Dear students,

We understand that the UPSC exam is a generalist exam. It’s more important to cover more issues than to cover one issue in more depth. Hence, through Samachar Manthan, we are trying to maintain a fine balance of covering many important news items and having a detailed discussion on selected topics which require the same. On daily basis a news gets repeated multiple times. Scattered knowledge is not adequately useful when you have to write a 200 words answer within 6-7 minutes. To handle this, Samachar manthan covers such issues in a comprehensive and consolidated manner which is the smart strategy.

Benefits of Samachar Manthan

• Packed 3 – 3.5 hours Weekly videos will focus on news and its importance from both prelims and mains perspective.
• This program will also help you understand how to utilize current affairs in all your prelims and mains papers.
• This ideology makes this course the best utilization of your time.
• Detailed coverage would mean analysis from all the angles like background or history, features, significance, challenges and way forward. Also, multiple sources like epw, diplomat magazine etc will be referred to in the video lectures.
• Such an approach will help in writing multidimensional answers.
• Also which part of the topic is important from mains and prelims perspective will also be discussed.
• Audio Visual Learning is more impactful than simply glancing through the material. So that you are able to retain information for long also interlink with any new information you get.
• 4 stage structure of Video->Notes->testing->review to perfect your preparation
• The sequence of video->Notes->testing->review is the best way to ensure maximum retention and a rock solid preparation. Each component of the program has been meticulously crafted.

For example this week, we will be covering the following issues;

Economics
[op-ed snap] Slowing down fast: Industrial growth
Renewable Energy Certificates
[op-ed snap] Hard landing: Jet Airways’ temporary halt
[op-ed snap] Capital gains

Enviro & Biodiversity
[pib] Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific (RCAP) Congress
Long Period Average: The IMD yardstick for determining rainfall
Western Disturbances
The Face of Disasters 2019 Report
[op-ed snap] Humanise the law

Governance
India short of 6 lakh doctors, 2 million nurses: U.S. study
Explained: What Supreme Court said on petition to disqualify tainted candidates
[op-ed snap] The ethical act of voting
[op-ed snap] The Lack of a Legal Status for the Model Code of Conduct Leaves Room for Ambiguity
CSIR plans genome sequencing to map population diversity
[op-ed snap] A manifesto for health

International Relations
Bhutan govt to place bill for ratification of BBIN initiative at its upper senate
[op-ed snap] Indian elections, South Asian concerns
External Affairs Ministry sets up Indo-Pacific Wing
China backs “Wuhan spirit” despite differences on BRI
[op-ed snap] A bad deal

Polity
[op-ed snap] Level-playing field matters
How Justice Chandrachud’s dissent on Aadhaar influenced Jamaica ruling
[op-ed snap] Indelicate imbalance
[op-ed snap] Sealed disclosure
[op-ed snap] The legacy of Ambedkar
Voting rights of undertrials and convicts

Science Tech
CSIR plans genome sequencing to map population diversity
Saturn’s moon Titan has 100-m deep methane lakes
Universe’s first molecule detected in space

Security Issues
India successfully test-fires Sub-sonic cruise Missile Nirbhay

Trivia
Explained: History behind Notre Dame- Soul of the French nation

 

And these issues will be covered in detail

• Genome Sequencing
• Wuhan Spirit
• Loc Trade Suspension
• Industrial Growth
• Aviation Sector Concerns

So to be thorough in your preparation and to have an integrated approach, join Samachar Manthan here.

 

Technology and Energy Security

Report name – Technical Cooperation Report

Issuing agency – IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

 

Report name – Nuclear Technology Review

Issuing agency – IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

 

Report name – Safety Reports

Issuing agency – ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)

 

 

Report name – Global Innovation Index

Issuing agency – Cornell University INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

 

Report name – World Energy Outlook (WEO)

Issuing agency – International Energy Agency

 

Report name – Southeast Asia Energy Outlook

Issuing agency – International Energy Agency

 

Report name – OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report

Issuing agency – OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries )

 

Report name – World Oil Outlook

Issuing agency – OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)

 

Report name – World Intellectual Property Report (WIPR)

Issuing agency – WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)

 

 

Report name – Global Information Technology Report

Issuing agency – WEF (World Economic Forum)

 

Report name – The Energy Report

Issuing agency – WWF (World Wildlife Fund)

 

Social development

Report name – Global Wage Report

Issuing agency – ILO (International Labour Organization)

 

Report name – World Employment and Social Outlook

Issuing agency – ILO (International Labour Organization)

 

Report name – World Social Protection Report

Issuing agency – ILO (International Labour Organization)

 

Report name – Global Hunger Index

Issuing agency – Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide

 

Report name – World Happiness Report

Issuing agency – Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

 

 

Report name – Global Corruption Report (GCR)

Issuing agency – Transparency International

 

 

Report name – Levels and Trends in Child Mortality Report

Issuing agency – UN Inter-agency Group

 

 

Report name – The State of the World’s Children reports

Issuing agency – UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund )

 

 

Report name – Report on Regular Resources

Issuing agency – UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund )

 

Report name – The Global Report

Issuing agency – UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). To read more about UNHCR, click here and here.

 

Report name – State of world population

Issuing agency – UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)

 

Report name – Global education monitoring Report

Issuing agency – UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

 

Report name – Global Gender Gap Report

Issuing Agency – World Economic Forum (WEF)

 

 

Report name – Human Capital Report 2016

Issuing agency – World Economic Forum

 

Security Issues

Report name – World Wildlife Crime Report

Issuing agency – UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

 

 

Report name – World Drug Report

Issuing agency – UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

 

Report name – Global Report on Trafficking in Persons

Issuing agency – UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

 

Report name – Reports on Counterfeiting and Organized Crime

Issuing agency – UNICRI (United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute)

 

Report name – Global Money Laundering Report

Issuing agency – FATF (Financial Action Task Force)

1.Why India wants to study human microbiome

Background

1. From November 19 to 22, Pune hosted an international conference on microbiome research- a field of study that is still in its infancy in India.
2. That could be set to change, with a proposed project that would study and map the human microbiome across the country.

What is human microbiome?

1. The human body carries diverse communities of microorganisms, which are mainly bacterial. These are referred to as “human microbiome”.
2. These organisms play a key role in many aspects of host physiology, ranging from metabolism of otherwise complex indigestible carbohydrates and fats to producing essential vitamins.
3. Not all microbiomes are harmful. They help maintaining immune systems and acts as a first line of defense against pathogens.

Scope for Research

1. Research on the human microbiome has thrown light on various aspects how different parts of the human body are occupied by characteristic microbial communities.
2. It throws light on how various factors contribute in shaping the composition of the microbiome, including the genetics, dietary habits, age, geographic location and ethnicity.
3. These studies laid a strong foundation to decipher the microbiome’s implications on health and a wide range of diseases.

Indian Microbiomes are Unique

1. Scientists at NCSS have conducted a meta-analysis on intestinal microbiota (community of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms) of healthy Indian individuals and compared it with that of individuals from other parts of the world.
2. It shows that the Indian population harbours a distinct gut microbial community, which, scientists calls for an in-depth investigation of the Indian microbiome.

2.A universal flu vaccine identified

Potential vaccine for flu

1. Scientists have identified a potential universal influenza vaccine that could protect people against most strains of the virus
2. The candidate vaccine elicited a strong antibody response to a structure on the surface of flu viruses, called the hemagglutinin (HA) stalk
3. It has the potential to be developed into a universal flu vaccine, which — unlike the current seasonal flu vaccines — could be given a few times over a lifetime to provide protection potentially similar to a tetanus vaccine.

3.Hybrid pixel detector technology (Medipix3)

The next wave in medical imaging

1. The hybrid pixel detector technology which the Large Hadron Collider used to track accelerated particles has been used to produce the first three-dimensional colour images of the human body
2. A chip of the Medipix family developed by CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, has been used to take colour see-through images of body parts which are a generation ahead of the currently available technology

Current technologies and their shortcomings

1. The traditional radiological practices are complementary
2. Techniques based on X-rays suffer from the deficit that they can sharply visualise only hard tissues
3. The shadows of soft tissues are less precise
4. Blood vessels and other conduits are imaged with invasive dyes
5. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a slightly different picture, based on the difference in water and fat content in tissues
6. Positron emission tomography (PET) finds widest use in oncology

New Technology and its advantages

1. The Medipix3 promises a single solution superior to its predecessors
2. Using algorithms to model very accurate spectroscopic data in three dimensions, it shows all tissues with equal clarity, in colour
3. In the case of a fracture, for instance, not only would it show physical damage to a bone — which is what an X-ray depicts — but it would also reveal trauma to surrounding tissue and reveal if blood and nerve supply is compromised
4. Also, it would depict structures exactly as they are, and not all of us are built exactly the same
5. In the near future, when medical care will be customised to the individual, this exactitude would make a difference to the efficacy of care
6. If a complete image of a human were taken by a future iteration of this technology, it might even be possible to 3D print a lost limb or a malfunctioning organ
7. Researchers have already used Medipix to image cancerous tissue, bones and joints and the blood supply to the heart.

 

4.Rajasthan institute comes up with new sheep insemination technique

New insemination technique for sheep

1. Scientists at the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Avikanagar, have come up with a new laparascope-assisted insemination technique for sheep

Why important?

1. The new technique has resolved the difficulties involved in freezing of semen and inability to transit the tortuous reproductive tract of the ruminant mammals kept as livestock
2. The success with frozen semen in the sheep was earlier very low because of its poor freezability

How can the new technique help?

1. The new technique would help achieve up to 60% survival in the birth of lambs and would have an immense potential for rapid multiplication of elite germplasm
2. As many as 40 females can be inseminated from a single ejaculate using the technique
3. The new technique’s invention would be of great help in the breed improvement programmes.

5.IIT-Roorkee scientists develop app to monitor patients at risk of heart failure

Mobile app for monitoring Heart Failure

1. IIT Roorkee have developed a mobile app that can remotely monitor patients at risk of heart failure and provide them with medical assistance
2. Name of the app: ‘Dhadkan’ 

Particulars of the app

1. It can automatically send notifications to both the doctor and the patient, in case of any drastic changes in patient’s data indicating possibility of imminent heart failure
2. The mobile app has been designed to be ‘easy-to-use’ so that people in rural areas can also benefit
3. The app also provides for two-way communication between doctors and patient
4. In addition, patients have the freedom to send ECG reports to the doctor if needed

Working

1. It collects patient’s data (at any desired interval) on blood pressure, heart rate, and weight, and transmits it to the authorized caregiver (a doctor, nurse or paramedic) who is linked to the patient during the initial registration

6.Scientists report previously-unrecognised anatomical structure in the human body

 

Connective tissue proteins discovered

1. Researchers have reported a previously unrecognised structure in the human body which may have implications in the mechanisms of major diseases
2. The study reveals that layers below the skin’s surface, which were long thought to be dense, connective tissues are instead interconnected, fluid-filled compartments
3. This series of spaces, supported by a meshwork of strong (collagen) and flexible (elastin) connective tissue proteins, may act like shock absorbers that keep tissues from tearing as organs, muscles, and vessels squeeze, pump, and pulse as part of daily function

How is this new find helpful?

1. These anatomic structures may be important in cancer metastasis, oedema, fibrosis, and mechanical functioning of many or all tissues and organs
2. This finding has potential to drive dramatic advances in medicine, including the possibility that the direct sampling of interstitial fluid may become a powerful diagnostic tool.

7.In Haryana, the making of an Indian brain template

Database of brain images

1. A group of scientists is preparing a one-of-its-kind database of brain images that, when compiled together, could result in a so-called Indian Brain Template (IBT)
2. The research is being carried out at National Brain Research Centre (NBRC)

Usefulness of IBT

1. It will serve as a guide to neuroscientists and surgeons, who have so far based their knowledge of intricate brain anatomy on Caucasian models
2. Scientists will be looking out for the quantity of a molecule called glutathione, an antioxidant known to help repair cell damage
3. Reduced glutathione concentrations in the parietal cortical region — near the back of the brain near where the skull bulges — may help predict Alzheimer’s disease.

8.Electricity from soil bacteria and reading lights from plants

Generating electricity from plants and microbes

1. A group of researchers at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands has hit upon a method that generates electricity from living plants and the microbes
2. These microbes live beneath plants in the soil, where the plants drop their roots

Plant microbial fuel cells

1. The plant does photosynthesis, using sunlight, water, and atmospheric carbon dioxide, generating food in the form of carbohydrates and oxygen for our breathing
2. The microbes in the soil use some of this organic material coming out of the plants into the ground, metabolize them and, in the process, generate carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions and electrons
3. While the plant above the ground does photochemistry, the bacteria beneath do electrochemistry, generating positive and negative ions
4. Scientists have placed positive and negative electrodes in appropriate positions and obtained an electric current, just as we do with batteries
5. This method of producing electricity is through what is termed as plant microbial fuel cells (PMFC)

Advantages

1. The method is completely natural and environment-friendly
2. It needs no externally added material and is part of a cyclic process in nature

Making plants glow

1. A firefly glows because it has an enzyme that converts a molecule called luciferin into oxyluciferin, and the energy released in this reaction comes out in the form of visible light
2. The enzyme is called luciferase
3. Plants do not have luciferin or luciferase
4. If we can somehow inject into a plant luciferin and luciferase, perhaps the plant too will emit light
5. The technology of nanoparticles is being experimented to do this

 

1 Operation Green

Objectives

1. India is the second largest producer of vegetables in the world with about 180 MMT.
2. Operation Greens wants to replicate the success story of the operation flood in fruit and vegetables, starting with tomatoes, onions and potatoes.
3. The main objective of this project is to reduce price volatility in these commodities, thereby helping farmers boost incomes on a sustainable basis.
4. It also aims to provide these vegetables to consumers at affordable pricesLinks major consumption centres to major production centres with a minimal number of intermediaries.
5. The APMC Act will have to be changed to allow direct buying from FPOs, and giving incentives to these organisations, private companies and NGOs to build back end infrastructure as was done in the case of milk under operation flood.
6. The announcement of tax concessions to FPOs (farmer producer organisations) for five years. It will encourage building such critical infrastructure.
7. Second is the investment in logistics, starting with modern warehouses, that can minimize wastage.
8. Third is linking the processing industry with organized retailing.
9. Dehydrated onions, tomato puree and potato chips should become cheap, so that an average household can use them

2.Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

Objectives –

1. The primary objectives of PMKSY are to attract investments in irrigation system at field level, develop and expand cultivable land in the country, enhance ranch water use in order to minimize wastage of water, enhance crop per drop by implementing water-saving technologies and precision irrigation.1. Formulated with the vision of extending the coverage of irrigation ‘Har Khet ko pani’ and
2. Improving water use efficiency ‘More crop per drop’ in a focused manner with end to end solution on source creation, distribution, management, field application and extension activities.

PMKSY has been formulated amalgamating ongoing schemes viz.

1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of the Ministry of Water Resources,

2. River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR,RD&GR),

3. Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of Department of Land Resources (DoLR)

4. The On Farm Water Management (OFWM) of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC)

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of water resources, ministry of rural development , ministry of agriculture

3.Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Objectives –

1. To incentivize the states that increase their investment in Agriculture and allied sectors

2. To provide flexibility and autonomy to the States in planning and executing programmes for agriculture

3. To ensure the preparation of Agriculture Plans for the districts and states

4. To achieve the goal of reducing the yield gaps in important crops

5. To maximize returns to the farmers

6. To address the agriculture and allied sectors in an integrated manner

Salient Features –

1. It is a State Plan scheme

2. The eligibility of a state for the RKVY is contingent upon the state maintaining or increasing the State Plan expenditure for Agricultural and Allied sectors

3. The scheme encourages convergence with other programmes such as NREGS.

4. It will integrate agriculture and allied sectors comprehensively

4.National Food Security Mission (NFSM)The NFSM has three components:

(i) National Food Security Mission – Rice (NFSM-Rice);

(ii) National Food Security Mission – Wheat (NFSM-Wheat); and

(iii) National Food Security Mission – Pulses (NFSM Pulses)

Objectives –

1. The Mission aims to increase production through area expansion and productivity; create employment opportunities; and enhance the farm-level economy (i.e. farm profits) to restore confidence of farmers.

2. The approach is to bridge the yield gap in respect of these three crops through dissemination of improved technologies and farm management practices while focusing on districts which have high potential but relatively low level of productivity at present.

5.National Horticulture Mission (NHM)

Objectives –

1. To provide holistic growth of the horticulture sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategies

2. To enhance horticulture production, improve nutritional security and income support to farm households

3. To establish convergence and synergy among multiple on-going and planned programmes for horticulture development

4. To promote, develop and disseminate technologies, through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge

5. To create opportunities for employment generation for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youth.

6.To develop horticulture to the maximum potential available in the state and to augment production of all horticultural products (fruits, vegetables, flowers, coco,cashew nut,plantation crops, spices, medicinal aromatic plants) in the state

6.Soil Health Card Scheme

Objectives –

Under the scheme, the government plans to issue soil cards to farmers which will carry crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilisers required for the individual farms to help farmers to improve productivity through judicious use of inputs

1. All soil samples are to be tested in various soil testing labs across the country.

2. Thereafter the experts will analyse the strength and weaknesses (micro-nutrients deficiency) of the soil and suggest measures to deal with it.

3. The result and suggestion will be displayed in the cards. The government plans to issue the cards to 14 crore farmers.

7.Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

Objectives –

To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of natural calamities, pests & diseases.

To stabilise the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming.

One crop one rate

A uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all

Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops.

In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%.

There is no upper limit on Government subsidy so farmers will get claim against full sum insured without any reduction.

The premium rates to be paid by farmers are very low and balance premium will be paid by the Government

Yield Losses: due to non-preventable risks, such as Natural Fire and Lightning, Storm, Hailstorm, Cyclone, Typhoon, Tempest, Hurricane, Tornado. Risks due to Flood, Inundation and Landslide, Drought, Dry spells, Pests/ Diseases also will be covered.

Post harvest losses are also covered.

The use of technology: Smart phones will be used to capture and upload data of crop cutting to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers. Remote sensing will be used to reduce the number of crop cutting experiments.

8.National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

1. To make agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative and climate resilient by promoting location specific Integrated/Composite Farming Systems;

2. To conserve natural resources through appropriate soil and moisture conservation measures;

3. To adopt comprehensive soil health management practices based on soil fertility maps, soil test based application of macro & micro nutrients, judicious use of fertilizers etc.;

4. To optimize utilization of water resources through efficient water management to expand coverage for achieving ‘more crop per drop’;

5. To develop capacity of farmers & stakeholders, in conjunction with other on-going Missions e.g. National Mission on Agriculture Extension & Technology, National Food Security Mission, National Initiative for Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) etc., in the domain of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures;

6. To pilot models in select blocks for improving productivity of rainfed farming by mainstreaming rainfed technologies refined through NICRA and by leveraging resources from other schemes/Missions like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), RKVY etc.;

7. To establish an effective inter and intra Departmental/Ministerial co-ordination for accomplishing key deliverables of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture under the aegis of NAPCC.1. NMSA derives its mandate from Sustainable Agriculture Mission which is one of the eight Missions outlined under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

9.Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

Objectives –

Boost Organic Farming

1. PKVY scheme is the first comprehensive plan based on a 20 hectare cluster whose implementation is done by the state governments.

2. In a cluster maximum financial assistance of up to 1 hectare is provided to the farmers.

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare

10.National Agriculture Market

Objectives –

1. e-National Agriculture Market (NAM) is a pan-India e-trading platform. It is designed to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities
2. Farmers can showcase their produce online from their nearest market and traders can quote price from anywhere
3. It will result in increased numbers of traders and greater competition. It will also ensure open price discovery and better returns to farmers.
4. National Agriculture Market is going to implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation through Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
5. NAM is not replacing the mandis. NAM is an online platform with a physical market or mandi at the backend enabling buyers situated even outside the state to participate in trading at the local level.
6. It seeks to leverage the physical infrastructure of mandis through an online trading portal, enabling buyers situated even outside the state to participate in trading at the local level.
7. This e-platform aims to provide more options to farmers to sell their produce and is part of implementation of the roadmap for doubling income of the farmers by 2022

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare

11.Krishi Vigyan Kendras

Objectives –

The aim of the portal is to transfer the technologies developed by the agricultural scientists to the farmers in a fast and effective manner using web and mobile technology as well as to monitor the activities of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)

1. The objectives of the portal is to create a platform to monitor the various activities as well as resource utilization by various KVKs;

2. To create a database of the various programmes organized by the KVKs along with their detailed information and learning resources;

3. To help the farmers in resolving their queries using web and mobile technologies;

4. To provide information about various facilities and activities performed by the KVKs and to provide linkage to other important information such as weather and market information.

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare

12. SENSAGRI:

SENsor based Smart AGRIculture

Objectives –

The major objective is to develop indigenous prototype for drone based crop and soil health monitoring system using hyperspectral remote sensing (HRS) sensors

1. Drone technology based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has ability for smooth scouting over farm fields, gathering precise information and transmitting the data on real time basis.

2. This capability could be used for the benefit of farming sector at regional/local scale for assessing land and crop health; extent, type and severity of damage besides issuing forewarning, post-event management and settlement of compensation under crop insurance schemes.

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare

14.Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Unnat Krishi Shiksha Scheme

Objectives –

It was launched to promote agricultural education.-Under the scheme 100 centres are opened with a fund of Rs.5.35 crore.

15. Mera Gaon-Mera Gaurav

1. To enhance the direct interface of scientists with the farmers, an innovative initiative has been launched as “Mera Gaon- Mera Gaurav”which will hasten the lab to land approach.
2. The objective of this initiative is to provide farmers with required information, knowledge and advisories on regular basis.
3. Under this scheme, groups of scientists will select villages and will remain in touch with that village and provide information to farmers on technical and other related aspects in a time frame through personal visits or through telecommunication.
4. In this way, 20,000 scientists of National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) can work directly in villages.

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture

16. Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA)

Objectives –

1. To attract youth to enter into agricultural activities.-The new scheme ARYA has recently been launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICRA).
2. -This program is planned to be implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK-Farm science centres) in 25 states of our country.
3. -Each KVK would train about 200 to 300 youth in taking up agriculture’s allied and supplementary activities such as poultry farming, dairying, fisheries, goat rearing, mushroom production and other similar activities which keep the rural youth attached to agriculture, either directly or indirectly.
4. -Finally, the trained young entrepreneurs would be assisted in preparing project reports for seeking bank loans.

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture

17.Farmer First

Objectives –

1. The Farmer FIRST aims at enriching Farmers –Scientist interface, technology assemblage, application and feedback, partnership and institutional building and content mobilization.It will provide a platform to farmers and scientists for creating linkages, capacity building, technology adaptation and application, on-site input management, feedback and institution building.
2. The scientists from 100 ICAR Institutes/ Universities are proposed to work with one lakh farmers directly.

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Agriculture

18. Pandit Deendayal Unnat Krishi Shiksha Yojana

Objectives –

1. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry has launched a new scheme named as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Unnat Krihsi shiksha Yojna to fish out the talent of Indian youths and all over development of rural India has launched.
2. Scheme is being implemented by Agriculture Education Division related to Indian Council of Agricultural Research Council (ICAR).
3. Under this course of action the trainers will be selected on village level so as to establish training centre, to impart knowledge about natural/organic/sustainable farming/rural economy. Various training programmes will be conducted in different regions in these centers.
4. Almost 100 training centers will be set up throughout the country for the participation of teachers in various activities for the Advanced India Campaign conducted by Agriculture Research Council/Human Resource Development Ministry under this scheme alongwith.

19.SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters)

Objectives –

1. To supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease agri-waste. PMKSY is an umbrella scheme which incorporates all ongoing schemes of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). It includes MoFPI’s schemes such as Mega Food Parks, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, etc.
2. It also includes new schemes like Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages, Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities.

20.e-Rashtriya Kisan Agri Mandi (e-RaKAM) portal

Objectives –

1. To provide a platform for farmers to sell agricultural produce Government launched a portal e-Rashtriya Kisan Agri Mandi (e-RaKAM) which will provide a platform to sell agricultural produce.
2. e-RaKAM is a first of its kind initiative that leverages technology to connect farmers of the smallest villages to the biggest markets of the world through internet.
3. e-RaKAM is a digital initiative bringing together the farmers, PSUs, civil supplies and buyers on a single platform to ease the selling and buying process of agricultural products.
4. Under this initiative, e-RaKAM centres are being developed in a phased manner throughout the country to facilitate farmers for online sale of their produce.
5. The farmers will be paid through e-Payment directly into their bank accounts.

21.Price Stabilization Fund

Objectives –

1. To help regulate the price volatility of important agri-horticultural commodities like onion, potatoes and pulsesThe scheme provides for maintaining a strategic buffer of aforementioned commodities for subsequent calibrated release to moderate price volatility and discourage hoarding and unscrupulous speculation.
2. For building such stock, the scheme promotes direct purchase from farmers/farmers’ association at farm gate/Mandi.
3. The PSF is utilized for granting interest free advance of working capital to Central Agencies, State/UT Governments/Agencies to undertake market intervention operations.
4. Apart from domestic procurement from farmers/wholesale mandis, import may also be undertaken with support from the Fund.

Nodal Ministry

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DOCA)

22.Interest subvention scheme

Objectives –

1. The objective of the scheme is to make available agricultural credit for Short Term crop loans at an affordable rate. The scheme is expected to boost agricultural productivity and production in the country.
2. Under this scheme, farmers will be given a short term crop loan up to Rs. 3 lakh payable within one year at an interest rate of 4% per annum.
3. The scheme will be implemented by NABARD and RBI.
4. The interest subvention will be provided to Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Private Sector Banks, Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and to NABARD for refinancing to RRBs and Cooperative Banks.
5. Interest subvention of 5% per annum will be provided to those farmers who pay the short term crop loan in time. Farmers will have to effectively pay only 4% as interest. For farmers who do not pay crop loan in time the interest subvention of only 2% will be applicable as against 5% available above.
6. This institutional credit is expected to demotivate farmers from taking loans from non-institutional sources of credit at high rates of interest.

23.Bio-tech Kisaan

Objectives –

1. The Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) aims to understand the problems of water, soil, seed and market faced by the farmers and provide simple solutions to them. The scheme will be implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India in phased manner with the objective:-
2. Linking available science and technology to the farm by first understanding the problem of the local farmer and provide solutions to those problems.
3. The working together, in close conjunction, of scientists and farmers is the only way to improve the working conditions of small and marginal farmers.
4. This programme aims to work with small and marginal farmers especially the woman farmer for better agriculture productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices in the Indian context.

Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Science & technology

Economics is one of the primary Pillars of UPSC preparation. It has substantial weightage in Prelims and also in  GS 3rd paper of mains. To ensure that students build  a strong foundation and  a strong hold over the subject, we at Civilsdaily, have the best and most trusted faculty, Himanshu Arora Sir.

Credentials of Himanshu Sir-

• MPhil Economics (JNU)
• Works at Prime Minister Economic Advisory Council
• Writes regularly in various famous Indian and international weeklies like Millenium post and Huffington Post.
• Worked as Assistant Professor in Delhi University.

Here is the article by Himanshu Sir  that was published today in  Financial Express;

Strengthening India’s economic fundamental may be the best route to enhance its influence as a strong economy

In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack on Indian forces in Pulwama, France, United Kingdom and the US have moved a proposal to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar under 1267 Al-Qaeda Sanction Committee. However, in a geopolitical move to safeguard its interests in Pakistan, China has vetoed India’s bid to declare Azhar a global terrorist, for the fourth time. Back in 2009 as well, soon after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, India had moved a similar proposal. In 2016, after the Pathankot attack, India had again moved the proposal at UN’s 1267 Sanctions Committee along with P3 (USA, UK, France) to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. In 2017, P3 nations moved a similar proposal yet again. On all such occasions, China blocked the proposal from being passed by the Security Council. The proposal, if passed, would have designated Azhar a global terrorist with his assets frozen, travels banned and imposed an arms embargo.

Why has China adopted such a stand? China’s relationship with Pakistan can be understood within the context of its relationship with India. As China-India relations started to move southwards, its relations with Pakistan strengthened. China and Pakistan have long valued their alliance as a strategic hedge against India. Beijing’s move to save terrorist organisations operating from Pakistan is part of its larger geopolitical plan. It has invested heavily in Pakistan and any move by India to declare it as a hub of terrorist activities will have major economic and strategic consequences.

Historically, China has relied on its military to influence its relations with Pakistan. China has played a major role in building Pakistan’s defence capabilities, supplying missiles, aircrafts and radar equipment. However, as China’s economic prowess has grown, so has its temptation to use economic power to advance its geopolitical goals. China has been playing the geo-economics game at a maestro level by relying on economic instruments to expand its influence. Chinese leadership has reached a consensus that instead of supplying fighter jets to Pakistan, it makes more sense to initiate a currency swap agreement between central banks—a move less likely to provoke a security response from US or India.
China’s friendship with Pakistan is also influenced by the presence of a dominant third party— the US—making it a 3-player strategic triangle. China’s strategic choices in Pakistan draw significantly from the fact that the US has limited its military relationship with Pakistan since 2011. For China, having strong ties with Pakistan is a considerable source of leverage over US. As long as Pakistan acts contrary to the interests of US by encouraging militant activity, providing safe havens for terrorists, and preventing peace efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan remains an important source of leverage for China.

China’s interest in Pakistan is also heightened by improving Indo-US ties. Since 2006, defence contracts worth more than $18 billion have been signed between the two. The US has backed India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and the two nations have signed an Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy in 2008, thereby ending decades of India’s nuclear apartheid.

Chinese anxiousness at consistently improving Indo-US ties is reflected in its investments in Pakistan. For instance, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with a total investment of $46 billion, is China’s most ambitious effort to keep Pakistan under its influence. Once completed, almost one-fourth of China’s foreign trade will pass through the CPEC. China has promised to build transport networks, highways, and Gwadar as a major international oil port, for enhancing trade. Gwadar and CPEC are the two most prominent examples of China’s geo-economics in Pakistan. India views these initiatives with suspicion and has repeatedly reiterated that China wants to expand its influence in South Asia. China will use Gwadar as a base for its navy to oversee and expand its influence in the Indian Ocean.

China remains Pakistan’s rescuer by responding to the infrequent crisis moments. The Chinese government had offered $500 million in assistance to Pakistan during its 1996 balance of payments crisis. In 2008, Pakistan once again found itself at the verge of an economic crisis. With its traditional allies US and Saudi Arabia in the grip of the global financial crisis and refusing to grant concessions, the then president approached Beijing for help and the latter obliged by granting $500 million. Another important variant of China’s geo-economics strategy was directly aimed at India when, in 2009, China blocked £2 billion of multilateral assistance to India at the Asian Development Bank amid tensions surrounding a border dispute in Arunachal Pradesh.
Today, China holds much more influence in Pakistan than any other country ever has in history. Pakistan and China share a symbiotic relationship. Pakistan is dependent on China for its economic, political, military and diplomatic support and China is dependent on Pakistan for its strategic and geopolitical objectives. If China does not want to lose a strategic ally and funds it has invested in CPEC and Gwadar, it must provide economic and diplomatic assistance to Pakistan like the one at the United Nations (UN).

Finally, to counter China and Pakistan, India on its part must become an equally active player in this geo-economic game. Strengthening its economic fundamentals may potentially be the best route to enhance influence. A strong economy is a major driver of foreign policy. India must strengthen its economic ties with neighbouring countries. The revival of SAARC can be a good starting point. India must fill the geopolitical vacuum in South-East Asia due to China’s masculine foreign policy. Most South-East Asian nations are aghast by China’s moves in the South China Sea and India can strengthen its ties with such nations by promoting trade and investments through regional trading agreements. This would act as a counter to China’s influence. We must prioritise our economic relations with the US and its allies amid the growing concern of a China-US trade war. The only feasible option we have in order to sideline China diplomatically at the UN is forming stronger economic ties with the US, UK, Russia and France.

Here is the link of the original Article

https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/strengthening-indias-economic-fundamental-may-be-the-best-route-to-enhance-its-influence-as-a-strong-economy/1555087/

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