been conferred on High Courts. Also, certain amendments have been introduced to the Finance Act 2017 involving the qualifications and tenure of the Chairperson and members of Tribunals. Amendment has also been made to restrict the tenure of Chairperson of a Tribunal to a term of four years or till the age of 70, whichever is earlier. For
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members of a Tribunal, the term of office will be four years or till they attain the age of 67 , whichever is earlier.
Nine Acts The nine laws where the Appellate Authorities are being done away with are: Cinematograph Act Copyright Act Customs Act Patents Act Airports Authority of India Act Trade Marks Act Geographical Indications of Goods (registration and protection) Act Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act Control of National Highways (land and traffic) Act .
The Ordinance also seeks to create a search-cum-selection committee for appointing the Chairperson and the members of tribunals. It may be recalled that the Tribunal Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service ) Bill 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 13. This Bill was, however, not taken up for passage in the recently concluded Budget session.
1.6.CJI LAUNCHES TOP COURT’S AI-DRIVEN RESEARCH PORTAL
The Supreme Court unveiled its Artificial Intelligence (AI) portal SUPACE, designed to make research easier for judges, thereby easing their workload.
Purpose of Portal A pet project of Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, the Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency (SUPACE) is a tool that collects relevant facts and laws and makes them available to a judge. Supreme Court’s system is not designed to take decisions, but only to process facts and to make them available to judges looking for an input for a decision. The CJI further said that SUPACE was unique for another reason – the interaction between a machine and human being leading to production of remarkable results which are customised to the needs of a case and how a judge thinks It is a perfect blend of human intelligence and machine learning. A hybrid one New tool was “time saving” and would help to reduce the pendency of cases that the apex court was burdened with.
1.7.DETENTION DESPITE BAIL: WHY DISTRICT MAGISTRATES LOVE THE NSA
A close scrutiny of the orders by District Magistrates invoking the National Security Act shows why the draconian law is so readily invoked. For, the NSA empowers the state to detain a person without a formal charge and without trial
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What is NSA? Under the NSA, a person is taken into custody to prevent him or her from acting in any manner prejudicial to “the security of the state” or for “maintenance of the public order.” It is an administrative order passed either by the Divisional Commissioner or the District Magistrate — and not detention ordered by police based on specific allegations or for a specific violation of the law. Even if a person is in police custody, the DM can slap NSA against him. Or, if a person has been granted bail by a trial court, he can be immediately detained under the NSA. If the person has been acquitted by the court, the same person can be detained under the NSA. The law also takes away an individual’s constitutional right to be produced before the magistrate within 24 hours as is the case when the accused is in police custody; the detained person also does not have the right to move a bail application before a criminal court. Also, the DM who passed the detention order is protected under the Act: no prosecution or any legal proceeding can be initiated against the official who carried out the orders. Therefore, the writ of Habeas Corpus is the only protection guaranteed under the Constitution against the unchecked state power of taking people into custody under the NSA.
Facts that talks about cases under NSA In 12 detentions under NSA between January 2018 and December 2020, the person remained in jail more than 200 days after the criminal court had already granted bail; in three detentions, the persons remained in jail for more than 300 days — in one case, for 325 days, and in another, for 308 days
Supreme court stand on this issue The higher judiciary has held that the preventive detention under NSA has to be strictly construed keeping in view the “delicate balance between social security and citizen freedom”. The Supreme Court has held that to prevent “misuse of this potentially dangerous power, the law of preventive detention has to be strictly construed” and “meticulous compliance with the procedural safeguards” has to be ensured.
What is the safeguard available to detinue? One crucial procedural safeguard under the NSA is granted under Article 22(5), where all the detained persons have the right to make an effective representation before an independent advisory board, which consists of three members; and the board is chaired by a member who is, or has been, a judge of a High Court.
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1.8.DURBAR MOVE: WHEN J&K MOVES FROM ONE CAPITAL TO ANOTHER
A tradition of a century and a half is set to be broken in Jammu and Kashmir, with only “sensitive records” being taken from Jammu to Srinagar this summer, unlike in previous years when the entire administration and records would be shifted during “Durbar Move
About Darbar Move: Durbar Move is a bi-annual shifting of the Civil Secretariat and other offices of the state government from Jammu to Srinagar in summer, and vice versa in winter. This is done as Jammu & Kashmir has two capitals: Kashmir during summer and Jammu during winter. In Jammu, offices shut on the last Friday and Saturday of April and reopen in Srinagar on the first Monday after a gap of a week. In Kashmir, offices shut on the last Friday and Saturday of October, to reopen in Jammu on the first Monday after a week’s gap, in November
Why Darbar Move? Durbar Move is a tradition started 149 years ago started by the erstwhile Dogra rulers who hailed from Jammu, but had expanded their boundaries to Kashmir including what is now Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and Ladakh. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are very different from one another geographically, linguistically and culturally, and in those days were poorly connected by road. It is generally understood that the Durbar Move was started to take the administration to the doorstep of the people of Kashmir which is closer to Ladakh. During summer, ruling from Kashmir also helped in ensuring adequate supplies to Ladakh, which is closer to Kashmir than Jammu, before the winter snowfall would cut off Ladakh. The practice also enabled greater interaction and bonding among the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
The criticism Voices of protest started during the late 1980s, over the amount of money and time spent on the exercise. However, the practice also enjoyed public support. In the late 1980s, the then government of Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah had decided to bifurcate the Secretariat by permanently keeping some departments in Kashmir and some in Jammu, but Jammu observed a bandh for nearly 45 days in protesting, leading to the government withdrawing its decision. In recent years, many criticised the government for spending nearly Rs 200 crore on this exercise every year when it did not have enough funds even to pay salary to its employees Last year, the Jammu & Kashmir High Court observed that there was no legal justification or constitutional basis for the Darbar Move tradition. Pointing out that the practice has resulted in wastage of tremendous amount of time, efforts and energy on inefficient and unnecessary activity,
Steps recommended and taken: The court recommended that in case the practice was rationalised, the resources and time saved could be utilised towards the welfare and development of the UT; Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 15
the money saved could also be used to address Covid-related issues like food shortage, unemployment and healthcare. The UT government has decided to switch to e-governance, will all office records converted into digital format. As a result, while the Secretariat employees and some offices will move from Jammu to Srinagar as usual this year, only sensitive records will be shifted from one place to another.
1.9.GOVT. TO REBOOT DATED OPIUM STRATEGY
The Central government has decided to rope in the private sector to commence production of concentrated poppy straw from India’s opium crop to boost their yield of alkaloids, used for medical purposes and exported to several countries.
Among the few countries permitted to cultivate the opium poppy crop for export and extraction of alkaloids, India currently only extracts alkaloids from opium gum at facilities controlled by the Revenue Department in the Finance Ministry. This entails farmers extracting gum by manually lancing the opium pods and selling the gum to government factories. The Ministry has now decided to switch to new technologies, after trial cultivation reports submitted last year by two private firms showed higher extraction of alkaloids using the concentrated poppy straw (CPS). India’s opium crop acreage has been steadily declining over the years and using the CPS extraction method is expected to help cut the occasional dependence on imports of products like codeine (extracted from opium) for medical uses.
Amendments to NDPS Act While roping in private players to partner with the government in producing CPS and extracting alkaloids from it is likely to require amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the Department has decided to appoint a consultant to help frame the bidding parameters and concession agreements for the same.
About The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act Background : India is a signatory to the UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and the Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988 which prescribe various forms of control aimed to achieve the dual objective of limiting the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes as well as preventing the abuse of the same. The administrative and legislative setup in the field of Narcotics has been put in place in the country in accordance with the spirit of the UN Conventions. The basic legislative instrument of the Government of India in this regard is the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The Act provides stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. It also provides for forfeiture of property derived from, or used in, illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 16
It also provides for death penalty in some cases where a person is a repeat offender. The NDPS Act prohibits a person from the production/manufacturing/cultivation, possession, sale, purchasing, transport, storage, and/or consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. Initially enacted in 1985, the Act was amended three times in 1988, 2001 and 2014. According to the Act, narcotic drugs include coca leaf, cannabis (hemp), opium, and poppy straw; and psychotropic substances include any natural or synthetic material or any salt or preparation protected by the Psychotropic Substances Convention of 1971. A psychotropic drug includes any natural or synthetic material or any salt or preparation protected by the Psychotropic Substances Convention of 1971. The Narcotics Control Bureau was constituted in 1986 under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The NCB is a nodal agency that is responsible for coordination with various ministries, other offices & State/Central enforcement agencies with regard to drug law enforcement and also in respect of matters relating to drug abuse Under the Act, property acquired by a person from drug-related offences, who has been convicted under the Act can be seized, frozen and forfeited by the government. All the offences under the NDPS Act are non-bailable. Also, no relief can be sought by the drug convicts by termination, remission, and commutation of sentences passed.
1.10.THE ROLE, SIGNIFICANCE OF FILM CERTIFICATION TRIBUNAL, NOW ABOLISHED
Why in news? Government by an ordinance abolished the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), which heard appeals by filmmakers seeking certification for their films.
The Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation And Conditions Of Service) Ordinance, 2021, which came into effect on April 4, amends the Cinematograph Act, 1952 by omitting some sections and replacing the word “Tribunal” with “High Court” in other sections.
In effect, filmmakers will now have to approach the High Court with appeals they would have earlier filed with the NCAT.
About Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal (FCAT): FCAT was a statutory body constituted by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in 1983, under Section 5D of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Its main job was to hear appeals filed under Section 5C of the Cinematograph Act, by applicants for certification aggrieved by the decision of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The tribunal was headed by a chairperson and had four other members, including a Secretary appointed by the Government of India to handle.
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The Tribunal was headquartered in New Delhi.
What it did? In India, all films must have a CBFC certificate if they are to be released theatrically, telecast on television, or displayed publicly in any way. The CBFC — which consists of a Chairperson and 23 members, all appointed by the Government of India — certifies films under four categories: U: Unrestricted public exhibition (Suitable for all age groups) U/A: Parental guidance for children under age 12 A: Restricted to adults(Suitable for 18 years and above) S: Restricted to a specialised group of people, such as engineers, doctors or scientists. The CBFC can also deny certification to a film. On several occasions when a filmmaker or producer has not been satisfied with the CBFC’s certification, or with a denial, they have appealed to the FCAT. And in many cases, the FCAT has overturned the CBFC decision. The abolition means filmmakers will now have to approach the High Court whenever they want to challenge a CBFC certification, or lack of it.
Concerns: Do the high courts have a lot of time to address film certification grievances? How many film producers will have the means to approach the courts are the major concerns.
1.11CHANDRA APPOINTED CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER
President Ram Nath Kovind appointed Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra as the next Chief Election Commissioner. The incumbent CEC Sunil Arora’s tenure ended on 12 th April.
Mr. Chandra took office as an Election Commissioner on February 15, 2019, after retiring as the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. A 1980 batch Indian Revenue Service officer, Mr. Chandra had worked in the areas of international taxation and investigation.
Composition Election commission of India: The constitution provides for the following provisions in relation to the composition of the election commission: The election commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and a such number of other election commissioners, if any, as the president may from time to time fix. The appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners shall be made by the president. When any other election commissioner is so appointed the chief election commissioner shall act as the chairman of the election commission
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The president may also appoint after consultation with the election commission such regional commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the election commission. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the election commissioners and the regional commissioners shall be such as the President may by rule determine.
1.12.NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCs STARTS ONLINE COMPLAINTS PORTAL
Complaints of atrocities against Scheduled Castes can now be registered with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) through its online portal launched on 14 th April, NCSC chairman Vijay Sampla said. The portal – ncsc.negd.in – would allow users to track the progress of their complaints, which had been a problem for complainants who submitted their grievances by post or by hand.
Features of Portal: The portal allow users to submit audio and video files as evidence or as the grievance itself. The government will also be launching apps for the portal, which will run on both Android and iOS smartphones, within the next two weeks. The portal — ncsc.negd.in — will also allow users to track progress of their complaints, a pain point that many users have complained about for a long time. It was developed in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), a Centre of Excellence under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology The portal is “intended to make the hearing processor” similar to India’s e-Courts project and allow grievance redressal for the country’s scheduled caste population in a “time bound manner”. The portal is linked to the NCSC’s website and users will have to register on it, using their mobile numbers and other personal details, in order to file their complaints. Interestingly, the Aadhaar number isn’t marked as a necessary requirement for creating your account. It will be available in English and Hindi, though documents can be uploaded in multiple languages, and different file types (including audio and video files). The government says the portal will supplement the physical submission process that’s in place for such complaints at the moment.
1.13.THE ECI CANNOT BE A SUPER GOVERNMENT
Elections bring the Election Commission of India (ECI) into sharp focus as this constitutional body superintends, directs and controls the conduct of elections. It is the constitutional duty of the ECI to ensure that the elections held are free and fair.
Background of ECI
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It is an interesting aspect of the ECI’s history that before T.N. Seshan came on the scene as the Chief Election Commissioner, no one in the country ever knew or felt that the ECI had any powers. Seshan discovered the ECI’s powers hidden in Article 324 of the Constitution which was then used to discipline recalcitrant political parties which had till then believed that it was their birth right to rig elections. Thus there was a very high level of confidence in the minds of Indian citizens about the ECI’s role restoring the purity of the elected legislative bodies in the country. It became rather easier for Seshan to locate the powers of the ECI after the Supreme Court held in Mohinder Singh Gill vs Chief Election Commissioner (AIR 1978 SC 851) that Article 324 contains plenary powers to ensure free and fair elections and these are vested in the ECI which can take all necessary steps to achieve this constitutional object. All subsequent decisions of the Supreme Court reaffirmed Gill’s decision and thus the ECI was fortified by these court decisions in taking tough measures
There is still some confusion about the extent and nature of the powers that are available to the Election Commission, some of them include
The model code The model code of conduct issued by the ECI is a set of guidelines meant for political parties, candidates and governments to adhere to during an election. There is absolutely no doubt that elections need to be properly and effectively regulated. The Constitution has clothed the ECI with enough powers to do that. Thus, the code has been issued in exercise of its powers under Article 324. Besides the code, the ECI issues from time to time directions, instructions and clarifications on a host of issues which crop up in the course of an election. The model code is observed by all stakeholders for fear of action by the ECI. However, there exists a considerable amount of confusion about the extent and nature of the powers which are available to the ECI in enforcing the code as well as its other decisions in relation to an election. Since it is a code of conduct framed on the basis of a consensus among political parties, it has not been given any legal backing The position taken by the ECI is sound from a practical point of view. But then the question about the enforceability of the code remains unresolved. There are two crucial issues which need to be examined in the context of the model code and the exercise of powers by the ECI under Article 324
Transfer of officials Transfer of an official is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the government. It is actually not clear whether the ECI can transfer a State government official in exercise of the general powers under Article 324 or under the model code. The code does not say what the ECI can do; it contains only guidelines for the candidates, political parties and the governments. Further, Article 324 does not confer untrammelled powers on the ECI to do anything in connection with the elections. If transfer of officials is a power which the ECI can exercise without the concurrence of the State governments, the whole State administration could come to a grinding halt. The ECI may transfer even the Chief Secretary or the head of the police force in the State abruptly.
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In Mohinder Singh Gill’s case ( supra ), the Court had made it abundantly clear that the ECI can draw power from Article 324 only when no law exists which governs a particular matter. It means that the ECI is bound to act in accordance with the law in force. Transfer of officials, etc is governed by rules made under Article 309 of the Constitution which cannot be bypassed by the ECI under the purported exercise of power conferred by Article 324
Administrative moves Another issue relates to the ECI’s intervention in the administrative decisions of a State government or even the union government. According to the model code, Ministers cannot announce any financial grants in any form, make any promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities, etc or make any ad hoc appointments in the government. Departments or public undertakings. These are the core guidelines relating to the government. But in reality, no government is allowed by the ECI to take any action, administrative or otherwise, if the ECI believes that such actions or decisions will affect free and fair elections The Supreme Court had in S. Subramaniam Balaji vs Govt. of T. Nadu & Ors (2013) held that the distribution of colour TVs, computers, cycles, goats, cows, etc, done or promised by the government is in the nature of welfare measures and is in accordance with the directive principles of state policy, and therefore it is permissible during an election A recent decision of the ECI to stop the Government of Kerala from continuing to supply kits containing rice, pulses, cooking oil, etc is a case in point The question is whether the ECI could have taken such a decision either under the model code or Article 324. The model code does not provide any clue. As regards the use of Article 324, the issue boils down to whether distribution of food items to those in need in a pandemic will affect free and fair elections. If colour TVs, computers, etc can be promised or distributed during an election and it does not influence the free choice of the people, how can the distribution of essential food articles which are used to stave off starvation be an electoral malpractice? Further, Section 123 (2)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 says that declaration of a public policy or the exercise of a legal right will not be regarded as interfering with the free exercise of the electoral right.
Way forward: There is no doubt that the ECI, through the conduct of free and fair elections in an extremely complex country, has restored the purity of the legislative bodies. However, no constitutional body is vested with unguided and absolute powers. Neither citizens nor the ECI is permitted to assume that the ECI has unlimited and arbitrary powers. It would be useful to remember the insightful words of Justice S.M. Fazalali, in A.C. Jose vs Sivan Pillai (1984): “if the [Election] Commission is armed with such unlimited and arbitrary powers and if it ever happens that the persons manning the commission shares or is wedded to a particular ideology, he could by giving odd directions cause a political havoc or bring about a constitutional crisis, setting at naught the integrity and independence of the electoral process so important and indispensable to the democratic system.”
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1.14.HIGH COURTS IN CRISIS SITUATION WITH HUGE VACANCIES
Why in news? The Supreme Court expressed concern over the “crisis situation” in High Courts which are grappling with 40-50% vacancies and said the Centre should appoint judges within 3-4 weeks if the collegium reiterates its recommendations unanimously.
Recommendations of Bench: • The Bench said it would be ‘advisable’ to follow the timelines, in addition to those mentioned in the Memorandum of Procedure as finalised by the collegium on March 10, 2017 where certain timeframes have been stated for appointment of judges to the High Courts. • “The Intelligence Bureau [IB] should submit its report/inputs within four to six weeks from the date of recommendation of the High Court collegium, to the Central Government,” it said. • The Bench said it would be desirable that the Centre forward the files/recommendations to the Supreme Court within eight to 12 weeks from the date of receipt of views from the State government and the report/input from the IB. • The Supreme Court noted in its order that Attorney General K K Venugopal had placed before it the appointment position in the High Courts to contend that against the sanctioned strength of 1,080 judges, 664 judges have been appointed with vacancies of 416 judges.
What measures taken to address pendency of cases? • Terming pendency of around 57 lakh cases in High Courts as “docket explosion”, the Supreme Court activated a “dormant” constitutional provision to pave way for appointment of retired High Court judges as ad-hoc ones for a period of two to three years to clear backlog and came out with guidelines to regulate appointments.
Constitutional provision: Article 224A, used rarely, of the Constitution deals with appointment of ad-hoc judges in High Courts and says “the Chief Justice of a High Court for any State may at any time, with the previous consent of the President, request any person who has held the office of a Judge of that Court or of any other High Court to sit and act as a Judge of the High Court for that State”.
1.15.GREEN AND RAW: ON ‘TRIBUNALISATION’ OF JUSTICE
Tribunals and their importance The establishment of tribunals as adjudicatory bodies in specific fields is based on the idea that specialisation and expertise are required to decide complex cases of a technical nature. The ‘tribunalisation’ of justice is driven by the recognition that it would be cost- effective, accessible and give scope for utilising expertise in the respective fields. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 22
Central to this scheme is the principle that the ‘experts’ appointed to these tribunals should bring in special knowledge and experience
Criteria for appointment Act spells out two kinds of criteria — One based on qualifications and practical experience, and another on administrative experience in the field — and a candidate has to fulfil only one of them. For the first, a masters’ or a doctorate in science, engineering or technology, with 15 years’ experience in the relevant field, including five in environment and forests in a national level institution, is needed. The fields include pollution control, hazardous substance management and forest conservation. On the other hand, the administratively experience criterion is shorn of detail, and merely stipulates 15 years’ experience, of which five should have been in “dealing with environmental matters” in either the Centre or the State or any reputed institution.
Recent issue on appointment The above criteria came under focus recently when the appointment of former IAS officer, Girija Vaidyanathan, as Expert Member in the Southern Bench of the NGT, was challenged in the Madras High Court. Even though the court initially granted an interim stay on her appointment, it ruled that she was not ineligible, going by the criteria in the NGT Act. She was found to have fulfilled the eligibility requirements by virtue of her administrative experience of nearly five years in “dealing with environmental matters”. Even though Ms. Vaidyanathan’s stint as Secretary, Environment and Forests, Tamil Nadu, and Chairperson of the State Pollution Control Board together amounted to only 28 months, the court accepted the contention that her tenure as Health Secretary should also be considered.
Response of court The court also observed that it is an entirely different matter whether administrative experience in the second criterion should be regarded as equivalent to “the real expertise” indicated in the clause on qualifications. The court rightly declined to interfere with the appointment, as the equivalence found in the rules falls under the domain of Parliament.
1.16.SHOULD ELECTION CAMPAIGNS BE MADE VIRTUAL?
India is witnessing a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with record numbers of new cases and deaths every day. At the same time, States holding Assembly elections have seen mass rallies by political parties. In most such rallies, especially in West Bengal, which still has two phases to go and where campaigning is still on, COVID-19 protocols such as masking and physical distancing are blatantly flouted. In view of the COVID-19 surge, and the fact that public rallies are super-spreader events, should campaigning be restricted to virtual mode — at least until the pandemic is behind us
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Social media platforms are no substitute for the kind of optics that you can create from a mass rally. With public rallies, parties are dealing with segments of society that are unlikely to be reached by social media. Also, since rallies take place in a constituency’s key locales, they have constituency-specific effects. It will disadvantage candidates from deprived socioeconomic communities, and candidates in rural India. We keep talking about the role of money power in Indian elections, and how a wealthy candidate has better chances compared to one with limited resources, rendering the contest uneven. In a virtual campaign, this form of unevenness will be minimised, but there will be other kinds of unevenness with regard to Internet and social media access, and the ability to use new technology to one’s advantage It may even out economic disparities in a virtual campaign, it certainly creating other disparities.
Does Election Commission have the powers to mandate a virtual campaign? The EC has the powers to set the terms and conditions of the campaign. If those are very tough, political parties may go to the court against the EC’s decision. But the EC does have the powers to set the rules for how an election is to be conducted. For instance, campaigning normally stops 48 hours before polling, but now in Bengal it’s getting stopped 72 hours before polling. The EC can take such decisions. We have to consider to what extent the EC even has the capacity to think about what policing powers look like in an era of COVID-19.
1.17.NEW CJI MUST SERIOUSLY ADDRESS SYSTEMIC ISSUES PLAGUING THE JUDICIARY
On April 24, Justice N V Ramana will be administered the oath of office by President Ram Nath Kovind. The framers of the Constitution understood the importance of the oath of office of judges of the Supreme Court of India (SC) and carefully designed its language. The words, “without fear or favour” to “uphold the constitution and the laws” are extremely significant and stress the need for a fiercely independent court. Article 50 of the Constitution provides: “The State shall take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.”
Separating Judiciary and executive: On May 24, 1949, while debating Article 103 (Now Article 124), Ambedkar rejected the amendments suggested by the members stating that the “judiciary decides cases in which the Government has, if at all, the remotest interest, in fact, no interest at all. The judiciary is engaged in deciding the issue between citizens and very rarely between citizens and the Government. Consequently, the chances of influencing the conduct of a member of the judiciary by the Government are very remote”.
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However today, the judiciary, especially the SC, is called upon to decide a large number of cases in which the government has a direct interest. These can be politically sensitive cases too.
Master of the roaster: The Chief Justice of India is the first amongst the equals but by the virtue of his office,he assumes significant powers as the Master of the Roster to constitute benches and allocate matters. The SC has re-affirmed this position in a rather disappointing decision in Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms v. Union of India, (2018). The result has been catastrophic. Many matters were either treated casually or deflected for no reason from serious hearing.
Accountability from legislature and executive The SC is expected to seek strict accountability from the legislature and executive and any infraction of the Constitution and laws must be corrected. Yet, this is not happening.
Inherent and fundamental challenges Millions of pending cases, quality of judges and their decisions, organisational issues and its integrity and impartiality, need urgent attention. Yet, in the last two decades precious little has been done. Justice is eluding the common man, including the vulnerable sections of society. A country of billion-plus needs its highest court to stand for the people, not seemingly for the executive of the day.
Way forward: The new Chief Justice must seriously introspect and free himself of the bias in constituting benches and allocating cases and take concrete steps to revitalise the administration of justice.Only then will the rule of law be restored and the Constitution served.
Article 124: Establishment and constitution of Supreme Court There shall be a Supreme Court of India constituting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven other Judges Every Judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal after consultation with such of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts in the States as the President may deem necessary for the purpose and shall hold office until he attains the age of sixty five years: Provided that in the case of appointment of a Judge other than the chief Justice, the chief Justice of India shall always be consulted: A Judge may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.
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1.18.INDIA RANKED 49TH IN CGGI
India has been ranked 49th in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), which classifies 104 countries in terms of government capabilities and outcomes.
Civil service innovation and capacity building is a key focus for the Indian government. The Chandler Good Government Index shows the importance of measuring and investing in governance capabilities that matter. It highlights a key need for ‘pracademics’ in government – people who combine a rigorous understanding of research and data with a practical and grounded sense of what governments need to do to succeed. Finland has topped the CGGI list, in which each country is measured across over 50 open data points.
The index focuses on seven pillars: leadership and foresight; robust laws and policies; strong institutions; financial stewardship; attractive marketplace; global influence and reputation; helping people rise.
About Chandler institute of Governance ( CIG) It is an international non-profit organisation, headquartered in Singapore. It's not affiliated with any national government or political party, and do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.
1.19.INDEPENDENT ROLE OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN IMPLEMENTING DEVELOPMENTAL AGENDA
Background of the PSU’s • In the 1950s and ’60s, the private sector had neither the capability to raise capital to take the country on the path of industrialisation. • The state had to take on the role of industrialising the country by establishing PSUs. • The civil services became the natural choice for establishing and managing these units. • They delivered substantially, if not fully. • Even after privatisation, the bureaucracy would be required for the transition of PSUs from the public to the private sector.
India’s goal of becoming a $5-trillion economy needs a coherent structural transformation agenda and extraordinary implementation capacity. • Since Independence, the political survival of Indian regimes has required pleasing a powerful land-owning class and a highly concentrated set of industrial
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capitalists. The elites of business houses and land owners share no all- encompassing development agenda. They confront the state seeking advantage for themselves. This does not lead to a coherent transformational agenda. • The second challenge is to implement the developmental agenda. While the agenda is an outcome of political choices, the thinking goes that market mechanisms should be used as far as possible to make economic choices. This argument is at the heart of the privatisation of state assets. However, markets operate well only when they are supported by other kinds of social networks, which include non- contractual elements like trust. • Particularly in industrial transformation, there must be an essential complementarity of state structures and market exchange. Only a competent bureaucracy can provide this. • It is for this reason that Max Weber argued that the operation of large-scale capitalist enterprise depended upon the kind of order that only a modern bureaucratic state can provide. • The political and permanent executives had to work as a team through mutual respect for each other’s roles as defined in the Constitution. Every deviation from these ideals has lowered the capacity of the state to deliver. • The pressure on officials to behave contrary to the ostensible purpose of the department undermines to a great extent the ability of the state to promote development. • Corporate coherence is the ability of the bureaucracy internally to resist the invisible hands of personal maximisation by undercutting the formal organisational structure through informal networks. • If this goes too far, then everything becomes open to sale and the state becomes predatory.
1.20.MUCH NEEDED AND LONG OVERDUE: A WOMAN CHIEF JUSTICE
• Presently, the Supreme Court is left with only one woman judge, who is also going to retire next year, after which, the SC will be left without a woman judge. The collegium failed to take timely steps to elevate more women judges in the SC. • In the 71 years of history of the SC, there have been only eight women judges — the first was Justice Fathima Beevi, who was elevated to the bench after a long gap of 39 years from the date of establishment of the SC
Attorney General observations: • In the submissions filed by the AG on the issue states that improving the representation of women in the judiciary could go a long way towards attaining a more balanced and empathetic approach in cases involving sexual violence. • The AG also brought up the fact that there has never been a woman Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Other countries examples: • The situation is not any different in developed countries such as the US, UK, Ireland, France and China.
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• According to the data collected by Smashboard, a New Delhi and Paris-based NGO, not only has no woman ever been appointed as the CJI, the representation of women across different courts and judicial bodies is also abysmally low.
Way forward • Instrumentally, having a more diverse judiciary ensures diversity of perspectives is fairly considered, instils a high degree of public confidence • There has been some talk of promoting women to the apex court and the prominent name that surfaced was that of Justice B V Nagaratha of the Karnataka High Court, who was appointed as a judge of Karnataka High Court on February 2, 2008, and will retire on October 29, 2024. If she is elevated to the Supreme Court, she could become the first woman CJI in February 2027. She is presently the senior-most judge in the Karnataka High Court and is at Serial No. 33 in the all-India seniority list of high court judges. • A greater number of women in the Supreme Court would eventually lead to a woman CJI. This would be a gratifying change, which may mark the beginning of a new era of judicial appointments.
1.21.AMENDED DELHI ACT DOES NOT ALTER RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELECTED GOVT. ON HEALTH: MHA
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a press statement that the Government of National Capital Territory (GNCTD) Amendment Act, 2021 “in no way alters the constitutional and legal responsibilities of the elected Government” to take necessary action in areas of health and education.
MHA issued a notification that the provisions of the Act would come into effect from April 27. The Act passed by the Parliament on March 24 gives more teeth to the office of the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of Delhi.
Major amendment of Act and objectives: The Act amended sections 21, 24, 33 and 44 of the 1991 Act saying that “government” in the national capital territory of Delhi means the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The Act gives discretionary powers to the LG of Delhi even in matters where the Legislative Assembly of Delhi is empowered to make laws. The legislation also seeks to ensure that the LG is “necessarily granted an opportunity” to give her/his opinion before any decision taken by the Council of Ministers (or the Delhi Cabinet) is implemented. The objective of the Amendment Act is to make it more relevant to the needs of the Capital; further define the responsibilities of the elected Government and the Lt. Governor (LG); and, create a harmonious relationship between the Legislature and the Executive. The Amendment would ensure better governance in the NCT of Delhi and lead to improved implementation of schemes and programmes meant for the common people of Delhi.
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2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
2.1.HEART OF ASIA CONFERENCE
Why in news? External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar reached Dushanbe (Capital of Tajikistan) as part of his official visit to Tajikistan. He is visiting Tajikistan at the invitation of Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan. During the visit, EAM held discussions with Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan; Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, Defence Minister of Tajikistan; Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan. Dr S Jaishankar attended the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) Ministerial Conference held at Dushanbe, Tajikistan. EAM attended the inaugural virtual session of the Doha talks.
9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) Ministerial Conference: During the visit, EAM attended the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) Ministerial Conference held at Dushanbe, Tajikistan. • HoA-IP is part of the Istanbul Process – a regional initiative on ‘security and cooperation for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan’. • It was established by Afghanistan & Turkey on November 2, 2011 in Turkey. • Number of Participating Countries in HoA-IP is 15.
During the meeting, EAM emphasized the need for a stable Afghanistan for progress of the Central Asian Region. He stated that Afghanistan witnessed an increase in Violence by 45% in 2020 compared to 2019 levels. India’s development partnership of USD 3 Billion includes more than 550 community development projects covering all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It aims to make Afghanistan a self-sustaining nation. India has also committed to provide more drinking water to Kabul.
Connectivity India is aiming to improve Afghanistan’s connectivity with the outside world. It highlighted projects like Chabahar Port in Iran & dedicated Air Freight Corridor between India & Afghanistan as part of its efforts to improve connectivity. The main aim of the projects is to increase trade between Afghanistan & other countries, leaving it less dependent on Pakistan.
Tajikistan’s Importance to Afghan Peace Talks Tajikistan shares a 1, 400 km long border with Afghanistan and provides military assistance to Afghanistan as part of Counter-Terrorism cooperation. India has developed the Ayni airbase near Tajikistan Capital Dushanbe.
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Outcomes of India-Tajikistan Meeting: During the visit, EAM Dr S Jaishankar held talks with Tajikistan Counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Dushanbe. The talks were held on several aspects of bilateral issues, including development cooperation. The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of interest. They agreed to focus on enhancing the economic partnership. The two countries agreed to encourage the business community, the trade bodies, and chambers on both sides to engage actively with each other. Tajikistan acknowledged that several projects have been commissioned over the years in Tajikistan under the Indian grant assistance.
EAM S. Jaishankar discusses Afghan Peace Process with Afghanistan President: The Union Minister during his visit to Tajikistan also met the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and discussed the Afghan Peace Process. He shared the news of the meeting via Twitter. The talks took place before the commencement of the Heart of Asia Conference which focuses on the regional and international consensus for Afghan Peace. Both Jaishankar and Ghani were in Dushanbe, Tajikistan to attend the 9th Heart of Asia- Istanbul Process Conference.
For durable peace in Afghanistan, there is a need for genuine ‘double peace: S. Jaishankar in Heart of Asia Conference: While speaking at the Heart of Asia- Istanbul Process conference on March 30, 2021, EAM S. Jaishankar highlighted that there is a need for double peace- peace in and around Afghanistan, while also stressing the significance of negotiating in good faith to reach a political solution. He also noted that in the last few months, there has been an escalation in targeted killings of civil society and added that 2020 has marked a 45% increase in the civilian casualties in Afghanistan over 2019. The Minister further suggested that for durable peace in Afghanistan, there is a need for genuine double peace, that is, peace within and around Afghanistan. He also called on the conference members to work on an immediate reduction of violence in Afghanistan.
India will support permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan: During the Heart of Asia Conference, EAM assured that India has been supportive of any form of efforts that are being made to accelerate the dialogue between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Jaishankar further mentioned India will welcome any move for the political settlement and a permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan. He also pointed that India supports a regional process to be convened under the United Nations. While informing about India-Afghanistan relations, he mentioned that the development partnership of USD 3 billion between the two countries has been aimed at making Afghanistan a self-sustaining nation.
Significance: The Heart of Asia Conference, hosted in Tajikistan, has been focused on strengthening an international and regional consensus for Afghan Peace.
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The conference comes in the backdrop of the ongoing peace in Afghanistan. It has been reported recently that the US has been reviewing the Doha Agreement with the Taliban while keeping all the options on the table when it comes to the May 1st deadline for the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Agreement was signed in February 2020 between the US and the Taliban. It calls for the complete US withdrawal from Afghanistan if the Taliban upholds counterterrorism commitments like defying a safe haven to al Qaeda.
Heart of Asia Conference: The Conference was launched in 2011 as an Initiative by Ankara and Kabul in order to help Afghanistan achieve peace. 15 countries are members of the Heart of Asia Conference and host it once every year. The meeting was not held in 2020 because of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
2.2.BIDEN LETS TRUMP ERA H-1B VISA BANS EXPIRE
Why in news? The President of the United States of America, has let the ban on foreign workers visa, especially H-1B visas, lapsed as the notification issued by his predecessor Trump expired. The move is expected to benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals in the US. Donald Trump in June 2020, amid the national lockdown in the US and COVID- 19 crisis, had issued a proclamation suspending the entry to the country of the applicants for non-immigrant or temporary visa categories, it included H-1B visa. However, US President Joe Biden did not issue a fresh proclamation for the ban on H-1B visa to continue after March 31, 2021. During the election campaign, he had promised to lift the suspension on visa stating that Trump’s immigration policies were cruel.
H-1B visa ban expires: What next? The expiry of the proclamation issued by Donald Trump will now result in the issuing of H-1B visas by the American Diplomatic missions overseas. It will further result in bringing in talented technology professionals inside the country by the US Companies.
Background: H-1B Visa: The H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant visa. It permits the companies in the United States to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring technical or theoretical expertise. Tech companies, in particular, depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like China or India.
2.3.INDIA – PAKISTAN TRADE
Why in news? Pakistan had stopped all the trade with India after Abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian Government. Also, the Pakistani Government had announced that it would not
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talk to India until the Indian Government completely rolled back the changes in Jammu and Kashmir. Lately, Pakistan has been softening its stand.
The Wagah border has been reopened for cotton and sugar imports from India almost after two years.
India-Pakistan Trade: The Indian exports to Pakistan fell by 16% in 2016-17 after the Uri attacks. In 2015-16 India exported 2.17 billion USD. In 2016-17, the Indian exports to Pakistan fell to 1.82 billion USD. On the other hand, India imported 454.49 million USD from Pakistan in the same year. In 2017-18, Indian exports increased by 6% and were at 1.92 billion USD. Indian imports increased by 7.5% and were at 488.56 million USD. In 2018-19, the Indian exports to Pakistan again increased by 7.5% and were at 2.07 billion USD. However, India reduced its imports from Pakistan in this financial year. In 2018-19, the imports from Pakistan to India were at 494.87 million USD. This is just 1% increase and is highly low as compared to the previous import growth. In 2019 the political relations between the countries entered a deep freeze and India further reduced its imports from Pakistan.
Why is Pakistan easing out its stand? India has had trade surplus with Pakistan over the years. In 2018-19, Pakistan was one of the top fifty trade partners of India. However, Pakistan was pushed out of the list in 2019-20. This affected Pakistan badly as the country is heavily dependent on India for its raw materials, especially in pharmaceuticals and textiles industries. In 2018-19, organic chemicals and cotton accounted for half of Pakistani imports from India. The other major Pakistani imports from India are nuclear reactors, plastic, dyeing extracts, boilers, mechanical appliances, machinery. After the ban, the imports of these products fell drastically. The COVID-19 crisis worsened the situation for Pakistan. This is now forcing Pakistan to ease trade relations with India.
Impacts on India: While Pakistan is facing troubles due to the trade ban, India has been stable in spite of the issue. This is because India has found alternate trading destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Chile and UAE.
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India mainly imports oil, Sulphur, edible fruits, mineral fuels, plastering materials, leather, slag and ash and ores from Pakistan.
2.4.WTO REVISES ITS GLOBAL TRADE PROJECTION
Why in news? The World Trade Organisation(WTO), the multilateral trade body in its Trade forecast, revised its global merchandise trade volume growth for 2021 to 8% from the earlier forecast of 7.2% in October 2020. • WTO reported a 5.3% decline in global trade in 2020. • As the effects of COVID-19 in trade were continuing, WTO expected the trade growth to be 4% in 2022.
Highlights about the Forecast: The World GDP at market exchange rates was forecasted to increase by 5.1% in 2021 and 3.8% in 2022, after its contraction by 3.8%(-3.8%) in 2020.
Asia: In 2020, WTO expected Asia’s export volume to be increased by 0.3% and import volume decreased by 1.3% whereas for 2021 the exports are expected to grow by 8.4%.
India: • WTO reported a future growth in India’s exports as the top export markets of India such as North America and the European Union(EU) have increased their imports demand by 11.4% and 8%. • Goods exports in India for FY21 was about 8-10% which was lower than FY20’s value of $314 billion.
2.5.INDIA JOINS THE E9 INITIATIVE
Why in news? India joined eight other countries to accelerate digital learning. Minister of State (MoS) for Education, Sanjay Dhotre attended the consulting meeting of Education Ministers of E9 CountrGoal-
Theme – ‘E9 Initiative: Scaling up digital learning to accelerate progress towards SDG4 (Sustainable Development Goal-4)’.
The Consultation meeting is the 1st of a three-phased process to co-create an initiative on digital learning & skills, targeting marginalised children and youth, especially girls.
Objective: The E9 initiative aims to accelerate recovery and advance the SDG4 Agenda by focusing on three of the five priorities of the 2020 Global Education Meeting Declaration (organized by UNESCO). They are Support to teachers
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Investment in skills Narrowing of the digital divide
Highlights from India’s address: During the consultation meeting, Sanjay Dhotre highlighted several initiatives taken by India to boost digital learning.
I. Indian government is planning to set up National Digital Education Architecture to deliver a ‘digital first’ approach to support teaching and learning. ii. Initiatives – DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) – One Nation-One Digital Platform; SWAYAM PRABHA – One Nation-One Channel programme; SWAYAM MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) & Pradhan Mantri e-VIDYA program – One Nation One Digital Platform
E9 Countries: It was launched in 1993 at the EFA Summit in New Delhi, India. It was set up to achieve the goals of UNESCO’s Education for All (EFA) initiative. The 9 Countries are – Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria & Pakistan. Purpose – It is a forum for 9 countries to discuss their experiences related to education, exchange best practices & monitor EFA-related progress. The partnership will be vital to achieving SDG4 – Education 2030. The 9 countries together represent almost 30% of the World’s nominal GDP.
2.6.SECOND VIRTUAL G20 FINANCE MINISTERS & CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS MEETING
Why in news? Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman virtually participated in the 2nd G20 Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting held under the Italian Presidency.
Nirmala Sitharaman urged all G20 members to ensure equitable access and widespread distribution of vaccines. The meeting was held virtually under the Italian presidency. Sitharaman shared during the meeting regarding how India is running an ambitious programme of rapid domestic vaccination. The participants discussed policy responses to global challenges to restore strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.
Highlights: The G20 Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors discussed updates of the G20 Action plan in response to COVID-19. Issues like supporting the financing needs of vulnerable economies, progress on International Taxation agenda, promoting greener transitions & pandemic related financial regulation issues were discussed.
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Sitharaman stated that India has covered over 87 Million citizens in its vaccination drive & supplied over 64 Million doses to 84 countries, including 10 Million doses as grant. The members agreed on an update of the G20 Action Plan to reflect changes in the economic and health outlook. It is an important policy tool to guide the global response through the COVID-19 Crisis. Sitharaman emphasized the need for progress on commitments made under the Paris Agreement on climate finance and technology transfer.
Extension of Debt Service Suspension Initiative: The Finance Minister supported the extension of Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) by 6 months till December 2021. It will boost the support to the most vulnerable economies which have been affected by COVID-19.
2.7.INDIA-SEYCHELLES HIGH LEVEL VIRTUAL EVENT
Why in news? India-Seychelles High-Level Virtual Event was held in April, 2021. Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi & Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan participated in the event.
It was PM Modi’s 1st Interaction with Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan. Ramkalawan came to power after a victory in the October 2020 Presidential Elections.
During the event, they virtually inaugurated several developmental assistance projects funded by India in Seychelles. The projects are in line with PM Modi’s vision of ‘SAGAR- Security and Growth for All in the Region’.
Projects Inaugurated: Magistrates’ Court Building: Both leaders jointly inaugurated the new Magistrates’ Court building in Victoria, the Capital city of Seychelles. It is the 1st Indian assisted infrastructure project in Seychelles and has been completed with grant assistance of USD 3.5 Million (~ INR 26.23 Crores) from the Government of India.
1 MW Solar Power Plant: Joint e-inauguration of 1 MW ground-mounted Solar Power Plant built with Indian grant assistance in Romainville Island of Seychelles.
Inauguration of 10 HICDPs: 10 Indian High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Seychelles were e-inaugurated by the Two leaders. The projects are aimed at implementing small people-oriented projects which contribute to the socio-economic development and improvement of local communities. 29 Projects have been taken up for execution under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
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Gifting of ‘PS Zoroaster’ to Seychelles: During the event, PM Modi gifted a 48.9m Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) called ‘PS Zoroaster’ to Seychelles. It has been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata at a cost of INR 100 Crore. It will help in Seychelles Coast Guard to strengthen its surveillance & Safeguarding capacities in its maritime space. Zoroaster is the 4th ship to be gifted by India to Seychelles after PS Topaz (2005), PS Constant (2014) & Patrol Boat Hermes (2016).
India-Seychelles Relations: In May by 2020, India launched Mission SAGAR. Under this mission, COVID-19 related essential medicines were sent to Mauritius, Seychelles, and Maldives. India also sent Indian Naval Ship Kesari to the countries in Indian Ocean during COVID-19 times. The ship carried medicines to countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Maldives and Comoros. Both countries has close defence ties. In the year 1986, India deployed Indian Naval Ship Vindhyagiri at Port of Victoria to abort an attempted coup against the then President Rene by the Defence Minister of the country. The Government of the Seychelles has leased the Assumption Island to the Indian Navy to build overseas base operations in the island. The Island was leased to India for 3 decades under an agreement signed in the year 2015. The agreement allows India to station Indian military personnel on the ground. In the year 2018, Prime Minister Modi announced that India is to extend $100 million credit to Seychelles to develop defence capabilities.
2.8.INDIA HOSTS 30TH BASIC MINISTERIAL MEETING ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Why in news? The 30th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change, of the four industrialized nations, Brazil, India, South Africa and China, urged the developed countries to provide them climate finances.
The meeting was chaired by Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The group urged developed countries to revisit their climate change mitigation targets under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. It also urged the developing countries to fulfil their commitments of providing support to developing countries. The meeting was attended by the Environment Ministers of all 4 countries.
Highlights: During the meeting, the member countries highlighted the initiatives taken by them to curb climate change. India also highlighted the initiatives taken by it to curb climate change.
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India has already achieved its pre-2020 voluntary target with a reduction of 24% in emission intensity of GDP in 2016 as compared to 2005 levels. The installed capacity of Solar Energy in India has increased by more than 14 times between 2014 to 2020. In 2021, India announced a National Hydrogen Energy Mission for the generation of hydrogen from green power sources. India’s forest & tree cover stayed at around 15% of total CO2 emissions in 2016. India has set a target of achieving 175 GigaWatts renewable energy capacity by 2022 & 450 GigaWatts by 2030. The Countries urged Developed nations to present a clear roadmap on their existing obligations to mobilise USD 100 Billion per year from 2021 to 2025. It also urged them to initiate the process of setting the new collective quantified goal on finance in future. South Africa offered to host the 31st BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change in 2022.
Background: BASIC Countries: The group was established as a result of an agreement signed by the Four Countries – Brazil, South Africa, India & China in 2009. The signing was held during the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference (commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit) held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The main motive of the group is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions & raise massive funds which are needed to fight climate change.
2.9.INDIA-NETHERLANDS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN WATER SECTOR
Why in news? India and the Netherlands have announced the launch of the strategic partnership in water sector to further intensify ongoing cooperation and better coherence in the area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a virtual summit with his Netherlands counterpart Mark Rutte. The leaders agreed to diversify the ties in trade and economy between the countries. They also agreed to expand their relations in smart cities, agriculture, science and technology, healthcare, and space. A fast-tracking mechanism is to be set up between the two countries to facilitate bilateral trade and resolve issues of the companies in both countries. For the investors in India and Dutch companies, it is to be set up in Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Partnership in Water Sector: During the summit, India and Netherlands launched a strategic partnership on water. Under the partnership, the countries agreed to alleviate the joint working group on water to ministerial level. It also aimed to broaden bilateral cooperation in new areas of water.
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Under the partnership the countries will focus on water budgeting, converting wastewater to energy and decentralized treatment technologies and cost effective water technologies.
Significance of the water sector partnership with the Dutch: Netherlands is the world leader in water management. One-fourth of Netherlands lies under sea level. Yet, the Dutch have successfully comprehended water related challenges and have tested technologies and solutions in delta management, desalination, flood control.
India’s plan: Water Security is currently the highest priority of India. The Union Government is focusing on promoting water efficiency, water safety and quality. This is achieved under initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Namami Ganga Mission, and Jal Jeevan Shakti.
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana was launched in 2015. It aims to provide end to end solutions in irrigation supply. The scheme promotes micro irrigation to ensure Per drop more crop.
2.10.US TO WITHDRAW ALL REMAINING TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN
Why in news? US President Joe Biden’s administration informed that the US will withdraw all its remaining troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 coordinated terrorist attacks.
• The United States and NATO forces had sent their troops into Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 to target Al-Qaeda camps in the nation, initiating America’s longest war in the region. • The Afghanistan War was in response to the attacks that had targeted and brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001. Al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden claimed responsibility for the attacks in 2004.
Highlights: • The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are expected to brief NATO allies in Brussels regarding the US decision to completely withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. • As per sources, the US lawmakers are divided over this decision with the Republicans and some Democrats saying that this could give more confidence to the Taliban in the region, while others are of the opinion that it is time to end the Forever War. • There are officially 2,500 US troops in Afghanistan currently. There are also around 7000 coalition troops, a majority of whom belong to NATO members. • The current decision to withdraw troops by September 11, however, defies the May 1st deadline for full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan that was agreed upon under the peace agreement signed between former US President Donald Trump’s administration and the Taliban in February 2020.
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• This is because that an orderly withdrawal of the 2,500 remaining US troops in the nation would be difficult before May 1st.
Historic US-Taliban Peace Deal: • The United States had on February 29, 2020 signed a historic peace agreement with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar for a phased withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan. The signing of the agreement was done in the presence of the then US Secretary of State Mike Pence and Taliban representatives. • Former US President Donald Trump had stated that the deal was being signed as a part of America’s efforts to bring lasting peace in war-torn Afghanistan. India had also witnessed the signing as an observer nation.
A final end to two decades of war? • Though the timeline for withdrawal of US troops has been extended by four months by the Biden administration, there will be no more additional extensions. • As per sources, the September date is expected to be an absolute deadline for withdrawal of the US troops and it won’t be affected by security conditions in the country. • Biden had concluded that a conditioned withdrawal would be “a recipe for staying in Afghanistan forever.” • The decision is expected to finally bring to an end two decades of war that has led to the killing of over 2200 US troops and has cost almost $1 trillion.
Impacts of the War: • The Afghanistan War resulted in the almost crippling of the Al-Qaida in the nation and the death of Osama bin Laden. • There were also other gains made due to the presence of American troops in Afghanistan such as gains in democracy, governance and women’s rights. The withdrawal risks many of these gains. • It also risks giving leverage to the Taliban to control more parts of the country. The Taliban was held responsible for providing a safe haven to the Al-Qaida.
Will any US forces remain? The only US forces to remain in Afghanistan after September 11, 2021 will be those who are required to protect the diplomats there.
2.11.SINGAPORE BECOMES THE FIRST COUNTRY TO RATIFY RCEP TRADE AGREEMENT
Why in news? Singapore has become the first country to complete the official process for ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
The trade pact, which is the world's largest, was signed by all 10 ASEAN members and key partners including China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand at the 4th RCEP leaders summit in November 2020.
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Highlights: Singapore is the first RCEP participating country (RPC) to complete the official ratification process and deposit its ratification instrument. Singapore deposited its ratification instrument with the secretary-general of ASEAN on April 9th. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed on November 15, 2020 after almost eight years of negotiations between the participating countries on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting. The signatories of the agreement include 10 ASEAN countries - Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines and 5 key partners. These 15 countries account for almost 29 percent of the global gross domestic product(GDP). Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said that Singapore's expeditious ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement signals its strong commitment to strengthening trade and economic linkages with its partners, for the benefit of its businesses and people.
The Minister further said that the nation looks forward to their fellow RCEP Participating Countries doing likewise, to expedite the entry into force of the agreement."
Significance of the agreement for Singapore: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement builds on existing ASEAN agreements and is the world's largest free trade agreement (FTA) to date. The agreement will complement Singapore's existing network of FTAs, boost its trade and investment flows and expand the country's economic space. It will further help broaden and deepen Singapore's economic linkages and connectivity with the region. It will also open up opportunities and provide businesses with preferential access into growing markets. The businesses will benefit from tariff elimination of about 92 percent on average and streamlined rules of origin for greater flexibility to tap on preferential market access benefits.
When will the RCEP agreement enter into force? The RCEP Agreement will come into force 60 days after six ASEAN member states and three ASEAN FTA partners deposit their ratification instrument, acceptance or approval with the secretary-general of ASEAN, who has been designated as the depositary for the RCEP Agreement. All participating countries are targeting to bring the agreement into force on January 1, 2022.
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2.12.HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX 2021
Why in news? Henley and Partners Passport Index 2021 released a list of world's most powerful passports. Japan tops the list with a visa score of 191. This means that Japanese citizens can travel to as many as 191 countries visa-free or have visa-on-arrival access to 191 nations around the world. Afghanistan ranks at 110th position with a visa score of 26.
Top Rank Holders: Japan continues to hold the number one position on the index, with passport holders able to access 191 destinations around the world visa-free. Singapore is in second place (with a score of 190) and South Korea ties with Germany in third place (with a score of 189). The top spots were traditionally held by EU countries, the UK, or the US. This year, it is the Asia-Pacific (APAC) passports which are the most powerful in the world as it includes some of the first countries to begin the process of recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bottom Rank Holders: Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan continue to be the countries with the worst passport to hold with a passport score of 29, 28 and 26 respectively. India’s Performance: India ranks 85th, with a visa-free score of 58. The Indian passport ranked higher in both 2020 (84th) and 2019 (82nd).
Comparison with Neighbouring Countries: Pakistan was ranked 107th and Nepal was ranked 104th.
Background: The Henley Passport Index (HPI) is a global ranking of countries according to the travel freedom for their citizens. It started in 2006 as Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index (HVRI) and was modified and renamed in January 2018. The site provides a ranking of the 199 passports of the world according to the number of countries their holders can travel to visa-free. The number of countries that a specific passport can access becomes its visa-free 'score'.
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In collaboration with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and based on official data from their global database Henley & Partners has analysed the visa regulations of all the countries and territories in the world since 2006. 2.13.INCLUSIVE INTERNET INDEX 2021
Why in news? The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), in partnership with Facebook, has released the Inclusive Internet Index 2021.
India has been ranked at 49th spot globally. It shares its rank with Thailand. This index measures the extent to which the internet is available and affordable by region, and highlights additional insight into how people around the world are using the web.
Purpose: It seeks to measure the extent of accessibility and affordability of the Internet. Also, the internet should be able to enable positive social and economic outcomes at the individual and group levels.
Countries Covered: The index assesses the performance of 120 countries representing 98% of global GDP and 96% of the global population.
Categories: The Index score is based on the scores of 4 categories;
Availability: It examines the quality and breadth of available infrastructure required for access and levels of Internet usage. Affordability: It examines the cost of access relative to income and the level of competition in the Internet marketplace. Relevance: It also examines the existence and extent of local language content and relevant content. Readiness: Furthermore, it examines the capacity to access the Internet. It includes skills (literacy), cultural acceptance, and supporting policy. Literacy measures the level of education and preparedness to use the Internet.
Top 5 Countries: Sweden United States Spain Australia Hong Kong
Highlights: India took 77th Position in Availability, 20th Position in Affordability, 49th Position in Relevance & 29th Position in Readiness category. India’s ranking is due to its low performance in Internet Inclusion & widening gender gap in mobile phone and internet access. Major of Countries (77 out of 120) recorded an overall improvement in Internet Inclusion.
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During pandemic, due to low internet access and adoption school children in low and lower-middle-income countries lost 16 weeks of schooling (by October 2020) compared to 6 weeks of loss by schoolchildren in high-income countries.
2.14.INDIA ELECTED TO 3 KEY BODIES OF UN'S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL COUNCIL
Why in news? India has been elected by acclamation (a form of election that does not use a ballot) to 3 bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It has been elected to the 3 bodies for a 3-year term beginning January 1, 2022 -
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP)
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ): The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) based in Vienna. Chair (at the 30th session) – Alessandro Cortese of Italy Headquarters – Vienna, Austria. The commission serves as the primary organ that guides the activities of the United Nations in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice. Established in 1992, it is the principal policy-making body of the UN in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. Along with India, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Ghana, Libya, Pakistan, Qatar, Thailand, Togo and the US were selected by Acclamation. Brazil, Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Chile, Cuba were elected by Secret Ballot.
Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women: The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, is a United Nations entity working for the empowerment of women.
Executive Director – Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Headquarters – New York, USA. It became operational in 2011, it is a United Nations entity working for the empowerment of women. Along with India, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Gambia, Guyana, Kenya, Monaco, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, Turkmenistan and Ukraine were elected through acclamation to the UN body.
UN Women is empowered to: Support intergovernmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, in their formulation of policies, global standards, and norms
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Help UN member states implement the above standards, standing ready to provide suitable technical and financial support to those countries that request it and to forge effective partnerships with civil society. Enable member states to hold the UN system accountable for its own commitments on gender equality, including regular monitoring of system-wide progress.
Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP): WFP is governed by an executive board which consists of representatives from 36 member states, and provides intergovernmental support, direction and supervision of WFP's activities.
Executive Director – David Beasley Headquarters – Rome, Italy. Established in 1961, WFP is the food assistance branch of the United Nations. It won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict. Along with India, France, Ghana, The Republic of Korea (South Korea), Russia and Sweden were elected to the Executive Board of WFP.
2.15.WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX
Why in news? The World press index ranks 180 countries, topped, yet again, by Norway followed by Finland and Sweden, while Eritrea is at the bottom. China is ranked 177, and is only above North Korea at 179 and Turkmenistan at 178.
India is ranked 142, same as last year, after it had consistently slid down from 133 in 2016. In the South Asian neighbourhood, Nepal is at 106, Sri Lanka at 127, Myanmar (before the coup) at 140, Pakistan at 145 and Bangladesh at 152.
Highlights of the report: Global Scenario: Journalism, the main vaccine against disinformation, is completely or partly blocked in 73% of the 180 countries. Only 12 of the Index’s 180 countries (7%) can claim to offer a favorable environment for journalism. Covid-19 pandemic has been used to perfection by nations to control the spread of information. The Report has raised concern about the larger Asia-Pacific region as several nations in an attempt to curb freedom of press have in place draconian laws on ‘sedition,’ ‘state secrets’ and ‘national security’.
India’s Performance Analysis: India was ranked 142 in the year 2020 as well, thus showing no improvement in the environment it provides to its journalists.
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India has fared poorly amongst its neighbours with Nepal at 106, Sri Lanka at 127 and Bhutan at 65. Pakistan is a close follower at 145th spot. India is among the countries classified “bad” for journalism and is termed as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists trying to do their jobs properly. The report has blamed an environment of intimidation created by the nationalist government for any critical journalist often brandishing them as anti state or anti national. The situation is worrying in Kashmir, where incidents of harassment of reporters by police and paramilitaries have surfaced.
Reasons Behind India’s Poor Performance: Journalists are exposed to every kind of attack, including police violence against reporters, ambushes by political activists, and reprisals instigated by criminal groups or corrupt local officials. The journalists have often been subjected to coordinated hate campaigns on social networks. Such campaigns are particularly violent when the targets are women.
Background: World Press Freedom Index: It has been published every year since 2002 by Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders.
Based in Paris, RSF is an independent NGO with consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF). OIF is a 54 french speaking nations collective. The Index ranks countries and regions according to the level of freedom available to journalists. However it is not an indicator on the quality of journalism.
The parameters to decide the Press freedom include: 1.Media independence 2. Pluralism 3. Media environment and self- censorship 4. Legislative framework 5. Transparency in the news 6. Quality of the infrastructure that supports the production of news and information
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2.16.AUSTRALIAN-INDIA INDO-PACIFIC OCEANS INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP
Why in news? Australia has announced a grant of Rs 81.2 million (AUD 1.4 million) under the Indo- Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). IPOI was proposed by Indian Prime Minister Modi at the East Asia Summit in November 2019 and Australia is co-leading New Delhi in the marine ecology pillar of the initiative.
Australian-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership: The Australian-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership (AIIPOIP) is an initiative under the Australian-India Joint Declaration on a Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. This initiative will aid in shaping maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to build and sustain an open, resilient, prosperous, inclusive, and rules-based maritime order. The AIIPOIP was announced during the Leaders’ Virtual Summit on June 4, 2020. The AIIOIP is a four-year grant program (2020-2024). The grant round one of this initiative will be commissioned in 2021.
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership (IPOIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 2019, had launched the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok.
The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership (IPOIP) focuses on seven pillars: • Maritime Ecology • Maritime Security • Maritime Resources • Capacity Building and Resource Sharing • Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation • Disaster Risk Reduction and Management • Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport
2.17.RICH NATIONS IN ASIA-PACIFIC MAY RECOVER FASTER IN POST PANDEMIC ERA: UNDP, ADB, ESCAP REPORT
Why in news? The richer countries in the Asia-Pacific region are likely to recover quickly from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic than their poorer counterparts because of variation in degree of immunity, healthcare system and vaccine roll-out, according to a report.
According to the report ‘Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic : Leaving no Country Behind’ jointly released by ADB (Asian Development Bank), UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) & UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific),
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The differences in infections and immunity, financial position, quality and coverage of healthcare systems will lead to an uneven recovery of the economy (K- shaped) in the Asia-Pacific region. Developed countries together with Singapore, South Korea, China, India, Russia and Turkey will achieve herd immunity within 2021.
Highlights: It stated that the Asia-Pacific region is undergoing a K-shaped recovery (different parts of the economy recover at different rates). The Asia-Pacific region is off-track to meet its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The report states that effects of pandemic are likely to be ‘worse’ and it will take years to attain pre-pandemic income levels. The income inequality has increased by 40% in the Asia-Pacific region. It has also given rise to the digital & technology divide.
UN drives campaign for Youth: The United Nations (UN) and 6 Youth Organizations have come together to launch a campaign called ‘Global Youth Mobilization Local Solutions’. It will involve the youth of the world in building their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. An initial fund of USD 2 Million (~ INR 15 crores) will be made available for the programme. 90% of young people have reported increased mental anxiety during the pandemic while one in six young people have lost jobs due to pandemic.
2.18.INDIA SIGNS $1.5 BILLION LOAN AGREEMENT WITH ADB FOR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AGAINST COVID-19
Why in news? The Asian Development Bank unveiled a $1.5 billion Covid-19 package for India and is in discussions with the government on further aid for specific sectors. It’s also in discussions with the country’s private sector to provide support where needed.
This is according to the Annual Report, 2020 of ADB that was released recently. This is part of the fiscal support the bank has set aside for pandemic.
Highlights of the Report: The Asian Development Bank had allocated 31.6 billion USD for Asia and Pacific regions in 2020. This is to support a green and sustainable green recovery. Also, it focused on long term development projects. In 2020, the Asian Development Bank allocated 16.1 billion USD for COVID- 19 pandemic. This is more than half Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 48
of the total financial assistance committed by the bank. Of the 16.2 billion USD, 2.9 billion USD was for the private sector. The financial support committed by ADB for the Asia and Pacific regions is 32% higher than that of 2019. In 2019, the bank allocated 24 billion USD to the region. In 2019, the bank focused on equity investments, grants and technical assistance to public and private sector. Loans: India accounted to 16.29% of total loans at the bank and was the largest borrower. China was the second largest borrower contributing to 15.25%.
ADB Contributions to India: The following loans were provided by Asian Development Bank in the year 2020
ADB provided 1.5 billion USD for India to fight COVID-19. This was under the CARES Programme. ADB approved 484 million for CKIC project 100 million USD to boost power supply in Bengaluru 346 Million USD Loan under RBL Modality 177 million USD to upgrade Maharashtra State Highways 1 billion USD for 2025 visioned Delhi-Meerut Rapid transit system 177 million USD to develop roadways 133 million USD Loan for Meghalaya Power Distribution Sector ADB is supporting the modern rapid transport system in India with a loan of 500 million USD. ADB provided 100 million USD loan to the Smart Energy Project that will make cities livelier. The project aims to convert overhead distribution lines to underground cables 50 million USD was provided to support public financial management reforms in West Bengal. ADB provided 3 million USD under its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund.
These are the loans provided by ADB to Government of India and state governments. There are other loans granted to private companies in India as well. For instance, Reliance received loan from ADB to build a power project in Bangladesh.
2.19.INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT 2021
Why in news? The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended putting India on a list of CPCs or Countries of Particular Concern for the second year in a row due to the violations of religious freedoms in the year 2020.
Earlier, in its 2020 Human Rights Report, the US State Department pointed out several Human Rights issues in India.
International Religious Freedom Report 2021:
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The report focuses on two groups of countries, namely, Countries of Particular Concern and Special Watch List Countries. It also focusses on the Entities of Particular Concern.
Countries of Particular Concern: 1- Burma 2- China 3- Eritrea 4- India 5- Iran 6- Nigeria 7- North Korea 8- Pakistan 9- Russia 10- Saudi Arabia 11- Syria 12- Tajikistan 13- Turkmenistan 14- Vietnam
Special Watch List Countries: 1- Afghanistan 2- Algeria 3- Azerbaijan 4- Cuba 5- Egypt 6- Indonesia 7- Iraq 8- Kazakhstan 9- Malaysia 10- Nicaragua 11- Turkey 12- Uzbekistan
Entities of Particular Concern: 1- Al-Shabaab 2- Boko Haram 3- The Houthis 4- Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) 5- Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) 6- Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) 7- Taliban
Highlights of USCIRF report on India: The report stated that religious freedom conditions in India continued their negative trajectory in 2020. The report highlighted that the present government led by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) promoted Hindu nationalist policies which resulted in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.
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1. Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): In early 2020, the government passed CAA which is a fast track to citizenship for non- Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan residing in India. The country witnessed widespread protest against the religiously discriminatory Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and state and non-state violence, largely targetting Muslims.
2. Delhi Riots: The national capital witnessed the worst Hindu-Muslim mob violence in more than three decades, leaving over 50 dead and 200 injured. The report further stated that the mobs sympathetic to Hindu nationalism operated with impunity, using brutal force to single out Muslims, attack mosques, and destroy homes and businesses in majority-Muslim neighbourhoods. As per Delhi Minorities Commission, the violence and allegations of police brutality and complicity were 'seemingly planned and directed to teach a lesson to a certain community which dared to protest against a discriminatory law'.
3. National Register of Citizens (NRC): The USCIRF in its report underscored that in conjunction with the proposed NRC, CAA could subject Muslims, in particular to statelessness, deportation or prolonged detention. In 2019, statewide NRC was implemented in the northeastern state of Assam. It excluded around 1.9 million residents (both Hindus and Muslims) from the citizenship register. The major area of concern is the large detention camp being built in Assam and the potential impact the said law may have if extended nationwide.
4. Anti-conversion Law in Uttar Pradesh: In late 2020, UP Government passed an ordinance to void any marriage conducted for the sole purpose of unlawful conversion or vice-versa. Inflammatory campaigns decrying interfaith relationships were launched, leading to attacks and arrests of non-Hindus and to innuendo, suspicion, and violence toward any interfaith interaction Similar legislations are being pushed in states such as Haryana, Assam and Karnataka while it is approved in Madhya Pradesh.
5. Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA): In September 2020, the Indian Parliament amended the FCRA, imposing restrictions on NGOs, leading civil socities, religious and human rights organizations to shut down. UAPA and other legislations were used by the government to detain advocates, media and academics, including religious minorities. In recent years, the FCRA licenses of hundreds of NGOs were revoked or suspended by the government.
6. Dissemination of false information: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, government officials and non-state actors continued to harass and spread hatred and disinformation against minority communities, including Muslims, Christians, and Dalits. Also, images with false information on social media implicated religious communities in cow slaughter and other alleged offences. This resulted in more than 120 cases of violence.
7. Individuals accused of demolishing Babri Masjid: All the individuals accused of demolishing Babri Masjid were acquitted, contributing to a culture of impunity for those promulgating hate and violence toward religious minorities.
8. Crackdown on expressing dissent: Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 51
The government detained and accused individuals of sedition on expressing dissent on governmental inactions.
9. Religious freedom in Jammu and Kashmir: Restrictions on freedom of movement and assembly negatively impacted religious freedom in Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir. The region also witnessed an internet shutdown for nearly 18 months-- the longest-ever shutdown in any democracy.
Recommendations of USCIRF: It has recommended the US government to designate India as a CPC for engaging in and tolerating systematic ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations. The US Government must impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals’ or entities’ assets and/or barring their entry into the United States. It has recommended the US administration advance the human rights of all religious communities in India and promote religious freedom, dignity and interfaith dialogue through bilateral and multilateral forums and agreements. The US government must condemn ongoing religious freedom violations and support religious organizations and human rights groups being targeted for their advocacy of religious freedom. The US Congress should continue to raise religious freedom concerns in the U.S.- India bilateral relationship by hosting hearings, writing letters and constituting Congressional delegations.
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3. ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE AND RELATED ISSUES
3.1.FERTILIZERS
News Puducherry, Telangana, Punjab top in fertilizer consumption Puducherry tops the chart in consumption of major fertilizers from 2015-16 to 2019-20 (in kg/hectare) followed by Telangana and Punjab. According to the Impact Study of Soil Health Card Scheme conducted by the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, India consumes about 25.6 million tonnes of fertilizers, mostly nitrogen (17 million tonnes) followed by phosphorus (6 million tonnes) and potassium (2.5 million tonnes). The data presented by the States and UTs to the Central government show that Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala are among the States using less amounts of fertilizers. Even with recommended doses of NPK and more, deficiency of micro and secondary nutrients has become yield limiting factors over the years. There are seven essential micronutrients required by plants. These are iron, manganese, zinc, copper, chlorine, boron and molybdenum.
Fertilizers Ammoniacal fertilizers Ammoniacal fertilizers contain the nutrient nitrogen in the form of ammonium or ammonia. Ammoniacal fertilizers are readily soluble in water and therefore readily available to crops. Except rice, all crops absorb nitrogen in nitrate form. These fertilizers are resistant to leaching loss, as the ammonium ions get readily absorbed on the colloidal complex of the soil.
Urea It is the most concentrated solid nitrogenous fertilizer, containing 46 per cent nitrogen. It is a white crystalline substance readily soluble in water. It absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and has to be kept in moisture proof containers. It is readily converted to ammoniacal and nitrate forms in the soil. The nitrogen in urea is readily fixed in the soil in an ammoniacal form and is not lost in drainage. Urea sprays are readily absorbed by plants. It is suitable for most crops and can be applied to all soils.
Nitrate Fertilizers Nitrate fertilizers contain the nitrogen in the form of NO3. These ions are easily lost by leaching because of the greater mobility of nitrate ions in the soil.
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Continuous use of these fertilizers may reduce the soil acidity as these nitrogenous fertilizers are basic in their residual effect on soils.
Phosphatic fertilizers Phosphatic fertilizers are chemical substances that contain the nutrient phosphorus in absorbable form (Phosphate anions) . Elemental phosphorus is not soluble in water.
Super phosphate This is the most important phosphatic fertilizer in use. It contains 16 Percent P2O5 in available form. Phosphatic fertilizer hardly moves in the soil and hence they are placed in the root zone.
Complex fertilizers: Complex fertilizers contain two or three primary plant nutrients of which two primary nutrients are in chemical combination.
3.2.SPICES BOARD
News UNDP India's accelerator lab and Spices Board India are working towards integrating the Blockchain Traceability Interface with the e-Spice Bazaar portal developed by Spices Board India for connecting spices farmers with markets.
Implications Blockchain is a decentralized process of recording transactions on an open and shared electronic ledger. This allows for ease and transparency in data management across a complex network, including, farmers, brokers, distributors, processors, retailers, regulators, and consumers, thus simplifying the supply chain. It will allow farmers just as all other members of the supply chain to access the information which further makes the entire supply chain more efficient and equitable.
India is the largest exporter, producer and consumer of spices in the world.
About Spices Board Spices Board is one of the five Commodity Boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce &Industry. It is an autonomous body responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and Research, Development and Regulation of domestic marketing of Cardamom (Small & Large). Other functions include: Post-harvest improvement of all spices; Assisting exporters in technology upgradation, quality management, brand promotion, research & product development; Development of spices in the North East; Regulation of quality of spices for exports through its quality evaluation services;
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About UNDP United Nations Development Programme works across 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet by helping countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions focused on achieving sustainable development goals (SDG) . UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from systems strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment, and resilience.
3.3.SUBSIDY FOR UREA PRODUCED VIA COAL GASIFICATION
News The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved subsidy for urea to be produced by state-run Talcher Fertilizers (TFL) at its soon-to-be-commissioned Odisha facility. This will be only plant to produce the nitrogenous soil nutrient through coal gasification route.
Strategic importance This effort to convert coal to gas, and then gas to urea will help India become self- reliant as India has large coal reserves but its known gas reserves are limited. Coal gasification plants are strategically important as coal prices are non-volatile. It will reduce dependence on import of Natural Gas for production of urea.
Coal gasification Coal gasification is the process of producing syngas—a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), natural gas (CH4), and water vapour (H2O)—from coal and water, air and/or oxygen. This syngas is further used in Urea production. Gasification process adopted in the Talcher unit is a clean-coal technology giving negligible sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and free particulate emissions as compared to directly coal fired processes. During gasification, the coal is blown through with oxygen and steam (water vapor) while also being heated. This is considered more efficient as against direct combustion of coal coal.
How is urea produced? Natural gas is the main raw material for urea production. Natural gas is turned into syngas and later to urea. Some producers also use Naptha which is costlier, hence not preferred.
Urea Urea is a highly concentrated, solid, nitrogenous fertilizer, containing 46.0% Nitrogen. It is completely soluble in water hence Nitrogen is easily available to crops. India’s fertiliser consumption in FY20 was about 61 million tonne, out of which 55% was urea. India imports around 20% of its urea requirement every year.
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Fertilizer subsidy in India Fertilizer prices in India are statutorily controlled by the government. Farmers buy fertilisers at MRPs (maximum retail price) below their normal supply- and-demand-based market rates or what it costs to produce/import them. The Centre pays subsidy on urea to fertiliser manufacturers on the basis of cost of production at each plant and the units are required to sell the fertiliser at the government-set maximum retail price (MRP). The MRPs of non-urea fertilisers are decontrolled or fixed by the companies. However , The Centre, pays a flat per-tonne subsidy on these nutrients to ensure they are priced at “reasonable levels”. Hence, decontrolled fertilizers attract lesser subsidies and are costlier.
3.4.WHEAT PRODUCTION
News India’s wheat production is on course for record production. The Union Government has projected a record crop of 109.24 million tonnes (mt).
Reasons Increase in area sowed under wheat (Rabi sowing in general is at an all time high this time) and a favourable climate. Top 3 producers of wheat 1. Uttar Pradesh is the top wheat producer in the country contributing over 30 percent of the total output. 2. Punjab, which makes up 18 per cent 3. Madhya Pradesh, which provides 16 per cent.
Procurement of wheat by FCI is highest in Punjab. India is the 2nd largest producer of wheat in the world after china. Which is the second most important crop after rice ( 22%) in India occupying 15% of net cultivable area.
Growing conditions required for wheat Wheat is a Rabi crop. Cool climate with moderate rainfall. Light drizzles and cloudiness at the time of ripening increase yield. Frost at the flowering time and hail storm and time of ripening can cause heavy damage to wheat crops. Well drained plain areas. Can be grown in a variety of soils. Fertile,friable( easily broken into pieces), loam soil are best suited for wheat cultivation.
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3.5.FAIR AND REMUNERATIVE PRICES FOR SUGARCANE
News The Centre has constituted a high-level committee to look into a recommendation made by the Niti Aayog to implement a model of staggered payments to sugarcane growers and has asked state governments to submit their suggestions on this issue.
Sugar industry is the country’s second largest agro-based industry.
Staggered payments - Gujarat model Payment for sugarcane is done in the following manner — 60 per cent payment within 14 days of delivery of sugarcane to mills; another 20 per cent within next two weeks and balance 20 per cent within another one month (or upon the sale of sugar, whichever is earlier), so that the entire dues for sugarcane to farmers are cleared within 2 months. Currently, farmers are to be made full payment within 14 days of the delivery of their sugarcane to mills. But this rarely happens. If farmers are paid 60 per cent of the sugarcane FRP upfront, it will cover their entire A2+FL (farm labour) cost along with providing a little margin over the same. Payments are made in tranches, and growers are not incentivised to grow sugarcane at once and dump it in the market in the hope of the full payment during peak months.
What is A2 + FL cost? ‘A2’ cost for farmers covers all paid-out costs that are directly incurred by the farmer on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, hired labour, leased-in land, fuel, irrigation, etc, whereas A2+FL cost includes the A2 cost along with the value of unpaid family labour. It is used by CACP for the calculation of support prices. CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It is an advisory body that recommends MSP for mandated crops. Government fixes the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on the basis of recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
Fair and remunerative prices FRP was introduced to ensure farmers get a fair price for their produce taking into account Reasonable margins for the growers of sugarcane on account of risk and profits And the prices at which sugar producers would sell sugar.
Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) of sugarcane was replaced with the ‘Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for 2009-10 and subsequent sugar seasons. Under the FRP system, the farmers are not required to wait till the end of the season or for any announcement of the profits by sugar mills or the Government. The FRP system also assures margins on account of profit and risk to farmers, irrespective of the fact whether sugar mills generate profit or not and is not dependent on the performance of any individual sugar mill.
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In order to ensure that higher sugar recoveries are adequately rewarded, the FRP is linked to a basic recovery rate of sugar, with a premium payable to farmers for higher recoveries of sugar from sugarcane.
ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
3.6.CAN INDIA TAKE IT'S ECONOMIC GROWTH TO DOUBLE DIGITS IN 2021-22?
Based on production, consumption and investment parameters, India’s economy is on a revival path as select segments have seen a gradual but sustained improvement over the last two quarters.
GDP prognosis Real GDP growth in Q2FY21 contracted 7.5% year-on-year, suggesting a strong rebound from the lows of Q1FY21. This follows a huge fall of 23.9% year-on-year in Q2-2020 caused by the Covid-19-induced stringent lockdown effect on domestic demand, coupled with the collapse in external demand.
Government measures The government has been working on a series of calibrated reforms, including FDI policy, PLI scheme, investment facilitation and ease of doing business. To boost industrial growth, the government has identified 13 champion sectors as part of an overall manufacturing focus, of which 70% of the incentives accrue to three broad segments (automobiles, telecom and pharmaceutical drugs). The government recently approved the PLI scheme for the food processing sector, entailing an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore. This would give it a major boost in terms of employment opportunities and in providing Indian brands with global recognition. RBI’s measures of infusing liquidity through repo operations, open market special operations, targeted long-term refinance operations, among others, have reaffirmed a recovery path. The Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) allocation has gone up by 33% to Rs 40,000 crore, which should drive inclusive growth in rural and farm economy. As many as 217 projects worth over Rs 1 lakh crore have been completed under the National Infrastructure Pipeline in the last financial year. A development financial institution has been brought to fill the gap in long-term finance for infrastructure with a capital of Rs 27,000 crore. The Railways will be monetising its dedicated freight corridor for operations and maintenance after commissioning. Capital expenditure allocation towards economic corridors has been increased by 26% to Rs 5.54 lakh crore. Public transport in urban areas will be boosted by a Rs 18,000 crore scheme for public buses and there are seven projects worth Rs 2,000 crore for development of ports.
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Way forward India needs to focus a lot more to attract higher FDI, especially in the manufacturing sector. Infrastructure support schemes for seven Bulk Drugs and Medical Devices Parks, seven Mega Textile Parks, etc, will be a big boost for domestic manufacturing. Digitisation, greater automation, de-globalisation and push for green policies are some likely trends that could characterise the post-Covid-19 global economy. For example, in the power sector, proposed reforms to rationalise tariffs, reduce disputes and implementation of open access are required urgently. Commercial mining of coal, attracting foreign capital and private capital into infrastructure by adopting new PPP modalities with predefined implementation timelines, will also accelerate India’s recovery. Monetisation of government land, increasing foreign investment in G-Secs, increasing FDI limit to 74% in insurance, privatisation of PSBs and reducing cost of doing business are other measures to attract private capital, including foreign capital. Indirect fiscal support, IT enablement and digitisation across government business functions and smoothening labour reforms at the state level will speed up recovery. The government should focus on revival of the economy on a mission mode basis with an action plan addressing both supply side and demand side factors, thereby taking it to double digits in 2021-22 and sustain it.
3.7.SPECIAL PURPOSE ACQUISITION COMPANIES
News Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) have been in the news recently in India, in the wake of India’s biggest renewable energy company, ReNew Power, opting this route to list itself on Nasdaq. ReNew has announced a business combination with RMG Acquisition Corporation II, a US-based SPAC. Many other companies have been exploring this route to raise capital.
What are SPACs? SPACs are companies formed to raise capital in Initial Public Offering (IPO) with the purpose of using the funds to acquire one or more businesses identified after the IPO. Commonly referred to as ‘Blank Cheque Companies’, SPACs are formed with the sole purpose of acquiring another company (target company) and do not have any other commercial operations. The group of expert institutional investors, who form the SPAC, are supposed to identify a target within a fixed time frame of two years and invest the IPO proceeds therein, subject to the approval of the shareholders. Else, the proceeds from SPAC IPO are returned to the investors with interest. Once the money is raised from the public, it is kept in an escrow account, which can be accessed while making the acquisition.
Why are they attractive to start-ups? Once the acquisition is complete, the SPACs reflect the identity of the target company. Consequently, the unlisted target gets listed automatically. Owing to the fact that SPACs Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 60
allow a private company to go public and get a capital influx more quickly that it would have with the traditional IPO route, such structures have emerged as promising options for start-ups in India, who find it difficult to satisfy the criteria for listing through an IPO.
Regulatory framework in India The Indian regulatory framework does not allow the creation of these blank cheque companies as yet. For example, the Companies Act 2013 stipulates that the Registrar of Companies can strike off a company if it does not commence operations within a year of incorporation. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has instituted a committee of experts to examine the feasibility of bringing regulations for SPACs in India.
Risks Even as the SPACs are mandated to return money to their investors in the event no merger is made within two years, fineprint of several SPAC prospectuses shows that certain clauses could potentially prevent investors from getting their money back. Since SPAC route is opted by start-up for obtaining faster, easier listing, therefore, retail investors must be cautious of the risk such listing may entail, without proper information about the startup being acquired.
Way forward With SPACs gaining traction and momentum in the USA and other western markets, there has been an emerging requirement for regulated SPACs in India as well, to facilitate and ease the listing of start-ups. Else, they may seek the foreign route for public listing, making India a hub for subsidiaries rather than start-ups. However, it must tread the road carefully after taking into account critical matters such as investor protection.
What are escrow accounts? Escrow accounts are a financial instrument in which an asset or escrow money is held by a third party on behalf of 2 other parties that are in the process of completing a transaction. The funds will be disbursed to the merchant after they have fulfilled the escrow agreement ( made between the two transacting parties) . If the merchant fails to deliver their obligation, then the funds are returned to the buyer. It provides security against scams and frauds especially with high asset value and dispute-prone sectors like Real Estate.
FISCAL POLICY
3.8.ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SURVEY OF ASIA AND PACIFIC 2021
News India, according to the 'Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2021: Towards post-COVID-19 resilient economies', is estimated to record an economic growth of 7 per cent in 2021-22, over a contraction of 7.7 per cent witnessed in the previous fiscal on account of the pandemic's impact on normal business activity.
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About the report Produced annually since 1947, the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific is the oldest United Nations report on the region’s progress. Analyses and guides policy discussion on the current and emerging socio- economic issues and policy challenges to support inclusive and sustainable development in the region.
What else does the report say? China’s swift and effective response to COVID-19 enabled it to become the only major economy worldwide to achieve a positive annual economic growth rate in 2020. The report forecasts that on an average, developing Asia-Pacific economies are expected to grow 5.9 per cent in 2021 and 5 per cent in 2022, after having experienced an estimated contraction of 1 per cent in 2020. Maintaining low borrowing costs while keeping non-performing loans in check would be a challenge for India. Despite a reasonably strong rebound expected in 2021, a ‘K-shaped recovery’ is likely, with poorer countries and more vulnerable groups marginalised in the post- pandemic recovery and transition period.
What is a K-shaped recession? A K-shaped recovery is a post- recession scenario in which one segment of the economy begins to climb back upward while another segment continues to suffer. If illustrated, the economic growth would roughly resemble the two diverging diagonal lines of the letter "K" — hence the name. The theory is that it stems from pre- existing social and economic divides that are then exacerbated by a recession or other economic catastrophe. The economy is essentially split in two. The divisions can occur along social class, racial, geographic, generational, or industry lines — or a combination thereof. It splinters the economy, continually widening the gap between those who are doing well and those who are not. In the end, a K-shaped recovery makes any existing problems of economic inequality much worse.
K-shaped recovery vs. other recovery types V-shaped recovery: A sharp decline followed by a rapid recovery, with very little time spent at the trough, or low point, of the recession. U-shaped recovery: A steep decline followed by a period of time in which the economy sits at the low point of the recession before finally recovering. W-shaped recovery: Also known as a double-dip recession, this is a scenario when the economy experiences a steep decline, followed by a small and temporary recovery and then a second decline.
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L-shaped recovery: A severe recession in which the economy declines and doesn't recover for years, if ever.
3.9.PRE-PACK INSOLVENCY
News The Central Government has promulgated Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 to allow pre-packaged insolvency resolution process for corporate debtors ( for defaults up to Rupees One Crore ) classified as micro, small or medium enterprises under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006. The IBC (amendment) Ordinance 2021 comes within two weeks of the lifting of a one- year suspension of insolvency proceedings against Covid-related defaults.
What is a pre pack? A pre-packaged insolvency process is an informal plan worked out by the creditor and debtor for debt resolution. The resolution of a company’s business is negotiated with a buyer before the appointment of an insolvency professional. The Ordinance allows the approval of such informal plans by the National Company Law Tribunals.
Benefits Pre-packs are seen to be a viable alternative to the current corporate insolvency process and would be significantly less time-consuming and inexpensive as against the formal insolvency proceedings. It is least disruptive to the continuity of their businesses and preserves jobs. It could also reduce litigation, often triggered by defaulting promoters to retain control of their firms, and help thousands of MSMEs struggling to cope with the havoc wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pre-pack Scheme Only the debtor will get to trigger the bankruptcy process. To file for pre-pack insolvency, the MSME debtor will require the approval of unrelated financial creditors accounting for at least 66% of dues. Honest promoters will be allowed to submit the base plan for resolution, which will then be put to competitive bidding through Swiss challenge. However, in cases where operational creditors are not required to take a haircut, the promoter’s plan, backed by financial creditors with at least 66% of voting power, can be presented before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for clearance. Also, promoters will continue to run the MSMEs, unlike in the CIRP where the resolution professional gets to run the affairs with guidance from financial creditors. If creditors want to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against MSMEs, they can still do so but only through the extant CIRP. Pre-pack resolution plans have to be submitted in only 90 days and the NCLT will have another 30 days to approve them. The IBC currently stipulates a maximum of 270 days for the completion of the entire CIRP.
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The Ordinance allows appeal against an order approving the pre-packaged resolution plan on certain grounds.
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SECTOR.
3.10.NaBFID
Why in news? Parliament passed the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development or NaBFID Bill, 2021, giving birth to a new infrastructure financing institution somewhat on the lines of the erstwhile Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI).
IDBI, which was created through a similar Act in Nehruvian times (in 1964), was converted into a commercial bank by the Vajpayee government through repeal of the 1964 Act in 2003—it was felt India had progressed in reforming the financial sector, capital markets were more mature and had acquired risk appetite, and the attention must shift to bond market development. The Bill seeks to establish the NBFID as the principal development financial institution (DFIs) for infrastructure financing.
DFIs DFIs are set up for providing long-term finance for such segments of the economy where the risks involved are beyond the acceptable limits of commercial banks and other ordinary financial institutions. Unlike banks, DFIs do not accept deposits from people. They source funds from the market, government, as well as multi-lateral institutions, and are often supported through government guarantees.
NBFID NBFID will be set up as a corporate body with authorised share capital of one lakh crore rupees. Initially, the central government will own 100% shares of the institution which may subsequently be reduced up to 26%. Shares of NBFID may be held by the central government, multilateral institutions, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurers, financial institutions, banks and any other institution prescribed by the central government.
Functions of NBFID: NBFID will have both financial as well as developmental objectives. Financial objectives will be to directly or indirectly lend, invest, or attract investments for infrastructure projects located entirely or partly in India. Central government will prescribe the sectors to be covered under the infrastructure domain. Developmental objectives include facilitating the development of the market for bonds, loans, and derivatives for infrastructure financing. Functions of NBFID include: o Extending loans and advances for infrastructure projects. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 64
o Taking over or refinancing such existing loans. o Attracting investment from private sector investors and institutional investors for infrastructure projects. o Organising and facilitating foreign participation in infrastructure projects. o Facilitating negotiations with various government authorities for dispute resolution in the field of infrastructure financing. o Providing consultancy services in infrastructure financing.
Source of funds NBFID may raise money in the form of loans or otherwise both in Indian rupees and foreign currencies, or secure money by the issue and sale of various financial instruments including bonds and debentures. NBFID may borrow money from: (i) Central government (ii) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) (iii) Scheduled commercial banks (iv) Mutual funds (v) Multilateral institutions such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Management of NBFID NBFID will be governed by a Board of Directors. The members of the Board include: o The Chairperson appointed by the central government in consultation with RBI o A Managing Director o Up to three Deputy Managing Directors o Two directors nominated by the central government o Up to three directors elected by shareholders o A few independent directors (as specified). A body constituted by the central government will recommend candidates for the post of the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Directors. The Board will appoint independent directors based on the recommendation of an internal committee.
Support from the central government The central government will provide grants worth Rs 5,000 crore to NBFID by the end of the first financial year. The government will also provide guarantee at a concessional rate of up to 0.1% for borrowing from multilateral institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and other foreign funds. Costs towards insulation from fluctuations in foreign exchange (in connection with borrowing in foreign currency) may be reimbursed by the government in part or full. Upon request by NBFID, the government may guarantee the bonds, debentures, and loans issued by NBFID.
Prior sanction for investigation and prosecution No investigation can be initiated against employees of NBFID without the prior sanction of: (i) The central government in case of the chairperson or other directors. (ii) The managing director in case of other employees.
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Courts will also require prior sanction for taking cognisance of offences in matters involving employees of NBFID.
Other DFIs: The Bill also provides for any person to set up a DFI by applying to RBI. RBI may grant a licence for DFI in consultation with the central government. RBI will also prescribe regulations for these DFIs.
Monetary The NaBFID Act permits 90-day, secured borrowing from RBI (repayable on demand/ expiry) and up to five years against bills of exchange or promissory notes. This no doubt increases the fiscal-monetary interface, setting back to an extent the deliberated separation of central bank and government balance sheets as part of financial sector reforms. Significant ones in this context are ending automatic monetisation (1997), phasing out RBI refinancing of various entities, financial repression, viz. graduated reduction of SLR, CRR, administered interest rates to align with market ones, selective credit controls, institution of fiscal rules, rationalizing profit transfers from RBI and separation of debt office from RBI after fulfilment of pre-conditions. The reason why automatic monetisation of deficits and RBI refinancing were stopped was to restore order, gain control over money supply and hence, inflation.
Fiscal Wholly government-owned at creation and with minimum 26% holding over time, the ambit of NaBFID’s activities permit wide-ranging guarantees: Guaranteeing of any liabilities of its own subsidiaries, joint ventures, branches and such like arrangements. Issue of guarantees, letters of comfort, or letters of credit for loans/credit arrangements or debentures/bonds issued by any financial institution funding infrastructure projects in India. Central government guarantee of NaBFID’s bonds, debentures, loans and borrowings from multilateral institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and other foreign institutions.
3.11.GREEN BONDS
News Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam (GNN) on Thursday announced successfully raising and listing India’s first Green Municipal bond issue. GNN raised Rs 150 crore. Money will be used clean up dirty water by setting up a tertiary water treatment plant and supply piped water through water-meters The coupon rate of the taxable bond was fixed at 8.1% per annum and is rated AA by India Ratings and AA(CE) by Brickworks and has a maturity of 10 years. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 66
Green bonds Green bonds are debt instruments that can be used by governments and their entities, international organisations as well as the private sector to raise money for projects that demonstratively contribute to climate mitigation or adaptation. Green bonds have come a long way since their inception in 2007 and the first sovereign issuance in 2016. Since then, India has become the second-largest issuer of green bonds (after China) among emerging markets with cumulative issues worth more than $10 billion by private companies and public sector entities such as the State Bank of India (SBI). However, there had been no green bond issuance by either the Central or state governments until now.
Municipal bonds The 74th constitutional amendment act mandated the setting up and devolution of powers to Urban local bodies (ULBs) or city governments as the lowest unit of governance in cities and towns. This gave them autonomy and reformed their finances enabling them to access capital markets and financial institutions. In recent times, Nine cities have raised municipal bonds. These are Ahmedabad, Surat, Visakhapatnam, Amravati, Indore, Bhopal, Pune, Hyderabad and Lucknow.
Case for more green bonds by the state governments Issuance of green SDLs can contribute to addressing this issue while attracting investments into projects which are needed to build climate-resilience at the local level. Mobilising funds for climate action is a major challenge for the states. Green SDLs can help state governments attract diverse investors who are willing to support them in their efforts to reduce such vulnerabilities, and possibly offer better pricing. Presently, the investor base at present remains narrow. Most securities issued by states (termed as State Development Loans or SDLs) are owned by public-sector banks, insurance companies and provident funds. While these securities have ‘near sovereign, risk-free’ status, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have shunned investing in them. Since the opening of the SDL market for FPIs in 2015, their participation remains under 5% of their allocated limits.
Coupon rate - A coupon payment on a bond is the annual interest payment that the bondholder receives from the bond's issue date until it matures.
3.12.G-SAP
News As we approach April 15, 2021, the day when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will make the first purchase of government securities (G-Secs) for an aggregate amount of Rs 25,000 crore under G-SAP 1.0. G-Sec Acquisition Programme (G-SAP) is basically an unconditional and a structured open market operation (OMO), of a much larger scale and size.
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'unconditional’ here connotes that RBI has committed upfront that it will buy G- Secs irrespective of the market sentiment. It is different from other Open market operations ( OMO) which are generally haphazard. GSAP announcement is structured - RBI has now provided the OMO purchase calendar for the next quarter, bringing in certainty with regard to RBI's commitment to support the bond market.
Concerns Possible trade-off between a tumbling rupee and lower borrowing costs/low yields. - The flip-side of such a big programme is seen in the foreign exchange market. Critics of the G-SAP say that the rupee might get adversely affected. They are of the view that the G-SAP announcement has already led to depreciation of the rupee and may continue further as investors might pull out money in search of higher interest rates elsewhere. Economic theory says that too much liquidity will drive up inflation and lead to near-zero interest rates.
Is G-SAP a form of quantitative easing? 1. While the G-SAP looks like a QE programme, it is not entirely so. One, the RBI has given visibility about the purchases in just one quarter. The quantum of purchases can be much lower/higher in the subsequent quarters. Typical QE programmes of other countries promise purchase of specified value of bonds for an extended period. 2. The QE programmes promise purchases of a variety of securities such as mortgage backed securities and real estate bonds in order to provide liquidity to specific sectors. RBI’s program is limited to government bonds. 3. The aim of the QE programmes in other countries is to impart liquidity into the system to promote growth. The aim of the G-SAP is not to infuse liquidity. The G- SAP mainly tries to create demand for the government paper thus keeping the finance cost of public and private borrowers in check.
Quantitative easing (QE) - QE is a monetary policy whereby a central bank purchases at scale government bonds or other financial assets in order to inject money into the economy to expand economic activity. It involves buying Financial instruments which are substandard or are not accepted for OMO in ordinary times. Quantitative easing is considered to be an "unconventional" form of monetary policy, which is usually used when inflation is very low or negative, and when standard monetary policy instruments have become ineffective.
Why is G-SAP a bold move? The government is seized of the situation and its Pipeline are steps in the right direction. The capital expenditure earmarked for programmes like the expanded Production-Linked Scheme or the National Infrastructure is huge, and a structured programme like G-SAP could not have been announced at a more opportune time. The pandemic is an extraordinary situation, and by all means the government needs enormous amount of
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funding to put the economy back to track. The need of the hour is undoubtedly the revival of the economy and RBI should be appreciated for making this bold move.
3.13.MONEY TRANSFER OUTSIDE THE BANKING SYSTEM
News The RBI proposed to enable, in a phased manner, payment system operators like mobile wallets regulated by the central bank to take direct membership in RBI-operated Centralised Payment Systems (CPSs) – RTGS and NEFT.
Non-bank entities that will be allowed to become a member of CPS Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) issuers, Card Networks White Label ATM operators Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platforms Mobile wallets like Google Pay, Mobikwik, PayU Till now, only banks were allowed to use RTGS and NEFT payments facilities. These entities will, however, not be eligible for any liquidity facility from RBI to facilitate settlement of their transactions in these CPSs.
Other measures taken to encourage digital transactions and financial inclusion 1. The RBI has also decided to increase the limit of outstanding balance in PPIs of non-banks from the current level of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. 2. RBI has also proposed to allow the facility of cash withdrawal, subject to a limit, to non-bank entities — full-KYC PPIs of non-bank PPI issuers. o Currently, cash withdrawal is allowed only for full-KYC PPIs issued by banks and this facility is available through ATMs and PoS ( Point of Sale ) terminals. o Holders of such PPI, given the comfort that they can withdraw cash as required, are less incentivised to carry cash and consequently more likely to perform digital transactions.
Implications The aim is to encourage participation of non-banks across payment systems This facility is expected to minimise settlement risk in the financial system and enhance the reach of digital financial services to all user segments. In a sense, it will prepare a digital trail of all individuals doing digital transactions on channels outside the banking system, which could help the overall financial system by building a comprehensive credit profile of individuals based on all their financial transactions. Until now, an individual’s credit profile was available primarily with the banks. Traditional brick-and-mortar banking is slowly disappearing with non-banks entering the space.
White label ATMs (WLAs) ATMs set up, owned and operated by non-banks are called WLAs. Non-bank ATM operators are authorised under the Payment & Settlement Systems Act, 2007 by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 69
For a customer, using a WLA is just like using an ATM of any bank. The basic idea about White Label ATM is to increase the geographical spread of ATM to enhance financial inclusion. In addition to dispensing cash, Account Information, cash deposit, regular bill payment, Mini/Short Statement Generation, PIN Change, Request for Cheque Book - services are offered.
Brown Label ATM - hardware is owned by the service provider, but cash management and network connectivity are provided by the sponsor bank whose logo is on the machine. The sponsor bank would've outsourced the operation to another party. Green Label ATM - Provided for Agricultural Transaction.
Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), Payment is credited to the recipient’s account in real time. Relevant in scenarios where the transaction value is high and the immediate clearing of payment is needed. Both sender and beneficiary need to have bank accounts. Minimum amount to be remitted through RTGS is ₹ 2,00,000/- with no upper or maximum ceiling. Gross Settlement' means that the settlement of funds transfer instructions occurs individually.
National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) Allows transfer funds from any bank branch to any individual, firm or corporate having an account with any other bank branch in the country participating in the Scheme. Even such individuals who do not have a bank account (walk-in customers) can also deposit cash to transfer through NEFT. NEFT does not occur on a real time basis. The money transferred is settled in half hourly batches. ( Not individually) No minimum or upper limit for transactions. Maximum amount transferable per transaction is limited to ₹ 50,000/- in case of cash-based remittances within India and Nepal.
Both NEFT and RTGS are Available 365 days - 24×7.
3.14.RBI ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR TENURE OF BANK CEOs, MDs.
News Reserve Bank of India on Monday issued certain instructions on the governance for banks, including private banks, Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of Foreign Banks. These are not applicable to foreign banks operating as branches in India.
New guidelines
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The post of MD and CEO or Whole Time Director (WTD) cannot be held by the same incumbent for more than 15 years. The MD & CEO or WTD, who is also a promoter/ major shareholder, cannot hold these posts for more than 12 years. It has Prescribed the maximum age of 70 years for such functionaries.
Aims To build a robust culture of sound governance practice, professional management of banks and adopt the principle of separating ownership from management. Having a fixed tenure also prepares banks to make good succession plans without creating any hassles during change in management. RBI also aims to recognise and manage conflicts of interest if any. For instance , if the bank is part of a larger group reporting lines and information flows between banks, its parent and/or other group entities can lead to emergence of conflicts of interest. Longer durations in general have been said to create new conflict of interests threatening good governance and financial stability of the banks.
EXTERNAL SECTOR
3.15.REAL EXCHANGE RATE
What is Real exchange rate? The real exchange rate (RER) is the purchasing power of a currency relative to another at current exchange rates and prices. It is the ratio of the number of units of a given country's currency necessary to buy a market basket of goods in the other country, after acquiring the other country's currency in the foreign exchange market, to the number of units of the given country's currency that would be necessary to buy that market basket directly in the given country.
To understand the RER movement, if in a year India has an inflation rate of 6% and its trading partners have a weighted average inflation rate of 2% and the nominal exchange rate remains the same, then the RER appreciates by 4% that year. Imports become cheaper by 4% due to the difference in inflation rates with the exchange rate remaining the same. Similarly, exports become more expensive by 4%. By 2017, the real exchange rate (RER) of India had appreciated by over 18% though there was hardly any significant growth in productivity to warrant such a large appreciation. It resulted in negative real import duties for some items. This turned out to be the classic recipe for an economic and industrial downturn with imports becoming cheaper and exports becoming more expensive. Exports did stagnate. Imports, primarily from China, grew rapidly and now dominate the domestic market. The economy was experiencing a clear slowdown before Covid-19. This would have been a major contributory factor.
Why RER is so important?
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The reason why market forces cause the rupee to appreciate so much without actual productivity growth is that India is sui generis. It has had a rapidly growing volume of remittances by the Indian diaspora, especially from West Asia. From around $22 billion in 2006, remittances grew to $80 billion by 2018. This is combined with the attractiveness of our stock markets for foreign fund managers. The rational response to this market distortion would have been for RBI to have intervened in the market to buy dollars and build up reserves to prevent the RER from appreciating. On the contrary, the ‘market mantra’ of leaving the exchange rate to market forces prevailed with intervention restricted to only trying to smoothen unexpected volatility. In all policy issues, there is the underlying political economy question of who gains and who loses with RER appreciation. o First, the Indian consumer gains at the cost of the Indian producer. Imports become cheaper and displace domestic producers in the internal market. Exports suffer. o The wealthy Indian gains disproportionately as his children’s education overseas, holidays abroad and consumption of luxury imported goods become relatively cheaper. o Large corporates who have the freedom to borrow overseas gain as their repayment burden becomes lower in real terms. o Foreign investors gain as they make large profits in the stock market and exit while the rupee remains strong, with their exit usually causing a sudden nominal depreciation as well. o The real losers are production supply chains where value addition in India is large. The greater the value addition in India, the greater is the adverse impact of RER appreciation. o Job creation suffers. Economic growth rates become anaemic. India was experiencing this and then came the Covid-19-induced severe downturn. Devaluation has been a part of the standard IMF and World Bank prescription for economies in distress. It usually works in getting growth and employment to pick up. Obviously, maintaining a competitive RER is not a silver bullet for better growth for which many other factors have to be also right. But it is certainly a necessary condition for the economy to achieve its full growth potential.
Way forward There is need for a consensus that RBI should intervene in the market to ensure there is no RER appreciation. A clear policy announcement would create the right expectations for business and investment decisions. This would greatly help in accelerating growth and job creation.
3.16.IMF SDR INCREASE
News G20 finance ministers late on Wednesday finally gave their nod to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to issue fresh Special Drawing Rights (SDR) worth $650 billion to
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member countries.The decision was announced despite India’s resistance to the proposal.
A fresh SDR issue by the IMF is likely to help the least developed and developing countries facing foreign exchange crisis in the wake of the pandemic. Will help boost the reserves of all nations, and avoid pushing low-income countries into further distress However, India has so far held that national forex reserves should be the first line of defence during a crisis such as the covid-19 outbreak.
Special drawing rights SDRs are the IMF's reserve asset, and are exchangeable for dollars, euros, sterling, yen and Chinese yuan or renminbi. An allocation of SDRs requires approval by IMF members holding 85% of the total votes. Because the United States holds 16.5% of the votes, Washington's view is decisive. The value of an SDR is set daily based on a basket of five major international currencies: the U.S. dollar (42%), the euro (31%), the Chinese yuan (11%), the Japanese yen (8%) and the British pound (8%). The IMF issues SDRs to its member countries' central banks as a reserve asset – i.e., an asset they can easily exchange for hard currency with another central bank.
Who will benefit the most? Since SDRs are allocated pro rata ( in proportion ) in relation to a country's IMF "quota", the distribution is heavily skewed towards the bigger and richer countries that arguably have the least need for it. Only the total amount available with the IMF as SDR to lend will change , while the proportion of it accessible to different countries will remain the same. Analysts estimated that a $650 billion increase will deliver roughly $21 billion in added reserves to low-income countries. It could be much higher if the richer countries, which will receive around $400 billion from the allocation, lend on or donate some of their new SDRs. However , the increase will more than double Zambia's reserves and increase Zimbabwe's more than six-fold. It is also good for countries like Argentina, Turkey, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan and Nigeria, which will also see a 10% to 20% boost to their FX reserves.
3.17.IMF REPORTS
News According to IMF, during COVID-19 pandemic, India’s debt to GDP ratio increased from 74% to 90%.
The debt ratio at the end of 2019, prior to the pandemic, was 74% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and at the end of 2020, it is almost 90% of GDP.
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This had made India the most indebted major economy after Brazil and Argentina among the emerging markets. Under the assumption of healthy economic growth in the medium term, the IMF sees debt returning to about 80% over time.
According to the latest edition of World Economic Outlook report released by IMF, Indian Economy: Indian economy is expected to grow by 12% in 2021 and 6.9% in 2022. Growth rate for India in 2021 is stronger compared to that of China. Global Economy - The IMF predicted stronger recovery in 2021 and 2022 with growth projected to be 6% in 2021 and 4.4% in 2022.
World Economic Outlook Reports A Survey by the IMF staff is usually published twice a year. It presents IMF staff economists' analyses of global economic developments during the near and medium term.
Other important publications by the IMF Global financial stability report Fiscal monitor reports -The Fiscal Monitor is prepared twice a year by the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department. Regional economic Outlook
3.18.FPI INFLOWS
News India is the biggest recipient of FPI inflows worth Rs 2.6 lakh crore in FY21. Previously, the highest inflow of Rs 1.4 lakh crore into the equities space was witnessed in the financial year 2012-13. Reasons Availability of excess liquidity in the global markets and low interest rates that diverted foreign flows into emerging markets like India were among the other factors that ensure sustainability of the investment flows. Domestic stock markets have performed well this financial year, giving substantial returns to investors, despite the pandemic. India witnessed an addition of more than $100 billion to its forex reserves which helped Indian rupee to remain steady against the dollar and other currencies. The massive fiscal stimulus by governments and monetary stimulus by central banks has led to inflows into select emerging markets. India has been the biggest recipient of FPI flows in FY21 amongst emerging markets because of the stronger recovery in the economy and surprise in earnings growth.
National Securities Depository Ltd, an Indian central securities depository owned by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India releases FPI data. NSDL, one of the largest Depositories in the World, established in August 1996 has established a state- of-the-art infrastructure that handles most of the securities held and settled in dematerialized form in the Indian capital market.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
3.19. RENEWABLE ENERGY
News Renewable energy sector misses target for 5th year in a row. Government has set a target of achieving 175 GW installed renewable energy capacity (excluding large hydro) by December 2022, which doesn't seem possible.
Reasons Lockdown ; Supply-side disruptions (which slowed movement of inputs and has led to an increase in prices) ; Labour shortages ; Constrained finances and liquidity pressures faced by the developers ; Restriction on the imports of inputs for solar power.
Facts Renewable energy capacity has increased to 94.4 GW as of March 31, 2021. Share of renewable energy in total installed generation capacity - 24% ( As on March , 2020) The Solar segment has now overtaken Wind and tops the capacity addition table in Renewable energy sources. o Solar - 40.09 GW, o Wind - 39.24 GW. o Bio-power - 10.31 GW o Small hydro 4.79 GW Since 2015, large hydro power plants with capacity greater than 25 MW are not considered as renewable energy sources. India now at 5TH GLOBAL POSITION for overall installed renewable energy capacity. As of 31 March 2020, India's installed utility-scale hydroelectric capacity was 46,000 MW, or 12.3% of its total utility power generation capacity (Excluding small hydro).
3.20.FALLING OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION
News CoVID related delays has hampered production of oil and natural gas. However, India's crude oil and natural gas production have been falling consistently since 2011-12.
Why is India’s crude oil and natural gas production falling? Ageing wells - Experts have noted that most of India’s crude oil and natural gas production comes from ageing wells that have become less productive over time. Producers would have to invest in extracting oil and gas using technologically intensive means from more difficult fields such as ultradeepwater fields. Low interest from foreign players - Crude oil production in India is dominated by two major state-owned exploration and production companies, ONGC and Oil
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India. These companies are the key bidders for hydrocarbon blocks in auctions and were the only successful bidders in the fifth and latest round of auctions under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) regime.
Why is there a lack of private participation? Delays in the operationalisation of hydrocarbon blocks due to delays in major clearances including environmental clearances and approval by the regulator of field development plans. Internal maximum production levels set by oil and gas majors to address climate change had also lowered interest by oil majors to expand operations in India. High royalty and oil development cess - Industry players have been calling for a reduction in the cess on domestically produced crude oil to 10 per cent from the current 20 per cent.
Impact The share of imports as a proportion of overall crude oil consumption in India has risen from 81.8 per cent in FY2012 to 87.6 per cent in FY2020.
Steps taken by the government to address decreasing output The government has asked ONGC to boost its investments in explorations and increase tie-ups with foreign players to provide technological support in extracting oil and gas from difficult oil and gas fields. Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative the goal is to boost the use of natural gas in India’s primary energy mix from the current 6.2 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030.
Ultra-Deepwater drilling Is drilling beyond 7000-10000 feet under the sea to access older fossil fuel reserves. It has not been technologically and economically feasible for many years, but with rising oil prices, more companies are investing in this area.
Open Acreage Licensing Policy OALP Is part of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy which provides uniform licences for exploration and production of all forms of hydrocarbons. An explorer is allowed to select areas of their choice from the National Data Repository (NDR). It is then put up for competitive bidding and the entity offering the maximum share of oil and gas to the government is awarded the block. NDR provides data on the country’s repositories, allowing companies to choose fields. The Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) replaced the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) in 2016. It gave uniform licences to explore conventional as well as unconventional oil and gas resources, allowed greater marketing and pricing freedom to companies. It aimed to reduce red-tapism while increasing domestic oil and natural gas production.
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4. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
4.1.FIRE IN BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Why in news? A wildfire has threatened to cause massive damages to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of the largest biospheres of India prompting the Madhya Pradesh forest department to deploy entire field level staff to douse it. It had spread across several zones in Bandhavgarh National Park and has been brought under control, two days after it broke out. Affected areas include Panpatha, Khitoli, Tala and Manpur among other ranges. So far, no fire-related casualties have been reported from the said affected areas, although the wildfires seem to have wreaked destruction in several acres of forests within the sanctuary. Besides being a home for a large population of royal Bengal tigers, especially in the central Tala zone, it’s a habitat for many critically endangered species, a mix of tropical forest, sal trees and grassland.
About Bandhavgarh National Park: It is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. The Park derived its name from the most prominent hill of the area which is said to have been given by Lord Rama to his brother Laxman to keep a watch on Lanka.( Bandhavgarh – Brother’s home ) Bandhavgarh, with an area of 105 square kilometres , was declared a national park in 1968 and then became Tiger Reserve in 1993. The three main zones of the national park are Tala, Magdhi and Khitauli. Tala is the richest zone in terms of biodiversity, mainly tigers. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh (8 tigers per km2) is one of the highest known in India. It has a large breeding population of leopards, and various species of deer. Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa captured the first white tiger in this region in 1951.
4.2.ODISHA GOVERNMENT PROPOSES STATE’S SECOND BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Why in news? The Odisha government has proposed a second biosphere reserve in the southern part of the state at Mahendragiri, a hill ecosystem having rich biodiversity. The Similipal Biosphere Reserve is Odisha’s first such reserve and was notified May 20, 1996. The area of the proposed Mahendragiri Biosphere Reserve is around 470,955 hectares and is spread over Gajapati and Ganjam districts in the Eastern Ghats. The hill ecosystem acts as a transitional zone between the flora and fauna of southern India and the Himalayas, making the region an ecological estuary of genetic diversities.
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Mahendragiri is inhabited by the Soura people, a particularly vulnerable tribal group as well as the Kandha tribe The rich flora in Mahendragiri represents 40 per cent of the reported flora of Odisha, with around 1,358 species of plants. Twenty-nine of the 41 species of threatened medicinal plants found in Odisha according to the IUCN are found in the biosphere reserve area.
Criteria for selection of BR A site that must contain an effectively protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature conservation. The core area should be typical of a bio-geographical unit and large enough to sustain viable populations representing all trophic levels in the ecosystem. The management authority to ensure the involvement/cooperation of local communities to bring variety of knowledge and experiences to link biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development while managing and containing the conflicts. Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of environment.
4.3.ILLEGAL SALT MINING IS THREATENING WETLAND ECOSYSTEM OF SAMBHAR LAKE
In late 2019, the lake bed had turned into a mass graveyard for migratory birds. An estimated 25,000 birds dropped dead: Kentish plovers, tufted ducks, northern shovelers, pied avocets, little ringed plovers, stilts and gadwalls, among 36 species. The Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly said avian botulism could be the culprit. As Sambhar Lake came under the international spotlight for this mass die-off, another phenomenon drew attention to the lake: rampant illegal salt mining and a shrinking wetland. Salt pans were proliferating and illegal borewells dotted the area, causing a massive degradation of the famous lake. Nawa, on the northern side of Sambhar Lake, is controlled by private salt manufacturers. It is notorious for the many illegal borewells that over-extract brine. Sambhar Lake’s future is totally dependent on the seasonal rivers that flow into it during the monsoon. But now this water is being sucked away before it reaches the lake, causing it to dry up. Salt production in Sambhar is nothing new. It has taken place for centuries, but in a traditionally sustainable manner, providing livelihood to the local community.
About Sambhar lake: It is India’s largest inland salt Lake . The lake straddles Nagaur and Jaipur districts and borders on the Ajmer district. The circumference of the lake is 96 km, and it is surrounded by the Aravali hills on all sides
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The lake receives water from six rivers: Medtha, Samaod, Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari, and Khandela. During peak summers (dry time), the depth measures as low as 60 cm but during the monsoons, it goes up to 3 m (10 ft). Sambhar has been designated as a Ramsar site , because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of pink flamingos and other birds that migrate from northern Asia and Siberia. It produces 196,000 tonnes of clean salt every year, which is around 9% of India’s salt production.
4.4.BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITE IN MAHARASHTRA
Why in news? The Maharashtra government has declared an area at Amboli in Western ghats in Sindhudurg district, where a rare freshwater fish species was discovered, as a biodiversity heritage site. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s son Tejas Thackeray, who is a wildlife researcher, and his team had discovered the new freshwater fish species — Schistura Hiranyakeshi near Amboli in Sawantwadi tehsil of Sindhudurg district. Schistura Hiranyakeshi is a rare sub-species of Schistura, a freshwater loach. The fish was named after the Hiranyakeshi river near Amboli village. Schistura is a small and colourful fish that lives in water and streams in an abundance of oxygen. Earlier, the State government had declared the Glory of Allapalli in Gadchiroli district, Landor Khori Park in Jalgaon, Ganesh Khind in Pune, myristica swamp vegetation in Sindhudurg district as biodiversity heritage sites. The decision to declare the habitat of these freshwater species as the bio-diversity heritage site is taken because it is rare species, and due to fishing activities, it might have faced extinction. It was important to conserve the species.
About Biodiversity Heritage sites: Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity. Criteria – It should comprise of any one or more of the following components Richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories High endemism Presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance Wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties Past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity, with or without a long history of human association with them. Who notifies BHS: Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA) the State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify in the official gazette, area of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS).
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As per National Biodiversity Authority website there are 21 Biodiversity Heritage sites in India.
4.5.PROTECTED WETLANDS IN J AND K
Why in news? Srinagar’s Dal Lake along with five other famous ones in Jammu and Kashmir are to be declared protected wetlands. The other lakes which are to be declared protected wetlands include Purmandal lake, also called Chotta Kashi, located in Samba district. The chief secretary passed directions to declare Wular, Dal, Nigeen lakes in the Kashmir region and Sanasar, Manasbal and Purmandal lakes in the Jammu region as protected wetlands. He also directed the Forest Department which is the nodal department for the preparation of digital inventory, documentation and development of a geo-spatial database on wetlands, to profile various wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir and recommend their notification under the Environment Protection Act and Wetland (Conversation & Management) rules. There are a total number of 3,754 water bodies in the Union Territory and they are being regulated by different departments and agencies including forest, wildlife, soil and water conservation and local government bodies.
Wetlands: The Ramsar Convention, which is an international intergovernmental treaty for conservation of wetlands, to which India is a party, defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which, at low tides, does not exceed six meters”. Wetlands are regulated under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. The 2010 version of the Rules provided for a Central Wetland Regulatory Authority; the 2017 Rules replace it with state-level bodies and created a National Wetland Committee, which functions in an advisory role. The newer regulations removed some items from the definition of “wetlands” including backwaters, lagoon, creeks, and estuaries. In India, currently, 42 wetlands, with a surface area of over a million hectares are designated as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
4.6.FORESTS UNDER INDIGENOUS PEOPLE MORE PROTECTED SAYS NEW REPORT
Why in news? According to a report titled Forest Governance by Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (jointly published by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 81
(FILAC), deforestation rates are significantly lower in indigenous and tribal territories, where governments have formally recognized collective land rights. On an average, indigenous and tribal territories in the Amazon Basin lost 0.17 per cent of the carbon stored in their forests each year between 2003 and 2016 due to deforestation and forest degradation. In contrast, forests outside indigenous territories and protected areas lost 0.53 per cent each year, 0.36 per cent more than the indigenous territories, the report said. Improving the tenure security of these territories is an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions. The first ever Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, which assessed the status of biodiversity on the planet, also said that the rate of decline in biodiversity is lower in areas where indigenous people own land. However, the knowledge and perspective of the indigenous communities is absent in the global approaches to conservation. The FAO report is significant because it comes days after forest fires in Odisha’s Similipal highlighted the importance of engaging local communities in the first line of action. The report calls for a new relationship with indigenous peoples and to “allocate resources to revitalize their intangible wealth of cultures and ancestral knowledge”.
4.7.BIRTHS AMONG ENDANGERED RIGHT WHALES HIGHEST SINCE 2015
Why in news? North Atlantic right whales gave birth over the winter in greater numbers than scientists have seen since 2015, an encouraging sign for researchers who became alarmed three years ago when the critically endangered species produced no known offspring at all. Survey teams spotted 17 newborn right whale calves swimming with their mothers offshore between Florida and North Carolina from December through March. The overall calf count equals the combined total for the previous three years. That includes the dismal 2018 calving season, when scientists saw zero right whale births for the first time in three decades. Scientists suspect a calving slump in recent years may have been caused by a shortage of zooplankton to feed right whales in the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy off Nova Scotia. They say the uptick in births this season could be a result of whales being healthier after shifting to waters with more abundant food sources. Right whales migrate each winter to the warmer Atlantic waters off the Southeastern US to give birth. Trained spotters fly over the coastline almost daily during the calving season, scanning the water for mothers with newborns.
About North Atlantic Right Whale: The North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is one of three right whale species belonging to the genus Eubalaena. Two other species of right whales : the North Pacific right whale, which is found in the North Pacific Ocean, and the Southern right whale, which is found in the southern hemisphere.
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It’s a baleen whale, it feeds by swimming through a swarm of plankton with its mouth open and the head slightly above the surface. Right whales were named by whalers who identified them as the “right” whale to kill on a hunt. These leviathans had enormous value for their plentiful oil and baleen, which were used for corsets, buggy whips, and other contrivances. Threats : Entanglement in fishing gear, Vessel strikes, Habitat degradation, Ocean noise, Climate change, Changes in distribution and availability of prey, Small population size. Conservation : It is listed as Critically endangered under IUCN In the United States, this species is listed as “endangered” by the NMFS under the Endangered Species Act. CMS has listed the North Atlantic right whale on Appendix I, which identifies it as a migratory species threatened
4.8.WHY THERE IS CONSISTENT FALL IN MIGRATORY BIRD POPULATION IN CHANDIGARH
Why in news? The Chandigarh Bird Club (CBC), which conducts the bird count has found a consistent decrease in the total number of migratory bird species coming to the city. CBC conducts bird count focusing on waterfowl twice in a year. First in February when the migratory birds were all set to leave for their homelands and second in November, when the arrival of migratory birds is considered to be completed. The November census carries more weightage. Starting from the year 2018 November census, the total types of migratory bird species that migrated to the city was 98 which fell down consistently to 91 in 2017, 86 in 2019, and only 77 species in November 2020. Increasing encroachment of human population, disturbances in the specific habitats for migratory birds ,increasing water level of some of the aquatic bird habitats were the reasons behind the decline of migratory bird count.
Local reasons for the decline in bird count: The activities like contractual fishing, cultivation of water chestnuts are being undertaken in the vicinity of bird habitats which is not only affecting the migratory birds but also the residential birds of the area. For instance , villagers of Mote Majra allowed contractual fishing, cultivation of water chestnuts in Mote Majra water body. The increasing water level in the Sukhna Lake is also one of the reasons for the decline of migratory birds as birds prefer shallow water bodies for easy access to food. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 83
What steps have been taken in Chandigarh to help migratory birds? Sukhna Lake, Dhanas Lake, a small pond converted into a lake, falls in the Inter State Chandigarh Region (ISCR) involving certain parts of neighboring states Himachal, Haryana, and Punjab.Efforts are being made to make these water bodies a safe zone for migratory birds. Recently, the local administration made small floating platforms, which will allow birds to find a safe place in the water. Two new shallow water bodies in the adjoining Nagar Van were also created. In December, 2014, Sukhna Lake was declared a Bird-Flu hit zone. Around 70 geese were culled after one duck tested with the H5N1virus. Since then, the Chandigarh Wildlife and Forest department stopped the practice of rearing domestic waterfowl at Sukhna Lake.
4.9.FOREST FIRES- WHY SO FREQUENT THIS YEAR
Since the start of 2021, there has been a series of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, including in wildlife sanctuaries. April-May is the season when forest fires take place in various parts of the country. But forest fires have been more frequent than usual in Uttarakhand and have also taken place during winter; dry soil caused by a weak monsoon is being seen as one of the causes.
How prone to fire are India’s forests? As of 2019, about 21.67% (7,12,249 sq km) of the country’s geographical area is identified as forest, according to the India State of Forest Report 2019 (ISFR). Based on previous fire incidents and recorded events, forests of the Northeast and central India regions are the most vulnerable areas to forest fires. Forests in Assam, Mizoram and Tripura have been identified as ‘extremely prone’ to forest fire. States with large forest areas under the ‘very highly prone’ category include Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Western Maharashtra, Southern Chhattisgarh and areas of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, along with central Odisha, are turning into ‘extremely prone’ forest fire hotspots. Areas under the ‘highly prone’ and ‘moderately prone’ categories make up about 26.2% of the total forest cover. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are the two states that witness the most frequent forest fires annually.
What causes forest fires? Forest fires can be caused by a number of natural causes, but officials say many major fires in India are triggered mainly by human activities.
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In India, forest fires are most commonly reported during March and April, when the ground has large quantities of dry wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass and weeds that can make forests easily go up in flames if there is a trigger. In Uttarakhand, the lack of soil moisture too is being seen as a key factor. In two consecutive monsoon seasons (2019 and 2020), rainfall has been deficient by 18% and 20% of the seasonal average, respectively.
What efforts are being taken to protect forests from fire? In 2004, the FSI developed the Forest Fire Alert System to monitor forest fires in real time. In its advanced version launched in January 2019, the system now uses satellite information gathered from NASA and ISRO. Real-time fire information from identified fire hotspots is gathered using MODIS sensors (1km by 1km grid) and electronically transmitted to FSI. This information is then relayed via email at state, district, circle, division, range, beat levels. Users of this system in the locality are issued SMS alerts. The FSI system in January 2019 had over 66,000 users.
4.10.INDIA RECORDS THIRD WARMEST MARCH IN 121 YEARS
India recorded its third warmest March in 121 years, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated in its monthly report for March 2021. The monthly maximum temperature recorded over the country last month was 32.65 °C versus a normal of 31.24 °C (reference with 1980-2010), making March 2021 also the warmest since 2011 over the country The temperatures were above normal in all subdivisions of northwest, central, eastern and north-eastern India but in parts of peninsular India they were below normal. Heat wave conditions were recorded in many parts of the country in March with severe heat wave at isolated places occurred over West Rajasthan during March 29 to 31. The highest maximum temperature of 44.6 °C was recorded at Baripada, Odisha on March 30. The months of January and February were also the third warmest since 1901 when mean temperatures are considered and the second warmest in the past 120 years when minimum or early morning temperatures are considered. Through January, February and March, La Nina, a global meteorological phenomenon was prevailing which is associated with colder winters and generally milder temperatures. But this year’s warming trend has possibly overshadowed the cooling effect of La Nina. In India El Nino is associated with drought or weak monsoon while La Nina is associated with strong monsoon and above average rains and colder winters. Western disturbance (WD) activity in March was higher than normal as a total of 7 WDs moved across Western Himalayan Region against the normal of four WDs. But only three were active out of seven.
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But week by week rainfall data in March 2021 shows that consecutively past four weeks in the season, India recorded deficient rainfall over the entire country (16.7 mm, which is 45% less than its Long Period Average (LPA) of 30.4 mm).
4.11.KOTA FARMER DEVELOPS MANGO VARIETY THAT BEARS FRUIT ROUND THE YEAR
Shrikishan Suman (55 years), a farmer from Kota, Rajasthan, has developed an innovative mango variety which is a regular and round-the-year dwarf variety of mango called Sadabahar, which is resistant to most major diseases and common mango disorders. The fruit is sweeter in taste, comparable to langra and being a dwarf variety, is suitable for kitchen gardening, high-density plantation, and can be grown in pots for some years too. In 2000, he identified a mango tree in his orchard with an appreciable growth trend, dark green colored leaves. He noticed that the tree bloomed round the year. On observing these traits, he prepared five grafted mango plants using it as a scion. It took him about fifteen years to develop this variety by preserving and preparing the grafts. The innovative attributes of the variety have been verified by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), India, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science & Technology. NIF also facilitated an on-site evaluation of the variety through ICAR – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore, and a field testing at SKN Agriculture University, Jobner (Jaipur), Rajasthan. NIF has also facilitated the plantation of Sadabahar mango variety in the Mughal Garden at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. For this evergreen variety developed, Shrikishan Suman was conferred the NIF’s 9th National Grassroots Innovation and Traditional Knowledge Award.
4.12.CLIMATE CHANGE SHRINKS MARINE LIFE RICHNESS NEAR EQUATOR
Why in news? A Study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of has found a strong correlation between species decline and rising temperature. It finds that the total number of open-water species declined by about half in the 40 years up to 2010 in tropical marine zones worldwide. During that time, sea surface temperatures in the tropics rose nearly 0.2 degees. While past studies have shown that ocean warming is driving some species to migrate to cooler waters, the new study attempts to gauge that impact more
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broadly analyzing data on 48,661 marine species including fish, mollusks, birds and corals since 1955. The number of species attached to the seafloor remained somewhat stable in the tropics between the 1970s and 2010, according to the study. Some were also found beyond the tropics, suggesting they had expanded their ranges.But the most vulnerable one’s are coral reefs which cannot move. Having fleets of fish and other swimmers shift rapidly to more temperate waters could devastate the coral ecosystems they leave behind along with any fishing and tourism industries that rely on them. For Cuba, such an impact could unravel the island nation’s efforts to manage its underwater gardens although its corals have been less stressed by coastal development and pollution than corals elsewhere. They are considered more resilient to ocean warming. Cuba opened its first coral reef nursery four years ago to research which species coped best with warming and eventually to repopulate depleted reefs. The country is also restoring coastal mangroves, which serve as fish nurseries and shelter.
4.13.INDIAN STAR TORTOISE
Indian star tortoises account for almost half of all chelonian (turtle and tortoise) seizures in India. Their characteristically ornate carapace, an adaptation for camouflage and survival in arid deciduous habitats, has made star tortoises popular as pets and they have thus become the world’s most-traded tortoise. Taking cognisance of the extinction threat to the species, they were recently upgraded to protections under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Concern: India is home to the Indian star tortoise’s largest wild population and also has the most extensive range. According to a TRAFFIC report published in 2019, the Indian star tortoise, the Indian flapshell (Lissemys punctata), the Indian softshell (Nilssonia gangetica) and the black pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) are India’s most traded chelonians. However, only the last three have been placed in Schedule I – the highest level of protection.The even more trafficked Indian star tortoise however languishes in Schedule IV, the lowest level of protection available in the Act for threatened animals. The lowly conservation status also constricts research focus and attention the species receives. In captivity, Indian star tortoises are prone to carapacial abnormalities and decreased lifespan. There are also no records of large-scale captive breeding, implying that the bulk of the trade in these creatures involves wild individuals. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 87
In 2015, researchers reported that over 55,000 juvenile Indian star tortoises had been poached from a single location in Andhra Pradesh . This is serious cause of concern because the population loses individuals before they have reached sexual maturity and can contribute to the gene pool. Most rehabilitation efforts of the Indian star tortoise have been unscientific, and an important consequence has been the release of these reptiles into non-native habitats.
About Indian Star tortoise: These reptiles’ natural range encompasses India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But now restricted to northwestern and southern India, with small-pockets in central India. They are primarily herbivores but they have been known to consume insects, carrion and dung. Threats : Loss of habitat to agriculture and illegal harvesting for the pet trade IUCN status : Critically endangered
4.14.CONSUMER POSE 'GROWING THREAT ' TO TROPICAL FORESTS
Why in news? According to a new study rising imports in wealthy countries of coffee, cocoa and other products are a “growing threat” to forests in tropical regions. This new study looks at the global deforestation picture over the years between 2001 and 2015. Using high-resolution forest maps and a global supply chain model, the researchers were able to compile a comprehensive and highly detailed account of how deforestation is being driven by consumer behaviour, especially in richer countries. While countries like the UK, Germany, China and India have all planted more trees at home in recent years, all are linked to rising deforestation outside their borders, particularly in tropical forests. For instance, Cocoa consumption in Germany poses the highest risk to forests in Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana, in Tanzania it’s the demand for sesame seeds among Japanese consumers that’s a key driver. Obtaining net forest gains domestically but expanding non-domestic deforestation footprints, especially in the tropics, might do more harm than good for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. While consumers in India and China are responsible for the loss of around one tree per person per year, this rises to almost four in the richer G7 group of countries.
Way Forward: Governments need to adopt regulatory measures to oblige companies to assess and mitigate deforestation risks. The EU is now working on an accountability framework to address environmental harms and human rights by business. This must include liability for the harm caused by companies and access to courts for victims of human rights violations and environmental crimes.
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Paying poorer countries for environmental services has already cut deforestation rates and helped people out of poverty. The reseachers call for an expansion and increase of these long-term solutions.
4.15.NET -ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050
Why in news? In its bid to reclaim the global climate leadership, the US is widely expected to commit itself to a net-zero emission target for 2050 at the virtual Climate Leaders’ Summit convened by US President Joe Biden on April 22-23 where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the invitees. Several other countries, including the UK and France, have already enacted laws promising to achieve a net-zero emission scenario by the middle of the century. Even China has promised to go net-zero by 2060. India, the world’s third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, after the US and China, is the only major player holding out.
What is net-zero goal? Net-zero is a state in which a country’s emissions are compensated by absorption and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Absorption of the emissions can be increased by creating more carbon sinks such as forests, while removal of gases from the atmosphere requires futuristic technologies such as carbon capture and storage. It is being argued that global carbon neutrality by 2050 is the only way to achieve the Paris Agreement target of keeping the planet’s temperature from rising beyond 2°C compared to pre-industrial times. The net-zero formulation does not assign any emission reduction targets on any country. A country can become carbon-neutral at its current level of emissions, or even by increasing its emissions, if it is able to absorb or remove more.
India’s objections: India is the only one opposing this target because it is likely to be the most impacted by it. Over the next two to three decades, India’s emissions are likely to grow at the fastest pace in the world, as it presses for higher growth to pull hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. No amount of afforestation or reforestation would be able to compensate for the increased emissions. The net-zero goal does not figure in the 2015 Paris Agreement . It requires countries to set five- or ten-year climate targets for themselves, and demonstrably show they have achieved them. India has been arguing that instead of opening up a parallel discussion on net-zero targets outside of the Paris Agreement framework, countries must focus on delivering on what they have already promised. New Delhi is hoping to lead by example. It is well on its way to achieving its three targets under the Paris Agreement, and looks likely to overachieve them.
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It also repeatedly points to the fact that the developed nations have never delivered on their past promises and commitments. No major country achieved the emission-cut targets assigned to them under the Kyoto Protocol. At the same time, it has been saying that it does not rule out the possibility of achieving carbon-neutrality by 2050 or 2060. Just that, it does not want to make an international commitment so much in advance.
4.16.NEW BIRD SPECIES SPOTTED IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH
A bird spotted in Arunachal Pradesh at an altitude higher than its recorded perch in adjoining China has become the 1,340th species of the bird family in India. A team of scientists from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has spotted and photographed this rare species of bird in Arunachal Pradesh. A male and a female three-banded rosefinch were seen at Sela (mountain pass on the border between Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh) at an altitude of 3,852 metres above sea level. The altitudinal record of the sighting of this species from India is higher than its previous known altitudinal record from China. This has opened up interesting ecological research on this species. It may be using the high altitude temperate coniferous forest of Arunachal Pradesh as a passage while migrating from China to Bhutan. Since 2016, the bird checklist has increased by 104 species new to India. There were three additions to the checklist of India while the three-banded rosefinch was the fifth new species recorded during the current year.
About three-banded rosefinch: The three-banded rosefinch (Carpodacus trifasciatus) is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae , which are seed-eating passerine birds with a distinctively conical bill. The three-banded rosefinch is a resident of southern China and a vagrant in Bhutan.
4.17.PATIALA VILLAGE USES UNIQUE METHOD TO TREAT WASTE WATER
A new wastewater treatment plant opened recently in a village in Punjab’s Patiala district uses a method devised by one of the state’s leading environmentalists, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, to treat, recycle and reuse wastewater. The plant in Dhingi village of Patiala aims to achieve the following objective using the ‘Seechewal Model’ of wastewater management: Recycling and reusing the treated wastewater for irrigation Preventing further contamination of groundwater.
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The model is a pipe-and-pump formula used to remove heavy solid particles, oil and other material from water. It was introduced by Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and was first used in Seechewal, Punjab. The project aims to implement a combination of processes through four-well systems of wastewater treatment for reuse apart from human consumption. The water wells need to be cleaned regularly; otherwise, they produce extremely poor effluents with high suspended solids, which can be detrimental to the constructed wetland and cause clogging of beds. The project is likely to benefit 350 households and 2,755 people in total and has also engaged, empowered and evolved community sustained processes for water management and strengthened community collectives.
What exactly is Seechewal Model? A. Seechewal Model to Keep Villages Clean and Green The water from the village sewerage system is collected in a pond. A filter-mash is used to remove objects floating on the surface of water. Then the polluted water is taken into three separate wells. In the first well the silt from the sewerage is removed. In the second, fats, oil and ghee are taken away. The third well conveys the thus cleaned water in to the main pond. The water collected in the pond is cleaned with sun rays. On the banks of the pond, on opposite side of the three wells, a motor pump is installed to lift the treated water to send it to fields for irrigation. Plantation around treatment plant.
B. Seechewal Model to keep rivers clean. Industrial and domestic wastage is not thrown Into rivers. Treatment plants of sufficient capacity are installed in villages and Cities. After treatment the water is used for irrigation. Thick layers of silt are removed in order to promote water table recharge. Plantation on the banks of the rivers for their beautification.
Benefits of Seechewal Model: Seechewal model is easy to install and operate. It is very effective in keeping environment and natural water resources neat and clean. The method of treatment of polluted water is aerobic and eco-friendly. The water thus treated is recycled for use in agriculture, which promotes organic farming. It saves a lot of agricultural expenditure on fertilizers. Underground pipelines laid for conveying treated waters to fields do away with open rains that nourish flies and mosquitoes. It checks diseases. It promotes water table recharge.
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4.18.NEW FRESHWATER CRAB GENUS DISCOVERED
Researchers have come across a new genus of freshwater crab with two new species from the Western Ghats region in Idukki district. The genus has been named Rajathelphusa after Rajakumari, the place where the specimens were spotted. The two new species in the genus have been christened Rajathelphusa ala and Rajathelphusa muni.Ala’ alludes to the rock shelters used by the tribal people in the region, while ‘muni’ in Malayalam means hermit. Rajathelphusa ala is distinguished by a dark brown carapace with light brown chelipeds , the appendage with the claw and ambulatory legs. Rajathelphusa muni has a reddish-brown carapace with yellowish-brown chelipeds and ambulatory legs. Both crab species are small enough to fit in the hand of an adult human and live in burrows near rivers. The monsoonal climate of India is particularly suitable for terrestrial forest crabs such as Rajathelphusa, which need to keep their gills moist at all times. Their high carapaces allow them to have larger gill chambers that contain more water to help them respire, even during the dry season, With their discovery, the number of freshwater crab species found in the Kerala part of the Western Ghats has risen to 39 and endemic species to 20. Fifty-nine species of freshwater crabs in the family Gecarcinucidae have been reported from the Western Ghats. They, however, remain poorly studied as many parts of the Ghats have not been surveyed for freshwater crabs.
4.19.NON -UNIFORMITY OF HIMALAYAS FORESEES SIGNIFICANTLY LARGE EARTHQUAKE EVENTS
Why in news? Scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun, and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP) have found that the Himalayas are not uniform and assume different physical and mechanical properties in different directions which could result in significantly large earthquake events. The northwest region of India, an area covering Garhwal and Himachal Pradesh, has been hit by four destructive moderate to great earthquakes since the beginning of the 20th century . Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 92
These seismic activities manifest large-scale subsurface deformation and weak zones, underlining the need for deeper insights into the ongoing deformation beneath these tectonically unstable zones. They used the data from WIHG to show that the North-West Himalayan region exhibits a peculiar characteristic present in crystals. A property present in crystals called anisotropy which could result in significantly large earthquake events in the Himalayas. The joint study using seismic waves from 167 earthquakes recorded by 20 broadband seismic stations deployed in the western Himalaya suggested that the major contribution of the anisotropy is mainly because the strain induced by the Indo-Eurasia collision which is going on since 50 million years and deformation due to the collision is found to be larger in the crust than in the upper mantle. This lack of homogenous physical and mechanical properties of the Himalayas could help explore new perspectives about deformations taking place at the Himalaya-Tibet crustal belt involved in the formation of the Himalayan Mountains.
4.20.THIRD OF ANTARCTIC ICE SHELF AT COLLAPSE RISK DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING
Why in news? The research, published in the Geophysical Research Letters journal, found that 34 % of the area of all Antarctic ice shelves , around half a million square kilometers including 67 % of ice shelf area on the Antarctic Peninsula, would be at risk if global temperatures reach four degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The team also identified Larsen C , the largest remaining ice shelf on the peninsula, which split to form the enormous A68 iceberg in 2017 as one of four ice shelves that would be particularly threatened in a warmer climate. The researchers identified the Larsen C, Shackleton, Pine Island and Wilkins ice shelves as most at-risk under four degrees Celsius of warming, due to their geography and the significant runoff predicted in those areas. They noted that when melted ice accumulates on the surface of ice shelves, it can make them fracture and collapse spectacularly. The team said the ice shelf vulnerability from this fracturing process was forecast under 1.5, 2 and 4 degrees Celsius global warming scenarios, which are all possible this century. The team also noted that limiting temperature rise to two degrees Celsius rather than four degrees Celsius would halve the area at risk, and potentially avoid significant sea level rise.
Ice Shelf: Ice shelves are permanent floating platforms of ice attached to areas of the coastline and are formed where glaciers flowing off the land meet the sea. They are important buffers preventing glaciers on land from flowing freely into the ocean and contributing to sea level rise. When they collapse, it’s like a giant cork being removed from a bottle, allowing unimaginable amounts of water from glaciers to pour into the sea.
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4.21.ASIATIC WILD DOG
Why in news? A recent study on dhole or Asiatic wild dog, has found that the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WSS), a major habitat of elephants and tigers, is also host to a good number of dholes. The first ever study on the carnivore organised by the Wildlife Conservation Society–India, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, University of Florida, and Stanford University has found that the sanctuary has close to 50 dholes. A recent tiger survey showed that the sanctuary also has a relatively large tiger population, with 11 to 13 animals per 100 sq km. The fact that two large carnivores can coexist in such high densities is indicative of an abundant prey base and high quality habitat. Until now, there were no methods available to reliably estimate dhole populations. For the new study, scientists developed a scientifically robust method to estimate dhole numbers using genetic information and advanced population models.
Asiatic wild dog: The dhole is a canid native to Central, South, East, and Southeast Asia. Other English names for the species include Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, and mountain wolf. There are about 10 to 11 subspecies of dholes which are found all across the globe. Two are listed as endangered and two are on the verge of extinction. However, the Asiatic wild dog is the most common subspecies found in India. Fewer than 3000 adults left in the wild, India sustains the highest number of dholes in the world, which are widely distributed in three major landscapes- Western Ghats, Central India and Northeast India. It is a diurnal pack hunter which preferentially targets medium- and large-sized ungulates. Conservation : In India, the dhole is protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. IUCN lists it as Endangered.
4.22.INDUS AND GANGES RIVER DOLPHINS ARE TWO DIFFERENT SPECIES
Why in news? A detailed analysis of South Asian river dolphins has revealed that the Indus and Ganges River dolphins are not one, but two separate species.
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Currently, they are classified as two subspecies under Platanista gangetica and this needs a revision. The study estimates that Indus and Ganges river dolphins may have diverged around 550,000 years ago. The international team studied body growth, skull morphology, tooth counts, colouration and genetic makeup and published the findings last month in Marine Mammal Science.
About South Asian river Dolphin: The South Asian river dolphin is an freshwater or river dolphin found in the region of the Indian subcontinent The Ganges river dolphin is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. While the Indus river dolphin is now found only in the main channel of the Indus River in Pakistan and in the River Beas (a tributary of the Indus) in Punjab in India Both are classified as ‘Endangered’ species by the IUCN. Threats : Physical barriers such as dams and barrages created across the river reduced the gene flow to a great extent making the species vulnerable, very fast decline in river flow as river water is being diverted through the barrages.
4.23.ANTARCTICA’S DOOMSDAY GLACIER
Why in news? The melting of Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier also called the “Doomsday Glacier”– has long been a cause of concern because of its high potential of speeding up the global sea level rise happening due to climate change. According to a new study by Sweden’s University of Gothenburg -Thwaites’s melting are worse than previously thought, owing to the supply of warm water flowing underneath at a rate underestimated in the past.
What is the glacier and why is it important? Thwaites Glacier, is 120 km wide at its broadest, fast-moving, and melting fast over the years.Because of its size (1.9 lakh square km), it contains enough water to raise the world sea level by more than half a metre. Thwaites’s melting already contributes 4% to global sea level rise each year. It is estimated that it would collapse into the sea in 200-900 years. Thwaites is important for Antarctica as it slows the ice behind it from freely flowing into the ocean. Because of the risk it faces and poses Thwaites is often called the Doomsday Glacier.
What have previous studies said? A 2019 study had discovered a fast-growing cavity in the glacier, sized roughly two-thirds the area of Manhattan.
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The NYU study reported water at just two degrees above freezing point at Thwaites’s “grounding zone” or “grounding line”. The grounding line is the place below a glacier at which the ice transitions between resting fully on bedrock and floating on the ocean as an ice shelf. The location of the line is a pointer to the rate of retreat of a glacier. When glaciers melt and lose weight, they float off the land where they used to be situated. When this happens, the grounding line retreats. That exposes more of a glacier’s underside to seawater, increasing the likelihood it will melt faster.
What the new study says? Unlike the NYU study, where a hole had been dug, the Gothenburg study used an uncrewed submarine to go under the Thwaites glacier front to make observations. The researchers have been able to identify three inflows of warm water, among whom the damaging effects of one had been underestimated in the past. They were able to find that there are distinct paths that water takes in and out of the ice shelf cavity, influenced by the geometry of the ocean floor. The study shows that warm water is approaching the pinning points of the glacier from all sides, impacting these locations where the ice is connected to the seabed and where the ice sheet finds stability. This has the potential to make things worse for Thwaites, whose ice shelf is already retreating. This data will help to calculate better ice melting in the future.
4.24.BOHAG BIHU BIRD COUNT 2021
Why in news? Assam Bird Monitoring Network along with Bird Count India (BCI), will host the Bohag Bihu Bird Count from April 14 to April 17 across districts of Assam. The Bihu Bird Count, which was launched last year to promote the association of the festival with nature, aims to spread knowledge and awareness on the importance of the birds around us. The initiative emphasises the use of eBird.org, a citizen science platform for the birders to register their observations in a systematic manner. Rongali Bihu marks the beginning of Assamese New Year and has its own importance of representing the celebration. It is the phase when many migratory bird species that had visited Assam as well as the surrounding regions during the winter season start flying back to their homes. The Bird Count India (BCI), a frontline NGO, along with Assam Bird Monitoring Network has decided to scale up the “Bihu Bird Count” initiative to all the three Bihus (Magh, Bohag and Kati) – in winter, spring and autumn seasons respectively. The move comes after two successful bird counts. During the Magh Bihu Bird Count from January 14 to 17 this year, 418 species of birds were recorded from the state with 81 of them being long distance migrants. During the Magh Bihu Bird Count this year, the common myna was the most sighted species. Alsocertain species endemic to the Brahmaputra Valley, such
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as the Marsh Babbler, Swamp Prinia and Black-breasted Parrotbill, were also observed during the count. This exercise will lead to understanding the seasonal and temporal distribution of birds in Assam across different terrain as well as imbibe the sense of attachment towards nature within people. Only two Other states in India, namely Kerala and Tamil Nadu, have birdwatching events during their festivals Onam and Pongal respectively.
4.25.LAST RHINOS TRANSLOCATED IN ASSAM UNDER VISION 2020
Why in news? The ambitious Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV2020) came to a close with the release of two rhinos an adult male and a female in Assam’s Manas National Park transported from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary about 185 km to the east. The eighth round of rhino translocation under IRV2020 ended with the release of the two rhinos in the central part of the Bansbari range of Manas, which has received a total of 22 rhinos from other protected areas under the translocation programme. Target of attaining a population of 3,000 rhinos almost achieved but the animal could be reintroduced in only one of the four protected areas planned. The plan to introduce or reintroduce the rhino in three protected areas — Laokhowa, Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park did not quite work out. IRV2020 got delayed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saviour of Manas: Assam had at least five rhino-bearing areas till the 1980s.Better conservation efforts helped maintain the population of the one-horned herbivore in Kaziranga, Orang and Pobitora, but encroachment and poaching wiped the animal out of Manas and Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary. Manas, in focus for the near-extinction of the pygmy hog, lost the World Heritage Site tag it received in 1985 along with Kaziranga from the UNESCO. The translocated rhinos helped Manas National Park get back its World Heritage Site status in 2011.
About Indian Rhino vision (IRV2020): The Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 launched in 2005 is a joint program of Assam Forest Department, World Wide Fund for Nature India (WWF-India), International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and Bodoland Territorial Council in collaboration with many other organizations. The goal was to increase the rhino population in Assam to 3,000 by 2020 and to ensure that these rhinos are distributed over atleast 7 protected areas to provide long term viability of the one horned rhino population. Translocations are the backbone of the IRV 2020 program.
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The goal set was to populate the potential rhino habitat areas – Manas National Park, Dibru – saikhowa WLS, Laokhowa – Bura chapori WLS with a viable population of rhino through translocations from Kaziranga NP and Pobitora WLS . The first translocations, from Pabitora to Manas National Park, took place in April 2008.
4.26.NGT DIRECTS TO SET UP NATIONAL TASK FORCE FOR AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
Why in news? The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the constitution of an eight-member national task force to oversee air quality monitoring of 124 non-attainment cities (NACs) in the country. The task force will have members from ministries of housing and urban development, road transport, petroleum, power, agriculture, health, and chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board and will be headed by environment secretary. It will monitor remedial steps to improve air qualities in the NACs , places where air quality has generally remained poor and breached pollution parameters for five years consistent with action plans already prepared, and also oversee compliance of noise control norms. The list of 124 NACs include Delhi and in terms of states, Maharashtra has 18 such cities, the highest number, followed by 16 in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Andhra Pradesh, nine in Punjab and seven each in Odisha and Himachal Pradesh. The Tribunal has also asked the environment ministry and the CPCB to set up and periodically update a National Environment Data Grid, linked to state and district environment data grids and to online air quality portals, to facilitate research, analysis and planning on the subject. It has asked the task force to hold its first meeting within a month and evolve a mechanism for monitoring by quarterly meetings with chief secretaries of states.
About National Green Tribunal: The NGT was established on October 18, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010, passed by the Central Government. The stated objective of the Central Government was to provide a specialized forum for effective and speedy disposal of cases pertaining to environment protection, conservation of forests and for seeking compensation for damages caused to people or property due to violation of environmental laws or conditions specified while granting permissions. It draws inspiration from India’s constitutional provision of (Constitution of India/Part III) Article 21 Protection of life and personal liberty, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.
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The Chairperson of the NGT is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court, Head Quartered in Delhi. Other Judicial members are retired Judges of High Courts. Each bench of the NGT will comprise of at least one Judicial Member and one Expert Member. Expert members should have a professional qualification and a minimum of 15 years experience in the field of environment/forest conservation and related subjects.
Powers The NGT has the power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental issues and questions that are linked to the implementation of laws listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act. These include the following: The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977; The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991; The Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The NGT has not been vested with powers to hear any matter relating to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and various laws enacted by States relating to forests, tree preservation etc.
Principles of Justice adopted by NGT It is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice. NGT is also not bound by the rules of evidence as enshrined in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. While passing Orders/decisions/awards, the NGT will apply the principles of sustainable development, the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principles. Under Rule 22 of the NGT Rules, there is a provision for seeking a Review of a decision or Order of the NGT. If this fails, an NGT Order can be challenged before the Supreme Court within ninety days.
4.27.ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS IN MALDIVES TO TIDE OVER THE RISING SEA LEVELS
Why in news? The government of Maldives, one of the most low-lying terrains in the world, is developing at least three artificial islands to tide over the rising sea-levels due to climate change, showed a report by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Hulhumale, located to the northeast of the archipelago’s capital, Male, is a prominent example. It has been created by pumping out sand from the seafloor onto a submerged coral platform and is now Maldives’s fourth-largest island. The government has also expanded at least two other coral atolls Thilafushi and Gulhifalhuea through land reclamation. They are currently being used as industrial areas or landfills.
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Why this move? About 80 per cent of Maldives’s 1,190 coral islands are at an elevation of less than 1 metre (m) above sea level. Globally, the annual sea-level rise is recorded at 3-4 millimetres and has been accelerating. At this rate, it is only a matter of time that many of the islands are submerged. According to United States Geological Survey study of 2018 , low-lying islands will become uninhabitable by 2050 due to flooding and scarcity of freshwater. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had warned that sea-level will rise half a metre by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, or by 1m if they continue to rise. Hulhumale, that rises 2m above sea level, could become a refuge for Maldives’s population. The government had started constructing Hulhumale in 1997 on a lagoon off Male to accommodate the capital’s population swell. Now, the island covers an area of 4 sq. km and is home to 50,000 people. Maldives government has also explored plans to purchase land on higher ground in other countries as an insurance policy against sea level rise.
The NASA report noted that the natural properties of these coral atolls to resist sea-level rise offers a glimmer of hope and most of these reefs in Maldives and elsewhere “have remained stable or even grown larger in recent decades. However, it warned of human activities that interfere with the natural processes of the coral reefs.
4.28.MEGHALAYA RECORDS INDIA’S FIRST BAT WITH STICKY DISKS
Why in news? Meghalaya has yielded India’s first bamboo-dwelling bat with sticky disks, taking the species count of the flying mammal in the country to 130. The disk-footed bat (Eudiscopus denticulus) was recorded in the north-eastern State’s Lailad area near the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, about 1,000 km west of its nearest known habitat in Myanmar. It was discovered a year ago by the team of scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and a few European natural history museums while sampling in a bamboo patch. The finding by ZSI’s scientists has been published in the latest edition of Revue Suisse de Zoologie, a Swiss journal. The newly-recorded bat was presumed to be a bamboo-dwelling species, but its flattened skull and adhesive pads helped in identifying it as the disk- footed known from specific localities in southern China, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. They also found that the flattened skull and sticky pads enabled the bats to roost inside Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 100
cramped spaces, clinging to smooth surfaces such as bamboo internodes. The disk-footed bat was also found to be genetically very different from all other known bats bearing disk-like pads. It was also noted that these bats have veryhigh frequency echolocation calls , which was suitable for orientation in a cluttered environment such as inside bamboo groves. The disk-footed bat has raised Meghalaya’s bat count to 66, the most for any State in India. It has also helped add a genus and species to the bat fauna of India.
4.29.DISCOVERY OF NEW SPECIES AND GENERA OF CYNODONTS VIA MICROFOSSILS
Why in news? The Tiki Formation in Madhya Pradesh, a treasure trove of vertebrate fossils, has now yielded a new species and two genera of cynodonts, small rat-like animals that lived about 220 million years ago. The researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, used scanning electron microscopy to study about 10 teeth samples collected from the village of Tihki in Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh. The teeth were studied for size, crown shape, structure of the cusps and compared with previously reported cynodonts. The results showed that they had found a new species, and they named it Rewaconodon indicus, indicating India, the country it was discovered from. The team also identified two new genera from the area. The first was named Inditherium floris, after India and the Latin word therium meaning beast. As the teeth had a flower-shaped crown, it earned the species name floris. The second was named Tikiodon cromptoni, after Tiki Formation and Greek word odon meaning tooth. The species name is after paleontologist A.W. Crompton.
About Cynodonts: Cynodonts and living mammals both belong to a group of egg-laying vertebrates (amniotes) called synapsids. The close relationship of cynodonts with living mammals is seen in their bones. They also have differentiated teeth, a secondary palate in their mouths, which, like humans, allowed them to breathe and eat at the same time. Some cynodonts show evidence for the inferred presence of whiskers and fur. Cynodonts are important in evolutionary studies as this group ultimately gave rise to the present-day mammals. About eighty cynodont genera have been reported from around the world. The ones similar to the newly discovered ones were previously found in Laurasia which includes North America, England, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Belgium.
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4.30.IMD FORECAST
News After two successive years of ‘above-normal’ rainfall, the country would witness ‘normal’ south-west monsoon in the current year with precipitation at 98% of the long period average (LPA), according to Indian meteorological department.
Normal implies that the country will get 96% to 104% of the 88 cm that it gets from June-September. Long Period Average (LPA), is the mean of monsoon rainfall from 1961-2010. Below normal - when the rainfall is <90% of LPA Above normal - when rainfall is >110% of LPA Monsoon forecast this year is primarily predicated on ‘neutral’ surface temperatures in the Central Equatorial Pacific. This year, a warming El Niño is unlikely, and another ocean parameter closer home, the Indian Ocean Dipole, too is expected to be unfavourable for excess rains Monsoon in India has a bearing on Agricultural productivity, considering that 52% of the crop area is still rain-fed. El Niño, which is associated with warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, normally brings lower monsoon rainfall, though there is no one-on-one relationship. It develops when the surface temperatures of the Pacific rise above normal. La Nina is opposite of El Nino and occurs when sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean drops below average.
The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Also known as the Indian Niño, IOD is an irregular oscillation of sea surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer (positive phase) and then colder (negative phase) than the eastern part of the ocean. A positive IOD is associated with droughts in Southeast Asia and Australia. A negative IOD is supposed to give good rainfall in Southeast Asia and Australia.
4.31.FOREST FIRE ALERTS NEARLY DOUBLE THIS APRIL THAN IN 2020
Why in news? According to Global Forest Watch (GFW), India recorded 82,170 forest fire alerts from April 1-14, 2021 nearly double the number reported during the same period past year. The country reported 43,031 alerts during the corresponding fortnight in 2020, according to GFW data using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) alerts. The number of forest fire alerts in April 2021 is also the highest in five years. A majority of the forest fire alerts were concentrated in north and central India, mainly in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand, along with parts of Jharkhand and Telangana.
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Uttarakhand recorded a significant jump of 8,934 forest fire alerts during April 1- 14 as against 72 in the corresponding fortnight last year. Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of VIIRS alerts (22,797) during the fortnight, in line with the trend of the past five years.
Why there is increase in forest fire alerts this year? Temperatures in the first three months of the year have been warmer than usual. And March 2021 was the third warmest in 121 years. The basis for more fires in April lies in increased temperature in March this year. Warmer weather leads to rapid desiccation of fuel (wood, leaves and other inflammable materials found in forests). In such a scenario, even a small ignition is likely to become widespread. In India, forest fires are most commonly reported during March and April, when the ground has large quantities of dry wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass and weeds that can make forests easily go up in flames if there is a trigger.
What factors make forest fires a concern? Forest act as a sink, reservoir and source of carbon. A healthy forest stores and sequesters more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem. Fires render several hectares of forest useless and leave behind ash, making it unfit for any vegetation growth. Heat generated during the fire destroys animal habitats. Soil quality decreases with the alteration in their compositions. Soil moisture and fertility, too, is affected. In India, with 1.70 lakh villages in close proximity to forests (Census 2011), the livelihood of several crores of people is dependent on fuelwood, bamboo, fodder, and small timber.
About Global Forest Watch: Global Forest Watch (GFW) is an open-source web application to monitor global forests in near real-time. GFW is an initiative of the World Resources Institute (WRI), with partners including Google, USAID, the University of Maryland (UMD), Esri, Vizzuality and many other academic, non-profit, public, and private organizations.
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4.32.NATIONAL CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT REPORT
Why in news? The report titled ‘Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India Using a Common Framework’, which identifies the most vulnerable states and districts in India with respect to current climate risk and key drivers of vulnerability has been released by Department of Science and Technology. A total of 94 representatives from 24 states and two Union Territories participated in the nationwide exercise jointly supported by the DST and the Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC). It was part of a capacity building programme under the National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem and National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.
Key findings of the report: Vulnerability indices lie between 0 and 1; 0 being the lowest possible VI and 1 the highest. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 104
Highly vulnerable states - The report has identified Jharkhand, Mizoram, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal as states highly vulnerable to climate change. These states, mostly in the eastern part of the country, require prioritization of adaptation interventions. Lower-middle vulnerable states - Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim and Punjab. Low vulnerability states - Uttarakhand, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Goa and Maharashtra . Highly vulnerable districts - Among all states Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand have over 60% districts in the category of highly vulnerable districts. Jharkhand, with the highest VI of 0.674, topped the list of States most vulnerable to climate change.Among the drivers of its vulnerability is the high incidence of vector-borne diseases, high yield variability of food grains, and low road and rail density. The major drivers for the vulnerability of all the States included lack of forest area per 1,000 rural population, lack of crop insurance, marginal and small operational land holding, low density of health workers, low participation of women in the workforce, yield variability of food grains, and a high proportion of the population below the poverty line. Vulnerability scores in all districts in India lies in a very small range. Which shows that all districts & states are somewhat vulnerable with respect to current climate risk in India.
Significance of the report: The vulnerability assessment can assist in ranking and identification of the most vulnerable districts and states and help states prioritise adaptation planning and investments. It is critical for developing adaptation projects for the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, and funds from multilateral and bilateral agencies. It will also facilitate Nationally Determined Contributions, which aims to adapt better to climate change by enhancing investments in development programmes in sectors vulnerable to climate change.
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4.33.GROUNDWATER DEPLETION
Why in news? Groundwater depletion may reduce winter cropping intensity by 20% in india
About: India is the second-largest producer of wheat in the world, with over 30 million hectares in the country dedicated to producing this crop. But with severe groundwater depletion, the cropping intensity or the amount of land planted in the winter season may decrease by up to 20% by 2025, notes a new paper. The international team studied India’s three main irrigation types on winter cropped areas: dug wells, tube wells, canals, and also analysed the groundwater data from the Central Ground Water Board They found that 13% of the villages in which farmers plant a winter crop are located in critically water-depleted regions. Further added that these villages may lose 68% of their cropped area in future if access to all groundwater irrigation is lost. The results suggest that these losses will largely occur in northwest and central India.
4.34.EARTH DAY
Why in news? April 22 is the Earth Day, an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection.
About: Every year, April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day to raise public awareness about the environment and inspire people to save andprotect it In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day The year 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of the annual celebrations Earth Day was first observed in 1970, when 20 million took to the streets to protest against environmental degradation. The event was triggered by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, as well as other issues such as smog and polluted rivers. It is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network The Earth Day also recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration (Earth Summit), to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity. This year’s theme for Earth Day is ‘Restore Our Earth’. This year’s theme focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.
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This year, seven major climate-related events are taking place in parallel on April 22, including the Leaders’ Summit on Climate hosted by the United States, and the Exponential Climate action Summit on Financing the Race to Zero emissions
4.35.RIVERINE FOREST TO GET PROTECTION IN KERALA
Why in news? The lush wilderness along the Meenachil’s banks near Peroor, Kottayam which is home to rare varieties of riparian plant species, has finally been afforded the status of a local bio-diversity hotspot.
About: Threat: sand-mining and illegal tree felling The government agencies including the State police and the Kerala Forest Department can now enforce protection of the area by invoking provisions of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 . This area has IUCN recognized ‘vulnerable’ species Ochreinauclea missionis (Attuvanji) and Mallotus atrovirens (Ezhanjil), Tetramilis nudiflora (Thavalamaram) etc,
4.36.SMALL INDIAN CIVETS
Why in news? Three small Indian civets recovered in east godavari About: IUCN: Least Concern It is a civet native to South and Southeast Asia Small Indian civets are nocturnal, mostly terrestrial and insectivorous The small Indian civet is a prolific consumer of fruits, mostly in the coconut orchids and banana plantations and other horticulture fields. It occupies abandoned places for breeding Threat : hunting by local community for medicinal use and use as food Poaching or hunting of the small Indian civet is prohibited under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
4.37.SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS
Why in news? A genome study points towards the prospects of saving the critically endangered species that is now found in small numbers in the islands of Borneo and Sumatra The researchers sequenced the genomes of seven rhinos from Borneo, eight from Sumatra and six from the Malay Peninsula population that has been considered extinct since 2015
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About: IUCN: Critically Endangered CITES Appendix I It is also known as the hairy rhinoceros or Asian two-horned rhinoceros The Sumatran rhinoceros, the closest living relative to the woolly rhinoceros that was among the notable species of the last Ice Age known for its two small horns and a thin coat of reddish-brown hair. The Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest of the world's five rhinoceros species, at around 700 to 800kg. The elusive rainforest inhabitant, the most vocal rhino species, remains solitary except for mating and rearing offspring. It once had a wide range in Southeast Asia, from the foothills of the Himalayas down to Borneo and Sumatra. Threat: Poaching and habitation destruction by humans.
4.38.TWO DAMSELFLY SPECIES DISCOVERED IN WESTERN GHATS
Why in news? Euphaea thosegharensis and Euphaea pseudodispar were spotted at Thoseghar in Satara district of Maharashtra in May 2020 About: Prior to the findings, only three endemic species of Euphaea were known from Western Ghats. 1. Euphaea fraseri: a very common species in the forested foothills of Western Ghats and is found from Kanyakumari to Maharashtra; 2. Euphaea dispar: is restricted to the north of the Palakkad Gap from South Kanara and Coorg to Nilgiris 3. Euphaea cardinalis: a montane species found south of the Palakkad Gap in Anamalais, Palnis and Agasthyamalai Hills. Euphaea thosegharensis is similar to Euphaea cardinalis, while Euphaea pseudodispar is similar to Euphaea dispar but can be easily separated by its colouration and morphology.
4.39.THE ‘SAUDI GREEN INITIATIVE’ AND THE ‘MIDDLE EAST GREEN INITIATIVE’
Why in news? One of the main pillars of the Saudi G20 presidency was to “safeguard the planet” Two recent initiatives launched the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to combat the threat of climate change — the ‘Saudi Green Initiative’ and the ‘Middle East Green Initiative’
About: G20:
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The G20 introduced initiatives like establishing a Global Coral Reef Research and Development Accelerator Platform to accelerate scientific knowledge and technology development in support of coral reef survival, conservation, resilience, adaptation and restoration. G20 leaders also acknowledged the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Platform as a tool towards affordable, reliable, and secure energy and economic growth.
Current status: Saudi Arabia currently operates the largest carbon capture and utilisation plant in the world, turning half a million tonnes of CO2 annually into products such as fertilizers and methanol. It also operates one of the region’s most advanced CO2-enhanced oil recovery plants that captures and stores 8,00,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Plans are afoot to deploy additional carbon capture, utilisation and storage infrastructure. In 2016, the Crown Prince unveiled Vision 2030, a comprehensive road map to improve the quality of life of the citizens of the country. As part of VISION 2030, Saudi Arabia carried out a comprehensive restructuring of the environmental sector and established the Environmental Special Forcesin 2019.
The Saudi Green Initiative Aims to raise the vegetation cover, reduce carbon emissions, combat pollution and land degradation, and preserve marine life. As part of the initiative, 10 billion trees will be planted in the Kingdom. It aims to reduce carbon emissions by more than 4% of global contributions, through a renewable energy programme that will generate 50% of Saudi’s energy from renewables by 2030. Saudi Arabia is working towards raising the percentage of its protected areas to more than 30% of its total land area, representing roughly 6,00,000 sq km, exceeding the global target of 17%.
The Middle East Green initiative Saudi Arabia will work with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and regional partners to plant an additional 40 billion trees in the West Asian region. It represents 5% of the global target of planting one trillion trees and reducing 2.5% of global carbon levels Saudi Arabia has been sharing its expertise and know-how with its neighbouring countries to reduce carbon emissions resulting from hydrocarbon production in the region by 60% and globally by 10% It is an annual summit which will host leaders from the government, scientists and environmentalists to discuss the details of implementation In partnership with participating countries, innovative methods will be researched to irrigate from treated water, cloud seeding and other purpose-driven solutions such as planting native trees which requires support for three years to grow and will then be able to survive on their own with natural irrigation.
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4.40.COVID-19 HAS AGGRAVATED CHALLENGES TO MANAGE FORESTS: UN REPORT
Why in news? New UN report calls for greater sustainability and a greener, more inclusive economy to tackle the threats of COVID-19, climate change and biodiversity crisis faced by forests
About: Some of the most vulnerable segments of society, especially the rural poor and indigenous peoples have turned to forests for their most essential subsistence needs. This has increased pressures on forest systems, the Global Forest Goals Report 2021, prepared by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, said. It provides an initial overview of progress towards achieving the six Global Forest Goals and their 26 associated targets as contained within the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030.
United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 This was created with a mission to promote sustainable forest management and enhance the contribution of forests and trees to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Plan recognizes that in order to create a world in which forests could provide economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits for present and future generations, they will be needed by humanity in the first place The first Global Forest Goal in the Plan provides for increasing forest area by three per cent by 2030. Climate change and a biodiversity crisis are other big threats to forest ecosystems besides the pandemic. The ‘Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and EcosystemServices’ of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) had highlighted that one million species were at risk of extinction and that 100 million hectares of tropical forest were lost from 1980- 2000. The report called for a future course of action that included greater sustainability and a greener and more inclusive economy to tackle the threats of COVID-19, climate change and the biodiversity crisis faced by forests
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) IPBES is to perform regular and timely assessments of knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services and their interlinkages at the global level Addresses an invitation by the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to prepare a global assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services building, inter alia, on its own and other relevant regional, subregional and thematic assessments, as well as on national report This will contribute to the process for the evaluation and renewal of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
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5. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
SPACE RELATED
5.1.TRACKING SOLAR ERUPTIONS
Why in news? Scientists have developed a new technique to track the huge bubbles of gas threaded with magnetic field lines that are ejected from the Sun, disrupting space weather and causing geomagnetic storms, satellite failures, and power outages. As the ejections from the Sun, technically called Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), cause various disturbances of the space environment, forecasting their arrival time is very important. However, forecasting accuracy is hindered by limited CME observations in interplanetary space. Software named Computer Aided CME Tracking Software (CACTus) based on a computer vision algorithm was so far used to detect and characterise such eruptions automatically in the outer corona where these eruptions cease to show accelerations and propagate with a nearly constant speed. However, this algorithm could not be applied to the inner corona observations due to the vast acceleration experienced by these eruptions. Researchers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of observational sciences (ARIES), Nainital, an autonomous institute under DST, Government of India, along with their collaborators from Royal Observatory of Belgium, have led to the development of an algorithm, CMEs Identification in Inner Solar Corona (CIISCO) to detect and track the accelerating solar eruption in the lower corona. As India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, will be observing this region of the solar corona, implementation of CIISCO on the Aditya-L1 data will provide new insight into the CME properties in this less explored region.
About Sun's Corona The Sun’s corona is the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere. The corona is usually hidden by the bright light of the Sun’s surface. That makes it difficult to see without using special instruments. The Sun’s corona extends millions of kilometres into outer space and is most easily seen during a total solar eclipse, but it is also observable with a coronagraph. It is the aura of plasma that surrounds the Sun and other stars. The corona is about 10 million times less dense than the Sun’s surface. This low density makes the corona much less bright than the surface of the Sun.
About India's Aditya L1 Mission The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for its first scientific expedition to study the Sun, Aditya-L1. It would be placed into a point in space known as the L1 Lagrange point. Aditya L1 will be ISRO’s 2nd space-based astronomy mission after AstroSat, which was launched in 2015. Aditya 1 was renamed as Aditya-L1.
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The Aditya 1 was meant to observe only the solar corona and it involved placing the satellite in 800 Km low earth orbit. Later ISRO planned to place the satellite in the halo orbit around the Lagrangian Point (L1). L1 is 1.5 Million km from the Earth. This point provides the advantage of observing the Sun continuously without any disturbance. Aditya L1 will study the Sun’s corona (Visible and Near infrared rays), Sun's photosphere (soft and hard X-ray), chromosphere (Ultra Violet ), solar emissions, solar winds and flares, and Coronal Mass Ejections and will carry out round-the-clock imaging of the Sun. List of payloads which have been used for the mission: 1. Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) 2. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) 3. Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) 4. Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya 5. Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) 6. High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) 7. Magnetometer
Other Missions to the Sun 1. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe’s aim is to trace how energy and heat move through the Sun’s corona and to study the source of the solar wind’s acceleration. It is part of NASA’s ‘Living With a Star’ programme that explores different aspects of the Sun-Earth system. 2. The earlier Helios 2 solar probe, a joint venture between NASA and space agency of erstwhile West Germany, went within 43 million km of the Sun’s surface in 1976.
5.2.SUPERNOVA EXPLOSION TRACED TO ONE OF THE HOTTEST KIND OF STARS
Supernovae (SNe) are highly energetic explosions in the Universe releasing an enormous amount of energy. Indian astronomers have tracked a rare supernova explosion and traced it to one of the hottest kind of stars called Wolf–Rayet stars or WR stars. The rare Wolf–Rayet stars are highly luminous objects a thousand times that of the Sun. They are massive stars and strip their outer hydrogen envelope which is associated with the fusion of Helium and other elements in the massive core. They are a heterogeneous set of stars with unusual spectra showing prominent broad emission lines of ionised helium and highly ionised nitrogen or carbon. The surface temperatures of known Wolf-Rayet stars range from 30,000 K to around 210,000 K, hotter than almost all other kinds of stars. A team of astronomers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India with international collaborators have conducted the optical monitoring of one such stripped-envelope supernova called SN 2015dj hosted in the galaxy NGC 7371 which was spotted in 2015. They calculated the mass of the star that collapsed to form the supernovae as well as the geometry of its ejection.
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The scientists also found that the original star was a combination of two stars - one of them is a massive WR star and another is a star much less in mass than the Sun.
5.3.NASA'S MARS ODYSSEY SPACECRAFT
NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft launched 20 years ago on April 7, 2001, has made it the oldest spacecraft still working at the Red Planet. It's been in orbit since Oct. 24, 2001. The orbiter, which takes its name from Arthur C. Clarke's classic sci-fi novel "2001: A Space Odyssey", was sent to investigate the Martian environment and to provide key information on hazards future explorers might face. Mission objectives 1. Mapping the levels of elements across the entire Martian surface. 2. Determine how much hydrogen exists within the “shallow subsurface”. 3. Develop a library of high-resolution images and spectroscopy for the mineral composition of the Martian surface. 4. Provide information on the morphology of the Martian surface. 5. Identify the “radiation-induced risk to human explorers” through a characterization of the “near-space radiation environment” on the Martian surface. Major achievements and discoveries 1. The most complete global maps of Mars were made using Odyssey's infrared camera, called the Thermal Emission Imaging System, or THEMIS. 2. The feasibility of humans traveling to Mars was also the focus of an instrument aboard Odyssey that measured how much space radiation astronauts would have to contend with before it stopped working in 2003. 3. By 2008, Mars Odyssey had mapped the basic distribution of water below the shallow surface which was confirmed by Phoenix lander. 4. The orbiter also discovered vast deposits of bulk water ice near the surface of equatorial regions. 5. Evidence for equatorial hydration is both morphological and compositional and is seen at both the Medusae Fossae formation (large geological unit of probable volcanic origin on the planet Mars) and the Tharsis Montes (three large shield volcanoes in the Tharsis region of the planet Mars).
5.4.FARTHEST GAMMA-RAY EMITTING ACTIVE GALAXY
Astronomers have discovered a new active galaxy identified as the farthest gamma- ray emitting galaxy that has so far beendiscovered. The active galaxy called the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxy, which is about 31 billion light-years away. Ever since 1929, when Edwin Hubble discovered that the Universe is expanding, it has been known that most other galaxies are moving away from us. Light from these galaxies is shifted to longer (and this means redder) wavelengths - in other words, it is red-shifted. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 114
Scientists have been trying to trace such red-shifted galaxies to understand the early Universe. Scientists from ARIES, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with researchers from other institutions, studied around 25,000 luminous Active galactic nuclei (AGN) from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), a major optical imaging and spectroscopic survey of astronomical objects in-operation for the last 20 years and found a unique object that emits high-energy gamma rays located at a high redshift. They identified it as a gamma-ray emitting NLS1 galaxy, which is a rare entity in space. For the research, the scientists used one of the largest ground-based telescopes in the world, the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope located at Hawaii, USA. The new gamma-ray emitting NLS1 was formed when the Universe was only about 4.7 billion years old as compared to its current age of about 13.8 billion years. The research are also keen to exploit the capabilities offered by the TIFR-ARIES Near-Infrared Spectrometer on the recently commissioned 3.6 m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT) at ARIES to find more such gamma-ray emitting NLS1 galaxies at much larger redshifts.
5.5.ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER 12 RARE QUADRUPLE QUASARS
A group of international astronomers have discovered 12 rare quasars, each offering four distinct quadruple images, commonly called Einstein’s cross. This discovery could help refine the existing understanding about our universe’s rate of expansion and unravel mysteries surrounding dark matter. Scientists from the Gaia Gravitational Lenses Working Group (GraL), combined multiple telescope observations to confirm this discovery. The first quadruple quasar image was captured in 1985 and since then, only 50 such quasars have been identified. The latest finding has now increased the total confirmed Einstein’s crosses by 25 per cent. Gravity causes massive objects like galaxies and emissions from them to bend over time and space. Similarly, emissions from a quadruple quasar are said to pass through such deflection causing ‘natural’ lenses. Some deflection is resultant of the presence of numerous galaxies acting as barriers located between a source and Earth, ultimately splitting it into four images. The closest quadruple quasar, among the twelve newly identified was located 5,000 mega parsecs away. (Parsec, is the unit for expressing distances to stars and galaxies, used by professional astronomers, equal to about 19 trillion miles (more than 30 trillion km)) In fact, researchers at ARIES have already started newer quasar observations using the institute’s own 3.6m Devasthal Optical Observatory (DOT).
About Quasars Quasars are distant galaxies with extremely luminous nuclei.
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They consist of black holes, measuring many million times larger than our Sun, surrounded by thick gaseous matter. The mass of Quasars is millions to billions of times the mass of the sun. Quasar observations are mainly used to study dark matter in determining the evolution of galaxies and to understand the rate of expansion of our universe, which is measured using the Hubble-Lemaítre constant. Quasars are visible as four distinct images called quadruply-imaged quasars. This is also referred to as ‘Einstein Cross’. The nearest Quasar to the earth is Markarian 231. It is 600 million years away from the earth. Quasars are usually found in the centres of active galaxies.
5.6.GAGANYAAN MISSION
Space agencies of India and France on 15th April 2021 signed an agreementforcooperationfor the country's first human space mission Gaganyaan. ISRO has asked the French Space Agency CNES to help prepare for Gaganyaan missions and to serve as its single European contact in this domain. Under the terms of agreement CNES will: 1. Train India's flight physicians. 2. CAPCOM mission control teams in France at the CADMOS centre for the development of microgravity applications and space operations at CNES in Toulouse and at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. 3. Support implementation of a scientific experiment plan on validation missions. 4. Exchange information on food packaging and the nutrition programme. 5. Use by Indian astronauts of French equipment, consumables and medical instruments.French equipment developed by CNES, tested and still operating aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will thus be made available to Indian crews. 6. Supplying fireproof carry bags made in France to shield equipment from shocks and radiation. The cooperation could be extended in the future to parabolic flights operated by Novespace to test instruments and for astronaut training, as well as technical support for construction of an astronaut training centre in Bangalore.
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5.7.LYRID METEOR SHOWER 2021
A Meteor shower is a collection of space debris known as meteors that become visible in the night sky as they burn up in Earth's atmosphere as it comes under the influence of earth’s gravity. The burning happens due to the friction created by the Earth’s atmosphere. These debris normally dust from a comet or asteroid is often only the size of a grain of sand. But despite being tiny, it can travel at tremendous speeds (up to 66km/s), ensuring it shines brightly in the atmosphere.
About Lyrid Meteor Shower The Lyrid meteor shower will take place between 13-29 April this year. They are generally referred to as April Lyrids. The Lyrid meteor shower is caused when Earth’s orbit crosses path with the debris trail left by the Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The shower has been observed by humans for over 2,500 years, but the comet itself hasn’t been seen since 1861. Thatcher’s orbit around the Sun is so big it only crosses into the inner Solar System roughly every 415 years. It's named after astronomer A.E. Thatcher, who first spotted the comet. They are best viewed in northern hemisphere. Lyrid meteors will be visible all across the night sky. The meteors all originate from the same area: the constellation of Lyra, which contains the star Vega.
Important Meteor Showers The International Astronomical Union has listed the famous meteor showers. Quadrantids - Early January, Lyrids - Late April, Pi Puppids - Late April, Eta Aquariids - Early May, Arietids - Mid June, Beta Taurids - Late June, June Bootids - Late June, Southern Delta Aquariids - Late July, Alpha Capricornids - Late July, Perseids - mid-August, Kappa Cygnids - mid August, Aurigids - Early September, Draconids - Early October, Orionids - Late October, Southern Taurids - Early November, Northern Taurids - mid November, Andromedids - mid November, Alpha Monocerotids - mid November, Leonids - mid- November, Phoenicids - early December, Geminids - mid December, Ursids - Late December.
Difference between meteors, comets and asteroids 1. Meteors are the bits of rock and dusk that break away from comets and asteroids. A meteorite is what falls through the Earth’s atmosphere. 2. Asteroids are masses of rock that orbit the Sun in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. 3. Comets, like asteroids, orbit the Sun. However, they’re made of ice and dust rather than rock. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 117
5.8.NASA'S MARS HELICOPTER INGENUITY
NASA's miniature robot helicopter Ingenuity performed a successful takeoff and landing on Mars early on 19th April 2021, achieving the first powered, controlled 40- second flight by an aircraft over the surface of another planet. It was carried by NASA’s rover called Perseverance that was launched in July 2020 and will help collect samples from the surface from locations where the rover cannot reach. The solar-powered whirligig's debut on the Red Planet marked a 21st-century Wright Brothers moment for NASA, which said success could pave the way for new modes of exploration on Mars and other destinations in the solar system, such as Venus and Saturn's moon Titan. The robot rotorcraft was programmed to ascend 10 feet (3 meters) straight up, then hover and rotate in place over the Martian surface for half a minute before settling back down on its four legs. A black-and-white photo taken by a downward-pointing onboard camera while the helicopter was aloft showed the distinct shadow cast by Ingenuity in the Martian sunlight onto the ground just below it. A snippet of color video footage captured by a separate camera mounted on the NASA's Mars rover Perseverance, parked about 200 feet away, showed the helicopter in flight against the orange-colored landscape surrounding it.
Engineering challenge: It is an engineering challenge to fly on Mars whose atmosphere is 1% in density compared to the atmosphere on Earth. To sustain flight, the helicopter blades have to rotate at 2400 rpm (Rotations Per Minute) or about 8 times as fast as a passenger helicopter to fly on Earth. For a helicopter to fly a few metres from the ground on Mars, is equivalent for a helicopter to fly 2-3 times the height of Mt Everest. The other challenge is to design a craft that will have its own power, communication and mechanical subsystems with such a small mass budget allocation. Ingenuity also had to survive the very cold Martian night that can be brutal on batteries and the onboard computer. Martian rovers can traverse a limited distance every sol. One of the reasons for this is that there is limited information on the proposed route of the rover. High-resolution imagery from orbit supports driving on Mars, but imagery from a helicopter can be of much higher resolution and can be achieved quickly. Imagery from orbit has a much longer turnaround time. Thus, a helicopter should be able to provide better images of hazards along a rover’s route and this can help in planning a longer drive.
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There are parts of the landscape that rovers cannot reach maybe a jagged rock or a steep hill or depression. A helicopter could presumably be used to land, do a quick scientific reconnaissance, and even bring back a rock sample for the rover to analyse.
5.9.COSMIC ROSE
The NASA recently shared an image of “Cosmic Rose” through its Instagram account. The post features an Interacting Galaxy Arp 273, which is a combination of spiral galaxy UGC 1810 and its companion galaxy below, known as UGC 1813. UGC 1810 is five times heavier than UGC 1813. The UGC 1810 has a disc that is tidally distorted into a rose like shape. The distortion is mainly due to the gravitational pull of UGC 1813 that lies beneath. The Interacting Galaxy Arp 273 lies in the constellation Andromeda and is roughly 300 million light-years away from Earth. The image was captured by Hubble Space Telescope of NASA.
About Interacting Galaxy The Interacting Galaxies are those galaxies whose gravitational fields disturb one another.
5.10.IN FIRST, NASA’S MARS ROVER MAKES OXYGEN ON ANOTHER PLANET
NASA in its latest mission to Mars has converted carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere into pure, breathable oxygen, a first of its kind in an extra Terrestrial environment. The unprecedented extraction of oxygen, literally out of thin air on Mars, was achieved on 20th April 2021 by an experimental device aboard Perseverance. The first oxygen conversion run came a day after NASA achieved the historic first controlled powered flight of an aircraft on another planet with a successful take-off and landing of a miniature robot helicopter on Mars. Like MOXIE, the twin-rotor chopper dubbed Ingenuity hitched a ride to Mars with Perseverance, whose primary mission is to search for fossilised traces of ancient microbes that may have flourished on Mars billions of years ago. The toaster-sized instrument dubbed MOXIE, short for Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilisation Experiment, produced about 5 grams of oxygen, equivalent to roughly 10 minutes’ worth of breathing for an astronaut.
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The feat marked the first experimental extraction of a natural resources from the environment of another planet for direct use by humans. MOXIE is designed to generate up to 10 grams per hour as a proof of concept, and scientists plan to run the machine at least another nine times over the next two years under different conditions and speeds.
The Working Mechanism: The instrument works through electrolysis, which uses extreme heat around 800 degrees Celsiusto separate oxygen atoms from molecules of carbon dioxide, which accounts for about 95% of the atmosphere on Mars. In the process it also produces carbon monoxide as a waste product, which it releases in the Martian atmosphere. The remaining 5% of Mars’ atmosphere, which is only about 1% as dense Earth’s, consists primarily of molecular nitrogen and argon. Oxygen exists on Mars in negligible trace amounts. But an abundant supply is considered critical to eventual human exploration of the Red Planet, both as a sustainable source of breathable air for astronauts and as a necessary ingredient for rocket fuel to fly them home.
5.11.CREW-2 MISSION
Four astronauts were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) from Florida as part of collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program. The mission is called Crew-2 and is the second crew rotation of the SpaceX Crew Dragon and the first with international partners. Crew-1 mission in November 2020, was the first of six crewed missions between NASA and SpaceX marking the beginning of a new era for space travel. Out of the four astronauts of Crew-2, two are from NASA, one from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and one more from the European Space Agency (ESA), for a six-month science mission.
Crew-2 and their work at ISS Crew-2 astronauts will join the members of Expedition 65. They will conduct science experiments in low-Earth orbit, with the central focus being the Space studies on Tissue Chips. Tissue Chips are small models of human organs that contain multiple cell types that behave similarly to the human body. According to NASA, these chips can potentially speed up the process of identifying safe and effective drugs and vaccines. The onset and progression of aging and diseases on Earth occur much more quickly in microgravity. Therefore, scientists can use these tissue chips in space
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to study diseases that affect specific human organs, which would take months or years to develop on Earth.
About Commercial Crew Program The main objective of the program is to make access to space easier in terms of its cost, so that cargo and crew can be easily transported to and from the ISS, enabling greater scientific research. Through this program, NASA plans to lower its costs by sharing them with commercial partners such as Boeing and SpaceX, and also give the companies incentive to design and build the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS). This can help NASA can focus on building spacecraft and rockets meant for deep space exploration missions. Boeing and SpaceX were selected by NASA in September 2014 to develop transportation systems meant to transfer crew from the US to the ISS.
5.12.CHINA'S FIRST MARS ROVER NAMED 'ZHURONG'
China’s first Mars rover will be named Zhurong after a traditional fire god. The rover’s title fits with the Chinese name for Mars - “Huo Xing,” or fire star. The name signifies igniting the flame of China’s planetary exploration. The rover is aboard the Tianwen-1 probe that arrived in Mars orbit on February 24 and is due to land in May to look for evidence of life. The top candidate for the landing site is Utopia Planitia, a rock-strewn plain where the U.S. lander Viking 2 touched down in 1976. Tianwen-1's goals include analysing and mapping the Martian surface and geology, looking for water ice and studying the climate and surface environment. If everything goes right, China would become the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to put a robot rover on Mars.
5.13.BLACK HOLE 'THE UNICORN'
Scientists have discovered what may be the smallest-known black hole in the Milky Way galaxy and the closest to our solar system, nicknamed it 'the Unicorn.' The black hole is roughly three times the mass of our sun. A luminous star called a red giant orbits with the black hole in a so- called binary star system named V723 Mon. The black hole is located about 1,500 light years from Earth. By way of comparison, the closest star to our
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solar system, Proxima Centauri, is 4 light years away. Black holes form when massive stars die and their cores collapse. The Black hole was nicknamed 'the Unicorn' partly because V723 Mon is in the Monoceros constellation, which translates to unicorn and partly because it is a very unique system in terms of the black hole's mass and relative closeness to Earth. There are three categories of black holes: 1. The smallest, like 'the Unicorn,' are so-called stellar mass black holes formed by the gravitational collapse of a single star. 2. There are gargantuan 'supermassive' black holes like the one at our galaxy's center, 26,000 light years from Earth, which is four million times the sun's mass. 3. A few intermediate-mass black holes also have been found with masses somewhere in between. The strong gravity of the Black hole had altered the shape of its companion star in a phenomenon known as tidal distortion, making it elongated rather than spherical and causing its light to change as it moves along its orbital path. It was these effects on the companion star, observed using Earth-based and orbiting telescopes, that indicated the black hole's presence. Black holes are electromagnetically dark, and so they are difficult to find. The only smaller potential black hole is one with a mass 2.6 times that of our sun that was spotted in another galaxy.
5.14.CHINA LAUNCHES ROBOT PROTOTYPE CAPABLE OF CATCHING SPACE DEBRIS
A Chinese space mining start-upShenzhen- based Origin Space launched into low Earth orbit on 27th April 2021, a robot prototype that can scoop up debris left behind by other spacecraft with a big net. The NEO-01, will also probe into deep space to observe small celestial bodies, was launched on the government's Long March 6 rocket along with a handful of satellites. Since the establishment of the world's first
asteroid mining company Planetary Resources in 2009, more than a dozen firms across the world have entered the fledging sector, including 3D Systems of the United States and Japan's Astroscale. Unlike Astroscale's technology, which uses magnets to gather up space junk, NEO-01 will use a net to capture debris and then burn it with its electric propulsion system. This will pave the way for future technologies capable of mining on asteroids by 2045.
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OTHER NEWS
5.15.BAIKAL-GVD
Why in news? Late last week of March 2021, Russian scientists launched one of the world’s biggest underwater neutrino telescopes called the Baikal-GVD (Gigaton Volume Detector) in the waters of Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake situated in Siberia. The construction of this telescope, which started in 2016, is motivated by the mission to study in detail the elusive fundamental particles called neutrinos and to possibly determine their sources. Studying this will aid scientists’ understanding of the origins of the universe since some neutrinos were formed during the Big Bang, others continue to be formed as a result of supernova explosions or because of nuclear reactions in the Sun. The Baikal-GVD is one of the three largest neutrino detectors in the world along with the IceCube at the South Pole and ANTARES in the Mediterranean Sea.
Fundamental particles 1. The universe is made of some fundamental particles that are indivisible. 2. Broadly, particles of matter that scientists know about as of now can be classified into quarks and leptons. But this only applies to “normal matter” or the matter that scientists know that five per cent of the universe is made up of. 3. Not much is known about the remaining 95 per cent of the universe, which is classified into dark matter (27 percent) and the remaining 68 per cent of the universe of which scientists have “no idea” about yet. 4. In the universe scientists know about, exploration in the field of physics so far has led to the discovery of over 12 such quarks and leptons, but three of these (protons, neutrons and electrons) is what everything in the world is made up of. 5. Protons (carry a positive charge) and neutrons (no charge) are types of quarks, whereas electrons (carry a negative charge) are types of leptons. 6. These three particles make what is referred to as the building block of life - the atom. In different combinations, these particles can make different kinds of atoms, which in turn make up molecules that form everything– from a human being, to a wooden chair, a plastic plate, a mobile phone, a dog, a termite, a mountain, a planet, water, soil and so on. Scientists are so keen on studying neutrinos (not the same as neutrons), which are also a type of fundamental particle. Fundamental means that neutrinos, like electrons, protons and neutrons cannot be broken down further into smaller particles. What makes neutrinos especially interesting is that they are abundant in nature, with about a thousand trillion of them passing through a human body every second. In fact, they are the second most abundant particles, after photons, which are particles of light. But while neutrinos are abundant, they are not easy to catch, this is because they do not carry a charge, as a result of which they do not interact with matter. One way of detecting neutrinos is in water or ice, where neutrinos leave a flash of light or a line of bubbles when they interact. To capture these signs, scientists have to build large detectors. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 123
An underwater telescope such as the GVD is designed to detect high-energy neutrinos that may have come from the Earth’s core, or could have been produced during nuclear reactions in the Sun.
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5.16.5V DUAL-CARBON BATTERY
Why in news? IIT-Hyderabad researchers develop alternative to lithium-ion batteries
Energy economy based on renewable sources has been put forward as a way to shrug off the dependence on fossil fuel. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are projected to meet electric mobility, electric aviation, and stationary grid energy storage targets within the year 2030. However, LIBs need toxic and costly metals like cobalt, nickel, manganese, etc., for functioning. Geologically unsymmetrical distribution of lithium and cobalt along with geopolitics and unethical child labourcentered on mining causes havoc and fluctuations in raw material prices. The Electrochemical Energy Storage (EES) Lab at IIT Hyderabad has developed a 5V dual-carbon battery utilising self-standing carbon fibre mats as both electrodes (cathode and anode), as an alternative to LIB. This new model sets aside the requirement for toxic, costly, and heavy transitional metals. In the dual-carbon battery, both the electrodes consist of carbonaceous materials, and the ions from the electrolyte intercalate and de-intercalate into the electrode matrix. The novel dual carbon battery consisting of zero transition metal is environmentally benign. It may cut down the overall battery cost by 20-25 per cent and is expected to curb the unpredictability in market prices. Use of the ubiquitous carbon as the Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 124
electrode active material as well as current collector replacing heavy metals bring in the aspects of lightness and flexibility. The research team believes that developed cells may find potential uses in high- voltage applications, sophisticated battery-run medical devices, regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles, and stationary grids.
5.17.ROBOTS MADE FROM STEM CELLS OF FROGS
Researchers at Tufts University have developed robots from stem cells of frogs. These robots are named Xenobots and they can self-heal after damage, record memories and work together in groups. These biological robots can record information about their surroundings and move using cilia - minute hair like particles present on their surface. These soft- body living machines can have several applications in biomedicine and the environment.
5.18.FIRST GENE-TRANSFER BETWEEN INSECTS AND PLANTS
The Chinese scientists have recently identified the transfer of genes from plants to insects. Usually transfer of genes happen among the same family. For instance, the genes of a human parent get transferred to his or her child. However, this is not the case in the recent discovery. Recent studies show whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is able to neutralize a toxin that is made by any plants, including the one that the insect attacks, by having stolen a gene from the plant host millions of years ago. Plants use these toxins to defend themselves against insects. The incorporation of the plant gene in the whiteflies allow the insects to feed on the plants safely. The incorporated gene found was BtPMaT1. The whiteflies use this gene to neutralise the toxic compounds produced by the plants against them. According to the scientists, the whiteflies have incorporated the gene from the plants more than 35 million years ago. It is the first such instance of genetic transfer between plants and insects. This transfer of gene from the plant family to insect family is an example of Horizontal Gene Transfer. (One family to another family) This is one of the main reasons why whiteflies still prevail as the major threat to agricultural crops. They have built a strong defence mechanism against the plants using this gene incorporation.
Whiteflies 1. Whiteflies are one of the major agricultural pests in the world, especially in the warm and tropical regions and also in green houses. 2. They are capable of attacking 600 different plants all over the world. 3. The pest brings a triple whammy for hosts apart from feeding on the plant, it excretes a substance that is a breeding ground for fungal pests and is also a vector for over a 100 disease-causing plant-viruses.
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Using this discovery, the scientists have now developed a strategy to counter back the super power of whiteflies. They have developed a new molecule that will interfere with the gene BtPMaT1.
Whiteflies Resistant Cotton In 2020, the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow developed a Whiteflies resistant cotton variety. Cotton is one of the worst hit crops by whiteflies in India.
5.19.ROBO-PLANTS
Scientists from Singapore are closely working on ‘robo-plants’, an experiment they call a fusion of nature and technology. They attached electrodes to a Venus flytrap plant. The electrodes are film-like and soft and fit tightly to the plant's surface. They are attached using a ‘thermogel’, which is liquid at low temperatures but turns into a gel at room temperature. These electrodes are capable of monitoring weak electrical pulses naturally emitted by plants. The scientists used the technology to trigger a Venus flytrap to snap its jaws when a button on a smart phone is pressed. One of the jaws of the plant was then connected to a robotic arm that enabled the contraption to pick up a piece of wire (that was half a milli metre thick) and catch a small falling object. The technology helps to control the plants using smart phone applications. In future, this technology can be further used to enable farmers to detect diseases in plants. The plants can tell farmers that they are hit by diseases through this technology.
About Venus Flytrap 1. It is a carnivorous plant. 2. It is native to subtropical wetlands that are located in the East Coast of United States. 3. It catches prey such as insects with a trapping structure. When the prey touches a hair, the plant prepares to close. 4. The IUCN has put the plant under “Vulnerable” status.
Electrical Signals in Plants 1. The Electrical Signals in plants were first revealed in insectivorous plants by Burdon Sanderson in 1873 and by Darwin in 1875.
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5.20.OLD SAMSUNG GALAXY PHONES ARE RECYCLED INTO MEDICAL DEVICES
Samsung Electronics is recycling its old Galaxy smartphones into healthcare equipment for underserved people in India, Morocco, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea. Old phones will be remodelled as eyecare equipment to screen patients with eye diseases. When the South Korea handset maker introduced the recycling programme in 2017, it made a handheld camera to enable diagnosis of an internal organ. The smartphone captured images, and the Galaxy device used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse images for ophthalmic diseases. It then connects to an app that evaluates patient’s data to suggest treatment. The company will also make smartphone-based portable colposcopes to screen for cervical cancer.
5.21.NANOSNIFFER
Union Education Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on 9th April 2021, launched NanoSniffer, the world’s first Microsensor based Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) developed by NanoSniff Technologies, an IIT Bombay incubated startup. NanoSniffer, is a step towards Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant India. NanoSniffer is a 100% Made in India product in terms of research, development & manufacturing. The core technology of NanoSniffer is protected by patents in the U.S. & Europe. This affordable device will reduce our dependency on imported explosive trace detector devices. It’s a perfect example of lab to market product. This home-grown Explosive trace detector device (ETD) - NanoSniffer can detect explosives in less than 10 seconds and it also identifies and categorizes explosives into different classes. It detects all classes of military, conventional and homemade explosives. NanoSniffer gives visible & audible alerts with sunlight-readable color display. NanoSniffer provides trace detection of even nano-gram quantity of explosives and delivers result in seconds. Given the constant threats, which our nation faces due to geo-political realities, explosives and contraband detection has become a norm
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at high security locations like airports, railways & Metro stations, hotels, malls, and other public places. Check points at such locations are incorporating advanced detection equipment for rapid scanning of people and baggage. Almost all these products for explosive detection are imported at a high cost leading to the loss of valuable foreign exchange by the country. NanoSniffer is a perfect substitute for such products. NanoSniffer has successfully passed Pune based DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) testing and has also been tested by the country’s elite counter-terror force National Security Guard (NSG).
5.22.IIT RESEARCH TO IMPROVE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PERFORMANCE
Why in news? Researchers from IIT Guwahati have developed a technique to improve the performance of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which power most of the portable devices used today.
About Lithium-ion Batteries The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was jointly awarded to Stanley Whittingham, John Goodenough and Akira Yoshino for work that led to the development of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in most mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops and power banks, among other devices. The first commercially viable Li-ion battery was created by Yoshino in 1985 who developed on Whittingham and Goodenough’s work. The foundation of the lithium-ion battery was laid during the oil crisis of the 1970s, around which time Whittingham started working on developing methods that could lead to fossil fuel-free energy technologies. Today, most Electrical Vehicles (EV) use Li-ion batteries, but are slowly reaching their theoretical limits of being able to provide roughly up to 300-watt hour per kilogram of energy. These batteries can also be used to store solar and wind power, which means that with their widespread use it may even be possible to live in a fuel free society. Some of the disadvantages of Li-ion batteries include their susceptibility to overheating and their being prone to damage at high voltages since they are made with flammable and combustible materials. Such batteries also start losing their capacity over time.
About the New Research Researchers from IIT Guwahati have developed a technique which can precisely estimate one of the most important battery internal states known as SOC, short for state of charge. SOC reflects the remaining capacity of the battery, that is how much more charge can be withdrawn from the battery before it gets fully discharged. The knowledge of remaining capacity helps to optimize battery’s capacity utilization, prevent overcharging and undercharging of the battery, increases its lifespan, reduces cost, and ensures safety of the battery and its surroundings.
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Alternatives to Li-Ion Batteries In 2019, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory developed a Lithium-ion battery that does not catch fire. Earlier in January 2020, researchers from Australia claimed that they developed the world’s most efficient lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery, capable of powering a smartphone for five continuous days, the equivalent of an electric car being able to drive a distance of over 1,000 km. Li-S batteries are generally considered the successors of Li-ion batteries because of their lower cost of production, energy efficiency and improved safety. Their cost of production is lower because sulfur is abundantly available. When it comes to commercializing these batteries, the difficulty is mainly due to their short life cycle and poor instantaneous power capabilities.
5.23.CANADA'S TELESAT IN SPACE RACE TO PROVIDE FAST BROADBAND
Canada's Telesat is racing to launch a low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to provide high-speed global broadband from space. On the same note, Musk, the Tesla Inc CEO is putting the so-called Starlink LEO into orbit with his company SpaceX, and Amazon.com Inc, which Bezos founded, is planning a LEO called Project Kuiper. However Telesat's LEO has a much lighter price tag than SpaceX and Amazon's, and the company has been in satellite services decades longer. In addition, instead of focusing on the consumer market like SpaceX and Amazon, Telesat seeks deep- pocketed business clients. Telesat's LEO constellation, dubbed Lightspeed, which will orbit about 35 times closer to earth than GEO satellites, and will provide internet connectivity at a speed akin to fiber optics. Telesat aims to launch its first batch of 298 satellites being built by Thales Alenia Space in early 2023, with partial service in higher latitudes later that same year, and full global service in 2024. The Lightspeed constellation is estimated to cost half as much as the $10 billion SpaceX and Amazon projects.
5.24.ROBOTS ON CALL FOR SINGAPORE HOME DELIVERIES
Hoping to capitalise on a surge in demand for home deliveries, a Singapore technology company has deployed a pair of robots to bring residents their groceries. Both the robots are named "Camello", and the robots' services have been offered to 700 households in a one-year trial. Users can book delivery slots for their milk and eggs, and an app notifies them when the robot is about to reach a pick-up point - usually the lobby of an apartment building.
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The robots, which are equipped with 3D sensors, a camera and two compartments each able to carry up to 20 kg (44 lb) of food or parcels ordered online. They use ultraviolet light to disinfect themselves after every trip.
5.25.DETECTING HYDROGEN SULPHIDE FROM SEWERS
Hydrogen Sulphide is a primary gas that ispoisonous, corrosive, and flammable and produced from the microbial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, and this necessitates detection of its emission from sewers and swamps. Scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bangalore, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, have developed an exceptionally sensitive and selective electronic nose with biodegradable polymer and monomer that can detect hydrogen sulphide.
H2S Gas sensor is developed by impersonating the neuron responsible for identification of airborne molecules or olfactory receptor neuron (ORN).
5.26.‘WHITEST EVER’ PAINT THAT CAN REFLECT 99 PER CENT OF SUNLIGHT
Engineers from Purdue University in the US have an ultra-white paint in October 2020, pushing the limits of how white paint can be. Buildings coated with this paint may be able to cool them off enough to reduce the need for air conditioning. The older formulation is made of calcium carbonate, while the new one is made up of barium sulphate, which makes it more white. If this new paint was used to cover a roof area of 1,000 square feet, it may be able to get a cooling power of 10 kilowatts. The research is a result of six years of research building on attempts going back to the 1970s to develop radiative cooling paint as a feasible alternative to traditional air conditioners. The Researchers have also claimed that this paint may be the closest equivalent to the blackest black paint called “Vantablack” that is able to absorb up to 99.9 per cent of visible light. There are two features that makes this paint whitest: 1. The paint’s high concentration of a chemical compound called barium sulfate, which is also used to make photo paper and cosmetics white. 2. The team has used different sized particles of this chemical compound, which means different sizes scatter different amounts of light. In this way, a varying size of particles of the compound make sure that the paint can scatter more of the light spectrum from the sun.
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How do we see colours and what determines if a colour absorbs or reflects light? Whenever an object is seen by the eye, it is either because of sunlight or the artificial light in the room. This light is made up of seven different colours (Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red or VIBGYOR). Specifically, light is made up of wavelengths of different colours. If an individual is looking at a sofa that is green, this is because the fabric or material it is made up of, is able to absorb all the colours except green. This means that the molecules of the fabric reflect the green coloured wavelengths, which is what the eye sees. Therefore, the colour of any object or thing is determined by the wavelength the molecules are not able to absorb. Similarly if the entire spectrum of the coloured wavelengths is reflected from the surface, it results in the white colour that the eye notices. The wavelength of light to be reflected and absorbed is dependent on how electrons are arranged in the given atom.
5.27.PROJECT KUIPER
Project Kuiper is an initiative by Amazon announced in April 2019 to launch a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high- speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world. It is expected to take up to a decade to fullydeploy all 3,236 satellites planned for the full constellation in order to provide internet. The satellites are projected to use an orbit with a height between 590 and 630 km.
In News Amazon on Monday 19th April 2021 has secured an agreement with space launch firm, United Launch Alliance (ULA), to support the deployment of its Project Kuiper satellites. ULA’s nine Atlas V launch vehicles will help deploy some of Amazon’s broadband satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO). ULA’s Atlas V holds a 100% success rate in more than 85 launches that include NASA missions like the launch of the Perseverance Rover to Mars and OSIRIS- REx, which travelled to the asteroid Bennu and is bringing a small sample back to Earth for study. Last December, the Amazon company had revealed its small, low-cost customer terminal for Project Kuiper, capable of delivering speeds up to 400 Mbps. Meanwhile, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to bring Starlink service to most parts of the globe by the end of 2021, and everywhere by next year. The aerospace company also wants to connect Starlink service to moving vehicles such as ships, planes and trucks.
5.28.COVIRAP DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY
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IIT Kharagpur has successfully commercialised its flagship healthcare product COVIRAP the novel diagnostic technology to zero on infectious diseases including COVID-19. It has been licensed for commercialisation to the Rapid Diagnostic Group of Companies, India and Bramerton Holdings LLC, USA. Rapid Diagnostic has also initiated adapting the COVIRAP technology platform for COVID-19 and tuberculosis. The COVID-19 diagnostic test can be conducted directly from human swab samples in the portable device developed by the team, without requiring any separate facility for RNA extraction. The test runs automatically in the device without intermediate manual intervention. The results can be made available within 45 minutes of obtaining the patient sample. The entire sample-to-result procedure may be conducted in the portable device, virtually anywhere and with minimal training. The kit has also been supplemented with a free smartphone app to facilitate unambiguous results interpretation and automated dissemination to the patients. The COVIRAP test overcomes several potential bottlenecks, for instance, poor performance outside highly controlled laboratory and lack of simple, affordable, generic and universal instrument that may be used for home-based testing and community healthcare for a wide variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases. IIT Kharagpur has further initiated the procedure of deploying this product for on- campus use to detect possible novel coronavirus infection. Patents centred around this innovation have been filed in the India, USA, several other countries, in the name of IIT Kharagpur. Commercialisation and use in the USA and Europe under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) process are currently underway.
5.29.OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS
An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that concentrates oxygen from ambient air. Atmospheric air has about 78 per cent nitrogen and 21 per cent oxygen, with other gases making up the remaining 1 per cent. The medical device is only a little bigger than a computer monitor, yet as cases surge and with oxygen cylinders in short supply across several states, the concentrator is among the most sought after devices for oxygen therapy, especially among patients in home isolation and for hospitals running out of oxygen. The oxygen concentrator takes in the air, filters it through a sieve, releases the nitrogen back into the air, and works on the remaining oxygen. This oxygen,
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compressed and dispensed through a cannula, is 90-95 per cent pure. A pressure valve in concentrators helps regulate supply, ranging from 1-10 litres per minute. According to a 2015 report by the WHO, concentrators are designed for continuous operation and can produce oxygen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for up to 5 years or more. While it is not as pure as LMO – Liquid Medical Oxygen(99%), experts say it is good enough for mild and moderate Covid-19 patients with oxygen saturation levels of 85% or above. It is, however, not advisable for ICU patients. Concentrators can be attached with multiple tubes to serve two patients at the same time, but experts don’t recommend it since it carries risk of cross-infection. Industry experts say the demand of oxygen concentrators has gone up from 40,000 annually to 30,000-40,000 a month. An association of the medical device industry, estimates a daily demand of 1,000-2000 concentrators, but says there are not enough manufacturers to meet that kind of demand. It’s a largely import market, with Philips and Longfian Scitech among the big players.
5.30.CONCENTRATORS VERSUS OXYGEN CYLINDERS OR LMO
Oxygen concentrators are the easiest alternatives to cylinders but can only supply 5- 10 litres of oxygen per minute (critical patients may need 40-50 litres per minute) and are best suited for moderately ill patients. Concentrators are portable and unlike LMO that needs to be stored and transported in cryogenic tankers, need no special temperature. And unlike cylinders that require refilling,concentrators only need a power source to draw in ambient air. While at Rs 40,000-90,000 concentrators are more expensive than cylinders (Rs 8,000-20,000), it’s largely a one-time investment. Apart from electricity and routine maintenance, there’s little by way of operational cost, unlike cylinders that involve refilling costs and transportation.
5.31.RECYCLING ALUMINIUM SCRAPS
A team of Scientists has developed a cost-effective technology to recycle aluminum scraps efficiently minimizing material losses in the process. CSIR-NIIST (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology)Trivandrum developed a technology system that could combine value added / non-value added and hazardous / non-hazardous wastes, aluminium alloys and assorted scraps for industrial applications and recycle them efficiently. The technology was developed with support from the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies programme of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The developed technology can be used in tiny and cottage Industries, Small Scale Industries and MSME Aluminium foundries and recycling industries.
Conventional aluminium recycling techniquesrequire:
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1. High investment in processing. 2. Generate dangerous residues in form of ferrous (Fe), tin (Sn), lead (Pb) and burning of Mg in the crucible red hot. 3. Involves manual separation and sorting of magnesium alloys, ferrous alloys and high silicon alloys etc. 4. Moreover the separated magnesium is hazardous to the environment. The new technology increases the purity and quality of recycled aluminium melt.
New technology involves: 1. Washing the basic inputs - assorted aluminium scraps (mixed). 2. Drying and preheating. 3. Removal of basic impurities in melting furnace. 4. Degassing in nitrogen atmosphere. 5. Addition of alloying elements in holding furnace. 6. Filtering (refining) and pouring the metal into the mold. The conversion rate in the new technology has been increased by 70% to 80% (previously just 54%) depending on various cases of scraps dealt with.
5.32.IIT-M START-UP BUILDS A 3D PRINTED HOUSE
IIT-Madras start-up Tvasta has constructed a 3D printed house within the campus. With a built-area of about 600 sq. ft., the single-storey home has a functional space comprising a single bedroom, hall, and kitchen, with the entire ensemble being designed, developed, and realised by Tvasta’s ‘Concrete 3D Printing’ technology. Using this technology, the overall construction cost can be reduced and even the time of building can be cut down. And it brings down the related carbon footprint. The machine for constructing this house can be rented, like borewells rented by farmers. It provides for large-scale, high quality and also, price assurance for the customers.
About 3D Printing 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three -dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. The term "3D printing" can refer to a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control to create a three - dimensional object, with material being added together (such as plastics, liquids or powder grains being fused together), typically layer by layer.
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6. SECURITY
6.1.LIGHT WEIGHT BULLET PROOF JACKET
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur has developed light weight Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) weighing 9.0 kilogrammes, meeting the qualitative requirements of Indian Army and met relevant BIS standards.
The importance of this vital development lies in the fact that each gram of BPJ weight reduction is crucial in enhancing soldier comfort while ensuring the survivability. This technology reduces the weight of the medium sized BPJ from 10.4 to 9.0 kilogrammes. Very specific materials and processing technologies have been developed in the laboratories for the purpose.
6.2.EXERCISE SHANTIR OGROSHENA-2021
Multinational Military Exercise SHANTIR OGROSHENA 2021 (Front Runner of the Peace) will be held at Bangladesh to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mark glorious 50 years of liberation. Indian Army contingent comprising of 30 personnel including Officers, JCOs and Jawans of a Battalion from The DOGRA Regiment will participate in the exercise along with contingent of Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army from 04 Apr to 12 Apr 2021. The theme of the exercise is “Robust Peace Keeping Operations”. Military observers from USA, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore will also be in attendance throughout the exercise.
6.3.THE ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWERS) ACT IN THREE DISTRICTS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
The Centre has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh besides four police station areas in three other districts bordering Assam by another six months, and declared them ‘disturbed area’ under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 up to September 30, 2021 with effect from April 1, 2021, unless withdrawn earlier,in view of continuing activities of banned insurgent groups. The AFSPA empowers security forces to arrest a person without a warrant, enter or search a premises without a warrant along with some other actions. Violence became the way of life in north-eastern States of India. State administration became incapable to maintain its internal disturbance. Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Ordinance was promulgated by the President on 22nd May of 1958. In which some special powers have been given to the members of the armed forces in disturbed areas in the State of Assam and Union Territory of Manipur. Later
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the Ordinance was replaced by the Armed Forces Special Powers Bill. The Act enable certain special powers to be conferred upon members of the armed forces in disturbed areas in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland. This act has been very controversial because, like any other anti-terrorist law, it prima facie violates certain liberties and basic rights of the citizens as it is applicable without any accountability. This Act has been facing a lot of resistance from various Human Rights groups due to the provision of sweeping powers and immunity to the army in these “disturbed” areas.
6.4.MILAN-2T ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILES TO INDIAN ARMY
The acquisition wing of the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with defence public sector undertaking Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for supply of 4,960 MILAN-2T anti-tank guided missiles to Indian Army at a cost of Rs 1,188 crore. These missiles can be fired from ground as well as vehicle-based launchers and can be deployed in anti-tank role for both offensive and defensive tasks. Induction of these missiles will further enhance the operational preparedness of the armed forces. Induction is planned to be completed in three years.
6.5.INDIAN NAVY SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT TO PARTICIPATE IN EXERCISE LA PEROUSE
Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura (with an integral helicopter embarked) and INS Kiltan alongwith P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating, for the first time; in multi-lateral maritime exercise La Pérouse, being conducted in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region from 05 to 07 Apr 2021. The Indian Navy ships and aircraft will exercise at sea with ships and aircraft of French Navy (FN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and United States Navy (USN) during the three day exercise at sea. Exercise La Pérouse will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare and air defence exercises, weapon firing exercises, cross deck flying operations, tactical manoeuvres and seamanship evolutions such as replenishment at sea. The exercise will showcase high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies. Participation by the Indian Navy in the exercise demonstrates the shared values with friendly navies ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.
6.6.ADVANCED CHAFF TECHNOLOGY
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard the naval ships against enemy missile attack. Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ), a DRDO laboratory, has indigenously developed three variants of this critical technology namely o Short Range Chaff Rocket (SRCR), Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 137
o Medium Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR) and o Long Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR) meeting Indian Navy’s qualitative requirements. o The successful development of Advanced Chaff Technology by DLJ is another step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. Recently, Indian Navy conducted trials of all three variants in the Arabian Sea on Indian Naval Ship and found the performance satisfactory. Chaff is a passive expendable electronic countermeasure technology used worldwide to protect naval ships from enemy’s radar and Radio Frequency (RF) missile seekers. The importance of this development lies in the fact that very less quantity of chaff material deployed in the air acts as decoy to deflect enemy’s missiles for safety of the ships.
6.7.JOINT LOGISTICS FACILITY
As part of measures to boost tri-service integration and resource optimisation, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat operationalised the third joint logistics node (JLN) in Mumbai. These JLNs will provide integrated logistics cover to the armed forces for their small arms ammunition, rations, fuel, general stores, civil hired transport, aviation clothing, spares and also engineering support in an effort to synergise their operational efforts. The initiative would accrue advantages in terms of saving of manpower, economise utilisation of resources, besides financial savings.
6.8.INS SARVEKSHAK
INS Sarvekshak, a hydrographic survey ship, is on a deployment to Mauritius for undertaking joint hydrographic surveys along with their Mauritian counterparts. During the deployment, training of Mauritian personnel on advanced hydrographic equipment and practices will also be undertaken. The ship visited Port Louis, Mauritius and commenced the hydrographic survey of ‘Deep sea area off Port Louis’.
INS Sarvekshak, a specialised survey ship is fitted with state-of-the-art survey equipment like Deep Sea Multi-Beam Echo Sounder, Side Scan Sonars and a fully automated digital surveying and processing system. In addition, the ship carries an integral Chetak helicopter, which would be extensively deployed during the survey.
6.9.S-400 SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEM
The S-400 is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia. It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).
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India’s acquisition is crucial to counter attacks in a two-front war, including even high-end F-35 US fighter aircraft.
What is CAATSA, and how did the S-400 deal fall foul of this Act? Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)’s core objective is to counter Iran, Russia and North Korea through punitive measures. The Act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions, in the backdrop of its military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections. The United States has imposed sanctions (Under CAATSA) on Turkey over Ankara’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems.
What does it mean for India’s defence landscape? As per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Arms Transfer Database, during the period 2010-17, Russia was the top arms supplier to India. Most of India’s weapons are of Soviet/Russian origin – nuclear submarine INS Chakra, the Kilo-class conventional submarine, the supersonic Brahmos cruise missile, the MiG 21/27/29 and Su-30 MKI fighters, IL-76/78 transport planes, T-72 and T-90 tanks, Mi-series of helicopters, and Vikramaditya aircraft carrier Therefore, CAATSA impacts Indo-US ties and dents the image of the US as a reliable partner.
6.10.CYBER SECURITY IN ATM
In view of increasing incidents of Man in the Middle (MiTM) attacks on ATMs, all banks have been asked to enhance their safety norms for ATMs through end-to-end encryption in the network. As per the information reported to and tracked by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), altogether 1,59,761 cyber security incidents pertaining to digital banking were reported in 2018, a total of 2,46,514 incidents in 2019 and 2,90,445 incidents were reported in 2020. The CERT-In is the national technology arm to combat cyber-attacks and guard the Indian cyber space. These incidents include phishing attacks, network scanning and probing, viruses and website hacking. There has been a 46 per cent rise in digital transactions in 2019-20 in comparison to 2018-19.
6.11.Mk III VERSION OF ADVANCED LIGHT HELICOPTER
Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at INS Hansa, Goa. The squadron will operate three state-of-the-art ALH Mk III, a multirole helicopter with Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
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The Mk III version of the ALH has an all glass cockpit and will be used for Search and Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance. This will enhance Navy and Coast guard’s capabilities for maritime security and surveillance to prevent 26/11- like terror attacks. 16 aircraft are under procurement and the aircraft are being delivered in a phased manner to the Indian Navy.
6.12.LEFT WING EXTREMISM IN INDIA
Currently, the lethality of the LWE movement has increased multi-fold, establishing a complex web across the 10 states of India. It is estimated that these extremist outfits now have around 9,000-10,000 armed fighters with access to about 6,500 firearms. In addition, there are estimates of about 40,000 full-time cadres (Government of India 2017). The core objective of the LWE movement is the establishment of People’s Revolutionary State, which is supposed to be achieved by establishing a ‘Red Corridor’, stretching from the Nepal border through Central India till Karnataka in the South.
Objective of LWE in India This objective is to be achieved by using armed struggle as the prime tool to garner the support of the oppressed and the exploited. Violent protracted struggle is therefore expected to continue to help the movement consolidate and extend the Corridor. Naxal leaders support various issues like protecting people’s rights of Jal (water), Jungle (Forest) and Jamin (Land) (JJJ). These are prominent concerns of the people mainly in the rural India as most of the people depend on agriculture and forest for their livelihood. Thus, any threat to these three elements is seen as a threat to their livelihood and triggers a high level of anxiety. In addition to the building up an effective web of armed operatives to spread terror, Naxals also recruit influential local tribal leaders to maintain their firm grip over villagers in remote locations, like in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh and eastern states of India. All available literature on the Maoist movement including their internal policy papers, confirm this assessment.
Causes for Spread of Left Extremism While the goal of the left extremists was to actualise their own vision of the State through ‘revolution’, they chose to usher that revolution by enlisting the support of the deprived and exploited sections of society particularly in areas where such sections constituted a significant part of the population. Breeding grounds are most glaring in forest areas predominantly inhabited by tribal populations who thus become the main instruments and victims of left extremist violence. Few causes triggering the masses are as under: a) Land Related Factors Evasion of land ceiling laws. Existence of special land tenures (enjoying exemptions under ceiling laws). Encroachment and occupation of Government and Community lands (even the water-bodies) by powerful sections of society. Lack of title to public land cultivated by the landless poor.
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Poor implementation of laws prohibiting transfer of tribal land to non-tribals in the Fifth Schedule areas. Non-regularisation of traditional land rights. b) Displacement and Forced Evictions Eviction from lands traditionally used by tribals. Displacements caused by irrigation and power projects without adequate arrangements for rehabilitation. Large scale land acquisition for ‘public purposes’ without appropriate compensation or rehabilitation. c) Livelihood Related Causes Lack of food security – corruption in the Public Distribution System (which are often nonfunctional). Disruption of traditional occupations and lack of alternative work opportunities. Deprivation of traditional rights in common property resources. d) Social Exclusion Denial of dignity. Continued practice, in some areas, of untouchability in various forms. Poor implementation of special laws on prevention of atrocities, protection of civil rights and abolition of bonded labour etc. e) Governance Related Factors Corruption and poor provision/non-provision of essential public services including primary health care and education. Incompetent, ill-trained and poorly motivated public personnel who are mostly absent from their place of posting. Misuse of powers by the police and violations of the norms of law. Perversion of electoral politics and unsatisfactory working of local government institutions.
6.13.EXERCISE VARUNA – 2021
The 19th edition of the Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2021’ is scheduled to be conducted in the Arabian Sea from 25th to 27th April 2021. The three day exercise will see high tempo-naval operations at sea, including advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, intense fixed and rotary wing flying operations, tactical manoeuvres, surface and anti- air weapon firings, underway replenishment and other maritime security operations. Units of both navies will
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endeavour to enhance and hone their war-fighting skills to demonstrate their ability as an integrated force to promote peace, security and stability in the maritime domain. VARUNA-21 highlights growing bonhomie and showcases increased levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the two friendly navies. These interactions further underscore the shared values as partner navies, in ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules- based international order.
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7. SOCIAL ISSUES
SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES
7.1.GLOBAL GENDER GAP INDEX
News: India has slipped 28 places to rank 140th among 156 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, becoming the third-worst performer in South Asia.
Details: According to the report, India has closed 62.5% of its gender gap till date. The country had ranked 112th among 153 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2020. Most of the decline occurred on the political empowerment subindex, where India regressed 13.5 percentage points, with a significant decline in the number of women ministers (from 23.1% in 2019 to 9.1% in 2021). The estimated earned income of women in India is only one-fifth of men’s, which puts the country among the bottom 10 globally on this indicator. Discrimination against women is also reflected in the health and survival subindex statistics. With 93.7% of this gap closed to date, India ranks among the bottom five countries in this subindex. Decline also took place on the Economic Participation and Opportunity subindex, with gender gap widening by 3 % this year. The drivers of the decline are a decrease in women’s labour force. More than one in four women has faced intimate violence in her lifetime. On the positive front, 96.2 % of the Educational Attainment subindex gendergap has been closed, with parity achieved in primary, secondary and tertiary education. Yet, gender gaps persist in terms of literacy: one third of women are illiterate (34.2 %) compared to 17.6 % of men.
In the neighborhood and world: Among India’s neighbours, Bangladesh ranked 65, Nepal 106, Pakistan 153, Afghanistan 156, Bhutan 130 and Sri Lanka 116. Among regions, South Asia is the second-lowest performer on the index, with 62.3% of its overall gender gap closed. India is the third-worst performer in the region, having closed 62.5% of its gap. Because of its large population, India’s performance has a substantial impact on the region’s overall performance. In South Asia, only Pakistan and Afghanistan ranked below India. For the 12th time, Iceland is the most gender-equal country in the world. Iceland continued to top the index in 2021, followed by Finland and Norway, while Afghanistan was at the last position of 156.
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About the Global Gender Gap Index: The Global Gender Gap Report was first published in 2006 by the World Economic Forum. The Global Gender Gap Index benchmarks the evolution of gender-based gaps among four key dimensions: 1. Economic participation and opportunity 2. Educational attainment 3. Health and survival 4. Political empowerment
7.2.THE CHENCHUS
News: Between protecting the interests of the tigers and Chenchu tribals, and pursuing uranium mining in Telangana state, the former has won for now. The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Hyderabad under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has decided to ‘shelve’ the project to drill boreholes in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) to prospect for the yellowcake, a form of uranium ore.
About Chenchus: Chenchus are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group and are forest dwellers whose hamlets or Pentas dot the Nallamala forest range spread across four to five districts in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states. Their traditional way of life has been based on hunting and gathering. They make leaf cups and leaf plates out of tobacco leaves, tamarind, mahua flowers and sell them in the local marker. They also make use of the mahua flower in making the liquor. Chenchus talk in Chenchu language, a member of the Dravidian language family. Many Chenchu have been forced out of their wandering, food-gathering lives by the growing number of peasant farmers. They now work as farmers or forest laborers and live in towns and well-settled villages. Chenchus worship Bhagwan Taru who they believe lives in the sky and looks after Chenchus in all their doings. They also worship Garelamai Sama, the goddess of forest. They believe she protects them from any danger. A Chenchu village is known as “Penta”. Each penta consists of few huts that are spaced apart and are grouped together based on kinship pattern. Census 2011 puts the Chenchu population at 64,227 in habitations spread over five districts, three in Andhra Pradesh (Prakasam, Guntur and Kurnool) and two in Telangana (Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda). Chenchu, worship the tiger, considering it both a god and a member of their large spiritual family, which includes other animals such as panthers and bears.
About Amrabad Tiger Reserve: Amrabad Tiger Reserve is India’s second-largestTiger reserve, next to the original NagarjunasagarSrisailam Tiger Reserve. It was earlier part of Nagarjunasagar -SrisailamnTiger Reserve (NSTR) but, post- bifurcation, theNorthern part of the reserve is vested withTelangana and renamed
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as Amrabad TigerReserve. Together both reserves form India’s largestProtected dry forest. Amrabad Tiger Reserve lies in the Nallamala hill and is spread over Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda districts of Telangana.
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7.3.THE ‘INFANT TODDLER AND CAREGIVER-FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOODS (ITCN) TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME
News: The ‘Infant Toddler and Caregiver-friendly Neighbourhoods (ITCN) Training and Capacity Building Programme’ was launched virtually by National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in partnership with Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF).
About the Programme: The Programme is designed to help build capacities of city officials and young professionals for developing young children and family-friendly neighbourhoods within cities in India. Under the programme, city officials and young professionals are proposed to be skilled through certified training and capacity building modules. The training is proposed to be delivered through well-structured training modules, provided online through National Urban Learning Platform (NULP), the platform developed for knowledge dissemination by MoHUA and NIUA. In addition, an academic certified course for young professionals has been planned to sensitize them about the needs of young citizens (0-5 years) in the city and to equip them with the adequate tools for the purpose.
About NIUA Established in 1976, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), is a premier Institute of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India for research and capacity building for the urban sector in India. The Institution has been actively working on bringing forth key areas of concern for urban India to build the urban discourse at various urban scales and committed towards aligning its efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through all its initiatives and programs.
The National Urban Learning Platform (NULP) It is envisioned as a means of digitally consolidating key skills and knowledge required by urban stakeholders and making these available to all actors on a channel of their choice. It will include tools to enable and streamline content creation, content organisation and management, course building, course management, assessment and certification.
7.4.MATUA COMMUNITY
News: The most important day this year for Matuas fell on April 9, Madhu Krishna Tritiyodashi of the Chaitra month as per the Bengali calendar, the birth anniversary of Harichand Thakur, founder of the Matua sect. Part of the 24 North Parganas, Bongaon sub division, like the other Matua strongholds of Nadia, Coochbehar, Dinajpur and Burdwan, among others in West Bengal , is a battle ground for the Matua votes and at the centre of a struggle for control between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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About Matuas: Matuas are Namasudras, a Scheduled Caste group who trace their ancestry to East Bengal. Many of them entered West Bengal after Partition and after the formation of Bangladesh. Matua Mahasangha is a Hindu reform movement which has considerable number of adherents in West Bengal as well as in Bangladesh. Namasudra is an avarna community originating from southern and central Bengal. The community was earlier known as Chandala or Chandal. They were traditionally engaged in cultivation and as boatmen. They lived outside the four- tier ritual varna system and thus were outcastes. In the beginning Matua-mahasangha followed simplified rituals, but later adopted Vaishnavism. Boro Maa was a matriarch of the Matua Mahasangha, whose original name was Binapani Devi Thakur; the name "Boro Maa" translates to "elder mother".
Harichand Thakur: Thakur, whose family were Vaishnavite Hindus, founded a sect of Vaishnavite Hinduism called Matua. This was adopted by members of the Namasudra community, who were then also known by the pejorative name of Chandalas and considered to be untouchable.The sect was opposed to caste oppression . Thakur's followers consider him as God (hence calling him Thakur) Harichand and as an avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu or Krishna. Thus, he became known as Sri Sri Harichand Thakur.
7.5.GENDER STEREOTYPES
News: Findings of a study released by UNICEF and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (GDI) titled “Gender Bias and Inclusion In Advertising In India”.
Brief note on the findings: The study finds that female characters dominate screen time (59.7%) and speaking time (56.3%), but one of the drivers of this is their depiction for selling cleaning supplies, food and beauty products to female consumers. For example, almost all the detergent and food commercials depicted a woman caretaking for her family who speaks directly to women viewers about caring for their families. In comparison, in a separate study by GDI for setting global benchmarks it was found that ads in the U.S. show women with half the screen time (30.6%) and nearly half the speaking time (33.5%). A greater percentage of female characters is depicted as married than male characters (11.0% compared with 8.8%). Female characters are three times more likely to be depicted as parents than male characters (18.7% compared with 5.9%). While male characters are more likely to be shown making decisions about their future than female characters (7.3% compared with 4.8%), the latter are
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twice as likely to be shown making household decisions than male characters (4.9% compared with 2.0%). For characters where intelligence is part of their character in the ad, male characters are more likely to be shown as smart than female characters (32.2% compared to 26.2%). Male characters are almost twice as likely to be shown as funny than female characters (19.1% compared to 11.9%). Two-thirds of female characters (66.9%) in Indian ads have light or medium- light skin tones — a higher percentage than male characters (52.1%). Female characters are nine times more likely to be shown as “stunning/very attractive” than male characters (5.9% compared with 0.6%).
Its Adverse Impacts: Misrepresentation and harmful stereotypes of women in advertising have a significant impact on women and young girls — and how they view themselves and their value to society. While female representation do occur in Indian ads, they are still marginalised by colorism, hypersexualisation, and without careers or aspirations outside of the home. Sexism in advertising and marketing, though at times even rather subtle, can prove to be the most toxic and deceiving due to the way it is perceived and internalized by the public, thereby aggravating the vicious cycle of ultraconservative patriarchy.
Signs of Hope: Audiences are beginning to recognize the undercurrents of hypocrisy and gender prejudices that seem to be afflicting a large proportion of today’s advertisements. The post-Nirbhaya era has warned people against the vices of sexism and discrimination, particularly violence and sex crimes. The society is beginning to progressively become more cognizant and socially conscious and aware of the many inequalities and the danger of the toxicity of internalized norms.
7.6.TRACKING INDIA’S PROGRESS IN CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
Whilst all of the Sustainable Development Goals are important, SDG 6 (ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) is of primary importance because the health, food security, and the state of livelihoods in the country, hinge on our ability to provide water and sanitation for all. According to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s SDG Index Report 2019, India ranks 115 out of 162 countries (score of 61.1 % ), in terms of SDGs performance; and scores just 56.6 % in terms of its SDG 6 achievement – with much to achieve to meet the deadlines of 2030.
Availability and Sustainable Management of Water: With the agricultural sector consuming as much as 80-85% of India’s total freshwater and 70 % of India’s groundwater, there is a need to focus attention on this pivotal sector, where flood irrigation delivers only 35-40% water use efficiency, as opposed to micro irrigation which has up to 90% efficiency. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 148
Much of the strategy to address the impending water crisis has focused on ‘supply side’ – large infrastructure projects to harvest or tap into more and more water, to meet the needs of India’s swelling population. However, there are large gains to be made in focussing efforts on ‘demand side’ – working with the people to be more water efficient and educating them on ways to consume less of this valuable resource. Drip and micro irrigation can be the ‘game changer’ when it comes to water in the country, if only adoption and uptake would increase. Unfortunately, the coverage of drip (2.13%) and sprinkler (3.30%) methods of irrigation is very meagre compared to its total potential in India. Investment is to be made in people, at the grassroot.For instance , farmers in Bhatinda (Punjab) have invested in micro irrigation, convinced of reaping returns in terms of improved yield, cost savings and improved profitability.
Sanitation: India has made rapid progress in building toilets, however there is a need to ensure the sustained and consistent use of those toilets, along with hygiene practices, by the people. Solid and liquid waste management is a daunting task for India to address, and the Government is aiming to tackle it via the roll out of Swachh Bharat Mission – 2, across the country. The challenge is to make it successful in a decentralized manner across villages, and for that, continuous behaviour change communication is essential to ensure sustainability.
Change is possible at a grassroots level: In communities like Pimplegaon( Chandrapur District, Maharashtra) local women led the drive to construct toilets, and when they found they were not being used, formed a ‘Good Morning’ Committee, to stand guard and prevent open defecation in the community every morning. It took time and vigilance, but in time, it worked. Pimplegaon is now an ODF declared village.
Conclusion: The importance of achieving India’s targets in SDG 6 cannot be understated. Research shows that a lack of access to water and sanitation has an adverse impact on economic growth and job creation. To continue to progress as a nation , each and every person must become accountable for their own behaviour by playing an individual role in maintaining water sources and embracing sanitation , especially in rural areas.
7.7.BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS
News: In the last few days, there have been several cases of vaccinated people, even those who have received both doses, testing positive for the virus. Such cases are referred to as “breakthrough” infections, indicating that the virus has been able to break through the defences created by the vaccine.
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The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released data that showed breakthrough infections were extremely rare in India’s vaccinated population, with an incidence rate of less than 0.05%.
Full protection not possible: It is very well understood that no vaccine offers 100% protection from any disease. That means that there are breakthrough cases for all kind of vaccines — including Covid-19 vaccines. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) in the United States, vaccinated people are much less likely to get sick, but it is never entirely ruled out. Those in the priority list of vaccination, such as healthcare workers and frontline workers, have been prone to getting infected due to the prolonged occupational exposure to the virus, The new, faster-transmitting mutant strains could be contributing to the breakthrough infections.
About the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): It is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world. It is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In 2007, the organization established the Clinical Trials Registry - India, which is India's national registry for clinical trials. In 1911, the Government of India set up the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) with the specific objective of sponsoring and coordinating medical research in the country.It was redesignated the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 1949, considerably expanded scope of functions.
7.8.TAMLA-DU FESTIVAL
News: Indian Army personnel celebrated the 51st Tamla-Du festival in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district alongside the Digaru Mishmi community.
About the Festival: The Tamladu Festival in Itanagar is one of the most ancient and popular festivals celebrated in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. This festival is celebrated in the district of Lohit in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh by the tribe of the Digaru Mishmis. The festival of Tamladu is celebrated on the 15th of February every year, and this festival brings joy and unity among the Digaru Mishmis tribe. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 150
During the festival, Tanggong dance is being performed, which is the tribe’s most popular traditional dance.
About the Mishmi or Deng people: They are an ethnic group comprising mainly three tribes: Idu Mishmi, Digaro tribe and Miju Mishmi. The Mishmis occupy the northeastern tip of the central Arunachal Pradesh in Upper and Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit and Anjaw Districts. The Mishmi trace their descent through the paternal line, and young people are expected to marry outside the paternal clan. Settlements are small and frequently shifted. There are no chiefs. Each family group is virtually autonomous and inhabits a longhouse built on piling. Mishmi agriculture is extremely primitive. The Idu Mishmi is an animist tribe in the Dibang valley. The Etalin project and the Dibang Multipurpose Dam (DMD), set to be built on the Dibang river, will directly affect their living areas and imperil their existence.
POVERTY AND HUNGER ISSUES
7.9.GLOBAL FOOD POLICY REPORT, 2021
News: In its 2021 Global Food Policy Report, the International Food Policy Research Institute has warned of severe and long lasting consequences due to the contraction in diet quality.
Details: India was one of the first countries to implement a complete lockdown when cases and deaths due to the pandemic were relatively low. Temporary and migrant workers were worst hit by the pandemic as the lockdown brought with it job loss. The lack of a social safety net resulted in misery for workers, many of whom were suddenly left without means of transport. Women were at the receiving end of the restrictions with the report pointing out how 50 % of households surveyed reported that women were spending more time in cooking or fetching firewood than before. The lockdown and restrictions on movement had brought about a change in how people purchased food. While e-food services saw a 66.7 % year-on-year growth, convenience stores stores had seen a dip of 9.8 % in their business. Single unit grocery shops had seen a modest growth of 1.3 % last year. Like other parts of the world, there has been a shift towards sugar and calorie rich food.
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Drop in income has led to a gradual shift away from consumption of relatively expensive fresh and nutritious animal-sourced foods and fruits and vegetables.
How Lockdown has affected school children's nutritional needs? Lockdowns shuttered schools and day-care centres, which provide critical meals and supplementary nutrition to hundreds of millions of young children. India’s Mid-Day Meal programme covers 80 % of primary-school-aged children in the country, improving not only nutrition but also learning outcomes and gender equity. The country’s school closures likely exacerbated food insecurity and malnutrition, especially for girls and disadvantaged populations.
On the positive side: Government intervention in terms of food and cash transfer has helped in mitigating some of these problems. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana has been timely and effective. Surveys by IFPRI and national partners in seven Indian states indicate that disrupted health services have been restored and are adapting to the new challenges. India’s rapid policy actions and effective coordination across national, state, and local institutions helped buffer the initial shocks to health and nutrition programmes. This success reflects India’s decades of investments in social-safety- net infrastructure, particularly recent investments in direct and cash benefit transfers.
ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH
7.10.ENZYMES TO BLOCK HIV REACTIVATION
News: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed artificial enzymes that can successfully block reactivation and replication of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the host’s immune cells.
Details: Made from vanadium pentoxide nanosheets ,these nanozymes work by mimicking a natural enzyme called glutathione peroxidase that helps reduce oxidative stress levels in the host’s cells, which is required to keep the virus in check. There is currently no way to eliminate HIV from a patient’s body completely, and anti-HIV drugs are only successful in suppressing the virus, but fail at eradicating HIV from infected cells. The virus hides inside the host’s immune cells in a latent state and stably maintains its reservoir. When the levels of toxic molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide, increase in the host’s cells, leading to a state of increased oxidative
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stress, the virus gets reactivated and it emerges from hiding and begins replicating again. The researchers prepared ultrathin nanosheets of vanadium pentoxide in the lab and treated HIV-infected cells with them. The sheets were found to reduce hydrogen peroxide just as effectively as the natural enzyme and prevent the virus from reactivating. When the team treated immune cells from HIV-infected patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) with the nanozymes, latency was induced faster and subsequent reactivation was suppressed when therapy was stopped, indicating that combining the two was more effective. Other advantages of combining ART with the nanozymes is that nanozyme can help in reducing the side effects caused by ART drugs.
7.11.RESEARCHERS FORESEE TRENDS IN DIPHTHERIA INCIDENCE
Researchers from India, the U.K. and Russia have analysed a large collection of 502 genomes sourced from over 16 countries and collected from over a period of 122 years of the bacterium that causes diphtheria – Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The results of this massive and collaborative study hint that we need to anticipate increase in incidence of diphtheria which may be fomented by the diversity of the species, emergence of variant toxin genes and progression of antimicrobial resistance. The researchers study the variations (or mutations) in the tox gene, which is responsible for producing the diphtheria toxin – which is the main target of the vaccinations.
About Diphtheria: Diphtheria is primarily caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae and is mainly spread by coughs and sneezes, or through close contact with someone infected. It usually begins with angina (a type of chest pain) and tonsilitis symptoms, sore throat and mild fever. The diphtheria toxin causes inflammation of heart muscle (myocarditis) and this can lead to death if not treated with diptheria antitoxin and proper antibiotics. Formation of white-grey pseudomembrane over parts of the throat (pharynx) , voice box (larynx) and tonsils and swollen bull neck are considered stereotypical, although they may not show up in some cases. Diphtheria is a vaccine preventable disease – the toxoid vaccine elicits an immune response against the toxin which is encoded by a tox gene of the pathogen. There is an increasing trend in the number of cases of diphtheria globally, as the number of cases in 2018 (16,651) was double the 1996–2017 average (8,105). Penicillin or erythromycin are the choice of antibiotics for the treatment of diphtheria.
Reasons for the increasing incidence: 1. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
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Diphtheria has started to become resistant to several classes of antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.
2. Covid-19 Impact: Covid-19 has severely impacted vaccination schedules in different parts of the world. According to the recently released UN Report on the Impact of Covid-19 on Children, suspension of immunization campaigns will set back the decades-long effort to eliminate various diseases.
3. Misunderstanding of Disease: Parents often misunderstand the disease as usual cough and cold and take medicines from a physician. Since the child has not been given diphtheria shots, with the passage of time, the toxin released from the bacteria starts hampering the functioning of the kidney, heart and nervous system.
4. Vaccine Hesitancy: It refers to delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccine services. It is complex and context specific varying across time, place and vaccine. It is influenced by factors such as complacency, convenience and confidence.
Vaccination In India: The diphtheria vaccine is among the oldest vaccines in India’s Universal Immunisation Programme. As per data from the National Family Health Survey-4, the coverage of diphtheria vaccine is 78.4%. In 1978, India launched the Expanded Programme on Immunisation. The first three vaccines in the programme were BCG (against TB), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) and cholera. In 1985, the programme was converted to the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). DPT continues to be a part of UIP, which now includes 12 vaccines. It is now incorporated as a pentavalent vaccine (containing a vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B). It is also included among the combination of eight vaccine doses which are administered in the first year of life under the full immunisation programme. Recently, the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0 scheme has been rolled out to cover children and pregnant women who missed routine immunisation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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7.12.NATIONAL POLICY FOR RARE DISEASES, 2021
News: Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Health & Family Welfare Minister approved the “National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021” on 30th March 2021.
About the policy: The Rare Diseases Policy aims to lower the high cost of treatment for rare diseases with increased focus on indigenous research with the help of a National Consortium to be set up with Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare as convenor. Increased focus of research and development and local production of medicines will lower the cost of treatment for rare diseases. The policy also envisages creation of a national hospital based registry of rare diseases so that adequate data is available for definition of rare diseases and for research and development related to rare diseases within the country. The Policy also focuses on early screening and prevention through primary and secondary health care infrastructure such as Health and Wellness Centres and District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) and through counselling for the high-risk parents. Screening will also be supported by Nidan Kendras set up by Department of Biotechnology. Policy also aims to strengthen tertiary health care facilities for prevention and treatment of rare diseases through designating 8 health facilities as Centre of Excellence (CoEs) ,which will also be provided one-time financial support of up to Rs 5 crores for upgradation of diagnostics facilities. A provision for financial support upto Rs. 20 lakhs under the Umbrella Scheme of Rastriya Arogya Nidhi is proposed for treatment, of those rare diseases that require a one-time treatment (diseases listed under Group 1 in the rare disease policy).Beneficiaries for such financial assistance would not be limited to BPL families, but the benefit will be extended to about 40% of the population, who are eligible under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
About Rare Diseases: A rare disease is a health condition of low prevalence that affects a small number of people compared with other prevalent diseases in the general population. There is no universally accepted definition of rare diseases and the definitions usually vary across different countries. Though rare diseases are of low prevalence and individually rare, collectively they affect a considerable proportion of the population. In the USA , a rare disease is defined as a condition that affects fewer than 2,00,000 people. The same definition is used by the National Organisation for Rare Disorders (NORD) in India. 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin and hence disproportionately impact children.
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7.13.INTEGRATED HEALTH INFORMATION PLATFORM (IHIP)
News: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan virtually launched the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) .
About: The new version of the Integrated Health Information Platform will consist of the data entry as well as the management of the disease surveillance program. The platform will be able to track 33 diseases now, compared to the earlier 18 diseases. It will also ensure near real-time data in digital mode, removing the paper mode of working. IHIP will provide health system information that has been developed for real- time case-based information, advanced visualization capability, and integrated analytics. It will provide analyzed reports on mobile or other electronic devices. Outbreak investigation activities can be initiated and monitored electronically. It can easily be integrated with other ongoing surveillance program, while having the feature of addition of special surveillance modules.
7.14.DEVICE TO DIAGNOSE DENGUE WITHIN AN HOUR
News : Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology here have developed a handheld Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)-based platform for early diagnosis of dengue and also gives dengue test results within one hour (rapid diagnosis).
Details: Handheld device has been successfully tested on the clinical blood samples collected from hundreds of individuals and also helps in rapid detection of HIV. Conventional diagnostic tools like nucleic acid detection using Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is a time-taking process and it also requires expensive equipment and reagents for the diagnosis of dengue. This ultrasensitive and handy device has wide range of applications in the early stage onsite detection of viral diseases and can produce the final report of investigation within an hour. The research work was funded by IMPRINT India programme of the Ministry of Education with New Age Instruments and Materials Pvt Ltd as the industry partner.
About IMPRINT India: IMPRINT is the first of its kind MHRD (now renamed as Ministry of Education) supported Pan-IIT and IISc joint initiative to address the major science and engineering challenges that India must address and champion to enable, empower and embolden the nation for inclusive growth and self-reliance. This novel initiative with twofold mandate is aimed at: o Developing new engineering education policy o Creating a road map to pursue engineering challenges
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IMPRINT provides the overarching vision that guides research into areas that are predominantly socially relevant. The programme builds around the great research talent and highly equipped and promising infrastructure of the Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). With an aim of achieving inclusion, the programme has currently also encompassed the Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) and in the future is poised to cover all the academic and research institutions of the country.
About Dengue: Dengue is a mosquito-borne Viral Disease. It is caused by a virus of the Flaviviridae family and there are four distinct, but closely related, serotypes of the virus that cause dengue (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4). These mosquitoes are also vectors of chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika viruses. Dengue is widespread throughout the tropics, with local variations in risk influenced by rainfall, temperature, relative humidity and unplanned rapid urbanization. Severe dengue was first recognized in the 1950s during dengue epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand. The primary mode of transmission of DENV between humans involves mosquito vectors. There is evidence however, of the possibility of maternal transmission (from a pregnant mother to her baby). The dengue vaccine CYD-TDV or Dengvaxia was approved by the US Food & Drug Administration in 2019, the first dengue vaccine to get the regulatory nod in the US.
The Wolbachia method to reduce the spread of Dengue: This method involves introducing Wolbachia, a type of bacteria, into populations of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito species responsible for spreading dengue. When the Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes breed with their wild counterparts, the percentage of mosquitoes carrying the bacterium grows. It has been suggested that the bacterium prevents dengue viruses from replicating in mosquito cells.
7.15.AAHAAR KRANTI
India produces as much as two times the amount of calories that it consumes. However, many in the country are still malnourished. The root cause of this strange phenomenon is a lack of nutritional awareness in all sections of our society.
About the Mission: The mission is aimed to spread the message of the need for a nutritionally balanced diet and to understand the importance of accessible to all local fruits and vegetables .
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Vijnana Bharati (Vibha) and Global Indian Scientists’ and Technocrats’ Forum(GIST) have come together to launch the mission with the motto : Uttam Aahaar Uttam Vichaar or `Good Diet-Good Cognition’. India has the unique advantage of having the knowledge of Ayurveda. It is time to also apply this rich knowledge of Ayurveda-based nutrition to practice. The movement will work on this too. The movement proposes to address the current situation of hunger in abundance by working to rouse the people to the values of India’s traditional diet, to the healing powers of local fruits and vegetables, and to the miracles of a balanced diet. It will renew the focus on nutritionally balanced diets –“ Uttam evam santulit aahaar” replete in locally sourced fruits and vegetables. The programme will focus on training teachers, who, in turn, will pass on the message to the multitudes of students, and through them to their families and finally the society at large. Such a strategy was adopted for the eradication of Polio and it turned out to be a grand success. Union Ministry of Science and Technology’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)’s Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark (Prabhaas) is collaborating, and various central and state government ministries and agencies are involved.
7.16.AUGMENTATION OF MANUFACTURING CAPACITY FOR COVAXIN PRODUCTION UNDER MISSION COVID SURAKSHA
News: Under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0, Mission COVID Suraksha was announced by the Government of India, to accelerate the development and production of Indigenous COVID Vaccines. This is being implemented by Department of Biotechnology(DBT), Govt. of India.
Details about Augmentation Plan: Under the Mission the Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India is providing financial support as Grant to vaccine manufacturing facilities for enhanced production capacities. As a part this augmentation plan, capacities of Bharat Biotech Limited, Hyderabad as well as other public sector manufactures are being upgraded with required infrastructure and technology. Financial support is being provided as grant from GoI to the tune of appx Rs 65 Cr to Bharat Biotech’s new Bangalore facility which is being repurposed to increase the capacity of vaccine production.
Public sectors companies are also being supported to increase the capacity of vaccine production, which include:
Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai –a State PSE under State Govt of Maharashtra.Financial support as grant from GoI to the tune of appx Rs 65 Cr will be provided for this facility to be made ready for manufacturing. Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad –A facility under National Dairy Development Board and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Limited Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 158
(BIBCOL) , Bulandshahr a CPSE under Department of Biotechnology ,Govt of India will also be supported.
About Mission COVID Suraksha: It is India’s targeted effort to enable the development of indigenous, affordable and accessible vaccines for the country and will complement the ongoing mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Centre had announced this package during the third economic stimulus. The Mission with its end-to-end focus from preclinical development through clinical development and manufacturing and regulatory facilitation for deployment, would consolidate all available and funded resources towards accelerated product development. It will be led by DBT and implemented by a dedicated Mission Implementation Unit at the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
7.17.OXYGEN CRISIS IN INDIA
News: As India touches lakhs of active Covid-19 infections, a number of states have reported shortages of medical oxygen for a growing pool of patients in need of oxygen support. India plans to import 50,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen to cater to the rising demand. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been directed to float a tender for the import.
Which states are the worst hit? Consumption of medical oxygen in Maharashtra has reached the state’s full production capacity of 1,250 tonnes. The state has 6.38 lakh active cases of Covid-19, and about 10% of them are on oxygen support, the highest for any state. The Centre-appointed Empowered Group-2, formed to monitor the supply of essential medical equipment during the pandemic, has been focusing on 12 high-burden states — Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat, Rajasthan Karnataka, UP, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana. The problem is acute in rural areas, which are going through a rise in Covid-19 cases but have no large storage tankers, and in smaller nursing homes, which rely on daily supply of oxygen cylinders.
Constraints on supply and transportation: Oxygen has applications in the iron and steel industry, hospitals, pharmaceutical units that manufacture vials, and the glass industry. Currently, most states have diverted their entire oxygen production for medical use. Demand is high, but there are not enough cylinders and tankers to store and transport oxygen, India does not have enough cryogenic tankers to ensure 24×7 road transport of medical oxygen. Now when oxygen is being transported from one state to another, the travel time it takes from the manufacturer to a patient’s bed has increased from 3-5 days to 6-8 days. The smaller a hospital or the more remote its location, the longer the time taken for the oxygen to reach there. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 159
Smaller suppliers do not have enough jumbo and dura cylinders to keep the flow steady. The increase in cost for transport and logistics has increased the cost of refilling cylinders. There are concerns over possible leakages in hospital pipelines that supply oxygen.
Way forward: The Empowered Group plans to identify 100 hospitals in far-flung areas to install pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants, which can manufacture their own oxygen and make the hospitals self-reliant. This will cut transportation costs and delays in oxygen supply to remote parts. Hospitals are setting up huge storage tanks to store supplies that can last at least 10 days. Utilizing train and airlift services to transport oxygen faster instead of solely depending on traditional road transport. Surplus oxygen stocks from iron and steel plants have been diverted for medical use. The Empowered Group-2 has also decided that argon and nitrogen tankers be diverted for oxygen transport. For this, the Petroleum and Safety Organisation(PESO) has issued orders. The Group has also advised use of industrial cylinders for refilling.
About Petroleum And Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO): It falls under Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT) , Ministry of Commerce Industry It administers Explosives Act 1884,Explosive Substance Act 1908 , Petroleum (Production) Act 1934, Inflammable substance Act 1952 and Environment Protection Act 1986 to control import, export, transport, storage and usage of explosive materials,flammable materials, pressure vessels, cryogenic vessels, design and installation of all necessary and relevant infrastructure etc. PESO is a regulatory authority with autonomous status. The Department is headed by Chief Controller of Explosives and is headquartered at Nagpur in Maharashtra.
7.18.SHORTFALL OF SPECIALIST DOCTORS AT CHCS IN RURAL AREAS
News: According to the Rural Health Statistics report released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India an overall shortfall of 76.1% specialist doctors at the Community Health Centres (CHCs) in rural areas.
As per the Report: As compared to the requirement for existing infrastructure, there is a shortfall of 78.9 % of surgeons, 69.7 % of obstetricians & gynecologists, 78.2 % of physicians, and 78.2 % of pediatricians. The report also flags that overall 63.3% of the sanctioned posts of specialists at CHCs are vacant in the rural areas.
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Under the category of surgeons at CHCs in rural areas, the requirement is 5,183; and there is a shortfall of 4,087. Under the category of physicians at CHCs in rural areas, the requirement is 5,183; and there is a shortfall of 3,331. Under the category of obstetricians and gynaecologists at CHCs in rural areas, the requirement is 5,183; and there is a shortfall of 3,611. The report states that for allopathy doctors at PHCs, there is a shortfall of 6.8 % of the total requirement for existing infrastructure as compared to manpower in position.
Rural Health Care System in India: The health care infrastructure in rural areas has been developed as a three tier system as follows:
1. Sub- Centre: The Sub Centre is the most peripheral and first contact point between the primary health care system and the community. Sub Centres are assigned tasks relating to interpersonal communication in order to bring about behavioral change and provide services in relation to maternal and child health, family welfare, nutrition, immunization, diarrhoea control and control of communicable diseases programmes. Each Sub Centre is required to be manned by at least one auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) / female health worker and one male health worker.
2.Primary Health Centres (PHCs): PHC is the first contact point between village community and the medical officer. The PHCs were envisaged to provide an integrated curative and preventive health care to the rural population with emphasis on preventive and promotive aspects of health care. The PHCs are established and maintained by the state governments under the Minimum Needs Programme (MNP)/ Basic Minimum Services (BMS) Programme.
3. Community Health Centres (CHCs): CHCs are being established and maintained by the state government under MNP/BMS programme. As per minimum norms, a CHC is required to be manned by four medical specialists i.e. surgeon, physician, gynecologist and pediatrician supported by 21 paramedical and other staff. It has 30 in-door beds with one OT, X-ray, labour room and laboratory facilities. It serves as a referral centre for 4 PHCs and alsoprovides facilities for obstetric care and specialist consultations.
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7.19.HARLEQUIN ICHTHYOSIS
News: Odisha reported its first-ever case of a baby born with harlequin ichthyosis, a rare genetic condition , at a hospital in Berhampur in the state’s Ganjam district .
About the Disease: The disease affected one in three million births and is caused due to a mutated gene inherited from the parents. The skin form large diamond-shaped plates across the body that are separated by deep cracks (fissures). The skin is dry and scaly, almost like fish skin and hence the term ‘icthyosis’, derived from ‘ikthus’, Greek for fish.
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Mutations in the ABCA 12 gene are stated to cause harlequin ichthyosis, the doctors said. The ABCA12 protein plays a major role in transporting fats in cells which make up the outermost layer of skin. Severe mutations in the gene lead to the absence or partial production of the ABCA12 protein. This results in lack of lipid transport and as a result, the skin development is affected by varying degrees according to the severity of the mutation.
7.20.AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
News: The Mizoram government has declared certain areas in four districts of the state as the "epicentre" of African Swine Fever (ASF), the dreaded pig disease which has killed more than 1,000 pigs in a month.
About African Swine Fever: It is caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large, double-stranded DNA virus . The virus causes a hemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic pigs; some isolates can cause death of animals as quickly as a week after infection. It persistently infects its natural hosts, warthogs, bushpigs, and soft ticks. It does not cause disease in humans. ASFV is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.
Piggery Sector in India: It has immense potential to ensure nutritional and economic security for the weaker sections of the society. Pig farming is very important component in North East India. Out of total pig population in India, 28% are grown in this region. The majority of the pig population in India is of indigenous breeds (76 % ). The exotic breed mainly comprises Hampshire, Large White York Shire, Duroc, Landrace, and Tamworth while some of the popular indigenous pig breeds include Ghungroo, Niang Megha, Ankamali, Agonda Goan and Tany- Vo.
Advantages of pig rearing: Pigs convert inedible feeds, forages, certain grain by products obtained from mills, meat by products, damaged feeds and garbage into valuable nutritious meat. Most of these feeds are either not edible or not very palatable to human beings. Pig grows fast and is a prolific breeder, farrowing 10 to 12 piglets at a time.(Farrowing is a term specific to swine that refers to the action of giving birth) The carcass return is quite high ie. 60-80 % of live body weight. With a small investment on building and equipment, proper feeding and sound disease control programme the farmer can profitably utilize his time and labour in this subsidiary occupation The faeces of pigs is used as a manure to maintain soil fertility.
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Among the livestock species, pig finds an important place as it being reared by socio-economically weaker sections of the society. Pig as compared to other livestock species has a great potential to contribute to faster economic return to the farmers, because of certain inherent traits like high fecundity, better-feed conversion efficiency, early maturity and short generation interval.
7.21.GOVT. BARS USE OF LIQUID OXYGEN FOR NON-MEDICAL PURPOSES
News: Invoking the Disaster Management( DM) Act , the Centre ordered states that all liquid oxygen, including the existing stock with private plants shall be made available to the government and will be used for medical purposes only. Despite MHA’s orders and letters, states continued to flag shortage of oxygen supply with hospitals in Delhi using social media to send distress messages.
What the Order said? April 18th Order: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had written to States prohibiting supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except for exempted nine industries that include the pharmaceutical, petroleum, nuclear energy and the steel sectors. Under section 10(2)(I) and section 65 of the DM Act, states had to ensure that “liquid oxygen is not allowed for any non medical purpose” and all stocks to be made available to the government without any exception to any industry to use liquid oxygen.
April 22nd Order: Centre issued order under the DM Act making the district magistrates and senior superintendent of police personally liable to allow unhindered inter-State movement of vehicles carrying medical oxygen and to ensure that the supply is not restricted to a particular state where the oxygen plant is located.
7.22.ANTIVIRAL DRUG ‘VIRAFIN’
News: The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted emergency use approval for pharma major Zydus Cadila’s antiviral drug ‘Virafin’, to treat moderate COVID-19 disease in adults.
About Virafin: Virafin’ is pegylated interferon alpha-2b. Interferons are signalling proteins that help the body’s immune system defend against viral infections. Before it was repurposed for COVID-19, pegylated interferon alpha 2b was used to help treat Hepatitis C. If administered early on during the disease, Virafin can help patients recover faster and a multi-centric trial indicated that the hours of supplemental oxygen required was significantly lesser to those administered with the drug. The trial was conducted across 20 to 25 centres in India.
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High proportion of patients on Virafin tested negative by day 7 : In phase 3 clinical trials of the drug, Virafin showed ‘better clinical improvement’ in patients who were suffering from Covid-19.Furthermore, a higher proportion of patients who received Virafin proved to be RT-PCR negative by the 7thday in the trial.
7.23.ICAR-IVRI TRANSFERS TECHNOLOGY - CSF & SHEEP POX VACCINE THROUGH AGRINNOVATE
News: The ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh transferred the Technology - CSF & Sheep Pox Vaccines to M/s Hester Biosciences through Agrinnovate India Limited.
Live Attenuated Indigenous CSF Cell Culture Vaccine (IVRI-CSF-BS) The Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is an important disease of pigs that causes 100% mortality. In India, the disease is controlled by a lapinized (attenuated by passage through rabbits) CSF vaccine (Weybridge Strain, U.K.) produced by killing large numbers of rabbits. To avoid this, the ICAR-IVRI earlier developed a Cell Culture CSF Vaccine using the Lapinized Vaccine Virus from foreign strain.
Indigenous Live Attenuated Sheep Pox Vaccine [SPPV Srin 38/00] : Sheep pox is a severe viral disease in sheep which is economically important in small ruminants. A live attenuated Sheep Pox Vaccine using indigenous strain was developed by the Institute for preventive vaccination in the sheep population. The developed Vaccine uses indigenous Sheep Pox Virus Strain [SPPV Srin 38/00] and is adapted to grow in the Vero cell line which makes the Vaccine production to be easily scalable. The Vaccine is innocuous, safe, potent, and immunogenic [efficacious] for sheep aged more than six months of age. It has been evaluated both in-house and field. It protects the Vaccinated animals for a period of 40 months.
About Sheep pox: Sheep pox isviral diseases of sheep characterized by fever, generalized papules or nodules, vesicles (rarely), internal lesions (particularly in the lungs), and death. Sheep pox virus (SPV) closely related members of the Capripox genus in the family Pox-viridae. Most isolates are host specific, with SPV mainly causing disease in sheep. Capripox is endemic in Africa north of the Equator, the Middle East, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal; parts of the Peoples Republic of China, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Recently, it has made frequent incursions into southern Europe.
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Vero Cells: Vero cells are a lineage of cells used in cell cultures. The 'Vero' lineage was isolated from kidney epithelial cells extracted from an African green monkey. Vero cells are used for many purposes like screening for the toxin of Escherichia coli, first named "Vero toxin"and as host cells for growing viruses.
Vaccine: A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe, its toxins, or one of its surface proteins.
Types of Vaccines: Inactivated vaccines : These use the killed version of the germ that causes a disease and usually don’t provide immunity (protection) that’s as strong as live vaccines. Live-attenuated vaccines : These use a weakened (or attenuated) form of the germ that causes a disease.Because these vaccines are so similar to the natural infection that they help prevent, they create a strong and long-lasting immune response. Messenger RNA vaccines( mRNA vaccines) : mRNA vaccines make proteins in order to trigger an immune response. These vaccines have several benefits compared to other types of vaccines, including shorter manufacturing times and, because they do not contain a live virus, no risk of causing disease in the person getting vaccinated. Toxoid vaccines : These use a toxin (harmful product) made by the germ that causes a disease. They create immunity to the parts of the germ that cause a disease instead of the germ itself. That means the immune response is targeted to the toxin instead of the whole germ. Viral vector vaccines : Viral vector vaccines use a modified version of a different virus as a vector to deliver protection. Several different viruses have been used as vectors, including influenza, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), measles virus, and adenovirus, which causes the common cold.
7.24.MEASLES CAMPAIGNS SUSPENDED IN MOST COUNTRIES
As countries observe the World Immunization Week 2021 (April 24-30), there is disturbing news of irreversible discontinuation of life-saving immunization campaigns endangering lives of millions of children pouring out. According to latest data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), 60 lifesaving campaigns including mass immunizations , have been postponed in 50 countries. Disruption in immunization for measles, one of the most contagious diseases, is a cause of concern. This is because there have been large outbreaks of this disease in the unvaccinated population. There have been major measles outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan and Yemen. WHO forecasts that there would be similar Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 166
outbreaks in other countries as well due to slowing down or cessation of immunization.
About Measles: Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body. Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals. The first sign of measles is usually a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts 4 to 7 days. A runny nose, a cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.
About Rubella: Also called German Measles, it is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults. Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause death or congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) which causes irreversible birth defects.
Some Facts: The Maldives and Sri Lanka have become the first two countries in the region to have eliminated both measles and rubella ahead of the 2023 deadline. A country is verified as having eliminated measles and rubella when there is no evidence of endemic transmission of the respective viruses for over three years in the presence of a well performing surveillance system.
ISSUES RELATED TO EDUCATION
7.25.ACADEMIC RANKING OF WORLD UNIVERSITIES (ARWU 2020)
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc Bangalore) has secured the top position among the best higher education institutes in India, while Calcutta University became the best varsity in the country. Meanwhile worldwide, the Indian institutes are not even in the top 100 list, the best higher education institute, (IISc Bangalore) is in the category of 501- 600.
About The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) It is also known as the Shanghai Ranking and is one of the annual publications of world university rankings. The league table was originally compiled and issued by Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2003, making it the first global university ranking with multifarious indicators.
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Since 2009, ARWU has been published and copyrighted annually by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, an organization focusing on higher education that is not legally subordinated to any universities or government agencies. ARWU is regarded as one of the three most influential and widely observed university rankings, alongside QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
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8. SCHEMES
8.1.NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME
Why in news? Creches under the ‘National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers’ are not functional in the country, including in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, at present for the purpose of preventing spread of Covid 19 pandemic.
Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
About: A centrally sponsored scheme being implemented with effect from 1st January, 2017. Earlier named as Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme. To provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers.
The Scheme provides an integrated package of the following services: 1. Day care facilities including sleeping facilities. 2. Early stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school education for 3 to 6 years old children 3. Supplementary nutrition (to be locally sourced) 4. Growth monitoring 5. Health check-up and immunization Also provides for 1. Crèches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and half (7-1/2) hours per day. 2. The number of children in the crèche should not be more than 25 per crèche with 01 Worker and 01 helper respectively. 3. User charges to bring in an element of community ownership and collected as under: 1) BPL families - Rs 20/- per child per month. 2) Families with Income (Both Parents) of upto Rs. 12,000/- per month – Rs. 100/- per child per month 3) Families with Income (Both Parents) of above Rs. 12,000/- per month – Rs. 200/- per child per month.
8.2.EMERGENCY CREDIT LINE GUARANTEE SCHEME
Why in news? Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 1.0 & 2.0 & ECLGS 3.0 have been extended upto 30.06.2021 or till guarantees for an amount of Rs. 3 lakh crore are issued. New window ECLGS 3.0 for enterprises in Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Leisure & Sporting sectors
Ministry: Ministry of Finance
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About: Aim: to provide an incentive to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs), i.e., Banks, Financial Institutions (FIs) and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to increase access to, and enable availability of additional funding facility to MSME borrowers, in view of the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 crisis, by providing them 100 per cent guarantee for any losses suffered by them due to non-repayment of the GECL funding by borrowers No Guarantee Fee shall be charged by NCGTC from the Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) under the Scheme Interest rates : capped at 9.25% for banks and FIs, and at 14% for NBFCs. ECLGS 3.0 would involve extension of credit of upto 40% of total credit outstanding across all lending institutions as on 29.02.2020. The modifications introduced in the scheme, while providing an incentive to MLIs to enable availability of additional funding facility to the eligible beneficiaries will go a long way in contributing to economic revival Eligibility: ECLGS 3.0 will cover business enterprises in Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Leisure & Sporting sectors which had, as on 29.02.2020, total credit outstanding not exceeding Rs. 500 crore and overdues, if any, were for 60 days or less, on that date i.e., 29th Feb 2020. No Guarantee Fee shall be charged by NCGTC from the Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) under the Scheme. The credit will be provided in the form of a Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) facility.
National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited NCGTC was registered under the Companies Act, 1956 in 2014 It is a wholly-owned company of the Government of India It was established by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance It acts as a common trustee company for multiple credit guarantee funds.
8.3.DSIR-PRISM SCHEME
Why in news? The Ministry of Science & Technology has inaugurated an Alignment and Awareness Event for the publicity of the DSIR-PRISM Scheme.
Ministry: Department of Scientific and Industrial Research(DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology
About: PRISM stands forPromoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs. Aim: It is aimed at transforming an individual innovator into a successful technopreneur by promoting, supporting, and funding implementable and commercially viable innovations created for the society. ‘PRISM’ scheme of the DSIR has been instrumental in supporting individual innovators enabling inclusive development of India
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The innovation movement by DSIR-PRISM making synergy with three National Initiatives like Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Smart India Hackathon and Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) is unique”. Candidate is provided technical, strategic, and financial assistance by DSIR- PRISM for idea development, prototype development and pilot scaling, and patenting. The programme is implemented across various sectors from energy to healthcare to waste management and others. Eligibility: An innovator of Indian nationality - student, professional and common citizen Sectors Covered: 1. Affordable Healthcare, 2. Water, Sewage Management, 3. Green Technology, 4. Clean Energy, 5. Industrially Utilizable Smart Materials, 6. Waste to Wealth Funding: The grant is given in two phases: Phase I and Phase II, catering to both the initial innovation stage and the advanced enterprise setup phase through DSIR outreach-cum-cluster innovation centres available throughout India. The grant amount in Phase I is around Rs. 2.0 lakhs to Rs. 20.00 lakhs and in Phase II maximum of Rs. 50.00 lakhs. Benefits:Help in generating rural livelihood, inclusive innovation & socio- economic benefit.
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan It is inspired by the vision of transformational change in rural development processes by leveraging knowledge institutions to help build the architecture of an Inclusive India Initiative of IIT delhi. working for long in the area of rural development and appropriate technology The program was formally launched by the Ministry of Education (MoE) (formerly Ministry Human Resource Development (MHRD)) in 2014.
Smart India Hackathon (SIH)
It is a nationwide initiative to provide students a platform to solve some of the pressing problems we face in our daily lives. It started in the year 2017 and gaining huge success. Under SIH, the students would also have the opportunity to work on challenges faced within the private sector organisations and create world class solutions for some of the top companies in the world. It is the World’s Biggest Hackathon having reached out to over 10 Lakh+ students across 7218+ institutes in India. Pillars: 1. Ingenious: Harnessing creativity and expertise of students, academicians and visionaries 2. Engaging: Sparking institute-level hackathons, fuelling imagination 3. Futuristic: Building funnel for ‘Start-up India’ campaign
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4. Collaborating: Crowdsourcing intelligence for improving governance and quality of life 5. Empowering: Enabling possibilities and enhancing opportunities for citizens to deliver innovative solutions to India’s daunting problems
Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG)
It is a brain child of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India. It was devised to be a mechanism to achieve rural advancement through S&T interventions. It is located in eight IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee, Ropar) It aims develop state-of-the-art science & technology resources, equipment, human resources and research facilities to innovate rural technologies.
8.4.EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT PROGRAMME
Why in news? Under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat: People from Mizoram savors fine experiences of social & cultural life of Bihar Ministry: Ministry of Human Resource Development About: Announced in 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Through this innovative measure, the knowledge of the culture, traditions and practices of different States & UTs will lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between the States, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India. All States and UTs will be covered under the programme. There will be pairing of States/UTs at national level and these pairings will be in effect for one year, or till the next round of pairings. The State/UT level pairings would be utilized for state level activities
Objective: To CELEBRATE the Unity in Diversity of our Nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our Country; PROMOTE the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all Indian States and Union Territories through a year-long planned engagement between States; To SHOWCASE the rich heritage and culture,customs and traditions of either State for enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity; TO ESTABLISH long-term engagements and TO CREATE an environment which promotes learning between States by sharing best practices and experiences.
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8.5.NATIONAL SUPER COMPUTING MISSION (NSM)
Why in news? India emerging a leader in supercomputing
Ministry: Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Implemented by: the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
About: Aim: to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups in areas like oil exploration, flood prediction as well as genomics and drug discovery. The Rs 4,500 crore-National Supercomputers Mission (NSM) in 2015 envisages nearly 50 supercomputers across the country in three phases over the peiod of 7 years. Currently, there are four supercomputers from India in the Top 500 list of supercomputers in the world Completion in of Phase II of NSM in September 2021 will take the country’s computing power to 16 Petaflops (PF). It was launched to enhance the research capacities and capabilities in the country by connecting them to form a Supercomputing grid, with National Knowledge Network (NKN) as the backbone. The NSM is setting up a grid of supercomputing facilities in academic and research institutions across the country. Part of this is being imported from abroad and part built indigenously. Infrastructure planned in NSM Phase I has already been installed and much of Phase II will be getting in place soon. Phase III, initiated this year, will take the computing speed to around 45 Petaflops. This will include three systems of 3 PF each and one system of 20PF as a national facility. PARAM Shivay, the first supercomputer assembled indigenously. Name Centre PARAM Shivay IIT (BHU) PARAM Shakti IIT-Kharagpur PARAM Brahma IISER, Pune PARAM Yukti JNCASR, Bengaluru PARAM Sanganak IIT Kanpur
The three phases will provide access to High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities to around 75 institutions and more than thousands of active researchers, academicians working through Nation Knowledge Network (NKN), the backbone for supercomputing systems. HPC and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have converged together. A 100 AI PF Artificial Intelligence supercomputing system is being created and installed in C-DAC, which can handle incredibly large-scale AI workloads, increasing the speed of computing-related to AI several times.
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India has developed an indigenous server (Rudra), which can meet the High- Performance Computing (HPC) requirements of all governments and PSUs. This is the first time that a server system was made in India, along with the full software stack developed by C-DAC
8.6.ATAL INNOVATION MISSION
Why in news? A socio-technologist Dr Chintan Vaishnav has been appointed as the new Mission Director for Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) Implemented by: NITI Aayog
Status: AIM has established 7259 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools across 650 districts, thereby providing over 3.5 million students access to emerging technologies. It has also operationalized 68 Atal Incubators, fostering over 2000 start-ups—of these, 625 are led by women. AIM selected 56 Atal New India and ARISE Challenge winners for product innovations with socio-economic impact, and initiated establishment of 20 Atal Community Innovation Centres to spur community-centric innovations addressing needs of rural India. It has also established one of the largest voluntary Mentors of Change networks, with over 5000 mentors nationwide and more than 30 corporate and international partners. It has also established strategic collaborations with other stakeholders to support its initiatives. About: It is Government of India’s flagship initiative to create and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of our country. It was setup in 2016. AIM’s objective is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platforms and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, and create an umbrella structure to oversee the innovation & entrepreneurship ecosystem of the country.
AIM-iCREST’ Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has launched an incubator capabilities enhancement program‘AIM-iCREST’. AIM-iCREST is an Incubator Capabilities Enhancement program for a Robust Ecosystem focused on creating high performing Startups. It is in partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation. Under the initiative, the AIM’s incubators are set to be upscaled and provided requisite support to foster the incubation enterprise economy, that will help them to significantly enhance their performance.
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This will be complemented by providing training to entrepreneurs, through technology driven processes and platforms
Other major initiatives: Atal Tinkering Labs: Creating problem solving mindset across schools in India. Atal Incubation Centers: Fostering world class startups and adding a new dimension to the incubator model. Atal New India Challenges: Fostering product innovations and aligning them to the needs of various sectors/ministries. Mentor India Campaign: A national mentor network in collaboration with the public sector, corporates and institutions, to support all the initiatives of the mission. Atal Community Innovation Center: To stimulate community centric innovation and ideas in the unserved /underserved regions of the country including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE): To stimulate innovation and research in the MSME industry
8.7.PRADHAN MANTRI MUDRA YOJANA
Why in news? PMMY completes six years; loans worth Rs 15 lakh cr sanctioned so far About: To enable every last mile financer to lend credit to all types of businesses in the country, the MUDRA- Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency bank was established as a public sector financial institution. Low rate loans are provided by micro financers under this scheme. The primary product of MUDRA will be refinance for lending to micro businesses/units under the aegis of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana. MUDRA Bank has been established by government with a Refinance corpus of Rs.20, 000 crore, and credit guarantee corpus of Rs.3000 crore. Launched in April 2015 by the Prime Minister, the Mudra Yojana aims to enable Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), Non-Banking financial institutions/Companies (NBFCs), Small Finance Banks, RBRs, Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks, etc. to provide Low Rate Loans to eligible entities. It would be ensured that at least 60% of the credit flows to Shishu Category Units and the balance to Kishor and Tarun Categories.
Objectives: To lay down policy guidelines to finance micro/small enterprises. To get all Micro Finance Institutions and entities registered and regulate the same. To help small businesses grow and develop their enterprise further. To assist lower income groups in setting up and developing their business. To help set up responsible financial practices in order to prevent over borrowing for lower income entrepreneurs.
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To help create easy access to finance for the unbanked and also help lower the cost of finance. To give SC/ST preference in lending. To regulate all Micro Finance Institutions dealing with manufacturing, service and trading. Category: 1. Shishu : covering loans up to Rs. 50,000/- 2. Kishor : covering loans above Rs. 50,000/- and up to Rs. 5 Lakh 3. Tarun : covering loans above Rs. 5 Lakh and up to Rs. 10 Lakh
Eligibility: To avail of the benefits of the PMMY Scheme, the person should be a citizen of India. The loans are basically for people having a business plan in a Non-Farming Sector with Income generating activities like the following: Manufacturing Processing Trade Service Sector Or any other fields whose credit demand is less than ₹10 lakhs. Sectors covered: Land Transport Sector / Activity - Which will inter alia support units for purchase of transport vehicles for goods and personal transport such as auto rickshaw, small goods transport vehicle, 3 wheelers, e-rickshaw, passenger cars, taxis, etc. Community, Social & Personal Service Activities - Such as saloons, beauty parlours, gymnasium, boutiques, tailoring shops, dry cleaning, cycle and motorcycle repair shop, DTP and Photocopying Facilities, Medicine Shops, Courier Agents, etc. Food Products Sector - Support would be available for undertaking activities such as papad making, achaar making, jam / jelly making, agricultural produce preservation at rural level, sweet shops, small service food stalls and day to day catering / canteen services, cold chain vehicles, cold storages, ice making units, ice cream making units, biscuit, bread and bun making, etc. Textile Products Sector / Activity - To provide support for undertaking activities such as handloom, powerloom, chikan work, zari and zardozi work, traditional embroidery and hand work, traditional dyeing and printing, apparel design, knitting, cotton ginning, computerized embroidery, stitching and other textile non garment products such as bags, vehicle accessories, furnishing accessories, etc.
8.8.SOLAR CHARKHA MISSION
Ministry:Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Implementing agency: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
About: Launched in June 2018
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Objectives: To ensure inclusive growth by generation of employment, especially for women and youth, and sustainable development through solar charkha clusters in rural areas. To boost rural economy and help in arresting migration from rural to urban areas. To leverage low-cost, innovative technologies and processes for sustenance The mission will entail a subsidy of Rs 550 crore in the initial two years for 50 clusters and every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans. The scheme also aims at linking five crore women across the country to the initiative. The mission is expected to create one lakh jobs during the first two years. Clusters will have 200-2042 beneficiarie ; Spinners, weavers, stitches and other skilled artisans are the beneficiaries of mission solar charkha (MSC.) Each spinner will be given two charkhas of 10 spindles each. Coverage : The target is to cover 50 solar clusters across the country The geographical distribution of the clusters throughout the country, with at least 10% located in the North Eastern Region (NER), J&K and hilly states, will also be kept in view. Special focus will be given to 117 aspirational districts for soliciting project proposals under the scheme.
8.9.KALAM PROGRAM FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITERACY AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN (KAPILA)
Why in news? Recently, the Union Education Minister has launched the Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness Campaign (KAPILA) on the occasion of the 89th birth anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Ministry: Ministry of Education About: Campaign was launched on October 15, 2020 Under the programme students of higher educational institutions will get information about the system of application process for patenting their invention. It aims to create awareness about the Intellectual Property Rights The program will facilitate the colleges and institutions to encourage more and more students to file patents and everyone engaged in research and development must apply to preserve and safeguard their inventions.
Objectives: Create awareness regarding Intellectual Property Rights in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). Development of credit course in IPR. Enabling of IP protection of inventions originating from the students and faculty of HEIs. Sensitization and development of vibrant IP filing system.
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Training program on IPR for faculty and students of HEIs The Institution Innovation Council (IIC 2.0) annualreport was presented IIC was established by the Ministry of Education in 2018. The launch of IIC 3.0 and its website were also announced. IICs have been established in about 1700 higher educational institutions. They will be established in 5000 higher educational institutions under IIC 3.0.
8.10.SAMARTH
Ministry:Ministry of Textile About: Also known as Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector Objectives:
To provide demand driven, placement oriented National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textile, excluding Spinning and Weaving. To promote skilling and skill upgradation in the traditional sectors of handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture and jute. To enable provision of sustainable livelihood either by wage or self employment to all sections of the society across the country. to provide demand-driven, placement oriented skilling programme to incentivize the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors to promote skilling and skill up-gradation in the traditional sectors through respective sectoral divisions/organizations of Ministry of Textile; The Scheme would target to train 10.00 lakh persons (9 lakhs in organised & 1 lakh in traditional sector)
8.11.PRADHAN MANTRI SHRAM YOGI MAAN-DHAN (PM-SYM)
Ministry: the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Implemented: through Life Insurance Corporation of India and Community Service Centers (CSCs). LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out.
About: Announced in the Interim Budget-2019 and implemented from 2019 The scheme is meant for old age protection and social security of Unorganised Workers (UW) who are mostly engaged as rickshaw pullers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer men, home-based workers, own account workers, agricultural
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workers, construction workers, beedi workers, handloom workers, leather workers, audio - visual workers or in similar other occupations. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, under which the subscriber would receive a minimum assured pension of ₹3000/- per month after attaining the age of 60 years If the subscriber dies, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as family pension. Family pension is applicable only to spouse. Eligibility: Should be an unorganised worker (UW) Entry age between 18 and 40 years Monthly Income ₹15000 or below The subscriber will be required to have a mobile phone, savings bank account and Aadhaar number Should not be engaged in Organized Sector (under National Pension Scheme(NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)) an income tax payer Contribution: The subscriber’s contributions shall be made through ‘auto-debit’ facility from his/ her savings bank account/ Jan- Dhan account. PM-SYM functions on a 50:50 basis where prescribed age-specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government.
8.12.PRADHAN MANTRI MATSYA SAMPADA YOJANA (PMMSY)
Ministry: Ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying
About: PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country as a part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India An estimated investment allocated: Rs. 20050 crore It is being implemented in all the States and Union Territories for a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. PMMSY is designed to address critical gaps in the fisheries value chain from fish production, productivity and quality to technology, post-harvest infrastructure and marketing. It aims to modernize and strengthen the value chain, enhance traceability and establish a robust fisheries management framework while simultaneously ensuring the socio-economic welfare of fishers and fish farmers.’ Focuses on adopting ‘Cluster or Area based approaches’ and creation of Fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages.
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Special focus will be given for employment generation activities such as seaweed and ornamental fish cultivation The PMMSY is an umbrella scheme with two separate Components namely (a) Central Sector Scheme (CS) and (b) Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). CS:The project cost will be borne by the Central government CSS: All the sub-components/activities will be implemented by the States/UTs and the cost will be shared between Centre and State. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component is further segregated into Non-beneficiary oriented and beneficiary orientated subcomponents/activities under the following three broad heads: . Enhancement of Production and Productivity . Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management . Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework
Objectives: Harness the potential of the fisheries sector in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner Enhance fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification and productive utilization of land and water Modernize and strengthen the value chain including post-harvest management and quality improvement Double fishers and fish farmers’ incomes and generate meaningful employment Enhance the contribution of the fisheries sector to Agricultural GVA and exports Ensure social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish farmers Build a robust fisheries management and regulatory framework
Target: Enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25, Increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25, Doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, Reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10% and generation of additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities
8.13.PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA
Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Why in news? Additional free-of-cost foodgrains to be distributed to NFSA Beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in May and June 2021 5 Kg per person per month to be provided to nearly 80 Crore beneficiaries free of cost covered under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) over and above NFSA foodgrains for next two months i.e. May and June 2021 Under this special scheme (PMGKAY), around 80 Crore NFSA beneficiaries covered under both categories of NFSA, namely Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Householders (PHH), will be provided with an additional quota of free-of-
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cost foodgrains (Rice/Wheat) at a scale of 5 Kg per person per month, over and above their regular monthly entitlements under NFSA.
To know more about the scheme check https://iaswinnishers.com/2021/01/23/daily-current-affairs-on-jan-23/
8.14.ATAL BIMIT VYAKTI KALYAN YOJANA
Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment About: Introduced by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) on pilot basis for a period of 2 years w.e.f. 01.07.2018 for providing relief to the Insured Persons (IPs) who have become unemployed. However, to provide benefit to the IPs who have become unemployed during COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme was extended for another one year i.e. from 1st July, 2020 to 30th June, 2021.
Benefits: The rate of relief under the extended ABVKY scheme has been enhanced and the eligibility conditions have been relaxed as listed for the IPs who became unemployed from 24.03.2020 onwards. The rate of relief has been doubled from 25 per cent to 50 per cent average per day earning of employee. The Insured Person should have been in insurable employment for a minimum period of two years immediately before his/ her unemployment and should have contributed for not less than 78 days in the contribution period immediately preceding the unemployment and minimum 78 days in one of the remaining three contribution periods in two years prior to unemployment. Earlier this condition was a minimum contribution of 78 days in four contribution periods prior to unemployment with minimum two years insurable employment.
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Claim shall become due 30 days after date of unemployment. Earlier this period was 90 days. The claim of the IP need not be forwarded by the employer. The claim may be submitted by an IP in the prescribed claim form duly completed online or directly to the branch office. ESI: Employees’ state Insurance Corporation of India is a multidimensional social system which provides socio-economic protection to the worker population and immediate dependent or family covered under the ESI scheme. The Employees' State Insurance Scheme (ESI) is an integrated measure of social Insurance embodied in the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948. ESI is designed to accomplish the task of protecting employees against the impact ofincidences of sickness, maternity, disablement and death due to employment injury and to provide medical care to insured persons and their families.
8.15.SVAMITVA SCHEME
Why in news? PM launches distribution of e-property cards under SWAMITVA scheme 4.09 lakh property owners were given their e-property cards Presently, the scheme is only applicable for 6 states: Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand In February 2021 M/s Sitharaman proposed to extend SWAMITVA Scheme to all States/UTs. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched SWAMITVA Scheme to bring transparency in property ownership in villages.
Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj About: SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. The scheme provides for an integrated property validation solution for rural India Use of the latest surveying technology such as drones for measuring the inhabited land in villages and rural areas. Property Cards will be prepared and given to the respective owners. Under the Scheme, a record of rights is being given to property owners in villages. The use of latest surveying methods – Drone’s technology is brought with the collaborated efforts of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Department, State Revenue Department and Survey of India. Up till now, about 1.80 lakh property-owners in 1,241 villages have been provided cards.
Significance The scheme will ensure streamlined planning, revenue collection and provide clarity over property rights in rural areas. This will open up avenues for applying for loans from financial institutions by the owners.
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Disputes related to property would also be settled through the title deeds allotted through this scheme. e-GramSwaraj Portal: This app is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj The official portal of central govt for the implementation of Swamitva scheme Through this app, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will offer the Gram Panchayats a single interface to prepare and implement their Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). Any citizen can create his or her account on the portal and can know about the developmental works of villages. The user of E Gram Swaraj portal can also access all work of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. This single interface will help speed-up the implementation of projects in rural areas from planning to completion The portal will ensure real time monitoring and accountability. The portal is a major step towards digitization down to the Gram Panchayat level It provides single window with the complete profile of the Gram Panchayat, including Sarpanch and Panchayat Secretary details, demographic details of Panchayat, details of Panchayat Finances, asset details, activities taken up through Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), Mission Antyodaya survey reports etc.
Gram Manchitra – Geo-Spatial Planning Application Gram Manchitra is a Spatial Planning Application for facilitating and supporting Gram Panchayat users to perform planning at Gram Panchayat level with the use of geo spatial technology. ‘Real time’ monitoring of development work implementation status and progress of execution of various schemes can be easily tracked
The SKOCH Challenger Award The SKOCH Challenger Award for best performance in the area of Transparency in Governance was given virtually during the 70th SKOCH Summit Ministry of Panchayati Raj received the SKOCH Challenger Award conferred under “Transparency in Governance” category for IT-led initiatives and transformational reforms leading to outcome-based performance improvement, better transparency and strengthening of the e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country. The SKOCH Challenger Award is considered India’s Highest Independent Honour and is conferred after exhaustive research and expert evaluations.
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The SKOCH Challenger Awards acknowledge people, projects and institutions that go the extra mile to make India a better nation.
8.16.PARAMPARAGAT KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA
Why in news? About 14,491 hectare (ha) area in Andaman and Nicobar has been certified as organic, the first large contiguous territory to be done under this government scheme Ministry: Ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare About: launched in 2015 It is an elaborated component of Soil Health Management (SHM) of major project National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). Under PKVY Organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic village by cluster approach and PGS certification India ranks 1st in number of organic farmers and 5th in termsof area under organic farming. Cluster chosen shall be 20ha or 50acres in extent and in as contiguous a form as possible. PGS Certification facilitates farmers to certify their organic produce, label and market their products domestically Total financial assistance available for a 20 ha or 50 acre cluster shall be a maximum of Rs. 10 lakhs for farmer members and Rs. 4.95 lakh for mobilization and PGS Certification with a subsidy ceilingof one hectare per farmer Of the total number of farmers in a cluster, a minimum of 65 percent farmers should be allocated to small and marginal category, to be fulfilled at cluster level as far as practicable and where not possible to be satisfied at Mandal/Block/Taluka or District level. At least 30% of the budget allocations need to be earmarked for women beneficiaries/ farmers There will be no liability on the farmers for expenditure on certification. Assistance of Rs. 50000/ ha/3 year is provided for organic inputs, certification, labeling, packing, transportation and marketing of organic produce . Organic farming will be promoted by using traditional resources and the organic products will be linked with the market. It will increase domestic production and certification of organic produce by involving farmers
Objectives: Promotion of commercial organic production through certified organic farming. The produce will be pesticide residue free and will contribute to improve the health of consumer. It will raise farmer's income and create potential market for traders. It will motivate the farmers for natural resource mobilization for input production.
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Eligibility: Crop with the fertilizer at the low-level demand will be considered in the first year. Marginal and the small level farmers are encouraged. Traditional agriculture methods practicing areas will be considered. Rainfed areas of the state and low fertilizer areas will be considered.
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9. MISCELLANEOUS & FACTS
9.1.THREE IMPORTANT CANALS OF THE WORLD
Why in news? Shipping traffic through Egypt's Suez Canal resumed on March 29 after a giant container ship which had been blocking the busy waterway for almost a week was refloated. The 400-metre long Ever Given container ship became jammed diagonally across a southern section of the canal in high winds early on March 23, halting traffic on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia.
About Suez Canal The Suez Canal is an artificial sea- level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia. In 1858, Ferdinand de Lesseps formed the Suez Canal Company for the express purpose of building the canal. Construction of the canal lasted from 1859 to 1869 and took place under the auspices of the Ottoman Empire. The canal officially opened on 17 November 1869. The canal extends from the northern terminus of Port Said to the southern terminus of Port Tewfik at the city of Suez. Its length is 193.30 km (120.11 mi) including its northern and southern access- channels. The opening of the Suez Canal revolutionised trade between Europe and India by cutting travel time from England to the subcontinent from more than three months to four or five weeks. Before this, ships had to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The Great Bitter Lake is a saltwater lake in Egypt, connected to the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. The canal is operated and maintained by the state-owned Suez Canal Authority (SCA) of Egypt.
About Panama Canal The Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km (51 mi) waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the Panama Canal shortcut greatly reduces the time for ships to travel between the Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 186
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, enabling them to avoid the lengthy, hazardous Cape Horn route around the southernmost tip of South America via the Drake Passage or Strait of Magellan and the even less popular route through the Arctic Archipelago and the Bering Strait. Colombia, France, and later the United States controlled the territory surrounding the canal during construction. France began work on the canal in 1881, but stopped because of engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. The United States took over the project in 1904 and opened the canal on August 15, 1914. The US continued to control the canal and surrounding Panama Canal Zone until the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties provided for handover to Panama. After a period of joint American–Panamanian control, the canal was taken over by the Panamanian government in 1999. It is now managed and operated by the government-owned Panama Canal Authority.
About Kiel Canal The Kiel Canal(formerly known as the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Kanal) is a 98-kilometre- long (61 mi)natural freshwater canal in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. The canal was finished in 1895, but later widened, and links the North Sea at Brunsbüttel to the Baltic Sea at Kiel-Holtenau. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 187
An average of 250 nautical miles (460 km) is saved by using the Kiel Canal instead of going around the Jutland Peninsula. This not only saves time but also avoids storm-prone seas and having to pass through the Danish straits.
9.2.DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD
Central government announced the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Rajinikanth for his contributions as an actor, a producer and screenwriter. The last person to receive the award was Amitabh Bachchan in 2018. For the last three years, there had been no nominee. The 70-year-old, who has more than 160 films to his credit, was given the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016 by the government. He has also received several state and international accolades for his work as a south Indian icon.
About the award Instituted in 1969, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest award in cinema. The prestigious award is named after the father of Indian cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke(producer-director- screenwriter). It is presented annually at the National Film Awards Ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The recipient is honoured for their "outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema" and is selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry. As of 2017, the award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of 10lakh.
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The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani, who was honoured at the 17th National Film Awards.
9.3.KUMBH MELA
Why in news? The Kumbh Mela formally began in Haridwar(Uttarakhand) with several restrictions imposed on devotees coming to attend the event amid rising cases of Covid-19. It is for the first time in the history of the grand religious congregation held on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar once in 12 years that its duration has been curtailed to just one month due to the pandemic. In normal circumstances, Kumbh is held for nearly four months. Its last edition was held in Haridwar from January 14 to April 28 in 2010.
About Kumbh Mela Kumbh Mela is a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism. It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: the Allahabad (Ganges-Yamuna Sarasvati rivers confluence), Haridwar(Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra). The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters, but it is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints, mass feedings of monks or the poor, and entertainment spectacle. The seekers believe that bathing in these rivers is a means to prāyaścitta (penance) for past mistakes, and that it cleanses them of their sins. The festival is one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world, and considered as the "world's largest congregation of religious pilgrims". It has been inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival is held alternately among Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain every three years.
9.4.MILITARY FARMS SERVICE
Why in news? Indian Army formally closed the Military Farms Service which administered the 130 military farmsacross the country.
History of Military Farms and their role in the Indian Army: The first Military Farm was established in 1889 at Allahabad by the British to ensure nutritious milk supply to the troops deployed in India. Apart from supplying milk and butter, the Military Farms also supplied hay to the Animal Transport units of the Indian Army. At one point of time Military Farms to be the largest holders of cattle in the country.
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In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Military Farms undertook ‘Project Frieswal’ one of the largest cross-cattle breeding programmes in the country.
What did ‘Project Frieswal’ entail? The project was launched by Military Farms in collaboration with the ICAR and the aim was to develop milch cattle by cross-breeding which would suit the tropical climate of countries like India. According to the Indian Army, its aim was “to produce and rear Holstein Friesian cross bread with Sahiwal breed for high milk productivity”. ‘The aim of the project was to develop a milch breed yielding 4000 kgs in 300 days lactation with 4% butterfat”. Semen freezing, planned breeding, progeny testing and gene mapping were some of the other areas in which the research for the project was undertaken.
About Sahiwal : Indigenous milch breed of cattle,originated in Montgomery district in present Pakistan. This breed otherwise known as Lola (loose skin), Lambi Bar, Montgomery, Multani, Teli. The colour is reddish dun or pale red, sometimes flashed with white patches. The average milk yield of this breed is between 2,725 and 3,175 kgs in lactation period of 300 days.
About Holstein Friesian: This breed was developed in the northern parts of Netherlands, especially in the province of Friesland. They are ruggedly built and they possess large udder. They are the largest dairy breed and mature cows weigh as much as 700kg. They have typical marking of black and white that make them easily distinguishable. The average production of cow is 6000 to 7000 kgs per lactation. However, the fat content in their milk is rather low (3.45 %).
9.5. “MYNEP2020” PLATFORM
Union Education Minister launched the “MyNEP2020” Platform of National Council for Teacher Education(NCTE) Web Portal. The platform seeks to invite suggestions/inputs/membership from the stakeholders for preparing draft for development of National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) and National Mission for Mentoring Program membership (NMM). The “MyNEP2020” platform will be operational from 1st April 2021 to 15th May 2021.
Significance This exercise of digital consultation envisages the participation of teachers, education professionals, academicians, & other stakeholders in preparing the
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documents on teacher policy for sustainable and positive change in the Teacher’s Education Sector. Expert committee will extensively review the inputs collected during the consultation period and will finally formulate the Drafts for public review. Comments by the reviewers from the stakeholders will then be used to prepare a final Draft for notification.
About National Council for Teacher Education National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) is a statutory body of Indian government set up under the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 in 1995 is to formally oversee standards, procedures and processes in the Indian education system. Before 1995, the NCTE had existed since 1973 as a government advisory body (and not as a separate institution) to look after development and progress of "teacher education". This council functions for the central as well as state governments on all matter with regard to the Teacher Education and its secretariat is located in the Department of Teacher Education and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). NCTE has its headquarters in New Delhi. Four official 'Regional Committees' of NCTE operate from Jaipur, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar and Bhopal handling the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western regions respectively. It comes under Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development.
9.6.INTERNATIONAL RANGER AWARD
Mahinder Giri, a range officer who has been deployed at Motichur range of Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR),Uttarakhand has become the only ranger from Asia to win the prestigious International Ranger Award. He won the award for his efforts in curbing human-wildlife conflict in and around Rajaji and his role in the ongoing tiger translocation exercise from Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) to Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR). The award has been announced for 10 professionals across the globe by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), “based on their contribution towards conservation”.
About the award The award was created in 2020 by IUCN and WCPA in collaboration with International Ranger Federation, Global Wildlife Conservation, and Conservation Allies. It aim to highlight and felicitate the extraordinary work that rangers do in protected and conserved areas worldwide. Winners of the International Ranger Award will receive a unique uniform patch along with a US$10,000 for their associated organisation to support their work. This can include purchasing essential supplies or equipment, providing training,
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providing insurance, supporting the family of a deceased ranger, or other ranger welfare activities.
About Rajaji National Park It is an Indian national park and tiger reserve that encompasses the Shivaliks, near the foothills of the Himalayas. It is spread over three districts of Uttarakhand: Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. It has been named after C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) This area is the North Western Limit of habitat of Asian elephants. Forest types include sal forests, riverine forests, broad–leaved mixed forests, scrubland and grassy. It possesses as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species such as elephants, tigers, leopards, deers and ghorals, etc. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2015.
About Jim Corbett National Park It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park- the first national park in India.It is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The Corbett national park has highest tiger count from single reserve. The park was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973- the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative. The tiger reserve is situated in the Shivalik hills of Himalayas while administratively it spreads over Pauri Garhwal, Nainital and Almora districts of Uttarakhand State in India. It is one of the thirteen protected areas covered by the World Wide Fund For Nature under their Terai Arc Landscape Program which aims to protect three of the five terrestrial flagship species, the tiger, the Asian elephant and the great one- horned rhinoceros, by restoring corridors of forest to link 13 protected areas of Nepal and India, to enable wildlife migration.
9.7.BABU JAGJIVAN RAM
News:Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and others paid rich tributes the freedom fighter and Dalit Icon, Jagjivan Ram, on his 114th birth anniversary.
About Jagjivan Ram (known popularly as Babuji) was an Indian independence activist and politician from Bihar. He was one of India's greatest Dalit icons who dedicated his life for the betterment of the poor and downtrodden. He was instrumental in the foundation of the All India Depressed Classes League, an organisation dedicated to attaining equality for untouchables, in 1935 and was elected to Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1937, after which he organised the rural labour movement. In 1935, he proposed at a session of the Hindu Mahasabha that drinking water wells and temples be open to untouchables.
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He took part in the freedom movement as well and was imprisoned during the Quit India Movement. In 1946, he became the youngest minister in Jawaharlal Nehru's interim government, the first cabinet of India as a Labour Minister. Babu Jagjivan Ram holds a world record of being a parliamentarian for 50 years between 1936 and 1986. He served as the defence minister in the Indira Gandhi cabinet during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Babu Jagjivan Ram was also the deputy prime minister of the country between 1977 and 1979.
9.8.58TH NATIONAL MARITIME DAY-2021
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways celebrated 58th National Maritime Day on April 5th. It is celebrated in commemoration of the maiden voyage of the first Indian flag merchant vessel ‘S.S.LOYALTY’ (Owned by M/s. Scindia Steam Navigation Company), from Mumbai to London, on the 5th April ,1919. The theme of National Maritime Day is ‘Sustainable Shipping beyond COVID-19’ on the lines of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ initiative of the Government of India. Maritime India Vision-2030, recently launched by Prime Minister of India, a 10- year blueprint with the aim of overhauling the Indian maritime sector, envisages Rs 3 lakh crore investment in port projects that in turn promises to generate employment for 20 lakh persons.
9.9.SRINAGAR’S FAMOUS TULIP GARDEN
The ongoing spring season and opening of the famous tulip garden in Kashmir has led PM Modi to urge people to visit the garden.
About Tulip Garden Tulip Garden is located in the Zabarwan range in Jammu and Kashmir, and is Asia’s largest Tulip Garden. It opens to the public in the spring season, on March 25 this year, when tulips are in full bloom. It is one of the most extraordinary sites to visit during the spring season in India. Tulip Garden is spread over 30 ha of land and was inaugurated in 2007 by the then chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The garden has seven terraces, and each terrace has a different variety of tulips. They have more than 64 varieties of tulips and more varieties are added every year.
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It also hosts the Tulip Festival, an annual celebration that showcases the range of flowers in the garden as a part of tourism efforts by the authorities.
About Tulips Tulips form a genus of spring-blooming perennial herbaceous bulbiferous geophytes (having bulbs as storage organs). The flowers are usually large, showy and brightly colored, generally red, pink, yellow, or white (usually in warm colors). The tulip is a member of the lily family, Liliaceae. In their natural state they are adapted to steppes and mountainous areas with temperate climates. Like many other flowers, tulips are edible. In fact, during World War II, tulips and tulip breads were often eaten by those who couldn't afford other foods. The flowers can be used to replace onions in many recipes and are even used to make wine.
Zabarwan Range : The Zabarwan Range is a short sub-mountain range between Pir Panjal and the Great Himalayan Range in the central part of the Kashmir Valley. The Shankaracharya Temple is built on the edge of the central part of the Zabarwan Range. The highest peak of this range is Mahadev Peak at 13,013 feet (3,966 m), which forms the distant background of the eastern mountain wall. On the northern slopes of the central part of the range, there are three Mughal gardens built by Emperor Shah Jahan which include Chashma Shahi, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Garden alongside the Pari Mahal (the fairy palace). The Dachigam National Park is the main feature of the range which holds the last viable population of Kashmir stag (Hangul) and the largest population of black bear in Asia.
9.10.GURU TEGH BAHADUR
News: The New Jersey(state in US) Senate has recognised the 400th birth anniversary of ninth Sikh master, Guru Tegh Bahadur, as ‘Human Rights and Religious Freedom Day’.
About Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of ten Gurus who founded the Sikh religion and he was head of the followers of Sikhism from 1665 until his beheading in 1675. He was born in Amritsar(Punjab) in 1621 and was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh guru. Not just a principled and fearless warrior, he was a learned spiritual scholar and poet whose 115 hymns are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the main text of Sikhism. He established the town of Anandpur. He opposed the forced conversion of the Hindu Kashmiri Pandits by Mughal ruler Aurangazeb and he was consequently persecuted for this. His martyrdom is remembered as the Shaheedi Divas of Guru Tegh Bahadur every year on 24 November, according to the Nanakshahi calendar released by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in 2003.
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About Sikhism: Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev at the beginning of the sixteenth century. Guru Nanak was born on April 15, 1469 in the Western Punjab village of Talwandi. It is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book, Adi Granth or Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Angad Dev Ji (1504-1552) was Guru for thirteen years (1539-1552). He created a new script gurmukhi and gave the Sikhs a written language. Guru Arjan Dev Ji became the fifth Guru of Sikhism. He built the world famous Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar. He also compiled the holy Granth Sahib, a sacred religious book of the Sikhs. The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was born in 1666 and became guru after the martyrdom of his father Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Gobind Singh, at the time of his death invested the ‘guru Granth Sahib’ as the supreme head of the sikhs, thus bringing the practice of nominating a religious head to a grinding halt.
Principles of Sikhism: Sikhs believe that God is Monistic or Non-dual. He is the creator of the Universe, whose existence and continued survival depends on His will. God is called by names such as Sat (truth), Sat Guru (true Guru), Akal Purkh (timeless being), Kartar (creator) and Wahi-Guru (praise to the God). The belief in the ten Gurus – spiritual guides who dispel ignorance and darkness is the essential element of Sikh religion. The only way to achieve liberation (mukti) from the cycle of birth and death is by being God-conscious (gurmukh).
9.11.SARALA DASA
News: Vice President Naidu hails Sarala Das as Adi Kabi, Adi Aitihasika and Adi Bhougolbith at the poet’s 600th birth anniversary event.
About Sarala Dasa (born as Siddheswara Parida) was a 15th-century poet and scholar of Odia literature. Best known for three Odia books — Mahabharata, Vilanka Ramayana and Chandi Purana. He started writing his Mahabharata in the reign of Kapileswar, otherwise known as Kapilendra, the famous Gajapati king of Odisha (AD 1435–67). He was the first scholar to write in Odia and called as Father of Odia Language. Sarala Das was a pioneer in democratizing literature as he had used colloquial language as early as the 15th century. Odia is the sixth Indian language to be designated a Classical language, on the basis of having a long literary history and not having borrowed extensively from other languages.
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9.12.KALINGA RATNA SAMMAN
Odisha-born Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan has been conferred with the ‘Kalinga Ratna’ award for 2021 by the Sarala Sahitya Sansad. The award was presented to Harichandan by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on the 600th birth anniversary of Adikabi Sarala Das.
About the award The Kalinga Ratna Samman award is a annual award instituted by Sarala Sahitya sansad in 2017. The award recognises the person of odisha who has contributed to any field at National and international levels. Award carries a silver idol of Goddess Saraswati, a copper plaque and a shawl.
About Biswabhusan Harichandan He was born in Puri district in 1934. ‘Matrubhasa’, ‘Bhasa Jhalaka’, ‘Rana Pratap’, ‘Astasikha Manasi’ and ‘Sangrama Sarinahi’ are some of his books.
TOPIC: UNESCO KALINGA PRIZE The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is an international award to reward exceptional contributions made by individuals in communicating science to society and promoting the popularization of science. It is UNESCO’s oldest prize, created in 1951 following a donation from Mr Bijoyanand Patnaik, Founder and President of the Kalinga Foundation Trust in India. At present, the Prize is funded by the Kalinga Foundation Trust, the Government of the State of Orissa, India, and the Government of India (Department of Science and Technology).
9.13.THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE 2021
‘In The Dream House: A Memoir’ by Carmen Maria Machado Wins The Rathbones Folio Prize 2021. This year's winning book is a memoir that opens up about domestic abuse in a female relationship.
About the prize The prize is open to all genres – fiction, non-fiction, and poetry- for writers from around the world. It aims to bring the most outstanding works of English language literature to public attention through the awarding of the prize. It is the only prize in which all the book considered for the prize. The Rathbones Folio Prize, previously known as the Folio Prize and The Literature Prize, is a literary award that was sponsored by the London-based publisher The
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Folio Society for its first two years, 2014–2015.Starting in 2017 the sponsor is Rathbone Investment Management.
9.14.GLOBAL WIND REPORT 2021
The Global Wind Energy Council(GWEC) has released the Global Wind Report,2021.
About Global Wind Report The Global Wind Report highlights the role of wind power on the road to net-zero emissions.
Key Findings of the report Wind Energy 2020 was the best year in history for the global wind industry.The world’s capacity to generate electricity from wind jumped 53% in 2020. A total of 93 gigawatts (GW) capacity was installed in the year. This growth is not sufficient for the world to reach a ‘net zero’ emission status by 2050. The world needs to install a minimum of 180 GW of new wind energy capacity every year. The world needs to be installing wind power three times faster over the next decade in order to stay on a net zero pathway and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Current Global Wind Energy Capacity At present, the world has a total wind energy capacity of 743 GW. This has helped avoid an annual CO2 emission of over 1.1 billion tonnes. In 2020, record growth was driven by a surge of installations in China and the US – the world’s two largest wind power markets – who together installed nearly 75 % of the new installations in 2020 and account for over half of the world’s total wind power capacity.
India’s Wind Power Capacity Wind power generation capacity in India has significantly increased in recent years. As of February 2021, India’s total installed wind power capacity was 38GW, the fourth largest installed wind power capacity in the world. India has an offshore wind energy potential of around 70 GW in parts along the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
About Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) The Global Wind Energy Council(GEWC) was established in 2005. It provides a credible and representative forum for the entire wind energy sector at an international level. Aim: Its mission is to establish wind power as one of the world’s leading energy sources, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits.
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Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
Wind Energy: Wind energy is the kinetic energy associated with the movement of atmospheric air. Wind turbines transform the energy in the wind into mechanical power, further converting to electric power to generate electricity. Five nations – Germany, USA, Denmark, Spain and India – account for 80% of the world’s installed wind energy capacity.
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Wind farm: A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used for production of electricity. A wind farm an be located onshore and offshore. Onshore wind farms: operate on land, where the wind tends to be the strongest. The turbines of a Onshore wind farms are less expensive and easier to set up, maintain and operate than offshore turbines. Offshore wind farms: Construction of wind farms in large bodies of water to generate electricity. Offshore wind farms are more expensive than onshore wind farms of the same nominal power.
Potential of wind energy in India: The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has recently launched Wind Energy Resource Map of India at 100 meter above ground level (AGL) on online Geographic Information System platform. The wind energy potential in the country at 100 m AGL is over 302 GW. Gujarat has the maximum potential followed by Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh according to the resource map.
9.15.CHINESE SCIENTIST,TU YOUYOU
Tu Youyou is a Chinese scientist, known for her isolation of the antimalarial substance artemisinin. She won the 2015 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine (shared with Irish- born American parasitologist William Campbell and Japanese microbiologist Omura Satoshi). She became the first Chinese Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine and the first female citizen of the People's Republic of China to receive a Nobel Prize in any category.
What is artemisinin? Isolated from the plant Artemisia annua, or sweet wormwood, artemisinin and its derivatives are powerful medicines known for their ability to swiftly reduce the number of Plasmodium parasites in the blood of patients with malaria.
9.16.TOPIC: AQUEDUCT WATER RISK ATLAS News: Chennai gets an average of 1,400 mm rainfall every year and yet, in 2019, it had to bring truckloads of drinking water for its residents.
Findings of the report The World Resources Institutein 2019 released a report- Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, according to which seventeen countries, home to 25% of the global population are facing "extremely high" water stress. Of the 17 nations, 12 are in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA). Two countries–India and Pakistan are in Asia. The remaining hotspots are San Marino in Europe, Botswana in Africa and Turkmenistan in Central Asia. The MENA region is hot, dry and has limited water supply. While it is home to six per cent of the world’s population, it has just a per cent of its freshwater resources.
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The gap between supply and demand will likely widen due to climate change and drought-like situations, coupled with uncontrolled groundwater extraction.
India's performance India placed thirteenth among the world's 17 ‘extremely water-stressed’ countries. Both surface water and groundwater in India was highly exploited. Groundwater levels, in fact, declined at more than eight centimetres per year between 1990 and 2014 in northern India. Chandigarh was the most water-stressed, followed by Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Terms used in report Baseline Water Stress (BWS) It also termed as ‘Extremely high’ levels of water stress. It implies that irrigated agriculture, industries, and municipalities withdraw more than 80% of their available supply on average every year.
Water stress A region is said to be under ‘water stress’ when the demand for water there exceeds the available volume or when poor quality restricts use.
About Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas(AWRA) The AWRA, developed by the World Resources Institute, is a global water risk mapping tool that, investors, governments, and other users comprehend where and how water risks and opportunities are surfacing globally. The Atlas employs a sturdy, peer reviewed methodology and the most accurate available data to create high-resolution, customizable global maps of water risk. Aqueduct now includes 13 indicators of water risk, including new additions such as groundwater availability and water depletion, and monthly snapshots of water stress and variability.
About World Resources Institute (WRI) It is a global research non-profit organization (based in USA) which focuses on 7 areas:Food,Forests,Water,Energy,Cities,Climate, and Ocean. The mission is to shift human society to live in ways that safegaurd Earth’s environment.
9.17.BHAVANI JAMAKKALAMS
Bhavani Jamakkalam refers to blankets and carpets manufactured in Bhavani in Erode district, Tamil Nadu. It has been recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2005-06. In Bhavani, a community of weavers called Jangamars weaved this type of blanket using colored coarse threads called Jamakkalam. Material used forweaving are cotton and silk. Traditionally, these carpets are woven with coarse yarn and strictly adhere to six standard colours: red, blue, green, white, orange, and yellow.
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But with new design intervention, wavers have introduced pastel shades, other colour combinations and design patterns, which would make them suitable for home décor.
9.18.HINDI VERSION OF ‘ODISHA ITIHAAS’
News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the Hindi translation of the book, ‘Odisha Itihaas’, written by former chief minister Harekrushna Mahatab.
Who was Harekrushna Mahtab? Harekrushna Mahatab was the leader of the Indian National Congress, a notable figure in the Indian independence movement. He was imprisoned in Ahmadnagar for participating in the Quit India Movement. He went on to become the first chief minister of the Odisha state from 1946 to 1950 and was re-elected in 1956. He was popularly known by the sobriquet "Utkal Keshari". He was inspired by the ideals of Bagha Jatin and was influenced by Ramakrishna Mission. He translated Valmiki’s Ramayan from Sanskrit into Oriya and also wrote the Oriya version of the Gita. In 1946, during his stay at Patna camp jail, he published poems collected from political prisoners called “Bedira Jan Jan”. He is also credited with setting up Bhubaneswar as the capital of the state, along with the construction of the Secretariat building, Raj Bhawan and Assembly buildings.
9.19.JYOTIBA PHULE JAYANTI
Jyotirao Govindrao Phule born on April 11, 1827 was an Indian writer, social activist, thinker and anti-caste social reformer from Maharashtra. He is known to work towards the eradication of untouchability and the caste system and for his efforts in educating women. He was a pioneer of widow remarriage movement in Maharashtra. He and his wife, Savitribai Phule, were pioneers of women's education in India. Phule started his first school for girls in 1848 in Pune at Tatyasaheb Bhide's residence (Bhidewada). He, along with his followers, formed the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to attain equal rights for people from exploited castes. People from all religions and castes could become a part of this association which worked for the upliftment of the oppressed classes. He was bestowed with the honorific Mahatma title by Maharashtrian social activist Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar in 1888. Phule used the symbol of Rajah Bali as opposed to the Brahmans symbol of Rama. His famous works include Tritiya Ratna (1855), Gulamgiri (1873), Shetkarayacha Aasud, or Cultivator’s Whipcord (1881), Satyashodhak Samajokt Mangalashtakasah Sarva Puja-vidhi (1887). Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 201
9.20.HARVEST FESTIVAL
Harvest festivals of Indian states occurs at the time of main harvest of a the region and people. The 28 states of India celebrated its own Harvest festival at various times throughout the year. These festivals mark the beginning of traditional New Year and reflect our country's composite culture and rich heritage.
Major Harvest festivals in India 1. Pongal - Tamilnadu 2. Baisaki( Vaisakhi) - Punjab 3. Onam - Kerala 4. Vishu - Kerala 4. Magh Bihu - Assam 5. Nuakhai - Odisha 6. Gudi Padwa - Maharashtra 7. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem - Khasi people of Meghalaya 8. Dree Festival - Apatani Tribe in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh 9. Nabanna - West Bengal 10. Wangala - celebrated by the Garo tribe, who live in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Assam.
9.21.AMBEDKAR JAYANTI
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on 14 April, 1891 in Mahar caste. The Mahar caste was one of the 'untouchable' castes. With the help of a scholarship from Sayajirao Gaekwad, Maharaja of Baroda, he attended Columbia University, USA, and later on with hard work managed to study at the London School of Economics. In England he attained a doctorate and also became a barrister. On returning to India he virtually dedicated himself to the task of upliftment of the untouchable community. To mobilise his followers he established organisations such as the Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha, Independent Labour Party and later All India Scheduled Caste Federation. He led a number of temple-entry Satyagrahas, organized the untouchables, established many educational institutions and propagated his views from newspapers like the 'Mooknayak', 'Bahishkrit Bharat' and 'Janata'. He participated in the Round Table Conference in order to protect the interests of the untouchables. He became the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and played a very important role in framing The Indian Constitution. He was also the Law Minister of India up to 1951. Right from 1935 Ambedkar was thinking of renouncing Hinduism. Finally, in 1956 he adopted Buddhism and appealed to his followers to do the same. He felt
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that the removal of untouchability and the spiritualupliftment of the untouchables would not be possible by remaining a Hindu. Hence, he embraced Buddhism. Ambedkar was not only a political leader and social reformer but also a scholar and thinker. He has written extensively on various social and political matters. 'Annihilation of Castes', 'Who Were the Shudras', 'The Untouchables', 'Buddha and His Dharma' are his more important writings. In his books ‘Who Were the Shudras?’ and ‘The Untouchables’, he dispelled many misconceptions about untouchability. Through research and interpretation, he made scholarly attempts to prove the origins of untouchability. He argued that originally only three Varnas existed: Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. The Shudras were a powerful tribe belonging to the Kshatriya Varna. In 1947, Ambedkar propounded the idea of 'State socialism'. Even earlier, when he established the Independent Labour Party in 1937, he had adopted a broadly socialist programme.
State Socialism: In 1947, Ambedkar suggested that the Constitution of India should incorporate the principle of State Socialism. State socialism means that the state would implement a socialist programme by controlling the industrial and agricultural sectors. There are two major aspects of Ambedkar’s State socialism : a. Key industries and basic industries will be owned by the state. There will be no private ownership of such industries. This will help in rapid industrialization and at the same time, benefits of industrialization will be distributed among all the sections of the society by the state. Insurance will also be mtirely under state control b. Agriculture will be treated as a state industry. This means that the state will initiate collective farming. Farmers will be allowed to enjoy part of the agricultural produce and the state will get some share in the form of levy.
9.22.e-SANTA
Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched a e-SANTA digital platform. e-SANTA is an electronic marketplace providing a platform to connect aqua farmers and buyers. The platform is available in many languages which will help the local population. The term e-SANTA stands for Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers' Trade in Aquaculture. e-SANTA will raise income, lifestyle, self-reliance, quality levels, traceability, and provide new options for aqua farmers. The platform will change the traditional way of carrying out business from a word of mouth basis to become more formalised & legally binding.
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It will act as an alternative marketing tool between farmers & buyers by eliminating middlemen.
About National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) was established by Marine Products Export Development Authority(MPEDA) in the year 2007 as an outreach organization for uplifting the livelihood of small-scale shrimp farmers. More than 90% of Indian shrimp farmers belong to small-scale or marginal category with operational holdings of less than two hectare per individual. NaCSA started grouping these farmers into societies and educated them on better management practices (BMP) for safe and sustainable shrimp farming. NaCSA also trained these farmer societies to follow cluster approach in shrimp farming. The primary advantage of cluster approach to shrimp farming is that it enables participating farmers to organize the schedule of farm operations, quality seed procurement, simultaneous stocking, water exchange and harvesting regimes contributing to substantial reduction in cost of production and also prevention of vertical and intra cluster transmission of disease.
About Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA): MPEDA is a nodal coordinating, state-owned agency engaged in fishery production and allied activities. It was established in 1972 under the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act (MPEDA), 1972. It functions under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is headquartered in Kochi, Keralaand has mandate is to increase exports of seafood including fisheries of all kinds, specifying standards, marketing, processing, extension and training in various aspects.
Shaphari Scheme: The Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA) has developed a certification scheme for aquaculture products called ‘Shaphari’, a Sanksrit word that means the superior quality of fishery products suitable for human consumption. The Shaphari scheme is based on the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization’s technical guidelines on aquaculture certification. It will have two components — certifying hatcheries for the quality of their seeds and approving shrimp farms that adopt the requisite good practices. The certification of hatcheries will help farmers easily identify good quality seed producers. Those who successfully clear multiple audits of their operations shall be granted a certificate for a period of two years. The entire certification process will be online to minimize human errors and ensure higher credibility and transparency.
9.23.“MANAS” APP
MANAS was initiated by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of Indiato promote wellbeing across age groups.
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MANAS which stands for Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation System was endorsed as a national program by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). MANAS App integrates the health and wellness efforts of various government ministries, scientifically validated indigenous tools with gamified interfaces developed/researched by various national bodies and research institutions. It was jointly executed by The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro- Sciences(NIMHANS) Bengaluru, Armed Forces Medical College(AFMC) Pune and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Bengaluru.
9.24.MADHUKRANTI PORTAL AND HONEY CORNER
News:Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched Madhukranti portal and shopping corners to promote marketing of pure honey.
Madhukranti Portal Madhukranti Portal is an initiative of National Bee Board (NBB), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM). This portal is being developed for online registration to achieve a traceability source of Honey and other beehive products on a digital platform. This will also help in checking the quality and source of adulteration of honey. The technical and banking partner for development of this digital platform is Indian Bank. An MoU between NBB and Indian Bank was signed for this project.
Honey Corner Honey Corner - specially designed space in Nafed’s stores dedicated to sale of honey. The apex cooperative society is planning to develop honey corners in over 200 Nafed stores to promote marketing of honey and other beehive products.
About NAFED National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.(NAFED) was established in 1958. It is registered under the Multi State Co-operative Societies Act. Nafed was setup with the object to promote Co-operative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit the farmers. Agricultural farmers are the main members of Nafed, who have the authority to say in the form of members of the General Body in the working of Nafed. The objectives of the NAFED shall be to organize, promote and develop marketing, processing and storage of agricultural, horticultural and forest produce, distribution of agricultural machinery, implements and other inputs, undertake inter-state, import and export trade, wholesale or retail as the case may be and to act and assist for technical advice in agricultural, production for the promotion and the working of its members, partners, associates and cooperative marketing, processing and supply societies in India.
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9.25.NATIONAL INTERNET EXCHANGE OF INDIA (NIXI)
Why in news? Secretary of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) & Chairman of NIXI inaugurated three path breaking initiatives for National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI). With this launch, NIXI has announced to play a supporting role for the IPv6 awareness and adoption in the country along with DOT & MeitY.
The details of the three new initiatives are: IPv6 Expert Panel (IP Guru): IP Guru is a group to extend support to all the Indian entities who are finding it technically challenging to migrate and adopt IPv6. In addition to this the IPv6 expert group will help in identifying & hiring agency that will help end customer by providing necessary technical support to adopt IPv6. This panel will guide all such Indian entities and help in increasing the IPv6 adoption. It’s a joint effort of DOT, MeitY & community to promote IPv6. The expert panel group comprises members from government and private organizations.
NIXI Academy: NIXI Academy is created to educate technical/non-technical people in India to learn and relearn technologies like IPv6 which are normally not taught in Educational Institutes. The easy-to-use platform helps network operators and educators understand networking best practices, principles and techniques; manage Internet resources better; and use appropriate Internet technologies more effectively. NIXI academy comprises an IPv6 training portal which is developed with the help of various technical experts in order to provide mass training to the community. Through this academy our Internet community will be able to learn from various technical modules. Successful candidates (after passing examination) can take a certificate from NIXI, which will be useful to find/upgrade jobs in the Industry.
NIXI-IP-INDEX: NIXI has developed an IPv6 index portal for the Internet community. NIXI-IP-INDEX portal will showcase the IPv6 adoption rate in India and across the world. It can be used to compare IPv6 Indian adoption rate with other economies in the world.
About NIXI National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a not-for-profit organization (section 8 of the Companies Act 2013) working since 2003 for spreading the internet infrastructure to the citizens of India through the following activities: i) Internet Exchanges through which the internet data is exchanged amongst ISP’s, Data Centers and CDNs.
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ii) IN Registry, managing and operation of .IN country code domain and .भभभभ IDN domain for India. iii) Indian Registry for Internet Names and Numbers(IRINN), managing and operating Internet protocol (IPv4/IPv6).
About IPv6 Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol (IP), the communications protocol that provides an identification and location system for computers on networks and routes traffic across the Internet. IPv6 was developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to deal with the long-anticipated problem of IPv4 address exhaustion. IPv6 is intended to replace IPv4. The main advantage of IPv6 over IPv4 is its larger address space. The size of an IPv6 address is 128 bits, compared to 32 bits in IPv4.
9.26.INDIAN CLASSICAL LANGUAGES
Currently, six languages enjoy the ‘Classical’ status:
All the Classical Languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The Ministry of Culture provides the guidelines regarding Classical languages. Guidelines for declaring a language as ‘Classical’ are:
i) High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years; ii) A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; iii) The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community; iv) The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.”
How are the Classical languages promoted?
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Once a language is notified as a Classical language, the Ministry of Education provides certain benefits to promote it:
i. Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages ii. A Centre of Excellence for studies in Classical Languages is set up iii. The University Grants Commission is requested to create, to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for the Classical Languages so declared.
Topic: Durokea Product series Researchers at Indian Institute Of Technology, Hyderabad has come up with new innovative, long-lasting technology, titled Durokea to battle with COVID-19 virus spread. It is the World 1st affordable and long-lasting hygiene product. Durokea S, DuroKea M, DuroKea H, and DuroKea H Aquause“Durokea Technology”, which is an adhesive Nano formulation to provide instant killing of virus as well as prolonged protection against a wide range of germs including COVID-19 Virus. It is expected to be available on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart shortly. It can be purchased at an affordable price of Rs. 189 and kills 99.99% of germs instantly leaving behind the protective nanoscale coating up to 35 days.
9.27.RO-PAX JETTY PROJECT ON ODISHA'S DHAMRA RIVER
The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) accorded administrative approval for sanction of Rs 50.30 crore for developing RO-PAX (Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger) jetty project and allied infrastructure connecting Kaninali in Bhadrak district and Talachua in Kendrapara district of Odisha on Dhamra river under the Sagarmala initiative. The total capital cost of the project is Rs 110.60 crore. The Odisha government will fund another 50 % cost of the project. The project will reduce travel time for passengers from 6 hours by road to 1 hour by waterway. The project will facilitate indirect employment opportunities to locals around Dhamra river and reduce road distance of around 200 km from Talachua to Dhamra.
About RO-PAX service Ro-Pax is the acronym of Roll on/Roll off passenger ferry and works as a freight vehicle transport with passenger accommodation. Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels or using a platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter.
About Dhamra River
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Dhamra is a joint stream in Odisha that is formed by the confluence of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers south of the town of Chandabali. It lies in the Bhadrak district and empties into the Bay of Bengal. To the north of its mouth is the Dhamra Port and near the mouth is the Gahirmatha sanctuary, a world's largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley Turtles. The Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary, famous for its estuarine crocodiles lie on the Dhamra estuary.
Wheeler Island, a DRDO missile launch centre is located off the mouth of the Dhamra in the Bay of Bengal.
9.28.INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR MONUMENTS AND SITES
Every year, the United Nations marks April 18 as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, in many countries also celebrated as World Heritage Day. The day is dedicated to recognizing sites of historical importance, raising awareness regarding them, and stressing the need to restore and preserve them. The theme for this year is “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”. Globally, the day is promoted by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). India is home to 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, out of the 1121 such spots identified around the world. So far, only China, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France have more locations on the list than India.
World Heritage Sites in India UNESCO World Heritage Convention which was established in 1972, recognised various sites of cultural and natural importance around the world. India has now 38 World Heritage Sites, and that makes India with the 6th largest number of World Heritage Sites in the world. There are 30 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and 1 mixed as recognised by UNESCO. In 2019, ‘Jaipur City’ became the 38th addition to the India list under Culture.
Cultural (30) 1. Agra Fort (1983) 2. Ajanta Caves (1983) 3. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016) 4. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989) 5. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004) 6. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
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7. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986) 8. Elephanta Caves (1987) 9. Ellora Caves (1983) 10. Fatehpur Sikri (1986) 11. Great Living Chola Temples (1987,2004) 12. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986) 13. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984) 14.Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987) 15. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013) 16. Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017) 17. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993) 18. Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019) 19. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986) 20. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002) 21. Mountain Railways of India (1999,2005,2008) 22. Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993) 22. Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014) 24. Red Fort Complex (2007) 25. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003) 26. Sun Temple, Konârak (1984) 27. Taj Mahal (1983) 28. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016) 29. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010) 30. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)
Natural (7) 1. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014) 2. Kaziranga National Park (1985) 3. Keoladeo National Park (1985) 4. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985) 5. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988,2005) 6. Sundarbans National Park (1987) 7. Western Ghats (2012)
Mixed (1) 1. Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)
9.29.SRI RAMANUJA ACHARYA
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu paid tributes to the great philosopher, saint & social reformer, Shri Ramanujacharya Ji on his Jayanti on April 18. About Sri Ramanuja Acharya was born in 1017 CE at Shriperumbudur village in Tamil Nadu. He was an Indian philosopher, Hindu theologian, social reformer, and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism.
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His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to the Bhakti movement. Sri Ramanuja was named Lakshmana at the time of his birth. He was also referred to as Ilaya Perumal which means the radiant one. Ramanuja is famous as the chief proponent of Vishishtadvaita subschool of Vedanta.
Philosophies and their proponents Advaita (non-dualism) - Adi Shankara Dvaita (theistic dualism) - Madhvacharya Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) - Sri Ramanuja Acharya Sivadvaita - Srikanthacharya Dvaitaadvaita - Nimbarkacharya Suddhadvaita - Vallabhacharya Achintyabhedvada - Chaitanya
9.30.M NARASIMHAM
News: The architect of modern Indian banking, former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Maidavolu Narasimham died in Hyderabad on April 20th.
About Maidavolu Narasimham : Maidavolu Narasimham was the thirteenth governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 2 May 1977 to 30 November 1977. He was grandson of former President S. Radhakrishnan. For his contributions to the banking and financial sector in India, he is often referred to as the father of banking reforms in India. He was known for being the chair of two high-powered committees on banking and financial sector reforms. They submitted their recommendations in the 1990s in reports widely known as the Narasimham Committee-I (1991) report and the Narasimham Committee- II (1998) Report. Some of the reforms attributed to his recommendations include changes to banking structures, introduction of private sector banks, creation of asset recovery funds, rural banking, changes to capital adequacy and provisioning standards, technology upgradation and modernization of public sector banks, and capital market linked banking reforms. Narasimham also served as India's executive director at the World Bank and later at the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank. His role in arranging the SDR5bn loan (the largest advance the IMF had made) in 1981 was significant. He served as the secretary in the Ministry of Finance, and as the additional secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs as well. He was awarded India's second highest civilian honor Padma Vibhushan in 2000.
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9.31.GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION INDEX
India has been ranked at the 87th position among 115 countries in the Energy Transition Index (ETI) that tracks nations on the current performance of their energy systems across various aspects. The top 10 countries in the index are Western and Northern European countries, and Sweden is in the first position followed by Norway (2nd) and Denmark (3rd). Other countries in the top 10 are Switzerland (4), Austria (5), Finland (6), the United Kingdom (7), New Zealand (8), France (9) and Iceland (10).
According to the report China (68) and India (87), which collectively account for a third of global energy demand, have both made strong improvements over the past decade, despite coal continuing to play a significant role in their energy mix. India has targeted improvements through subsidy reforms and rapidly scaling energy access, with a strong political commitment and regulatory environment for the energy transition. China's improvements primarily result from reducing the energy intensity of the economy, gains in decarbonising the energy mix through the expansion of renewables and strengthening the enabling environment through investments and infrastructure. About Energy Transition Index (ETI) The Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and prepared in collaboration with Accenture also draws on insights from ETI. The index benchmarks 115 countries on the current performance of their energy systems across three dimensions: 1. economic development and growth 2. environmental sustainability, and 3. energy security and access indicators
9.32.CODEX COMMITTEE ON SPICES AND CULINARY HERBS (CCSCH)
News: Recently Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) inaugurated the fifth session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) established under Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
About the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH): It was formed in 2013. Terms of Reference: (a) To elaborate worldwide standards for spices and culinary herbs in their dried and dehydrated state in whole, ground, and cracked or crushed form; (b) To consult, as necessary, with other international organizations in the standards development process to avoid duplication.
Host: India is the host country and Spices Board India is the Secretariat for organising the sessions of the committee.
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Spices Board (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) is the flagship organization for the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices. About Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) was set up in 1963. It is an intergovernmental body established jointly by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), within the framework of the Joint Food Standards Programme to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade. The Secretariat of the CAC is hosted at FAO headquarters in Rome. It was established to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade. It meets in regular session once a year alternating between Geneva and Rome.
Members: Currently, it has 189 Codex Members made up of 188 Member Countries and 1 Member Organization (The European Union). India is a member.
Food Standards: Codex Alimentarius is about safe, good food for everyone - everywhere. The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice that have been adopted by the CAC to contribute to the safety, quality and fairness of this international food trade. The Codex Alimentarius includes standards for all the principal foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, for distribution to the consumer. The Codex Alimentarius includes provisions in respect of food hygiene, food additives, residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs, contaminants, labelling and presentation, methods of analysis and sampling, and import and export inspection and certification.
About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) : FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act), which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India. It is headquartered in Delhi. Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Functions: Framing of regulations to lay down the standards and guidelines of food safety. Granting FSSAI food safety license and certification for food businesses. Laying down procedure and guidelines for laboratories in food businesses. To provide suggestions to the government in framing the policies. To collect data regarding contaminants in foods products, identification of emerging risks and introduction of a rapid alert system. Creating an information network across the country about food safety. Promote general awareness about food safety and food standards.
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9.33.MAHAVIR JAYANTI
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated in the month of March or April. This year the auspicious day is being celebrated on April 25. This day marks the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira, who was the 24th and the last Tirthankara who succeeded the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha.
About Vardhamana Mahavira Lord Mahavira was also known as Vardhamana. He was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Lord Mahavira was born in the 6th century BCE in Bihar. He was born to queen Trishala and king Siddhartha. Lord Mahavira had a high interest in meditation and in Jainism. At the age of 30 he took the spiritual path and left his throne to practice Jainism.
Five main teachings of Jainism 1. Ahimsa (Non-Violence) 2. Satya (Truth) 3. Asteya (Non-Stealing) 4. Aparigraha (non-attachment or non possession) 5. Brahmacharya (chastity) The first four principles are of Parsavanath and the fifth Bramacharya was included by Mahavira. Siddha is one who has achieved perfection. By right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct a siddha has freed himself from the cycle of rebirths and resides in a state of perpetual bliss in the siddhashila, at the top of the universe.
The principles of Jainism as preached by Mahavira Rejected the authority of Vedas and vedic rituals. Did not believe in the existence of God. Belived in karma and the transmigration of soul. Laid great emphasis on equality.
Jain philosophy Syadveda (the theory of may be) Anekantavada( the doctrine of the 'manyness of reality ')
Instruments of knowledge : 1. Matijnana - Perception through activity of sense organs, including the mind. 2. Srutajnana - Knowledge revealed by scriptures. 3. Manahaparyajnana - Telepathic knowledge 4. Kevalajnana - Temporal knowledge or Omniscience 5. Avadhijnana - Clairvoyant perception.
Jain councils : First council Held at Pataliputra by Stulabahu Started compilation of 12 Angas to replace the lost 14 puranas
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Second Council Held at Valabhi under the leadership of Devaradhi Kshamasramana Final compilation of 12 Angas and 12 upangas.
9.34.INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS
The U.N. General Assembly recently adopted a resolution, sponsored by India and supported by more than 70 countries, declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The resolution is intended to increase public awareness on the health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under tough conditions marked by climate change. India is celebrating 2018 as the national year of millets.
About Millet Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Millets are important crops in the semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa (especially in India, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger), with 97% of millet production in developing countries. Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet). Research on millets is carried out by 1. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and 2. ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research. Both institutions headquartered in Hyderabad,Telangana.
9.35.RICE OUTPUT RISING CONTINUOUSLY
Even as the country has been witnessing flood and drought in some parts almost every year, the rice production has been continuously rising — reaching a record 120.32 million tonne in 2020-21 crop year (July-June). The high Rice production is due to two new Rice varieties such as CR Dhan 801 and CR Dhan 802. It is developed by National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) located at Cuttack, Odisha. Both having unique traits of both drought- and flood-tolerant — are likely to be boon for the farmers in the calamity-prone eastern region due to its acceptance by farmers.
Some Facts Largest rice producing state is West Bengal followed by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha and Andra Pradesh. Largest rice procurement state is Punjab followed by Haryana, Andra Pradesh ,Telanagana and Chhattisgarh. Largest exporter of rice is India followed by Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan. Vinay Kumar R International NLP & IAS Coach 9036113902|9886273325 www.iaswinnishers.com © Winnishers Educational Services Pvt Ltd 215
Largest importer of rice is China followed by European Union, Philippines and Nigeria.
About Rice: Though, it is considered to be a crop of tropical humid areas, it has about 3,000 varieties which are grown in different agro-climatic regions. These are successfully grown from sea level to about 2,000 m altitude and from humid areas in eastern India to dry but irrigated areas of Punjab, Haryana, western U.P. and northern Rajasthan. In southern states and West Bengal the climatic conditions allow the cultivation of two or three crops of rice in an agricultural year. In West Bengal farmers grow three crops of rice called ‘aus’, ‘aman’ and ‘boro’. In Himalayas and northwestern parts of the country, it is grown as a kharif crop during southwest Monsoon season. About one-fourth of the total cropped area in the country is under rice cultivation. West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab are the leading rice producing states in the country. Punjab and Haryana are not traditional rice growing areas. Rice cultivation in the irrigated areas of Punjab and Haryana was introduced in 1970s following the Green Revolution.
9.36.MICHAEL COLLINS
News: Apollo 11 pilot, astronaut Michael Collins, dies of cancer on April 28th.
About Michael Collins was an American astronaut who was the pilot of the Apollo 11 spacecraft that carried Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin to the moon.
The Apollo 11 mission On May 25, 1961, then US President John F Kennedy had set a goal for the Apollo 11 mission – to perform a crewed lunar landing and return to Earth. After eight years, on July 16, 1969, Apollo 11(name of the spacecraft) launched from Cape Kennedy in Florida carrying Commander Neil, Command Module Pilot Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Aldrin. Apollo 11 became one of the most publicly recognised missions of NASA and was the first manned mission to the Moon. Armstrong became the first person to step onto the lunar surface six hours and 39 minutes later on July 21; Aldrin joined him 19 minutes later.
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