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1. ECONOMICS 1. RBI introduces “Fully Accessible Route (FAR)” 10 2. MGNREGA Labourers Wage Hike 12 3. Centre Plans Classes in Distance Mode 12 4. RBI Plans for an Fraud Oversight Wing 14 5. Corona Bonds 16 6. Retail Inflation 16 7. Helicopter Money 18 8. Sovereign Gold Bonds 19 9. NBFC’s gets 50,000 Crore Booster 20 10. Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Aviation Industry 21 11. RBI Announces Second Set of Liquidity Measures 24 12. Ways and Means Advances 26 13. Payment of MGNREGS in Foodgrains 27 14. Operation Twist 30 1.1. ECONOMICS SNIPPETS

1. Core Sector Registers Growth at 5.5% 30 2. ICAR issues Advisory to farmers for Rabi Crops 31 3. New Features of e-NAM platform 32 4. Round-Tripping 33 5. Dollar Swap Agreement 33 6. Long-term repo operations (LTROs) 35 7. Renewable Energy Certificates 35 8. Foreign Contribution to PM-CARES Fund 36 9. Targeted Long-Term Repo Operations 37 10. Effect of Pandemic on Gold Prices 38 11. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) 39 12. Kisan Rath App 40 13. Bangalore Blue Grapes 40 14. Daporijo Bridge 41 15. Advisory Council of the 15th Finance Commission 42 16. Rohtang Pass 42 17. Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2019 43

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18. Exemptions to the Farming community 44 19. National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) 44

2. ENVIRONMENT 1. Cytokine Storm 46 2. Wildlife Panel Holds Virtual Conference 47 3. India to Receive Normal Monsoon, Forecasts IMD 48 4. Mitigate Risks in Waste Disposal – Says NGT 50 5. Yamuna Water Quality Improves During Lockdown 52 6. Level of Aerosol Levels Hit 20-year Low 54 7. Largest Hole in the Ozone Layer is Now Closed 55

2.1. ENVIRONMENT SNIPPETS

1. Lifeline Udan 57 2. India switches to BS VI Norms 57 3. First-ever Heatwave in Antarctica 58 4. Agasthyavanam Biological Park 59 5. Exercise NCC Yogdan 59 6. Starving Herons 60 7. Mahua flowers 61 8. Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary 61 9. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary 62 10. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 63 11. Greenland and Antarctica is Melting Faster 64 12. World Earth Day 64 13. Anthurium 65 14. Atmospheric CO2 can Cause Cognitive Impairment 66 15. NBWL Nod for Coal Mining in Assam Elephant Reserve 67 16. Ideal Temperature and Relative Humidity Range this Summer 68 17. Petersberg Climate Dialogue 69

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3. POLITY & GOVERNANCE 1. Medical Devices notified as Drugs from 1st April 70 2. Electronic Manufacturing Scheme 72 3. India’s Defence Export -Import 73 4. Centre Defines J&K Domicile Rules 75 5. Geo-fencing App to locate Quarantine Violators 76 6. E-way Bills 78 7. Aarogya Setu App and Privacy Concerns 79 8. National Security Act, 1980 80 9. Restrictions on Court Hearings Lawful, says Supreme Court 82 10. Indian Migrants Across India 83 11. MPLADS gets Suspended for 2 Years 84 12. Smart City Missions Integrated Data Dashboard 85 13. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) 86 14. Problems in Villages amid COVID-19 Outbreak 88 15. PCPNDT Act 89 16. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya (PM-JAY) 90 17. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Expenditure 92 18. Supreme Court Orders to Release Prisoners 93 19. Robust Digital Infrastructure Enabling Prompt Transfer of Cash Payment 94 20. Governor’s Right in Ordering Floor Test 95 21. PPE for Sanitation Workers 97 22. National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) 97 23. Outdated Census Data Deprives over 10 Crores of PDS 99 24. Draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2020 101 25. Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) 103 26. Article 164(4) of the Indian Constitution 104 27. Conversion of Surplus Rice to Ethanol 106 28. Scaling up Works Under MGNREGS, PMAY-G, PMGSY, NRLM 107 29. Assam’s BTAD may Face Governor’s Rule 113 30. PM launches Swamitva Yojana on Panchayati Raj Diwas 114 31. Multi-system Inflammatory State Requiring Intensive Care 117

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3.1. POLITY & GOVERNANCE SNIPPETS 1. ‘Stranded in India’ Portal 118 2. Section 269 and 270 of IPC 118 3. Tower and Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA) 119 4. Price Monitoring & Resource Unit (PMRU) 120 5. National Corona Survey 121 6. Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) 122 7. NCC cadets start serving people during COVID-19 123 8. Essential Commodities Act 1955 123 9. iGOT e-learning Platform 124 10. TRIFED 125 11. AYUSH Reiterates Immunity Boosting Measures 126 12. Operation SHIELD 126 13. Revamp of Swachhata App 126 14. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) 127 15. YUKTI - Young India Combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation 128 16. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) 129 17. NRLM Self Help Group 130 18. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) 131 19. CollabCAD tool to create 3D Computer Aided Designs 131 20. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) 132 21. Ramdesivir Usage in India 133 22. Temporary Ration Cards 134 23. Civil Services Day 136 24. e-Raktkosh Portal 137 25. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 138 26. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 138 27. e-Gram Swaraj Portal 139 28. District Mineral Foundation 140 29. SVAMITVA Scheme 141 30. Chakmas and Hajongs 142 31. Jal Shakti Abhiyan 142 32. Anti-corruption Law 143

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4. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 1. Cauvery becomes Clean due to COVD-19 Lockdown 145 2. Sodium Hypochlorite: The Chemical in the Spray 146 3. Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) 147 4. COVID-19 outbreak: What Does It Take to Build a Ventilator 149 5. COVID-19: Measures by RBI 152 6. COVID-19 and the Orphan Drug Act 153 7. How Bats Carry Viruses but Don’t Fall Ill Themselves 155 8. Diseases of Animal and Forest Origin 157 9. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow on (GRACE-FO) 158 10. Government shifts to ‘Large Outbreak Containment’ 159 11. COVID-19 and Anosmia 160 12. India lifts ban on export of Hydroxy-chloroquine 162 13. Cyber-attacks on Health Care Institutions 164 14. Department of Pharma warns scarcity of Drugs and Medical Devices 166 15. Funding of WHO 168 16. Success of a Local Shutdown: Agra Model 170 17. Ebola Death in Democratic Republic of Congo 172 18. CM Fund Contributions to Not Qualify as CSR Spend 173 19. COVID-19 and its Effects on Measles Immunisation Program 174 20. ICMR recommends Testing of Pooled Samples 176 21. Coronavirus' Impact on Environment 177 22. Role of Civil Defence Volunteers in the Pandemic 179 23. COVID-19 can Help Deal with the Silent Tuberculosis Crisis 180 24. Seismic Noise 182 25. Zoom not a Safe Platform, Says MHA 182 26. The Export ban on Paracetamol Formulation is lifted 185 27. Aarogya Setu App must for Labourers, says CPWD 186 28. Merger of Two Black Holes with Unequal Masses Detected 187 29. Hydrogen Fuel 189 30. Human Challenge Trials 190

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4.1. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SNIPPETS 1. SunRISE Mission. 192 2. COVID-19 virus: Three types of quasi sub-species of Circulation in India 192 3. Patriot Air Defence Missiles (MIM-104) 193 4. Hybrid Reactor that Turns CO2 into Useful Molecules 193 5. NASA’s Mars Helicopter - Perseverance program 194 6. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination 195 7. Artemis Base camp 196 8. Transmission of COVID-19 from Mother to Child 196 9. Space Mining 197 10. Biofortified Carrot 198 11. COVID 19 - Reproduction Rate 199 12. Asymptomatic Virus Carriers 200 13. Ivermectin Drug 201 14. NASA’s VIPER mission 202 15. Integrated Geospatial Platform created to Aid Devising Area-Specific Strategies 203 16. OSIRIS-REx Mission 204 17. Chitra GeneLAMP-N 205 18. DRDO develops Contactless Sanitiser Dispenser, UV light-Based Disinfection Box 206 19. Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences 207 20. Blazars 208 21. TriboE Mask 209 22. Six-Planet System Discovered 210 23. Classical Swine Fever 211 24. Noor 211 25. Reverse Vaccinology 212 26. Neutron Stars 213 27. World Malaria Day 214 28. Exercise Pitch Black 215 29. Lunar Map 216 30. China Builds Asia’s Largest Steerable Telescope 216

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5. ART AND CULTURE MISCELLANEOUS

1. Remembering Jallianwala Bagh 218 2. Kartarpur Sahib Damage 219

5.1. ART AND CULTURE MISCELLANEOUS SNIPPETS

1. South China Sea 220 2. JEEVAN - Low Cost Ventilator 221 3. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) 222 4. Anak Krakatau 223 5. Meru Jatra Festival 224 6. Pattachitra Painting 224 7. Yanomami Tribe 225 8. The Nihangs 225 9. World Heritage Day 226 10. Central Vista Redevelopment Project 227 11. Ambubachi Mela 228 12. Raja Ravi Varma 229

6. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. India and China marks 70 years of Diplomatic Relations 230 2. Battle to Set Oil Prices 232 3. Operation Sanjeevani 234 4. Global Economic Impacts of COVID-19 236 5. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 237 6. Why Everyone should Wear Masks? 238 7. SAARC 2.0 239 8. Rise in Gender Based Violence 241 9. G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers Meeting 243 10. Oil Price War & Implications 244 11. ADB Assures Covid-19 Support Package 245 12. Developing country Status in WTO 246 13. International Monetary Fund (IMF) 248 14. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit 250

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15. Defence deal between India and US 251 16. IMF projects 1.9% growth for India in 2020 253 17. International Energy Agency (IEA) 254 18. Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 256 19. National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India Launched 257 20. OIC wants India to Curb its Spread of Islamophobia 259 21. Indian Trade Curbs against WTO Principles, says China 260 22. India Attends Annual Meeting of NDB 262 23. SWOT Analysis of Impact of COVID-19 on Education 263 24. UNGA Passes Resolution on Covid-19 265 25. World Press Freedom Index, 2020 266 26. Oil Price Fell Below Zero 267 27. The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 269 28. World Bank’s Report - Impact of Covid-19 on Remittance 271 29. Commodity Markets Outlook 272 30. Global Report on Food Crisis 274 31. “Trends in World Military Expenditure” Report: SIPRI 275 32. Impact of USA’s Immigration Ban on Skilled Workers from India 276 33. South China Sea Dispute 278 34. ADB Approves $1.5 Billion Loan to India to Fight COVID-19 281 35. USCIRF Annual Report,2020 282 36. NITI Aayog Questions Global Terrorism Index 284 37. 1.6 Billion Risk Losing jobs: ILO 286

6.1. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SNIPPETS

1. Coronavirus and Humidity 287 2. World Health Day 288 3. Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) 288 4. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) 289 5. Special Drawing Rights of IMF 290 6. South Asia Seasonal Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) 291

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1. ECONOMY 1. RBI introduces “Fully Accessible Route (FAR)” Why in News? • In the Union Budget, it has been announced that certain specified categories of government securities would be opened fully for non-resident investors without any restrictions. • As a follow up of the announcement, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a separate channel called “Fully Accessible Route (FAR)” to enable non-residents to invest in specified Government of India dated securities. • ‘Specified securities’ shall mean Government Securities as periodically notified by the Reserve Bank for investment under the FAR route. Key Points: • FPI consists of securities and other financial assets passively held by foreign investors. • The RBI has said that all new issuances of Government securities (G-secs) of 5-year, 10- year, and 30-year tenors will be eligible for investment as specified securities. • Non Resident investors can invest in specified government securities without being subject to any investment ceilings. • This scheme shall operate along with the two existing routes: The Medium Term Framework (MTF) for Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) in Central Government Securities (G-secs) and State Government Securities (SDLs), which was introduced in October 2015. The Voluntary Retention Route (VRR) encourages Foreign Portfolio Investors to undertake long-term investments in Indian debt markets.

2. MGNREGA Labourers Wage Hike Why in News? • The Central Government has approved a double-digit hike in the wages of manual labourers under Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The workers will get a wage hike from Rs. 13 to Rs. 34.

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Highlights: • The average per day wage rate for unskilled work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme will rise 11 per cent from ₹182 to ₹202 for the fiscal year 2020-21. • For 2019-20, the average wage rate was almost unchanged, with a rise of just 1.6 per cent. • Although the MGNREGA wage notified for 2020-21 is substantially higher, it continues to be 40-50 per cent lower than the minimum wages paid to unskilled agricultural workers. • The minimum wages are revised twice a year by the chief labour commissioner, when the variable dearness allowance is adjusted to changes in the consumer price index.'' • The prevailing rates for unskilled agricultural workers are between ₹347-383 per day, depending on the region of employment.

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CPI-linked Changes: • The MGNREGA wage revision is linked to the changes in the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Workers (CPI-AL). • A committee set up by the government had recommended using CPI-Rural (CPI-R) instead of the existing CPI-AL for revising MGNREGA wages every year. • There is a big variation in the wages paid to MGNREGA workers across States. MGNREGA: • MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) is the largest work guarantee programme in the world. • It was enacted in 2005 with the primary objective of guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households. • It aims at addressing causes of chronic poverty through the ‘works’ (projects) that are undertaken, and thus ensuring sustainable development. Funding: • Funding is shared between the centre and the states. • There are three major items of expenditure – wages (for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour), material and administrative costs. • The central government bears 100% of the cost of unskilled labour, 75% of the cost of semiskilled and skilled labour, 75% of the cost of materials and 6% of the administrative costs.

3. Centre Plans Classes in Distance Mode Why in News? • Since many schools have been shut since early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even before the countrywide lockdown, the Centre is planning to start the next academic year virtually. Key Points: • This means that the new academic calendar will begin as usual in April for classes 9 to 12, though the last academic year may have been somewhat truncated, with examinations postponed in some cases including the CBSE exams for classes 10 and 12. • Recently, it has been decided that the CBSE will conduct exams only for the main subjects: required for promotion or may be crucial for admission in higher educational institutions.

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• The Centre plans to restart classes in the distance mode, with teaching via dedicated TV and radio channels in English and Hindi. • There is an existing program, Swayam Prabha, which is a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to telecasting high-quality educational programmes on 24X7 basis using the GSAT-15 satellite. • National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has been asked to create a structured programme for schools class-wise. This is being done along with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) using their syllabus. • The material will be ready for use by schools following the NIOS or the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus. What about the State Boards? • Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) mobile app has been offered to States as a platform to provide content in Local Languages. • If States are willing to produce the content in local languages, the Centre can give them 2-3 hours on the channel. • Diksha Portal was launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in 2017 for providing a digital platform to teachers giving them an opportunity to learn and train themselves and connect with the teacher community. • It is built considering the whole teacher's life cycle - from the time student teachers enroll in Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs) to after they retire as teachers. • States, government bodies and even private organisations, can integrate DIKSHA into their respective teacher initiatives based on their goals, needs and capabilities. • It also provides access to NCERT textbooks and lessons, following the regular school curriculum. About National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS): • NIOS, formerly known as National Open School (NOS) was established in November, 1989 as an autonomous organisation in pursuance of National Policy on Education 1986 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). • NIOS provides a number of Vocational, Life Enrichment and community oriented courses besides General and Academic Courses at Secondary and Senior Secondary level. • It also offers Elementary level Courses through its Open Basic Education Programmes (OBE).

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• Government of India has vested NIOS with the authority to examine and certify learners registered with it upto pre degree level courses whether Academic, Technical or Vocational.

4. RBI Plans for an Fraud Oversight Wing Why in News? • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is in the process of putting together an exclusive wing for banking fraud oversight. About “Fraud Oversight Wing”: • This wing will have teams for meta-data processing and analysis, artificial intelligence analysis units, as well as proactive risk assessment cells. • The banking fraud oversight wing may comprise up to 600 officers along with experts from the private sector. The RBI plans to hire industry veterans to lead the teams. • Experts from the private sector working in all these domains will be brought in to train the new members in the fraud oversight wing. These training sessions will be repeated every year in the initial years. These new teams will also be given training in the latest technologies, so that they can also prevent another Yes Bank kind of event. Need of such an Institution: • The RBI had been mulling ways to proactively detect such frauds after various Bank loan fiascos. • Punjab National Bank Fraud. The bank fraud was of the tune of Rs 11,450 crore involving diamond merchant Nirav Modi. • Yes Bank Case: Even though there were representatives of RBI on the Yes Bank board, it was found to be difficult for them to flag the risk, as they had never done a credit risk assessment task in their career so far. Earlier Attempts of RBI: • The banking regulator in 2019 had moved to create a separate cadre of its own employees who would work in regulation and oversight sections. • However, the working conditions were very strict and anyone opting for that cadre would not be allowed to leave for three years. To overcome this problem, the RBI sought to create a fraud oversight wing.

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5. Corona Bonds Context: • Corona bonds is recently seen in news, which could be a possible resolution to alleviate Eurozone financial struggles amid the coronavirus crisis. About Corona Bonds: • It would be a collective debt amongst EU member states, with the aim of providing financial relief to Eurozone countries battered by the coronavirus. • It would also be mutualised and supplied by the European Investment Bank, with the debt taken collectively by all member states of the European Union. • The idea of corona bonds has received reinforcement from nine EU countries, all keen to reach a financial solution as soon as possible. Not all countries in the European Union (EU) are in favour of this idea. The resistance has come most notably from the ‘Frugal Four’. The Frugal Four consists of Germany, The Netherlands, Finland, Austria • These countries are of the opinion that finance is an individual nation’s responsibility. They believe that each EU member state should keep their finances in order. Significance: • It would allow European countries to gain essential financial support. • Their States could receive economic aid without expanding their national debt. • If all the EU member states support this idea, then this would likely strengthen confidence amongst Europe. Way Forward: • Its disadvantage is that it would not necessarily enhance debt sustainability. • Its concept would only aid future debt forgiveness, distinguishing between coronavirus related debt and legacy debt. The implementation of a common bond amongst EU member states could also potentially take a lot of time. The delay is not ideal for countries who require access to funds immediately.

6. Retail Inflation Why in News? • Recently, The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data has been released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the retail inflation in March 2020 dropped to 5.91% due to decrease in demand and lowered food prices.

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Highlights: • Its rate was based on 66% of the usual price quotations as the nationwide lockdown to counter Covid-19 pandemic had led to suspension of fieldwork for price collection after March 19,2020. The inflation rate in March 2020 remained within the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) medium-term target of 4±2% for Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, which is due to suppressed demand, especially for non-essential items, as the lockdown was imposed towards the end of March,2020. • The inflation rose to 6.59% from 6.36% in Fuel and Light segment February 2020. The Food inflation moderated to 8.76% from 10.81% in March 2020.The inflation of various items like vegetables, spices, pulses continue to be in double digits. • Pressure is expected due to the shortages witnessed in different centres with mandi arrivals being affected due to lockdown. The inflation is expected to be brought down by low energy prices and subdued economic activity. However, the food price inflation of 8.7% will tend to increase. • It is expected that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) undertakes further repo rate cuts. Repo Rate is the rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds. • When RBI increases the repo rate, this acts as a disincentive for banks to borrow from the central bank. This ultimately reduces the money supply in the economy and thus helps in Arresting Inflation. The RBI reduces the repo rate in the event of a fall in inflationary pressures. Ideally, a low repo rate should translate into low-cost loans for general masses. Inflation: • It refers to the rise in the prices of most goods and services of daily or common use, such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, consumer staples, etc. • It measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time. • It is indicative of the decrease in the purchasing power of a unit of a country’s currency. This could ultimately lead to a deceleration in economic growth. • It is measured by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. • It is primarily measured by two main indices — WPI (Wholesale Price Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index) which measure wholesale and retail-level price changes. • The CPI has five sub-groups including food and beverages, fuel and light, housing and clothing, bedding and footwear.

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About the National Statistical Office: • It is the central statistical agency of the Government mandated under the Statistical Services Act 1980 under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. • It is responsible for the development of arrangements for providing statistical information services to meet the needs of the Government and other users for information on which to base policy, planning, monitoring and management decisions. • Its services include collecting, compiling and disseminating official statistical information. • All business operations in NSO are done in compliance with international standards, procedures and best practices.

7. Helicopter Money Why in News? • Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has suggested RBI to adopt the concept of Helicopter Money to help state governments tide over the current crisis and kick-start economic activity in India. What is Helicopter Money? • This is an unconventional monetary policy tool aimed at bringing a flagging economy back on track. • It involves printing large sums of money and distributing it to the public. American economist Milton Friedman coined this term. Why it is Called So? • It basically denotes a helicopter dropping money from the sky. Friedman used the term to signify “unexpectedly dumping money onto a struggling economy with the intention to shock it out of a deep slump.” • Under such a policy, a central bank “directly increase the money supply and, via the government, distribute the new cash to the population with the aim of boosting demand and inflation.” Why is Helicopter Money Needed Now? • With the coronavirus-hit economy falling deeper and deeper into a chasm with each passing day, Telangana chief minister KC Rao has said helicopter money can help states comes out of this crisis. • He asked for the release of 5% funds from GDP by way of quantitative easing (QE).

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Is Helicopter Money the Same as Quantitative Easing? • Quantitative easing also involves the use of printed money by central banks to buy government bonds. But not everyone views the money used in QE as helicopter money. • It sure means printing money to monetise government deficits, but the government has to pay back for the assets that the central bank buys. It’s not the same as bond-buying by central banks “in which bank-owned assets are swapped for new central bank reserves.” How will Helicopter Money Help Indian Economy? • Simply put, Helicopter Money means extension of non-repayable money transfer from the central bank to the state and central governments, to infuse liquidity in the system. • The policy aims at putting more money into the pockets of people to nudge them to spend more money and in turn pick-up economic activity in the country. • The direct impact of Helicopter Money is rise in disposable incomes of the people, increase in money supply with an intention to boost demand and inflation in the economy.

8. Sovereign Gold Bonds Why in News? • Recently, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) in six instalments, from April 2020 to September 2020. About Sovereign Gold Bonds: • They are government securities denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. • Its objective is to reduce the demand for physical gold and shift a part of the domestic savings (used for the purchase of gold) into financial savings. • The Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed (bought back by the issuer) in cash on maturity. Issue price is the price at which bonds are offered for sale when they first become available to the public. • The investor gets a fixed rate of interest on the investment amount throughout the tenure of the fund. • The government will pay an interest at the rate of 2.5% per annum. The interest is payable semi-annually. • It has a tenure of eight years, with exit options are available from the fifth year.

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• It will be restricted for sale to resident individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions. • Its minimum Permissible Investment Unit is 1 Gram of Gold. How to Buy these Bonds? • It can be bought through designated scheduled commercial banks (except Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited, and designated post offices. We can also buy these bonds through National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Limited. Advantages of the Gold Bond: • It is advisable to invest in gold for portfolio diversification. • It is considered one of the better ways of investing in gold as along with capital appreciation an investor gets a fixed rate of interest. • It is tax efficient as no capital gains is charged in case of redemption on maturity. • It a good way to ensure an investment that does not need physical storage of Gold. Disadvantages of the Gold Bonds • In long term investment unlike physical gold which can be sold immediately. • It is listed on exchange but the trading volumes are not high, therefore it will be difficult to exit before Maturity.

9. NBFC’s gets 50,000 Crore Booster Why in News? • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a host of measures to provide liquidity support to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), apart from giving them certain benefits for loans extended to the commercial Real Estate Sector. What Measures did RBI took? • Banks have to invest the funds availed under targeted long-term repo operation (TLTRO), in investment grade bonds, commercial paper, and non-convertible debentures of NBFCs. Small and mid-sized NBFCs and micro-finance institutions (MFIs) should receive at least 50% of these funds. • Banks can avail Rs. 50,000 crore through the targeted long-term repo operation. The first auction of TLTRO for Rs. 25,000 crore will be conducted on April 23.

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• The RBI has also decided to provide special refinance facility of Rs. 50,000 crore to NABARD, SIDBI and NHB to enable them to meet sectoral credit needs. • The regulator has also allowed non-banking institutions to extend the date for commencement for commercial operations (DCCO) by an additional one year, without treating the same as restructuring, if the project is delayed due to reasons beyond the control of the promoter. What are the NBFC’s? • A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities issued by Government or local authority or other marketable securities of a like nature. NBFC does not include any institution whose principal business is that of agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any goods (other than securities) or providing any services and sale/purchase/construction of immovable property. A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of receiving deposits under any scheme or arrangement in one lump sum or in instalments by way of contributions or in any other manner, is also a non-banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company). How they are Differed from other Commercial Banks? • NBFCs lend and make investments and hence their activities are akin to that of banks; however there are a few differences as given below: 1. NBFC cannot Accept Demand Deposits; 2. NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself; 3. Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to depositors of NBFCs, unlike in case of Banks.

10. Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Aviation Industry Why in News? • The Aviation Industry, like several other sectors, is facing a crisis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights: • Issues faced by the aviation industry due to COVID-19: Travel restrictions, grounded fleets, benched staff, schedule uncertainties, ticket liabilities and cash burn. It’s not a question of

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only restrictions, visas not being allowed, travel not being allowed, airlines not being allowed. • Even after upliftment of restrictions there will be Apprehensions. • Loss incurred by aviation industry: As per The International Air Transport Association (IATA) severe travel restrictions may cut the industry’s revenue by $252 billion in 2020. • In terms of the bottom line, this is expected to translate into a $39 billion net loss in the second quarter. • The industry will also burn about $61 billion in money in the second quarter. • In India, for example, out of the 650 planes with all the airlines, 50% of them have been taken on lease. So even while they’re on the ground the lease rentals are being paid. • If apprehensions and restrictions last much longer, the revenue loss will be higher and, subsequently, the losses will be higher. • Loss of livelihood: As per IATA 25 million people will lose their jobs. Both men and machines are taking a heavy toll on the aviation industry. • Traffic will not grow for a year or more: for instance, Changi Airport shutting down one complete terminal for a year and Singapore airlines announced the grounding of 96% of their fleet. • With respect to India it will take more than a couple of years to come back to at least 50% of what the industry was earlier. • No clue for future: The crisis confronting the aviation industry is not only unprecedented but also there is no clue on how to put industry back on track. For instance after the 9/11 terrorist attack it took a long time for the aviation industry to come back. Implications: • Social distancing in airlines: the recent statements of the DGCA [Directorate General of Civil Aviation], even when the flights are put back into operation, the concept of social distancing will be imposed on the airlines. • If airlines are only going to be flying one-third of your capacity, the kind of fares that an airline will have to charge to sustain its operations will be very high. • Family travel will be seriously impacted by this. • India is a price-sensitive market: So we will go back to the era of the 1940s and the 1950s where only the elite could afford to travel. • Limited finances: It is difficult that the government pump in money to push up an elite industry at the cost of others.

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• To expect large-scale aid to put the airline industry back on track is an impossibility. • Slowdown in Manufacturing of aircrafts: Manufacturers are going to face a big problem for the next 10 years. It’s 10 years because of finances to build up, for airlines to place the order. the industry is not going to start reviving before five years. Way Forward: • It needs professionals with a clear mind, not bureaucrats who know very less about aviation. A clear Plan on how to mitigate the suffering is the need of the hour. • Aviation research agency CAPA predicts that airlines will need three stages of relief. CAPA has also said that 250 aircraft will be surplus to needs. As per estimates India will not need even 50% of the 650 planes that all airlines currently have. Radical changes in Business models: The business model that Indian carriers followed is garner market share at the expense of profitability, which in other words was no business model at all. • There is really no low-cost airline: The first thing the government can do is to put the Aviation Turbine Fuel, or ATF, in GST. • Rebuild aviation: Move slowly, understand where the flights are essential and move away from fixing the schedules based on a Delhi-centric focus and politicians. IATA: • The International Air Transport Association is a trade association of the world's airlines founded in 1945. • IATA has been described as a cartel since, in addition to setting technical standards for airlines, IATA also organizes tariff conferences that serve as a forum for price fixing. • IATA supports airline activity and helps formulate industry policy and standards. It is headquartered in Canada in the city of Montréal, with Executive Offices in Geneva, Switzerland. IATA’s mission is to represent, lead, and serve the Airline Industry. • Its members include both freight and passenger carriers and it has offices in 53 countries around the world. • The organisation offers information on airlines, a range of publications and training programs and accreditation for those working in the Travel Industry. • In addition, it supplies a range of financial services, such as a debt collection service for airlines. The main instrument for safety is the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). IOSA has also been mandated at the state level by several countries. In 2017, aviation posted its safest year ever, surpassing the previous record set in 2012.

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11. RBI Announces Second Set of Liquidity Measures Why in News? • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the second set of measures to preserve financial stability and help put money in the hands of the needy and disadvantaged during the extended lockdown due to the COVID-19 crisis. Highlights: • The Reserve Bank of India announced a set of nine measures to revive the struggling domestic economy. • This follows the earlier set of measures Announced by RBI. • Making the announcements through an online address, the RBI Governor stated that the human spirit is ignited by the resolve to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic which has gripped the world in its deadly embrace.

• The move by the Central Bank aims to maintain adequate liquidity in the system and its constituents in the face of COVID-19 related dislocations, facilitate and incentivize bank credit flows, ease financial stress, and enable the normal functioning of markets. Measures Announced by RBI: • Targeted Long-Term Operations (TLTRO) 2.0: ✓ A second set of targeted long-term repo operations (TLTRO 2.0) for an initial aggregate amount of Rs. 50,000 crore will be conducted. ✓ This is being done to facilitate funds flow to small and mid-sized corporates, including NBFCs and MFIs, who have been more severely impacted by the disruptions due to COVID-19. • Refinancing Facilities for All India Financial Institutions ✓ Special refinance facilities for a total amount of Rs. 50,000 crore will be provided to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the National Housing Bank (NHB) to enable them to meet sectoral credit needs. • Reduction of Reverse Repo Rate under Liquidity Adjustment Facility ✓ Reverse repo rate has been reduced by 25 basis points from 4.0% to 3.75% with immediate effect, in order to encourage banks to deploy surplus funds in investments and loans in productive sectors of the Economy. • Raising Limit of Ways and Means Advances of states and Uts

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✓ Ways and Means Advances (WMAs) Limit of states and union territories has been increased by 60% over and above the limit as on March 31, 2020, in order to provide greater comfort to states for undertaking COVID-19 containment and mitigation efforts, and also to help them plan their market borrowing programmes better. • Asset Classification ✓ With respect to recognition of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), the central bank has decided that the payment moratorium period, which lending institutions have been permitted to grant as per RBI’s announcement (on March 27, 2020), will not be considered while classifying assets as NPAs. • Extension of Resolution Timeline ✓ Recognizing challenges to resolution of stressed assets or accounts which are or are likely to become NPAs, the period for implementation of resolution plan has been extended by 90 days. • Distribution of Dividend ✓ It has been decided that scheduled commercial banks and cooperative banks shall not make any further dividend pay-outs from profits pertaining to FY 2019-20. ✓ This has been done in order to enable banks to conserve capital so that they can retain their capacity to support the economy and absorb losses in an environment of heightened Uncertainty. • Lowering of Liquidity Coverage Ratio Requirement ✓ To improve the liquidity position for individual institutions, the Liquidity Coverage Ratio requirement for scheduled commercial banks has been brought down from 100% to 80% with immediate effect. • NBFC Loans to Commercial Real Estate Projects ✓ The treatment available for loans to commercial real estate projects with respect to the date for commencement for commercial operations (DCCO) has been extended to NBFCs, in order to provide relief to both NBFCs and the real estate sector. • The Additional Measures are Aimed to: ✓ Maintain adequate liquidity in the system and its constituents in the face of COVID-19 related Dislocations ✓ Facilitate and incentivise Bank Credit Flows ✓ Ease financial stress, and ✓ Enable the normal functioning of Markets

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12. Ways and Means Advances Why in News? • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a 60% increase in the Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit of state governments over and above the level as on March 31. What is the Significance of this Move? • It was done with a view to enabling them “to undertake COVID-19 containment and mitigation efforts” and “to better plan their market borrowings”. The increased limit comes at a time when government expenditure is expected to rise as it battles the fallout of a spreading Coronavirus. The availability of these funds will give government some room to undertake short term expenditure over and above its long term market borrowings. What are Ways and Means Advances? • The WMA scheme for the Central Government was introduced on April 1, 1997, after putting an end to the four-decade old system of adhoc (temporary) Treasury Bills to finance the Central Government deficit. • They are temporary loan facilities provided by RBI to the government to enable it to meet temporary mismatches between revenue and expenditure. • The government makes an interest payment to the central bank when it borrows money. • The rate of interest is the same as the repo rate, while the tenure is three months. • The limits for WMA are mutually decided by the RBI and the Government of India. • They aren’t a source of finance per se. Section 17(5) of the RBI Act, 1934 authorises the central bank to lend to the Centre and state governments subject to their being repayable “not later than three months from the date of the making of the advance”. What if the Government needs Extra Money for Extra Time? • When the WMA limit is crossed the government takes recourse to overdrafts, which are not allowed beyond 10 consecutive working days. • The interest rate on overdrafts would be 2 percent more than the repo rate. Types of WMA: • There are two types of Ways and Means Advances — normal and special. ✓ Special WMA or Special Drawing Facility is provided against the collateral of the government securities held by the state. After the state has exhausted the limit of SDF, it gets normal WMA. The interest rate for SDF is one percentage point less than the repo rate.

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✓ The number of loans under normal WMA is based on a three-year average of actual revenue and capital expenditure of the state. What are the existing WMA limits and Overdraft Conditions? • For the Centre, the WMA limit during the first half of 2020-21 (April-September) has been fixed at Rs 120,000 crore. This is 60% higher than the Rs 75,000 crore limits for the same period of 2019-20. The limit for the second half of the last fiscal (October-March) was Rs 35,000 crore. • For the states, the aggregate WMA limit was Rs 32,225 crore till March 31, 2020. On April 1, the RBI announced a 30% hike in this limit, which has now been enhanced to 60%, taking it to Rs 51,560 crore. The higher limit will be valid till September 30. • The central bank, on April 7, also extended the period for which a state can be in overdraft from 14 to 21 consecutive working days, and from 36 to 50 working days during a quarter.

13. Payment of MGNREGS in Foodgrains Why in News? • Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in a letter to Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has asked the Centre to allow payment of the MGNREGA wages in the form of Foodgrains. What is the reason for Chhattisgarh’s demand? • The Chief Minister proposed that handing the workers foodgrains directly is better due to the lockdown and the continuing scare of the COVID-19. • “Once we credit the MGNREGA wages, the worker will have to go to the banks to withdraw the money. This would not only be a bother but also could jeopardise social distancing norms.” Chhattisgarh does not have many bank branches and faces the problem of Internet connectivity in Naxal-affected areas. “Due to this, there are often problems like link failure and workers have to contact the branch many times to withdraw the amount,” he wrote in his letter. What is the Concern? • There are many concerns about making payments through foodgrains like at what rate the grains would be charged. Will the government make the payments based on the PDS or the FCI rates. The other concern is that the pay-outs during the pandemic should not exhaust the 100-day entitlement.

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• These payments via food grains should not eat into the 100-day entitlement per family. Because they will need employment even after this pandemic subsides. • If accessibility to banks is a problem, then the government must make timely cash payments in a public place. About MGNREGA: • The scheme was introduced as a social measure that guarantees “the right to work”. • The key tenet of this social measure and labour law is that the local government will have to legally provide at least 100 days of wage employment in rural India to enhance their quality of life. Key Objectives of the Scheme: • Generation of paid rural employment of not less than 100 days for each worker who volunteers for unskilled labour. • Proactively ensuring social inclusion by strengthening livelihood base of rural poor. • Creation of durable assets in rural areas such as wells, ponds, roads and canals. • Reduce urban migration from rural areas. • Create rural infrastructure by using untapped rural labour. Eligibility criteria for receiving the benefits under MGNREGA scheme: • Must be Citizen of India to seek NREGA benefits. • Job seeker has completed 18 years of age at the time of application. • The applicant must be part of a local household (i.e. application must be made with local Gram Panchayat). • Applicant must volunteer for unskilled labour. What are the other Key Facts Related to the Scheme? • The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Government of India is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments. • Individual beneficiary oriented works can be taken up on the cards of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, small or marginal farmers or beneficiaries of land reforms or beneficiaries under the Indira Awaas Yojana of the Government of India. • Within 15 days of submitting the application or from the day work is demanded, wage employment will be provided to the applicant. • Right to get unemployment allowance in case employment is not provided within fifteen days of submitting the application or from the date when work is sought.

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• Social Audit of MGNREGA works is mandatory, which lends to accountability and transparency. • The Gram Sabha is the principal forum for wage seekers to raise their voices and make demands. It is the Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat which approves the shelf of works under MGNREGA and fixes their priority. What is the Role of Gram Sabha? • It determines the order of priority of works in the meetings of the Gram Sabha keeping in view potential of the local area, its needs, and local resources. • Monitor the execution of works within the GP. What are the Roles of Gram Panchayat? • Receiving applications for registration • Verifying registration applications • Registering households • Issuing Job Cards (JCs) • Receiving applications for work • Issuing dated receipts for these applications for work • Allotting work within fifteen days of submitting the application or from the date when work is sought in the case of an advance application. • Identification and planning of works, developing shelf of projects including determination of the order of their priority. What are the Responsibilities of State Government in MGNREGA? • Frame Rules on matters pertaining to State responsibilities under Section 32 of the Act and to Develop and notify the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the State. • Set up the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC). • Set up a State level MGNREGA implementation agency/ mission with adequate number of high calibre professionals. Set up a State level MGNREGA social audit agency/directorate with adequate number of people with knowledge on MGNREGA processes and demonstrated commitment to social audit. Establish and operate a State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF).

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14. Operation Twist Why in News? • The Reserve bank of India has decided to bring back its bond swapping programmed billed as India’s Operation Twist with an aim to help monetary transmission. The RBI said that it will conduct purchase and sale of government securities under open market operations (OMO) for Rs10,000 crore each on 27 April. Operation Twist: • Operation Twist is the name given to a US Federal Reserve monetary policy operation, which involves the purchase and sale of Government Securities to boost the economy by bringing down long-term Interest Rates. Operation Twist normally leads to lower longer- term yields, which will help boost the economy by making loans less expensive, while saving becomes less desirable because it doesn’t pay as much Interest. Functioning of Operation Twist by RBI: • This operation involves buying and selling government securities simultaneously in order to bring down long-term interest rates and bolster short-term rates. • There is an inverse relationship between the bond prices and their yields. As the central bank buys long-term securities (bonds), their demand rise which in turn pushes up their prices. However, the bond yield comes down with an increase in prices. Yield is the return an investor gets on his (bond) holding/investment. • The interest rate in an economy is determined by yield. Thus, lower long-term interest rates mean people can avail long-term loans (such as buying houses, cars or financing projects) at lower rates. • This also results in a dip in the expected returns from long-term savings which tilts the balance from saving towards spending. Hence, cheaper retail loans can help encourage consumption spending which is the largest GDP component in the Economy.

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1.1. ECONOMY SNIPPETS 1. Core Sector Registers Growth at 5.5% Why in News? • As per the recent data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the eight core sector industries recorded a growth of 5.5% in February, 2020 which is highest in 11- months.

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Highlights: • This spike is because of growth in refinery products, electricity, fertiliser, cement and coal production. This was the fourth consecutive month when the index of eight core industries reported growth. However, crude oil, natural gas, and steel recorded negative growth rate. • The outlook may not be very bright for March 2020, as the lockdown to check the spread of Covid-19 has disrupted the production process in the country and globally. Core Sector Industries: • The eight core sector industries include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizer, steel, cement and electricity • The eight core industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). • The eight Core Industries in decreasing order of their weightage in the IIP are as: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers. What is Index of Industrial Production? • The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index which details out the growth of various sectors in an economy such as mineral mining, electricity, manufacturing, etc. • The Base Year of the Index of Eight Core Industries is 2011-12. • It is compiled and published monthly by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation six weeks after the reference month ends, i.e a lag of six weeks.

2. ICAR issues Advisory to farmers for Rabi Crops Why in News? • In the wake of COVID-19 spread, ICAR issues Advisory to farmers for Rabi crops. Highlights: • Amidst the threat of COVID-19 spread, the Rabi crops are approaching maturity. • Harvesting and handling of the produce including its movement to the market are inevitable as the agricultural operations are time-bound. • The ICAR has asked the farmers to follow precautions and safety measures to prevent the disease spread. Simple measures include social distancing, maintaining personal hygiene by washing hands with soap, wearing a face mask, protective clothing, and cleaning implements and machinery.

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• Workers to follow safety measures and social distancing at each and every step in the entire process of field operations. ICAR: • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. • It was established in 1929 as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research. • Headquartered in New Delhi, it is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country. With 101 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread across the country, this is one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world. • The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering the Green Revolution and subsequent developments in agriculture in India through its research and technology development that has enabled the country to increase the production of food grains by 5.4 times, horticultural crops by 10.1 times, fish by 15.2 times, milk 9.7 times and eggs 48.1 times since 1951 to 2017, thus making a visible impact on the national food and nutritional security. • It has played a major role in promoting excellence in higher education in agriculture. • It is engaged in cutting edge areas of science and technology development and its scientists are internationally acknowledged in their fields.

3. New Features of e-NAM platform Context: • Union Agriculture Ministry launched new features of the National Agriculture Market (e- NAM) Platform to strengthen agriculture marketing by farmers which will reduce their need to physically come to wholesale mandis for selling their harvested produce, at a time when there is a critical need to decongest mandis to effectively fight against COVID-19. • These software modules are • Warehouse Based Trading Module - It enables small & marginal farmers to directly trade their stored produce from selected WDRA registered warehouses which are declared deemed market by the State. • FPO Trading Module - It enables FPOs to trade their produce from their collection center without bringing the produce to APMC.

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• An Enhanced Version of the Logistic Module: Trackable transport facilities for inter-state and inter-mandi trade. e-NAM: • e-NAM was launched on 14 April 2016 as a pan-India electronic trade portal linking APMCs across the States. • Already 585 mandis in 16 States and 02 Union Territories have been integrated on e-NAM portal.

4. Round-Tripping Context: • Recently, the Supreme Court has quashed an income tax re-assessment notice issued by revenue authorities against the premier news broadcasting company. • Income Tax department had accused NDTV of “round-tripping” finances in connection with a July 2007 issuance of step-up coupon bonds amounting to $100 million through its U.K. subsidiary. About Round Tripping: • It refers to money that leaves the country though various channels and makes its way back into the country often as foreign investment. This mostly involves black money and is allegedly often used for stock price manipulation. • It is often done through a series of transactions that don’t have any substantial commercial purposes, which makes it fall within the trappings of GAAR. • It mainly used for Tax concessions allowed in the foreign country encourages individuals to park money there and then reroute in to the country. • The money returns to India by investing in offshore funds that in turn invest in Indian assets. • Some of the other routes that have been used in the past are The Global Depository Receipts (GDR) and Participatory Notes (P-Notes).

5. Dollar Swap Agreement Context: • Recently, India is working with the United States to secure a dollar (currency) swap line that would help in providing an additional comfort in an event of any abrupt outflow of funds.

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• India already has a currency swap facility with other central banks like Japan, UAE etc. Highlights: • The economic effects of COVID-19 hit investor sentiment, Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have been large sellers of Indian equity and debt markets in March and April so far. This has led to outflow of funds from the country. • India liquidated its forex assets, to stabilise the rupee which recently fell below the 76 level against the dollar. • India’s foreign currency assets had declined by around $7.50 billion in two weeks to $ 439.66 billion as on March 27. • According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, 63.7 per cent of India’s foreign currency assets — or $256.17 billion — is invested in overseas securities, mainly in the US treasury. • But India is expected to comfortably tide over any challenge posed by continued outflows of funds from the markets, given the adequacy of foreign exchange reserves, a swap line with the US Fed provides an additional comfort to the forex markets. Dollar Swap Arrangement: • Dollar swap: It is a kind of currency swap. The word swap means exchange. • A currency swap between the two countries is an agreement to exchange currencies with predetermined terms and conditions. The US Federal Reserve will provide dollars to a foreign central bank. At the same time, the foreign central bank provides the equivalent amount of funds in its currency to the Fed, based on the market exchange rate at the time of the transaction. • The parties agree to swap back these quantities of their two currencies at a specified date in the future, which is the next day or as far ahead as three months, using the same exchange rate as in the first transaction. • It carries no exchange rate or other market risks as transaction terms are set in advance. • The Central banks and Governments engage in currency swaps with foreign counterparts to meet short term foreign exchange liquidity requirements or to ensure adequate foreign currency to avoid Balance of Payments (BOP) crisis till longer arrangements can be made. Forex Reserves (Foreign Exchange Assets): • They are assets held on reserve by a central bank in Foreign Currencies. • It includes foreign currencies, bonds, treasury bills and other government securities. • These are held to ensure that a central bank has enough funds if its national currency weakens/ devalues rapidly.

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6. Long-term repo operations (LTROs) Context: • Recently, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has received Rs 1.13 lakh crore worth of bids in the targeted long term repo operation (TLTRO) conducted for an amount of Rs 25,000 crore with a three-year tenor. About LTRO: • It is a tool under which the central bank provides one-year to three-year money to banks at the prevailing repo rate, accepting government securities with matching or higher tenure as the collateral. In LTRO the banks get long-term funds at lower rates, their cost of funds falls, which leads to reduce of interest rates for borrowers. • It helps RBI to ensure that banks reduce their marginal cost of funds-based lending rate, without reducing policy rates. • It also showed the market that RBI will not only rely on revising repo rates and conducting open market operations for its monetary policy, but also use new tools to achieve its intended objectives. • Its operations are intended to prevent short-term interest rates in the market from drifting a long way away from the policy rate, which is the repo rate. It supplies them with liquidity for their 1- to 3-year needs.

7. Renewable Energy Certificates Why in News? • The sales of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)has recently rose over 79 % to 8.38 lakh units in March compared to 4.68 lakh in the same month a year ago owing to Good Supply. About Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): • It is a market-based instrument to promote renewable sources of energy and development of the market in electricity. • One REC is created when one megawatt hour of electricity is generated from an eligible renewable energy source. • It acts as a tracking mechanism for solar, wind, and other green energies as they flow into the power grid. It is traded on two power exchanges — Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) and Power Exchange of India (PXIL), in India.

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• Its price is determined by market demand, and contained between the ‘floor price’ (minimum price) and ‘forbearance price’ (maximum price) specified by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). • It goes by many names, including Green tag, Tradable Renewable Certificates (TRCs), Renewable Electricity Certificates, or Renewable Energy Credits. • Under Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) bulk purchasers like discoms, open access consumers and capacitive users are required to buy a certain proportion of RECs. They can buy RECs from renewable energy producers. • RPO was instituted in 2011, it is a mandate that requires large power procurers to buy a predetermined fraction of their electricity from renewable sources. • The proportion of renewable energy for utilities is fixed by the central and state electricity regulatory commissions. About Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC): • It is a regulator of the power sector in India. It is a statutory body functioning with quasi- Judicial status under the Electricity Act 2003. • It intends to promote competition, efficiency and economy in bulk power market. • It also improves the quality of supply, promote investments and advise the government on the removal of institutional barriers to bridge the demand supply gap.

8. Foreign Contribution to PM-CARES Fund Why in News? • The Central Government has decided to accept contributions from abroad, irrespective of the nationalities, to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund. Key Points: • Now the foreign governments, NGOs, and nationals can contribute to the Fund. • It has been said that the contribution to PM-CARES is not “aid” and the foreign contribution is “only” applicable to the PM-CARES fund and not any other fund like the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Significance of the Move: • The move is a major policy change as in the past 16 years India has not accepted any foreign aid.

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• It has to remembered that the government refused to accept foreign aid to flood-ravaged Kerala since it was following the disaster aid policy set in December 2004. • After a tsunami hit India in December 2004, the government felt that it could cope up on its own. Since then, India has followed the policy of not accepting aid from foreign Governments. About PM-CARES Fund: • PM-CARES is set up as a public charitable trust with the trust deed registered on March 2020. It is meant for supporting relief or assistance of any kind relating to a public health emergency or any other kind of emergency, calamity or distress, either man-made or natural. It includes the creation or upgradation of healthcare or pharmaceutical facilities, funding relevant research or any other type of support. • Donations to fund can avail 100% Tax Exemption. • PM-CARES is different from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

9. Targeted Long-Term Repo Operations Why in News? • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently introduced the Targeted Long-Term Repo Operations (TLTROs), as a tool to enhance liquidity in the system, particularly the corporate bond market, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. LTRO: • It is a tool under which the central bank provides one-year to three-year money to banks at the prevailing repo rate, accepting government securities with matching or higher tenure as the collateral. • While the RBI’s current windows of liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) and marginal standing facility (MSF) offer banks money for their immediate needs ranging from 1-28 days, the LTRO supplies them with liquidity for their 1- to 3-year needs. • LTRO operations are intended to prevent short-term interest rates in the market from drifting a long way away from the policy rate, which is the repo rate. Significance: • As banks get long-term funds at lower rates, their cost of funds falls. In turn, they reduce interest rates for borrowers. • LTRO helped RBI ensure that banks reduce their marginal cost of funds-based lending rate, without reducing policy rates.

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• LTRO also showed the market that RBI will not only rely on revising repo rates and conducting open market operations for its monetary policy, but also use new tools to achieve its Intended Objectives.

10. Effect of Pandemic on Gold Prices Why in News? • Much before Covid-19’s impact reverberated across economies and led to a crash in global stock markets, gold prices had started their upward move to culminate into a nearly 40 per cent jump in less than a year. Highlights: • The present gold prices in India are even higher, as they jumped from around Rs 32,000 per 10 grams to nearly Rs 46,800 per 10 gram during the same period, a nearly 45 per cent return. Since gold is mostly imported commodity into India, the depreciation of the rupee vis-avis the US dollar of around 7 per cent since last September pushed the gold prices in India even higher. There have been intermittent reports based on economic indicators suggesting that the US economy could enter into recession after a record 11 years of economic surge since the global financial crisis of 2008. • This expectation of recession sowed the seeds of the gold rally, and the Covid-19 impact, which has virtually led to a shutdown of major economies across the world, added momentum to the rising gold prices as a major global recession now looks certain. Apart from this, major gold buying leading central banks of China and Russia over the last two years supported higher gold prices. While gold by itself does not produce any economic value, it is an efficient tool to hedge against inflation and economic uncertainties. It is also more liquid when compared with real estate and many debt instruments which come with a lock-in period. The empirical findings suggest that gold prices fall with a rise in equity prices. Gold prices also move in tandem with heightened economic policy uncertainty, thereby indicating the safe haven feature of the asset. Given the economic uncertainty, gold is expected to touch a new all-time high, which will be over $1900 an ounce. In India, the prices will also be supported by any further weakness in the Indian rupee. As an when economic recovery picks up pace, which is now expected in late 2021 only, investors will start allocating more funds to risk assets like stocks, real estate and bonds and pull out money from safe havens such as gold, US dollar, government debt and Japanese yen.

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• As per historical trends, when equity and risk assets start an upward trend, gold typically falls significantly as was the case from 2011 till 2015.

11. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Why in News? • Government of India gives 4 months’ rental waiver to the IT companies operating from Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) centres. • In light of the current coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has decided to provide rental waiver to IT companies housed in STPI premises in the country from March to June, i.e., for 4 months period as of now. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI): • Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is an autonomous society under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India. • It was established in 1991 with the objective of encouraging, promoting and boosting the export of software from India. • STPI maintains internal engineering resources to provide consulting, training and implementation services. Services cover Network Design, System Integration, Installation, Operations and maintenance of application networks and facilities in varied areas. • The STPI’s major functions are to establish software technology parks in various locations in India, and to perform various financial management functions related to it. • It has 60 centres across India. • The STPI’s Governing Council’s Chairperson is the Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology. STPI Objectives: • To promote the development and export of software and software services including Information Technology Enabled Services/Bio-IT. • To provide statutory and other promotional services to the exporters by implementing Software Technology Park/Electronics and Hardware Technology Park Schemes and other such schemes which may be formulated and entrusted by the Government from time to time. To provide data communication services including value added services to IT/IT Enabled Services related industries. • To promote micro, small and medium entrepreneurs by creating conducive environment for entrepreneurship in the field of IT/IT Enabled Services.

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12. Kisan Rath App Why in News: • Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched ‘Kisan Rath’ Mobile Application (app) to facilitate transportation of foodgrains and perishable during lockdown. About Kisan Rath App: • It is being developed by the National Informatics Centre -NIC (backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology). • It will be available in eight languages initially, including english and hindi. • It is expected to connect farmers and traders to a network of more than 5 lakh trucks and 20,000 tractors. • It is meant to help farmers and traders who are searching for vehicles to move produce. It include Primary transport and Secondary transport. • Primary transport: It is from the farm to the mandis, local warehouses or the collection centres of Farmer Producer Organisations. • Secondary transport: It is from the local mandis to intra-and inter-State mandis, processing units, railway stations, warehouses or wholesalers. • It will be a stepping stone towards provision of timely transportation service at competitive rates for farmers and traders, besides achieving a reduction in food wastage. It will help in ensuring better prices of the produce to Farmers

13. Bangalore Blue Grapes Context: • Due to the Covid-19 lockdown has impacted the sale of Bangalore Blue variety of grapes. About Bangalore Blue Grapes: • Its characteristics are foxy flavour (effect of a flavour substance called methyl anthranilate), is exclusively grown in Bangalore Urban, Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts. • It is grown in red sandy loam soil at a day temperature of about 35-37 degrees Celsius and night temperature of 12-15 degree Celsius which is unique to Bangalore and its surrounding areas. • It develops their typical dark purple colour at this temperature. It is mostly used for making juice and wine/spirit.

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• It has been given Geographical Indication Status in 2013. About Geographical Indication Status: • It is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory. • The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India. It is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications. • It is valid for a period of 10 years. It can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each. It is also a part of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

14. Daporijo Bridge Why in News? • Recently, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed the Daporijo bridge over Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh in a record span of just 27 days. Highlights: • It is of utmost importance in strategic connectivity as it links roads leading upto the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. • The Subansiri River (gold river) originates in the Tibet Plateau and enters India through Miri hills in Arunachal Pradesh. It is the largest tributary of Brahmaputra River. About Border Roads Organisation: • It was conceived and raised in 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy development of a network of roads in the North and the North Eastern border regions of the country. • It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. • It is regarded as a symbol of nation-building, national integration and an inseparable component in maintaining the security and integrity of the country. • It has diversified into a large spectrum of construction and development works comprising airfields, building projects, defence works and tunneling and has endeared itself to the People.

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15. Advisory Council of the 15th Finance Commission Why in News? • The Economic Advisory Council of the Fifteenth Finance Commission will meet on 23-24 April, 2020. Highlights: • It will be an online meeting presided by the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission and attended by all the Members and Senior Officials of the Finance Commission. • The meeting will be attended by the 5 Members of the Council. • The likely agenda for the Advisory Council Meeting is: ✓ Implications of the pandemic for GDP growth in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Uncertainty about macro variables over time. ✓ Possible assumptions for tax buoyancy and revenue in the current year and next year. ✓ What should be the public expenditure fillip to shore up the Economy. Finance Commission: • The Finance Commission is a Constitutionally mandated body that is at the centre of Fiscal Federalism. • Set up under Article 280 of the Constitution, its core responsibility is to evaluate the state of finances of the Union and State Governments, recommend the sharing of taxes between them, lay down the principles determining the distribution of these taxes among States. Its working is characterised by extensive and intensive consultations with all levels of governments, thus strengthening the principle of cooperative federalism. • Its recommendations are also geared towards improving the quality of public spending and promoting fiscal stability. • The first Finance Commission was set up in 1951 and there have been fifteen so far. Each of them has faced its own unique set of challenges.

16. Rohtang Pass Why in News? • Recently, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened the Rohtang Pass, three weeks in advance, for transporting essential supplies and relief materials to the Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh amid the lockdown. About Rohtang Tunnel: • It is the world’s longest tunnel above an altitude of 3,000 metres.

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• It stretches about 8.8-kilometre long. • It is a 10.5-metre wide single tube bi-lane tunnel. • It will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kilometres. Significance: • It is a strategic implication for the military as it will allow access beyond Rohtang Pass even in peak winters. • It will provide us with the all-winter connectivity to Ladakh. About Rohtang Pass: • It is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. • It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. • The three rivers in the region of the pass are Chenab, Beas and Chandra rivers. • The Beas river emerges from underground and flows southwards, Chandra river flows in the Eastern Himalayas and Chenab river flows westward.

17. Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2019 Why in News? • The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour has made suggestions to the Industrial Relations Code. • The code proposes to amalgamate The Trade Unions Act, 1926, The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Highlights: • Centre should create a formal and conducive industrial relations system by strengthening the various provisions in the Code. • In case of natural calamities, payment of wages to the workers until the re-establishment of the industry may be unjustifiable. The law has to be reasonable, in such cases it is for the Government to step in and extend a helping hand for the Industries. • A separate and an exclusive chapter should be created for outlining the rights of both the employee and the employer containing the principles pertaining to the industrial relations based on the ILO conventions. • Union Labour Ministry should include scheme workers like Anganwadi, Asha, Mid-day Meal, etc, in the definition of worker on the ground that this is as per the existing provision for the formation of a Trade Union.

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• The Government should give a consolidated and merged definition of worker/employee so that supervisors, managers, etc. could find a place therein.

18. Exemptions to the farming community Why in News? • To ensure that there is no shortage of food grains in the country during the lockdown period, the Ministry has made certain exemptions to the Farming Community. Highlights: • The exemptions made for farming during the lockdown are: • Farming operations by farmers and farm workers in the field; • Agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations; • ‘Mandis’ operated by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) or as notified by the State Government; • Shops and manufacturing/packaging units for Seeds, Fertilizers and Pesticides; • Intra and inter-state movement of harvesting and sowing related machines like combined harvester and other agriculture/horticulture implements; • Cold storage and warehousing services; • Transportation for Essential Goods; • Shops of agriculture machinery, its spare parts (including its supply chain) and repairs; Custom Hiring Centres (CHC) related to farm machinery.

19. National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Why in News? • The Task Force on National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) submitted its Final Report on NIP for FY 2019-25 to the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs. Highlights: • NIP is a first-of-its-kind, whole-of-government exercise to provide world-class infrastructure across the country, and improve the quality of life for all citizens.

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• It aims to improve project preparation, attract investments (both domestic and foreign) into infrastructure, and will be crucial for achieving the target of becoming a $5 trillion economy by FY 2025. • The NIP has been made on a best effort basis by aggregating the information provided by various stakeholders including line ministries, departments, state governments and private sector across infrastructure sub-sectors identified in the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure. To draw up the NIP, a bottom-up approach was adopted wherein all projects (Greenfield or Brownfield, Under Implementation or Under Conceptualisation) costing greater than Rs 100 crore per project were sought to be captured. • The final report identifies and highlights recent infrastructure trends in India as well as global in all sectors of infrastructure • It also captures sector progress, deficits and challenges. In addition to update existing sectoral policies, the Final Report also identifies and highlights a set of reforms to scale up and propel infrastructure investments in various sectors throughout the country. • The report also has suggested ways and means of financing the NIP through deepening Corporate Bond markets, including those of Municipal Bonds, setting up Development Financial Institutions for infrastructure sector, accelerating Monetisation of Infrastructure Assets, Land monetisation, etc. • The Task Force has recommended that three Committees be set up: ✓ A Committee to monitor NIP progress and eliminate delays; ✓ A Steering Committee in each infrastructure ministry level for following up Implementation; and ✓ A Steering Committee in DEA for raising financial resources for the NIP. • The NIP project database would be hosted on the India Investment Grid (IIG) to provide visibility to the NIP and help in its financing with prospective investors; domestic and foreign, able to access updated project level information. • Each line Ministry/State would further add new projects and update their respective project details at pre-defined time intervals so that updated data is available to prospective Investors.

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2. ENVIRONMENT 1. Cytokine Storm Context: • Cytokine storm is recently seen in news, which is feared as a compounding effect of • COVID 19. About Cytokine Storm: • It is an overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds (cytokines), which, in a flu infection, is often associated with a surge of activated immune cells into the lungs. • It resulting in lung inflammation and fluid build-up can lead to respiratory distress and can be contaminated by a secondary bacterial pneumonia — often enhancing the mortality in patients. • It can occur due to an infection, auto-immune condition, or other diseases. • Its symptoms include high fever, inflammation (redness and swelling), severe fatigue, and nausea. • It is not exclusive to coronavirus patients. It is an immune reaction that can occur during other infectious and non-infectious diseases as well. About the Role of Cytokines in the Immune System: • It signals proteins that are released by cells at local high concentrations, which is characterised by the overproduction of immune cells and the cytokines themselves because of a dysregulation in the process. • The severe immune reaction, leading to the secretion of too many cytokines in the bloodstream, can be harmful since an excess of immune cells can attack Healthy Tissue as well. About the Functions of Immune System: • It protects us from bacteria, viruses, and parasites by removing them from our systems. • It gets activated by things that the body does not recognise as its own. These hings are called antigens, and include bacteria, fungi and viruses. • It response involves inflammation, an important and indispensable part of the process. • Its Inflammation has an important protective function. The release of inflammatory mediators increases the blood flow to the area, which allows larger numbers of immune system cells to be carried to the injured tissue, thereby aiding the repairing process.

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• If this inflammatory response is not regulated, a ‘cytokine storm’ can be triggered. • Impact a COVID-19 patient: In the case of any flu infection, a cytokine storm is associated with a surge of activated immune cells into the lungs, which, instead of fighting off the antigen, leads to lung inflammation and fluid build-up, and respiratory distress.

2. Wildlife Panel Holds Virtual Conference Why in News? • The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) had its first ever video-conferencing meet recently. In the meet the NBWL cleared infrastructure projects in 11 States. Key Points: • Projects that encroach into forests or protected reserves require NBWL approval as part of the government’s environmental clearance process. • As per the experts associated with the conference most of the projects were given “in- principal approval”. In a virtual conference, it is difficult to scrutinise maps that show the location of the proposed projects. It is because only the formal minutes of the meeting would reveal the conditions which projects would have to adhere to. Process of getting an Environment Clearance (EC): • An Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report is prepared to get Environment Clearance (EC) for a project. • A process of ‘Public Hearing’ is conducted before the issue of ‘Consent to Establish (NOC)’ by state regulators. Concerns of people living in the proposed project area are heard. • An application form with EIA report, details of public hearing and NOC is submitted for environmental clearance with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) if the project falls under A category. (or the state government if the project falls under B category). • The documents submitted for A and B category are then analyzed by an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Union Environment Ministry or the concerned State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) respectively. • The recommendations of the Committee gets processed in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for final approval or rejection.

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National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): • National Board for Wildlife is a statutory Board constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister and is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests. • The board is ‘advisory’ in nature and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife. • It is an important body because it serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife- related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries. The standing committee of NBWL is chaired by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change.

3. India to Receive Normal Monsoon, Forecasts IMD Why in News? • India will likely to have a normal monsoon, with a chance of ‘above normal’ rain in August and September, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said recently. About IMD: • IMD is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India established in 1875. • It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology. Monsoon in India: • The climate of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ type. In Asia, this type of climate is found mainly in the south and the southeast. • Out of a total of 4 seasonal divisions of India, monsoon occupy 2 divisions, namely, ✓ The Southwest Monsoon Season - Rainfall received from the southwest monsoons is seasonal in character, which occurs between June and September. ✓ The Retreating Monsoon Season - The months of October and November are known for retreating monsoons. Factors Influencing South-West Monsoon Formation: • The differential heating and cooling of land and water creates a low pressure on the landmass of India while the seas around experience comparatively high pressure.

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• The shift of the position of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in summer, over the Ganga plain (this is the equatorial trough normally positioned about 5°N of the equator. It is also known as the monsoon-trough during the monsoon season). ✓ The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ,) is a broad trough of low pressure in equatorial latitudes. This is where the northeast and the southeast trade winds converge. This convergence zone lies more or less parallel to the equator but moves north or south with the apparent movement of the sun. IMD’s Forecast on Monsoon: • The IMD’s confidence stems largely from global weather models pointing to negligible chances of El Nino, a warming of the central equatorial Pacific that’s associated with the drying up of monsoon rain. ✓ El Nino is a name given to the periodic development of a warm ocean current along the coast of Peru as a temporary replacement of the cold Peruvian current. ✓ ‘El Nino’ is a Spanish word meaning ‘the child’, and refers to the baby Christ, as this current starts flowing during Christmas. ✓ The presence of the El Nino leads to an increase in sea-surface temperatures and weakening of the trade winds in the region. • IMD has also officially redefined the definition of what constitutes ‘normal’ rainfall and reduced it by 1 cm to 88 cm. ✓ “Quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 100% of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of ± 5%. The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 1961-2010 is 88 cm. • It also gave new dates for the monsoon’s onset in several cities as part of an update, which it said was essential for a variety of economic activities ranging from agricultural planning to power distribution. Change in Dates of Monsoon: • The onset over Kerala, which marks the arrival of the monsoon into mainland India, will continue to be June 1. • However, the onset date in Mumbai — historically June 10 — will now be June 11. The official withdrawal date is now delayed by over a week to October 8, instead of September 29. • The onset over Chennai has been delayed by three days — from June 1 to June 4. Ahmedabad will see the monsoon arrive nearly a week late — June 21 instead of June 14.

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• Bhopal, too, is seeing a similar delay — to June 22 instead of June 15. Delhi, too, will see a four-day delay in the monsoon’s arrival to June 27. • “New monsoon advance dates over States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh are delayed by three-seven days compared to existing normal dates”. • A significant delay in the withdrawal of the monsoon over northwest and central India has been observed. “Monsoon withdraws from NW India almost 7-14 days later from the existing dates. There is no change in the final withdrawal date over south India, i.e., 15th October”. What Would be the Possible Impacts? • About 64% of people in India depend on agriculture for their livelihood and agriculture itself is based on Monsoon. • Agricultural prosperity of India depends very much on timely and adequately distributed rainfall. If it fails, agriculture is adversely affected particularly in those regions where means of irrigation are not developed. • The forecast on the monsoon by the IMD helps the agriculturists and farmers to do the farming activities according to the availability of Monsoon. All the economic activities and Power distribution can be planned according the change of the Monsoon Dates.

4. Mitigate Risks in Waste Disposal – Says NGT Why in News? • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently issued a directive for states and Union Territories to take adequate steps to mitigate risks in disposal of bio-medical waste in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. • Earlier, the Karnataka High Court has also directed the Karnataka Government to take special measures to protect sanitation workers while they collect waste from houses where persons subjected to home quarantine reside. Key Points: • The NGT raised concerns regarding unscientific disposal of bio-medical waste by un- authorised healthcare facilities. Only 1.1 lakh out of 2.7 lakh healthcare facilities are authorised under the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 so far.

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• The NGT asked the State Pollution Control Boards and pollution control committees to make efforts to bridge this gap to mitigate the risk in terms of unscientific disposal of bio- medical waste. • Directions of the court: • Waste should be picked up from quarantine homes in a separate vehicle. Waste from households under quarantine should be put in yellow non-chlorinated plastic bags, and be treated as biomedical waste. • Once collected, these waste must be disposed of, as per the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016. • Sanitation workers and vehicle drivers should be provided with the necessary safety gear, such as gloves, goggles and gowns. About Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016: • Objective: The objective of the rules is to properly manage the per day bio-medical waste from healthcare facilities (HCFs) across the country. • Ambit: The ambit of the rules has been Expanded to include vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps or any other healthcare activity. • Definition of Biomedical waste: It was defined as human and animal anatomical waste, treatment apparatus like needles, syringes and other materials used in health care facilities in the process of treatment and research. This waste is generated during diagnosis, treatment or immunisation in hospitals, nursing homes, pathological laboratories, blood bank, etc. • Phase out: Use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags to be phased out within two years from March 2016. • Pre-treatment: Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples and blood bags through disinfection or sterilisation on-site in the manner prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) or by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). • Training: All health care workers to be provided training and immunization regularly. • Bar-code: A Bar-Code System for bags or containers containing bio-medical waste for disposal will be established. • Categorisation: Bio-medical waste has been classified into 4 categories instead of the earlier 10 categories to improve the segregation of waste at source.

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• Stringent standards for pollutants: The rules prescribe more stringent standards for incinerators to reduce the emission of pollutants in the environment. • Land: The State Government provides the land for setting up common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facilities.

5. Yamuna Water Quality Improves During Lockdown Why in News? • According to a report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the quality of water in the river Yamuna has improved along the Delhi stretch, compared to April 2019. How Data is Analysed? • DPCC, along with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) carried out the study after being asked by a National Green Tribunal (NGT) appointed monitoring committee. Earlier, less air pollution and improved air quality were also noticed in various cities. • DPCC collected water samples from nine locations along the Yamuna and twenty locations of drains and compared the different parameters with values from April 2019. • According to the report, the pollution has reduced between 18% to 21% in various places. • Five locations have shown 18%-33% reduction in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels. • The rest of the locations have shown slight to considerable increase in BOD levels. Four of the nine locations where dissolved oxygen (DO) was nil in 2019 showed DO levels of 2.3-4.8 mg/l in 2020. • However, the Yamuna has still not met the “water quality criteria”. What are the Reasons for the Improvement? • Lockdown: Earlier, a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) report had also highlighted the improved quality of water due to the lockdown (to curb the COVID-19). • Increased Flow: Haryana has increased the discharge of water which has also contributed to less Pollution due to Dilution of Fresh Water. What is Biochemical Oxygen Demand? • It is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter (waste or pollutants) under aerobic reaction (in the presence of oxygen).

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• The more organic matter there is (e.g., in sewage and polluted bodies of water), the greater is the BOD; and the greater the BOD, the lower the amount of dissolved oxygen available for higher animals such as fishes. A higher BOD level means that more oxygen is needed to decompose a large quantity of organic matter present in the water. • So, a higher value of BOD means that the water is more polluted. • The BOD is therefore a reliable gauge of the organic pollution of a water body. • One of the main reasons for treating wastewater prior to its discharge into a water resource is to lower its BOD i.e. to reduce its need of oxygen and thereby lessen its demand from the streams, lakes, rivers, or estuaries into which it is released. ✓ Dissolved Oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved and present in the water which is needed for aquatic life to survive. The quality of water increases with an increase in DO levels. A DO level of 5 mg/l or above is the recommended level for bathing in a river. About River Yamuna: • The river Yamuna, a major tributary of river Ganges, originates from the Yamunotri glacier near Bandarpoonch peaks in the Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas at an elevation of about 6387 meters above mean sea level in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. • It meets the Ganges at the Sangam (where Kumbh mela is held) in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh after flowing through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. • Important Dams are Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc. • Important Tributaries are Chambal, Sindh, Betwa and Ken.

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6. Level of Aerosol Levels Hit 20-year Low Why in News? • As per the recently published report of NASA, aerosol levels in northern India at the beginning of April were significantly below the normal for this time of year. • The levels were the lowest in 20 years of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) observations. • MODIS is a key instrument on NASA’s satellites designed to monitor the Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and land surface. Data provided by it assists policymakers in making Sound Decisions Concerning the Protection of the Environment. Key Points: • Use of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) : The data published with maps show Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) in 2020 compared to the average for 2016-2019. On the day of the lockdown on March 25, 2020, it was 0.3 over north India. The AOD fell to 0.2 around April 1 and was found to be 0.1 on April 5. • Aerosol optical depth is a measure of how light is absorbed or reflected by airborne particles as it travels through the atmosphere. If aerosols are concentrated near the surface, an optical depth of 1 or above indicates very hazy conditions. • An optical depth, or thickness, of less than 0.1 over the entire atmospheric vertical column is considered clean. Possible Reasons behind it: • Every year, aerosols from anthropogenic (human-made) sources contribute to unhealthy levels of air pollution in many Indian cities. • Human activities — driving vehicles, operating coal-fired power plants and factories, etc — produce nitrates and sulphates that contribute to heavy concentration of aerosols across the Indo-Gangetic Plains, every year. • On March 25,2020 the Indian government placed its 1.3 billion citizens under a strict lockdown to reduce the spread of Covid-19. • The countrywide mandate decreased activity at factories and severely reduced car, bus, truck and airplane traffic. This has contributed to the decreased levels of aerosols. Similar Conditions are not there in southern India: • Satellite data show aerosol levels have not yet decreased to the same extent. In fact, levels seem to be slightly higher than in the past four years.

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• The reasons are unclear but could be related to recent weather patterns, agricultural fires, winds or other factors. What is Aerosols? • Aerosols are defined as a combination of liquid or solid particles suspended in a gaseous or liquid environment. • In the atmosphere, these particles are mainly situated in the low layers of the atmosphere (< 1.5 km) since aerosol sources are located on the terrestrial surface. • However, certain aerosols can still be found in the stratosphere, especially volcanic aerosols ejected into the high altitude layers. • The origin of atmospheric aerosols is either natural or the result of anthropogenic activities. • Natural sources of aerosols include sea salt generated from breaking waves, mineral dust blown from the surface by wind, and volcanoes. • Anthropogenic aerosols include sulfate, nitrate, and carbonaceous aerosols, and are mainly from Fossil Fuel Combustion Sources.

7. Largest Hole in the Ozone Layer is Now Closed Why in News? • Recently the EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) announced that a hole in the Arctic ozone layer, believed to be the biggest reported, has closed. Healed Ozone Hole: • The ozone hole’s closing was because of a phenomenon called the polar vortex, and not because of reduced pollution levels due to Covid-19 lockdowns around the world. • The hole in the North Pole’s ozone layer, which was first detected in February, had since reached a maximum extension of around 1 million sq km. Ozone Hole: • The ‘ozone hole’ is not really a hole — it refers to a region in the stratosphere where the concentration of ozone becomes extremely low in certain months. • Ozone, made up of three oxygen atoms, occurs naturally in small amounts. • Roughly 10 km to 40 km up in the atmosphere (the layer called the stratosphere), the ozone layer is sunscreen, shielding Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. • Manufactured chemicals deplete the ozone layer. Each spring over Antarctica (it now springs there), atmospheric ozone is destroyed by chemical processes.

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• This creates the ozone hole, which occurs because of special meteorological and chemical conditions that exist in that region. The Importance of the Ozone layer: • Ozone (chemically O3, a molecule of three oxygen atoms) is found mainly in the upper atmosphere, an area called the stratosphere, between 10 and 50 km from the earth’s surface. • Though it is talked of as a layer, ozone is present in the atmosphere in rather low concentrations. • Even at places where this layer is thickest, there are not more than a few molecules of ozone for every million air molecules. • They perform a very important function. By absorbing the harmful ultraviolet radiations from the sun, the ozone molecules eliminate a big threat to life forms on earth. • UV rays can cause skin cancer and other diseases and deformities in Plants and Animals. Massive Hole: • This year, the ozone depletion over the Arctic was much larger. • Scientists believe that unusual atmospheric conditions, including freezing temperatures in the stratosphere, were responsible. • Cold temperatures (below -80°C), sunlight, wind fields and substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were responsible for the degradation of the Arctic ozone layer. • Although Arctic temperatures do not usually fall as low as in Antarctica, this year, powerful winds flowing around the North Pole trapped cold air within what is known asthe polar vortex. By the end of the polar winter, the first sunlight over the North Pole initiated this unusually strong ozone depletion—causing the hole to form. How long it will Take for Complete Recovery? • As per the Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion data of 2018, the ozone layer in parts of the stratosphere has recovered at a rate of 1-3 per cent per decade since 2000. • At these projected rates, the Northern Hemisphere and mid-latitude ozone is predicted to recover by around 2030, followed by the Southern Hemisphere around 2050, and polar regions by 2060.

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2.1. ENVIRONMENT SNIPPETS 1. Lifeline Udan Why in News? • As part of India’s war against COVID-19, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched “Lifeline Udan” flights for the movement of medical and essential supplies across the country and beyond. Highlights: • Under this initiative, 62 Lifeline Udan flights have been operated for five days towards March 2020 end, transporting over 15.4 tons of essential medical supplies. • The carriers involved in Lifeline Udan operations include Air India, Alliance Air, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Pawan Hans. Support is being provided by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), AAICLAS (cargo and logistics subsidiary of AAI), AI Airports Services (AIASL), PPP airports and private ground handling entities. • Private airline and logistics players are also providing their services for medical cargo. • The flights are being coordinated by a control room set up at the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) under the direct supervision of the MoCA leadership. • The Lifeline Udan cargo includes COVID-19 related reagents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), masks, gloves and other accessories required by personnel engaged in fighting the virus across the country.

2. India switches to BS VI Norms Why in News? • Despite the lockdown, India officially moved to a regime of tighter emission norms for motorised two- and four-wheelers. • In 2016, the government had said India would directly progress from BS-IV norms to BSVI, skipping the intermediary stage. Nearly 60,000 crore was spent on the switch-over to BS-VI fuels. Highlights: • At fuel stations, only the low-sulphur fuel that complies with Bharat Stage-VI emission norms will be sold and so will cars at stores, whose engines meet the stricter norms. • As per BS-VI emission norms, petrol vehicles will have to effect a 25% reduction in their NOx, or nitrogen oxide emissions. Diesel engines will have to reduce their HC+NOx (hydro

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carbon + nitrogen oxides) by 43%, their NOx levels by 68% and particulate matter levels by 82%. BS-VI petrol and diesel, which have sulphur content of just 10 parts per million, were set to be costlier by Rs. 1/litre each, but state-run oil firms decided to maintain the current prices by adjusting the levy against cheaper crude. The emission norms of all models of two-wheelers in India are ahead of Europe (2021) and Japan (2022), and India is the first country to adopt this level of Emission Norms. Bharat Stage Emission Norms: • Bharat stage (BS) emission standards are laid down by the government to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine and spark-ignition engine equipment, including motor vehicles. • The first emission norms were introduced in India in 1991 for petrol and in 1992 for diesel vehicles. Followed these, the catalytic converter became mandatory for petrol vehicles and unleaded petrol was introduced in the market. The standards and the timeline for implementation are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Compared to the BS4, BS6 emission standards are stricter. • Whereas makers use this variation to update their vehicles with new options and safety standards, the biggest modification comes in the permissible emission norms.

3. First-ever Heatwave in Antarctica Why in News? • Researchers from the Australian Antarctic Program revealed that they had recorded temperatures as high as 9.2 degrees Celsius at Casey station in the continent east earlier this year, indicating a heatwave event. Highlights: • Heat waves are classified as three consecutive days with both extreme maximum and minimum temperatures. Between January 23 and 26, the station recorded minimum temperatures above zero degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 9.2 degrees Celsius. • Scientists are concerned about the effect that the heat wave could have on Antarctica’s ecology, both positive and negative. Most life exists in small ice-free oases in Antarctica, and largely depends on melting snow and ice for their water supply.

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• Melted ice flooding can provide additional water to these desert ecosystems, leading to increased growth and reproduction of mosses, lichens, microbes and invertebrates. • However excessive flooding can dislodge plants and alter the composition of communities of invertebrates and microbial mats. • It is believed that the unusual temperatures were linked to meteorological patterns which occurred in the Southern Hemisphere during the spring and summer of 2019 • These patterns were influenced in part by the early break-up of the ozone hole in late 2019, due to rapid warming in the stratosphere. • Global cooperative efforts being undertaken to repair and eventually close the hole in the ozone layer would help reduce regional shifts in the climate system.

4. Agasthyavanam Biological Park Why in News? • The Forest Department is procuring forest produce collected by the tribes people of the Agasthyavanam Biological Park (ABP) and surrounding forest ranges to be sold to commercial establishments and various collectives to deal with the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. About Agasthyavanam Biological Park: • Agasthyavanam Biological Park is a wildlife sanctuary in Kerala which has been established in the year 1997. • It is contiguous to Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. • The park has been named after the Agasthyamalai Agasthyakoodam Peak, which is very closer to the park. • The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is located in the southernmost end of the Western Ghats.

5. Exercise NCC Yogdan Why in the News? • Recently, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) launched “Exercise NCC Yogdan” to offer a helping hand to the civil authorities fighting against COVID-19. Exercise NCC Yogdan: • The tasks envisaged for NCC Cadets Include: • Manning of helpline or call centres,

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• Distribution of relief materials, medicines, food and essential commodities, • Community assistance, data management and queue and traffic management Guidelines: • Cadets should not be employed in handling law and order situations or for active military duties or at hot spots. Only Senior Division volunteer cadets above 18 years of age will be employed. They should be employed in small cohesive groups of eight to 20 under the supervision of Permanent Instructor Staff or and an Associate NCC Officer. NCC: • The NCC, which operates under the Ministry of Defence is the largest uniformed youth organisation of the Country. It has been engaged in conducting Various Social Service and Community Development Activities.

6. Starving Herons Why in News? • Several blue herons were spotted dead by the personnel of Neendakara Coastal police station, Kerala. The autopsy has revealed the cause of death as starvation. Herons: • The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, with 64 globally recognised species. • The herons are medium- to large-sized birds with long legs and necks. • They exhibit very little Sexual Dimorphism in size. Indian Pond Heron: • The Indian Pond Heron or Paddy bird is a small heron. • It is of Old-World origins, breeding in southern Iran and east to the Indian subcontinent, Burma, and Sri Lanka. • Pond Heron is the most common species of Heron found in India. • They have adapted themselves well to live alongside humans and can be seen both in the wilderness and in ponds/ lakes within urban areas. • IUCN Status: Least Concern.

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7. Mahua Flowers Why in News? • Trading in mahua flowers (Madhuca longifolia) in summers is one of the major sources of livelihood of tribal people in Odisha. However, the lockdown has hurt the trade and disrupted Tribal Economy. Mahua Flowers: • Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) is a multipurpose tropical tree mainly cultivated or harvested in the wild in Southern Asia for its edible flowers and oil seeds. • Mahua is indigenous to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar. • It is a frost resistant species that can grow in marginal areas of dry tropical and subtropical forests up to an altitude of 1200-1800 m. • The leaves of Mahua are fed on by the moth Antheraea paphia, which produces tassar silk, a form of wild silk of commercial importance in India. • They are also fermented to produce the alcoholic drink mahua, a country liquor.

8. Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary Context: • Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is recently seen in News. About Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary: • It is the only sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh with a population of Asian Elephants. • It is covered by southern tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests. • It consists of some of the important flora such as Albizia amara, Acacia, Lagerstroemia, Ficus, bamboo, and a species which is a regeneration of Santalum album. • sloth bear, panther, cheetal, chowsingha, sambar, porcupine, wild boar, jungle cat, jackal, jungle fowl, starred tortoise and slender loris are the other animals found here About Asian Elephant: • The three subspecies of Asian elephant are found in the Indian, Sumatran and Sri Lankan. • The African elephants are listed as “vulnerable” and Asian elephants as “endangered” in IUCN Red List of threatened species. • They have been accorded the highest possible protection under the Indian wildlife law through its listing under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

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• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) status- Appendix I, which lists the species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed Animals and plants. Government Initiatives: • The Project Elephant launched by the Government of India in the year 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. • The “World Elephant Day” (August 12) to help conserve and protect elephants in India and improve their welfare. Elephant census is conducted once in 5 years under the aegis of Project elephant. The ‘Gaj Yatra’ a nationwide awareness campaign to celebrate elephants and highlight the necessity of securing elephant corridors. • The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), had come out with a publication on the right of passage in 101 elephant corridors of the country in 2017. • The Monitoring the Killing of Elephants (MIKE) programme launched in 2003 is an international collaboration that tracks trends in information related to the illegal killing of elephants from across Africa and Asia, to monitor effectiveness of field conservation efforts.

9. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Context: • Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is recently seen in news. About Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: • It is Located in Kerala, which is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It was established in 1973. • The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first from India to be included in the UNESCO designated World Network of Biosphere Reserves (designated in 2012). • Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagerhole National Park, Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley are the other wildlife parks within the Reserve. • It spread over 344.44 sq, which is contiguous to the tiger reserves of Nagerhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu. The Kabini river (a tributary of Cauvery river) flows through the sanctuary. • It includes forest types such as South Indian Moist Deciduous forests, West coast semi- evergreen forests and plantations of teak, eucalyptus and Grewelia.

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• The major mammals are Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Common langur, Wild dog, common otter, Malabar giant squirrel etc.

10. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 Why in News? • To address the unprecedented situation arising from the global outbreak of COVID-19, and to ramp up availability or production of various drugs, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has made an amendment to EIA Notification 2006. Changes made in the EIA Notification,2006: • All projects or activities in respect of bulk drugs and intermediates, manufactured for addressing various ailments, have been re-categorized from the existing Category ‘A’ to ‘B2’ category. • Projects falling under Category B2 are exempted from requirement of collection of Baseline data, EIA Studies and public consultation. • Within a period of about two weeks, more than 100 proposals have been received under this category, which are at different levels of decision making by the concerned regulatory authorities in the states. Impacts: • The re-categorization of such proposals has been done to Facilitate: ✓ Decentralization of appraisal to State Level so as to fast track the process. ✓ This step of the Government is with a view to help in increasing the availability of the important medicines/drugs in the country within a short span of time. ✓ To ensure expeditious disposal of the proposals within a given time-line, the Ministry has also advised states to use information technology e.g. video conference, considering the fact that in view of the prevailing situation on ground, appraisal of proposals may not be possible through physical meetings. • This amendment is applicable to all proposals received and the states have also been issued advisories to expeditiously process such proposals. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in India: • EIA is a management tool to minimize adverse impacts of developmental projects on the environment and to achieve sustainable development through timely, adequate, corrective and protective mitigation measures.

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• The MoEFCC uses EIA Notification 2006 as a major tool for minimizing the adverse impact of rapid industrialization on the environment and for reversing those trends which may lead to climate change in the long run. • EIA has now been made mandatory under the Environmental (Protection Act, 1986 for 29 categories of developmental activities involving investments of Rs. 50 crores and above.

11. Greenland and Antarctica is Melting Faster Why in News? • Recently, the climate change in Greenland and Antarctica to melt 6 times faster than in 1990s. Key Points: • The comprehensive data obtained from 11 satellite missions monitoring the regions suggest that if the current melting trends continues, it will result in the raining of sea level by 6.7 inches by 2100. • The ocean water is responsible for the majority of Antarctic ice loss and half of Greenland’s Ice Loss. • The rest of the melting is caused by rising Air Temperature. • To calculate changes in the mass of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets between 1992 and 2018, the Ice Sheet Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise team combined 26 surveys, which used measurements from satellites including NASA’s Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite and the joint NASA-German Aerospace Center Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment. • It is calculated that Greenland and Antarctica lost 81 billion tons per year in the 1990s, compared with 475 billion tons of ice per year in the 2010s – a sixfold increase. • Together, the melting polar ice sheets are responsible for a third of all sea-level rise. Of this total sea-level rise, 60 per cent resulted from Greenland’s ice loss and 40 per cent resulted from Antarctica’s, Every centimetre of sea-level rise leads to coastal flooding and coastal erosion, disrupting people’s lives around the planet.

12. World Earth Day Why in News: • Recently, the Earth Day is celebrated on 22nd April to raise Public Awareness about the Environment and Inspire people to save and Protect it.

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About: • This year 2020 marks 50 years since the start of this modern environmental movement in 1970. • The Theme of Earth Day 2020 is “Climate Action”. • It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and celebrated in more than 193 countries each year. • It 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. • The Paris Agreement was also opened for signature on 22 April 2016 – Earth Day – at UN Headquarters in New York. • It encourages people to take more steps for the protection of nature and to thank mother earth for the rich environment. • This year it is celebrated Digitally. As people have to stay inside their homes amid Covid-19 lockdown, World Earth Day 2020 is all set to be celebrated digitally. People who plan on participating can join ’24 hours of action’. • One can also take 22 challenges that include measuring your carbon footprint, doing a plastic audit, skype a scientist, work for the earth, zero waste for one day and consume 1 meal per day this week on a plant-based diet. • Earth Day Network is a non-profit organization whose mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Its head office is located in Washington DC, USA.

13. Anthurium Why in News? • A women innovator from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has developed ten varieties of Anthurium, a flower with high market value, by cross-pollination. Anthurium: • An anthurium is a vast group of beautiful blooming plants available in a wide range of colours. • Anthurium is one of the best domestic flowering plants in the world.

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• They are decorative as well as purify the surrounding air and remove harmful airborne chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, xylene, and allergens. • Its importance of removing toxic substances from the air, NASA has placed it in the list of air purifier plants. • Anthurium has larger economic importance because of its eye-catching and beautiful inflorescence and fetches a good market price. • Salient features of the Anthurium varieties are ✓ Large Beautiful Flowers ✓ Different Colours of Spathe and Spadix ✓ Long Stalks ✓ Better Shelf Life ✓ Good Market Value

14. Atmospheric CO2 can Cause Cognitive Impairment Why in News? • Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations will cause urban and indoor levels of the gas to increase, and that may significantly reduce our basic decision-making ability and complex strategic thinking, according to a new study. • High level cognitive domains like decision-making and planning are especially susceptible to increasing CO2 concentrations. Highlights: • By the end of the century, people could be exposed to indoor CO2 levels up to 1400 parts per million--more than three times today's outdoor levels, and well beyond what humans have ever experienced. • Building ventilation typically modulates CO2 levels in buildings, but there are situations when there are too many people and not enough fresh air to dilute the CO2. They also build up in poorly ventilated spaces over longer periods of time, such as overnight while sleeping in bedrooms. • Put simply, when we breathe air with high CO2 levels, the CO2 levels in our blood rise, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches our brains. Studies show that this can increase sleepiness and anxiety, and impair cognitive function.

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• And outdoor CO2 in urban areas is higher than in pristine locations. The CO2 concentrations in buildings are a result of both the gas that is otherwise in equilibrium with the outdoors, but also the CO2 generated by building occupants as they exhale. • Researchers developed a comprehensive approach that considers predicted future outdoor CO2 concentrations and the impact of localized urban emissions, a model of the relationship between indoor and outdoor CO2 levels and the impact on human cognition. • They found that if the outdoor CO2 concentrations do rise to 930 ppm, that would nudge the indoor concentrations to a harmful level of 1400 ppm. At this level, some studies have demonstrated compelling evidence for significant cognitive impairment. • The cognitive impacts of rising CO2 levels represent what scientists call a "direct" effect of the gas' concentration, much like ocean acidification. In both cases, elevated CO2 itself-- not the subsequent warming it also causes--is what Triggers Harm.

15. NBWL Nod for Coal Mining in Assam Elephant Reserve Why in News? • Amid the countrywide lockdown, the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) has recommended coal mining in a part of an elephant reserve in Assam. Highlights: • The NBWL’s Standing Committee discussed a proposal for use of land from the Saleki proposed reserve forest land for a coal mining project by North-Easter Coal Field (NECF), a unit of Coal India Limited. • Saleki is a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary: • It is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts of Assam. • It belongs to Assam’s wet tropical evergreen forest category. • It includes the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary (declared in 2004) and several reserve forests in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts • It has Three Parts: Dirok Rainforest, Upper Dihing River, and Jeypore. • It is a Deciduous Rainforest Interspersed with Semi-evergreen and lush green flora, the only patch of virgin rainforest in Assam. • Part of Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary falls under another elephant reserve named.

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Dibru-Deomali. • Some of the mammals found here are pig-tailed macaque, hoolock gibbon, capped langur, Asiatic elephant, black panther, tiger, black bear, leopard, clouded leopard, squirrel, and gaur to name only a few.

16. Ideal Temperature and Relative Humidity Range this Summer Why in News? • Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the government has recently issued an advisory related to setting the ideal range for temperature of air conditioners and maintaining relative humidity. Highlights: • The guidelines were formulated by the Indian Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioner Engineers (ISHRAE) taking into consideration the climatic regions of the Indian subcontinent. • According to ISHRAE, the “best action” to limit the risk of infection by air was to ventilate indoor environments with outdoor air. Issued Guidelines: • Set Room Temperature between 24 Degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius. • Maintain Relative Humidity between 40 percent and 70 per cent. • In Humid Climates, set the temperature closer to 24 degrees Celsius for dehumidification. • In dry Climates, set the temperature closer to or at 30 degrees Celsius and use fans to increase air movement. Rationale behind the Guidelines: • Range of temperature for survival of virus: ✓ Studies conducted at various RH levels have shown that using viral culture methods low temperatures (7–8 degrees Celsius) were optimal for airborne influenza survival. ✓ Virus survival decreases progressively at moderate temperatures (20.5–24 degrees Celsius) and ✓ Virus survival further decreases at higher (greater than 30 degrees Celsius) Temperatures. • Survival of Virus on Surfaces: ✓ Guidelines also quotes a study which has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 can live for ✓ 14 days on a surface at 4 degrees Celsius,

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✓ One day at 37 degrees Celsius and ✓ Virus will die in 30 minutes at 56 degrees Celsius. • Association with the Humidity: ✓ Humidity can affect the infectivity (the ease with which infections can take place) of the virus through respiration. ✓ In a dry environment, or when there is low humidity, it is easier for foreign particles to invade the body. ✓ Therefore, relative humidity of at least 40 per cent is considered the threshold.

17. Petersberg Climate Dialogue Why in News? • India, along with 30 countries, deliberates on issues of Climate Change in the first ever virtual Petersberg Climate Dialogue. Petersberg Climate Dialogue: • The first virtual Climate Dialogue, was the eleventh session of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue. • This has been hosted by Germany since 2010 to provide a forum for informal high-level political discussions, focusing both on international climate negotiations and the advancement of climate action. • The virtual XI Petersberg Climate Dialogue was co-chaired by Germany and the United Kingdom, the incoming Presidency of the 26th Conference of Parties (COP 26) to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). • The dialogue saw participation from ministers and representatives of about 30 countries. • The Climate Dialogue was originally an initiative of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. • It is hosted by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety.

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3. POLITY & GOVERNANCE

1. Medical Devices notified as Drugs from 1st April Why in News? • The government’s regulation to classify all Medical Devices as Drugs for the prime purpose of quality control and price monitoring. Highlights: • The government is regulating 24 class of medical devices which have been notified as drugs under Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945. • Of the above, 4 medical devices viz. (i) Cardiac Stents (ii) Drug Eluting Stents (iii) • Condoms and (iv) Intra Uterine Device (Cu-T) are scheduled medical devices for which • ceiling prices have been fixed. • The remaining non-scheduled medical devices which are notified as drugs, NPPA is • currently monitoring Maximum Retail Prices. • Thus, with effect from 1st April, 2020, all Medical Devices shall be regulated by the Government as Drugs for quality control and price monitoring. • Therefore, the Maximum Retail Prices of all the Medical Devices would be monitored by the Government to ensure that no manufacturer/importer increases the MRP of a drug more than ten percent of MRP during preceding twelve months. • Further, with the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the manufacturer/importer will also be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with interest thereon from the date of increase in price in addition to penalty. Background: • Need for the Changes in Rules: • The need for change in rules came in following media reports which brought to the fore the faulty hip implants marketed by pharma major Johnson & Johnson.

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• Present State of Regulation: • Drugs fall under Concurrent List, in this regard, GOI enacted Drugs and Cosmetics • Act, 1940. • Further, some of the Medical devices were classified as drugs in 1982. • Presently, only 23 categories of medical devices have been classified as drugs under Medical Devices Rules, 2017. • Of these, only a few including cardiac stents, drug eluting cardiac stents, condoms, intrauterine devices, have been brought under price control. • Existing Penal Provisions: • There are various penal provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 for various kinds of offences. • For manufacturing or sale of substandard items: punishable with imprisonment of at least 10 years, which may extend to imprisonment for life. Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB): • It is the highest statutory decision-making body on technical matters related to drugs in the country. It is constituted as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. • It is part of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. CDSCO: • The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India. • Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for • Approval of New Drugs • Conduct of Clinical Trials • Laying down the standards for Drugs • Control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country and • Coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations by providing expert advice with a view to bring about the uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. • CDSCO along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for grant of licenses of certain specialized categories of critical Drugs such as blood and blood products, Vaccine and Sera.

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Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945: • It regulates the import, manufacture and distribution of medicines in the country. • It Also ensures that drugs and cosmetics sold in India are safe, effective and conform to state quality standards. Entrusts various responsibilities to central & state regulators for regulation of drugs & Cosmetics. The related Rules,1945 contains provisions for classification of drugs under different schedules and prescribes guidelines for the storage, sale, display and prescription of each schedule.

2. Electronic Manufacturing Scheme Why in News: • The government has recently notified three Electronic Manufacturing Scheme involving total incentives of around Rs 48,000 crore for Electronics Manufacturing. About: • The Three Schemes are • The Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for large scale electronics manufacturing. • The scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS). • The modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme. • They are expected to attract Rs 1 lakh crore investment in the sector, Boost local electronics manufacturing and generate manufacturing revenue potential of Rs 10 lakh crore by 2025 and create 20 lakh direct and indirect jobs by 2025. About Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing: • It proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the electronics value chain including electronic components and semiconductor packaging. It will get an incentive of 4 to 6% to electronic manufacturing companies on incremental sales (over base year) of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments, to eligible companies over a period of next 5 years. • It shall only be applicable for target segments namely mobile phones and specified electronic components. The production of mobile phones in the country has surged eight- times in the last four years. About the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors:

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• It is notified for manufacturing of electronics components and semiconductors has a budget outlay of Rs 3,285 crore spread over a period of eight years. • Under the scheme, a financial incentive of 25% of capital expenditure has been approved by the Union Cabinet for the manufacturing of goods that constitute the supply chain of an electronic product. • It is estimated by the government that the push for manufacturing of electronics components and electronic chips will create around 6 lakh direct and Indirect Jobs. About Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters 2.0 Scheme: • It has a total incentive outlay of Rs 3,762.25 crore spread over a period of 8 years with an objective to create 10 lakh direct and indirect jobs under the scheme. • It will provide financial assistance up to 50% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs 70 crore per 100 acres of land for setting up of Electronics Manufacturing Cluster projects. • Under the scheme, the Electronic manufacturing clusters to be set up will be spread in an area of 200 acres across India and 100 acres in North East part of the country.

3. India’s Defence Export -Import Why in News? • Based on the latest estimates released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in the period between 2009-13 and 2014-18, Indian defence imports fell even as Exports Increased. Highlights: • Indeed, the period between 2012 and 2019 saw Indian defence exports experiencing a considerable jump sourced from Indian public and private sector enterprises. • In the last two fiscal years, 2017-18 and 2018-19, exports have witnessed a surge from 7,500 crore to 11,000 crore, representing a 40% increase in exports. Small naval crafts account for the bulk of India’s major defence exports. However, export of ammunition and arms remain low. • As a percentage of total Indian trade, defence-related exports for the fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19 were 0.8 and 0.73%, respectively. • Russia’s arms export to India fell 42?tween 2014-18 and 2009-2013. In the same period, India’s arms imports decreased 24%. • Although India is still the second-largest arms importer in the world over the last five years, with Pakistan ranking at 11th.

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• Broadly, Two Factors appear to be driving this shift. • The first is the ‘Make in India’ initiative, as part of which a number of components from Indian private and public sector enterprises have been prioritised by the government. • The second set of factors is extraneous to India in the form of delays in supplying equipment by vendors and the outright cancellation of contracts by the Indian government or at least a diminution of existing contracts. Role of Make in India and DPP: • Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) lays out the terms, regulations and requirements for defence acquisitions as well as the measures necessary for building India’s defence industry. • It created a new procurement category in the revised DPP of 2016 dubbed ‘Buy Indian Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured’ (IDDM). • The ‘Make’ procedure has undergone simplification “earmarking projects not exceeding ten crores” that are government funded and 3 crore for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that are industry funded. • In addition, the government has also introduced provisions in the DPP that encourages technology transfers. • Further Government dispensed with the erstwhile No Objection Certificate (NOC) under the DPP restricting exports of aerospace products, several dual-use items and did away with two-thirds of all products under these heads. Public Sector Support: • According to government of India data for the financial year 2018-19, the three armed services for their combined capital and revenue expenditures sourced 54% of their defence equipment from Indian industry which in turn helped decrease imports and augment exports. • Among arms producers, India has four companies among the top 100 biggest arms producers of the world. • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) • Indian ordnance factories • Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) • Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) • It is estimated, according to SIPRI, their combined sales were $7.5 billion in 2017, representing a 6.1% jump from 2016.

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Impact on Exports-Imports owing to Cancellation and Delays: • Indian defence acquisitions have also fallen due to the cancellation of big-ticket items. • Take for instance the India-Russia joint venture for the development of the advanced • Su- 57 stealth Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). • India cancelled involvement in 2018 due to rising dissatisfaction in delays with the project as well as the absence of capabilities that would befit a fifth generation fighter jet. • In 2015, the government also reduced the size of the original acquisition of 126 Rafale Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) from Dassault to 36 aircraft, which is also responsible for significantly driving down the import bill. • The delays in the supplies of T-90 battle tanks, and Su-30 combat aircraft from Russia and submarines from France, in 2009-13 and 2014-18, also depressed imports. Bottlenecks in the Defence Sector: • Governments, including the incumbent, have tended to privilege Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs) over the private sector, despite ‘Make in India’. • This model is highly skewed, undermining the growth of private players and diminishes the strength of research and development, thereby impairing development of the sector. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: • SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. • Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. • Based in Stockholm, SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide. 4. Centre Defines J&K Domicile Rules Why in News? • Centre redefines Jammu and Kashmir domicile rules opening up various categories of jobs in the region to people from across the country. • The order has been defined under J&K Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment) Act. What is Domicile? • In law, domicile is the status or attribution of being a lawful permanent resident in a Particular Jurisdiction.

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As per the Changes, who is now Deemed to have Domicile? • Anyone “who has resided for a period of fifteen years in the UT of J&K”. • Or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in class 10th/12th examination in an educational institution located in the UT of J&K. • Or those registered as migrants and their children. • Or the children of those central government officials, All India service officials, Officials of Public sector undertaking, autonomous body of central government, public sector banks, officials of statuary bodies officials of central universities and recognized research institutes of central government who have served in J&K for a period of ten years. • Or children of residents of J&K who reside outside the Union Territory in connection with employment or business or for other professional or vocational reasons, but whose parents fulfil any of the conditions provided in the latest gazette notification will also be entitled to domicile status. What else the Order Says? • The Order says that the domiciles will be eligible for the purposes of appointment to any post carrying a pay scale of not more than Level 4. • The Level 4 post comprises positions such as gardeners, barbers, office peons and watermen, and the highest rank in the category is that of a Junior Assistant. Who can Issue Domicile Certificates? • The orders also empower tahsildars to issue domicile certificates. • The government has been empowered to notify any other officer as the competent authority to issue the certificate. Implications: • The order now formally allows people from outside J&K to apply for jobs in the UT. • While Level IV jobs have been reserved for people with domicile status – as per their definition in the order – other non-gazetted and gazetted jobs have been opened for people from across the country, including people domiciled in J&K.

5. Geo-fencing App to locate Quarantine Violators Why in News? • The government has tested an application that triggers e-mails and SMS alerts to an authorised government agency if a person has jumped quarantine or escaped from isolation, based on the person’s mobile phone’s cell tower location.

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What is Geo-fencing? • Geo-fencing is a location-based service in which an app or other software uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a mobile device or RFID tag enters or exits a virtual boundary set up around a geographical location. About the News: • The Centre is using powers under the Indian Telegraph Act to “fetch information” from telecom companies every 15 minutes to track COVID-19 cases across the country. • The government has tested an application that triggers e-mails and SMS alerts to an authorised government agency if a person has jumped quarantine or escaped from • isolation, based on the person’s mobile phone’s cell tower location. The “geo-fencing” is accurate by up to 300 m. • The location information is received periodically over a secure network for the authorised cases with “due protection of the data received”. • The States have been asked to seek the approval of their Home Secretaries under the provisions of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, for the specified mobile phone numbers to request the DoT to provide information by email or SMS in case of violation of “geo-fencing”. Why Geo-fencing Needed? • One of the biggest challenges that India faces in its fight against Coronavirus in the country is about tracking the potential carriers to curb the spread of this highly infectious disease. • To address this challenge, centre has come up with an application, which can be used to identify and isolate the potential carriers, who are Currently Asymptomatic. How does App work? • The mobile application works via geo-fencing feature. The application would allow government authorities to ‘register the asymptomatic carriers and track them to effectively monitor their movement. • The movement of potential carriers would be monitored and tracked using geo-fencing feature. • In case the potential carrier tried to break the fence setup for them, the app would trigger an alert to the authorities, which can then track down the suspects and curb the spread of COVID-19.

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6. E-way Bills Why in News? • Having been stuck for the last two weeks amid lockdown in the country, truckers raise concerns over e-way bills for goods in transit or in godowns, which were getting expired and could not be renewed on due dates. E-way Bills: • E-Way Bill is the short form of Electronic Way Bill. • It is a unique document/bill which is electronically generated for the specific consignment/movement of goods from one • place to another, either inter-state or intrastate and of value more than INR 50,000, required under the current Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. • It offers the technological framework to track intra-state as well as inter-state movements of goods of value exceeding Rs 50,000, for sales beyond 10 km in the GST regime. • The e-Way Bill has been made compulsory from 1st April 2018. • When e-Way Bill is generated, a unique e-Way Bill Number (EBN) is made available to the • supplier, recipient and the transporter. Who Should Generate an e-Way Bill? • GST Registered Person: • When a registered person causes the movement of goods/ consignment, either in the capacity of a consignee (i.e., buyer) or consignor (i.e., seller) in his/her vehicle or hired vehicle or railways or by air or by ship, then either the registered person or the recipient should generate the e-Way Bill. • Unregistered Person: • When an unregistered person causes the movement of goods, through his/her conveyance or hired conveyance or using the services of a transporter, then the eWay Bill needs to be generated either by the unregistered person or by the transporter.

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When Should E-Way Bill Be Issued? • Ideally, e-Way Bill should be generated before the commencement of movement of goods above the value of INR 50,000 (either individual invoice or consolidated invoice of multiple consignments). • The movement of goods will be either about a supply/ reasons other than supply (like return)/ inward supply from an unregistered person. • For purposes of an e-Way Bill, supply is considered either a payment in the course of business/ a payment which may not be in the course of business/ no consideration of payment (in the case of barter/ exchange).

7. Aarogya Setu App and Privacy Concerns Why in News? • Aarogya Setu app, launched by the government, to allow people to assess if they are at a risk of contracting Covid-19 has been under wide criticism due to concerns raised by legal experts over its Privacy Policy. What is Aarogya Setu App? • It is an app launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The app will help people in identifying the risk of getting affected by the CoronaVirus. • Once installed in a smartphone, the app detects other nearby devices with Aarogya Setu installed. • It will calculate risk based on the user's interaction with others, using cutting edge Bluetooth technology, algorithms and artificial intelligence. • The App will help the Government take necessary timely steps for assessing risk of spread of COVID-19 infection, and ensuring isolation where required. Concerns Raised Regarding thee App: • The Legal experts are of the view that there is a need for clarity on how the data collected by the app be stored and used by the government. Few of the concerns raised by them are as: • Content of data: The key issue is there is not enough information available on what data will be collected. • Usage of data: No specification on the issue of how the government will use data if the data gets shared with the government of India.

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• Duration of Data storage: On the data retention part, the app’s privacy policy specifies only the data available on the app and does not specify for how long the Government of India will retain server side data. • Proportionality Issue: Additionally, there was also a question of proportionality with the app and whether it will be as effective as envisaged in containing the Covid-19 outbreak. • Prevalence of Smartphones: India’s situation is different from countries like Singapore, where a good number of people have smartphones. In India compared to its population, smartphone users are very less which means very few people will be able to download the app. Way Ahead: • As per Supreme Court’s Judgement in the Puttaswamy case, the right to privacy is a fundamental right and it is necessary to protect personal data as an essential facet of informational privacy. • The Government of India must specify how it will deal with the app’s data and how long it will retain the server side data. The app privacy policy needs detailed clarification on data collection, its storage and uses.

8. National Security Act, 1980 Why in News? • The Uttar Pradesh government has said that six persons associated with the Tablighi Jamaat who has been accused of misbehaving with women staff at the district hospital in Ghaziabad will be charged under the National Security Act (NSA). About National Security Act, 1980: • It allows preventive detention for months, if authorities are satisfied that a person is a threat to national security or law and order. • The person does not need to be charged during this period of detention. • The goal is to prevent the individual from committing a crime. • It was promulgated on September 23, 1980, during the Indira Gandhi government. • As per the National Security Act, the grounds for preventive detention of a person include: • Acting in any manner prejudicial to the defence of India, the relations of India with foreign powers, or the security of India.

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• Regulating the continued presence of any foreigner in India or with a view to making arrangements for his expulsion from India. • preventing them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the State or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order or from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community it is necessary so to do. What the Constitution Says? • Article 22 (3) (b) of the Constitution allows for preventive detention and restriction on personal liberty for reasons of state security and public order. • Article 22(4) states that no law providing for preventive detention shall authorise the detention of a person for a longer period than three months unless: An Advisory Board reports sufficient cause for extended detention. • The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 has reduced the period of detention without obtaining the opinion of an advisory board from three to two months. • However, this provision has not yet been brought into force, hence, the original period of three months still continues. Duration: • Under the National Security Act, an individual can be detained without a charge for up to 12 months; the state government needs to be intimated that a person has been detained under the NSA. • A person detained under the National Security Act can be held for 10 days without being told the charges against them. • Appeal: The detained person can appeal before a high court advisory board but they are not allowed a lawyer during the trial. Criticisms: • The NSA has repeatedly come under criticism for the way it is used by the police. As per a Law Commission report from 2001, more than 14 lakh people (14, 57,779) were held under preventive laws in India. How is it Draconian? • Typically, if a person is arrested, then he/she enjoy certain rights bestowed by the Indian Constitution. The person has to be informed of the reason for the arrest. Under Section 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the person arrested has to be informed.

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• However, in the case of the NSA, the person can be held up to ten days without being informed of the reason. • Sections 56 and 76 of the same penal code guarantee the detained person to be produced before a court within 24 hours. Apart from this, Article 22(1) of the Constitution allows the detainee to seek legal advice from a legal practitioner. However, under the NSA, none of these above mentioned basic rights is permitted to the suspect.

9. Restrictions on Court Hearings Lawful, says Supreme Court Why in News? • The Supreme Court recently deemed all restrictions imposed on people from entering, attending or taking part in court hearings as lawful in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights: • The court said that restrictions were in tune with the social distancing norms and best public health practices advocated to contain the contagion. • Invoking its extraordinary Constitutional powers: The court invoked its extraordinary Constitutional powers under Article 142 to step away from the convention of open court hearings. The open court system ensures transparency in administration of justice. Videoconferencing: • The apex court bench assembled to suo motu streamline the videoconferencing guidelines for courts. In a series of directions, the apex court allowed the High Courts to decide the modalities for the temporary transition to the use of videoconferencing technologies in their respective States. • District courts in each State would adopt the mode of videoconferencing prescribed by the respective High Courts. • Helplines would be set up to receive and rectify technical complaints. Article 142 of the Constitution: • Article 142 provide a unique power to the Supreme Court, to do “complete justice” between the parties, i.e., where at times law or statute may not provide a remedy, the Court can extend itself to put a quietus to a dispute in a manner which would befit the facts of the case. • Article 142(1) states that “The Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or order so made shall be enforceable

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• throughout the territory of India in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, in such manner as the President may by order prescribe”.

10. Indian Migrants Across India Why in News? • The exodus of migrant workers from the cities following the announcement of the 21-day lockdown threw the spotlight on the vast number of Indians who live outside their home states. Highlights: • As per the 2011 census, the total number of internal migrants in India is 45.36 crore or 37% of the country’s population. • This includes inter-state migrants as well as migrants within each state, while the recent exodus is largely due to the movement of inter-state migrants. • The annual net flows amount to about 1 per cent of the working age population. • As per Census 2011, the size of the workforce was 48.2 crore people. • This figure is estimated to have exceeded 50 crore in 2016 — the Economic Survey pegged the size of the migrant workforce at roughly 20 per cent or over 10 crore in 2016. Estimates for 2020: • While there is no official data for the inter-state migrants in the country, estimates for 2020 • have been made by Professor Amitabh Kundu of Research and information System for Developing countries. • His estimates, which are based on the 2011 Census, NSSO surveys and economic survey, • show that there is a total of about 65 million inter-state migrants, and 33 per cent of these migrants are workers. • By conservative estimates, 30 per cent of them are casual workers and another 30 per cent work on regular basis but in the informal sector.

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• Uttar Pradesh and Bihar account for the origin of 25 per cent and 14 per cent of the total inter-state migrants, followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, at 6 per cent and 5 percent. Migration in Cities: • Delhi has a migration rate of 43%, of whom 88% are from other states and 63% are from rural areas. Mumbai has a migration rate of 55%, with 46% migrants from other states and 52% from rural areas. • Surat has a migration rate of 65%, with 50% migrants from other states and 76% from rural areas. District Wise Migration Data: • District-wise migration data in the Economic Survey for 2016-17 show that the highest influx of migrants within the country is seen in city-districts such as Gurugram, Delhi and Mumbai along with Gautam Buddh Nagar (Uttar Pradesh); Indore, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh); Bangalore (Karnataka); Thiruvallur, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Erode, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).

11. MPLADS gets Suspended for 2 Years Why in News? • The Union Cabinet has approved a 30% cut in the salaries of all Members of Parliament for a year and a two-year suspension of the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme so that the amount saved can go to the Consolidated Fund of India to fight COVID-19. What is MPLADS? • It was launched in December, 1993, to provide a mechanism for the Members of Parliament to recommend works of developmental nature for creation of durable community assets and for provision of basic facilities including community infrastructure, based on locally felt needs. • The MPLADS is a Plan Scheme fully funded by Government of India. The annual MPLADS fund entitlement per MP constituency is Rs. 5 crore. Special Focus of the Scheme: • MPs are to recommend every year, works costing at least 15 per cent of the MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste population and 7.5 per cent for areas inhabited by ST population. In order to encourage trusts and societies for the

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betterment of tribal people, a ceiling of Rs. 75 lakh is stipulated for building assets by trusts and societies subject to conditions prescribed in the Scheme Guidelines. Works under the Scheme: • Works, developmental in nature, based on locally felt needs and always available for the use of the public at large, are eligible under the scheme. Preference under the scheme is given to works relating to national priorities, such as provision of drinking water, public health, education, sanitation, roads, etc. Release of Funds: • Funds are released in the form of grants in-aid directly to the District Authorities. • The funds released under the scheme are non-lapsable. The liability of funds not released in a particular year is carried forward to the subsequent years, subject to eligibility. Execution of Works: • The MPs have a recommendatory role under the scheme. They recommend their choice of works to the concerned district authorities who implement these works by following the established procedures of the concerned state government. • The district authority is empowered to examine the eligibility of works sanction funds and select the implementing agencies, prioritise works, supervise overall execution, and monitor the scheme at the ground level. Recommendation of Works: • The Lok Sabha Members can recommend works in their respective constituencies. • The elected members of the Rajya Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the state from which they are elected. Nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may select works for implementation anywhere in the country.

12. Smart City Missions Integrated Data Dashboard Why in News? • Smart Cities of Pune, Surat, Bengaluru and Tumakuru are using the integrated data dashboards, to provide up-to-date information about the status of coronavirus in different administrative zones of their cities. Integrated data dashboard: • A data dashboard is an information management tool that visually tracks, analyzes and displays key performance indicators (KPI), metrics and key data points to monitor the health of a business, department or specific process.

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Features: • Spatial Mapping of the affected areas is made available to citizens using geo-spatial information systems. Using heat-mapping technologies and predictive analytics, the city administration will develop a containment plan and the containment zones get reflected on the dashboard. The Smart City’s integrated dashboard also monitors the quarantine facilities and tracks the health of suspected patients and their contacts placed under home quarantine. Regular updates to the citizens: In addition to providing the overall statistics on tested, confirmed, active, recovered and death cases, the dashboard provides the trends and patterns on the spread of COVID-19 within city, in terms of cumulative cases (each day), number of new confirmed cases reported (date wise), age-wise distribution of cases, zone wise distribution and gender-wise distribution. • ‘War room’ to use technology to conduct surveillance on people within 8-km radius of a confirmed patient, so as to contain the spread of the virus. • The Integrated Command and Control Centers are implementing initiatives such as • CCTV Surveillance of Public Places • GPS Tracking of Healthcare workers • Virtual Training to Doctors & Healthcare professionals • Real-time tracking of Ambulances & Disinfection Services • Medical Services through Video Conferencing and Tele-Counselling and TeleMedicine.

13. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Context: • Recently, Pharmacists, popularly known as “Swasth ke Sipahi”, of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra, are delivering essential services and medicines at doorstep of patients and elderly under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) of the Government of India. About PMBJP: • It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. Of India. • It aims to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra. • Its implementing agency is Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), which has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs.

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About the features of PMBJP: • It ensures access to quality medicines. It extends coverage of quality generic medicines so as to reduce the out of pocket expenditure on medicines and thereby redefine the unit cost of treatment per person. • It creates awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity so that quality is not synonymous with only high price. • It is a public programme involving Government, PSUs, Private Sector, NGO, Societies, Co- operative Bodies and other Institutions. • It creates demand for generic medicines by improving access to better healthcare through low treatment cost and easy availability wherever needed in all therapeutic categories. About Generic Medicine: • There is no definition of generic or branded medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 made thereunder. • Generic medicines are generally those which contain same amount of same active ingredient(s) in same dosage form and are intended to be administered by the same route of administration as that of branded medicine. • The price of an unbranded generic version of a medicine is generally lower than the price of a corresponding branded medicine because in case of generic version. • Drugs manufactured in India are regulated by irrespective of whether they are generic or branded, are required to comply with the same standards as prescribed in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 made thereunder for their quality. About Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945: • It regulates the import, manufacture and distribution of medicines in the country. • It also ensures that drugs and cosmetics sold in India are safe, effective and conform to state quality standards. • It entrusts various responsibilities to central & state regulators for regulation of drugs & Cosmetics. • The related Rules,1945 contains provisions for classification of drugs under different schedules and prescribes guidelines for the storage, sale, display and prescription of each schedule.

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14. Problems in Villages amid COVID-19 Outbreak Why in News? • With the influx of thousands of migrant labourers into their villages, the houses in villages, which are often one or two-room dwellings with an average seven family members to accommodate, are some of the worst places where one can hope to contain the deadly disease. Highlights: • Along with the absence of running water within households, the possibility of common points in village arenas becoming hotspots for this deadly contagion becomes manifold. Only a few States have been able to involve gram panchayats very effectively in this situation. For example, community kitchens are run by local bodies in Kerala, where home delivery of cooked food is spiking as the situation demands. Suggestions for Gram Panchayats: • Panchayats can work exactly in three areas: • Awareness generation, • Setting up isolation conditions, and • Streamlining social security measures announced by the Central and State Governments. • A model needs to be established, with concrete standard operating procedures and best practices that can be replicated throughout rural India. • Organisations such as Professional Assistance For Development Action (PRADAN) have been trying to influence gram panchayats in many States to coordinate with the administration to use the resources of panchayats. This should be done more. • Even with the harvesting of wheat almost over in States such as Madhya Pradesh; people are still out in the fields, but once they are done with their work it is the panchayat that can do the work effectively to confine people within their homes with adequate awareness generation. Community policing with the active engagement of panchayats, by collaborating with women’s collectives, is a potential area where a people-led movement can be kick-started in a short time span. • Despite the financial packages being rolled out to avert panic about basic food requirements, many will be left out as documentation is core to availing these social- service provisioning schemes. Without gram panchayats, it is not possible to deploy any system to adequately take prompt actions to include the excluded.

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15. PCPNDT Act Why in News? • Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has clarified that it has not suspended the PC&PNDT Act, which prohibits sex selection before or after conception. What’s the Issue? • In view of the ongoing lockdown, due of COVID19 pandemic, the Health Ministry has issued a Notification dated April 4, 2020 to defer/suspend certain provisions under the PC&PNDT Rules 1996. • These Rules pertain to applying for renewal of registration if falling due in this period, submission of reports by diagnostics centres by 5th day of the following month and submission of quarterly progress report (QPR) by the States/UTs. • But, a section of the media is speculating that the PC&PNDT (Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection)) Act 1994 has been suspended by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. About PCPNDT Act: • The Pre-conception & Pre-natal Diagnostics Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, 1994 was enacted in response to the decline in Sex ratio in India, which deteriorated from 972 in 1901 to 927 in 1991. • The main purpose of enacting the act is to ban the use of sex selection techniques before or after conception and prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technique for sex selective abortion. • Offences under this act include conducting or helping in the conduct of prenatal diagnostic technique in the unregistered units, sex selection on a man or woman, conducting PND test for any purpose other than the one mentioned in the act, sale, distribution, supply, renting etc. of any ultra sound machine or any other equipment capable of detecting sex of the foetus. Amendments Made: • The act was amended in 2003 to improve the regulation of the technology used in sex selection. • The Act was amended to bring the technique of pre conception sex selection and ultrasound technique within the ambit of the act. • The amendment also empowered the central supervisory board and state level supervisory board to be constituted.

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What are the Main Provisions in the Act? • The Act provides for the prohibition of sex selection, before or after conception. • It regulates the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques, like ultrasound and amniocentesis by allowing them their use only to detect few cases. • No laboratory or centre or clinic will conduct any test including ultrasonography for the purpose of determining the sex of the foetus. • No person, including the one who is conducting the procedure as per the law, will communicate the sex of the foetus to the pregnant woman or her relatives by words, signs or any other method. Any person who puts an advertisement for pre-natal and pre- conception sex determination facilities in the form of a notice, circular, label, wrapper or any document, or advertises through interior or other media in electronic or print form or engages in any visible representation made by means of hoarding, wall painting, signal, light, sound, smoke or gas, can be imprisoned for up to three years and fined Rs. 10,000. • The Act mandates compulsory registration of all diagnostic laboratories, all genetic counselling centres, genetic laboratories, genetic clinics and ultrasound clinics.

16. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya (PM-JAY) Context: • Recently, the National Health Authority has launched an express empanelment process called Hospital Empanelment Module (HEM) Lite to bring a large number of private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). Highlights: • With the launch of express empanelment process, patients suffering from serious illnesses, such as cancer, cardiac issues and diabetes that require continuous treatment, will be able to continue getting inpatient services without the fear of contracting the Covid -19 infection. • Hospitals can empanel themselves for a temporary period of 3 months through a simpler, user friendly online system available on the scheme’s website www.pmjay.gov.in. • Using the HEM Lite process, the system has been built in a way to ensure that the rest of the process of approvals by concerned authorities is expeditious. • The hospitals have the choice whether to provide regular treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer and cardiac illnesses under the scheme or convert themselves into covid-19 only hospitals providing dedicated testing and treatment to covid-19 patients.

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• The government recently decided to bring testing and treatment of covid-19 under AB PM- JAY scheme. About Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya (PM-JAY): • It offers a sum insured of Rs.5 lakhs per family for secondary care (which doesn’t involve a super specialist) as well as tertiary care (which does). • It is an entitlement-based scheme that targets the beneficiaries as identified by latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. Once identified by the database, the beneficiary is considered insured and can walk into any empanelled hospital. • The insurance cost is shared by the centre and the state mostly in the ratio of 60:40. • Empanelled hospitals agree to the packaged rates under PM-JAY—there are about 1,400 packaged rates for various medical procedures under the scheme. • It also has prescribed a daily limit for medical management. Significance of PM_JAY: • It will be cashless and largely paperless. The poor and vulnerable stand to benefit from the scheme. • It will be an enabler of quality, affordability and accountability in the health system. • Ayushman Bharat is expected to advance India’s pursuit of universal health coverage (UHC). This will ensure all people can access quality health services when and where they need them, without suffering financial hardship, which is also one of the WHO South-East Asia Region’s Flagship Priorities. • From the day PMJAY was launched, almost half of all eligible families are now covered for hospital care. • Another impact of the PMJAY will be rationalisation of the cost of care in the private sector. The scheme will create lakhs of jobs for professionals and non-professionals — especially women. About State Health Agency (SHA) • It is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM- JAY in the State. It will sign an MoU with express empanelled hospital for three months only. • It can continue with the empanelment on mutual agreement between hospital and SHA after this period, but only after the detailed empanelment process is followed i.e. hospital has filled the entire form and District Implementation Unit (DIU) and SHA have verified the details, etc.

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• These packaged rates also mention the number of average days of hospitalization for a medical procedure and supporting documents that are needed. • These rates are flexible, but once fixed hospitals can’t change it and under no circumstances can they charge the beneficiary. The National Health Agency has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PM-JAY in alliance with state governments. Way Forward: • There is a Need for real-time monitoring of implementation. This will allow problems to be detected early on, thereby enhancing accountability, as well as facilitating course corrections where necessary. Money must be spent wisely. The investment in frontline services is cost-effective. This must be backed up by effective and affordable hospital care. Special attention is needed to build confidence in and demand for the country’s primary care services.

17. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Expenditure Why in News? • The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has clarified that the contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or the State relief fund will not qualify as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure, while any donation to the PM CARES Fund will. What are the Key Points? • The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or State Relief Fund for COVID-19 is not included in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, and therefore any contribution to such funds shall not qualify as admissible CSR expenditure. • Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 provides the list of activities that can be included in CSR. • Some political parties criticised this saying it is discriminatory and goes against the constitutional principle of federalism. • However, donations to the State Disaster Management Authority to combat COVID- 19 can be counted as admissible CSR expenditure. What is Corporate Social Responsibility? • The term "Corporate Social Responsibility" in general can be referred to as a corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company's effects on the environment

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and impact on social welfare. In India, the concept of CSR is governed by clause 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. India is the first country in the world to mandate CSR spending along with a framework to identify potential CSR activities. • The CSR provisions within the Act is applicable to companies with an annual turnover of 1,000 crore and more, or a net worth of Rs. 500 crore and more, or a net profit of Rs. 5 crore and more. • The Act requires companies to set up a CSR committee which shall recommend a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy to the Board of Directors and also monitor the same from time to time. • The Act encourages companies to spend 2% of their average net profit in the previous three years on CSR activities. • The indicative activities, which can be undertaken by a company under CSR, have been specified under Schedule VII of the Act. The activities include: • Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty, • Promotion of education, gender equality and empowering women, • Combating Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and other diseases, • Ensuring environmental sustainability; • Contribution to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund or any other fund set up by the Central Government for socio-economic development and relief and funds for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women etc. Strategic importance of Social Responsibility: • A healthy business can only succeed in a healthy society. Thus, it is in the best interest of a company to produce only goods and services which strengthen the health of society • If the company wants to succeed in the long term it needs to have the acceptance—or licence to operate—from social actors affected by the company’s’ operations.

18. Supreme Court Orders to Release Prisoners Why in News? • Supreme Court has recently passed orders in a suo-motu hearing on measures taken to decongest prisons, correction homes and detention centres due to the outbreak of pandemic Covid-19 outbreak.

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Highlights of the Judgement: • The Bench had already passed orders to the States and the Union Territories to set up special committees in order to examine the cases of prisoners and shortlist those who could be granted bail or parole. • The Court ordered that appropriate tests for Covid-19 should be conducted on prisoners scheduled for release. • The court directed that transportation of prisoners would be done in full compliance of the rules and norms of social distancing. • In case a prisoner who has been released is suffering from coronavirus after the release, he/she shall be put in an appropriate quarantine facility by the concerned Authorities. Judgement regarding Foreigners’ Detention Centres: • The court ordered to release prisoners or detenus who have been under detention for two years in the foreigners’ detention centres in Assam on account of the Coronavirus pandemic. • The court modified its earlier order to allow these detenus to furnish a bond of Rs. 5,000 instead of Rs. 1 lakh. The Court also asked them to furnish two Indian citizens as sureties. • But the central government has objected to their release on the grounds that they will mix with the local population again.

19. Robust Digital Infrastructure Enabling Prompt Transfer of Cash Payment Why in News? • A digital pipeline has been laid to provide the necessary backbone for DBT flows, adoption of social security/pension schemes, etc. under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package. Highlights: • A digital pipeline has been established through linking of Jan-Dhan accounts as well as other accounts with the account holders’ mobile numbers and Aadhaar [Jan DhanAadhaar-Mobile (JAM)]. Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched in August, 2014 with an aim to provide bank accounts to unbanked persons. • Out of around 126 crore operative current accounts saving accounts (CASA), more than 38 crores have been opened under PMJDY. Purpose of Creating Digital Infrastructure: • Enablement of interoperable, speedy and Accurate Transactions:

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• The bank accounts are enabled to carry out both cash and digital transactions at bank branches, Business Correspondent (BC) points, merchant locations and on the internet. • Using biometric ID, highly cost-effective payments solutions like AePS/ Bhim Aadhaar Pay have been created both for banking services and for retail payments. The Digital Payment Ecosystem includes the Following Modes: • Aadhar enabled Payment System (AePS): helps in cash withdrawal by using Aadhaar authentication at branch/BC locations. • Bhim Aadhaar Pay: enables payment to merchants using Aadhaar authentication • RuPay debit cards: As on 31st March 2020, a total of 60.4crore RuPay cards have been issued including 29 crore issued in PMJDY accounts. These cards could be used at ATMs for cash withdrawal and at Points of Sale (PoS) & e-commerce for digital payments. • Unified Payment Interface (UPI): Immediate real time payment system which helps in both person to person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M) transactions. • Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS): helps in payment of utility bills through internet & BC locations both by using cash & digital modes. According to the Union Finance Ministry, using the digital payment infrastructure mentioned above, more than 30 crore poor people have received financial assistance of Rs. 28,256 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, in order to protect them from the impact of the lockdown due to COVID 19.

20. Governor’s Right in Ordering Floor Test Why in News? • The Supreme Court has upheld Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon’s March decision asking the then Congress government to prove majority by holding a floor test in the Legislative Assembly after the resignation of 22 Congress MLAs. What is a Floor Test? • A floor test is the determination on the floor of the House (in this case, the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha) whether the Chief Minister commands the support of the majority of the MLAs. • This can be done by means of a voice vote, or by recording the vote of each MLA in the House. This determination of majority is done in a sitting of the legislature, for which the legislature has to be convened.

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How Floor Test Takes Place? • This voting process happen in the state’s Legislative Assembly or the Lok Sabha at the central level. • Technically, the chief minister of a state is appointed by the Governor. The appointed chief minister usually belongs to the single largest party or the coalition which has the ‘magic number’. The magic number is the total number of seats required to form a government, or stay in power. It is the half-way mark, plus one. In case of a tie, the Speaker casts the deciding vote. However, at times, a government’s majority can be questioned. The leader of the party claiming majority has to move a vote of confidence. • If some MLAs remain absent or abstain from voting, the majority is counted on the basis of those present and voting. This effectively reduces the strength of the House and in turn brings down the majority-mark. • The voting process can happen orally, with electronic gadgets or a ballot process. • The Governor can also ask the Chief Minister to prove his or her majority in the House if the stability of the government comes into question. What is Confidence and No-confidence Motion? • A confidence motion or a vote of confidence or a trust vote, is sought by the government in power on the floor of the House. • It enables the elected representatives to determine if the Council of Ministers commanded the confidence of the House. • The idea underlying the trust vote is to uphold the political accountability of the elected government to the State legislature. • A no-confidence motion, or vote of no-confidence, or a no-trust vote, can be sought by any House member to express that they no longer have confidence in the Government. What are the Observations made by the Court? • In a situation where the governor has reasons to believe that the council of ministers headed by the chief minister has lost the confidence of the House, constitutional propriety requires that the issue be resolved by calling for a floor test. • The governor in calling for a floor test cannot be construed to have acted beyond the bounds of constitutional authority. This means, while directing a trust vote, the Governor should not favour a particular political party.

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• A Governor’s power to call for a floor test is not restricted only before the inception of a State government immediately after elections, but continues throughout its term. • The Governor’s requirement to have a trust vote does not “short-circuit” any disqualification proceedings pending before the Speaker. A Governor need not wait for the Speaker’s decision on the resignation of rebel MLAs before calling for a trust vote.

21. PPE for Sanitation Workers Why in News? • The National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) has issued advisory to municipalities, panchayats urging them to ensure that all sanitation workers are provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in order to safeguard them from the current Pandemic. Highlights of the Advisory: • There should be mandatory orientation for sanitation workers on Covid-19, social distancing norms and precautionary measures. All local bodies were asked to put in place a standard operating procedure for the safety of sanitation staff. The local bodies were asked to provide equipment, including masks, gloves, gumboots and jackets, as well as soaps and hand sanitisers for helping Maintain Hygiene. About National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC): • NSKFDC is a wholly owned Government of India Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. • It is an apex Corporation for the all round socio-economic up-liftment of the Safai Karamcharis, Scavengers and their dependents throughout India, through various loan and non-loan based schemes. • It was set up in 1997 as a “Not for Profit” Company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013). NSKFDC is also playing a vital role in elimination of manual scavenging - the worst surviving symbol of untouchability.

22. National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Context: • Recently, The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has reported that around 11,077 under trials have been released from prisons nationwide as part of the mission to decongest jails following the COVID-19 pandemic.

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About NALSA: • It has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide free legal services to weaker sections of society. • It aims to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reasons of economic or other disabilities. The ‘Nyaya Deep’ is the official newsletter of NALSA. It has also been providing assistance to prisoners who were eligible to be released on parole or interim bail under the relaxed norms, through its panel lawyers. Composition of NALSA: • The Chief Justice of India shall be the Patron-in-Chief, as per section 3(2) of Legal Service Authorities Act. • The Second senior-most judge of Supreme Court of India is the Executive-Chairman. • About the functions performed by NALSA: • It organise Lok Adalat for amicable settlement of disputes. • It Identify specific categories of the marginalised and excluded groups and formulates various schemes for the implementation of preventive and strategic legal service programmes. It provides free legal aid in civil and criminal matters for the poor and marginalised people who cannot afford the services of a lawyer in any court or tribunal. About State Legal Services Authorities: • It has been constituted to give effect to the policies and directions of the NALSA and to give free legal services to the people and conduct Lok Adalat in the State. • It is headed by Hon’ble the Chief Justice of the respective High Court who is the Patron-in- Chief of the State Legal Services Authority. About District Legal Services Authority: • It has been constituted to implement Legal Services Programmes in the District. • It is situated in the District Courts Complex in every District and chaired by the District Judge of the Respective District. About Constitutional Basis of Legal System: • Article 39A of the Constitution of India provides that State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity, and shall in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disability.

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• Articles 14 and 22(1) also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law and a legal system which promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity to all. • Legal aid strives to ensure that constitutional pledge is fulfilled in its letter and spirit and equal justice is made available to the poor, downtrodden and weaker sections of the Society.

23. Outdated Census Data Deprives over 10 Crores of PDS Why in News? • Over 10 crore people have been excluded from the Public Distribution System (PDS) because outdated 2011 census data is being used to calculate State-wise National Food Security Act (NFSA) coverage. With the 2021 census process being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, any proposed revision of PDS coverage using that data could now take several years. Highlights: • National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 gives legal entitlement to 67% of the population (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas) to receive highly subsidized food grains under the Public Distribution System. Coverage under the Act is based on the population figures of Census, 2011. Under the Act, food grain is allocated @ 5 kg per person per month for priority households category and @ 35 kg per family per month for Antodya anna Yojna (AAY) families at a highly subsidized prices of Rs. 1/-, Rs. 2/- and Rs. 3/- per kg for nutri- cereals, wheat and rice respectively. • In 2013, State-wise ratios were worked out for rural and urban areas, using National Sample Survey data, in such a manner that everyone below a given national “per-capita expenditure benchmark” is covered, meaning that PDS coverage should be higher in poorer States. Population Missed the PDS Coverage: • Under the NFSA, the PDS is supposed to cover 75% of the population in rural areas and 50% of the population in urban areas, which works out to 67% of the total population, using the rural-urban population ratio in 2011. • India’s population was about 121 crore in 2011 and so PDS covered approximately 80 crore people. However, applying the 67% ratio to a projected population of 137 crore for 2020, PDS coverage today should be around 92 crore.

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• The biggest gaps are in Uttar Pradesh (2.8 crore) followed by Bihar (1.8 crore) people. State-specific birth and death rates from 2016 were used to calculate the population growth rate and projected population estimates. • Many State governments are reluctant to issue new ration cards beyond the numbers that will be provided for by the Central quota, making it difficult to reduce exclusion errors in the PDS. This is because the State government stopped issuing new ration cards several years ago to avoid exceeding the numbers provided for by the Central government. Public Distribution System: • It is a government-sponsored chain of shops entrusted with the work of distributing basic food and non-food commodities to the needy sections of the society at very cheap prices. • Wheat, rice, kerosene, sugar, etc. are a few major commodities distributed by the public distribution system. • Food Corporation of India, a government entity, manages the public distribution system. • Concerns: The system is often blamed for its inefficiency and rural-urban bias. • It has not been able to fulfill the objective for which it was formed. Moreover, it has frequently been criticized for instances of corruption and black marketing.

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How PDS System Functions?

• The Central and State Governments share responsibilities in order to provide food grains to the identified beneficiaries. • The centre procures food grains from farmers at a minimum support price (MSP) and sells it to states at central issue prices. It is responsible for transporting the grains to godowns in each state. States bear the responsibility of transporting food grains from these godowns to each fair price shop (ration shop), where the beneficiary buys the food grains at the lower central issue price. Many states further subsidise the price of food grains before selling it to Beneficiaries.

24. Draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2020 Why in News? • For further development of the power sector, the Ministry of Power has issued a draft proposal for amendment of Electricity Act, 2003 in the form of draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 for comments or suggestions from Stakeholders. Highlights: • Supply of Quality Power at Affordable Prices is essential for sustained Growth of the Economy of the Country. • Suggestions have been invited from stakeholders within twenty one days. Major amendments proposed in the Electricity Act are as follows: • Viability of Electricity Distribution companies (Discoms): ✓ Cost reflective Tariff: To eliminate the tendency of some Commissions to provide for regulatory assets, it is being provided that the Commissions shall determine tariffs that are reflective of cost so as to enable Discoms to recover their costs.

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✓ Direct Benefit Transfer: It is proposed that tariff be determined by Commissions without taking into account the subsidy, which will be given directly by the government to the consumers. • Sanctity of Contracts: ✓ Establishment of Electricity Contract Enforcement Authority: A Central Enforcement Authority headed by a retired Judge of the High Court is proposed to be set-up with powers of the Civil Court to enforce performance of contracts related to purchase or sale or transmission of power between a generating, distribution or transmission companies. ✓ Establishment of adequate Payment Security Mechanism for scheduling of electricity: It is proposed to empower Load Dispatch Centres to oversee the establishment of adequate payment security mechanism before scheduling dispatch of electricity, as per contracts. • Strengthening the Regulatory Regime: ✓ Strengthening of the Appellate Tribunal (APTEL): It is proposed to increase the strength of APTEL to seven apart from the Chairperson so that multiple benches can be set-up to facilitate quick disposal of cases. It is also proposed to further empower the APTEL to enforce its decisions. ✓ Doing away with Multiple Selection Committees: It is proposed to have one Selection Committee for selection of Chairpersons and Members of the Central and State Commissions and uniform qualifications for appointments of Chairperson and Members of Central and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions. ✓ Penalties: In order to ensure compliance of the provisions of the Electricity Act and orders of the Commission, section 142 and section 146 of the Electricity Act are proposed to be amended to provide for higher penalties. • Renewable and Hydro Energy: ✓ National Renewable Energy Policy: It is proposed to provide for a policy document ✓ for the development and promotion of generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy. ✓ It is also proposed that a minimum percentage of purchase of electricity from hydro sources of energy is to be specified by the Commissions. ✓ Penalties: It is being further proposed to levy penalties for non-fulfilment of obligation to buy electricity from renewable and/or hydro sources of energy.

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• Miscellaneous: ✓ Cross border trade in Electricity: Provisions have been added to facilitate and develop trade in electricity with other countries. ✓ Franchisees and Distribution sub licensees: Many States Distribution Companies have been assigning the task of distribution of electricity in a particular area or city to Franchisees / Sub-Distribution Licensees. However, there was a lack of clarity regarding the legal provisions related to this. It is proposed to provide that the ✓ Distribution Companies, if they so desire, may engage Franchisees or Sub Distribution Licensees to distribute electricity on its behalf in a particular area within its area of supply, however, it will be the DISCOM which shall be the licensee, and therefore, ultimately responsible for ensuring quality distribution of electricity in its area of supply.

25. Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) Why in News? • The Union Minister for Agriculture took a review meeting of the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE): • It was established in the Ministry of Agriculture in December, 1973. • It coordinates agricultural research & education in the country. • It is the nodal agency for International Cooperation in the area of agricultural research and education in India. • It has the following four autonomous bodies under its Administrative Control: 1. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 2. Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal 3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar 4. Rani Laxmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, UP The Major Functions of DARE: • To look after all aspects of the agricultural research and Education involving coordination between the central and state agencies. • To attend all matters relating to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

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• To attend all matters concerning the development of new technology in agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resources Management, Animal Science and Marketing and Fisheries. • International co-operation in the field of agricultural research and education • Fundamental, applied and operational research and higher education including coordination of Such Research. Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan: • It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers’ welfare in June 2018 to assist and advice farmers on how to improve their farming techniques and raise Their Incomes. Implementation: • It is undertaken in 25 Villages with more than 1000 population each in Aspirational Districts identified in consultation with Ministry of Rural Development as per directions of NITI Ayog. In districts where number of villages (with more than 1000 population) is less than 25, all villages will be covered. 3 Phases of KVKs: • So far two phases of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan have been completed in which 11.05 lakh farmers were trained by KVKs. • In the third phase of KKA training of about 17 lakh farmers on diversified farming practices for doubling farmers’ income is planned.

26. Article 164(4) of the Indian Constitution Why in News? • Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray may end up losing his seat if he is not elected to the Legislative Council of the state before May 24th. About the News: • He took the oath of his office on November 28, 2019 without being a member of either the State legislature or council. • But, he will have to get elected to either of the houses of the state legislature before May 24, as Article 164(4) of the Constitution stipulates. • However, the Election Commission has already postponed Rajya Sabha polls, by-elections and civic body elections in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

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What does the Constitution Say? • Article 164 of the Constitution allows a non-legislator to occupy a post in the council of ministers, including the office of the Chief Minister for Six Months. What’s the Alternative Available Now? • Article 171 of the Constitution says the governor can nominate eminent persons from the field for literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service. • Uddhav Thackeray does not directly fit into any of the criteria mentioned but social service has a wider scope. And, if governor nominates somebody to the legislative council, his/her decision cannot be challenged in the court, at least as of the precedent right now. • The Maharashtra legislative council has two vacancies to be filled by governor’s nominations. What is the Issue Now? • Section 151A of Representation of the People Act 1951 puts a bar on the governor’s discretionary power to nominate a person to the legislative council. • It says election or nomination to vacant seats in the legislative council cannot be done “if the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is less than one year”. • The tenure of the two vacancies that arose on the account of resignations by members recently ends in June. So, the remainder of the term is less than a Year. What’s the Scope Now? • Uddhav Thackeray cannot continue unless elected to any of the houses of Maharashtra legislature after May 28. • Technically, he can be reappointed as the Maharashtra chief minister again after he resigns on May 27 or 28 and takes oath afresh. But, if Uddhav decides to resign and takes oath afresh, there could be another obstacle. • This relates to a case in Punjab, where Tej Parkash Singh of the Congress was appointed a minister in 1995 and was reappointed at the expiry of six months’ period in 1996 without getting elected to state assembly. • Litigation followed in 2001, the Supreme Court declared the resign-and-reappoint bid as “improper, undemocratic, invalid and unconstitutional”. • This judgment did not have a bearing on Tej Parkash Singh but may come in the way of Uddhav Thackeray if he takes the Same Route.

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27. Conversion of Surplus Rice to Ethanol Why in News? • Recently, the Central government has allowed the conversion of surplus rice to ethanol. Key Points: • Ethanol produced from the excess rice will be used for utilisation in making alcohol-based hand sanitizers and blending in petrol. Ethanol is one of the most variable alternatives amongst biofuels. • The National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) took the decision which will lead to utilisation of part of a huge stockpile of 30.57 million tonnes (MT) of rice which is almost 128% more than the buffer stock and strategic requirement norms. • At present, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has huge rice stock from previous years excluding the unmilled paddy lying with millers on behalf of FCI. • Using surplus rice for ethanol will address the concern of about 750 million litres of grain- based distillery capacities lying idle, due to the lack of feedstock. • The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 allows conversion of surplus quantities of food grains to ethanol when there is a projected oversupply of food grains. Criticism on Government’s Move: • This move has been criticised on the grounds that how can the government waste food stock for fuel when the considerable number of the population doesn’t have food and is suffering from malnutrition. • In recent past, the government decided to give 5 kg wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses free of cost to 800 million people, under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. • However, many poor people are unable to get the benefit out of it, due to loopholes in the PDS network. For example, a large chunk of ration card holders may not be eligible for the free grains, as they are not covered under the NFSA. • The NFSA, based on the 2011 census, had not factored in the population increase in over nine years, leaving a huge number of people out of its ambit. About National Policy on Biofuels, 2018: • Objective: ✓ To achieve 20% ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by the year 2030. ✓ It expands the scope of feedstock for ethanol production and has provided for incentives for production of advanced biofuels.

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✓ It categorises biofuels in various categories to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category. 1. Basic Biofuels or First Generation (1G): Bioalcohols, Biodiesel, etc. 2. Second Generation (2G) or Advanced Biofuels: Ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, etc. 3. Third Generation (3G): Butanol. 4. Fourth Generation (4G): Fuel from genetically engineered crops. • It expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch containing materials like corn, cassava, damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, rotten potatoes which are unfit for human consumption.

28. Scaling up Works Under MGNREGS, PMAY-G, PMGSY, NRLM Why in News? • Recently, the Union Minister for Rural Development held a Video Conference with Rural Development Ministers and concerned officers of States and Union Territories. Highlights: • The meeting was held for scaling up of works under ✓ Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), ✓ Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G), ✓ Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) in the light of the relaxation granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Non- Containment Areas amid the COVID outbreak. MGNREGA: • The Ministry has released the fund to liquidate all outstanding dues of previous years towards wages and materials. • The Minister assured the States and UTs that adequate financial resources are available for Rural Development Programmes. • There is the need for the States and UTs to proactively start Rural Development Schemes relating to employment generation, infrastructure creation and strengthening of rural livelihoods while taking all necessary COVID-19 related precautions.

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• Under MGNREGS, the focus should be on water conservation, water recharge and irrigation work in convergence with the Schemes of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Department of Land resources. MGNREGA - Ministry of Rural Development: • The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), also known as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) is Indian legislation enacted on August 25, 2005. • The MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee for 100 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. • The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Government of India is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments. • This act was introduced with an aim of improving the purchasing power of the rural people, primarily semi or unskilled work to people living below poverty line in rural India. It attempts to bridge the gap between the rich and poor in the country. Roughly one-third of the stipulated work force must be women. • Adult members of rural households submit their name, age and address with photo to the Gram Panchayat. • The Gram Panchayat registers households after making enquiry and issues a job card. • The job card contains the details of the adult member enrolled and his/her photo. Registered person can submit an application for work in writing (for at least fourteen days of continuous work) either to Panchayat or to Programme Officer. • The Panchayat/Programme officer will accept the valid application and issue dated receipt of application, letter providing work will be sent to the applicant and also displayed at Panchayat office. The employment will be provided within a radius of 5 km: if it is above 5 km extra wage will be paid. Within 15 days of submitting the application or from the day work is demanded, wage employment will be provided to the applicant. • Right to get unemployment allowance in case employment is not provided within fifteen days of submitting the application or from the date when work is sought. • Receipt of wages within Fifteen Days of Work Done. PMAY (G): • Under this scheme priority would be to complete those housing units where instalments have been given to the beneficiaries.

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PMAY(G) - Ministry of Rural Development: • Housing is one of the basic requirements for human survival. • In pursuance to the goal of Housing for all by 2022, the rural housing scheme Indira Awas Yojana has been revamped to Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin and approved during March 2016. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided for construction of pucca houses to all houseless and households living in dilapidated houses. • It is proposed that one crore households would be provided assistance for construction of pucca houses under the project during the period from 2016-17 to 2018-19. • The scheme would be implemented in rural areas throughout India except Delhi and Chandigarh. The cost of houses would be shared between Centre and States. • Funding Pattern: ✓ Under PMAY, the cost of unit assistance is to be shared between Central and State Governments in the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for North Eastern and hilly states. ✓ The unit assistance given to beneficiaries under the programme is Rs 1,20,000 in plain areas and to Rs 1,30,000 in hilly states/difficult areas /Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for Selected Tribal and Backward Districts. • The unit size is 25 sq.m including a dedicated area for hygienic cooking. • The beneficiary is entitled to 90 days of unskilled labour from MGNREGA. • The beneficiary would be facilitated to avail loan of up to Rs.70,000/- for construction of the house which is optional. • Funds will be transferred electronically directly to the account of the beneficiary. • Target Group ✓ Identification of beneficiaries eligible for assistance and their prioritisation to be done using information from Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) ensuring total transparency and objectivity.

✓ The list will be presented to Gram Sabha to identify beneficiaries who have been assisted before or who have become ineligible due to other reasons. PMGSY: • Under PMGSY, the focus should be on quick award of tenders in sanctioned road projects and starting pending road projects. • The contractors, suppliers, workers etc should be galvanised to quick start the works.

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PMGSY - Ministry of Rural Development: • Phase I: ✓ Phase I was launched in December, 2000 as a sponsored scheme with an objective to provide single all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitation of designated population size. ✓ 500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-East, hill, tribal and desert areas, ✓ 00 - 249 population in LWE districts as per Census, 2001 for overall socio-economic development of the areas. Also, upgradation (to prescribed standards) of the existing roads in those Districts where all the eligible Habitations of the designated population size have been provided all-weather road connectivity was to be taken up. ✓ However, Upgradation is not central to the Programme. In Upgradation works, priority was to be given to Through Routes of the Rural Core Network, which carry more traffic. • Phase II: ✓ The Phase II of PMGSY was approved during May, 2013. ✓ While the ongoing PMGSY - I continued, under PMGSY phase II, the roads already built for village connectivity was to be upgraded to enhance rural infrastructure. ✓ For the 12th Five Year Plan period a target of 50,000 Km length under PMGSY-II. ❖ Funding: 1. 75:25 - Centre-state ratio for the upgradation work. 2. 90:10 - For hill states, desert areas, Schedule V areas and Naxal-affected districts. • Phase III: ✓ Phase III was approved by the Cabinet during July 2019. ✓ It involves consolidation of Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals. Under the PMGSY-III Scheme, it is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 Km road length in the States. The duration of the scheme is 2019-20 to 2024-25. ✓ The funds would be shared in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and State for all States except for 8 North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) for which it is 90:10. • NRLM: ✓ The Ministry appreciated the fact that women SHGs under NRLM are making protective face covers, sanitizers, soaps and are running community kitchens in large numbers.

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Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - Ministry of Rural Development: • Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India in 2011 as a restructured version of Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY). • In 2015, the program was renamed Deendayal Antayodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM). • Mission: To reduce poverty by enabling the poor households to access gainful self- employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in appreciable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis, through building strong grassroots institutions of the poor • NRLM has set out with an agenda to cover 7 Crore rural poor households, across 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats and 6 lakh villages in the country through self-managed Self Help Groups (SHGs) and federated institutions and support them for livelihoods collectives in a period of 8-10 years. • In addition, the poor would be facilitated to achieve increased access to their rights, entitlements and public services, diversified risk and better social indicators of empowerment. • NRLM believes in harnessing the innate capabilities of the poor and complements them with capacities (information, knowledge, skills, tools, finance and collectivization) to participate in the growing economy of the country. Key Features: • Universal Social Mobilisation - At least one-woman member from each identified rural poor household, is to be brought under the Self Help Group (SHG) network in a time bound manner with special emphasis particularly on vulnerable communities. • Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) - All households identified as poor through the PIP process are the NRLM Target Group and are eligible for all the benefits under the programme. The NRLM Target Group (NTG) derived through the PIP is de-linked from the BPL. • Community Funds as Resources in Perpetuity - NRLM provides Revolving Fund (RF) and Community Investment Fund (CIF) as resources in perpetuity to the institutions of the poor, to strengthen their institutional and financial management capacity and build their track record to attract mainstream Bank Finance. • Financial Inclusion - NRLM works on both demand and supply sides of financial inclusion.

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• On the demand side, it promotes financial literacy among the poor and provides catalytic capital to the SHGs and their federations. • On the supply side, the Mission coordinates with the financial sector and encourages use of Information, Communication & Technology (ICT) based financial technologies, business correspondents and community facilitators like ‘Bank Mitras’. • Livelihoods - NRLM focuses on stabilizing and promoting existing livelihood portfolio of the poor through its three pillars – • Vulnerability reduction and Livelihoods enhancement through deepening/enhancing and expanding existing livelihoods options; • Employment - building skills for the job market outside; and • Enterprises - nurturing self-employed and entrepreneurs (for micro-enterprises). • Convergence and partnerships ✓ Convergence: NRLM places a high emphasis on convergence with other programmes of the MoRD and other Central Ministries. • Partnerships with NGOs and other CSOs. ✓ Linkages with PRIs: In view of the eminent roles of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs), it is necessary to consciously structure and facilitate a mutually beneficial working relationship between Panchayats and institutions of the poor, particularly at the level of Village Panchayats. An opportunity: • The Minister emphasised that although the challenge posed by the spread of the COVID- 19 epidemic is very serious, this challenge must be perceived as an opportunity by all States/UTs to • Develop and strengthen rural infrastructure, • Create employment opportunities in rural areas and • Facilitate diversification of rural livelihoods. • To win the fight against coronavirus, proactive States/UTs with the active support of the Union Government, ensuring rural development schemes are implemented in an effective and efficient manner is the need of the hour.

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29. Assam’s BTAD may Face Governor’s Rule Why in News? • The COVID-19 pandemic may earn Governor’s rule for the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) in Assam. About BTAD: • BTAD includes four districts of western and northern Assam which comprises of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. • The State’s Governor is the constitutional head of the BTAD that falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and is administered by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). • The BTAD and other areas mentioned under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution were also exempted from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 which was passed recently. • Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) would include the villages which are dominated by Bodos but are outside BTAD presently. Villages with non-Bodo population would be excluded from it. • Bodos living in the hills are conferred a Scheduled Hill Tribe status. • Bodo language with Devanagari script is the associate official language for the entire Assam.

Who are these Bodos? • Bodos are the single largest community among the notified Scheduled Tribes in Assam. Bodos are a part of Bodo-Kachari and constitute about 5-6% of Assam’s population. • The first organised demand for a Bodo state came in 1967-68. • The Assam Accord of 1985, gave rise to Bodo aspirations and in 1987, ABSU revived the Bodo statehood demand.

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• Bodo Security Force which arose in 1986 as an armed group renamed itself NDFB, and later split into factions. • The first Bodo accord was signed with the ABSU in 1993. It led to the creation of the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) with some limited political powers. • In 2003, the second Bodo Accord was signed by the extremist group Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF), the Centre and the state. This led to the creation of BTC, which is an autonomous body under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. What is the Issue Now? • Elections were scheduled to be held for the BTC on April 4 but were deferred indefinitely in view of the pandemic. The council’s current term expires on April 27. • One of the delegation argued that the pandemic and its aftermath would make it impossible to hold the elections in the near future. So they asked for the Governor’s rule in BTAD. • The Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), which has been ruling BTC since its creation in 2003 on the other hand, wants the term extended by six months or elections held soon. • The election can be conducted as BTAD does not have a single COVID-19 case, but it is also risky to conduct elections for the BTC which may put many lives in danger. • If the election is not conduced, then the Governor’s rule would be imposed until the election is conducted.

30. PM launches Swamitva Yojana on Panchayati Raj Diwas Why in News? • On Panchayati Raj Diwas (April 24th), the Prime Minister of India launched ‘Swamitva Yojana’ or Ownership Scheme to map residential land ownership in the Rural Sector using Modern Technology like the use of drones. About Swamitva Yojana: • The scheme is piloted by the Panchayati Raj ministry that aims to revolutionise property record maintenance in India. • The residential land in villages will be measured using drones to create a non-disputable record. • Property card for every property in the village will be prepared by states using accurate measurements delivered by drone-mapping. These cards will be given to property owners and will be Recognised by the Land Revenue Records Department.

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What would be the Benefits of the Scheme? • The delivery of property rights through an official document will enable villagers to access bank finance using their property as collateral. • The property records for a village will also be maintained at the Panchayat level, allowing for the collection of associated taxes from the owners. The money generated from these local taxes will be used to build rural infrastructure and facilities. • Freeing the residential properties including land of title disputes and the creation of an official record is likely to result in appreciation in the market value of the properties. • The accurate property records can be used for facilitating tax collection, new building and structure plan, issuing of permits and for thwarting attempts at Property Grabbing. What is the Significance of the Scheme? • The need for this Yojana was felt since several villagers in the rural areas don’t have papers proving ownership of their land. • In most states, survey and measurement of the populated areas in the villages has not been done for the purpose of attestation/verification of properties. • The new scheme is likely to become a tool for empowerment and entitlement, reducing social strife on account of discord over properties. About Panchayati Raj: • After the Constitution came into force, Article 40 made a mention of Panchayat and Article 246 empowered the state legislature to legislate with respect to any subject relating to local self-government. • Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to build democracy at the grass roots level and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country. • PRI is a system of rural local self-government in India. Local Self Government is the management of local affairs by such local bodies who have been elected by the local people. About the 73rd constitutional Amendment: • The 73rd Constitutional Amendment added Part IX titled “The Panchayats” to the Constitution. • Basic unit of democratic system-Gram Sabhas (villages) comprising all the adult members registered as voters. • Three-tier system of panchayats at village, intermediate block/taluk/mandal and district levels except in States with population is below 20 lakhs (Article 243B).

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• Seats at all levels to be filled by direct elections Article 243C (2). • Reservation of Seats: ✓ Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and the chairpersons of the Panchayats at all levels also shall be reserved for SCs and STs in proportion to their population. ✓ One-third of the total number of seats to be reserved for women. ✓ One-third offices of chairpersons at all levels reserved for women (Article 243D). • Uniform Five Year Term and elections to constitute new bodies to be completed before the expiry of the term. • In the event of dissolution, elections compulsorily within six months (Article 243E). • Independent Election Commission in each State for superintendence, direction and control of the electoral rolls (Article 243K). • Panchayats have been authorised to prepare plans for economic development and social justice in respect of subjects illustrated in Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G). • Source of Revenue (Article 243H): State legislature may authorise the Panchayats with ✓ Budgetary allocation from State Revenue. ✓ Share of revenue of certain taxes. ✓ Collection and retention of the revenue it raises. • Establish a Finance Commission in each State to determine the principles on the basis of which adequate financial resources would be ensured for panchayats and municipalities (Article 243I). • The following areas have been exempted from the operation of the Act because of the socio-cultural and administrative considerations: ✓ Scheduled areas listed under the Schedule V in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Rajasthan. ✓ The states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram. ✓ The hill areas of the district of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal for which Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council exists. • However, an Act called the Provisions of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 passed by the Government of India for the mentioned scheduled areas.

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31. Multi-system Inflammatory State Requiring Intensive Care Why in News? • Recently, the Paediatric Intensive Care Society (PICS) in the United Kingdom (UK) had observed an apparent rise in the number of children (of all ages) with a “multi-system inflammatory state requiring intensive care”. Highlights: • Children in the UK are reportedly falling ill with symptoms of high fever and swollen arteries, and doctors believe it could be coronavirus-related. • According to the PICS, there is a growing concern of a SARS-CoV-2 related inflammatory syndrome emerging in children in the UK or that there may be another unidentified infectious pathogen associated with these cases. • The National Health Service (NHS) has issued a nation-wide alert, and asked doctors to urgently report any cases with similar symptoms. • Not just the UK, doctors in Italy and Spain have also alerted authorities of similar cases. Multi-system Inflammatory State: • This rare Illness causes inflammation of the blood vessels, which leads to low Blood Pressure. It affects the entire body as it causes a build-up of fluid in the Lungs and other Organs. This condition is similar to Kawasaki disease. Patients suffering from it Require Intensive care to support the lungs, heart and other organs, according to The Guardian. Symptoms: • Children were showing abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms as well as cardiac inflammation. According to PICS, there were also overlapping symptoms of toxic shock syndrome and a typical Kawasaki disease. Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS): • It is a rare life-threatening condition caused when certain bacteria enter the body and release harmful toxins. If not treated in time, the condition could be fatal. • Symptoms include high temperature, flu-like symptoms including Headache, Sore Throat, Cough, Diarrhea, Dizziness or Fainting, Difficulty Breathing and Confusion. • Some patients suffering from TSS may need ICU admissions. Kawasaki Disease: • It is an acute inflammatory disease of the blood vessels and usually occurs in children below the age of five.

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• The inflammation caused by the disease affects many parts of the body but has a more serious effect on the heart since it causes inflammation in the coronary arteries that are responsible for supplying blood to the heart. • This results in enlargement or in the formation of aneurysms that can lead to heart attacks. Symptoms include Fever, changes in Extremities, Rashes, Redness of the Cornea, Red and cracked lips, a red tongue and lymph node Enlargement of the Neck.

3.1. POLITY & GOVERNANCE SNIPPETS

1. ‘Stranded in India’ Portal Why in News? • Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has launched a portal ‘Stranded in India’ to extend support to the foreign tourists. About ‘Stranded in India’ Portal: • It aims to act as a support network for foreign tourists stuck in various parts of the country. • It provides Comprehensive information around COVID-19 helpline numbers or call- centers that the foreign tourists can reach out to for help. • It gives variety of information around the Ministry of External Affairs control centers along with their contact information. • It also provides information around state-based/regional tourism support infrastructure. • Its Help Support section to extend help to the ones in need of further information and connect foreign tourists to concerned authorities. Its website will be featured on the Tourism Website and prominent Ministry of Tourism channels.

2. Section 269 and 270 of IPC Why in News? • Earlier an individual, who failed to disclose travel history following return from Dubai, and who later tested positive for COVID-19, was booked under Section 270 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Highlights: • Police had booked Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor under the same Section, as well as Sections 269 and 188 IPC, after she attended at least three gatherings in Lucknow,

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including a party where political leaders were present, and tested positive for the new coronavirus. • There have been other instances across the country where Sections 269 and 270 have been used to book persons defying quarantine orders for containing the spread of the pandemic. • Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) come under Chapter • XIV of the Indian Penal Code–‘Of Offences Affecting The Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals’. • While Section 269 provides for a jail term of six months and/or fine, Section 270 provides • for a jail term of two years and/or fine. • In Section 270, the word ‘malignantly’ indicates a deliberate intention on the part of the • accused. During the coronavirus outbreak, penal provisions, such as Sections 188, 269 and • 270 of the IPC, are being invoked to enforce the lockdown orders in various states. • Both Sections have been used for over a century to punish those disobeying orders issued • for containing epidemics. • The Sections were similarly enforced by colonial authorities during outbreaks of diseases • such as smallpox and bubonic plague. • Recent instances of invocation include one on March 2018, when the Health Ministry said • that failure by clinical establishments to notify a tuberculosis patient to the nodal officer • and local public health staff can be punished under Section 269 and 270.

3. Tower and Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA) Why in News? • Recently, TAIPA urged for quickly enhancing the telecom network capacity to cope with the rising data traffic amidst nation-wide lockdown. • The data traffic has surged by 30% in the last few days as more and more companies are switching to Work-From-Home. About TAIPA: • It was constituted in 2011 as an industry representative body registered under the Indian Society registration act, 1860. • All leading independent telecom infrastructure providers like Bharti Infratel, Indus Towers, ATC India Tower Corp., GTL Infrastructure, Tower Vision and Reliance Infrastructure are the members of the Society.

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• It is dedicated to interact, discuss and deliberate with the Ministries, Policy Makers, Regulators, Financial institutions and Technical bodies etc for promotion of healthy growth in telecom services. Highlights: • The metropolitan cities such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru have posted 70% rise in cellular network data. Due to the ‘work from home’ policy for both public and private employees, there has been a 30% rise in data consumption. • The Telecom services come under essential services and thereby are exempted from the lockdown. • To maintain data usage and smooth functioning of telecom services 24/7, the telecom sector needs critical, robust infrastructure. The states need to align their policies with the Centre's Right of Way (RoW) 2016 norms. About RoW 2016 Norms: • It is issued by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the rules for rollout of communication networks. • It aims to facilitate the installation of mobile towers, optic fibre and copper cables in a time-bound, non-discretionary manner. • It aims to rationalise administrative expenses across the country to a maximum of Rs 1000 per km for fibre, and a maximum of Rs 10,000 per application for overhead towers. • It provides for fast-tracking decisions on RoW permits within 60 days after application.

4. Price Monitoring & Resource Unit (PMRU) Why in News? • Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory has become 12th State/UT where the Price Monitoring & Resource Unit (PMRU) has been set up by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). • PMRUs have already been set up by the NPPA in 11 States, including Kerala, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram. PMRU: • The PMRU, a registered society, shall function under the direct control and supervision of the State Drug Controller of Jammu & Kashmir. • The unit shall be funded by the NPPA for its recurring and non-recurring expenses.

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• The PMRU shall help the NPPA and the State Drug Controller in ensuring the availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices. • It is also expected to organise seminars, training programs and other information, education and communication (IEC) activities in the areas of availability and affordability of medicines for all. • The PMRU will also collect samples of medicines, collect and analyse data and make reports with respect to availability and over-pricing of medicines for taking action under the provisions of the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO). • PMRU Mandate: To track violation of prices of essential drugs and medical devices under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO). • PMRU Functions: Offering technical help to the State Drug Controllers and the NPPA to • Monitor notified prices of medicines, • Detect violation of the provisions of the DPCO, • Look at price compliance, collect test samples of medicines, and Collect and compile market-based data of scheduled as well as non-scheduled formulations. • The PMRU is chaired by the State Health Secretary. The Member-Secretary would be Drugs Controller.

5. National Corona Survey Why in News? • Union Minister released the COVID 19 National Preparedness Survey 2020. National Preparedness Survey on COVID-19 (National Corona Survey): • The survey was conducted in 410 districts within 3 working days to attain a bird’s eye view of the governance challenges of the nation while coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives of the Survey: • To develop a comparative analysis of COVID 19 preparedness across States. • To highlight the main priorities and constraints of COVID 19 preparedness, as they are perceived by the civil servants working in the field. • To access enabling factors in making institutional/logistics/hospital preparedness, etc. • To capture trends to identify systemic and process related deficiencies, in combating COVID 19 in the districts of India.

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• The survey was conducted across all districts of India, with responses from 410 civil servants who are providing field level leadership. District Collectors and IAS officers of (2014-2018) batches who have served as Assistant Secretaries in Government of India participated in the survey.

6. Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) Why in News? • Recently, the Supreme Court extended by three months the tenure of chairperson of Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, TDSAT which is scheduled to end on 20th of this month. About TDSAT: • In order to bring in functional clarity and strengthen the regulatory framework and the disputes settlement mechanism in the telecommunication sector, the TRAI Act of 1997 was amended in the year 2000. • It was set up to adjudicate disputes and dispose of appeals with a view to protect the interests of service providers and consumers of the telecom sector. About Composition of TDSAT: • It consists of a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Central Government. • The Chairperson should be or should have been a Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court. A Member should have held the post of Secretary to the Government of India or any equivalent post in the Central Government or the State Government for a period of not less than two years or a person who is well versed in the field of technology, telecommunication, industry, commerce or administration. About Powers and Jurisdiction: • It exercises jurisdiction over Telecom, Broadcasting, IT and Airport tariff matters under the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended), the Information Technology Act, 2008 and the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008. • It also exercises original as well as appellate jurisdiction in regard to Telecom, Broadcasting and Airport tariff matters. In regard to Cyber matters the Tribunal exercises only the appellate jurisdiction.

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7. NCC cadets start serving people during COVID-19 Why in News? • Civil and police administration have started requisitioning for services of senior division National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets in fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. National Cadet Corps: • The National Cadet Corps is the youth wing of Armed Forces with its Headquarters at New Delhi. • It is a Tri-Services Organisation, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Wing, engaged in grooming the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens. • It is open to all regular students of schools and colleges on a voluntary basis. The students have no liability for active military service. A student enrolled into NCC is referred to as a “Cadet”. The NCC Day is observed on the four Sunday of November. • Its motto is ‘Unity and Discipline’. • At the National level, the Ministry of Defence deals with NCC while in all States, Education Ministry of respective states deals with NCC. NCC is headed by the Director General (DG), an Army Officer of the rank of Lieutnant General. • The NCC in India was formed with the National Cadet Corps Act of 1948. National Cadet Corps can be considered as a successor of the University Officers Training Corps (UOTC) which was established by the British in 1942. • A committee headed by Pandit H.N. Kunzru recommended a cadet organization to be established in schools and colleges at a national level.

8. Essential Commodities Act 1955 Why in News? • Recently, Union Home Secretary wrote to all chief secretary to ensure the availability of essential goods by invoking Essential Commodities Act 1955. About Essential Commodities Act 1955: • It is used by the Government to regulate the production, supply and distribution of a whole host of commodities it declares ‘essential’ in order to make them available to consumers at fair prices. • It includes list of items such as drugs, fertilisers, pulses and edible oils, and petroleum and petroleum products. The Centre can include new commodities as and when the need arises, and take them off the list once the situation improves.

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• Under the Act, the government can also fix the maximum retail price (MRP) of any packaged product that it declares an “essential commodity”. How does the Law Works? • If the Centre finds that a certain commodity is in short supply and its price is spiking, it can notify stock-holding limits on it for a specified period. • The States act on this notification to specify limits and take steps to ensure that these are adhered to. Anybody trading or dealing in a commodity, be it wholesalers, retailers or even importers are prevented from stockpiling it beyond a certain quantity. • A State can, however, choose not to impose any restrictions. But once it does, traders have to immediately sell into the market any stocks held beyond the mandated quantity. This improves supplies and Brings Down Prices. • State agencies can conduct raids to get everyone to toe the line and the errant are punished. The excess stocks are auctioned or sold through fair price shops.

9. iGOT e-learning Platform Why in News? • The Department of Personnel and Training, under the Government of India, launches a digital platform to train all healthcare and COVID-19 warriors of India. Highlights: • The e-learning platform is for all front-line workers to equip them with the training and updates in coping with the coronavirus pandemic. • Appropriate training will also prepare them for the subsequent stages of the pandemic. • The target group is Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Hygiene Workers, Technicians, Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs), Central & State Govt. Officers, Civil Defence Officials, various Police Organisations, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Service Scheme (NSS), Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Bharat Scouts & Guides (BSG) and other volunteers. iGOT Platform: • The platform delivers curated, role-specific content to each learner at his place of work or home and to any device of his choice. • iGOT platform is designed to population scale, and will provide training to around 1.50 crore workers and volunteers in the coming weeks.

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• To begin with, nine courses on iGOT have been launched on topics like Basics of COVID, ICU Care and Ventilation Management, Clinical Management, Infection Prevention through PPE, Infection Control and Prevention, Quarantine and Isolation, Laboratory Sample Collection and Testing, Management of COVID 19 Cases, COVID 19 Training. • Through its customized approach COVID warriors can learn about critical areas from this one-stop source and respond to the prevailing and emergent situations, by keeping themselves updated in a real-time manner. • The platform is well equipped to cater to the demands of unlimited requests of learning at any time anywhere. The platform can be accessed by following an easy to use manual for desktop and mobile versions, thereby making it accessible for all.

10. TRIFED Why in News? • TRIFED in collaboration with UNICEF & WHO launched digital campaign through webinar for SHGs to ensure that Tribal Gatherers carry on their work safely. Highlights: • TRIFED launched through a Webinar, Virtual training to its Trainers and Self Help Groups (SHGs) on basic orientation on Covid-19 response and key preventive measures to ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely. • It is aimed to reach more than 18,000 participants and would cover tribal regions across all the 27 States. • To ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely, TRIFED has collaborated with UNICEF and WHO for developing a digital communication strategy for promoting a digital campaign for Self Help Groups (SHGs) involved in this work, highlighting the importance of Social Distancing. • UNICEF is providing the necessary support to the SHG Centres in the form of Digital Multimedia content, Webinars for Virtual trainings, Social Media campaigns (on social distancing, home quarantine, etc.) and Vanya Radio. • Additionally, TRIFED has reached out to the Art of Living Foundation’s #iStandWithHumanity Initiative with a Stand with Tribal Families component in providing the much-needed food and ration for survival of the tribal community.

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11. AYUSH Reiterates Immunity Boosting Measures Why in News? • In the wake of the COVID 19 outbreak, entire mankind across the globe is suffering. Enhancing the body’s natural defence system (immunity) plays an important role in maintaining optimum health. • We all know that prevention is better than cure. While there is no medicine for COVID-19 as of now, it will be good to take preventive measures which boost our immunity in these times. • Ayurveda’s extensive knowledge base on preventive care, derives from the concepts of “Dinacharya” – daily regimes and “Ritucharya” – seasonal regimes to maintain a healthy life.

12. Operation SHIELD Why in News? • The Delhi government will carry out ‘Operation SHIELD’ at 21 locations identified as containment zones in the Delhi. • Operation SHIELD includes sealing, identifying and quarantining people in containment zones, doorstep delivery of essential items and door-to- door chec-king of people in those areas.

13. Revamp of Swachhata App Why in News? • The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched a revised version of the existing Swachhata-MoHUA App in order to handle the queries specific to Covid-19. Key Points: • Swachhata-MoHUA is the official platform for Swachh Bharat Mission built in partnership with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. • The app enables a citizen to post a civic-related issue (eg; a garbage dump, public toilets not cleaned, etc.) which is then forwarded to the city corporation concerned and thereafter assigned to the sanitary inspector of the particular ward.

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• Swachh Bharat Mission is being implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and by the Ministry of Jal Shakti for urban and rural areas respectively Significance of the App: • It serves as an effective digital tool (e-governance) enabling citizens to play an active role in the Swachhata of their cities and increase accountability on the part of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). • The revised version includes Covid-19 related support requests including fogging/sanitation, food, shelter and reporting violation of quarantine/lockdown, suspected cases of Infection.

14. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Why in News: • The EPFO has recently processed nearly 1.37 lakh claims and disbursed an amount of • Rs 279.65 crore since the launch of the online facility allowing advance withdrawal on • March 29, 2020. About EPFO: • It is a government organization that manages provident fund and pension accounts for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India. • It implements the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. • The Act provides for the institution of provident funds for employees in factories and other establishments. It is administered by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. It is one of the World's largest Social Security Organisations in terms of clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken. Highlights: • It allows advance withdrawal from EPF accounts was notified in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It allows withdrawal not exceeding the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the PF balance, whichever is less. • The government also relaxed withdrawal conditions from EPF accounts. • As part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, that the government will bear the cost of the provident fund contributions, both of the employer and employees—12% each—for the three months (April - June) for those establishments which have up to 100 employees and 90% of whom are earning less than ₹15,000 per month as salary.

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15. YUKTI - Young India Combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Why in News? • Recently, Union Ministry for Human Resource and Development (HRD)has launched a web-portal YUKTI (Young India Combating COVID with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation) in New Delhi. YUKTI web portal: • It’s a unique portal and dashboard to monitor and record the efforts and initiatives of MHRD. • The portal intends to cover the different dimensions of COVID-19 challenges in a very holistic and comprehensive way. • It will cover the various initiatives and efforts of the institutions in academics, research especially related to CoVID, social initiatives by institutions and the measures taken for the betterment of the total wellbeing of the students. • The portal will cover both qualitative and quantitative parameters for effective delivery of services to the academic community at large. • It will also allow various institutions to share their strategies for various challenges which are there because of the unprecedented situation of COVID-19 and other future initiatives. • The portal will give inputs for better planning and will enable MHRD to monitor effectively its activities for the coming six months. • The portal will also establish a two-way communication channel between the Ministry of HRD and the institutions so that the Ministry can provide the necessary support system to the institutions. • The portal will help in critical issues related to student promotion policies, placements related challenges and physical and mental well-being of students in these challenging times. Significance: • In these difficult times, the portal is an effort of the HRD Ministry to achieve the goals of • keeping our academic community healthy, both physically & mentally and • enable a continuous high-quality learning environment for learners. • The web platform Yukti aims to epitomize its name and prove to be a great enabler in taking the research to the ultimate stakeholders, the citizens of India.

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16. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Why in News? • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asked the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to address the concerns of the mentally ill people on the streets during the lockdown to check the spread of the novel coronavirus. • The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India. Highlights: • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an autonomous public body constituted in 1993. • It was given a statutory basis by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (PHRA). • It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights held in Paris in October 1991, and endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations. • Recommendations given by NHRC are just advisory and not binding in nature. • Apart from enquiry into complaints of violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant, the Commission also studies treaties and international instruments on human rights and make recommendations to the Government. Composition: • The NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) consists of: • A Chairperson, retired Chief Justice of India • One Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court of India • One Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court • Two Members to be appointed from among persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights • In addition, the Chairpersons of four National Commissions of • (1. Minorities 2. SC and ST 3. Women) serve as Ex Officio Members.

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17. NRLM Self Help Group Why in News? • The motivated, enthusiastic and committed women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the country formed under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is contributing in addressing COVID-19 outbreak in India. Highlights: • These women are engaged in livelihoods activities, bringing social change through awareness generation, leading movements and responding during natural calamities. • During the on-going crisis, SHG members have emerged as community warriors by contributing in every possible way to contain the spread of COVID-19. • The SHG network across the country was made aware of the various aspects of the disease (personal hygiene, social distancing etc.) through Audio Visual (AV) IEC material and advisories developed by the Health Ministry which were circulated to all State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs). In Tamil Nadu, two volunteers of SHGs are assigned to each PDS shop. They are provided gloves, masks and sanitisers and they ensure that people in the queue maintain adequate distance. • Some More Important Interventions by Various SRLMs are Mentioned here: • JEEViKA, Bihar stepped in and started working on IEC materials that would help in awareness and preparedness for the outbreak. • Rangolis for Awareness: SHG women from UP SRLM ‘Prerna’ have used their creativity to make rangolis and mark lines and circles to re-emphasise the need for 'social distancing'. They have also been making wall paintings to spread key messages about COVID prevention in their communities. • Didi Helpline: The Didi helpline, a telephonic helpline initiated by Jharkhand SRLM, is open 24 hours to help migrant labourers by providing them verified information. It enables them to provide their data to state authorities to help evacuate them from different states, back to Jharkhand. • Efforts to Dispel Fake News: Notable efforts have been made by women of Kudumbashree in Kerala, to help dispel the widespread fake news that causes panic. Through its network of WhatsApp groups, Kudumbasree is trying to propagate only the right information to the community. • These platforms are used specifically to disseminate immediate, authentic

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• information and updates on the outbreak and precautionary measures. • Through many similar responsible collective actions organized across the nation, marginalised and vulnerable women of these communities have played a significant role in the war against Coronavirus while being empowered both socially and economically.

18. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Context: • The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently recommended that all Set Top Boxes (STBs) in the country must be made Interoperable. About: • It means that consumers should be able to use the same STB across different DTH (direct- to-home) or cable TV providers. • STBs deployed in the cable TV networks are non-interoperable. It’s in the DTH players comply with licence conditions to support common interface module based interoperability. So, in practice, they are also not readily interoperable. • The Issues due to the lack of interoperability: It deprives the customer of the freedom to change her/his service provider, creates a hindrance to technological innovation and improvement in service quality and Hampers the overall sector growth. • The Interoperable STBs within the cable TV segment and similarly within the DTH segment should be developed. About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India: • It was established by an Act of Parliament (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997) to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services. It provides a fair and transparent policy environment which promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition. • The Act was amended to establish a Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.

[[[ 19. CollabCAD tool to create 3D Computer Aided Designs Why in News? • Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre (NIC) jointly launched CollabCAD.

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CollabCAD: • It is a computer-enabled software system which provides a total engineering solution from 2D drafting & detailing to 3D product design. • It helps the user to build models in virtual 3d space and create and engineering drawings for the shop floor which makes it a complete package for smart manufacturing. • The aim of this initiative is to provide a great platform to students of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country to create and modify 3d designs with free flow of creativity and imagination. This software would also enable students to create data across the network and concurrently access the same design data for storage and visualization. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): • The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of the country. • AlM’s objectives are to create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country at school, university, research institutions, MSME and industry levels. • At the school level, AIM establishes Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) in all districts across India. ATLs provide tinkering spaces to children to hone their innovative ideas and creativity. • At the university, NGO, SME and Corporate industry levels, AIM is setting up world-class Atal Incubators (AICs) that would trigger and enable successful growth of sustainable startups in every sector.

20. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) Context: • Recently, over 1.51 Crore free LPG cylinders distributed so far to the PMUY beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) in this Month. About: • Several relief measures have been announced for the welfare of poor, to provide 3 LPG cylinders (14.2 kg) free to over 8 crore beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana(PMUY) over the period of April to June 2020, under PMGKY. • The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are distributing 50 to 60 lakh cylinders per day, which includes about 18 lakh free cylinders to PMUY beneficiaries.

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About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: • It aims to provide LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections to poor households. • Its Goal is to deposit-free LPG connection is given to eligible with financial assistance of Rs 1,600 per connection by the Centre. About the Eligibility Criteria under PMUY: • The applicant must a woman above the age of 18 and a citizen of India. • The applicant should belong to a BPL (Below Poverty Line) household. • No one in the applicant’s household should own an LPG connection. • The household income of the family, per month, must not exceed a certain limit as defined by the government of the Union Territories and State Government. • The name of the applicant must be in the list of SECC-2011 data and should match with the information available in the BPL database that Oil Marketing Companies have. • The Applicant must not be a recipient of other similar schemes provided by the Government. About objectives of the PMUY: • To Empower women and protecting their health. • To Reducing the serious health hazards associated with cooking based on fossil fuel. • To Reducing the number of deaths in India due to unclean cooking fuel. • To Preventing young children from significant number of acute respiratory illnesses caused due to indoor air pollution by burning the Fossil Fuel.

21. Ramdesivir Usage in India Why in News? • The drug Remdesivir has been under the spotlight as a possible treatment for critical cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Globally, it is one of the four possible lines of treatment being investigated in the Solidarity trials under the aegis of the World Health Organization (WHO). Highlights: • While the drug is yet to get approval in any country to treat COVID-19, recent studies have claimed they have found promising results. • It is a drug with antiviral properties that was manufactured by US-based biotechnology company in 2014, to treat Ebola cases. It was also tried in patients of MERS and SARS,

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both caused by members of the coronavirus family, but experts said it did now show promising results back then. • Coronaviruses have a single-strand RNA as their genetic material. When the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 enters a human cell, an enzyme called RdRP helps the virus replicate. • Remdesivir works by inhibiting the activity of RdRP. A small cohort study used remdesivir on 61 patients in USA, Canada, Europe and Japan. These patients were critically ill with low oxygen levels, and were administered remdesivir under manufacturer Gilead’s compassionate use programme. • The study found clinical improvement in 68% of the cases, with their oxygen levels improving; 47% patients could be discharged after treatment, and more than 50% patients (17 of 30) no longer required mechanical ventilator support. • The study found that clinical improvement was less frequent in patients on invasive ventilators or among elderly people. Seven patients died despite treatment with remdesivir. The study had no control arm, meaning another group of patients who were not administered the drug, to compare outcomes of treatment with and without remdesivir. Unless such trials are conducted, the effect of the drug remains a grey zone. • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said it can consider using the drug if local manufacturers are willing to procure it. Remdesivir is currently not available in India. • Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, is undergoing multiple trials to assess if it can be used to treat severe COVID-19 cases. It works by decreasing the acidity in parts of the cell where the virus is present, thereby inhibiting it. • Ritonavir and lopinavir are two antiviral drugs used for treatment of HIV. These too work by inhibiting the virus’s RNA. Specifically, they target the enzyme that helps the virus split proteins.

22. Temporary Ration Cards Context: • The Pune Zilla Parishad has recently decided to provide temporary ‘ration cards’ to more than 80,000 undocumented people in the district. It migrants trapped by the lockdown, and to those who are unable to provide documents, has been a major concern across states. Highlights: • It is a first innovation of its kind to help larger numbers of peoples access government benefits during the Covid-19 lockdown.

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• It will use one-time Aadhaar authentication to open accounts for the people with the India Post Payments Bank. It would serve as the only authentication that will be needed for these undocumented people to draw rations from the PDS system. • It will enable the Home Delivery of grains at the gram panchayat level to avoid crowds and maintain physical distancing. • It will include individuals belonging to the Primitive Tribes and the Transgender community who are often left out of the ambit of such benefits. • The Identification of the beneficiaries has been given to the village police patil, who maintains records of outsiders in a register. • According to the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, the gram sabha has the right to identify beneficiaries — however, in the current situation when the gram sabha is not functional, a committee of three viz., the gram panchayat’s sarpanch, a member of the gram sabha, and the local police patil will identify them. • Its only verification that will be carried out is that of the kitchen of the beneficiary to prove that they qualify for the scheme. • It will widen and deepen the scope and reach of the Sharad Bhojan Yojana, under which cooked meals are provided to people in Pune district at concessional rates. • It is modelled after the Maharashtra government’s flagship Shiv Bhojan Yojana, which serves subsidised meals to the poor. • The Janakidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sansthan, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing of the Bajaj Group, will be the corporate CSR partner of the Pune Zilla Parishad for the scheme. About Public Distribution System (PDS): • It is an Indian Food Security System established under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. • It evolved as a system of management of scarcity through distribution of food grains at affordable prices. • It is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State Governments. The Central Government, through Food Corporation of India (FCI), has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of food grains to the State Governments.

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• At present, the commodities namely wheat, rice, sugar and kerosene are being allocated to the States/UTs for distribution. Some States/UTs also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oils, iodized salt, spices, etc. • National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: It legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.

23. Civil Services Day Why in News? • Recently, the Civil Services Day is celebrated on April 21 by the Government of India. About: • It is celebrated as an occasion for the civil servants to rededicate themselves to the causes of citizens and renew their commitments to public service and excellence in work. • It is chosen to commemorate the day when the first Home Minister of Independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947 at Metcalf House, Delhi. He referred to civil servants as the ‘Steel Frame of India’. • On this day, the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are presented to Districts/Implementing Units for implementation of Priority programme and innovation categories. About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: • He was born on 31st October, 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. • He was the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of independent India. • He played an important role in the integration of many Indian princely states to make an Indian federation. • Women of Bardoli bestowed the title ‘Sardar’ on Vallabhbhai Patel, which means ‘a Chief or a Leader’. • He is also remembered as the ‘Patron saint of India’s civil servants’ as he established the modern all-India services system. • The Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in Narmada district of Gujarat was built in his honour.

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24. e-Raktkosh Portal Why in News? • The Union Health minister has recently urged the use of e-Raktkosh portal as a single point for Maintaining Realtime information on status of stocks of Each Blood Group. About e-Raktkosh Portal: • It is a Centralized Blood Bank Management System. • It is a comprehensive IT solution to standardize and streamline the standard operating procedures, guidelines and workflow of blood banks across the nation. • It was inaugurated by Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoHWFW) • It enforces Drug & Cosmetic Act, National blood policy standards and guidelines ensuring proper management of blood. • It has components for management of the blood donation life cycle which Includes: ✓ The biometric Donor Management System ✓ Blood grouping, ✓ TTI screening, ✓ antibody screening, ✓ A centralized Blood Inventory Management System ✓ Bio-Medical Waste Management System for Disposal of Discarded Blood About Blood Disorder: • It is defined as any condition that impacts one or more parts of the blood, usually interfering with its ability to work correctly. • It can be Categorised as Common Blood Disorder like Anaemia and Rare Blood Disorder like Thalassemia. Types of Blood Disorder affecting • Red Blood Cells like Anemia, Pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency), Aplastic Anemia, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia etc. • White Blood Cells like Lymphoma, Leukemia, Multiple myeloma. • Blood Plasma like Haemophilia • Platelets like Thrombocytopenia.

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25. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act Why in News? • Many activists, journalists and students have been recently booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in Different Cases across the Country. About UAPA: • It was passed in 1967. It aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India. • It refers to any action taken by an individual or association intended to disrupt the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India. • It assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the Centre deems an activity as unlawful then it may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so. • It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest punishments. • It can charge both Indian and foreign nationals. It will be applicable to the offenders in the same manner, even if crime is committed on a foreign land, outside India. • Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court. • In 2004 amendment, added “terrorist act" to the list of offences to ban organisations for terrorist activities, under which 34 outfits were banned. • In August, Parliament cleared the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds provided in the Act. • It empowers the Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by the said agency. • It empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of terrorism in addition to those conducted by the DSP or ACP or above rank officer in the state.

26. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Context: • Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is recently seen in news About CRPF: • It is one of the premier Central Armed Police Forces of India (under the Ministry of Home Affairs) for internal security.

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• The other Central Armed Police Forces are Assam Rifles (AR), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). It is originally constituted as the Crown Representative Police in 1939, it is one of the oldest Central paramilitary forces. After Independence, the force was renamed as Central Reserve Police Force by an Act of Parliament on December 28, 1949. Its mission is to enable the government to maintain Rule of Law, Public Order and Internal Security effectively and efficiently, to Preserve National Integrity and Promote Social Harmony and Development by upholding supremacy of the Constitution. They played a significant role during the amalgamation of the princely States into the Indian Union. It helped the Union Government in disciplining the rebellious princely States of Junagarh and the small principality of Kathiawar in Gujarat which had declined to join the Indian Union. • Some of the important duties performed by the CRPF Include: ✓ Crowd/ Riot controlling ✓ Dealing with Left Wing Extremism ✓ Protection of VIPs and vital installations ✓ Counter Militancy/Insurgency operations ✓ Participating in UN Peacekeeping Mission ✓ Rescue and Relief operations at the time of Natural Calamities ✓ Checking environmental degradation and protection of local Flora and Fauna

27. e-Gram Swaraj Portal Why in News? • Ministry of Panchayati Raj has recently released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding e-Gram Swaraj. The application was launched on the National Panchayati Raj Day (April 24). Objective: • To bring in better transparency and strengthening of the e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country through decentralized planning, progress reporting and work-based accounting. Usage of the Portal: • It will assist in enhancing the credibility of Panchayats which would induce greater devolution of funds to PRIs. It will help in establishing a strong financial system by integrating the PRIA Soft and Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

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• The PRIA Soft is the Online Payment Module whereby Gram Panchayats are carrying out online payments to the vendors and service providers. • The main objective of introducing such a module is to have a sound financial management system in the Panchayats leading to their greater credibility and image. • These endeavours are also congruent to that of Digital India Programme which is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

28. District Mineral Foundation Context: • Recently, a report by non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has found that two key mining districts, Keonjhar in Odisha and Anuppur in Madhya Pradesh (MP), have opened creches for the children of their inhabitants by using the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds. About: • The mining districts through the creches are attempting to target malnutrition among pre- Anganwadi children through local engagement. • Creches are being executed through an expert local non-profit that looks at community participation, particularly recruiting local women as creche workers.

• Their focus is on meeting the dietary requirement of children between 0-3 years. Both districts are also working on monitoring the nutritional gains made by the children in cheches as Evidence for the Intervention. About District Mineral Foundation: • It is a trust set up as a non-profit body under the Ministry of Mines through the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act, (MMDRA) 2015. • Its objective is to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations in those districts affected by the mining works. • Its 60% of the fund is utilised for high priority areas such as drinking water supply, health care, sanitation, education, skill development, women and child care, welfare of aged and disabled people and environment conservation. • Its 40% of the fund is utilised for physical infrastructure, irrigation, energy and watershed development. Its manner of operation comes under the jurisdiction of the relevant State Government. It is expected to implement the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan

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Yojana (PMKKKY), launched on 17 September 2015 for the welfare of mining areas and affected population About Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY): • It is meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs). • To implement various developmental and welfare programs in mining affected areas that complement the existing ongoing schemes of State and Central Government. • To minimize the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts. • To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in Mining Areas.

29. SVAMITVA Scheme Why in News? • The Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj issued guidelines regarding the SVAMITVA scheme, a new initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Highlights: • SVAMITVA scheme, a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments and Survey of India, aims to provide an integrated property validation solution for rural India, engaging the latest Drone Surveying technology, for demarcating the inhabited land in rural areas. • The program is currently being implemented in six states – Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. • Under this, mapping of rural housing land can be done using the latest survey methods and drones. This scheme will help in streamlining planning and revenue collection in rural areas and ensuring clarity on property rights. • The scheme will also enable the creation of better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plans Engaging Drone Surveying Technology. • The aim of this scheme is to provide people in the rural areas with the right to document their residential properties so that they can use their property for economic purposes.

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30. Chakmas and Hajongs Why in News? • Recently, the Rights and Risks Analysis Group has sought Indian Prime Minister’s intervention in ensuring food for the Chakma and Hajong communities in Arunachal Pradesh. About: • Both Chakmas and Hajongs have allegedly not been included in the Covid-19 Economic Relief Package as part of the PM Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojana announced by the central government in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. • The Package includes, each person who is covered under the National Food Security Act gets an additional five kg wheat or rice for free, in addition to the 5 kg of subsidised foodgrain already provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS). One kg of pulse per household is also provided for free, according to regional preferences. About Chakmas and Hajongs: • The Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists, while Hajongs are Hindus. They are found in northeast India, West Bengal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. • They fled erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1964-65 and came to India and settled in Arunachal Pradesh.They lost their land to the development of the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River, Bangladesh. • The Hajongs faced religious persecution as they were non-Muslims and did not speak Bengali. In 2015, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajongs. The order was passed while hearing a plea by the Committee for Citizenship Rights of the Chakmas. • Currently, Chakmas and Hajongs are citizens by birth as per Section 3(1) of the Citizenship Act and the eligible portion of their population exercise the right to vote as citizens of India (they were given voting rights in 2004).

31. Jal Shakti Abhiyan Why in News? • Jal Shakti Abhiyan gears up for monsoon. Jal Shakti Abhiyan: • The scheme was launched in 2019 and it covered 256 water stressed districts across the country.

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• This ‘Abhiyan’ is a mass movement to bring all the stakeholders under one ambit of water Conservation Drive. • Under this Abhiyan, more than six and a half crore people became part comprising of State Govts, Central Govt, Civil Society Organisations, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Communities. • More than seventy-five lakh traditional and other water bodies and tanks were renovated and around a crore water conservation & rainwater harvesting structures were created. Focus areas of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: 1. Water conservation and rainwater harvesting 2. Renovation of traditional and other water bodies 3. Reuse of water and recharging of structures 4. Watershed development 5. Intensive afforestation

32. Anti-corruption Law Why in News? • Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has held that bribery and corruption in a deemed university can be tried under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. About: • The SC has observed that the officials of a deemed university do not perform any less of a public duty than their counterparts in other universities. • It has said that individuals, authorities connected to a deemed university come under the definition of ‘public servant’ and can be tried and punished under the anti-corruption law. About Deemed University: • This status is awarded in accordance with the Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956. Institutions that are ‘deemed-to-be-university’ enjoy academic status and privileges of a university. • The institution under the Act has the same common public duty like a university to confer academic degrees, which are recognised in the society. • An Institution of Higher Education, other than universities, working at a very high standard in a specific area of study, can be declared by the Central Government on the advice of the UGC as an Institution ‘deemed-to-be-university’.

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About Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988: • The Section 2(c)(xi) of the Prevention of Corruption Act states that a “public servant” includes “any person who is a vice-chancellor or member of any governing body, professor, reader, lecturer or any other teacher or employee, by whatever designation called, of any university. • The main object of the Act is not only to prevent the social evil of bribery and corruption, but also to make the same applicable to individuals who might conventionally not be Considered Public Servants.

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4. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. Cauvery becomes Clean due to COVD-19 Lockdown Why in News? • According to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the strict enforcement of 21-day lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the pollution in Cauvery River and its Tributaries. Key Points: • Untreated sewage from residential areas; pollutants from industries; religious waste material from pilgrims, and construction debris had been polluting the rivers. • These rivers were flowing with hazardous elements such as lead, fluoride, faecal coliform, and some suspended solids in highly dangerous quantities. • The prohibition of industrial and religious activities has helped in reducing pollution levels in the rivers. • However, the Board will test the water samples at the regional laboratory in Mysore under the national programme ‘Monitoring of Indian National Aquatic Resources' and Global Environmental Monitoring Scheme. About Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS): • It was introduced in 1975 at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. • It is a global operation that collects information to better understand and protect the Earth’s environment. This effort is made with the cooperation of other countries, who contribute data to the GEMS. About Monitoring of Indian National Aquatic Resources (MINARS): • MINARS is a National Programme of monitoring national aquatic resources. • It was started in 1984, with a total of 113 stations spread over 10 river basins. • The present network comprises 870 stations on rivers, lentic water bodies and subsurface waters. About Cauvery River: • Cauvery is a sacred river of southern India. It rises in the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats and falls in the Bay of Bengal south of Cuddalore, in Tamil Nadu. • It forms the sacred islands of Srirangapatna and Shivanasamudra and Shivanasamudra falls and also a wide delta. • Total Length of the river is about 760 km.

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• Its main tributaries are Amravati, Bhavani, Hemavati, Kabini, Shimsha, and Lakshmana Tirtha. • Its basin drains parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

2. Sodium Hypochlorite: The Chemical in the Spray Context: • Recently, in various places, migrant workers who returned from Delhi were showered with a disinfectant, apparently to sanitise them. The chemical in the spray was a sodium Hypochlorite Solution. Sodium Hypochlorite and its Uses: • Sodium hypochlorite is commonly used as a bleaching agent, and also to sanitise Swimming Pools. • As a common bleaching agent, sodium hypochlorite is used for a variety of cleaning and disinfecting purposes. • A normal household bleach usually is a 2-10% sodium hypochlorite solution. • At a much lower 0.25-0.5%, this chemical is used to treat skin wounds like cuts or scrapes. • An even weaker solution (0.05%) is sometimes used as a handwash. • It releases chlorine, which is a popularly used disinfectant. • However, large quantities of chlorine can also be Harmful. Is the Chemical Safe? • Sodium hypochlorite is corrosive and is meant largely to clean hard surfaces. • It is not recommended to be used on human beings, certainly not as a spray or shower. Even a 0.05% solution could be very harmful for the eyes.

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• A 1% solution can cause damage to the skin of anyone who comes in contact with it. • It can cause itching or burning and is not approved to be used on humans • If it gets inside the body, it can cause serious harm to Lungs. Does the Chemical get rid of the Novel Coronavirus? • The WHO recommends homemade bleach solutions of about 2-10% concentration to clean hard surfaces to clear them of any presence of the novel coronavirus. • Cleaning hard surfaces with this solution can disinfect them not just from novel coronavirus but also help prevent flu, food borne illnesses, and more. A Cause for Concern: • In Delhi, officials have reported that a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution was used in the spray applied on migrant workers’ belongings. • The concentration in other places, including those used on buildings or vehicles, is not very clear. • The solution should always be used in a well-ventilated area, while wearing gloves and protective equipment. These instances of spraying sodium hypochlorite on migrants, could be harmful to them, particularly, the children.

3. Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) Context: • Recently, the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) returns in Bihar as toddler dies in Muzaffarpur. About AES: • It is a basket term used for referring to hospitals, children with clinical neurological manifestation that includes mental confusion, disorientation, convulsion, delirium, or coma. • It is a severe case of encephalitis transmitted by mosquitoes and is characterized by high fever and inflammation of the brain. • It is coined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2006, to signify a group of diseases which seem similar to one another but are difficult to differentiate in the chaotic environment of an outbreak. • It most commonly affects children and young adults and can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality.

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• Its Symptoms include confusion, disorientation, coma, or inability to talk, high fever, vomiting, nausea, and unconsciousness. • The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme in India has set up countrywide surveillance for AES through sentinel sites with a focus on detecting Japanese encephalitis (JEV). About Cause of the Disease: • It is considered a very complex disease as it can be caused by various agents including bacteria, fungi, virus and many other agents. • Viruses are the main causative agents in AES cases, although other sources such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, spirochetes, chemicals, toxins, and noninfectious agents have also been reported over the past few decades. It is not Vaccine-Preventable. • It is mostly caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) (ranging from 5%-35%) and, Nipah virus, Zika virus, Influenza A virus, West Nile virus, Chandipura virus, mumps, measles, dengue, scrub typhus, S.pneumoniae are also found as causative agents for AES. About Litchi Fruits: • It outbreaks in north and eastern India have been linked to children eating unripe Litchi Fruit on empty stomachs. • It contains the toxins hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG), which cause vomiting if ingested in large quantities. Hypoglycin A is a naturally occurring amino acid found in the unripened litchi that causes severe vomiting (Jamaican vomiting sickness), while MCPG is a poisonous compound found in litchi seeds. How it Affects Children? • The Blood glucose falls sharply causing severe brain malfunction (encephalopathy), leading to seizures and coma, and death in many cases. • It is because the under-nourished children lack sufficient glucose reserve in the form of glycogen and the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate source is blocked midway leading to low blood sugar level. • It causes serious brain function derangement and seizures. Way Ahead: • Measures needed to be taken are by Increase access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities, improve nutritional status of children at risk of JE/AES, Preparative measures to be in place before the possible outbreaks, Vector control, Better awareness generation among children, parents through Anganwadi workers, ANMs etc.

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4. COVID-19 outbreak: What Does It Take to Build a Ventilator Why in News? • As India faces the danger of community spread of the Novel Coronavirus and a spike in Hospital Admissions, the government is seeking to ramp up its capacity of ventilators. Highlights: • As a large number of ventilators may be required soon, the Railways-owned Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has made an attempt to reverse engineer the machines. • Private sector carmakers with no experience in this line too, have also shown an interest to build the machines. Ventilators: • Ventilators (or respirators) are mechanical devices that help a patient breathe when they are unable to do so on their own. • Hospitals have a supply system for gases like oxygen, which are used in ventilators. • The ventilator takes the compressed gas (oxygen) and mixes it with other gases (because typically what we breathe is 21% oxygen from the atmosphere). • It allows you to artificially push in a certain required amount of oxygen into the patient’s lungs and allows them to deflate. Importance of Ventilators in the Outbreak: • The COVID-19 patient sometimes has interstitial pneumonia. • In this disease, the virus causes inflammation in the air passages inside the lungs called • bronchioles, causing inflammation in this area and in the alveoli (the tiny sacs that the air • is delivered to).

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• Any inflammation restricts air going inside the lungs. As the space for the exchange of air in the lungs decreases, the patient has to work harder to breathe, which may not be possible indefinitely. • Role of ventilators: As patients can’t breath at rates of 40-45 (breaths) a minute and expect to sustain life, a ventilator allows one to rest the patient’s lungs by giving them oxygen at higher rates. • Ventilators allow the patient time to heal on their own by supporting a system that would have otherwise failed. Does India have Enough Ventilators? • As of now, India’s state hospitals together have 14,220 ICU ventilators. • Additionally, government (and some private) hospitals dedicated for the management of COVID-19 patients have about 6,000 ventilators. • According to recent mathematical modelling by scientists of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), around half of those infected and in intensive care would require mechanical ventilation. • Think tank Brookings India has estimated that India could, in the worst case, need between 1 lakh and 2.2 lakh ventilators by May 15. How to Build a Ventilator? • Different types of ventilators deliver air in different modes. • To make a ventilator, one has to have core knowledge of the clinical aspects of the ventilator and the requirements of the doctors using them. • These requirements have to then be converted into engineering components that can achieve the required outputs. • Ventilators are a combination of technologies - not only software and electronics, but also pneumatics, as they Handle Gases. • They are also required to adhere to safety standards, and include a mechanism to minimise the risk to the patient in the event the device malfunctions. Classification of Ventilators: • Based on the mechanism used to deliver the air (flow-delivery mechanism), there are Three Major Classifications for Ventilators: • External compressed Air Driven Ventilators: A pneumatic (operated by air or gas under pressure) external compressed air-driven ventilator in an ICU setting would be ideal for COVID-19 patients.

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• Turbine Ventilators: Turbine ventilators, although less effective, are the next best option - they have fewer components, and it would probably be easier to scale them up. • Bellow-driven or piston ventilators. • A COVID-19 patient’s lungs are relatively stiff and the air passages are swollen. Hence, low-flow gas will not help and one would need higher pressure and high flow. Where the Problem Lies? • Only 10% domestic manufacturing: According to industry sources, only about 10% of ventilators in use in India are manufactured in the country. • The pandemic has affected global supply chains, even as demand has surged everywhere. • With imports slowing, an increased burden now lies on Indian manufacturers, who have limited capacity to scale up production. • Data from Indian manufacturers project their total monthly capacity to touch around 6,000 ventilators in a month from now. • Question of raw material: At least 40% of a ventilator’s physical components are imported from countries like the US, China, France, and Germany. These include several crucial components like sensors and displays. • Failure of the government: In a usual situation, the government has an epidemic and disaster management cell, which is supposed to store ventilators in ‘live’ mode, running and monitored. Indian government has not done this. Scaling up Domestic Manufacture of Ventilators: • Public sector: • Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), a PSU under the Ministry of Defence, is in the process of manufacturing 30,000 ventilators. • Health Ministry PSU HLL Lifecare Ltd has floated a tender for 20,000. • ICF Chennai, maker of Train 18, is attempting to manufacture ventilators. • In the Private Sector: • Mahindra & Mahindra to simplify the design of ventilators, and could start a collaboration with Tata, too. Simplifying the design would help overcome hurdles like sourcing imported components. • Maruti Suzuki India has announced an arrangement with Noida-based AgVa Healthcare to rapidly scale up production to 10,000 per month.

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5. COVID-19: Measures by RBI Context: • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced measures to fight economic disruptions caused by COVID19, including extension of the realisation period of export proceeds and allowing States to Borrow More. Realisation Period of Export Proceeds: • Presently, the value of the goods or software exports made by exporters is required to be realised fully and repatriated to the country within nine months from the date of exports. • In view of the disruption caused by the pandemic, the time period for realisation and repatriation of export proceeds for exports made up to or on July 31, 2020, has been extended to 15 months from the date of export. • The measure will enable exporters to realise their receipts, especially from COVID19 affected countries, within the extended period. • This will also provide greater flexibility to exporters to negotiate future export contracts with buyers abroad. Ways and means limit for the states: • The RBI has formed an advisory committee to review the ways and means limit for State governments and union territories. • Till the panel submits its report, the RBI has increased the ways and means advances limit by 30% for States and union territories. • This would enable State governments to tide over the situation arising from the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic. • The revised limits will come into force with effect from April 1, 2020 and will be valid till September 30, 2020. ‘Ways and Means Advances’: • It is a temporary facility to meet revenue mismatches - mismatches in receipts and payments of the government. Under this scheme, a government can avail itself of immediate cash from the RBI. Counter Cyclical Capital Buffers (CCyB): • The central bank has also deferred the implementation of counter cyclical capital buffers (CCyB) for banks. • Based on the review and empirical analysis of CCyB indicators, RBI has decided that it is not necessary to activate CCyB for a period of one year or earlier, as may be necessary.

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CCyB: • Counter Cyclical Capital buffer is the capital to be kept by a bank to meet business cycle related risks. • It is aimed to protect the banking sector against losses from changes in economic conditions. Banks may face difficulties in phases like recession when the loan amount doesn’t return. To meet such situations, banks should have their own additional capital. • This is an important theme of the Basel III norms.

6. COVID-19 and the Orphan Drug Act Why in News? • Despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared COVID-19 an Orphan Disease, or a Rare Disease. Key Points Regarding the Issue: • The FDA granted Gilead Sciences orphan drug status for its antiviral drug, Remdesivir, on March 23, 2020. • Originally developed to treat Ebola, the drug is now being tested for treating COVID-19. Clinical trials are already in Phase III. • But on March 25 Gilead announced that it had submitted a request to the FDA to remove its orphan drug designation for Remdesivir. • Earlier, Gilead had sought the orphan status to the Remdesivir drug to expedite approval of the drug. However, advocates for global access to medicines, rejected the company’s argument. • Gilead’s exorbitant pricing of its drug to treat hepatitis C and its drug to treat HIV also attracted attention in the past. • In recent years, drug companies have been accused of exploiting the law to reap profits, in sales. What is a Rare Disease? • 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.

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• Though rare diseases are of low prevalence and individually rare, collectively they affect a considerable proportion of the population. • 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin and hence disproportionately impact children. • In India there are 56-72 million people affected by rare diseases. • There is also a demand for the reformulation of National Policy for Treatment of Rare Diseases, 2017. About Orphan Drug Act, 1983: • Rare diseases became known as orphan diseases because drug companies were not interested in adopting them to develop treatments. • In the U.S., under the Orphan Drug Act, companies are provided incentives to develop therapies, or orphan drugs, for rare diseases. The Act allows seven years of market exclusivity and financial incentives to innovators of these drugs. As a result, orphan drugs are often exorbitantly priced. Privileges under the Act may be conferred to companies for drugs to treat a disease that affect less than 200,000 people in the U.S., or for a disease that affects more than 200,000 people but for which there is no hope of recovering R & D costs. The idea is that without these incentives, companies would find it difficult to recover their R&D costs given the small number of people suffering from the rare disease. About National Policy for Treatment of Rare Diseases, 2017: • The policy highlights the measures and steps, both in the short as well as in the long term, that need to be taken to deal comprehensively with rare diseases. • The policy intends to constitute an Inter-ministerial Consultative Committee to coordinate and steer the initiatives of different ministries and departments on rare diseases. • It also mentions the creation of a corpus fund at Central and State level for funding treatment of rare diseases. The policy aims to create a patient registry for diseases housed in Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). • However, recognizing the higher cost of treatment for rare diseases, the policy also seeks to strike a balance between access to treatment and health system sustainability. • It also aims to create awareness among health professionals, families of patients and the public in general, about rare diseases. Issues Regarding the Declaration: • COVID-19 not a Rare Disease: The Orphan Drug Act applies to a potential drug for COVID-19, which is anything but a rare disease, with 800,049 confirmed cases across the world.

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• Paradox: The U.S. FDA conferred the status of an orphan drug on Remdesivir proposed to treat COVID-19 a pandemic. Impacts on declaring as Orphan Disease: • Had Gilead not sought that orphan drug status be repealed, generic manufacturers would not have been able to market a drug to treat COVID-19 with the same active ingredient till the seven-year period of market exclusivity had ended. • This would have given Gilead free rein on pricing and licensing which would have had disastrous consequences on the healthcare system. • However, orphan drug status of Remdesivir would have no impact on India as Gilead Sciences holds patents in India and patents are open to challenge. • As far as its patent rights are concerned, Indian law permits the government to issue a compulsory licence in certain circumstances of a public health crisis under Section 92 of the Patents Act. • This would allow third parties to manufacture a patented drug without permission of the Patent Holder.

7. How Bats Carry Viruses but Don’t Fall Ill Themselves Why in News? • As the novel coronavirus has spread across continents, studies are underway to better understand its origin and how it is transmitted.

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Highlights: • Diseases caused by coronaviruses, such as COVID-19, are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. • The global SARS outbreak of 2002-2004, which claimed almost 800 lives in more than two dozen countries, was also traced to the horseshoe variety of bats in 2017. • According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), SARS-CoV was transmitted to humans from civet cats, and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels. Both the viruses, however, are believed to have originated from bats and subsequently passed on to other Animals. • While researchers are yet to conclude how the novel coronavirus (first detected in China’s Wuhan) originated, many believe it could be traced back to bats. Bats Natural Zoonotic Reservoir: • Many studies over the years have found bats to be a natural reservoir for a large number of zoonotic viruses that have caused outbreaks in many countries in the past. These include rabies, Marburg, Nipah and Hendra viruses. • Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China were able to trace the origin of the SARS virus to these bats in a remote cave in the country’s south eastern Yunnan province. • After years of investigating caves in several parts of China, the virologists were able to find a single population of horseshoe bats that had the virus strains which matched the ones which had been transmitted to humans. • Some experts believe that the novel coronavirus could also be traced to horseshoe bats. • Reasons behind bats surviving despite being carriers of viruses themselves • Bats are able to carry a host of viruses without becoming ill, except for rabies, which affects them. • Research suggests that bats, which make up a quarter of all mammal species, have developed stronger immune systems through the process of evolution which enabled them to fly. Studies have shown that when bats fly, the energy requirements in their bodies cause cells to break down into bits of DNA which are then released. While most organisms would treat such DNA particles as foreign invading bodies, in bats such responses are more muted. • Due to this weakened response, bats do not develop inflammations, which can cause a considerable toll on the body’s energy. • This phenomenon is believed to be the reason so many viruses can exist in their bodies.

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Observations by American Society of Microbiology: • Coronaviruses are well known to undergo genetic recombination, which may lead to new genotypes and outbreaks. • The presence of a large reservoir of SARS-CoV-like viruses in horseshoe bats, together with the culture of eating exotic mammals in southern China, is a dangerous combination. • The possibility of the re-emergence of SARS and other novel viruses from animals or laboratories and therefore the need for preparedness should not be ignored.

8. Diseases of Animal and Forest Origin Why in News? • The recent rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus across the world has focused attention on the invisible processes that help pathogens originally found in wild animals, infect the humans. Factors for the origin: • The destruction of forests and trapping or farming of wild species has brought these animals closer to humans. • The viruses they harbour find ready hosts in domestic animals, moving to humans. • Rising Activity: such as road building and mining cutting through forests bring more people in close contact with animals. • Global trade in wild species: for instance, in Wuhan the trade ranges from wolf pups to rats, civets and foxes, etc. and their sale in markets along with domestic animals. Consequences: • Unlike previous epidemics, COVID-19 has extracted a staggering toll, killing people, forcing a lockdown. • Economic devastation and recession. • Short-term high growth trajectories can come to an abrupt halt with a pandemic. • Diseases of animal origin: Examples are Ebola, HIV, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, bird flu and swine flu.

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What does these Pandemics Signify? • Maintain viable ecosystems: For instance, Nipah and Hendra viruses, involving transfer from bats to pigs in the former, and bats to horses, highlights the need of maintaining an ecosystem. • Eliminate the need for wild animals like bats to colonise human surroundings. • Conserve the biodiversity: Biodiversity in forests harmlessly retains dangerous viruses and other pathogens away from people. • Stop viewing undisturbed landscapes as an impediment to economic growth. • Warning to hasty development process: hasty permissions granted for new roads, dams, mines and power projects in already enfeebled forests can unleash more scourges. • Forest should be left undisturbed. Pristine forests with diverse species keep viruses virtually bottled up, out of man’s way. Zoonotic Diseases: • Zoonotic diseases are an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that spread from non-human animals (usually vertebrates) to Humans. Modes of Transmission: • Direct Zoonosis: the disease is directly transmitted from other animals to humans through media such as air (influenza) or through bites and saliva (rabies). • Indirect Zoonosis: transmission can also occur via an intermediate species (referred to as a vector), which carry the disease pathogen without getting infected.

9. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow on (GRACE-FO) Why in News? • Recently, a new satellite-based, weekly global maps of soil moisture and groundwater wetness conditions were developed by US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) on March 31, 2020. About GRACE- FO Mission: • It is a partnership between NASA and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). • It is a successor to the original GRACE mission, which began orbiting Earth. • The GRACE missions measure variations in gravity over Earth’s surface, producing a new map of the gravity field every 30 days.

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• It will continue the work of tracking Earth’s water movement to monitor changes in underground water storage, the amount of water in large lakes and rivers, soil moisture, ice sheets and glaciers, and sea level caused by the addition of water to the ocean. • These discoveries provide a unique view of Earth’s climate and have far-reaching benefits to society and the world’s Population. About the Global Maps produced by GRACE-FO Mission: • Its global maps are derived with data available from NASA and German Research Center for Geosciences’ • It provides the satellite-based observations of changes in water distribution were integrated with other data within a computer model that simulated water and energy cycles. • It also produces other outputs, such as the time-varying maps of the distribution of water at three depths Surface soil moisture, root zone soil moisture (roughly the top three feet of soil) and shallow groundwater. • Its map has a resolution of up to 8.5 miles, providing continuous data on moisture and groundwater conditions across the Landscape.

Significance of the Data: • The data available through this project would fill existing gaps in understanding the full picture of wet and dry conditions that can lead to drought. • It is absolutely a critical tool to helping us address and offset some of the impacts anticipated, whether it is from population growth, climate change or just increased water consumption in general. It would also help in managing the selection of appropriate agricultural crops and Predicting Yields.

10. Government shifts to ‘Large Outbreak Containment’ Context: • The Union Health Ministry has announced that India has now stepped out of the local transmission phase and moved into the “large outbreaks amenable to Containment Phase”. COVID-19 and its Spread: • With a current case doubling rate of 96 hours and the infection having spread to nearly 300 of the 736 districts across the country.

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• The protocol presently followed has been set out in the Union Health Ministry’s “Containment plan for large outbreaks” document. • This includes active surveillance for cases and expanding laboratory capacity. • The other measures under the protocol include implementation of social-distancing measures, providing chemoprophylaxis with hydroxy-chloroquine to asymptomatic healthcare workers and asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory confirmed cases. • The document also lists the hospital facilities to be provided to COVID-19 patients. The Three-Tier Arrangement • Anticipating about 15% of the patients are likely to require hospitalization, and an additional 5% will require ventilator management, the Centre has planned a three-tier arrangement for managing suspect/ confirmed cases. • Mild cases: • Will be kept in temporary makeshift Hospital Facilities • Moderate to Severe Cases • Cases requiring monitoring of their clinical status will be admitted to COVID hospitals. • Severe Cases • Cases that may progress to respiratory failure and /or progress to multi-organ failure and hence critical care facility/ dialysis facility etc shall be required. • The Ministry is also looking at scaling down operations - if no secondary laboratory confirmed COVID-19 case is reported from the geographic quarantine zone for at least four weeks after the last confirmed test has been isolated and all his contacts have been followed up for 28 days.

11. COVID-19 and Anosmia Context: • Multiple reports have surfaced, primarily from Europe and the United States, from physicians and ear, nose and throat specialists, of COVID-19 patients complaining of an inability to smell — or anosmia. • However, it is not clear whether neurons in the brain that are responsible for recognising various odours are damaged, or whether other cells may be involved.

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COVID-19: Not Directly: • A research suggests that it is not neurons but a class of cells in the upper regions of the nasal cavity that may be involved. These are called sustentacular cells and horizontal basal cells. The sustentacular cells and horizontal basal cells: • Crucially, both are not directly involved in helping us smell, but nourish and support the cells that help us do. • So the virus may be inflicting an indirect attack on the olfactory sensory cells. • Another research points out the presence of a key enzyme — called ACE 2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) — in these olfactory cells. • The coronavirus has spike proteins that bind to ACE 2 receptors on human cells and the enzyme’s presence is a proxy to reveal the signature of the virus in the body’s cells. Anosmia: • Anosmia is the partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. This loss may be temporary or permanent. It is caused by a swelling or blockage in the nose that prevents odors from getting to the top of the nose. • Respiratory viral infection is a common cause of loss of smell. The sense of smell usually returns when the infection is over. Other Main Causes of Anosmia: • Irritation to the mucous membranes lining the nose. • Blockage of the nasal passages. • Brain or nerve damage. • Complications: People with anosmia may not be able to fully taste foods and may lose interest in eating. • This can lead to weight loss or malnutrition. Ageusia: • Ageusia is a condition that is characterized by a complete loss of taste function of the tongue. • People who have a reduced ability to taste are said to have Hypogeusia. Common Causes: • Aging • Nasal airway problems. • Upper airway infection, such as sinus infection, tonsillitis, or sore throat.

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12. India lifts ban on export of Hydroxy-chloroquine Why in News? • The Government of India has announced that it had rescinded its earlier ban on the export of malaria drug hydroxyl-chloroquine (HCQ), which is now being used in countries such as the U.S. as a possible line of treatment for COVID-19. What is Hydroxy-chloroquine? • Hydroxy-chloroquine (not to be confused with anti-malaria drug chloroquine) is an oral drug used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. • Autoimmune diseases are in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells. • Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet. Hydroxy-chloroquine against COVID-19: • The drug shows antiviral activity in vitro against coronaviruses, and specifically, SARS- CoV-2 [the virus that causes COVID-19]. Further, the study suggests that prophylaxis (treatment given to prevent disease) with hydroxy-chloroquine at approved doses could prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and may help to improve viral shedding. Clinical trials are under way in China to know whether the drug can be used for treatment. Combination of Hydroxy-chloroquine with Other Drugs: • Hydroxy-chloroquine and Chloroquine: • A study suggests that both hydroxy-chloroquine and chloroquine have in vitro activity against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses, with hydroxy-chloroquine having higher potency against SARS-CoV-2. In vitro studies are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context (such as in a test tube). • In contrast to in vitro experiments, in vivo studies are those conducted in living organisms, including humans, and whole plants. • Hydroxy-chloroquine with Azithromycin: • The combination of hydroxy-chloroquine with azithromycin is a commonly used antibiotic. • The combination is expected to be efficient for virus elimination. ICMR Recommendations on use of Hydroxy-chloroquine: • The restricted population for usage of hydroxy-chloroquine include, namely, ‘Asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) Healthcare Workers’ and ‘asymptomatic household contacts’ of laboratory-confirmed cases.

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• The above mentioned population have been advised to use the hydroxy-chloroquine to contain further spread of the pandemic. • However, the drug is not recommended as a preventive healthcare in children under 15 years of age. • ICMR also advised that placing healthcare workers under hydroxy-chloroquine treatment should not instill a sense of false security and they need to follow all prescribed public health measures such as frequent washing of hands, respiratory etiquettes, keeping a distance of minimum one metre and use of personal protective equipment, etc. Cautions over the Drug: • ICMR cautioned the general public against the unrestricted use of the drug, stating that “it is still at experimental stage and is not recommended for public use.” • Hydroxy-chloroquine is recommended only for a healthcare worker who is treating a COVID-19 patient. Secondly, it's recommended only for persons staying with and caring for a household patient who has been tested positive. They can take that only for prophylaxis — only for prevention. • “The recommendation is for empirical use of the drug based on available evidence and is restricted for use by only two categories of people and under strict supervision of a doctor. What are the Concerns? • None of the drug approving agencies across the world, including the FDA, has cleared the drug for prophylaxis or for treating COVID-19 patients which ICMR has done. • The available evidence of the efficacy of the drug is a small study by French researchers involving 26 COVID-19 patients. The study found “significant” reduction in viral load in over half the number of patients at end of six days of therapy. • As the trial showed significant reduction, the results were published on March 17 in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents even before the 14-day follow-up was completed. • When there is no other drug available, and when the virus is highly contagious, it is best to use if there is some benefit. The same logic applies for other diseases where there are no medicines available. ICMR too applied the same logic in usage of this drug. • Our first obligation is to ensure that there are adequate stocks of medicines for the requirement of our own people.

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• In order to ensure this, some temporary steps were taken to restrict exports of a number of pharmaceutical products. But export of the hydroxyl-chloroquine may deem to loss of adequate supply during the pandemic crisis.

13. Cyber-attacks on Health Care Institutions Why in News? • The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has warned member countries that cybercriminals are attempting to target major hospitals and other institutions on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 with ransomware. About International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL): • Interpol is an intergovernmental organization that helps coordinate the police force of 194 member countries. • Each of the member countries hosts an Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB). This connects their national law enforcement with other countries and with the General Secretariat. • The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is designated as the National Central Bureau of India. • The General Secretariat provides a range of expertise and services to the member countries. • It is headquartered in Lyon, France • Interpol Notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critic.

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Key Points: • In an alert sent to 194 nations, including India, Interpol said that the hospitals and institutions had become targets of ransomware attacks. • Interpol’s Cybercrime Threat Response Team had detected an increase in the number of attempted ransomware attacks against key organisations and infrastructure engaged in the virus response. • Cybercriminals are using ransomware to hold hospitals and medical services digitally hostage, preventing them from accessing vital files and systems until a ransom is paid. • The attacks were designed to lock these institutions out of their critical systems in an attempt to extort payments. • Locking hospitals out of their critical system will delay the swift medical response required during these unprecedented times and it could also directly lead to deaths. • The ransomware appears to be spreading primarily via e-mails, often falsely claiming to contain information or advice regarding the coronavirus from a government agency, which encourages the recipient to click on an infected link or attachment. • Prevention and Mitigation efforts are crucial to stopping the attacks. • Interpol continues to stand by its member countries and provide any assistance necessary to ensure vital healthcare systems remain untouched and the criminals targeting them held accountable. • Interpol also issued a Purple Notice to seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals. Changed Pattern of Crimes: • Interpol warned that with a majority of people working from home due to the pandemic, there was a change in the pattern of crimes. • Following is the change • Fraudulent trade in personal protective equipment and anti-viral medicines, • Individuals/businesses on reduced income becoming potential targets of loan sharks (Persons who loan money at extremely high interest rates and often use threats of violence to collect debts). • The lockdown period has made business establishments/factories vulnerable to thefts. • Since more people were at home, the number of burglaries had dropped. But thieves are increasingly targeting factories or business premises that were locked.

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• Domestic violence cases have risen since the start of coronavirus-related quarantines, with reports showing women and children at greater risk of abuse. • Recent weeks have seen increased online activity by paedophiles (persons who are sexually attracted to children) seeking child sexual abuse material. • This is being intensified by a shortage of moderators who identify and remove offensive material from networks. Steps Taken by the Government: • Alerts received by the Government of India on the threat of ransomware/malware attacks have been communicated to the concerned departments. • Institutions and individuals have been appealed not to open any mail or link on coronavirus data or home remedies unless it is from a trusted source like a government agency. They were also cautioned about a possibility of e-mail spoofing, where a suspect operating from a remote location would send a mail that would appear as if it came from a known person.

14. Department of Pharma warns scarcity of Drugs and Medical Devices Why in News? • Recently, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has warned of a Nationwide Shortage of Medicines and Medical Devices. About the News: • It has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to take immediate steps to help the drug makers resume production under the current lockdown. • The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) had also written to all State Chief Secretaries on the problems faced by the pharma firms.

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Key Points: • The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is entrusted with ensuring the seamless production and distribution of critical life-saving medicines in the wake of the lockdown to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. • On an average, drug and medical device makers are functioning at only 20%-30% of their full capacity during the lockdown. • Production units engaged in making essential commodities, including medicines, vaccines, masks and their ancillaries have been exempted from the restrictions imposed as per the national lockdown. • If the production will not reach the pre-lockdown level soon, it would lead to shortages of medicines and medical devices in the coming weeks. • Both in the public and private sector, the seamless functioning of pharma manufacturing and distribution units is crucial in dealing with the crisis. • A helpline has been created for pharma producers’ operational complaints, which are also being referred to State Drug Controllers for suitable intervention. Challenges Ahead: • Export of Indian pharmaceuticals offer a better price in global markets which can lead to disproportionate shortages in the domestic market. • Restrictions on mobility and production in several states. • Unavailability of labour, transport and courier services. • Reverse migration (from cities to sub-urban/rural areas) of labour and local workers. • Lack of public transport options and the fear of police action. • Drivers have left their trucks on highways fearing stoppage of vehicles on State, district and city borders and lack of food and diesel on the Route. • Closure of ancillary industries which are not being considered essential by few local administrations. • They supply packaging material, excipients (required for tablets and capsules manufacturing), utility consumables like briquettes/gases (required to run boilers) and spare parts. Suggestions to Address the Grievances: • Suitable measures are needed to reduce the export and focus more on domestic needs.

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• State and district administrations need to be sensitised so that they can proactively fulfil the needs of pharma units to function fully. • Allowance to the pharma industry to ferry back their contractual workers from their native places and make courier services fully functional in metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. • Drivers with commercial licences should be allowed to move with or without a vehicle by treating it as a ‘pass’ during the lockdown. The apprehensions of the drivers need to be addressed and they also need to be motivated and incentivised.

15. Funding of WHO Why in News? • US President Donald Trump has planned to put a hold on America’s funding to the World Health Organization, accusing it of becoming China-centric during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. How it impacts WHO? • The US is the largest contributor to the WHO. The US share is part of the assessed contributions, which is more like a membership fee, calculated on the basis of a country’s wealth and population, payable on January 1 each year. • The share of assessed contributions in WHO’s annual budget has declined over the years, to the extent that they now constitute just 24%. The rest is through voluntary contributions not just from member nations but also from private organisations. • Besides, as of January 31, the US still hasn’t paid the dues for 2019 or for 2020, amounting to almost $200 million. Therefore, the impact would not be much on WHO. What is its Implication on US? • If Trump does decide to block the US’ contribution, the WHO can suspend the country’s voting rights and deny access to its services, as per Article 7 of its Constitution. About WHO: • WHO came into existence on 7 April, 1948 – a date, which is now celebrated as World Health Day every year. The organisation has more than 7,000 people working in 150 country offices, six regional offices and at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. How WHO is Governed? • The World Health Assembly (delegations from all member countries) determines the policies of the organisation. The executive board is composed of members technically qualified in health, and gives effect to the decisions and policies of the health assembly.

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• Its core function is to direct and coordinate international health work through collaboration. How is the WHO Funded? • There are four kinds of contributions that make up funding for the WHO. These are: • Assessed contributions are the dues countries pay in order to be a member of the Organization. The amount each Member State must pay is calculated relative to the country’s wealth and population. • Voluntary contributions come from Member States (in addition to their assessed contribution) or from other partners. They can range from flexible to highly earmarked. • Core voluntary contributions allow less well-funded activities to benefit from a better flow of resources and ease implementation bottlenecks that arise when immediate financing is lacking. • Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Contributions were started in 2011 to improve and strengthen the sharing of influenza viruses with human pandemic potential, and to increase the access of developing countries to vaccines and other pandemic related supplies. Who is the Largest Contributor? • The United States is currently the WHO’s biggest contributor, making up 14.67 per cent of total funding by providing $553.1 million. • The US is followed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation forming 9.76 per cent or $367.7 million. The third biggest contributor is the GAVI Vaccine Alliance at 8.39 per cent, with the UK (7.79 per cent) and Germany (5.68 per cent) coming fourth and fifth respectively. • The four next biggest donors are international bodies: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (5.09 per cent), World Bank (3.42 per cent), Rotary International (3.3 per cent), and the European Commission (3.3 per cent). • India makes up 0.48 per cent of total contributions, and China 0.21 per cent. How’s Fund Allocated? • Out of the total funds, $1.2 billion is allotted for the Africa region, $1.02 billion for Eastern Mediterranean region, $963.9 million for the WHO headquarters, followed by South East Asia ($198.7 million), Europe ($200.4 million), Western Pacific ($152.1 million), and Americas (39.2 million) regions respectively. India is part of the South East Asia region.

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• The biggest programme area where the money is allocated is polio eradication (26.51 per cent), followed by increasing access to essential health and nutrition services (12.04 per cent), and preventable diseases vaccines (8.89 per cent).

16. Success of a Local Shutdown: Agra Model Why in News? • The Centre showcased the Agra model at the daily COVID-19 briefing, and it is also being shared with other states as best practice.

Agra Model: • Nearly 259 team were set up for screening purpose which covered about 100 homes per day; doctors sat at a nearby civil dispensary, and people who showed symptoms could visit them. • Hotspot area was identified within radius of 3-km from the epicentre while a 5 km buffer zone was identified as the containment zone. • Agra covered 1.63 lakh households in a few days, took about 1000 samples. A security guard was roped in to supply daily needs to the families.

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• They utilise their existing Smart City Integrated with Command and Control Centre (ICCC) as war rooms. Under the cluster containment and outbreak containment plans, Agra identified epicentres, delineated impact of positive confirmed cases on the map and deployed a special task force as per the micro-plan made by the district administration. • In these containment zones, urban primary health centres were roped in with 1,248 teams including ANMs/ASHA/AWW, reaching out to 9.3 lakh people through household screening. Agra was also the earliest reference to community transmission in an official statement. Pathanamthitta (Kerala) Model: • As a first step, Pathanamthitta district of Kerala sealed its borders. Unlike other parts of • the country where only persons with travel history from abroad were being screened, it • decided to do so for all entering the district, from overseas, other states or even districts, • creating a database of the same. Details of those who entered the district from abroad and • across the country since January were added to the database. • In a first, it also decided to prepare route maps of the positive cases. A flow chart was • publicised to help people see if they had been present at a stated travel path at a particular • time. It launched a call centre from where enquiries were made twice daily to those under • quarantine, regarding medical and non-medical requirements. A group of engineering • students designed a ‘Corona RM’ app, where the call centre counsellors would upload • requirements of those under home quarantine. It then put in place geo-mapping of those under observation. With limited kits, they could test only 200 samples a day. So they chose categories like international travellers, interstate travellers, health workers, migrant workers, senior citizens under observation etc. Bhilwara Model: • Rajasthan’s Bhilwara was one of the early hotspots for COVID-19. • The city was completely isolated with Section 144 CRPC being imposed. • In the first phase, essential services were allowed; in the second phase, there was a total shutdown with the city and district borders sealed and check posts set up at every entry • and exit point. All trains, buses and cars were stopped. • The District Magistrates of neighbouring districts too were asked to seal their borders. The • containment zone is usually 3 km around the epicentre, and the buffer zone is 7 km. • The containment and buffer zones were turned into ‘No-Movement’ zones and cluster

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• mapping were done for COVID-19 cases. • Through this, six areas were identified and special teams were deployed for continuous • screening of suspected cases. The containment and buffer zones, all ambulances and police • vehicles, the screening centre and quarantine centres, the Collectorate, Police Line and • other public-dealing offices were disinfected on a daily basis.

17. Ebola Death in Democratic Republic of Congo Why in News? • World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recently recorded a second Ebola death in days following more than seven weeks without a new case. Key Points: • The Ebola outbreak in DRC has killed more than 2000 people since 2018. (Almost killed about two thirds of those it infected). • The cases appear when the Democratic Republic of Congo had been due to mark an end to the second-deadliest outbreak of the virus on record. • Flare-ups or one-off transmissions (sudden outburst) are common towards the end of Ebola outbreaks, and a new case does not necessarily mean that the virus will spread out of control again. • It is not yet clear how the new cases emerged. Neither there was any contact with other Ebola patients, nor the patient was a survivor of the virus which could have relapsed. About Ebola Virus Disease: • Ebola virus disease was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, the virus has been infecting people from time to time, leading to outbreaks in several African countries. • Transmission: Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are natural Ebola virus hosts. • Animal to human transmission is Possible. • Human-to-human transmission: Ebola spreads via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with: • Blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola. • Objects that have been contaminated with body fluids (like blood, feces, vomit) from a person sick with Ebola or the body of a person who died from Ebola.

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Diagnostic Methods: • Antibody-capture Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). It also tests Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and Kyasanur Forest Disease. • Antigen-capture detection tests • Serum neutralization test • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay • Electron microscopy • Virus isolation by cell culture. • Vaccines: An experimental Ebola vaccine, called rVSV-ZEBOV proved highly protective against EVD in a major trial in Guinea in 2015.

18. CM Fund Contributions to Not Qualify as CSR Spend Why in News? • The Ministry of Commerce has clarified that the contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or the State relief fund will not qualify as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure, while any donation to the PM CARES Fund will. Highlights: • Ministry of Commerce also said that Ex-gratia payments made to temporary, casual and daily wage workers by companies will be considered as CSR expenditure under the companies law, provided that such payments are over and above disbursement of wages. • Under the Companies Act, 2013, certain classes of profitable entities are required to spend at least 2 % of their three-year average annual net profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013: • The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund’ or ‘State Relief Fund for COVID-19’ is not included in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, and therefore any contribution to such funds shall not qualify as admissible CSR expenditure. • Schedule VII shows activities which may be included by companies in their Corporate Social Responsibility Policies Activities Relating to: • Eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition, and sanitation and making available safe drinking water.

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• Promoting education, including special education and employment enhancing vocation skills especially among children, women, elderly and the differently abled and livelihood enhancement projects. • Promoting gender equality, empowering women; setting up old age homes, day care centres and such other facilities for senior citizens. • Ensuring environmental sustainability, protection of flora and fauna, animal welfare, agroforestry, conservation of natural resources and maintaining quality of soil, air and water [including contribution to the Clean Ganga Fund] • Historical importance and works of art; setting up public libraries; promotion and development of traditional art and Handicrafts; • Measures for the benefit of armed forces veterans, war widows and their dependents; • Training to promote rural sports, nationally recognised sports, Paralympic sports and Olympic sports Contribution to the prime minister’s national relief fund or any other fund set up by the central govt. for socio economic development and relief and welfare of the schedule caste, tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women; • Contribution to incubators funded by Central/state Government or any agency or PSU, and contributions to public funded Universities, Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), National Laboratories and Autonomous Bodies engaged in conducting research in science, technology, engineering and medicine aimed at promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) • Rural development projects; • Slum area development; • Disaster management, including relief, rehabilitation and Reconstruction Activities.

19. COVID-19 and its Effects on Measles Immunisation Program Why in News? • Recently, the UN noted that around 117 million children worldwide are at risk of contracting measles because dozens of countries are curtailing their vaccination programmes as they battle COVID19. Highlights: • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, measles immunisation campaigns have been delayed in 24 countries and will be cancelled in 13 others where healthcare systems are already inadequate.

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• While there is a vaccine for measles, the disease claimed 140,000 lives of mostly infants and babies in 2018. • The coronavirus pandemic, which has necessitated many prevention measures including strict lockdowns, has kept infants from getting routine immunisation services from some other diseases such as polio, yellow fever and cholera. Measles: • Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and despite the availability of a vaccine against it, it remains to be a leading cause of death among young children globally. • The disease is transmitted via droplets released from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. • The initial symptoms occur 10-12 days after contracting the infection and include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes and the appearance of white spots on the inside of the Mouth. • Some of the most serious complications arising out of the disease include blindness, encephalitis (brain swelling), severe Diarrhoea, dehydration and severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia. • The disease is still common in parts of Africa and Asia and is more likely among poorly nourished children, especially those who are deficient in vitamin A. Effects on Mass Immunisation Drives: • Mass immunisation drives and routine vaccination for children are the key public health strategies against the disease. Therefore, delaying the campaigns affects these strategies, potentially putting the life of thousands of children at risk. • Countries including Mexico, Bolivia, Lebanon, Nepal and Chile among others have delayed their immunisation campaigns. It notes that children in rich countries are also not totally immune to this disease, since many parents (presumably a part of the antivaccination movement) refuse to get their children vaccinated. • The WHO released an interim guideline for carrying out immunisation activities during COVID-19, which says if immunisation actvities are negatively impacted during the pandemic, respective countries will need to design strategies for delivering “catch-up” vaccines after the outbreak subsides.

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20. ICMR recommends Testing of Pooled Samples Why in News? • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently issued an advisory for using pooled samples for testing of COVID-19 in order to increase the number of tests conducted by laboratories across the country. What is Pooled Testing? • In a pooled testing algorithm, samples of multiple individuals are put together in a tube and screened through the PCR test. • If positive: If the pooled test turns out to be positive the individual samples under are tested, which is referred to as pool de-convolution. • If negative: If there’s no positive result, all individual samples in the pool are regarded as negative. Recommendations of ICMR for Pooled Testing: • Maximum number for pooling: • While more than two samples can be pooled together, the number should not exceed five samples to avoid sample dilution, which can lead to false negatives. • Ideal areas for its Use: • This method can be used in areas where the prevalence of COVID-19 is low, which implies a positivity rate of less than two percent. • In areas with a positivity rate between two to five percent, sample pooling of PCR screening may be considered in a community survey of surveillance among asymptomatic individuals. • Pooling of samples is not recommended in areas or populations with positivity rates of over five per cent. • Non-inclusion of likely Positive Cases: • Samples of individuals with known contact with confirmed cases or healthcare workers should not be included in the Pooled Samples. What are its Significance? • Substantial Cost Savings and Reduction in Requirement of Testing Kits: • For example, if a pooled sample consists of the samples of five individuals and it tests negative, the cost of four testing kits is saved and more number of people are covered with fewer resources.

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• The “door to door” approach of collecting pooled samples requires around 56-93 percent fewer tests, in areas where the prevalence of the disease is low to moderate. • Increment in overall People Screened: • It is critical to increase the numbers of tests conducted by laboratories. And as the positivity rate in COVID-19 cases is still low. Hence, it may help to use the pooled samples for screening. • Tracking down the Asymptomatic Cases: • Pooled screening can also help in tracking down the asymptomatic cases (showing no symptoms) of the disease, thereby tracking community transmission. • Containing Foreseeable Second Wave Outbreaks: • In particular, the “door-to-door” pooled-sample approach can facilitate mass screening in early stages of COVID-19 outbreaks, especially in low- and middle-income settings, and in containing foreseeable second wave outbreaks worldwide.

21. Coronavirus' Impact on Environment Context: • According to a study, global carbon emissions from the fossil fuel industry could fall by a record 2.5bn tonnes this year (a reduction of 5%), as the coronavirus pandemic triggers the biggest drop in demand for fossil fuels on record. The unprecedented restrictions on travel, work and industry has resulted in improved air quality in polluted cities. Air Quality: • The COVID-19 lockdown has led to Cleaner Air. • The fossil fuel industry’s registered biggest drop in CO2 emissions on record, in a single year. • Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels and cement production fell to their lowest levels in about a decade. Water Quality: • The nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19 has improved Ganga River's water quality. The major cause of water pollution is toxic industrial waste which is discharged into the river. As the factories are shut due to lockdown, Ganga water has become cleaner and even safer to drink. Globally the coronavirus containment measures have resulted in reduced human activities, paving way to improved Water Quality in the Natural Environment.

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Wildlife: • With the absence of human activity, stray domestic animals and wildlife have moved to fill the void. The wild animals are claiming back their spaces and roaming freely while humans are sheltering in their houses during the Lockdown Period. A Cause for Concern: • COVID-19 is causing a radical change in Human behaviour around the world. These changes will have positive and negative consequences and impacts for wildlife and natural ecosystems. • Better air quality, healthy riverine and flourishing ecosystems during coronavirus containment measures paints a healthy picture of the environmental effects. • However, this decline is happening because of the economic meltdown in which thousands of people are losing their livelihoods, not as a result of the right government decisions in terms of climate policies, which is a matter of concern. • The decline in demand of fossil fuel has reduced the prices, which in turn may affect the consumption pattern in the post-lockdown period. • The ‘work from home’ idea which has been side-lined has become a norm during this coronavirus period. This change if continued can reduce footfalls to offices thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption due to transit. • In order to make up for the economic losses, the governments across the globe may loosen their environmental laws, which may cause more harm than good. • The pandemic will change the consumption pattern, particularly food, and may cause price volatility, ultimately affecting the poor and the deprived sections of the population. Way Forward: • This lockdown provides a natural laboratory condition of the environment, to gather baseline data for different environmental parameters. • The academic/research institutions may use this scenario to build a nationwide baseline data for the environment by collecting (with taking all necessary health precautions) measurements of various atmospheric, hydrological and ecosystem parameters.

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• These baseline data can be helpful in determining the shares of different sectors in environmental pollution. Further, it can be used by stakeholders and policy makers to build a sustainable development model for the nation.

22. Role of Civil Defence Volunteers in the Pandemic Why in News? • More than 50,000 Civil Defence volunteers are working at the grassroots level in various roles and capacities to assist the local administration in implementing the measures to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). What is their Role in the Current Pandemic? • The Civil Defence personnel are supplementing the local administration in conducting surveillance of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases. They have been working as rapid response teams. • They have been deployed in all the States and most Union Territories, barring Ladakh, Daman & Diu, and Puducherry. • Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Assam have taken the lead in using their services. • The volunteers have been deployed under the command of District Magistrates to assist the local administration in implementing the COVID-19 guidelines and policies effectively. How they can be Employed and what is the Provisions Regarding This? • Civil Defence operates under the Civil Defence Act and associated rules and regulations. The Act was amended in 2009 and a notification was issued in 2010 to include disaster management as an additional role. • Civil Defence is primarily organised on voluntary basis except for a small nucleus of paid staff and establishment which is augmented during emergencies. Administration: • Although it is a Central law, Section 4 of the Civil Defence Act empowers State governments to raise corps at the local administration level as per their Requirement. • The District Magistrate, District Collector or Deputy Commissioner is designated as Controller of the Civil Defence. Eligibility for becoming a Civil Defence Volunteer: • A person who Intends to Apply for appointment to a Civil Defence Corps must fulfil the Following Conditions;

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✓ He/she shall be a citizen of India, or a subject of Sikkim or of Bhutan or of Nepal. ✓ He/she shall have completed the age of 18 years provided that this age limit may be relaxed at the discretion of the competent authority up to a maximum of 3 years for any branch or category of the Corps. ✓ He/she shall have passed at least the primary standard, that is to say, the fourth class, and this condition may be relaxed by the Controller at this discretion. • Both men and women shall be Eligible for Appointment to the Corps.

23. COVID-19 can Help Deal with the Silent Tuberculosis Crisis Why in News? • According to a WHO Information Note — ‘Tuberculosis and COVID-19’, there is a need to maintain TB services during effective response to COVID-19. • It is important that the progress made in TB prevention and care is not reversed by the COVID19 pandemic. Highlights: • It said that TB patients who have lung damage or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may suffer from more severe illness if they are infected with COVID-19. • Doctors claim that people suffering from TB and COVID-19 may have poorer treatment outcomes, especially if TB treatment is interrupted. Significance for India: • India accounts for 27 per cent of the world’s total TB patients and is among the top 8 countries with the highest number of TB cases. • In 2018, as many as 4.4 lakh people died of TB in India which is 29 per cent of the total 1.5 million deaths due to TB in the world. • Out of total 7 million cases reported in 2018 across the world, India had 2.69 million cases, while, according to data available, it missed out on tracking down 5.40 lakh cases. • There is a stronger case for concurrent testing for both conditions in individuals even if the clinical picture is a typical. • The pandemic can help trace 5.4 lakh missed out T.B patients as fear of Coronavirus will induce them for testing as symptoms for TB – fever, cough and difficulty in breathing — are almost similar to coronavirus. • The current situation will also help identify people with latent TB – who have the disease but no symptoms. According to WHO, there are 25 percent of patients with latent TB.

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Tuberculosis (TB): • TB remains the world’s Deadliest Infectious Killer. • Each day, over 4000 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease. • Caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB is an infectious disease. • In most cases, TB affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other sites (non pulmonary TB). Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state of persistent immune response to stimulation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens without evidence of clinically manifested active TB. Someone has latent TB if they are infected with the TB bacteria but do not have signs of active TB disease and do not feel ill. • It is a contagion disease, which spreads when the people who are sick with pulmonary TB expel bacteria into the air, for example by coughing. • Rapid molecular test, Sputum smear microscopy, Culture-based methods are some of the diagnostic tests for TB. Without treatment, the mortality rate from TB is high. Initiatives for TB in India: • There is Free Treatment of TB in India. • India aims to eliminate TB by 2025 under its National Strategic Plan, while the UN aims to eliminate TB by 2030. • It is driven by the DETECT-TREAT-PREVENT-BUILD Approach. • The focus is on early diagnosis of all the TB patients, prompt treatment with the right drugs and regimens along with suitable patient support systems including financial and nutritional support. • This is supplemented by prevention strategies including active case finding, contact tracing and LTBI management in high risk populations, and airborne infection control. • Mass BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccination to prevent TB. • Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched in 1993, offering free diagnosis and treatment for patients, rescuing them from otherwise sure death. • A Rs 12,000 cr. allocation of fund over the next 3 years to fight TB. • A Public campaign: TB Harega Desh Jeetega.

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24. Seismic Noise Why in News? • Amid this coronavirus lockdown, British Geological Survey (BGS) scientists have reported a change in the Earth’s seismic noise and vibrations. • Few weeks ago, the Royal Observatory in Belgium observed a 30-50% fall in levels of seismic noise since schools and businesses were closed during this lockdown. What is Seismic Noise? • Seismic noise refers to the relatively persistent vibration of the ground due to a multitude of causes. This noise includes vibrations caused due to human activity, such as transport and manufacturing. • It is the unwanted component of signals recorded by a seismometer and makes it difficult for scientists to study seismic data that is more valuable. • Scientists first observed this seismic noise everything recorded on seismograms that cannot be attributed to earthquakes at the end of the 19th century. Advantages of Reduced Seismic Noise: • Usually, to measure seismic activity accurately and reduce the effect of seismic noise, geologists place their detectors 100 metres below the Earth’s surface. • Because, the seismic noise vibrations caused by human activity are of high frequency (between 1-100 Hz), and travel through the Earth’s surface layers. • However, since the lockdown, researchers have said that they were able to study natural vibrations even from surface readings, owing to lesser seismic noise. • Due to lower noise levels, scientists are now hoping that they would be able to detect smaller earthquakes and tremors that had slipped past their instruments so far. What is a Seismometer? • Seismometer is the scientific instrument that records ground motions, such as those caused by Earthquakes, volcanic Eruptions, and Explosions. • These are incredibly sensitive so they also pick up other sources of vibration too, including human activity, such as road traffic, machinery and even people walking past.

25. Zoom not a Safe Platform, Says MHA Why in News? • Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory that Zoom video conference is not a safe platform.

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What is the Issue? • Zoom has seen an exponential rise in usage in India as office-goers remain at home due to the lockdown, imposed to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. • Over 90,000 schools across 20 countries have started using it regularly. • The maximum number of daily meeting participants of approximately 10 million at the end of December 2019 grew to more than 200 million daily meeting participants in March. • It has been used extensively by everyone including the central and state ministers for official purposes and Conducting Meetings. About Zoom: • Zoom is a US-based video communication and videoconferencing platform. • This Silicon Valley-based company appears to own three companies in China through which at least 700 employees were paid to develop Zoom’s software. • This arrangement is apparently an effort at labour arbitrage in which Zoom can avoid paying US wages while selling to US customers, thus increasing their profit margin. • However, this arrangement may make Zoom responsive to pressure from Chinese authorities. Reportedly, few calls made through the app are routed through servers in China. Cautions made by CERT-IN: • Earlier, the Computer Emergency Response Team, India (CERT-In) had also issued advisories cautioning on the use of Zoom for office meetings. ✓ CERT-IN is an organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, with the objective of securing Indian cyberspace. ✓ It is the nodal agency which deals with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing. ✓ It collects, analyses and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues alerts on cyber security incidents. CERT-IN provides Incident Prevention and Response Services as well as Security Quality Management Services. • It warned that the insecure usage of the platform may allow cyber criminals to access sensitive information such as meeting details and conversations giving rise to cyber frauds. • It also highlighted multiple vulnerabilities which could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges or obtain sensitive information. Why Zoom is Not Safe? • Citizen Lab, based at the University of Toronto, found significant weakness in Zoom’s encryption that protects meetings.

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• It identified the transmission of meeting encryption keys through China. • The lab has raised two primary concerns- geo-fencing and Meeting Encryption. ✓ Geo-fencing is a location-based service in which an app or other software uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a mobile device or RFID tag enters or exits a virtual boundary set up around a geographical location, known as a geo-fence. What is the Response from Zoom? • Zoom Founder and CEO Eric S Yuan has apologised and assured the people that the privacy and security expectations would be taken care of. • Zoom has added additional features such as placing a new security icon in the meeting controls, changing Zoom’s default settings and enhancing meeting password complexity, among others. • It has also added that soon, account admins will have the ability to choose whether or not their data is routed through specific Data Center Regions. Suggestions given by the Ministry: • The users are suggested to set strong passwords and enable “waiting room” features so that call managers could have better control over the participants. • Users should also avoid using personal meeting ID to host events and instead use randomly generated meeting IDs for each event. • People using the app should not share meeting links on Public platforms. Who deals with Cyber-crime Issues in India? • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): ✓ The scheme to set up I4C was approved in October 2018, to deal with all types of cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. ✓ It has Seven Components: 1. National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit 2. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal 3. National Cyber Crime Training Centre 4. Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit 5. National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre 6. National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem 7. Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team.

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• Various States and Union Territories (UTs) have consented to set up Regional Cyber Crime Coordination Centres. This state-of-the-art Centre is located in New Delhi.

26. The Export ban on Paracetamol Formulation is lifted Why in News: • Recently, the Centre has permitted the export of formulations (medicinal products) made from Paracetamol. However, the restriction on export of Paracetamol Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) will continue, which is the part of any drug that produces the intended effects. Highlights: • The Paracetamol and its formulations were among the 13 APIs. Their formulations that figured in the notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). • The formulations, including Fixed Dose Combinations (FDC), under any ITCHS code have been made free for export with immediate effect. • The ITCHS codes are better known as Indian Trade Clarification (ITC) and are based on the Harmonized System (HS) of Coding. These were adopted in India for import-export operations. • The Indian custom uses an Eight Digit ITC (HS) code to suit the national trade requirements. • The decision allowing export of formulations made from Paracetamol has come after permitting shipment of antimalarial drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to the United States (US) and several other countries. • The Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) of India wanted the Centre to resume export of Paracetamol APIs too. • The Pharmaexcil was established in 2004 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, to promote Pharma Exports. • The FDC is means two or more drugs contained in a single dosage form, such as a capsule or tablet. • An example of a FDC is HIV drug, Atripla (a combination of efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). By reducing the number of pills a person must take each day, fixed-dose combination drugs can help improve adherence to an HIV treatment regimen.

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About Directorate General of Foreign Trade: • It is the main governing body in matters related to Exim (Export-Import) Policy. • It is an attached office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry • Its main objective of it under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 is to provide the development and regulation of foreign trade by facilitating imports into, and augmenting exports from India. • The Foreign Trade Act has replaced the earlier law known as the Imports and Exports (Control) Act 1947. About Paracetamol: • It is a common fever medication globally. It is the most sought after and widely used drug ever since the Covid-19 outbreak. • India is one Among the leading manufacturers of Paracetamol Globally. • From an export perspective, it is a low value, High Volume Product.

27. Aarogya Setu App must for Labourers, says CPWD Why in News? • Central government organisations involved in construction, were instructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to ensure that “all labour personnel/staff” returning to work have downloaded the government’s COVID-19 tracking app — Aarogya Setu. About Aarogya Setu: • Aarogya Setu app has been launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It will help people in identifying the risk of getting affected by the Coronavirus. • It will calculate risk based on the user's interaction with others, using cutting edge Bluetooth technology, algorithms and artificial intelligence. • Once installed in a smartphone, the app detects other nearby devices with Aarogya Setu installed. The App will help the Government take necessary timely steps for assessing risk of spread of COVID-19 infection, and ensuring isolation where required. Why CPWD Initiates such Measure? • The advisory comes as the Union Home Affairs Ministry has relaxed some restrictions, including for construction activity under certain conditions.

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• When the app is installed in a Smartphone it will detect other devices with Aarogya Setu installed that come in proximity of that phone. The app currently supports 11 languages, including Hindi and English. • After submitting the details, it will cross-checks the detail present in the government database and uses the proximity of Bluetooth and suggests whether the labourer is safe or not. • In case if a labourer is not safe then the app will suggest to isolate and take precautions. • The app will also check the user’s location of around six feet that is whether he or she was in the proximity of an infected patient by using the device Bluetooth. • The app will show that you are at a 'high risk' or not. In case you are at a high-risk area then the app advises you to go for a test and call the toll-free number 1075 to schedule an appointment at the nearby testing centre. About CPWD: • CPWD came into existence in July, 1854 when Lord Dalhousie established a central agency for execution of public works and set up Ajmer Provincial Division. It is housed under the Ministry of Urban Development. • Through the professional expertise in disciplines including Architecture, Engineering, Project Management coupled with comprehensive experience in building construction and maintenance, CPWD has been serving the nation for last 162 years and has executed priority of works in difficult and demanding geographical and climatic conditions. • It is headed by DG who is also the Principal Technical Advisor to the Government of India. The regions and sub-regions are headed by Special DGs and Additional DGs respectively, while the zones in all state capitals (except a few) are headed by Chief Engineers. • CPWD has PAN India presence and has ability to undertake construction of complex projects even in difficult terrain and maintenance in post construction stage. • CPWD had been involved in construction of stadiums and other infrastructure requirements for Asian Games 1982 and Commonwealth Games 2010.

28. Merger of Two Black Holes with Unequal Masses Detected Why in News? • The gravitational wave observatories at Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) have detected a merger of two unequal-mass black holes for the first Time.

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What is a Black Hole? • A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light cannot get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. • Gravitational waves are created when Two Black Holes Orbit Each Other and Merge. Key Points: • The event, named GW190412, was observed in April, 2019. • The event has occurred almost five years after the first ever detection of gravitational wave signals by LIGO detectors. In 2015, the LIGO Observatories detected a signal from GW150914. • GW190412: It involved the merger of two black holes weighing approximately 8 and 30 Solar masses, respectively. The merger took place at a distance of 2.5 billion light years away. • The new unequal mass system is a unique discovery since all binaries observed previously by the LIGO and Virgo (Italy) detectors consisted of two roughly similar masses. • This will make it possible to infer many more things such as: 1. A more accurate determination of the distance from the event. 2. The spin or angular momentum of the black hole with more mass. 3. The orientation of the whole event with respect to viewers on Earth. Verification with the Prediction of General Relativity: • This Observation once again confirms Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which predicts the existence of higher harmonics, i.e. gravitational waves at two or three times the Fundamental Frequency. General relativity, also known as the General Theory of relativity, is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1915. • The key predictions of Einstein's theory: the first direct detection of gravitational waves and the first observation of the Collision and Merger of a pair of Black Holes. About Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory: • LIGO is the world's largest gravitational wave observatory. • LIGO consists of two widely-separated interferometers within the United States—one in Hanford, Washington and the other in Livingston, Louisiana—operated in unison to detect gravitational waves. Though its mission is to detect gravitational waves from some of the most violent and energetic processes in the Universe, the data LIGO collects may have effects on many areas of physics including gravitation, relativity, astrophysics, cosmology, particle physics, and Nuclear Physics.

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29. Hydrogen Fuel Context: • Recently, the NTPC Ltd and a central PSU under Ministry of Power, has invited Global Expression of Interest (EoI) to provide 10 Hydrogen Fuel Cell (FC) based electric buses and an equal number of Hydrogen Fuel Cell based electric cars in Leh and Delhi. About Hydrogen: • Hydrogen is the lightest and first element on the periodic table. Since the weight of hydrogen is less than air, it rises in the atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its pure form, H2. • At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a nontoxic, nonmetallic, odorless, tasteless, colorless, and highly combustible diatomic gas. • It is the most abundant element in the universe. The sun and other stars are composed largely of hydrogen. • It is estimate that 90% of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen is a component of more compounds than any other element. • Water is the most abundant compound of hydrogen found on earth. • Molecular hydrogen is not available on Earth in convenient natural reservoirs. • Most hydrogen on Earth is bonded to oxygen in water and to carbon in live or dead and/or fossilized biomass. It can be created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. About Hydrogen Fuel: • It is a zero-emission fuel burned with Oxygen. • It can be used in fuel cells or Internal Combustion Engines. • It is also used as a fuel for Spacecraft Propulsion. Storage of Hydrogen: • It can be stored physically as either a gas (typically requires high-pressure tanks) or a liquid (cryogenic temperatures because the boiling point of hydrogen at one atmosphere pressure is −252.8°C). It can also be stored on the surfaces of solids (by adsorption) or within solids (by absorption). Potential of Clean Hydrogen: • Hydrogen as a fuel has long been touted as an almost magical solution to air pollution crisis. The only by-product or emission that results from the usage of hydrogen fuel is water — making the fuel 100 per cent clean.

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• It is considered an alternative fuel. It is due to its ability to power fuel cells in zero- emission electric vehicles, its potential for domestic production, and the fuel cell’s potential for high efficiency. • It can also serve as fuel for internal combustion engines. The energy in 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) of hydrogen gas contains about the same as the energy in 1 gallon (6.2 pounds, 2.8 kilograms) of Gasoline. Significance of Hydrogen: • It doesn’t produce harmful emissions. It is readily available. • It is environmentally friendly and is a non-toxic substance. It can be used as fuel in rockets. It is three times as powerful as gasoline and other fossil fuels. This means that it can accomplish more with less. • It is fuel efficient. Compared to diesel or gas, it is much more fuel efficient as it can produce more energy per pound of fuel. • It is renewable. It can be produced again and again, unlike other non-renewable sources of Energy. Limitations of Hydrogen: • It does not occur in deposits or reserves like fossil fuel. It needs to be actually produced using Chemical Reactions. It is far more expensive to produce. And hydrogen-fueled vehicles are also more expensive than even battery-electric ones. • It is highly flammable. It is difficult to store. The clean hydrogen industry is small and costs are high. There is a big potential for costs to fall, but the use of hydrogen needs to be scaled up and a network of supply infrastructure created.

30. Human Challenge Trials Why in News: • Recently, many people have volunteered to take part in the Human Challenge Trials (HCTs). It involves intentionally infecting volunteers with the novel coronavirus, in order to speed up the vaccination development. About the Vaccine Development: • Generally, vaccines take several years to develop and their development typically proceeds through three phases of clinical trials. 1. In Phase 1, a Small Groups of People receive the Trial Vaccine.

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2. In Phase 2, the Clinical study is expanded and the vaccine is given to people who have characteristics (such as age and physical health) similar to those for whom the new vaccine is intended. 3. In Phase 3, the Vaccine is given to several thousand people and tested for efficacy and safety. During this phase, participants either receive the vaccine or a placebo. • Its efficacy is determined by comparing the prevalence of infection in the group that was administered the vaccine with the one which received a placebo. • Placebo is anything which looks like real treatment but it is actually not. For example- sugar pills and saline injections. What is Human Challenge Trials? • It means the participants of both the vaccine group and placebo group are deliberately exposed to the infection after their consent and thus are challenged by the disease organism. • It is not new and they are usually carried out in developing medications for diseases which are considered less lethal and have been better understood by scientists over the years like malaria. • The scientists have suggested replacing the conventional Phase 3 testing of vaccines by controlled HCTs of Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine which can accelerate the testing and potential rollout of efficacious vaccines. It may reduce many months from the licensure process, making efficacious vaccines available more quickly and will also require significantly less number of people than regular Phase 3 trials. About the Ethical Concerns of Human Trails: • The trails for Covid-19 have been questioned by critics because it is a potentially deadly disease for even those who are less at risk, and has not been studied fully yet. The World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasised on the ethical framework of the challenge studies and also highlighted the importance of informed consent. Human challenge studies should be conducted with abundant forethought, caution, and oversight. The value of the information to be gained should clearly justify the risks to Human subjects.

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4.1. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SNIPPETS

1. SunRISE Mission. Why in the News? • Recently, NASA announced the Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) mission. For the mission, NASA has awarded $62.6 million to design, build and launch SunRISE no earlier than July 1, 2023. SunRISE Mission: • The mission will look into how Sun generates and releases the giant weather storms, known as the solar particle storms, into Space. • The mission will also help in greater understanding of the solar system. • The findings would help safeguard astronauts from solar storms while they travel to Mars or the Moon. Key Highlights: • SunRISE contains six CubeSats which will work together as a large radio telescope. • Together, these will simultaneously observe radio images of low-frequency emission from solar activity and share them via NASA’s Deep Space Network. • This would be used to create 3D maps to locate the origin place of a solar particle storm on the Sun and how they evolve as they expand outward into space. • This, in turn, will help determine what initiates and accelerates these giant jets of radiation. The six individual spacecraft will also work together to map, for the first time, the pattern of magnetic field lines reaching from the Sun out into Interplanetary Space.

2. COVID-19 virus: Three types of quasi sub-species of Circulation in India Why in News? • A mixture of three quasi-subspecies of SARS-CoV-2 is in circulation in India, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Highlights: • These imported variants showed no differences from how they behaved in the place of origin. • Scientists are yet to classify a SARS-Cov-2 variant as an Indian strain. • India’s COVID-19 cases were mainly from people with travel history and their immediate contacts, which is to say that this virus was brought in from outside.

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• There is no variation from what is being seen on how this strain is behaving around the world. So, there is no difference in its severity. • The progression in terms of cases could not be compared with any other country as of now and people should be looking at the risk of exposure and adherence to physical distancing. • ’strain’ is a sub-type of a virus, characterised by different cell surface proteins, eliciting a different immune response from other strains. • A mutation, however, is very minor genetic errors in genome sequences made during replication that doesn’t fundamentally change the nature or behaviour of the virus. • The novel coronavirus’s genome is made up of 30,000 base pairs, while a human genome contains over 3 billion. The small numbers make it easy for scientists to track changes and new lineages as they evolve. • If a virus mutates too fast, vaccines being developed now will potentially become useless, and pharmaceuticals will have to constantly keep up with the mutations by developing new vaccines all the time, a financially unviable prospect.

3. Patriot Air Defence Missiles (MIM-104) Context: • Recently, US has deployed Patriot Air Defence Missiles (MIM-104) to Iraq. About Patriot Air Defence Missiles (MIM-104): • It is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defence system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. • It is equipped with a track-via-missile (TVM) guidance system. • It has a range of 70km and a maximum altitude greater than 24km. • Its flight time is less than nine seconds and the maximum is three and a Half Minutes.]

4. Hybrid Reactor that Turns CO2 into Useful Molecules Why in News? • Researchers have been working on a hybrid system that creates the building blocks for organic molecules by capturing the energy of sunlight. And this system works by combining bacteria and nanowires.

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Highlights: • We can’t ship packages between Mars and Earth back on forth: one, that would be extremely expensive; two, it is not sustainable. So it is necessary for us to have a plan to produce most items locally. • Nanowires are incredibly thin silicon wires that are about a hundredth of the width of a human hair. They are used as electronic components, sensors, and solar cells. • In order to work it, we only need sunlight and water, which Mars has plenty on its vast surfaces in frozen form. • The left side of the reactor is the chamber which contains the nanowire-bacteria hybrid that reduces CO2 to form acetate. Oxygen is produced on the right side. • The team first demonstrated the nanowire-bacteria hybrid reactor five years ago; however, the solar conversion efficiency was only about 0.4%. • Top efficiency is achieved by operating at the optimal acidity for bacteria, which gave more efficient conversion of solar energy to carbon bonds. • The silicon nanowires are essentially like an antenna: They capture the solar photon just like a solar panel. Within these silicon nanowires, they will generate electrons and feed them to these bacteria. Then the bacteria absorb CO2, and spit out acetate. • The biohybrid can pull carbon dioxide from the air on Earth to make organic compounds. We can almost think of this as planting new trees. While producing energy, it helps with climate change too. It brings a good deal for everyone involved.

5. NASA’s Mars Helicopter - Perseverance program Why in News? • NASA’s Mars Helicopter, which will be attached to NASA’s Mars Rover named Perseverance during the mission, has successfully completed its testing stages. • It will be the first aircraft to be flown on any other planet in human history. Highlights: • With NASA eyeing Mars as the first habitable planet for humans after Earth, its Mars 2020 mission to reach its surface and establish a human base there is in full swing. • The testing phase marked the last time that the rotors of the helicopter have been operated on Earth and the next flight to be taken by the helicopter will be straight on Mars. • NASA has used a twin-rotor mechanism to make it fly. The helicopter derives its energy from the sun through solar panels.

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• Once on Mars, the helicopter will remain encapsulated until the mission managers determine an acceptable area to conduct test flights. The Mars helicopter comes as a part of a larger initiative in the shape of a rover named Perseverance. Perseverance Program: • Perseverance is supposed to take-off for Mars in the middle of July onboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket next year. It will then land on the red planet on February 18, 2021. • NASA’s Mars Exploration Program is aimed at looking for signs of any microbial life on the planet as well as characterizing the planet’s climate and geology. • The knowledge garnered through this will eventually help in any future human establishments on Mars. • Perseverance carries a special commemorative plate that holds small silicon chips bearing the names of more than 10.9 million people who participated in NASA's "Send Your Name to Mars" campaign. • Perseverance will have other duties as well. Chief among them will be to collect and cache samples for a future return to Earth, where scientists will be able to analyse them in detail in well-equipped labs.

6. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination Context: • Recently, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination a “game-changer” in the fight against novel coronavirus according to a US-based research. Highlights: • It is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis (TB). • It’s one dose is recommended to babies as close to the time of birth as possible, in countries where TB or leprosy is common. • In areas where tuberculosis is not common, only children at high risk are typically immunized, while suspected cases of tuberculosis are individually tested for and treated. • It contains a live but weakened strain of tuberculosis bacteria that provokes the body to develop antibodies to attack TB bacteria. This is called an adaptive immune response. • Most vaccines create an adaptive immune response to a single pathogen. It may also boost the innate immune system, first-line defences that keep a variety of pathogens from entering the body or from establishing an infection.

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• In countries that have deployed the BCG-tuberculosis vaccine in their immunisation programmes have seen fewer deaths from COVID-19. It is premature for India, that has had a consistent TB vaccination policy since 1968, to take comfort from the study.

7. Artemis Base camp Why in News? • Recently, NASA unveils plan for Artemis ‘base camp’ on the moon beyond 2024. About Artemis Base Camp: • It is NASA’s next mission to the Moon. • Its objective is to measure what happens when the Sun’s radiation hits our rocky moon, where there is no magnetic field to protect it. • It is meant to be a long-term foothold for lunar exploration, perhaps in Shackleton Crater at the moon’s south pole. • It could host four astronauts at the south pole for visits of perhaps a week. • It would also require infrastructure for power, waste disposal and communications, as well as radiation shielding and a landing pad. • It could also be a site for testing new techniques for dealing with pesky lunar dust and the long, cold lunar nights, turning local materials into resources like water, and developing new power and construction technologies. • Artemis is defined as Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun. It was the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the Moon in Greek Mythology.

8. Transmission of COVID-19 from Mother to Child Why in News? • It is still unclear whether a pregnant woman runs the risk of transmitting the virus to her baby during pregnancy. While there is no concrete evidence for vertical transmission of SARS-CoV2 from mother to foetus, it is known that pregnancy involves a risk, after birth, of adverse outcomes from many respiratory viral infections. Highlights: • A virus may be transmitted after delivery either from mother during breastfeeding or from the hospital environment.

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• The World Health Organization notes that there is no evidence yet to show that pregnant women are more vulnerable or are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 than the general population. Experts have flagged this concern as they cite the recent history of vertical maternal-foetal transmission of such emerging viral infections as the Zika virus, Ebola virus, Marburg virus and other agents. • Maternal management and foetal safety are a significant concern, but the infection is at a low level and there is not sufficient number of patients for studies to assess the vulnerability of pregnant women and whether there was vertical transmission of COVID- 19 virus to their babies. So far no reliable evidence recommends any specific COVID-19 treatment for pregnant women. Before allowing drugs for pregnant women, clinical trials would be needed to prove the effectiveness of drugs and the effects on the foetus to establish a standardised treatment.

9. Space Mining Why in News? • U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that supports the exploration and the use of space resources by the U.S. citizens and businesses. • The order, titled “Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and Use of Space Resources,” gives Americans the the right to engage in the commercial exploration, recovery, and use of resources in outer space. Highlights: • This Executive Order establishes U.S. policy toward the recovery and use of space resources, such as water and certain minerals, in order to encourage the commercial development of space. • According to Trump’s executive order, the US will object to any attempt to use international law to hinder its efforts to remove chunks of the moon or, should the opportunity arise, additional mining of Mars and other celestial bodies. • U.S. policy contradicts the 1979 Moon Treaty, which America has not signed. The treaty says that all non-scientific use of space resources be governed by an international regulatory framework. • The executive order gives companies operating in space the right to any resources mined there. The U.S. Congress already passed a law in 2015 that allowed individuals as well as companies to use the moon and asteroid for its resources.

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• Trump has taken a consistent interest in asserting American power in space, forming the Space Force within the US military last year to conduct space warfare where needed. • Russia’s space agency Roscosmos also released a statement criticizing the move. They said, attempts to expropriate outer space and aggressive plans to de facto seize the territories of other planets will hardly encourage other nations to participate in fruitful cooperation.

10. Biofortified Carrot Why in News? • Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya, a farmer scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat developed Madhuban Gajar and is benefitting more than 150 local farmers in the area. Highlights: • Madhuban Gajar, a biofortified carrot variety with high β-carotene and iron content developed by a farmer scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat is benefitting more than 150 local farmers in the area. • It is being planted in an area of over 200 hectares in Junagadh, and the average yield, which is 40-50 t/ha, has become the main source of income to the local farmers. • The variety is being cultivated in more than 1000 hectares of land in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh during the last three years. • The Madhuvan Gajar is a highly nutritious carrot variety developed through the selection method with higher β-carotene content (277.75 mg/kg) and iron content (276.7 mg/kg) dry basis and is used for various value-added products like carrot chips, juices, and pickles. • Among all the varieties tested, beta-carotene and iron content were found to be superior. • In trials conducted by the National Innovation Foundation, it was found that the Madhuban Gajar carrot variety possesses a significantly higher root yield (74.2 t/ha) and plant biomass (275 gm per plant). • This variety was developed by farmer-scientist Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya. • During 1943, he found that a local carrot variety was profoundly used for fodder to improve the quality of milk. • He selectively cultivated this variety and sold this carrot in the market at a good price. Since then, he, along with family, is working for the conservation and development of this cultivar. • In the 1950s, he started cultivating this on a large-scale.

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• He also started distributing the seeds to other farmers in his village and adjoining areas in the 1970s. During 1985, he started selling the seeds on a large scale. • Shri Marvaniya was conferred with a National Award by the President of India during the Festival of Innovation (FOIN) – 2017. • He was also conferred with Padma Shri in the year 2019 for his extraordinary work.

11. COVID 19 - Reproduction Rate Why in News? • While people around the world are currently living under a lockdown due to the COVID- 19, researchers are still in the process of understanding the nature of its transmission. R0(Reproduction Rate): • It is the rate at which a virus is transmitted. • It is also called the basic reproduction number, it indicates the average number of people who will contract the virus from a person who has already been infected, in a population that does not have immunity for the said disease. Mathematical Representation: • R0 is the division of the number of new infections by the number of existing infections, or the average number of new infections over an infectious period. • R0= new infections/existing infections Infectious Period: • It depends on the virus, which can be a few weeks, months, or even decades. • The virus is assumed to be introduced to a population that does not have herd immunity or vaccination against it. Range of R0 for Eradicating a Disease: • The ideal scenario is when the R0 is below 1. • This means the infection is transmitted to fewer people. When such a rate is maintained over a considerable period of time, the disease is eradicated. World Study: • While many studies have differed in their conclusions, the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated the R0 for coronavirus at 1.4 to 2.5. • In China’s Wuhan, where the disease originated, lockdown measures brought the Rt (effective rate) down to 0.3, thus significantly slowing the number of new infections.

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• Governments around the world which have enforced such measures are hoping to follow the same path, although experts fear a second wave of infections once lockdowns are lifted.

12. Asymptomatic Virus Carriers Why in News? • Researchers have gathered evidence that in China, the epidemic was driven by a lot of not very-sick people. They estimate that about 86% of infections early in that outbreak were transmitted by people who never got sick enough to go to the doctor. Highlights: • To have any idea whether current social distancing efforts are helping slow the spread of coronavirus, and to gauge how long we should go on this way, scientists need to know how many people have mild or asymptomatic cases of Covid-19. Asymptomatic Carriers: • Since the symptoms are vague and possibly non-existent, the case numbers that climb by the day aren’t what they seem. The true numbers may be much higher or only a little higher. Understanding the mild cases can help researches get a handle on the spread of the disease, how it’s spreading and how widespread it’s already become. • The research was popularized as a warning against “silent spreaders”, people who have no idea they are infected. Another study showed that in China, people within one family had symptoms that ranged from undetectable to severe. Random testing done in Iceland showed that 50% of people who tested positive had no symptoms. • But more important than determining who has gotten the disease is determining who is giving it to others. • The study suggested that about 86% of documented infections were picked up from people with undocumented ones. • Symptoms are self-reported and subjective. The symptoms of mild coronavirus are pretty vague except for the fever, which people might not measure if they feel normal. • New evidence suggests that those with very mild cases might experience a loss of the sense of smell. The prevalence of this symptom is not yet known – people who can still smell should not assume they are uninfected, but those who suddenly lose that sense should consider themselves sick. • The range of severity is making this pandemic hard to fight — if it were severe in most people, as SARS was, it would be easier to stop the spread. If it were mild in most people,

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we’d treat it like the flu. But instead it’s extremely severe and deadly in some people and extremely mild, and possibly even silent in others. • It’s been established that after people become infected, they can walk around for an average of five days and up to around two weeks before they start to feel sick, and it’s not yet clear how many of those days their bodies shed enough of the virus to infect others. • The conclusion was that people without documented symptoms were about half as contagious as those with them, and yet they constituted the majority of people who got and spread the disease during that period.

13. Ivermectin Drug Why in News? • Few scientists testing head lice drug Ivermectin found that it could be possible treatment to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. • While countries across the world are leaning on Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug to cure COVID-19, researchers are trying to find other possible drugs. Highlights: • Researchers says a single dose could remove all viral RNA within 48 hours. The drug which is on the initial stages on testing, is yet to tested on COVID-19 patients. • The drug prevents the replication of SARS-CoV-2. When tested, the virus came to a rest within 24-48 hours after it was exposed to Ivermectin. • Levels of the virus declined by 99.8% in 48 hours and completely within three days. Researchers also say that there was even a significant reduction within 24 hours. • The drug helps in stopping the processes that allow proteins to move within the virus. It has also been proven that Ivermectin tackles other viruses such as HIV, dengue, influenza and Zika replicating, at least in the laboratory. • Ivermectin was developed as a veterinary drug in the 1970s but is now used to treat head lice. • It is also effective against parasites that cause other infections. Another interesting thing to note is, Ivermectin has already been approved by the World Health Organization as an “essential medicine.” Ivermectin: • Ivermectin is a medicine used to kill parasites. Used since 1980s, the drug is mainly used in creams and lotions for head lice.

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• Besides this, it is also used in a tablet form to cure roundworm infection and second-line treatment for scabies and rosacea, a skin condition that results in redness and causes pus- filled bumps on the face. • The drug needs to be consumed with a glass of water on an empty stomach at least an hour before a meal. It is usually taken as a single dose or series of doses, as per the directions of the doctor. • The drug may cause tiredness, loss of energy, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness and itchiness. • In case of a skin or an eye infection, the medicine may lead to joint pain and swelling, swollen and tender lymph nodes, itching, rashes, fever and eye problems. • Some of the serious side effects include low blood pressure, inability to breathe and can also lead to liver damage.

14. NASA’s VIPER mission Why in News? • As a prelude to NASA’s upcoming manned Artemis missions scheduled to start in 2024, NASA will be sending the golf-cart sized robot, VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover), in 2023 to search for and map lunar resources (volatiles, minerals, and water ice) on the moon. Highlights: • Creating a map of the water ice on the moon will pave the way for future exploration and extraction missions. Water ice will be a critical resource for future exploration and colonization, not only for sustaining life (breathable oxygen) but also for deriving rocket fuel elements (hydrogen, oxygen). VIPER Mission: • The mission will target the south pole region of the moon (landing site to be determined), where previous NASA missions have confirmed water ice to be present, especially in the cold permanent shadow areas of craters. • Once at the south pole, VIPER’s operating radius will be several kilometers, where it will explore various types of soils (areas of constant light, partial light, and complete darkness). • The rover will need to be robust enough to handle the extreme cold in the permanent shadow areas where temperatures never go above -250 F. The VIPER mission is planned

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to last approximately 100 days. VIPER will be outfitted with various equipment to perform its duties. First of all, to identify potential drilling spots, the Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS) provided by NASA will detect hydrogen underneath the surface from afar. • Once a potential drilling spot has been identified, the rover will extract samples from down to 1-meter in depth by using The Regolith and Ice Drilling for Exploring New Terrain (TRIDENT) provided by Honeybee Robotics. • Once extracted, VIPER will analyze the samples by using the Near InfraRed Volatiles Spectrometer System (NIRVSS) to determine the type of hydrogen (water molecule or hydroxyl). • It will also analyze the volatile and mineral composition by using the Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo).

15. Integrated Geospatial Platform created to Aid Devising Area-Specific Strategies Why in News? • The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has created an Integrated Geospatial Platform to help decision making during the current COVID-19 outbreak. SAHYOG: • The mobile application SAHYOG, as well as the web portal (https://indiamaps.gov.in/soiapp/) prepared & managed by the Survey of India (SoI), has been customized to collect COVID-19 specific geospatial datasets through community engagement to augment the response activities by Government of India to the pandemic. Information parameters required as per the Government of India strategy and containment plan for large outbreaks have been incorporated in the SAHYOG application. • This mobile application will complement the “AAROGYA-SETU” mobile application launched by the Government of India for Contact tracing, Public awareness, and Self- assessment objectives. State Spatial Data Infrastructure (SSDI) in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir have been providing collateral standards-based geospatial data services to the State and District Level Authorities in the respective States through State Geoportals for integration with related health data sets towards combating COVID-19 pandemic.

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Advantages: • This integrated geospatial platform will strengthen the Nation’s health emergency management due to the COVID-19 outbreak and support the socio-economic recovery process through the seamless provision of spatial data, information, and linkage between human, medical, technological, infrastructural and natural resources. • Integration of demographic information with geospatial data is essential for decision making, governance, and development and this effort will be a special digital enabler for the platforms such as AAROGYA-SETU. The platform is created out of available geospatial datasets, standards-based services, and analytic tools and aid devising area-specific strategies to handle the socio-economic impact in the recovery phase. • DST’s efforts in integrating geospatial information can help the country in taking rapid spatial information-based decisions to face the multi-layered crisis that has caused the pandemic and brought and spread the impact of such decisions throughout the country.

16. OSIRIS-REx Mission Why in News? • NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has been orbiting asteroid Bennu for over a year now, since it arrived at the space rock in December 2018. Now, the spacecraft has successfully completed its ‘Checkpoint’ rehearsal and is one step closer to land on the asteroid’s Surface. Highlights: • The rehearsal allowed the OSIRIS-REx team to test whether the various systems aboard the spacecraft like imaging, navigation and ranging systems worked as they should during descent. While landing the OSIRIS-REx autonomously checks its position and velocity at a location known as the checkpoint. At this position, it adjusts the trajectory down towards the surface. It was able to successfully deploy its sampling arm which is known as the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) and used the instruments on board to make observations of the sample site. • Through the rehearsal, the team also confirmed that OSIRIS-REx’s Natural Feature Tracking (NFT) guidance system worked accurately. OSIRIS-REx Mission: • The OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer) is a NASA asteroid study and sample-return mission.

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• The mission's primary goal is to obtain a sample of at least 60 grams (2.1 oz) from 101955 • Bennu, a carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid, and return the sample to Earth for a detailed analysis. The material returned is expected to enable scientists to learn more about the formation and evolution of the Solar System, its initial stages of planet formation, and the source of organic compounds that led to the formation of life on Earth. • If successful, OSIRIS-REx will be the first U.S. spacecraft to return samples from an Asteroid. Objectives: • Return and analyze a sample of pristine carbonaceous asteroid regolith in an amount sufficient to study the nature, history, and distribution of its constituent minerals and organic compounds. Map the global properties, chemistry, and mineralogy of a primitive carbonaceous asteroid to characterize its geologic and dynamic history and provide context for the returned samples. Document the texture, morphology, geochemistry, and spectral properties of the regolith at the sampling site in situ at scales down to millimeters. • Measure the Yarkovsky effect (a thermal force on the object) on a potentially hazardous asteroid and constrain the asteroid properties that contribute to this effect. Characterize the integrated Global Properties of a primitive carbonaceous asteroid to allow for direct comparison with ground-based telescopic data of the entire asteroid population.

17. Chitra GeneLAMP-N Why in News? • Chitra GeneLAMP-N makes confirmatory tests results of COVID-19 possible in 2 hours. Highlights: • Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, an Institute of National Importance, of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has developed a diagnostic test kit that can confirm COVID-19 in 2 hours at a low cost. • The confirmatory diagnostic test, which detects the N Gene of SARS- COV2 using reverse transcriptase loop-mediated amplification of viral nucleic acid (RT-LAMP), will be one of the world’s first few if not the first of its kind in the world. • The test kit, funded by the DST called Chitra GeneLAMP-N, is highly specific for SARSCoV-2 N-gene and can detect two regions of the gene, which will ensure that the test does not fail even if one region of the viral gene undergoes mutation during its current spread.

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• The tests performed at National Institute of Virology (NIV) Alappuzha (authorized by ICMR) show that Chitra GeneLAMP- N has 100% accuracy and match with test results using RT-PCR. • This has been intimated to ICMR, the authority to approve COVID-19 testing in India, following which license needs to be obtained from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for manufacture. Significance: • Current PCR kits in India enable detection of E gene for screening and RdRp gene for confirmation. Chitra GeneLAMP-N gene testing will allow confirmation in one test without the need for a screening test and at much lower costs. • The detection time is 10 minutes, and the sample to result time (from RNA extraction in swab to RT-LAMP detection time) will be less than 2 hours. • A total of 30 samples can be tested in a single batch in a single machine allowing a large number of samples to be tested each day. The testing facility can be easily set up even in the laboratories of district hospitals with limited facilities and trained laboratory technicians. • The results can be read from the machine from the change in fluorescence. • The cost of testing with the new device for LAMP testing and the test kit for 2 regions of N gene (including RNA extraction) will be less than Rs 1000/test for the laboratory.

18. DRDO develops Contactless Sanitiser Dispenser, UV light-Based Disinfection Box Why in News? • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) introduced Automatic Mist Based Sanitiser Dispensing Unit and UV Sanitisation Box and Hand-held UV device. Automatic Mist Based Sanitiser Dispensing Unit: • Centre for Fire Explosive & Environment Safety (CFEES), Delhi, using its expertise in mist technology for fire suppression, has developed an automatic mist based sanitiser dispensing unit. • It is a contactless sanitiser dispenser that sprays alcohol-based hand rub sanitiser solution for sanitisation of hands while entering the buildings/office complexes, etc. It is based on water mist aerator technology, which was developed for water conservation.

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Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety: • The Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety is an Indian defence laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. • Located in Timarpur, Delhi, its main function is the development of technologies and products in the area of explosive, fire and environmental safety. • It was established in 1992 by merging three DRDO establishments; DRDO Computer Centre, Delhi, The Directorate of Explosives Safety, DRDO, and the Fire Adviser’s Office, DRDO. UV Sanitisation Box and Hand-held UV Device: • Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS) and Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), DRDO laboratories in Delhi have designed Ultraviolet C Light based sanitisation box and hand held UV-C (ultraviolet light with wavelength 254 nanometres) device. • The UV-C consists of a shorter, more energetic wavelength of light. It is particularly good at destroying genetic material in COVID-19. • The radiation warps the structure RNA which prevents the viral particles from making more copies of themselves. Sanitisation of the items by employing UV-C light avoids the harmful effects of the chemicals used for the disinfection.

19. Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences Why in News? • Recently, the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) has developed a compact solid-state sensor to detect the heavy metal ions in water. New Device: • It is a portable device which can help onsite detection of heavy metal ions like lead ions (Pb2+) down to 0.4 parts per billion (ppb). • A sensor film was prepared by forming a composite between manganese doped zinc sulfide quantum dots and reduced graphene oxide on a glass substrate. • These particular quantum dots are water-soluble and have high photoluminescence (~30%) quantum yield, making them suitable for luminescence (emission of light by certain materials when they are relatively cool)-based sensing. • If a drop of water containing heavy metal ions such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), etc. are added to the composite film, the emission of the film extinguishes within

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seconds. The development of efficient and portable sensors for rapid onsite detection of heavy metal ions becomes important due to the health hazards associated with them. Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences: • Located at Jalahalli, Bengaluru, it is an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). • Centre was established in 1991 by an eminent liquid crystal scientist, Prof. S. Chandrasekhar. • After years of expansion and name changes, in 2014, it became the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS). DST provides core support to the Centre in the form of a grant-in-aid for conducting basic and applied research in nano and soft matter sciences. It is being mentored by Nano-Mission of the Government of India. • The current activities are focussed on a variety of metal and semiconductor nanostructures, liquid crystals, gels, membranes and hybrid materials.

20. Blazars Why in News? • Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore have conducted the first systematic study on the gamma-ray flux variability nature on different types of Blazars. Blazars: • At the center of most galaxies, there’s a massive black hole that can have mass of millions or even billions of Suns that accrete gas, dust, and stellar debris around it. • As these material falls towards the black hole, their gravitational energy gets converted to light forming active galactic nuclei (AGN). • A minority of AGN (~15%) emit collimated charged particles called jets travelling at speeds close to the speed of light. Blazars are AGN whose jets are aligned with the observer’s line of sight. Some blazars are thought to host binary black holes in them and could be potential targets for future gravitational-wave searches. Studying Blazars: • Blazars are the most luminous and energetic objects in the known universe were found to be emitters of gamma-rays in the 1990s. • It is only with the capability of Fermi Gamma-ray space telescope (launched in 2008) to scan the entire sky once in three hours one is able to probe the flux variability

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characteristics of blazars on a range of time scales. Gamma-ray band is one of the bands of the electromagnetic spectrum on which there is limited knowledge on the flux variability of blazars. Major problem while studying them is to localize the site for the production of gamma rays. Significance: • The study of blazars could provide clues to the processes happening close to the black hole, not visible through direct imaging. • Exploring blazars will provide key inputs to constrain the high energy production site as well as the high Energy Emission Processes.

21. TriboE Mask Why in News? • A team of researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bangalore, have come up with a recipe for making face masks, termed as TriboE Mask, that can hold electric charges to restrict the entry of infections. Highlights: • The recent innovation is based on electrostatics. • It uses principles of Triboelectricity. • When two non-conducting layers are rubbed against each other, the layers develop positive and negative charges instantly and continue to hold the charges for some time. • This Electric Field which is quite strong at proximity can be used to deactivate or possibly even kill the germs. TriboE Mask: • The mask is three-layered –a layer of nylon cloth sandwiched between polypropylene layers. • Polypropylene layers are sourced from commonly used non woven grocery bags. • In place of nylon, silk fabric from an old saree or shawl may also be cut and used. When layers are rubbed against each other, the outer layers develop negative charges, while nylon will hold the positive charges. • This will act as double electric wall protection against the infectious entities crossing. • As the mask is made out of commonly available fabrics, it can be washed just like any other cloth and can be reused.

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• At this stage, the mask is, however, not recommended to healthcare professionals and patients.

22. Six-Planet System Discovered Why in News? • Researchers have discovered a star system with six planets whose orbits are in almost perfect rhythm. Highlights: • The star, dubbed HD 158259, is orbited by a "super-Earth" and "five mini-Neptunes”. Astronomers only know of around dozen star systems containing six or more planets. However, what makes the HD 158259 system so remarkable is the exceptionally regular spacing of its planets. Using measurements taken using the SOPHIE spectrograph and the TESS exoplanet-hunting Space Telescope, an international team of researchers were able to precisely calculate the orbits of each planet. • All pairs of subsequent planets in the system are said to be close to the "3:2 resonance." • This essentially means that as the first planet, or the one closest to the star, completes three orbits; the second one completes roughly two orbits. And as the second planet completes three orbits, the third completes roughly two. • This pattern continues for all the subsequent planets. These intriguing orbital periods could provide scientists with clues as to how the system formed, suggesting that they did not form close to their current positions. • The evidence indicates that the star system is compact, highlighted by the fact that the distance between the outermost planet and HD 158259 is 2.6 times smaller than the distance between the sun and Mercury in our own solar system. • The planets of the system, which is located around 88 light-years away, appear to have masses between two and six times that of the Earth's. • Five of them are defined as super-Earths, meaning that they have a mass higher than that of our planet but significantly lower than Uranus or Neptune. • The remaining planet is described as a "mini-Neptune”, planets that are less massive than Neptune while still resembling the gas giant in our own solar system in terms of atmosphere and composition.

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23. Classical Swine Fever Why in News? • The eastern Assam have recently reported the death of more than 1,300 pigs within a week due to the classical swine fever (CSF). About Classical Swine Fever: • Classical Swine Fever is also known as hog cholera and is a contagious viral disease of domestic and wild swine. It is a viral disease that affects pigs only. It can be controlled by proper vaccination of pigs in time. • African Swine Fever is another kind of Swine Fever. Prevention and Control Measures: • The Affected pigs must be slaughtered and the carcass buried or burnt. • The first barrier to prevent an outbreak of the CSF is to apply strict and rigorous sanitary treatment. Vaccination can prevent the spread of the disease. • The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code defines the requirements for a country or a zone to be considered free of the Disease. About OIE- World Organisation for Animal Health: • It is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. In 2018, it had a total of 182 Member Countries. India is one of the member countries. Its standards are recognised by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules. It is headquartered in Paris, France.

24. Noor Why in News? • Recently, the Iran has launched its first military satellite called Noor (meaning light) into orbit. About Noor: • It reached an orbit of 425km after being carried by a three-stage Ghased launcher. This was a successful launch after months of failures. • It was launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC, which operates its own military infrastructure in parallel to Iran’s regular armed forces, is a hard- line force answerable only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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• Previously unheard ‘Ghased’ or “Messenger” satellite launcher was used to put the device into space. It described the system as using both liquid and solid fuel. • This launch comes amid tensions between Iran and the US over the collapsed nuclear deal and after a U.S. drone strike in Iraq killed Iran’s most powerful military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani in January, 2020. • The Trump administration has warned that the technology used to launch satellites could help Iran develop Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). About Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles: • It is land-based, generally nuclear-armed ballistic missiles with a range of more than 5,500 km. E.g. India’s Agni V. • It has also Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM). E.g. India’s Dhanush • It is initially powered by rockets after which they follow an unpowered, free-falling trajectory toward their targets. • It is established in April 1987, the voluntary Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) aims to limit the spread of ballistic missiles and other unmanned delivery systems that could be used for chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks. India is its member.

25. Reverse Vaccinology Why in News? • Recently, Dr. MGR Medical University has developed a potential vaccine against SARS- CoV-2 (Covid-19) through ‘reverse vaccinology’. About Reverse Vaccinology: • Reverse Vaccinology is defined as use of genomic information with the aid of computers for the preparation of vaccines without Culturing Microorganism. • It helps in the examination of the genome of an organism in order to identify novel antigens and epitopes that might constitute Vaccine Candidates. • It has been used for developing vaccinations for meningococcal and staphylococcal infections all through the world. • In reverse vaccinology identification of candidate antigens (potential target for vaccine preparation) is possible without the need to grow the pathogen in a shorter time. • It is a serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

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• Staphylococcal infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the nose of even healthy individuals. • Antigen is a toxin or other foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body, Epitope is a portion of a foreign protein, or antigen, that is capable of stimulating an immune response.

26. Neutron Stars Why in News? • Scientists studying life of dead stars have been able to measure the radius of the neutron star that allows them to study various aspects of the life of the star after it undergoes supernova explosion. • The new measurements, along with data collected by terrestrial gravitational wave telescopes on how neutron stars warp space and time by colliding and merging with each other, will help scientists peer into the depths of a dead star. Highlights: • The life of a typical star is as fascinating as its death. It shines by burning its nuclear fuel, converting hydrogen into helium to hold itself up against the pull of gravity for billions of years. But when the fuel is exhausted, gravity wins the long drawn out battle and causes the stellar remnants to collapse. • New nuclear reactions then begin to convert the helium into carbon, releasing more Gravitational Energy. • When all the helium in a star is converted to carbon, the core becomes more compact and hotter still, as nuclear fusion converts the carbon into oxygen. • Eventually, most of the core material is converted into an iron-rich nucleus, at which point the addition of more protons and neutrons from the reaction does not release any more energy. With the source of heat gone, larger stars simply collapse, the mass of their outer layers falling inwards under the pull of gravity and getting very hot as gravitational energy is released. • Given enough mass, in these conditions, there is a sudden flareup of activity as protons and electrons of hydrogen and helium from the star’s atmosphere fuse into neutrons and compress the core explosively.

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• The explosion takes place in a shell around the core and the blast travels outwards, ejecting the rest of the star’s atmosphere in a flash as bright as a galaxy to form an expanding nebula made of ionised gas and dust. • It also travels inwards, squeezing the core tight and producing a smattering of elements heavier than iron, some of which may get thrown out into the nebula. This ‘supernova’ explosion leaves behind a rapidly spinning neutron star known as a pulsar: the smallest and densest known entity in the universe. • While scientists have been able to figure out this much of a star’s story, nobody really knows what becomes of a neutron star or a pulsar after this. • Fortunately, the nature of neutron stars as the densest objects in the universe makes it possible for scientists to figure out what goes on inside them as long as they can measure accurately the width of neutron stars, from which its density can be determined. NICER: • NASA’s Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), a large telescope on the orbiting International Space Station, is helping astronomers do just that. • NICER’s sensors are more precise than atomic clocks and can pick up X-rays spewed into space by pulsars. NICER turned in data so precise that astronomers could measure two crucial aspects of neutron stars: their speed of rotation and how much the photons (light particles) from pulsars are bent by gravity. • The results, when combined with the stellar mass (the masses of several neutrons stars are already known), yield the star’s Radius.

27. World Malaria Day Context: • Recently, the World Malaria Day is celebrated on 25th April every year, to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. Key Points: • The Malaria disease is preventable as well as curable. • The theme for 2020 is “Zero malaria starts with me”. • It is a grassroots campaign that aims to keep malaria high on the political agenda, mobilize additional resources, and empower communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and care.

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• The World Health Organisation (WHO) releases the World Malaria Report. It officially endorses disease-specific global awareness days for only four diseases including malaria: 1st December- World AIDS Day, 24th March- World Tuberculosis Day and 28th July- World Hepatitis Day. • It is a new approach to get the malaria fight back on track, particularly in countries that carry the highest burden of disease. • It is founded on 4 pillars, they are Political will to reduce malaria deaths, strategic information to drive impact, better guidance, policies and strategies and a coordinated National Malaria Response.

28. Exercise Pitch Black Why in News: • Australia has informed India recently that the exercise Pitch Black 2020, scheduled to be held from 27th July to 14th August has been cancelled due to the Covid-19. About: • The Pitch Black is a biennial three-week multilateral air combat training exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Its last edition was held in 2018. • It ensures that the training and integration of forces that occur during this exercise directly supports the Air Force's ability to conduct operations. • Australia and India are committed to working together to enhance maritime cooperation and have had AUSINDEX since 2015. Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: • It was signed in September 2014 which came into force in November 2015. The deal ensures that Uranium mining companies of Australia can supply uranium to India for civil use. • It also ensures that any future bilateral trade in other nuclear-related material or items for civil use will also be protected. • Consular Cooperation: India and Australia signed the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the Extradition Treaty in June 2008, which has been ratified by both the Governments, and has come into force since January 2011

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29. Lunar Map Context: • It is the first ever Digital, Unified, Global, Geological Map of the Moon. About: • It is called the Unified Geologic Map of the Moon. • It is released virtually by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the Lunar Planetary Institute on April 22, 2020. • It is a ‘seamless, globally consistent, 1: 5,000,000-scale geologic map’. • It will serve as a Blueprint For future Human Missions and a source of research and analysis for the educators and the general public interested in Lunar Geology.

30. China Builds Asia’s Largest Steerable Telescope Why in News? • China is constructing the largest steerable radio telescope in Asia with a 70-meterdiameter antenna to receive data from its first Mars exploration mission which is expected to be launched this year. Highlights: • The telescope, with an antenna the size of nine basketball courts, was built by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuqing District of northern China's Tianjin. • China aims to complete orbiting, landing and roving on the red planet in one mission, which has been named Tianwen-1. • It will be a key facility to receive scientific data sent back by the Mars probe, which can be up to 400 million km from Earth, and the signals will be very weak.

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• The construction of the telescope began in October 2018 and is expected to be completed this year. Many new technologies have been utilized to improve efficiency and reduce interference noises. The exploration of Mars will not only investigate whether there is or was life on Mars but also help bring to light the history of evolution and future development trends of Earth, as well as search for potential living space for human beings. • After completion, the telescope will greatly improve China's ability to receive deep space exploration data and will lay a foundation for China's future asteroid and comet probing and other planetary Exploration Missions.

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5. ART AND CULTURE & MISCELLANEOUS

1. Remembering Jallianwala Bagh Why in News? • The Prime Minister of India had paid tributes to the martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on the day of commemorating 101 years of the incident. • Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also called Massacre of Amritsar was an incident on April 13, 1919, in which British troops fired on a large crowd of unarmed Indians in an open space known as the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar in Punjab. Background Info: • By the end of WW-II, expectations were high among the Indian populace that those measures would be eased and that India would be given more political autonomy. • The Montagu-Chelmsford Report, presented to the British Parliament in 1918, did in fact recommend limited local self-government. • But the British government of India enacted a series of repressive emergency powers that were intended to combat subversive activities. • Further, the then government of India passed what became known as the Rowlatt Acts in early 1919, which essentially extended the repressive wartime measures. • The acts were met by widespread anger and discontent among Indians, notably in the Punjab region. Gandhi in early April called for a one-day general strike (Rowlatt Satyagraha) throughout the country. • In Amritsar the news that prominent Indian leaders (Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew) had been arrested and banished from that city sparked violent protests on April 10, in which soldiers fired upon civilians and angry mobs killed several foreign nationals. • A force of several dozen troops commanded by Brig. Gen. Reginald Edward Harry Dyer was given the task of restoring order. Among the measures taken was a ban on public Gatherings. On the day of the Massacre: • On the afternoon April 13, a crowd of at least 10,000 men, women, and children gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh, which was nearly completely enclosed by walls and had only one exit.

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• It is not clear how many people there were protesters who were defying the ban on public meetings and how many had come to the city from the surrounding region to celebrate Baisakhi, a spring festival. • Dyer and his soldiers arrived and sealed off the exit. Without warning, the troops opened fire on the crowd, reportedly shooting hundreds of rounds until they ran out of ammunition. • It killed several hundred people and wounded many hundreds more. It marked a turning point in India’s modern history, in that it left a permanent scar on Indo-British relations and was the precursor to Mahatma Gandhi’s full commitment to the cause of Indian nationalism and independence from Britain. Reaction of Indians: • Gandhi soon began organizing his first large-scale and sustained nonviolent protest (satyagraha) campaign, the Non Cooperation Movement (1920–22). • The then government of India ordered an investigation of the incident (the Hunter Commission), which in 1920 censured Dyer for his actions and ordered him to resign from the military. • The Bengali poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore renounced the knighthood that he had received in 1915.

2. Kartarpur Sahib Damage Why in News? • India has asked Pakistan to repair and reconstruction of parts of Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara that was damaged in a Recent Storm. About Katarpur Sahib: • Guru Nanak Dev travelled through many countries spreading the message of universal peace, harmony and love before finally arriving in Kartarpur in 1521. • Kartarpur became a religious site after he settled there. • The shrine in Pakistan’s Narowal district, built where founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev, lived the last years of his life, is highly revered by followers of the faith and other worshippers in India and the world. The foundation stone of the gurdwara in Kartarpur was laid in 1572 and Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered its dome with gold. • The present structure was built by Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala in 1925.

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About Guru Nanak: • Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti is observed to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev (1469- 1539), who is first of the 10 Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism. • He advocated the 'Nirguna' (devotion to and worship of formless divine) form of bhakti. • He rejected sacrifices, ritual baths, image worship, austerities and the scriptures of both Hindus and Muslims. • He organised his followers into a community. He set up rules for congregational worship (Sangat) involving Collective Recitation.

5.1. ART AND CULTURE & MISCELLANEOUS SNIPPETS

1. South China Sea Why in News? • Recently, the Chinese fishing fleets have been seen raiding the rich waters of the South China Sea that are internationally recognised as exclusively Indonesia’s to fish. Key Points: • The Chinese steel trawlers scrape the bottom of the sea and destroy other marine life. • Their illegal fishing near the Natuna islands carries global consequence, reminding regional governments of Beijing’s expanding claims to the South China Sea through which one-third of the world’s maritime trade flows. • They want to claim the resources such as oil, natural gas, and fish in the South China Sea. • The presence of Chinese fishers also helps to embody China’s maritime claims. The nine dash line (rejected by an international tribunal) asserted by China violates the principle of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).

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About South China Sea: • It is an arm of western Pacific Ocean in Southeast Asia. • It is south of China, east & south of Vietnam, west of the Philippines and north of the island of Borneo. • Its bordering states & territories (clockwise from north): The People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. • It is connected by Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea. • It contains numerous shoals, reefs, atolls and islands. The Paracel Islands, the Spratly Islands and the Scarborough Shoal are the most important. • This sea holds tremendous strategic importance for its location as it is the connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. (Strait of Malacca)

2. JEEVAN - Low Cost Ventilator Context: • The Indian Railways has developed a low-cost ventilator, Jeevan, at its Kapurthala Rail Coach Factory. These ventilators could save thousands of lives at a time the country is grappling with a shortage of the medical equipment in its fight against Coronavirus. Highlights: Ventilator and COVID-19: • A ventilator is a device used to pump air and oxygen into the lungs, and it can be critical for a patient with severe COVID-19 infection which can lead to lung failure. • India might need anywhere between 110,000-220,000 ventilators by May 15 in the worst- case scenario. The number of ventilators today available in the country is a maximum of 57,000 and come with a cost of Rs 5-Rs 15 lakh, according to a Brookings report. • According to the Health Ministry, the number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the country climbed to 3,374 on Sunday while the death toll rose to 79. • Of them, the number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 3,030. JEEVAN Ventilators: • The heart of the device is the compressed air container to work the Ambu bag with air without any moving parts like servo motor or piston or link mechanism.

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• It has a microprocessor-based controller and the circuit has been designed by the RCF team. A valve has been installed to regulate breathing of the patient and the device can be optimized to a more compact size. The machine provides control on breathing rate, expiratory ratio, and tidal volume - all key parameters for any ventilator and has a microprocessor-based controlling system.

3. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Why in News: • Recently, ICCR has observed its 70th foundation day on 9th April 2020. About ICCR: • It is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, involved in India's external cultural relations (cultural diplomacy), through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples. • It was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. • It has been assigned the responsibility of facilitating the celebration of the International Day of Yoga by Indian Missions/Posts abroad since 2015. • It has instituted several awards, which are conferred upon the foreign nationals for their contributions in different fields, under its mandate of promoting India’s cultural relations. Such awards include– • Distinguished Indologist Award • World Sanskrit Award • Distinguished Alumni Award • Gisela Bonn Award • It runs 36 cultural centres across the globe and its emphasis is on making India a hub of higher education. • Classical dance, music or Hindi and Sanskrit language classes are continuing at most of ICCR centres via skype and other applications without Hindrance. • It is the only soft power institution of the country which plans to focus more on areas that have so far largely remained “neglected” like Indian literature, Indian artisans and also Ayurveda.

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4. Anak Krakatau Why in News? • Recently, Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano spewed a column of ash 500 meters into the sky, which is the longest eruption since its explosive collapse in 2018. About Anak Krakatoa (Child of Krakatoa): • It one of the active volcanoes of Indonesia also houses 127 active volcanoes and one of these volcanoes is the Anak Krakatau • It is an island in a caldera in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in the Indonesian province of Lampung. • It is the offspring of the famous Krakatau volcano, whose monumental eruption in 1883 triggered a period of global cooling. • In 1927, Anak Krakatoa emerged from the caldera formed in 1883 by the explosive volcanic eruption that destroyed the island of Krakatoa.

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5. Meru Jatra Festival Why in News? • Recently, the Odisha government banned the Meru Jatra festival and congregations related to it at temples on the occasion of Mahavishub Sankranti, due to Covid-19. About Meru Jatra Festival: • It marks the end of the 21-day-long festival of penance named ‘Danda Nata’. It is celebrated in the month of 'Chaitra'. • Danda as the name implies, is self-inflicted pain, which the danduas (people who participate in the festival) undergo to pay their obeisance to the lord Kali. It is also a form of worshipping the lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. • Its origin is generally traced to 8th and 9th AD after the decadence of Buddhism in Orissa. • On the occasion of Mahavishub Sankranti thousands of devotees used to gather at the Tara Tarini hill shrine and other temples.

• Tara Tarini hill shrine is located at a hilltop on banks of the Rushikulya river, is a major centre of Shakti worship in Odisha. • The twin goddesses Tara and Tarini represent one Shakti and are the main deity of Ganjam district (Odisha). Mahavishub Sankranti is the start of the Odia New Year. • Earlier, the government had also banned the famous Chaitra Jatra festival at Tara Tarini hill shrine as a precautionary measure against Covid-19 infection.

6. Pattachitra Painting Why in News? • Recently, the Pattachitra Painting has been affected by Covid-19. About Pattachitra Painting: • Its style of painting is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of Odisha. • Its name has evolved from the Sanskrit words Patta, meaning canvas, and Chitra, meaning picture. • It is done on canvas and is manifested by rich colourful application, creative motifs and designs, and portrayal of simple themes, mostly mythological in depiction. • Its popular themes represented through this art form are • Thia Badhia - Depiction of the temple of Jagannath;

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• Krishna Lila - Enactment of Jagannath as Lord Krishna displaying his powers as a child; • Dasabatara Patti - The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu; • Panchamukhi - Depiction of Lord Ganesh as a five-headed deity. • It is painted on cloth, follows a traditional process of preparation of the canvas. First, the base is prepared by coating the cloth with the soft, white, stone powder of chalk and glue made from tamarind seeds. • It is a tradition to complete the borders of the painting first. The painter then starts making a rough sketch directly with the brush using light red and yellow. The colours used are normally white, red, yellow, and black. • When the painting is completed it is held over a charcoal fire and lacquer is applied to the surface. This makes the painting water resistant and durable, besides giving it a shining finish.

7. Yanomami Tribe Why in News: • Yanomami tribe boy has recently died in Brazil after contracting Covid-19, raising fears for the Amazon tribes. Yanomami Tribe: • They are also called South American Indians, live in the remote forest of the Orinoco River basin in southern Venezuela and the northernmost reaches of the Amazon River basin in northern Brazil. • They numbered around 27,000 individuals throughout their range. • They live in small, scattered, semi-permanent villages and speak the Xiriana language. • They practice hunting and slash-and-burn agriculture. • Other important Amazon tribes are Guarani, Kaingang, Pataxo Ha Ha Hae Tupinamba, Yanomami, Tikuna and Akuntsu.

8. The Nihangs Why in News? • The Patiala incident, in which a group of Nihangs attacked a Punjab police party when stopped for a curfew pass, and the subsequent seizure of weapons and narcotics, has put the spotlight on the Nihangs.

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Highlights: • Etymologically the word nihang in Persian means an alligator, sword and pen but the characteristics of Nihangs seem to stem more from the Sanskrit word nihshank which means without fear, unblemished, pure, carefree and indifferent to worldly gains and comfort. Nihangs: • Nihang is an order of Sikh warriors, characterised by blue robes, antiquated arms such as swords and spears, and decorated turbans surmounted by steel quoits. This order can be traced back to the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. • As per an account by the East India Company’s Colonel James Skinner, Khalsa Sikhs were divided into two groups: Those who put on blue attire which Guru Gobind Singh used to wear at the time of battle and those who do not follow any restrictions on the colour of their dress though both of them follow the profession of soldiery. • Nihangs observe the Khalsa code of conduct in its strictest sense. They do not profess any allegiance to an earthly master. Instead of saffron they hoist a blue Nishan Sahib (flag) atop their shrines. The Nihangs are fond of a popular drink called shardai or sharbati degh (sacrament drink) which contains grounded almonds, cardamom seeds, poppy seeds, black pepper, rose petals and melon seeds. Nihangs had a major role in defending the Sikh panth after the fall of the first Sikh rule (1710-15) when Mughal governors were killing Sikhs, and during the onslaught of Afghan invader Ahmed Shah Durrani (1748-65). • The Nihangs today constitute a small community. For the whole year they remain stationed at their respective deras (centres) but set out on their annual pilgrimage of Anandpur Sahib, Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo and Amritsar, take part in religious events and exhibit their martial skills and horsemanship.

9. World Heritage Day Why in News? • Recently, the International Day for Monuments and Sites or the World Heritage Day is celebrated on 18th April Every Year. About World Heritage Day: • It is established by The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved it in 1983.

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• It has been a day to celebrate and promote cultural heritage, and an opportunity to raise awareness about its diversity, its relevance, how vulnerable it can be and what the needs and benefits of its conservation are. • Its theme for 2020 is “Shared Cultures, Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility”. • It is an important expression of global unity in the face of the ongoing worldwide health crisis (Covid-19 pandemic). About International Council on Monuments and Sites: • It is a global Non-Governmental Organization associated with UNESCO. • Its mission is to promote the conservation, protection, use and enhancement of monuments, building complexes and sites. • It is an Advisory Body of the World Heritage Committee for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention of UNESCO, which reviews the nominations of cultural world heritage and ensures the conservation status of properties. • India has 38 world heritage sites that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site. • Its creation in 1965 is the logical outcome of initial conversations between architects, historians and international experts that began in the early twentieth century and that materialized in the adoption of the Venice Charter in 1964.

10. Central Vista Redevelopment Project Why in News? • Central Vista redevelopment project is Recently in News. Key Points: • The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs proposed a Central Vista redevelopment project in 2019. The project Envisages: ✓ Constructing a triangular Parliament building next to the existing one. ✓ Constructing Common Central Secretariat. ✓ Revamping of the 3-km-long Rajpath — from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate. ✓ North and South Block to be repurposed as museums. Why the Government wants to Revamp Central Vista: • Most of the existing buildings have outlived their structural lives. • The Parliament building’s facilities and infrastructure are inadequate to meet the current demand.

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• The offices of the Central Government are spread over different locations which affects inter-departmental coordination, and unnecessary travel leading to congestion and pollution. About Central Vista: • Currently, the Central Vista of New Delhi houses Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, North and South Block, India Gate, National Archives among others. • In December, 1911, King George V made an announcement in Delhi Durbar (a grand assembly) to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi. • Delhi Durbar was hosted to mark the coronation of King George V. • The task of constructing a new city was given to Edwin Lutyens, known for his strong adherence to European classism and Herbert Baker, a prominent architect in South Africa. • Parliament House building was designed by both Lutyens and Baker. • Rashtrapati Bhavan was designed by Edwin Lutyens. • The Secretariat which includes both north and south block was designed by Herbert Baker.

11. Ambubachi Mela Why in News: • Recently, the annual Ambubachi Mela in Assam will not be organised this year, in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic. About Ambubachi Mela: • It marks the annual menstruation of the presiding Goddess in the Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati, Assam. • It is one of 51 shakti peethas or holy sites for the followers of the Shakti cult, each representing a body part of the Sati, Lord Shiva’s companion. • It’s sanctum sanctorum houses the yoni (female genital) symbolised by a rock. It is situated on the Nilachal Hills, whose northern face slopes down to the Brahmaputra river. • The legends says it was built by the demon king Narakasura but records are available only from 1565 when Koch king Naranarayana rebuilt the temple. • The attainment of womanhood of girls in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called Tuloni Biya, meaning small wedding. • The ritualistic fair celebrates the Goddess’ period due to which taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam compared to other parts of India. It is also an occasion to Promote Menstrual Hygiene among the visitors through the use of Sanitary Pads.

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12. Raja Ravi Varma Why in News? • Recently, on 29th April is the birth anniversary of the famed Indian Painter Raja Ravi Varma is celebrated. About Raja Ravi Varma: • He has giving Indians their western, classical representations of Hindu gods and goddesses. He was born into an Aristocratic Family in Travancore (Kerala). • At the age of 14, Varma was patronised by Ayilyam Thirunal, the then ruler of Travancore, and went on to receive training in watercolours from Ramaswamy Naidu, the royal painter. • Apart from painting Hindu mythological figures, Varma also made portraits of many Indians as well as Europeans. He worked on both portrait and landscape paintings, and is considered among the first Indian artists to use oil paints. • He mastered the reproduction of his work on the lithographic press– through which his paintings spread far and wide. Lithographic press is a method of printing based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. • He set up his own printing press in Maharashtra — first in Ghatkopar and eventually in Lonavala in 1894, which helped the paintings travelled into the prayer and living rooms of working-class homes. • His Famous works are Damayanti Talking to a Swan, Shakuntala Looking for Dushyanta, Nair Lady Adorning Her Hair, and Shantanu and Matsyagandha. • He was awarded with the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal by the British colonial government in 1904. In 2013, a crater on the planet Mercury was named in his honour.

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6. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. India and China marks 70 years of Diplomatic Relations Why in News? • India and China mark the 1st April 2020 as the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them starting from 1950 till now. Important Events in the Past Decade: 2010: • The 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India. • In December, the two countries issued a Joint Communique. 2011: • It was the ‘China-India Exchange Year’. • Both sides held a series of people-to-people and cultural exchange activities. • Both of them signed a memorandum on joint compilation for the ‘Encyclopaedia of India- China Cultural Contacts’. 2012: • It was the ‘Year of China-India Friendship and Cooperation’. • The head of the governments met each other on the side-lines of the 4th BRICS Summit and the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. 2015: • The two sides met on the side-lines of the 7th BRICS Summit in Ufa, Russia and the Leaders' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation in Malaysia. • China decided to open the Nathu La Pass (Sikkim) to Indian official pilgrims to Xizang. • India celebrated the India Tourism Year in China. 2018: • Chinese President held an informal meeting with Indian Prime Minister in Wuhan which set up a new model of exchanges between two leaders. • Indian Prime Minister visited China to attend the SCO Summit in Qingdao. • The two leaders met again on the side-lines of the 10th BRICS Summit and the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires. 2019: • The second informal meeting was held in Mamallapuram, Chennai which reaffirmed the Wuhan consensus.

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• Both nations agreed to build a closer partnership for development, enhance the in-depth strategic communication, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and advance exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations. Both sides met on the side-lines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek and the 11th BRICS Summit. 2020: • It marks the year of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. It is also China-India Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges, where the two sides agreed to hold 70 celebratory activities to demonstrate the historic connection between the two civilizations as well as their growing bilateral relationship. Facts and Figures on China-India Cooperation: Political and Diplomatic Relations: • The Communist Party of China (CPC) has maintained friendly exchanges with 9 major Indian political parties including the BJP, Congress and left-wing parties for a long time. • 20 Inter-parliamentary friendship groups have been set up by China and India. • There are 50 dialogue mechanisms between China and India for exchanging views on various topics of bilateral, regional and global concern. Economy and Trade: • Since the beginning of the 21st century, trade between China and India has grown from less than $3 billion to nearly $100 billion, an increase of about 32 times. In 2019, the trade volume between China and India was $92.68 billion. With a combined market of over 2.7 billion people and a GDP of 20% of the world's total, China and India enjoy huge potential and broad prospects for economic and trade cooperation. Science and Technology: • Both nations have held Joint Research workshops on Science and Technology Innovation. • Indian companies have set up IT corridors in China, which help promote China-India cooperation in information technology and high technology. Defence: • ‘Hand-in-Hand’ joint anti-terrorist exercises to enhance mutual understanding and trust, exchange training experiences and jointly improve anti-terrorism capabilities. • China-India defence and security consultation to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the Defence Field.

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People-to-People Exchanges: • Both nations have held meetings of China-India High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges Mechanism. The two sides have made new progress on exchanges and cooperation in the fields of art, publishing, media, film and television, museum, sports, youth, tourism, locality, traditional medicine, yoga, education and think tanks. • Sessions of China-India High Level Media Forum and China-India Think Tank Forum were held to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of media and think tanks. • The two countries have established pairs of sister cities and provinces. For example, sister provinces and cities between Fujian Province and Tamil Nadu State, Quanzhou City and Chennai City. • The number of Indian pilgrims to Xizang Autonomous Region of China has surged from several hundred in the 1980s to more than 20,000 in 2019. Way Forward: • Today's achievements of India-China relations embodied the great efforts of several generations. • Both nations need to master the four keys of: • Leading: It means to reach consensus and guide the direction of the development of bilateral relations under the guidance of leaders from both nations. • Transmitting: It means to transmit the leaders’ consensus to all levels and translate it into tangible cooperation and outcomes. • Shaping: It means to go beyond the mode of managing differences, shape bilateral relations actively and accumulate positive momentum. • Integrating: It means to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, promote convergence of interests and achieve common development. • At this moment, it is particularly important to revisit the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations 70 years ago and carry forward the spirit of good neighbourliness and friendship, unity and cooperation.

2. Battle to Set Oil Prices Context: • The global economy, grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, is now facing an energy war, with crude oil prices crashing in the international market. Crude oil prices crashed, as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its alliance partners failed

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to reach any consensus on cutting back production to levels that would enable prices to Remain Stable. COVID-19 and its Impact on Oil market: • There has been a spectacular fall of around 30% in crude oil prices. • The International Energy Agency (IEA) has scaled down global demand for oil, a move not taken by the energy watchdog since 2009. • Demand for oil had already weakened owing to the global economic slowdown, and this weakening has become more pronounced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit China’s economy and reduced consumption by the world’s largest importer. US - Russia: Capturing the Market: • The U.S., as the largest oil producer today, has stayed away from the OPEC-plus arrangement, hoping that production cuts by OPEC-plus countries will help it increase its market share. • Russia refused any production cuts, unleashing an energy war with Saudi Arabia. • Russia’s decision to reject any production cuts is driven directly by its strategy of denying market share to American shale oil producers. American Shale: • The American producers rely on higher prices in the range of $50-$60 to remain profitable because of higher production costs. • At $31 per barrel, not more than five American shale oil producers can remain profitable at current prices. President Donald Trump has scrambled to put together a rescue package for the shale oil companies. Sanctions on Rosneft: • Russia also remains resentful of sanctions imposed on Rosneft, which is building the gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2 across the Baltic Sea, carrying Siberian gas to Germany, a major consumer. • This pipeline was delayed due to opposition from Denmark’s environmental activists and could not be completed before the U.S. sanctions kicked in. • Moscow has accused Washington of using geopolitical tools for Commercial Reasons. Saudi Arabia and Russia: • Both Saudi Arabia and Russia depend heavily on oil revenues — upwards of 80% of export revenues accrue from crude oil.

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• Both are also fighting to retain market share. • It has been reported that Saudi Arabia has agreed to supply crude oil at lower rates to refiners in India and China, two primary customers, but refused to supply to other refiners in Asia. • This will impact on India’s oil procurement from the U.S. • Can Russia and Saudi Arabia sustain the energy war for long? - • Saudi Arabia’s production cost is the cheapest in the world and it can ramp up production to around 12 million barrels a day. • By offering discounts, it can undercut other producers, including Russia. Domestic considerations also matter. Benefit to Importing Countries: • Lower crude oil prices are not necessarily bad news for oil importing countries like India, which is the world’s third-largest importer of crude oil and the fourth largest importer of LNG. Impact on the global economy: The global economy, already impacted by President Donald Trump’s trade war with China and other countries, including India, and the COVID-19 pandemic, may find lower energy costs helpful in overall growth. Benefits for India: • From a high of $147 per barrel in 2008, crude oil prices have fallen to around $24 per barrel and may even go further southwards. • India, with 80% of its energy requirements met by imports from the international market, stands to save ₹10,700 crores for every $1 drop in prices. • While this may help manage the current account deficit, fiscal deficit and inflation. • If the cost of fuel at the pump is passed on to consumers, it will have a multiplier effect. • Lower cost will reduce transportation costs and boost demand. • The consumer, however, may not benefit much since the government may choose to use this financial windfall for other purposes, like bailing out banks which have been hollowed out by NPAs to leading Indian companies.

3. Operation Sanjeevani Why in News? • India has supplied 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines to Maldives, under Operation named “Sanjeevani” as assistance in the fight against COVID 19.

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Key Points: • The medicines include influenza vaccines, antiviral drugs such as lopinavir and ritonavir among others as well as consumables such as catheters, nebulisers, urine bags and infant feeding tubes. • It has to be noted that Lopinavir and ritonavir have been used to treat patients with COVID-19 in some countries. • The medicines were delivered by an Hercules C-130J-30 aircraft of Indian Air Force. • India has also dispatched a 14-member Army medical team to Maldives to set up a viral testing lab there and gifted 5.5 tonne of essential medicines. Relations between the Two Countries: Historical Aspect: • India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links. • India was among the first to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965 and later established its mission at Male in 1972. Defence: • ‘Ekuverin’ is a joint military exercise between India and Maldives. • India provides the largest number of training opportunities for Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), meeting around 70% of their Defence Training Requirements. Disaster Management: • The Government of India has provided large-scale assistance to Maldives in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and during the 2014 Male water crisis. Trade and Tourism: • India is Maldives’ 4th largest trade partner after UAE, China and Singapore. In 2018, India was the 5th largest source of tourist arrivals in Maldives. • The Maldivian economy is heavily dependent on its tourism sector, which is the major source of foreign exchange earnings and Government Revenue. India’s Assistance given to Maldives Previously: • Operation Cactus: The Indian Armed Forces have helped the government of Maldives in the neutralization of the coup attempt. India has helped Maldives after the tsunami. • 'Operation Neer': India supplied drinking water to Maldives to deal with the drinking Water Crisis. • The Two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) given by India to the Maldivian armed forces have been used in saving Maldivian lives.

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4. Global Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Why in News? • The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has recently observed that the economic uncertainty sparked by the Covid-19 will likely cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2020. Highlights: • It is based on the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020 released by UNCTAD. • The global economy slowdown will be under 2% for this year is envisaged which will probably cost in the order of $1 trillion. • If the world economy grew at only 0.5% which would involve a $2 trillion hit to gross domestic product (GDP). • With the moderate declines in private consumption, investment and exports and offsetting increases in government spending, global growth would fall to 1.2% in 2020. • Due to the supply-chain interruptions from China and oil price uncertainty among major producers, the Global financial market is fluctuating. • The economies of European countries had already been performing extremely badly towards the end of 2019, which is almost certain to go into recession over the coming months. German economy is in a fragile state. Italian economy and other parts of the European periphery are also facing very serious stresses right now. • It describes that many parts of the Latin American region are also vulnerable. Particularly Argentina will be struggling as a consequence of the knock-on effects of this pandemic. The economies of least developed countries are driven by the sale of raw materials will also face hard consequences. • Developing countries which are Heavily-indebted, particularly commodity exporters face a threat due to the weaker export returns linked to a stronger US dollar. • The likelihood of a stronger dollar as investors seek safe-havens for their money and the almost certain rise in commodity prices as the global economy slows down, means that commodity exporters are particularly vulnerable. About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): • It was established in 1964 to promote development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. • It is a permanent intergovernmental body headquartered at Geneva in Switzerland.

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• The reports published by it are Trade and Development Report, World Investment Report, The Least Developed Countries Report, Information and Economy Report, Technology and Innovation Report, Commodities and Development Report. Way Forward: • The policy responses and institutional reforms are needed to prevent a localized health scare from turning into a global economic meltdown. Governments need to spend now in order to prevent more damaging meltdown in the coming times. • The Chinese Government is likely to introduce significant expansionary measures – shorthand for increasing spending or tax cuts. The US government is in an election year and it needs to do more than simply cutting taxes and Reducing Interest Rates.

5. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Why in News? • The decision by a Pakistani court in Sindh to acquit Ahmed Omar Sheikh Saeed of murdering journalist Daniel Pearl will be raised by India at the next meeting of the Financial Action Task Force. About FATF: • The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7. • It is a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in various areas. • The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris. • Initially it was established to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering. • In October 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to incorporate efforts to combat terrorist financing, in addition to money laundering. • In April 2012, it added efforts to counter the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The FATF currently comprises 37 member jurisdictions and 2 regional organisations, representing most major financial centres in all parts of the globe. It also has observers and associate members. • To set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

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What is Blacklist and Grey List? • Black List: Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries. • Grey List: Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist. • Considered in the Grey List may Face: • Economic sanctions from IMF, World Bank, ADB. • Problem in getting loans from IMF, World Bank, ADB and other countries. • Reduction in international trade. • International boycott.

6. Why Everyone should Wear Masks? Why in News? • Experts say that the pandemic can be slowed only by a lockdown as well as by ensuring universal Mask Use. What is an Epidemic Curve? • On the curve, Y axis and X axis represent case numbers and time, respectively. • A normal epidemic curve is bell-shaped, with an early ascending slope (first phase), a peak (second phase) and a declining slope (third phase). • The area under the curve represents the total number of cases. India is now in the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Need of an Hour: • Flattening the epidemic curve (case distribution curve) is the need of the day. • A rapid increase in cases will demand far more healthcare facilities than now available. • Healthcare facilities were not created in anticipation of a pandemic and are grossly inadequate for India to tackle the first phase. • A flattening of the curve will reduce the demand on beds in intensive care units, respirators, and specialists to manage acute respiratory distress syndrome.

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• The peak will be dwarfed and come after some breathing time; the pressure will be eased. How the Curve can be Flattened? • There are two ways of flattening the curve: imposing a strict lockdown for a number of weeks or use of face masks all the time when outside our homes. • A lockdown physically distances families from each other. • There are four reasons for the Universal Use of Masks. • First, any infected person will not infect others because the droplets of fluids that we let out during conversations, coughing or sneezing will be blocked by the mask. • Second, uninfected people will have some protection from droplet infection during interactions with others. For those who wear eyeglasses, there is additional protection from droplets falling on the conjunctiva. When both parties wear masks, the probability of transmission is virtually zero. • Third, the mask-wearers will avoid inserting their fingertips into their nostrils or mouths. Viruses deposited on surfaces may be carried by hand if we touch such surfaces; if we do not touch our eyes, nostrils or mouth; this mode of transmission is prevented. • Fourth, everyone will be reminded all the time that these are abnormal days. • In overcrowded areas such as slums, a lockdown will not be efficient in slowing down transmission. In such places, universal mask use is a simple way to slow down transmission. In India the wise choice would have been to ensure universal mask use in slums, bazaars, shops selling essential commodities, etc. Way Forward: • COVID-19 mortality is due to Three Reasons. • Virus virulence is the given and cannot be altered. • Co-morbidity (diabetes, chronic diseases) is already prevalent. • Then there is low-quality healthcare. • Slowing down the epidemic by imposing a lockdown and ensuring universal mask use gives us the chance to protect people from infection and improve healthcare quality; wherever that was done, the mortality was less than 1%.

7. SAARC 2.0 Why in News? • India has shown diplomatic resilience and leadership by forging unity in the neighbourhood in the war against COVID-19.

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Highlights: • A tweet by Prime Minister Narendra Modi resulted in the first-ever virtual summit of SAARC leaders recently. In the backdrop of political capital invested by New Delhi in strengthening BIMSTEC and the urging it received recently from Nepal and Sri Lanka to resuscitate SAARC, this conference was quite significant. SAARC Virtual Meeting and its Outcome: • All the eight member-states were represented at the video conference — all at the level of head of state or government, except Pakistan. • South Asian nations agreed to evolve a common strategy to meet the challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. • India proposed the creation of an emergency fund with an initial contribution of $10 million to halt the onslaught of the disease that has so far claimed nearly 6,000 lives globally. Pakistan sought to use the occasion to raise the Kashmir issue, calling for the lifting of embargos on communication in Kashmir to better tackle the spread of Covid-19. • PM Modi also offered online training for health workers in Saarc countries to scale up skills to beat Covid-19. Follow up on the Meeting: • COVID-19 Emergency Fund: Within days, all the countries, except Pakistan, contributed to it voluntarily, bringing the total contributions to $18.8 million. However the sum is less but seeing the lesser COVID-19 effect on South Asia, it is justified. • Fund operationalised: It is controlled neither by India nor by the Secretariat. It is learnt that each contributing member-state is responsible for approval and disbursement of funds in response to requests received from others. • Implementation: India is in the lead, with its initial contribution of $10 million. It has received requests for medical equipment, medicines and other supplies from Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. • A follow-up video-conference of senior health officials was arranged on March 26. • Significance: India’s imaginative diplomacy has leveraged the crisis to create a new mechanism for workable cooperation. Challenges: • Pakistan’s non-cooperation: Saarc has been in the ICU since 2015, on account of Pakistan’s refusal to cooperate in regional connectivity projects, and India’s refusal to engage with Pakistan.

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• The last SAARC summit was held in 2014 and subsequent summits could not be held in the backdrop of terrorist attacks in Pathankot and Uri. • Preference to BIMSTEC: BIMSTEC has more trade and greater trade potential due to the presence of two important trading partners India and Thailand. • BIMSTEC has better regional connectivity via land and sea. • SAARC adherents maintain that all proposals for cooperation should be routed through the Secretariat and activities should be piloted by the incumbent chair. • Given what Pakistan has done to harm India’s interests since the terrorist attack on the Uri Army base in 2016 and its continuing resistance to cooperation against COVID-19, both New Delhi and its friendly neighbours need to start preparing themselves for SAARC 2.0. India has been developing connectivity with Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand. So similarly, it should do in South Asia even if it means bypassing Pakistan. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): • The signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka established the SAARC in 1985. • Its secretariat is in Kathmandu, Nepal. • Objectives: The SAARC seeks to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, strengthen collective self-reliance, promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in various fields, and cooperate with international and regional organizations. • Eight states―Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. • Six observers—China, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea, United States, Iran

8. Rise in Gender Based Violence Why in News? • The UN Women has urged member-states to include prevention of violence against women in their action plans on COVID-19 and it has also called the rise in gender-based violence a “shadow pandemic”. About UN Women: • UN Women is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. • In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

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• It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment: • Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW). • International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW). • Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI). • United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). • The main roles of UN Women are: • To support inter-governmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, in their formulation of policies, global standards and norms. • To help Member States to implement these standards, standing ready to provide suitable technical and financial support to those countries that request it, and to forge effective partnerships with civil society. • To hold the UN system accountable for its own commitments on gender equality, including regular monitoring of system-wide progress. Suggestions made by UN Women: • Member states should consider shelters and Helplines Essential Services. • Helplines, psychosocial support and online counselling should be boosted, using technology-based solutions such as SMS, online tools and networks to expand social support, and to reach women with no access to phones or Internet. • Police and justice services must mobilise to ensure that incidents of violence against women and girls are given high priority with no impunity for perpetrators. Why these Measures are Necessary? • Globally 243 million women and girls aged 15-49 have been subjected to sexual and/or physical violence perpetrated by an intimate partner in the previous 12 months. • The number is likely to increase as security, health and money worries heighten tensions and strains are accentuated by cramped and confined living conditions. How Lockdown is Worsening the Situation? • According to emerging data, violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has ‘intensified’. • As per data compiled by the U.N. body, France has seen a 30% increase in domestic violence since the lockdown on March 17.

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• In Argentina, emergency calls for domestic violence cases have increased by 25% since the lockdown on March 20 and Cyprus (30%), Singapore (33%) have also registered an increase in calls. Canada, Germany, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S. have also registered an increase in cases of domestic violence and demand for emergency shelter.

9. G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers Meeting Why in News? • The G20 Energy Ministers’ meeting will be adopting a Joint Statement, which inter alia, proposes to establish a Task Force to advise the G20 Energy Ministers on the next steps and agreed to remain engaged in the coming days. Highlights: • The meeting was called by Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the G20 Presidency, and chaired by Saudi Arabia Energy Minister. The meeting was attended by Energy Ministers of G20 countries, guest countries and heads of international organizations including OPEC, IEA and IEF. The G20 Energy Ministers’ focused on ways and means to ensure stable energy markets, which are affected due to demand reduction as result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing surplus production -related matters. India’s Input: • India calls for G20 taking a human-centric approach for overcoming challenging hardships, especially for the vulnerable. • The Minister highlighted the decision of the government of India, under the aegis of the Ujjwala scheme, to provide 80.3 million poor families free LPG cylinders, as part of a 23 billion dollars relief package. • India was and will continue to be, the global energy demand centre. • The Minister highlighted the Government of India’s efforts to fill in Strategic Petroleum Reserves. In terms of the ongoing energy market fluctuations, India has always advocated for a stable oil market, which is reasonable for producers and affordable for consumers. • India appreciated the collective efforts of OPEC and OPEC-plus countries to balance the supply-side factors which is imperative for long-term sustainability. • India, however, urged that oil prices should be targeted to affordable levels to allow for a consumption-led demand recovery.

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10. Oil Price War & Implications Context: • OPEC, Russia and other allies have outlined plans to cut their oil output by more than a fifth. The US, Russia and Saudi Arabia, the world’s top three oil producers, all endorsed the agreement to cut production, COVID-19 and its impact on Oil market: • Steps to fight the virus have grounded planes, cut vehicle usage and curbed economic activity. • This led to a plunge in the global fuel demand by around 30 million bpd, or 30% of global supplies. • Brent oil prices, which hit an 18-year low last month, were trading at half their level at the end of 2019. • The planned output curbs by OPEC+ amount to 10 million barrels per day (bpd) or 10% of global supplies, with another 5 million bpd expected to come from other nations to help deal with the deepest oil crisis in decades. • An unprecedented 15 million bpd cut still won't remove enough crude to stop the world's storage facilities quickly filling up. The U.S an Saudi Arabia • U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Saudi Arabia if it did not fix the oil market's problem of oversupply. • U.S. has warned Riyadh that it could face sanctions and tariffs on its oil, if it did not cut its production. • The U.S. oil industry with higher costs is struggling with low prices. The G20 Countries: • The G20 in a reference to the Opec deal, has said “recognised the commitment of some producers to stabilise energy markets”. • However, G20 energy ministers did not mention any particular production cuts in a statement released after a virtual summit hosted by Saudi Arabia • Officials from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia have said the scale of the crisis required involvement of all producers.

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U.S. DILEMMA: • The United States, whose output has surged to surpass Saudi and Russian production. • U.S. officials have already said U.S. output would fall naturally over two years but have not committed to any cuts. The G20: • The G20 is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. • The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade. • The G20 operates as a forum and not as an organisation. Therefore, it does not have any permanent secretariat or management and administrative structure. • The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): • The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental organization, created at the Baghdad Conference in 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. • It aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of oil in the world market, in order to avoid fluctuations that might affect the economies of both producing and purchasing countries. • It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. • OPEC membership is open to any country that is a substantial exporter of oil and which shares the ideals of the organization. • Gabon terminated its membership in January 1995. However, it rejoined the Organization in July 2016. • Qatar terminated its membership on 1 January 2019.

11. ADB Assures Covid-19 Support Package Why in News? • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has assured the Ministry of Finance of USD 2.2 billion (about Rs 16,500 crore) support to India in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Key Points: ADB’s Support to India: • It is now preparing USD 2.2 billion in immediate assistance in response to Covid-19 to the health sector to help alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic on the poor. • ADB announced an initial package of approximately USD 6.5 billion to address the immediate needs of its developing member countries, including India, as an response to the Covid-19 pandemic. • ADB is also engaged with the private sector to meet its financing needs during this period. • It is ready to provide further financial assistance and policy advice whenever the situation warrants. • ADB is also planning to consider all financing options available to meet India’s needs, to facilitate swift disbursement of ADB funds including emergency assistance, policy-based loans, and budget support. ADB praised efforts of the Government: • ADB praised the Indian government’s decisive response to the pandemic, including • Rs 1.7 lakh crore economic relief package (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana), which provides immediate income and consumption support to the poor, women, and workers affected by the three-week nationwide lockdown. • A national health emergency program. • Tax and other relief measures provided to businesses. About Asian Development Bank: • ADB is a regional development bank established in the year 1966. ADB is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. ADB now has 68 members, 49 from within Asia. • Japan holds the largest proportion of shares in ADB followed by the USA. • It aims to promote social and economic development in Asia. • ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

12. Developing country Status in WTO Why in News? • US president has asked for changing the WTO rules for changing the developing country status of China.

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China – a developing country or Developed Country? • China became a WTO member in 2001. By 2011, China became the second-largest economy in GDP terms, the first largest merchandise exporter, the fourth largest • commercial services exporter and the first destination for inward FDI among developing countries. • So if China is forced to take on the duties of a developed country and forego the benefits of a developing country, the West could soon ask other developing countries that are ahead of China (at least in per capita terms) to do the same. Who are the developing countries in the WTO? • There are no WTO definitions of “developed” and “developing” countries. • Members announce for themselves whether they are “developed” or “developing” countries. • However, other members can challenge the decision of a member to make use of provisions available to developing countries. What are the advantages of “Developing Country” status? • Developing country status in the WTO brings certain rights. • Developing country status ensures special and differential treatment (S&DT) or provisions which allow them more time to implement agreements and commitments, include measures to increase trading opportunities, safeguard their trade interests, and support to build capacity to handle disputes and implement technical standards. WTO Norms for Recognition of Developed, Developing and LDCs: • Under the WTO system, generally, countries are designated as developed, developing, and least developed countries (LDCs). • The uneven level of development between developed and developing countries in the WTO is a well-recognised fact. • Article XVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) recognises that attaining the objectives of this agreement would require facilitating the progressive development of those countries that can only support low levels of development and are at the early stages of development. • Accordingly, countries self-designate themselves as ‘developing country’ to take advantage of provisions like Article XVIII of GATT and other special and differential treatment (S&DT) provisions in the WTO agreements.

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• These provisions are aimed at increasing trade opportunities for developing countries, ensuring longer transitional periods to comply with WTO obligations, and affording technical assistance to countries, among other things. What are “Special and Differential Treatment” Provisions? • Longer time periods for implementing Agreements and commitments, • Measures to increase trading opportunities for developing countries, • Provisions requiring all WTO members to safeguard the trade interests of developing countries, • Support to help developing countries build the capacity to carry out WTO work, handle disputes, and implement technical standards, and • Provisions related to least-developed country (LDC) Members. • The concept of non-reciprocal preferential treatment for developing countries that when developed countries grant trade concessions to developing countries, they should not expect the developing countries to make matching offers in return. Demands by Developed Countries: • For some time now, developed countries, mainly the US, have been asking the WTO to end the benefits being given to developing countries. • Nearly two-thirds of the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have been able to avail themselves of special treatment and to take on weaker commitments under the WTO framework by designating themselves as Developing Countries.

13. International Monetary Fund (IMF) Why in News? • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently approved a $500 million grant to cancel six months of debt payments for 25 of the world's most impoverished countries. About: • It will provide grants to the poorest and most vulnerable member countries to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. • These countries will be able to channel more of their scarce financial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts. • The money will come from the IMFs revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) which will use recent pledges of 185 million from the United Kingdom and 100 million from Japan. It urged other donors to help replenish the trusts resources, which

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also approved the immediate debt service relief for 19 African countries including Afghanistan, Haiti, Nepal, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan and Yemen. About Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT): • It was established in February 2015 during the Ebola outbreak and modified in March 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. • It allows the IMF to provide grants for debt relief for the poorest and most vulnerable countries hit by catastrophic natural disasters or public health disasters. • The relief on debt service payments frees up additional resources to meet exceptional balance of payments needs created by the disaster and for containment and Recovery. About International Monetary Fund (IMF): • It came into existence after the UN conference in Bretton Woods in 1944. The 44 countries at that conference sought to build a framework for economic cooperation to avoid a repetition of the competitive devaluations that had contributed to the Great Depression of the 1930s. • It currently has 189 member countries, each of which has representation on the IMF's executive board in proportion to its financial importance. • The most powerful countries in the global economy have the most voting power. • Its main objectives are foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty around the world. About the Functions of IMF: • To provide financial assistance to member countries with balance of payments problems. Countries must embark on structural adjustment policies monitored by the IMF. • It oversees the international monetary system and monitors the economic and financial policies of its 189 member countries. As part of this process, which takes place both at the Global Level and in Individual Countries, the IMF highlights possible risks to stability and advises on needed policy adjustments. • It provides technical assistance and training to central banks, finance ministries, tax authorities, and other economic institutions. • It helps the countries to raise public revenues, modernize banking systems, develop strong legal frameworks, improve governance, and enhance the reporting of macroeconomic and financial data.

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• It also helps countries to make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

14. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit Why in News? • Recently, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit was held online chaired by Vietnam. The discussions pertained to the impact of Covid-19 on southeast Asia. About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): • It is a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation. • It was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. • Its ten members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. • Its Chairmanship rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States. • Its country has a total population of 650 million people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.8 Trillion. Highlights: • Its leaders have warned of the crippling economic cost of Covid-19 and called for trade routes to reopen to protect jobs and food supplies, as well as the stockpiling of medical equipment. • The Covid-19 has affected the region's tourism and export-reliant economies. Vietnam has urged Southeast Asian leaders to set up an emergency fund to tackle the Coronavirus. About the impact of Covid-19 on the Region: • The Singapore has raised fears the pandemic due to the recent surge that could rebound in places which had battled back the initial outbreak. • Health systems from Myanmar to Laos are widely believed to be missing the true scale of infections. • The Thai economy, is expected to shrink by 5.3% in 2020 -- a 22-year low -- with millions left jobless.

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• Limited testing in Indonesia has resulted in the lower number of cases and under 400 deaths for a country of 260 million.

15. Defence deal between India and US Why in News? • The US has approved a military sale to India of 16 MK 54 all round up lightweight torpedoes and ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles. Highlights: • In total two deals have been made. • A possible Foreign Military Sale to India of 16 MK 54 all round up lightweight torpedoes and related equipment at an estimated cost of $63 million. • In addition, in another deal, the US approved the possible sale to India of ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles and related equipment at an estimated cost of $92 million. • The principal contractor for the first deal is Raytheon Integrated Defense System based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, while Boeing is the principal contractor for the equipment in the second deal. India plans to use the equipment requested in both the deals on the Indian Navy’s Boeing P-8I maritime aircraft. MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo:

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• The MK 54 lightweight torpedo is known as the Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo (LHT). • It weighs around 608 pounds, while its warhead weighs around 96.8 pounds and is highly explosive. • The primary use of this equipment is for offensive purposes when deployed by antisubmarine warfare aircraft and helicopters, and for defensive purposes when deployed by ships and against fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and slow-moving, quiet, diesel electric submarines. AGM-84L Harpoon Block II Air-Launched Missiles: • The Harpoon missile system will be integrated into the P-8I aircraft to conduct anti-surface warfare missions in defence of critical sea lanes. • It uses GPS-aided inertial navigation to hit the designated target. • Its warhead weighs over 500 pounds and is capable of delivering lethal firepower against targets, including land-based targets, coastal defence sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft and industrial or port facilities. P-8I Aircraft:

• Boeing’s P-8s are designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. • The P-8s India version is called the P-8I, and helps the Indian Navy carry out important maritime operations. • According to Boeing, the aircraft can surpass 25,000 flight hours, and gives the Navy a significant edge in the strategically important Indian Ocean. • India currently has eight of these aircraft and is scheduled to receive four more by 2022

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16. IMF projects 1.9% growth for India in 2020 Why in News? • The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to cause a -3% change in global output in 2020, much worse than the 2008-09 financial crises, as per the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO). Highlight: • A rare disaster, a coronavirus pandemic, has resulted in a tragically large number of Human Lives being lost. • As countries implement necessary quarantines and social distancing practices to contain the pandemic, the world has been put in a Great Lockdown. • The magnitude and speed of collapse in activity that has followed is unlike anything experienced in our lifetimes.

World Economic Outlook (WEO), April 2020: • India’s growth is expected to dip to 1.9% in 2020 and rebound to 7.4% in 2021. • Assuming that the pandemic fades in the second half of 2020, the world economy is projected to grow at 5.8% in 2020 as economic activity normalizes, aided by policy. • If the pandemic does not recede in the second half of 2020, global GDP would fall an additional 3% in 2020 and if the pandemic continues into 2021, global GDP may fall by an additional 8% relative to the baseline scenario. • The cumulative loss to global GDP over 2020 and 2021 from the pandemic crisis could be around 9 trillion dollars, greater than the economies of Japan and Germany, combined. Emerging Asia: • Emerging Asia is projected to be the only region that grows in 2020, at a rate of 1.0%.

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• Apart from India’s modest 1.9% in 2020, Indonesia is expected to grow at 0.5%, while others in the region experience contractions. Factors of Economic Impact of the Disease: • The economic impact of the disease depends on a number of factors and their unpredictable interaction, including the pandemic’s pathway, the intensity and effectiveness of containment efforts, supply chain disruptions, spending pattern changes, behavioural changes (for example around people visiting shopping malls and public transport use), significant tightening of global financial market conditions and so forth. Way Forward: • The IMF called on policymakers to make targeted fiscal, monetary and financial sector interventions to support impacted households and businesses. • Fiscal measures should be two-fold, cushioning the impact on the most-exposed households and businesses, and reducing firm closures, i.e., preserving economic relationships. • Fiscal support will need scaling up, if activity does not pick up sufficiently once restrictions are lifted or if economic activity stoppages are persistent. • Monetary stimulus by large central banks and liquidity facilities to reduce systemic stress would be required to limit the shock, positioning the economy for a better recovery. • Further Strong multilateral cooperation is essential to overcome the effects of the pandemic, including to help financially constrained countries facing twin health and funding shocks, and for channelling aid to countries with weak healthcare systems.

17. International Energy Agency (IEA) Context: • Recently, IEA has made some observations about the impact of global lockdown on oil demands across the world. Highlights: • The price of oil has already fallen about 60% since the start of the year due to a pricing war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

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• Global demand for oil will fall this year by the most ever due to the economic lockdowns enforced around the world to contain the coronavirus pandemic. • An estimated drop in demand of 9.3 million barrels a day this year is equivalent to a decade’s worth of Growth. About IEA: • It is established in 1974 as per framework of the OECD, which is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation. • Its Headquarters (Secretariat) is located at Paris, France. • Its mission is to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its member countries and beyond. They are guided by four main areas of focus: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide. • It mandate has expanded over time to include tracking and analyzing global key energy trends, promoting sound energy policy, and fostering multinational energy technology cooperation. The Reports released by IEA are Global Energy & CO2 Status Report, World Energy Outlook, World Energy Statistics, World Energy Balances and Energy Technology Perspectives. Composition and Eligibility: • It has 30 members at present. Its family also includes eight association countries. • A candidate country must be a member country of the OECD. But all OECD members are not IEA members. • To become its member country, they must demonstrate that it has: ✓ Crude oil and/or product reserves equivalent to 90 days of the previous year’s net imports, to which the government has immediate access (even if it does not own them directly) and could be used to address disruptions to global oil supply. ✓ A demand restraint programme to reduce national oil consumption by up to 10%. ✓ Legislation and organisation to operate the Co-ordinated Emergency Response Measures (CERM) on a national basis. ✓ Legislation and measures to ensure that all oil companies under its jurisdiction report information upon request. Measures in place to ensure the capability of contributing its share of an IEA collective action. About the Impact and their Changes: • While the cheaper energy can be helpful for consumers and energy-hungry businesses, it is below the cost of production.

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• That is eating away at the state finances of oil-producing countries, many of whom are relatively poor economies, and pushing companies to bankruptcy. • With broad limits on travel and business, many consumers are unable to take advantage of the low prices anyway. The recent deal by OPEC and other countries to reduce global output by some 9.7 million barrels a day will help stabilize the situation somewhat. • On top of those cuts, countries like China, India, South Korea and the United States will look to buy more oil to store away in strategic reserves.

18. Special Drawing Rights (SDR) Why in News? • India is not supporting a general allocation of new Special Drawing Rights (SDR) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because it feels it might not be effective in easing COVID-19-driven financial pressures. What is a Special Drawing Right (SDR)? • The SDR is an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement its member countries’ official reserves. • The value of the SDR is based on a basket of five currencies—the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Chinese renminbi, the Japanese yen, and the British pound sterling. • So far SDR 204.2 billion (equivalent to about US$281 billion) have been allocated to members, including SDR 182.6 billion allocated in 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis. What is the Reason Behind India’s Stand? • The new SDR allocation was supposed to provide all 189 members with new foreign exchange reserves with no conditions. • Such a major liquidity injection could produce potentially costly side-effects if countries used the funds for “extraneous” purposes. What is the role of the SDR? • The SDR was created as a supplementary international reserve asset in the context of the Bretton Woods fixed exchange rate system. • The SDR serves as the unit of account of the IMF and some other international organizations. The SDR is neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF. Rather, it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. • SDRs can be exchanged for these currencies.

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Do SDRs are Reviewed Periodically? • Yes, the SDR basket is reviewed every five years or earlier if warranted, to ensure that the basket reflects the relative importance of currencies in the world’s trading and financial systems. • The reviews cover the key elements of the SDR method of valuation, including criteria and indicators used in selecting SDR basket currencies and the initial currency weights used in determining the amounts (number of units) of each currency in the SDR basket.

19. National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India Launched Why in News? • Union Minister for Culture (I/C) has launched the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India in New Delhi. Highlights: • India houses a repository of unique Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) traditions, 13 of which have also been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. • The National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage. • It aims to raise awareness about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at national and international level and ensure their protection. This initiative is also a part of the Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture. • The present items in the list have been collated from the projects sanctioned under the scheme for ‘Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India’ formulated by the Ministry of Culture in 2013.

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• As of now the list has more than 100 elements. It also includes the 13 elements of India that have already been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The list functions as a tentative list for any potential inscriptions on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Classification: • Following UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, this list has been classified into five broad domains in which intangible cultural heritage is Manifested: • Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage; ✓ Performing arts; ✓ Social practices, rituals and festive events; ✓ Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; ✓ Traditional craftsmanship. • The List Includes: ✓ Assam: The traditional folk festival of Pachoti, where the birth of a baby, particularly a male infant as the tradition relates to the birth of Krishna is celebrated with relatives and neighbours. ✓ Delhi: The oral traditions of the transgender community called Kinnar Kanthgeet and compositions of Ameer Khusro. ✓ Gujarat: Patola silk textiles from Patan with its geometric and figurative patternsalso made it to the list. ✓ Rajasthan: The practice of tying a turban or safa across Rajasthan was a part of the list. ✓ Jammu and Kashmir: The Kalam Bhat or Qalambaft gharana of Sufiana music in Budgam district and from Ladakh. The Buddhist chanting across both Leh and Kargil districts were on the list of intangible cultural heritage. ✓ Manipur: The making of khor, a rice beer, by the Tangkhul community in Manipur as well as other crafts associated with it, like making gourd vessels and wicker baskets, were also on the list. ✓ Kerala: Martial art form, Kalaripayuttu, and the practice of making designs at the entrance of homes and temples called kolam in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were also included in the list.

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• Different forms of Shadow Puppet Theatre: ✓ Chamadyacha Bahulya in Maharashtra, ✓ Tolu Bommalatta in Andhra Pradesh, ✓ Togalu Gombeyatta in Karnataka, ✓ Tolu Bommalattam in Tamil Nadu, ✓ Tolpava Kuthu in Kerala and Ravanchhaya in Orissa — have also been included. • Through consultation from experts and other stakeholders like UNESCO, this list could also help strengthen the ICH inventory of India, which functions as a ‘tentative list’ for any potential inscriptions on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

20. OIC wants India to Curb its Spread of Islamophobia Why in News? • Recently, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has criticised the Indian government for what it called “growing Islamophobia” in India. Background Info: • A religious gathering of muslims (Tablighi Jamaat) was held in Delhi in March. The event was linked to many of the Covid-19 positive cases in India. • After this most sections of the media, people on social media blamed the Tablighi jamaat and muslims for deliberately spreading the Covid-19 in India. Stance of OIC: • OIC asked the government to take steps to protect Muslim minorities who are being “negatively profiled,” facing “discrimination and violence” amidst the Covid-19 crisis. • It has asked the government to take urgent steps to stop the growing tide of Islamophobia (dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims) in India. • OIC urged the government to protect the rights of its minority as per its obligations under international Human Rights law. Earlier Criticism of USCIRF: • Earlier, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has also criticised India of “increased stigmatisation” of its muslim minorities. • It criticized the government for the reports that Covid-19 patients were religiously segregated at a hospital in Ahmedabad.

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About Organisation of Islamic Cooperation: • The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states. • It is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world. • It was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on the 25th of September 1969. • Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

21. Indian Trade Curbs against WTO Principles, says China Why in News? • China has recently stated that India’s recently adopted policy to curb opportunistic takeovers of domestic companies goes against the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). What is the Issue? • The Government has amended certain sections of the FDI policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. • While India shares a land border with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Afghanistan, the move appears directed mostly at China. What were the Changes Introduced? • All FDI proposals from countries sharing border with India will be under the government approval route. • The so-called automatic route, under which the central bank simply had to be informed after money was invested, has been blocked in such cases. • Companies whose beneficial ownership also lies in such countries will have to undergo government scrutiny for any change in Foreign Holding. How was the FDI Policy for Neighbours so far? • A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited. • However, a citizen of Bangladesh or an entity incorporated in Bangladesh can invest only under the Government route. Further, a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in

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Pakistan can invest, only under the Government route, in sectors/activities other than defence, space, atomic energy and sectors/activities prohibited for foreign investment. What Would be the Impact? • The amended policy makes every type of investment by Chinese investors subject to government approval. Such a blanket application could create unintended problems. • It does not distinguish between Greenfield and Brownfield investments. It may pose obstacles to Greenfield investments where Chinese investors bring fresh capital to establish new factories and generate employment in India. ✓ Greenfield investments include building new production facilities in a foreign country. It refers to investment in a manufacturing, office, or other physical company- related structure or group of structures in an area where no previous facilities exist. ✓ Brownfield investments are those used for purchasing or leasing existing production facilities to launch a new production activity. • The new policy does not distinguish between the different types of investors, such as industry players, financial institutions, or venture capital funds. The restrictions on Venture capital funds may impact the prospects of many start-ups in the Indian market. Why Chinese investment in India is Targeted? • China’s footprint in the Indian business space has been expanding rapidly, especially since 2014. The Chinese investment in India in 2014 stood at $1.6 billion. This involved mostly investment from Chinese state-owned players in the infrastructure space in India. • By 2017, the total investment had increased five-fold to at least $8 billion accompanied by a marked shift from a state-driven to market-driven approach. • Total current and planned Chinese investment in India has crossed $26 billion in March 2020. What is China’s Point on WTO Trade Violation? • The additional barriers set by Indian side for investors from specific countries violate WTO’s principle of non-discrimination, and go against the general trend of liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment. • India also do not conform to the consensus of the G20 leaders and Trade Ministers to realise a free, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, predictable and stable trade and investment environment, and to keep our markets open.

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Why such Measures Needed for India? • Many Indian businesses have come to a halt due to the lockdown imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently their valuations have plummeted. • Many such domestic firms may be vulnerable to opportunistic takeovers or acquisitions from foreign players. • Recently, People’s Bank of China made a portfolio investment through the stock market into the housing finance company HDFC and now holds a 1.01% stake in the company.

22. India Attends Annual Meeting of NDB Why in News? • Indian Union Minister of Finance has attended the 5th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of New Development Bank (NDB) through video-conference in New Delhi. Highlights of the Meeting: • NDB fast-tracked financial assistance of about $5 billion to BRICS countries including Emergency Assistance of $1 billion to India to combat Covid-19 pandemic. This assistance under this facility was suggested to be enhanced to $10 billion. • NDB was encouraged to take appropriate actions to join the G-20 forum along with other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), etc. India appreciated NDB’s efforts in establishing itself as a credible Global Financial Institution, delivering its mandate successfully by taking a more sustainable and inclusive approach. • Brazil thanked India for sending critical drugs for timely management of novel coronavirus in Brazil. NDB appreciates India: • NDB has praised India on the measures taken to respond to the health crisis and to mitigate its impact. Some of the key measures taken by India are as: ✓ Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana: Announcement of a scheme of social support measures amounting to ₹1.70 lakh crore to alleviate the hardship of the poor and the vulnerable. ✓ Insurance cover for Health Workers: Insurance cover of ₹50 lakh per person to over 2.2 million frontline health workers and others provision of relief to firms in statutory and Regulatory Compliance Matters.

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✓ Easing of monetary policy by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and three-month moratorium on loan instalments. ✓ India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package: Allocation of $2 Billion (₹15,000 crore) by the Government of India for strengthening the healthcare system. ✓ Creation of a Covid-19 Emergency Fund for SAARC countries. ✓ Helping Neighbouring Countries: India’s efforts in supplying critical medicine to the countries in need (e.g. Operation Sanjeevani), to tackle the Covid-19. About New Development Bank: • It is a multilateral development bank jointly founded by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) at the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil in 2014. • It is headquartered at Shanghai, China. • In 2018, the NDB received observer status in the United Nations General Assembly, establishing a firm basis for active and fruitful cooperation with the UN. • It was formed to support infrastructure and sustainable development efforts in BRICS and other underserved, emerging economies for faster development through innovation and cutting-edge Technology.

23. SWOT Analysis of Impact of COVID-19 on Education Why in News? • With the pandemic forcing everyone to seriously consider e-learning tools and resources, now is a good time to assess its strengths and opportunities, and adapt to the new normal.

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Highlights: • SWOT analysis is a strategic planning technique used to help identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a situation. Strengths: • For the first time many teachers, parents and students have thought about the purpose of education and asked some useful question such as: Will ‘education’ be defined in a different way, in the future? Is there a need to learn differently? Should students’ knowledge and skills be assessed? Will online education be successful in India? How important is home learning? etc. Weaknesses: • Lack of innovative thinking, inadequate infrastructure, untrained teachers, unequal accessibility, exam-centric assessment, and lack of learner autonomy. • Recently, the Delhi government announced that it would conduct online classes for class XII students, but school teachers say that it is impractical since most students do not have access to the Required Facilities. • Teachers working in government-aided and government schools in cities and towns and private schools in rural areas also do not have such facilities. • They may neither have the awareness of online tools such as Google Classroom available for such purposes, nor have the expertise to use them. Opportunities: • The three main opportunities that we have are: i) our students who belong to Gen Z, ii) numerous web resources, and iii) enthusiastic teachers. • Gen Z learners (born between 1997 and 2010) are born in the digital era and are familiar with computers, multimedia content and Internet-based activities from an early age. Now is the right time to move classes to a different platform, introduce e-learning and develop learner autonomy. The COVID-19 lockdown has enabled teachers to become creative. They can now create e-material such as YouTube videos and PPTs and share the links with their students and engage them during the lockdown period. Threats: • India is far behind some developing countries where digital education is getting increased attention. In countries where e-learning is popular, students have access to various online resources such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

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• India needs to take the threat of many developed and developing countries leading the way in online education seriously and promote it earnestly.

24. UNGA Passes Resolution on Covid-19 Why in News? • The United Nations General Assembly has recently adopted a resolution, calling for global cooperation to ensure ‘equitable and fair’ access to medicines, vaccines and medical equipment for all nations to battle the Covid-19. • The UNGA resolution which was drafted by Mexico was adopted Through Consensus. Highlights of the Resolution: • International Co-operation: Recognised the importance of international cooperation and effective multilateralism to ensure that all States have in place effective national protective measures, access to and flow of vital medical supplies, medicines and vaccines. • Prevention of Stockpiling: Prevent any undue stockpiling of essential medical supplies. • Increased R&D: Encourages member states to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to increase research and development funding for vaccines and medicines. • Involve Private Sector: Called to bolster coordination with the private sector towards rapid development, manufacturing and distribution of diagnostics, antiviral medicines, personal protective equipment and vaccines, adhering to the objectives of efficacy, safety, equity, accessibility, and affordability. United Nations General Assembly: • The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation. • Each year, in September, the full UN membership meets in the General Assembly Hall in New York for the annual General Assembly session, and general debate, which many heads of state attend and address. • Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. • Decisions on other questions are by Simple Majority. • The President of the General Assembly is elected each year by assembly to serve a one-year term of office.

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25. World Press Freedom Index, 2020 Why in News? • India has dropped two places on a global press freedom index to be ranked 142nd out of 180 countries in the annual World Press Freedom Report. Highlights: • The report said that with no murders of journalists in India in 2019, as against six in 2018. • However, there have been constant press freedom violations, including police violence against journalists, ambushes by political activists, and reprisals instigated by criminal groups or corrupt local officials. World Press Freedom Index: • The Press Freedom Index is an Annual ranking of countries compiled and published by Reporters Without Borders. • It is based upon the organization’s own assessment of the countries’ press freedom records. • It intends to reflect the degree of freedom that journalists, news organisations, and netizens have in each country, and the efforts made by authorities to respect this freedom. • The report is partly based on a questionnaire which asks questions about pluralism media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, and infrastructure. Global Scenario: • Norway is ranked first in the Index for the fourth year running. • India ranked better than its neighbours Pakistan (145) and Bangladesh (151), but worse than Sri Lanka (127) and Nepal (112) • China at 177th position is just three places above North Korea, which is at 180th. Various Threats to Press Freedom: • Across the world, press freedom is under pressure from aggressive authoritarian regimes.

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• The media is also facing a technological crisis, due to a lack of democratic guarantees and a democratic crisis following polarization and repressive policies, the report reads. • In addition comes a crisis of trust following growing suspicion and even hatred of the media, and an economic crisis and impoverishing of quality journalism. • Among other issues, the report has listed coordinated social media hate campaigns against journalists reporting on issues that “annoy right-wing followers”, criminal prosecutions to gag journalists critical of authorities and police violence against journalists.

26. Oil Price Fell Below Zero Context: • Recently, the oil prices of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell to minus $40.32 a barrel in interlay trade in New York (the USA). It has the best quality of crude oil in the world. • It is the lowest crude oil price ever recorded below the zero mark while the previous lowest was recorded immediately after World War II (WWII). Oil Pricing Around the World: • The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) used to work as a cartel and fix prices in a favourable band. It is led by Saudi Arabia, which is the largest exporter of crude oil in the world (single-handedly exporting 10% of the global demand). • It could bring down prices by increasing oil production and raise prices by cutting production. The global oil pricing mainly depends upon the partnership between the global oil exporters instead of well-functioning competition. • Cutting oil production is a difficult decision, because restarting it is immensely costly and complicated. If a country cuts production, it risks losing market share if other countries do not follow the suit. Causes for the Oil Price Fall: • The Crude oil prices were already falling before the global lockdown due to the higher supply and lower demand. • The price was close to $60 a barrel at the start of 2020 and, by March-end, they were closer to $20 a barrel. The Problems arose when Saudi Arabia and Russia disagreed over the production cuts, required to keep prices stable. • Likewise, Saudi Arabia led oil-exporting countries started undercutting each other on price while producing the same quantities of oil.

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• The global spread of Covid-19 made it even worse as it sharply reduced the economic activity and the oil-demand, which made the Oil-exporting countries to cut production by 10 million barrels a day (the highest production cuts) and yet the demand for oil was reducing even further. • The supply demand mismatch resulted in exhausted storage capacities. The oil prices started falling steeply because the May contracts for WTI were due to expire on 21st April, 2020 which posed huge challenges for both the oil producers and the consumers (contractors/buyers). • The Producers started selling the oil at unbelievably low prices because shutting production would have been costlier to restart when compared to the marginal loss on May sales. The Consumers were facing the problem of storage. There is no space to store the oil even if they decided to buy and take the delivery. • Accepting the oil delivery, paying for the transportation and storage would have been costlier than the hit on contract price. • For both the holders of the delivery contract and the oil producers, it was less costly to pay $40 a barrel and get rid of the oil instead of storing it (consumers/buyers) or stopping production (producers). So this led to the negative WTI oil contract prices. Impact of Oil pricing in India: • It does not have any direct impact on India because Indian crude oil basket does not comprise WTI and it only has Brent and oil from some of the Gulf countries. • But, the weakness in WTI reflects on the falling prices of Indian basket as well because oil is traded globally and has indirect impacts. • The fall of oil pricing will benefit India in two ways: 1. If the government passes on the lower prices to consumers, then individual consumption will be boosted whenever the economic recovery starts in India. 2. If both, central and the state, governments decide to levy higher taxes on oil, it can boost Government Revenues. Way Ahead: • It was the WTI price for May in the US markets that went so low. Crude oil prices at other places fell but not too much. The prices for June and the coming months are pegged between $20 and $35 a barrel. The Investment budgets of exploration and production companies are expected to drop because of the low shale oil prices.

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• Normally, this should force oil exporting countries to cut back production and negate the excess supply, restoring balance in the oil markets but the possibility of recent events from happening again cannot be ruled out. Eventually, it would be the demand-supply mismatch (adjusted for how much can be stored away) that will decide the fate of oil prices.

27. The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 Why in News? • The Central government has promulgated an Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to make attacks on doctors and healthcare workers a cognizable and non-bailable offence. What is the Issue? • Members of the Medical community, even as they continue to perform relentlessly round the clock and save human lives, have unfortunately become the most vulnerable victims as they have been perceived by some as carriers of the virus. • This has led to cases of their stigmatization and sometimes worse, acts of unwarranted violence and harassment. • Such a situation tends to hamper the medical community from performing their duties to their optimum best and maintaining their morale, which is a critical need in this hour of national health crisis. While healthcare service personnel are duty bound to serve without discrimination, the cooperation and support from society is a fundamental need for them to perform their duties with confidence. • But few violent incidents against the medical community have triggered the Indian Medical Association to step back from treating the patients affected by the pandemic. • In a response the Cabinet has intervened and brought the 'The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020' to protect the medical community. About the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897: • The Epidemic Diseases Act was introduced by the British to tackle the epidemic of bubonic plague that broke out in the then state of Bombay. • This law aims to provide for the better prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic diseases. Under the act, temporary provisions or regulations can be made to be observed by the public to tackle or prevent the outbreak of a disease.

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• Section 2A of the Act empowers the central government to take steps to prevent the spread of an epidemic. It allows the government to inspect any ship arriving or leaving any post and the power to detain any person intending to sail or arriving in the country. ✓ Since health is a State subject, by invoking Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, advisories and directions of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will be enforceable. • Section 3 provides penalties for disobeying any regulation or order made under the Act. These are according to section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). • Section 4 gives legal protection to the implementing officers acting under the Act. • The Epidemics Diseases Act is routinely enforced across the country for dealing with outbreaks of diseases such as Swine Flu, Dengue. • For Example in 2009, to tackle the swine flu outbreak in Pune, Section 2 powers were used to open screening centres in civic hospitals across the city, and swine flu was declared a notifiable disease. What are the Changes Made? • Whoever commits or abets the commitment of violence against health care worker, shall be punished with imprisonment ranging from 3 months to 5 years, and penalty ranging from Rs 50,000 to 2 lakh. In case of a very serious attack, the imprisonment may be for a minimum period of 6 months and maximum of 7 years, with penalty ranging from Rs 1 lakh to 5 lakh. As per the Ordinance, investigation into the incidents of attacks on doctors and healthcare workers has to be conducted by a senior inspector and be completed within 30 days. Court proceedings related to these cases shall also be conducted in a time-bound manner, and have to be decided within a year. The Ordinance also provides that the court shall presume that such person has committed such offence, unless the contrary is proved. The Ordinance states that in case of damage to vehicles or clinics of doctors or healthcare workers, the perpetrators would have to pay double the market cost of the damaged asset as compensation. Upon failure to pay the compensation awarded, such amount shall be recovered as an arrear of land revenue under the Revenue Recovery Act, 1890. What are the Possible Impacts? • The current Ordinance is intended to ensure that during any situation akin to the current pandemic, there is zero tolerance to any form of violence against healthcare service personnel and damage to property.

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• Some incidents of violence have taken place which has demoralized the medical fraternity. It is felt that separate and most stringent provisions for emergent times are needed to act as effective deterrents to any such incidents of violence.

28. World Bank’s Report - Impact of Covid-19 on Remittance Why in News? • World Bank has recently released a report on the impact of Covid-19 on migration and remittances. Key Points: • Globally remittances are projected to decline by about 20% in 2020. • According to the report, India’s remittances are projected to fall by about 23% in 2020. • The migrant workers are vulnerable to loss of employment and wages during an economic crisis in a host country. • The projected fall is largely due to a fall in the wages and employment of migrant workers due to the recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. • The sharp decline in crude prices will also hurt remittances from oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. • This will lead to loss of income for expatriate Indians working in the Gulf and elsewhere across the World. What is meant by Remittance? • A remittance is money sent by a person/entity to another party, usually to the one in the other country. • The sender is typically an immigrant and the recipient a relative back home. • Remittances represent one of the largest sources of income for people in low-income and developing nations. It often exceeds the amount of direct investment and official development assistance. India is the world’s biggest recipient of remittances. Remittance bolsters India's foreign exchange reserves and helps fund its Current Account Deficit. World Bank: • The Bretton Woods Conference held in 1944, created the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). • The IBRD later became the World Bank.

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• The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries. • It has 189 Member Countries. • Few important reports released by the World Bank are: 1. Ease of Doing Business 2. Human Capital Index and 3. World Development Report The Development Institutions of the World Bank are. • International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): Provides loans, credits, and grants. • International Development Association (IDA): provides low- or no-interest loans to low-income countries. • International Finance Corporation (IFC): Provides investment, advice, and asset management to companies and governments. • Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA): Insures lenders and investors against political risk such as war. • International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID): Settles investment-disputes between investors and countries.

29. Commodity Markets Outlook Why in News: • Recently, the World Bank’s has released Commodity Markets Outlook. About Commodity Markets Outlook: • It provides market analysis for major commodity groups - energy, metals, agriculture, precious metals, and fertilizers. • The Report Forecasts Prices for 46 Key Commodities, Including Oil. Highlights: • Energy and metals commodities: They are the most affected by the sudden stop to economic activity and the serious global slowdown that is anticipated. Commodities associated with transportation, including oil, have experienced the steepest declines. • Agricultural prices: They are likely to stay broadly stable in 2020 because of relatively stable demand and all-time high levels of staple production and stock. However, supply

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chain disruptions and government steps to restrict exports or stockpile commodities raise concerns that food security may be at risk in places. • Gold prices: They were up 6.9% in the last quarter (January- March,2020) – its sixth consecutive quarterly rise. The strong investor demand propped gold up despite weak jewelry demand in India and China. • Oil Prices: These are expected to average at $35 per barrel in 2020. The decline in crude oil prices has been exacerbated by uncertainty around production agreements among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other oil producers. • Importers and Exporters: They are likely to see some long-term shifts in their markets due to the pandemic. These include Increasing transport costs due to enhanced border checks and thus impact on supply chains and substituting for imports with domestic goods. The Changing consumer behaviour, such as, people may choose to work remotely, travel less, and this could impact permanent drops in demand for oil, favourably impacting the accounts for oil importers. • This leads to reduction in emissions of the harmful gases caused by the restrictions may also increase public pressure for greener transport and lowered fossil fuel use. World Bank: • The Bretton Woods Conference held in 1944, created the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). • The IBRD later became the World Bank. • The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries. • It has 189 Member Countries. Few Important Reports Released by the World Bank are: 1. Ease of Doing Business 2. Human Capital Index and 3. World Development Report The Development Institutions of the World Bank are: • International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) • International Development Association (IDA) • International Finance Corporation (IFC)

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• Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA) • International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

30. Global Report on Food Crisis Why in News? • The 2020 edition of the annual Global Report on Food Crises has been released. The report is produced by the Global Network against Food Crises, an international alliance working to address the root causes of Extreme Hunger. Highlights: • The 2020 edition of The Global Report on Food Crises describes the scale of acute hunger in the world. • It also examines how the COVID-19 pandemic might contribute to their perpetuation or deterioration. • At the close of 2019, 135 million people across 55 countries and territories experienced acute food insecurity. Acute food insecurity is when a person’s inability to consume adequate food puts their lives or livelihoods in immediate danger. • Additionally, in 2019, 183 million people were classified in Stressed condition — at the cusp of acute hunger and at risk of slipping into Crisis or worse if faced with a shock or stressor, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. • Most affected areas: More than half (73 million) of the 135 million people covered by the report live in Africa; 43 million live in the Middle East and Asia; 18.5 million live in Latin America and the Caribbean. • The key drivers behind the trends analysed in the report were: conflict, (the key factor that pushed 77 million people into acute food insecurity), weather extremes (34 million people) and economic turbulence (24 million). Global Network Against Food Crisis: • The Global Network Against Food Crises was launched by the European Union, FAO and World Food Programme (WFP) during the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) to respond to the WHS’s call for new approaches to tackle protracted crises and recurrent disasters, reduce vulnerability, and manage risk, by bridging the divide between development and humanitarian partners.

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World Food Programme: • The World Food Programme (WFP) is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. According to the WFP, it provides food assistance to an average of 91.4 million people in 83 countries each year. • From its headquarters in Rome and from more than 80 country offices around the world, the WFP works to help people who cannot produce or obtain enough food for themselves and their families. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and part of its executive committee. The WFP was formally established in 1963 by the FAO and the United Nations General Assembly on a three-year experimental basis.

31. “Trends in World Military Expenditure” Report: SIPRI Why in News? • ‘Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019’ was recently released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). • According to the report, the global military expenditure rose to $1917 billion in 2019 with India and China emerging among the top three Spenders. Global Scenario: • Global military spending was 2.2% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with an increase of 3.6% from 2018. The increase of 3.6% was the largest annual growth in spending since 2010. • Top five largest spenders accounted for 62% of the global expenditure. • The top most countries spending on military are as USA>China>India>Russia>Saudi Arabia. • India was at the 4th position in 2018 with Saudi Arabia at the 3rd. India Specific Data: • India’s defence expenditure is growing in absolute terms but defence expenditure has been going down as a percentage of its GDP, due to the increasing trend in the growth of GDP. • In 2019, the expenditure was 2.4% of India’s GDP which was lower than that of 2.7% in 2010. • Total Defence Allocation, including Defence Pension, accounted for 15.48% of the total Central Government expenditure for the year 2019-20.

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• It was 6.8% more than that of 2018 and has grown by 37% over the decade of 2010–19. If compared to 1990, it has gone up by 259%. • Total defence budget accounts for 15.49% of the total central government expenditure for the year 2020-21. It shows a growth of 9.37% over Budget Estimates 2019-20. • India’s tensions and rivalry with both Pakistan and China are among the major drivers for its increased Military Spending. About SIPRI: • Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI think tank is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. • It was established in 1966 at Stockholm (Sweden). • It provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public

32. Impact of USA’s Immigration Ban on Skilled Workers from India Why in News? • Recently, the United States President announced that there is a possibility of an executive order to suspend legal immigration into the U.S. for 60 days. Highlights: • With the toll of the novel coronavirus on the American population spiralling rapidly, the political pressure has been increasing on the country’s leader to take effective action to bring the pandemic under control. • It is in this backdrop, that the recent announcement has been made. According to sources, the time limit could be extended depending on conditions on the ground. What does it mean for Visa Applicants? • The order is not expected to halt visa processing for many thousands of temporary employees, including a sizeable number of Indian nationals in the H-1B skilled worker category, agricultural workers classified under the H-2A visa and seasonal workers, who fall into the H-2B category. • With proper exemptions: According to the White House, the policy will also likely carveout exemptions for certain categories of essential workers, including those in health care and who have a critical role to play in fighting the pandemic.

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• Immigration via relatives allowed: Exemptions are also being made for those who seek to immigrate via their immediate relatives. This includes spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens applying for green cards, or permanent residency. • Also, those who have already been granted permanent residence will not be impacted by this executive order. Other Exemptions: • Members of the armed forces, those who are immigrating for law enforcement reasons and are already in the pipeline. • Those on the EB-5 programme, which requires individuals to invest at least $500,000 in U.S. real estate projects, will be considered. Reason Behind Taking such a Step: • U.S. economy in stress: Like many others across the world, the US economy has grounded to a virtual halt in the face of the pandemic. • An electoral issue: Proposals to restrict immigration served well during the 2016 presidential election, particularly when they were situated in the context of protecting jobs for U.S. workers. To take electoral benefits: The deeper context to the announcement is the fact that the present president is seeking re-election in the upcoming election. Impact on skilled workers from India: • On tourism, there is little concern at the present juncture given that India has stopped commercial flights owing to the risks of coronavirus spread. • Further, in many countries, quarantine procedures apply to international arrivals and this will dissuade many visitors from international travel. • All are affected: U.S. visa issuance in all countries (not only in India) has ground to a halt. • This has left many H-1B visa-seekers in the lurch in India, and that could have an economically debilitating impact on the Indian IT and Information Technology Enabled Service (ITeS) sectors. However, the visa restrictions are derived more from the overall impact of the pandemic, and not from USA’s immigration ban.

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33. South China Sea Dispute Why in News? • In the middle of the global coronavirus pandemic, China has been busy increasing its presence in the South China Sea. What’s the Issue Now? • The focus this time is on two disputed archipelagos of the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands in the middle of the South China Sea waters, between the territory of Vietnam and the Philippines. • Beijing unilaterally renamed 80 islands and other geographical features in the area, drawing criticism from neighbouring countries who have also laid claim to the same territory. What is the Spratly Islands Dispute About? • The on-going territorial dispute is between China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia concerning the ownership of the Spratly Islands archipelago and nearby geographical features like corals reefs, cays etc. • Brunei has contained its objections to the use of its maritime waters for Commercial fishing. • The islands may have large reserves of untapped Natural Resources including Oil. What is the Paracel Islands Dispute about? • Located in the South China Sea, almost equidistant from China and Vietnam. • Beijing says that references to the Paracel Islands as a part of China sovereign territory can be found in 14th century writings from the Song Dynasty. • Vietnam on the other hand, says that historical texts from at least the 15th century show that the islands were a part of its territory. • With increased tensions accelerated by Colonial powers, China and Vietnam fought over their territorial disputes in January 1974 after which China took over control of the islands. • In retaliation, in 1982, Vietnam said it had extended its administrative powers over these islands. • In 1999, Taiwan jumped into the fray laying its claim over the entire archipelago. • Since 2012, China, Taiwan and Vietnam have attempted to reinforce their claims on the territory by engaging in construction of government administrative buildings, tourism, and land reclamation initiatives and by establishing and expanding military presence on the archipelago.

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What does UNCLOS Says? • United Nation Convention on the Laws of the Sea defines the rights, responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of world’s oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, environment, and the management of marine natural resources. • UNCLOS is the only international convention which stipulates a framework for state jurisdiction in maritime spaces. It provides a different legal status to different maritime zones. • It provides the backbone for offshore governance by coastal states and those navigating the oceans. It not only zones coastal states’ offshore areas but also provides specific guidance for states’ rights and responsibilities in the five concentric zones. What are the various Maritime Zones? • Baseline: It is the low-water line along the coast as officially recognized by the coastal state. • Internal Waters: Internal waters are waters on the landward side of the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. ✓ Each coastal state has full sovereignty over its internal waters as like its land territory. Examples of internal waters include bays, ports, inlets, rivers and even lakes that are connected to the sea. ✓ There is no right of innocent passage through internal waters. ✓ The innocent passage refers to the passing through the waters which are not prejudicial to peace and security. However, the nations have the right to suspend the same.

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• Territorial Sea: The territorial sea extends seaward up to 12 nautical miles (nm) from its baselines. ✓ A nautical mile is based on the circumference of the earth and is equal to one minute of latitude. It is slightly more than a land measured mile (1 nautical mile = 1.1508 land miles or 1.85 km). ✓ The coastal states have sovereignty and jurisdiction over the territorial sea. These rights extend not only on the surface but also to the seabed, subsoil, and even airspace. ✓ But the coastal states’ rights are limited by the innocent passage through the territorial sea. • Contiguous Zone: The contiguous zone extends seaward up to 24 nm from its baselines. ✓ It is an intermediary zone between the territorial sea and the high seas. ✓ The coastal state has the right to both prevent and punish infringement of fiscal, immigration, sanitary, and customs laws within its territory and territorial sea. ✓ Unlike the territorial sea, the contiguous zone only gives jurisdiction to a state on the ocean’s surface and floor. It does not provide air and space rights. • Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Each coastal State may claim an EEZ beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea that extends seaward up to 200 nm from its baselines. ✓ Within its EEZ, a coastal state has: ✓ Sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the seabed and subsoil. ✓ Rights to carry out activities like the production of energy from the water, currents and wind. ✓ Unlike the territorial sea and the contiguous zone, the EEZ only allows for the above- mentioned resource rights. It does not give a coastal state the right to prohibit or limit freedom of navigation or over flight, subject to very limited exceptions. • High Seas: The ocean surface and the water column beyond the EEZ are referred to as the high seas. ✓ It is considered as “the common heritage of all mankind” and is beyond any national jurisdiction. ✓ States can conduct activities in these areas as long as they are for peaceful purposes, such as transit, marine science, and undersea exploration.

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34. ADB Approves $1.5 Billion loan to India to Fight COVID-19 Why in News? • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has approved $1.5 billion loan to India to help fund its Fight against Coronavirus Pandemic. About the News: • The loan has been sanctioned to support immediate priorities such as disease containment and prevention, as well as social protection for the poor and economically vulnerable sections. • “The quick-disbursing fund is part of a larger package of support that ADB will provide in close coordination with the Government and Other Development Partners. About Asian Development Bank (ADB): • It is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966 headquartered at Manila, Philippines being India as one of the founding member. It is also official United Nations Observer. • The bank admits the members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP, formerly the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East or ECAFE) and non-regional developed countries. • ADB now has 67 members, of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside. • It is modeled closely on the World Bank, and has a similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion with members’ capital subscriptions.

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• Japan holds the largest share in ADB with 15.677%, followed by U.S.A (15.567%), China (6.473%), and India (5.812%). ADB defines itself as a social development organization that is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. • This is carried out through investments – in the form of loans, grants and information sharing – in infrastructure, health care services, financial and public administration systems, helping nations prepare for the impact of climate change or better manage their natural resources, as well as other areas. ADB’s Mission: • Strategy 2030 sets the course for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to respond effectively to the region’s changing needs. Under Strategy 2030, ADB will sustain its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and expand its vision to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. Other recent development between ADB and India: • ADB and India have signed a loan of $206 million to strengthen urban services in 5 Tamil Nadu cities. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has listed its 10-year masala bonds worth Rs 850 crore on the global debt listing platform of India INX. • Asian Development Bank (ADB) had prepared a Conceptual Development Plan (CDP) for Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC).

35. USCIRF Annual Report, 2020 Why in News? • The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has downgraded India to the lowest ranking, “countries of particular concern” (CPC) in its 2020 Report. About the News: • The report, released in Washington by the federal government commission that functions as an advisory body, placed India alongside countries, including China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. India was categorised as a “Tier 2 country” in last year’s listing. • Tier II countries are those in which violations engaged in or tolerated by government are serious and characterized by at least one of the elements of systematic, on-going, and egregious (horrible).

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• Tier II list also means the violations meet one or two, but not all three, of the elements of the systematic, ongoing, egregious test for CPC status. • This is the first time since 2004 that India has been placed in this category. • According to the report, India took a sharp downward turn in 2019, which included specific concerns about the Citizenship Amendment Act, the proposed National Register for Citizens, anti-conversion laws and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Reasons Cited by the Panel: • The national government used its strengthened parliamentary majority to institute national-level policies violating religious freedom across India, especially for Muslims.” • The panel said that the CPC designation was also recommended because “national and various State governments also allowed nationwide campaigns of harassment and violence against religious minorities to continue with impunity, and engaged in and tolerated hate speech and incitement to violence against them. Response by Indian Government: • Government of India reacted sharply to the USCIRF report, terming it “biased and tendentious” and rejected its observations. • Its biased and tendentious comments against India are not new. But on this occasion, its misrepresentation has reached new levels. • It has not been able to carry its own Commissioners in its endeavour. We regard it as an organisation of particular concern and will treat it accordingly. Significance of the Report: • In its Annual Report, USCIRF unflinchingly describes threats to religious freedom around the world and recommends to the State Department countries for designation as “countries of particular concern” (CPCs) for engaging in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations.” • USCIRF also recommends to the State Department that non-state actors cited for similarly severe violations be designated as “entities of particular concern” (EPCs). Way Forward: • India saw an “overall deterioration of religious freedom conditions in recent years”. • India is facing declining religious freedom, apart from increased securitisation and politicisation of religion.

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• It is increasingly becoming difficult to separate religion and politics. It is a tactic which is sometimes intended by those who seek to discriminate against certain religious communities. Over the last decade Minorities conditions have deteriorated in country. The reason is attributed to extremist groups, anti-conversion laws, cow-protection groups, mob lynching, concerns that millions from Assam will be incorrectly left out of NRC (National Register of Citizen) and a denying international NGOs registration. • Further deterioration in the Religious freedom may put India on various sanctions by the World Countries and may severely affect India’s emerging economy. So Indian Government has to take some preventive steps against the religious freedom of the people.

36. NITI Aayog questions Global Terrorism Index Why in News? • A report compiled by NITI Aayog has questioned the methodology adopted by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), to rank India as the seventh worst terrorism affected country. About IEP: • IEP is an Australian based institute which releases the annual Global Terrorism Index (GTI). It is based on four parameters: 1. Number of terrorist incidents per year. 2. Number of fatalities caused by terrorists per year. 3. Number of injuries caused by terrorists per year. 4. Total property damage caused by terrorism per year. What is the Issue? • In GTI 2019, India has moved to the seventh position from the previous year’s eighth position. ✓ Countries Ahead: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan and Somalia. (Top 6). ✓ Countries Behind: Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Palestine and Lebanon. (at different ranks) • NITI Aayog was being asked to track various global indices. The purpose was to see: ✓ How they can help drive reforms and growth. ✓ Which of these require some amount of engagement with the publishing agency to make the indices more relevant. In 2017, India challenged at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the country’s ranking in a Global Slavery Report published by the Walk Free Foundation, Australia.

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• Use of GTI scores in other rankings: ✓ Direct Use: In Global Peace Index, the Global Slavery Report ✓ Indirect Use: In the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness and Global Competitiveness Indices and compilation of Safe Cities Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit. • The position in the global indices impact investments and other global opportunities. What are the Highlights of the Report? • The NITI Aayog questioned the rankings as well as the funding of the IEP since the funding source and the list of donors has not been revealed. • The GTD is based solely on unclassified media articles, with more than 100 structured variables such as each attack’s location, tactics and weapons, perpetrators, casualties and consequences etc. • The organisation has only 12 full-time staff, 12 full-time equivalent staff and 6 volunteers. • It is something to focus on how the organization is able to annually collect, meaningfully analyse and disseminate data about 163 countries in the Global Terrorism and Peace Indices and provide country wise national peace reports with such Minimal Resources. Criticisms of the Methodology: • The GTD lacks mechanisms to engage with Governments or to further classify and verify open source media reports through Government databases in any of the 163 countries it covers. The lack of a universally accepted definition of terrorism leads to ambiguity. • The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) is pending in the United Nations General Assembly since 2014. • The definition of mass shootings used in the GTI is limited to indiscriminate rampages in public places resulting in four or more victims killed by the attacker. • It leaves out lone wolf attacks which may have lesser fatalities and more injuries, and attacks foiled by security and intelligence agencies. • The NITI Aayog report concluded that the GTI has low direct value for policymakers due to the absence of a robust data collection and analysis methodology and any engagement with Governments facing the scourge of terrorism. • Given the reasons, it cannot be used as an aid to understand and alleviate challenges to countries from domestic and Cross Border Terrorism.

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37. 1.6 Billion Risk Losing Jobs: ILO Why in News? • Recently, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned that nearly half of the entire global workforce is in immediate danger of having their livelihoods destroyed by the coronavirus pandemic. Highlights: • The global workforce is 3.3 billion people, of which more than two billion people work in the informal economy. • Due to Covid-19 lockdown, three-quarters of workers (some 1.6 billion people) engaged in the informal economy have suffered massive damage to their capacity to earn a living. • Hard-hit Sectors: The worst-affected sectors would be accommodation and food services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and real estate and business activities. • Further, without alternative income, these workers and their families would have no means to survive. What is Informal Sector? • The informal sector, also known as the unorganised sector, is the part of any economy that is neither taxed nor monitored by any form of government. • The informal sector provides critical economic opportunities for the poor. • The informal sector is largely characterized by skills gained outside of a formal education, easy entry, a lack of stable employer-employee relationships, and a small scale of operations. Unlike the formal economy, the informal sector’s components are not included in GDP computations. Measures suggested by ILO: • The ILO calls for urgent, targeted and flexible measures to support workers and businesses those in the informal economy and others who are Vulnerable. • Measures for economic reactivation should follow a job-rich approach, backed by stronger employment policies and institutions, better-resourced and comprehensive social protection systems. International coordination on stimulus packages and debt relief measures will also be critical to making recovery effective and sustainable. • International labour standards, which already enjoy tripartite consensus, can provide a framework.

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International Labour Organization (ILO): • Established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League of Nations. League of Nations was disbanded in 1946 and powers and functions of ILO transferred to United Nations. Became the first affiliated specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946. It is the only tripartite U.N. agency. It brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland • Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.

6.1. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SNIPPETS

1. Coronavirus and Humidity Context: • A study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States has recently found that regions experiencing a monsoon might see a slowdown in transmission of the coronavirus as a result of moderate levels of Humidity. Highlights: • The regions inundated by COVID-19 infections comprised the United States and several European countries. These regions had an average humidity range of 3-9 gram per cubic metre (g/m3). It shows that 90% of the novel coronavirus transmissions have occurred in regions with temperatures between 3 and 17 degrees Celsius. • It provides comparatively fewer infections in warmer and humid countries such as Singapore, Australia, Taiwan and Qatar. • It is also possible that warmer temperatures retarded the spread of the virus. • After series of experimental studies, it is found that the Coronaviruses are sensitive to humidity and are less likely to thrive at moderate levels of humidity. • In 2018 study in the peer-reviewed Applied and Environmental Microbiology concluded that Coronaviruses thrived when the Relative Humidity (RH) (the proportion of water vapour in the air compared to what’s the maximum possible) exceeded 85% or dipped below 60%. • There is a significant decrease in infectivity at mid-range RHs (60 to 85%).

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• It is found that the ability of viruses to survive on stainless steel surfaces, at 4°C, infectious viruses persisted for as long as 28 days, the lowest level of inactivation occurred at 20% RH, inactivation was quicker at 20°C than at 4°C at all humidity levels, the slowest inactivation occurred at low levels of RH.

2. World Health Day Why in News? • Recently, the World Health Day is celebrated every year 7th April. About World Health Day: • Its idea was conceived at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and it came into effect in 1950. • It aims to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization (WHO). • It has brought to light important health issues such as mental health, maternal and child care and climate change. Its theme for 2020 is Support Nurses and Midwives. 2020 has been designated as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. • This year, the day celebrates the work of nurses and midwives and reminds world leaders of the critical role they play in keeping the world healthy. On the Day, the ‘State of the World’s Nursing 2020’ report has been launched.

3. Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) Context: • Recently, India has shared nine whole genome sequences of the novel coronavirus (SARS- CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), which have been shared by the Pune-based National Institute of Virology. About GISAID: • It is a public platform started by the WHO in 2008 for countries to share genome sequences. • It is created as an alternative to the public domain sharing model. • Its sharing mechanism took into account the concerns of Member States by providing a publicly accessible database designed by scientist for scientist, to improve the sharing of influenza data. It’s database access agreement ensures that contributors of genetic sequence data do not forfeit their intellectual property rights to the data.

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• In 2010 the Federal Republic of Germany became the official host of the GISAID platform. • In 2013 the European Commission recognized GISAID as a research organization and partner in the PREDEMICS consortium, a project on the Preparedness, Prediction and the Prevention of Emerging Zoonotic Viruses with Pandemic Potential using multidisciplinary approaches. About Genomic Sequencing: • It is a technique that allows us to read and interpret genetic information found within DNA or RNA. • The SARS-CoV2 genome, as it is formally known, has about 30,000 base pairs, somewhat like a long string with 30,000 places where each one of these occupy one of four chemicals called nucleotides. • The long string, with its unique combination of nucleotides, is what uniquely identifies the virus. It helps the researchers to understand how the virus is evolving as it spreads. So far, there are over 1,000 COVID-19 genomes that have been published worldwide. Advantages of Genomic Sequencing: • It helps track the transmission route of the virus globally. • It can determine how quickly the virus is adapting as it spreads. • It identifies targets to therapies. • It is required to understand the role of co-infection.

4. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Context: • The OPCW has recently said that the Syrian air force carried out three chemical attacks on a village in Syria's western Hama region in 2017. • It concluded that the Syrian air force helicopter dropped bombs containing poisonous chlorine and sarin nerve gas • About Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) • It is an international organization established by the Chemical Weapons Convention, 1997 to implement and enforce the terms of the non-proliferation treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, or transfer of chemical weapons by signatory states. • It is authorized to perform inspections to verify that signatory states are complying with the convention.

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• It includes a commitment to grant inspectors full access to chemical weapons sites. • It also performs testing of sites and victims of suspected chemical weapons attacks. • It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. Its headquarters are located in The Hague, Netherlands. • It established OPCW Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) in 2018 to identify the perpetrators of illegal attacks. • By the 2001 Relationship Agreement between the OPCW and the United Nations, the OPCW reports on its inspections and other activities to the UN through the office of the Secretary General. About Sarin Gas: • It is a chemical warfare agent classified as a Nerve Agent. • They are similar to certain kinds of insecticides (insect killers) called organophosphates in terms of how they work and what kind of harmful effects they cause. • It was originally developed in 1938 in Germany as a pesticide. • It is a clear, colorless, and tasteless liquid that has no odor in its pure form. However, it can evaporate into a vapor (gas) and spread into the environment. It is also known as GB. • Chlorine gas: Chlorine is a choking agent. Its greenish-yellow clouds of gas cause shortness of breath, wheezing, respiratory failure, irritation in the eyes, vomiting, and sometimes Death.

5. Special Drawing Rights of IMF Why in News? • Recently, India has opposed the new general allocation of SDR to the member countries by IMF. Key Points: • The new SDR allocation of IMF will provide all 189 members with new foreign exchange reserves with no conditions. • The Finance Minister of India opposed this general allocation of new Special Drawing Rights (SDR) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because it might not be effective in easing Covid-19 driven financial pressures. • The Finance Minister was concerned that such a major liquidity injection could produce potentially costly side-effects if countries used the funds for irrelevant purposes.

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What is SDR? • The SDR basket of currencies includes the U.S. dollar, Euro, Japanese yen, pound sterling and the Chinese renminbi (included in 2016). • The SDR is neither a currency nor a claim on the IMF. Rather, it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. SDRs can be exchanged for the above currencies. • The SDR serves as the unit of account of the IMF and some other international organizations. The currency value of the SDR is determined by summing the values in U.S. dollars, based on market exchange rates, of a SDR basket of currencies. • Quota (the amount contributed to the IMF) of a country is denominated (expressed) in SDRs. • Members’ voting power is related directly to their Quotas.

6. South Asia Seasonal Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) Why in News? • The spatial forecast which shows wide variations in rainfall across India has been provided by the South Asia Seasonal Climate Outlook Forum. Key Points: • SASCOF is a consortium of meteorologists and hydrological experts from South Asian countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Myanmar. They work collectively to issue regional forecasts and the team releases forecasts for the Southwest and Northeast monsoon seasons, every year. • South Asian nations, supported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), have been conducting the SASCOF since 2010. • The experts usually meet ahead of preparing the forecasts, but it was called off in 2020 in the wake of Covid-19. About World Meteorological Organization: • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 193 Member States and Territories. • Established by the ratification of the WMO Convention in 1950, WMO became the specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. • India is a member. • It is Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

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