💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (August Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Distribution: weekly

  • National Digital Health Mission

    digital healthContext

    • The covid-19 pandemic has presented a watershed moment, bringing the world’s healthcare systems to a halt, forcing us to rethink existing healthcare delivery models and embrace the digital health transformation of the sector.

    Definition of digital health care

    • Digital health is a discipline that includes digital care programs, technologies with health, healthcare, living, and society to enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery and to make medicine more personalized and precise.

    Digital Health: A Backgrounder

    • The National Health Policy 2017 had envisaged creation of a digital health technology eco-system aiming at developing an integrated health information system.
    • A Digital Health ID was proposed to reduce the risk of preventable medical errors and significantly increase the quality of care.
    • It recognised the need to establish a specialised ecosystem, called the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).

    digital healthThe National Digital Health Mission

    • The NDHM is a digital health ecosystem under which every Indian citizen will now have unique health IDs, digitized health records with identifiers for doctors and health facilities.
    • The mission will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of health service delivery and will be a major step towards the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 of Universal Health Coverage, including financial risk protection.

    Digital health is a discipline that includes digital care programs, technologies with health, healthcare, living, and society to enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery and to make medicine more personalized and precise.Significance of digital health

    • Prioritizing patients: Say, mortality from Covid-19 is significantly increased by comorbidities or the presence of other underlying conditions like hypertension or diabetes.With digital health records, doctors can prioritise patients based on their test results.
    • Portability of health records: Portability of records fairly eases in a patient with the first hospital visit, or her/his most frequently visited hospital. If she/he wishes to change a healthcare provider for cost or quality reasons, she can access her health records without carrying pieces of paper prescriptions and test reports. People will able to access their lab reports, x-rays and prescriptions irrespective of where they were generated, and share them with doctors or family members — with consent.
    • Easy facilitation: This initiative will allow patients to access healthcare facilities remotely through e-pharmacies, online appointments, teleconsultation, and other health benefits. Besides, as all the medical history of the patient is recorded in the Health ID card, it will help the doctor to understand the case better, and improved medication can be offered.
    • Technology impetus in policymaking: Meanwhile, it is also not just individuals who could emerge beneficiaries of the scheme. With large swathes of data being made available, the government too can form policies based on geographical, demographical, and risk-factor based monitoring of health.

    Critical point to remember

    In the case of lung cancer, only 18.5 % of patients survive five or more years once diagnosed. These are threats that data-led technology will help address.

    Major privacy issues involved

    • Informed Consent:The citizen’s consent is vital for all access. A beneficiary’s consent is vital to ensure that information is released.
    • Data leakages issue:Personalised data collected at multiple levels are a “sitting gold mine” for insurance companies, international researchers, and pharma companies.
    • Digital divide:Other experts add that lack of access to technology, poverty, and lack of understanding of the language in a vast and diverse country like India are problems that need to be looked into.
    • Data Migration:The data migration and inter-State transfer are still faced with multiple errors and shortcomings in addition to concerns of data security.

    Other challenges

    • Existing digitalization is yet incomplete:India has been unable to standardise the coverage and quality of the existing digital cards like One Nation One Ration card, PM-JAY card, Aadhaar card, etc., for accessibility of services and entitlements.
    • Lack of healthcare facilities:The defence of data security by expressed informed consent doesn’t work in a country that is plagued by the acute shortage of healthcare professionals to inform the client fully.
    • Lack of finance:With the minuscule spending of 1.3% of the GDP on the healthcare sector, India will be unable to ensure the quality and uniform access to healthcare that it hoped to bring about.

    Conclusion

    • With an enabling ecosystem, supported by effective policies for digital healthcare and increased innovation, the promise of digital solutions in healthcare is immense. It’s not long before precision healthcare becomes central to the health and well-being of every citizen.

    Mains question

    Q. The covid-19 pandemic has presented a watershed moment, bringing the world’s healthcare systems to a halt, forcing us to rethink existing healthcare delivery models. In this context discuss challenges and opportunities of digital health ecosystem in India.

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Arth Ganga Model: New govt model for the River’s Sustainable Development

    The Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, spoke about the Arth Ganga Model during his virtual keynote address to the Stockholm World Water Week 2022.

    What is Arth Ganga Model?

    • PM Modi first introduced the concept during the first National Ganga Council meeting in Kanpur in 2019.
    • He urged for a shift from Namami Gange, the Union Government’s flagship project to clean the Ganga, to the model of Arth Ganga.
    • The latter focuses on the sustainable development of the Ganga and its surrounding areas, by focusing on economic activities related to the river.
    • At its core, the Arth Ganga model seeks to use economics to bridge people with the river.
    • It strives to contribute at least 3% of the GDP from the Ganga Basin itself.
    • The Arth Ganga project’s interventions are in accordance with India’s commitments towards the UN sustainable development goals.

    Features

    Under Arth Ganga, the government is working on six verticals.

    1. Zero Budget Natural Farming that includes chemical-free farming for 10 kms on either side of the river, generating “more income, per drop”, ‘Gobar Dhan’ for farmers,
    2. Monetization and Reuse of Sludge &Wastewater that envisages reuse of treated water for irrigation; industrial purposes and revenue generation for ULBs,
    3. Livelihood Opportunities Generation such as ‘Ghat Mein Haat’, promotion of local products, Ayurveda, medicinal plants, capacity building of volunteers like Ganga Praharis,
    4. Public Participation to ensure increased synergies between stakeholders,
    5. Cultural Heritage &Tourism that looks to introduce boat tourism through community jettis, promotion of yoga, adventure tourism etc. and Ganga Artis and
    6. Institutional Building by enhancing the local capacities for better decentralized water governance.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Robust Sport governance for national pride

    sport governanceContext

    • The judicial push for reforms in sport governance of various sporting bodies, football, hockey, table tennis and the Indian Olympic Association has understandably received mixed reactions.

    Why in news?

    • The national sports federation’s usual governance practices do not place either the sport or the athlete front and centre; that space is reserved for official egos, whims and political clout.

    What is sport governance?

    • Sport governance refers to the power a government has over institutions and allows their decisions to be made with due consideration to their influence, authority, and organizational structure.

    Sports in India

    • Physical activity is fundamental to human beings:  The report states that having a fundamental right to literacy would mean identifying the intrinsic value of physical activity to human living.
    • Part of elementary education: It would mean not seeing physical activity as an end in itself, and the establishment of physical activity/ physical education as a core component of the education curriculum.
    • Supportive to other FRs: A fundamental right to physical literacy would actualise and enhance the enjoyment of other fundamental rights. It would go a long way in enhancing the opportunities and freedom to express oneself.
    • Enhancing life quality: A physically literate individual would have a more fulfilling life of higher quality than one who is not.  Physical literacy, as a building block, would go a long way in the promotion and realisation of the right to health and the right to education.

    sport governance Issues with the Current Sports governance

    • Lack of check and balance: The biggest concern regarding these bodies so far has been a complete lack of checks and balances.
    • Excessive autonomy: In the pretext of autonomy, they have been allowed to function in any manner.
    • Less people centric approach: The federations have generally fallen short of public expressions and have failed to carry out their jobs. It has been largely attributed to the way they are governed.
    • Accountability: The current sports model faces accountability issues such as that of having unlimited discretionary powers and also there is no transparency in the decision-making.

    sport governance

     

    Sport governance in India is administered by

    • Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS)
    • National Sports Federation (NSF)
    • Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
    • State Olympic Association (SOA)
    • Sports Authority of India (SAI)

    Positive Suggestions

    • Legislation: There must be presence of powerful and defined sports legislation in India covering all the nuances of sports and giving no arbiter powers to any authority.
    • Transparency-: To maintain transparency with expenditure and fund utilization, Information like a board of members, administrative officials, and remuneration information must be in public domain.
    • Women Representation: It is very important to have sufficient women representation in sports as well as in the administrative bodies, and it is the responsibility of these admin bodies to ensure sufficient representation from women in the board too, to maintain the diversity within the board.
    • Plans: There should be fix timelines disclosed which are to be adopted by sports bodies for the purpose of growth and development of sports in future, which is to be achieved in a given specific period of time. These kinds of timelines and plans would be motivational for players and bodies to. Goals to be targeted in future must be predecided, which can be well monitored and regulated by the authorities. Effective implementation would bring positive results in future.
    • Committees: To set up specific committees for specific activities relating to sports activities, like for planning, financing, research and development purposes. These committees would look after the particular task, which would bring transparency in work and achieving the common objective.
    • Rules and Regulations: like other fields, sports also have conflicts regarding disciplinary, administrative and management issues, to solve this issues governing bodies must set up a common judicial system (tribunal) to deal with sports-related conflicts.

    Conclusion

    • There is a close association of sports with national pride and the kind of influence it has on the psyche of the nation, a role for the State is urgent in sports reforms.

    Mains question

    Q. The national sports federation’s usual governance practices do not place either the sport or the athlete front and centre; that space is reserved for official egos what do you think on this ? Explain the term sport governance with some dynamic changes needed in it.

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Manusmriti: the controversial ancient Sanskrit text

    The Vice Chancellor of a renowned university recently criticized the Manusmriti, the ancient Sanskrit text, over its gender bias.

    What is the news?

    • The VC said that the Manusmriti has categorised all women as shudras, which is extraordinarily regressive.

    What is Manusmriti?

    • The Mānavadharmaśāstra, also known as Manusmriti or the Laws of Manu, is a Sanskrit text belonging to the Dharmaśāstra literary tradition of Hinduism.
    • Composed sometime between the 2nd century BCE and 3rd century CE, the Manusmriti is written in sloka verses, containing two non-rhyming lines of 16 syllabus each.
    • The text is attributed to the mythical figure of Manu, considered to be ancestor of the human race in Hinduism.
    • There has been considerable debate between scholars on the authorship of the text.
    • Many have argued that it was compiled by many Brahmin scholars over a period of time.
    • However, Indologist Patrick Olivelle argues that Manusmṛiti’s “unique and symmetrical structure,” means that it was composed by a “single gifted individual,” or by a “strong chairman of a committee” with the aid of others.

    What is the text about?

    (A) Social aspects

    • The Manusmriti is encyclopaedic in scope, covering subjects such as the social obligations and duties of the various castes and of individuals in different stages of life.
    • It seeks to govern the suitable social and sexual relations of men and women of different castes, on taxes, the rules for kingship, on maintaining marital harmony and the procedures for settling everyday disputes.
    • At its core, the Manusmriti discusses life in the world, how it is lived in reality, as well as how it ought to be.

    (B) Political aspects

    • They argue that the text is about dharma, which means duty, religion, law and practice.
    • It also discusses aspects of the Arthashashtra, such as issues relating to statecraft and legal procedures.
    • The aim of the text is to present a blueprint for a properly ordered society under the sovereignty of the king and the guidance of Brahmins.
    • It was meant to be read by the priestly caste and Olivelle argues that it would likely have been part of the curriculum for young Brahmin scholars at colleges.

    What is its significance?

    • By the early centuries of the Common Era, Manu had become, and remained, the standard source of authority in the orthodox tradition for that centrepiece of Hinduism, varṇāśrama-dharma (social and religious duties tied to class and stage of life)”.
    • Indologists argue that it was a very significant text for Brahmin scholars — it attracted 9 commentaries by other writers of the tradition, and was cited by other ancient Indian texts far more frequently than other dharmaśāstra.

    How did colonists consider this text?

    • European Orientalists considered the Manusmṛiti to be of great historical and religious significance as well. It was the first Sanskrit text to be translated into a European language, by the British philologist Sir William Jones in 1794.
    • Subsequently, it was translated into French, German, Portuguese and Russian, before being included in Max Muller’s edited volume, Sacred Books of the East in 1886.
    • For colonial officials in British India, the translation of the book served a practical purpose.
    • In 1772, Governor-General Warren Hastings decided to implement laws of Hindus and Muslims that they believed to be “continued, unchanged from remotest antiquity.
    • For Hindus, the dharmasastras were to play a crucial role, as they were seen by the British as ‘laws,’ whether or not it was even used that way in India.

    Why is it controversial?

    • The ancient text has 4 major divisions: 1) Creation of the world. 2) Sources of dharma. 3) The dharma of the four social classes. 4) Law of karma, rebirth, and final liberation.
    • The third section is the longest and most important section.
    • The text is deeply concerned with maintaining the hierarchy of the four-fold varna system and the rules that each caste has to follow.
    • Then, the Brahmin is assumed to be the perfect representative of the human race.
    • While Shudras, who are relegated to the bottom of the order, are given the sole duty of serving the ‘upper’ castes.
    • Some verses also contain highly prejudicial sentiments against women on the basis of their birth.
    • There are many verses in the text that are considered highly controversial.

    Dr. Ambedkar and Manusmriti

    • On December 25, 1927, Dr B R Ambedkar had famously burned the Manusmṛiti, which he saw as a source of gender and caste oppression.
    • However, he widely acknowledged that Manusmriti is NOT a religious decree but a social doctrine, manipulated since centuries to normalize oppression of the population.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • What is Floor Test?

    Bihar Chief Minister has won the floor test in the Assembly.

    What is a floor test?

    • A floor test is a measure to check whether the executive is enjoying the confidence of the legislature.
    • It is a constitutional mechanism under which a Chief Minister appointed by the Governor can be asked to prove majority on the floor of the Legislative Assembly of the state.

    How is it conducted?

    • As per the Constitution, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor of the state.
    • When a single party secures the majority of the seats in the house, the Governor appoints the leader of the party as the Chief Minister.
    • In case the majority is questioned, the leader of the party which claims majority has to move a vote of confidence and prove majority among those present and voting.
    • The Chief Minister has to resign if they fail to prove their majority in the house.
    • This happens both in the parliament and the state legislative assemblies.
    • In situations when there are differences within a coalition government, the Governor can ask the Chief Minister to prove majority in the house.

    Can a floor test be postponed?

    • The Supreme Court recently had given some respite to some rebel leaders in Maharashtra to respond to the disqualification notice issued by the Speaker.
    • Citing this as the reason, the original party leaders and loyalists have stated that it is ‘unlawful’ to initiate a floor test when the disqualification decision of the rebel leaders is pending.
    • However, the previous judgments of the Supreme Court had ruled that the floor test needs not to be deferred even if the decision to disqualify the members is pending.
    • In the 2020 Shivraj Singh Chouhan v/s Speaker case, the court had clarified the same.
    • Additionally, the top court had allowed the rebel leaders to skip the floor test during the political crisis in Karnataka in 2019.

    What is composite floor test?

    • There is another test, Composite Floor Test, which is conducted only when more than one person stakes claim to form the government.
    • When the majority is not clear, the governor might call for a special session to see who has the majority.
    • The majority is counted based on those present and voting. This can also be done through a voice vote where the member can respond orally or through division voting.
    • Some legislators may be absent or choose not to vote.
    • In division vote, voting can be done through electronic gadgets, ballots or slips.
    • The person who has the majority will form the government. In case of tie, the speaker can also cast his vote.

    Governors’ discretion

    • When no party gets a clear majority, the governor can use his discretion in the selection of chief ministerial candidate to prove the majority as soon as possible.

    Issues with the floor test

    • Sometimes ruling party MLAs are lured with rewards, political or otherwise.
    • Thus, the “floor test” becomes constitutionally immoral and unjust.
    • This will amount to circumventing the Tenth Schedule through engineered defections through the judicial process.

    Back2Basics: No Confidence Motion

    • The process is explained under rule 198 of the Lok Sabha.
    • Though there is no mention of the term ‘No confidence motion’ or ‘floor test’ in the Constitution, Articles 75 and 164 do mention that the executive both at the Centre and state is collectively responsible to their respective legislatures.
    • Any member from the Opposition can move the no-confidence motion against the ruling government.
    • The motion has to receive the backing of at least 50 members before it is accepted and subsequently.
    • A date for the discussion of the motion is announced by the Speaker, which has to be within 10 days from the date of acceptance.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Explained: The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022

    The long-awaited Bill to amend the Competition Act, 2002, was finally tabled in the Lok Sabha recently.

    What is the Indian Competition Act?

    • The Indian Competition Act was passed in 2002, but it came into effect only seven years later.
    • The Competition Commission primarily pursues three issues of anti-competitive practices in the market: anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance and combinations.
    • As the dynamics of the market changes rapidly due to technological advancements, AI, and the increasing importance of factors other than price, amendments became necessary to sustain and promote market competition.
    • Therefore, a review committee was established in 2019 which proposed several major amendments.

    Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022: Key features

    (1) Regulation of combinations based on transaction value

    • The Act prohibits any person or enterprise from entering into a combination which may cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition.
    • Combinations imply mergers, acquisitions, or amalgamation of enterprises.
    • The prohibition applies to transactions where parties involved have: (i) cumulative assets of more than Rs 1,000 crore, or (ii) cumulative turnover of more than Rs 3,000 crore, subject to certain other conditions.
    • The Bill expands the definition of combinations to include transactions with a value above Rs 2,000 crore.

    (2)  Definition of control for classification of combination:

    • For classification of combinations, the Act defines control as control over the affairs or management by one or more enterprises over another enterprise or group.
    • The Bill modifies the definition of control as the ability to exercise material influence over the management, affairs, or strategic commercial decisions.

    (3) Time limit for approval of combinations

    • The Act specifies that any combination shall not come into effect until the CCI has passed an order or 210 days have passed from the day when an application for approval was filed, whichever is earlier.
    • The Bill reduces the time limit in the latter case to 150 days.

    (4) Anti-competitive agreements

    • Under the Act, anti-competitive agreements include any agreement related to production, supply, storage, or control of goods or services, which can cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.
    • Any agreement between enterprises or persons, engaged in identical or similar businesses, will have such adverse effect on competition if it meets certain criteria.
    • These include: (i) directly or indirectly determining purchase or sale prices, (ii) controlling production, supply, markets, or provision of services, or (iii) directly or indirectly leading to collusive bidding.
    • The Bill adds that enterprises or persons not engaged in identical or similar businesses shall be presumed to be part of such agreements, if they actively participate in the furtherance of such agreements.

    (5) Settlement and Commitment in anti-competitive proceedings

    • Under the Act, CCI may initiate proceedings against enterprises on grounds of: (i) entering into anti-competitive agreements, or (ii) abuse of dominant position.
    • Abuse of dominant position includes: (i) discriminatory conditions in the purchase or sale of goods or services, (ii) restricting production of goods or services, or (iii) indulging in practices leading to the denial of market access.
    • The Bill permits CCI to close inquiry proceedings if the enterprise offers: (i) settlement (may involve payment), or (ii) commitments (may be structural or behavioral in nature).
    • The manner and implementation of settlement and commitment may be specified by CCI through regulations.

    (6) Relevant product market

    • The Act defines relevant product market as products and services which are considered substitutable by the consumer.
    • The Bill widens this to include the production or supply of products and services considered substitutable by the suppliers.

    (7) Decriminalization of certain offences

    • The Bill changes the nature of punishment for certain offences from imposition of fine to penalty.
    • These offences include failure to comply with orders of CCI and directions of Director General with regard to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position.

    Most notable amendment on: Merger and acquisition

    • Any acquisition, merger or amalgamation may constitute a combination.
    • Section 5 currently says parties indulging in merger, acquisition, or amalgamation need to notify the Commission of the combination only on the basis of ‘asset’ or ‘turnover’.
    • The new Bill proposes to add a ‘deal value’ threshold.
    • It will be mandatory to notify the Competition Commission of any transaction with a deal value in excess of ₹2,000 crore and if either of the parties has ‘substantial business operations in India’.

    Key note on gun-jumping

    • Parties should not go ahead with a combination prior to its approval.
    • If the combining parties close a notified transaction before the approval, or have consummated a reportable transaction without bringing it to the Commission’s knowledge, it is seen as gun-jumping.
    • The penalty for gun-jumping was a total of 1% of the asset or turnover.
    • This is now proposed to be 1% of the deal value.

    What next?

    • By implementing these amendments, the Competition Commission should be better equipped to handle certain aspects of the new-age market and transform its functioning to be more robust.
    • The proposed amendments are undoubtedly needed; however, these are heavily dependent on regulations that will be notified by the Commission later.
    • These regulations will influence the proposals.
    • Also, the government needs to recognize that market dynamics change constantly, so it is necessary to update laws regularly.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Benami Law can’t be applied retrospectively: SC

    The Supreme Court has declared as “unconstitutional and manifestly arbitrary” the amendments introduced to the Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988  in 2016, which apply retrospectively and can send a person to prison for three years even as it empowers the Centre to confiscate “any property” subject to a benami transaction.

    What is Benami Property?

    • Benami in Hindi means without name. So, a property bought by an individual not under his or her name is benami property.
    • It can include property held in the name of spouse or child for which the amount is paid out of known sources of income.
    • A joint property with brother, sister or other relatives for which the amount is paid out of known sources of income also falls under benami property.
    • The transaction involved in the same is called benami transaction.
    • The benami transactions include buying assets of any kind — movable, immovable, tangible, intangible, any right or interest, or legal documents.

    Why do people indulge in such transactions?

    • As a usual practice, to evade taxation, people invest their black money in buying benami property.
    • The real owner of these properties are hard to trace due to fake names and identities.

    What is the Benami Law?

    • The first act against benami properties was passed in 1988 as the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988.
    • To block all loopholes, the government in July 2016 decided to amend the original act.
    • So after further amendment, Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 came into force on November 1, 2016.
    • The PBPT Act defines benami transactions, prohibits them and further provides that violation of the PBPT Act is punishable with imprisonment and fine.
    • The PBPT Act prohibits recovery of the property held benami from benamidar by the real owner.
    • Such, properties are liable for confiscation by the Government without payment of compensation.

    What amendment is this article talking about?

    • The 2016 law amended the original Benami Act of 1988, expanding it to 72 Sections from a mere nine.
    • Sections 3(2) and 5 were introduced through the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016.
    • A Bench, led by CJI N.V. Ramana, declared Sections 3(2) and 5 introduced through this amendment as unconstitutional.

    Which sections did the Supreme Court declare unconstitutional?

    (b) Section 3(2)

    • A/c to this, a person can be sent behind bars for a benami transaction entered into 28 years before the Section even came into existence.
    • CJI Ramana held that the provision violated Article 20(1) of the Constitution.
    • Article 20(1) mandates that no person should be convicted of an offence, which was not in force “at the time of the commission of the act charged as an offence”.

    (b) Section 5

    • It said that “any benami property shall be liable to be confiscated by the Central Government”.
    • The court held that this confiscation provision cannot be applied retrospectively.
    • The CJI dismissed the government’s version that forfeiture, acquisition and confiscation of property under the 2016 Act was not in the nature of prosecution and cannot be restricted under Article 20.

    What else did the apex court observe?

    • The court observed that the 2016 Act condemned not only transactions that were traditionally denominated as benami but also a “new class of fictitious and sham transactions”.
    • The court said the intention of Parliament was to condemn property acquired from ill-gotten wealth.
    • These proceedings cannot be equated as enforcing civil obligations, the CJI noted.

    Why curb benami transactions?

    • Inflationary implications: Rather than hoarding the black money in cash, the tax evader invest their accumulated illegal money in buying benami properties.
    • Loss of economic activity: The whole process affects the revenue generation of government hampering growth and development of the state.
    • Tax evasion: Since the percentage of tax payer in the country is a dismal low, the government fails to successfully implement its policies and schemes due to lack of resources.
    • Money laundering: Benami transactions also serves the illicit purpose of money laundering.

    Conclusion

    • A tough law against benami properties is the need of the hour to check corruption.
    • However, due process of law needs to be followed in true letter and spirit.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Iran drops some of its key demands for Nuclear Pact

    Iran has dropped some of its main demands on resurrecting a deal to rein in Tehran’s nuclear programme, including its insistence that international inspectors close some probes of its program, bringing the possibility of an Iran–US agreement closer.

    Which agreement is this article referring to?

    • It is an alternative name of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

    What demands of Iran are we talking about?

    • Iran had already largely relented on its demand that the US lift its designation of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) entity.
    • This designation was a more of symbolic move and insulting to Iranian authorities.
    • Iran also wanted a guarantee that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would close investigations involving unexplained traces of uranium.
    • Iran wants guarantees that the IAEA would close all of them.

    What is JCPOA?

    • The Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA is a landmark accord reached between Iran and several world powers, including the United States, in July 2015.
    • Under its terms, Iran agreed to dismantle much of its nuclear program and open its facilities to more extensive international inspections in exchange for billions of dollars’ worth of sanctions relief.

    Expected outcomes of the deal

    • Curb on the nuclear program: Proponents of the deal said that it would help prevent a revival of Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
    • Increasing regional engagement: It would thereby reduce the prospects for conflict between Iran and its regional rivals, including Israel and Saudi Arabia.

    Background of the JCPOA

    • Iran had previously agreed to forgo the development of nuclear weapons as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, which has been in force since 1970.
    • However, after the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979, Iranian leaders secretly pursued this technology.
    • In 2007, U.S. intelligence analysts concluded that Iran halted its work on nuclear weapons in 2003 but continued to acquire nuclear technology and expertise.
    • Prior to the JCPOA, the P5+1 had been negotiating with Iran for years, offering its government various incentives to halt uranium enrichment.

    Issues with the deal

    (1) US withdrawal

    • The deal has been in jeopardy since President Donald Trump withdrew the US from it in 2018.
    • In retaliation for the US, Iran resumed some of its nuclear activities.

    (2) Iran’s insistence over sanctions removal

    • In 2021, President Joe Biden said the US will return to the deal if Iran comes back into compliance, though Iran’s leaders have insisted that Washington lift sanctions first.
    • Iran now has indicated that he will take a harder line than his predecessor in nuclear negotiations.

    Who are the participants?

    • The JCPOA, which went into effect in January 2016, imposes restrictions on Iran’s civilian nuclear enrichment program.
    • At the heart of negotiations with Iran were the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and Germany—collectively known as the P5+1.
    • The European Union also took part. Israel explicitly opposed the agreement, calling it too lenient.
    • Some Middle Eastern powers, such as Saudi Arabia, said they should have been consulted or included in the talks because they would be most affected by a nuclear-armed Iran.

    What did Iran agree to?

    • Nuclear restrictions: Iran agreed not to produce either the highly enriched uranium or the plutonium that could be used in a nuclear weapon.
    • Monitoring and verification:  Iran agreed to eventually implement a protocol that would allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog.

    What did the other signatories agree to?

    • Sanctions relief: The EU, United Nations, and United States all committed to lifting their nuclear-related sanctions on Iran. However, many other U.S. sanctions on Iran, some dating back to the 1979 hostage crisis, remained in effect.
    • Weapons embargo: The parties agreed to lift an existing UN ban on Iran’s transfer of conventional weapons and ballistic missiles after five years if the IAEA certifies that Iran is only engaged in civilian nuclear activity.

    How has the deal affected Iran’s economy?

    • Prior to the JCPOA, Iran’s economy suffered years of recession, currency depreciation, and inflation, largely because of sanctions on its energy sector.
    • With the sanctions lifted, inflation slowed, exchange rates stabilized, and exports—especially of oil, agricultural goods, and luxury items­—skyrocketed as Iran regained trading partners, particularly in the EU.
    • After the JCPOA took effect, Iran began exporting more than 2.1 million barrels per day (approaching pre-2012 levels, when the oil sanctions were originally put in place).

    Try this question from CSP 2020:

    Q.In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA Safeguards” while others are not?

    (a) Some use Uranium and others use thorium.

    (b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies.

    (c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises.

    (d) Some are State- owned and others are privately-owned.

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”lsxnmbcloo” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

    Back2Basics: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

    • IAEA is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
    • As the preeminent nuclear watchdog under the UN, the IAEA is entrusted with the task of upholding the principles of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1970.
    • It was established as an autonomous organization on July 29, 1957, at the height of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
    • Though established independently of the UN through its own international treaty, the agency reports to both the UN General Assembly and the UNSC.

    What are its safeguards?

    • Safeguards are activities by which the IAEA can verify that a State is living up to its international commitments not to use nuclear programs for nuclear weapons purposes.
    • Safeguards are based on assessments of the correctness and completeness of a State’s declared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities.
    • Verification measures include on-site inspections, visits, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

    Basically, two sets of measures are carried out in accordance with the type of safeguards agreements in force with a State.

    1. One set relates to verifying State reports of declared nuclear material and activities.
    2. Another set enables the IAEA not only to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material but also to provide assurances as to the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in a State.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM)

    The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy has successfully flight-tested the indigenously developed Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

    What is Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) ?

    • VL-SRSAM has been designed and developed jointly by three facilities of the DRDO for deployment of Indian Naval warships.
    • The missile has the capability of neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.
    • The tactic of sea skimming is used by various anti-ship missiles and some fighter jets to avoid being detected by the radars onboard warships.
    • For this, these assets fly as close as possible to sea surface and thus are difficult to detect and neutralise.

    Features of VL-SRSAM

    • The missile has been designed to strike at the high-speed airborne targets at the range of 40 to 50 km and at an altitude of around 15 km.
    • Its design is based on Astra missile which is a Beyond Visual Range Air to Air missile.
    • Two key features of the VL-SRSAM are cruciform wings and thrust vectoring.
    • The cruciform wings are four small wings arranged like a cross on four sides and give the projective a stable aerodynamic posture.
    • The thrust vectoring is an ability to change the direction of the thrust from its engine control the angular velocity and the attitude of the missile.
    • VL-SRSAM is a canisterised system, which means it is stored and operated from specially designed compartments.
    • In the canister, the inside environment is controlled, thus making its transport and storage easier and improving the shelf life of weapons

    Strategic significance of the missile

    • The launch was conducted from a vertical launcher against an electronic target at a very low altitude.
    • The flight path of the vehicle along with health parameters was monitored using a number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur.
    • The successful testing of these systems was crucial for future launches of the missile from Indian Naval Ships.

     

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • Equitable education and health care needed for better future

    Equitable health and educationContext

    • To create the foundation for the next century, we need to invest in equitable education and health care in the next 25 years not just for the elite, but for all.

    What is current status of education?

    • Expenditure on Education: The expenses on education as a percentage to GDP, India lags behind some developed/ developing nations.
    • Infrastructure deficit: Dilapidated structures, single-room schools, lack of drinking water facilities, separate toilets and other educational infrastructure is a grave problem.
    • Student-teacher ratio: Another challenge for improving the Indian education system is to improve the student teacher ratio.

    What is current status of healthcare?

    • Weak delivery: Current health infrastructure in India paints a dismal picture of the healthcare delivery system in the country.
    • Unpreparedness: Public health experts believe that India is ill-equipped to handle emergencies.
    • Technical glitches in urban areas: It is not prepared to tackle health epidemics, particularly given its urban congestion.

    A systemic approach to reforming education system in the country needs

    • Dynamic pedagogy: Academic interventions involve the adoption of grade competence framework instead of just syllabus completion.
    • Directional efforts: Effective delivery of remedial education for weaker students like after-school coaching, audio-video based education.
    • Administrative reforms: that enable and incentivize teachers to perform better through data-driven insights, training, and recognition. Example: Performance based increments in Salary.

    equitable education and healthA systemic approach to reforming healthcare system in the country needs

    • Universal health coverage: Access to healthcare in India is not equitable—the rich and the middle class would survive the COVID-19 or any other crisis but not the poor.
    • Increasing healthcare professionals in numbers: India has handled the COVID-19 pandemic exceptionally well. However, India is in dire need of more medical staff and amenities.
    • Revamping medical education: If the government wants to stay successful in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, it needs to rapidly build medical institutions and increase the number of doctors.
    • Cross-subsidization of health-care: How the poor managed without, or even with, any government insurance scheme is a big question. They can make up for the loss by cross-subsidizing treatments of patients with premium insurance policies.

    Recent initiatives

    • PLI scheme: In view of these challenges, the government announced various policies like PLI scheme for domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
    • National Digital Health Mission: It also announced the National Digital Health Mission.

    Way forward

    • India’s healthcare system is too small for such a large population.
    • There seems to be a long battle ahead. The public healthcare system cannot be improved overnight.
    • The country needs all hands on deck during and after this crisis—both public and private sectors must work together and deliver universal health coverage for all citizens.

    Conclusion

    • Providing expanded access to high quality education and healthcare supports—particularly for those young people who today lack such access—will not only expand economic opportunity for those individuals, but will also likely do more to strengthen the overall state economy.

    Mains question

    Q. To create the foundation for the next century, we need to invest in education and health in the next 25 years not just for the elite, but for all. Critically examine

    UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)