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Distribution: yearly

  • Matrilineality in Meghalaya

    meghalaya

    Central Idea: A tribal council’s order not to issue a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate to any Khasi person who adopts the surname of her or his father has triggered a war of words in matrilineal Meghalaya.

    Matrilineal Society of Meghalaya

    • Multiple tribes in Meghalaya, northeast India, practice matrilineal descent.
    • Khasi and Garo people are the primary tribes discussed in the article.
    • The term “Ki Hynniew Trep” (The Seven Huts) refers to the Khasi people, while the Garo people are also known as Achik people.
    • These tribes have a proud heritage of matrilineality, but there are concerns about the decline of matrilineal traits.

    Background

    • Khasi people are an ancient tribe and are considered the largest surviving matrilineal culture in the world.
    • Khasis, along with other subgroups like the Garo, reside in Meghalaya, as well as bordering areas of Assam and Bangladesh.
    • The matrilineal tradition practiced by the Khasi people is unique within India.
    • Matrilineal principles are emphasized in myths, legends, and origin narratives of the Khasi tribe.
    • Reference to “Nari Rajya” in the epic Mahabharata likely correlates with the matrilineal culture of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.

    Rights, Roles and Responsibilities

    • Women play a dominant role in the matrilineal society of Meghalaya.
    • The youngest daughter, known as Ka Khadduh, inherits ancestral property.
    • Husbands live with their mother-in-law after marriage.
    • Children take their mother’s surname.
    • In case a couple has no daughters, they can adopt a daughter and pass property rights to her.
    • The birth of a girl is celebrated, and there is no social stigma associated with women remarrying or giving birth out of wedlock.
    • Women have the freedom to intermarry outside their tribe.
    • Independent, well-dressed, unmarried women enjoy security and prefer not to get married.
    • Many small businesses are managed by women.

    Comparison between Garo and Khasi Practices

    Bina Agarwal compared the Garo and Khasi practices in 1994. (Aspirants with Sociology optional are bound to remember the sociologist’s name.)

    • Garo also practices matrilineal inheritance and matrilocal post-marital residence.
    • Both tribes accept pre-marital sex by women, but adultery by women is punished.
    • The Khasi practice duolocal post-marital residence, where the husband lives separately from the wife’s parents’ residence.
    • The Khasi have an aversion to cross-cousin marriage.

    Roles of Men and Political Representation

    • Mothers or mothers-in-law are responsible for the care of children.
    • Khasi men perceive themselves as having a secondary status and established societies to protect men’s rights.
    • Representation of women in politics, legislative assembly, village councils, and panchayats is minimal.
    • Women believe they handle money matters better and enjoy economic freedom.

    Matrilineal, not matriarchal

    • While society is matrilineal, it is not matriarchal. In past monarchies of the state, the son of the youngest sister of the king inherited the throne.
    • Even now in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly or village councils or panchayats the representation of women in politics is minimal.

    Issues with the system

    • Some Khasi men perceive themselves to be accorded a secondary status.
    • They have established societies to protect equal rights for men.
    • They express that Khasi men don’t have any security, they don’t own land, they don’t run the family business and, at the same time, they are almost good for nothing.

     

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  • Monsoon onset in Kerala on June 4

    monsoon

    Central Idea: The monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala with a “slight delay” on June 4, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The usual onset date over Kerala is June 1, within a seven-day window.

    What does the “Onset of Monsoon” mean?

    • The onset of the monsoon over Kerala marks the beginning of the four-month, June to September southwest monsoon season over India.
    • It brings more than 70 per cent of the country’s annual rainfall.
    • It marks a significant transition in the large-scale atmospheric and ocean circulations in the Indo-Pacific region.
    • The IMD announces it only after certain newly defined and measurable parameters, adopted in 2016, are met.
    • The onset is a significant day in India’s economic calendar.

    How does IMD predict the monsoon?

    • Broadly, the IMD checks for the consistency of rainfall over a defined geography, its intensity, and wind speed:
    1. Rainfall: The IMD declares the onset of the monsoon if at least 60% of 14 designated meteorological stations in Kerala and Lakshadweep record at least 2.5 mm of rain for two consecutive days at any time after May 10.
    2. Wind field: The depth of westerlies should be upto 600 hectopascal (1 hPa is equal to 1 millibar of pressure) in the area bound by the equator to 10ºN latitude, and from longitude 55ºE to 80ºE. The zonal wind speed over the area bound by 5-10ºN latitude and 70-80ºE longitude should be of the order of 15-20 knots (28-37 kph) at 925 hPa.
    3. Heat: The INSAT-derived Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) value (a measure of the energy emitted to space by the Earth’s surface, oceans, and atmosphere) should be below 200 watt per sq m (wm2) in the box confined by 5-10ºN latitude and 70-75ºE latitude.
    • The onset is not officially declared until the prescribed conditions (above) are met.

    Factors considered by IMD

    • The IMD uses a specialised model that forecasts the arrival dates within a four-day window.
    • It uses six predictors:
    1. Minimum temperatures over northwest India
    2. Pre-monsoon rainfall peak over south Peninsula
    3. Outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR) over the South China Sea
    4. Lower tropospheric zonal wind over the southeast Indian Ocean
    5. Upper tropospheric zonal wind over the east equatorial Indian Ocean, and
    6. OLR over the southwest Pacific region

    Back2Basics: Long Period Average (LPA)

    • The IMD predicts a “normal”, “below normal”, or “above normal” monsoon in relation to a benchmark “long period average” (LPA).
    • The LPA of rainfall is the rainfall recorded over a particular region for a given interval (like month or season) average over a long period like 30 years, 50 years, etc.
    • LPA refers to the average rainfall recorded from June to September for the entire country, the amount of rain that falls every year varies from region to region and from month to month.
    • The IMD’s prediction of a normal monsoon is based on the LPA of the 1971-2020 period, during which India received 87 cm of rain for the entire country on average.
    • It has in the past calculated the LPA at 88 cm for the 1961-2010 period, and at 89 cm for the period 1951-2000.

    Why LPA is needed?

    • The IMD records rainfall data at more than 2,400 locations and 3,500 rain-gauge stations.
    • Because annual rainfall can vary greatly not just from region to region and from month to month, but also from year to year within a particular region or month.
    • An LPA is needed to smooth out trends so that a reasonably accurate prediction can be made.
    • A 50-year LPA covers for large variations in either direction caused by freak years of unusually high or low rainfall, as well as for the periodic drought years.
    • It also takes into account the increasingly common extreme weather events caused by climate change.

    Range of normal rainfall

    The IMD maintains five rainfall distribution categories on an all-India scale. These are:

    1. Normal or near normal, when the percentage departure of actual rainfall is +/-10% of LPA, that is, between 96-104% of LPA;
    2. Below normal, when departure of actual rainfall is less than 10% of LPA, that is 90-96% of LPA;
    3. Above normal, when actual rainfall is 104-110% of LPA;
    4. Deficient, when departure of actual rainfall is less than 90% of LPA; and
    5. Excess, when the departure of actual rainfall is more than 110% of LPA.

     

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  • India nears milestone with first indigenous Dengue Vaccine

    dengue

    Central Idea: Serum Institute of India and Panacea Biotec have applied to the ICMR’s call for Expression of Interest for collaborative Phase-III clinical trials for an indigenous dengue vaccine.

    What is Dengue?

    Details
    Transmission Primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes
    Virus and Serotypes Dengue virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family

    Four distinct serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4
    Symptoms High fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, pain behind the eyes, mild bleeding
    Severe Dengue Progression to severe dengue can cause plasma leakage, bleeding, organ impairment
    Geographic Distribution Endemic in more than 100 countries, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions
    Incidence and Global Impact 100-400 million dengue infections occur annually globally, affecting healthcare systems and economies
    Vector and Breeding Sites Aedes aegypti mosquito breeds in stagnant water containers found near human dwellings
    Treatment No specific antiviral treatment available; supportive care, rest, fluid intake, symptom management
    Prevention and Control Reduce mosquito breeding sites, proper water storage, cleaning of water containers, use of insecticides

     

    Dengue Virus Disease and Global Impact

    • Dengue virus disease causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, with 2 to 2.5 lakh (200,000 to 250,000) cases reported annually in India.
    • The global incidence of dengue has increased dramatically, with over half of the world’s population at risk.
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified dengue as one of the top ten global health threats in 2019.
    • Currently, there is no specific treatment for dengue, highlighting the urgent need for effective vaccines.

    Desirable Characteristics of a Dengue Vaccine

    The ICMR highlights the desirable characteristics of a dengue vaccine, including a-

    • Favorable safety profile
    • Protection against all four serotypes of dengue
    • Reduced risk of severe disease and death
    • Induction of a sustained immune response and
    • Effectiveness regardless of previous sero-status and age

     

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  • In news: Sikkim Statehood Day

    sikkim

    Sikkim Statehood Day

    • Sikkim day is annually celebrated on May 16, commemorating the integration of Sikkim with India in 1975.
    • The process of Sikkim joining India occurred about two decades after Sardar Vallabbhai Patel led the integration of princely states into India.

    Sikkim’s History with the Chogyal Royals

    • The kingdom of Sikkim was established in 1642 when Phuntsong Namgyal was consecrated as the first ruler or Chogyal.
    • Sikkim’s monarchy, under the Namgyal dynasty, lasted for 333 years until its integration with India in 1975.
    • Sikkim had a Tibetan origin and was located between India and China. It often faced conflicts over land with Bhutan and Nepal.
    • The British saw Sikkim as a buffer state and established a formal relationship with it.
    • Various treaties like the Treaty of Tumlong (1861), Treaty of Titaliya (1817), Calcutta Convention (1890), and Lhasa Convention (1904) shaped the relationship between Sikkim and the British.

    Independent India and Sikkim

    • After India’s independence, princely states had the option to accede to India or Pakistan.
    • Sikkim’s unique relationship with British rule led to complexities in its integration with India.
    • Sardar Vallabbhai Patel and BN Rau wanted Sikkim to sign the Instrument of Accession to integrate it with India.
    • Jawaharlal Nehru acknowledged the situation in Sikkim and emphasized its autonomous growth.
    • Sikkim State Congress (SSC), Praja Mandal (PM), and Praja Sudharak Samaj (PSS) demanded a popular government, abolition of landlordism, and accession to India.
    • A Standstill Agreement was signed to maintain the existing arrangement while discussions continued.

    War with China

    • Sikkim had a state council with elected and nominated members.
    • Political developments in the 1960s and 1970s played a significant role in Sikkim’s status.
    • The formation of the Sikkim National Congress (SNC) in 1960 and changes in political leadership on both sides influenced the course of events.
    • India-China war of 1962 and containment of border skirmishes made it important to clarify the relationship between India and Sikkim.

    How Sikkim finally joined India?

    • The Indian leadership started supporting pro-democracy forces in Sikkim, such as Kazi Dorji of the SNC.
    • Protests in Sikkim in 1973 led to a tripartite agreement between the Chogyal, the Indian government, and three major political parties.
    • Elections were held in 1974, and a new constitution limited the role of the monarch.
    • A referendum held in 1975 resulted in a majority vote in favor of joining India.
    • The Constitution (Thirty-Sixth Amendment) Bill was passed, recognizing Sikkim as a state in the Union of India.
    • Sikkim’s new parliament proposed a bill for Sikkim to become an Indian state, which was accepted by the Indian government.

     

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  • Worldcoin: The Iris-scanning Cryptocurrency

    worldcoin

    Central Idea: Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is reportedly raising $100 million for Worldcoin, a unique cryptocurrency.

    What is Worldcoin?

    • Worldcoin, co-founded by Altman and Alex Blania in 2019, aims to provide every human being on Earth with a share of its digital token.
    • Worldcoin is a crypto project that seeks to establish a global identity and financial network for everyone.
    • It utilizes a device called the Orb, which scans people’s irises to verify their uniqueness and humanity.
    • Individuals who undergo the iris scan are rewarded with Worldcoin tokens.
    • The World App, developed by Worldcoin, enables users to make payments, purchases, and transfers using Worldcoin and other digital assets.
    • The project plans to launch in the first half of 2023 and distribute a total of 10 billion tokens, with 80% going to users.

    Functioning of Worldcoin

    • Worldcoin’s founders aimed to freely distribute shares of the digital token to every person on the planet.
    • They envisioned it as a global distribution system for Universal Basic Income and a means to distribute profits generated by AI systems equally among people.
    • To ensure fair distribution, Worldcoin utilizes biometric iris scans through the Orb device.
    • The Orb scans the iris and converts it into a hash, which is impossible to recreate even if compromised.
    • The iris hash and the user’s public key hash are sent to Worldcoin servers, and if the person is new to the system, the hashes are added to the database and the company’s blockchain.

    Challenges and criticisms

    • Worldcoin faces challenges regarding the accessibility of the Orb and expanding the user database.
    • The project plans to incentivize sign-ups by offering coupons or access to loans.
    • Concerns exist about the privacy and security of biometric data and potential misuse.
    • Questions arise about the feasibility and scalability of reaching unbanked or underbanked populations.
    • The value and utility of the Worldcoin token and its competitiveness with other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies are also subject to scrutiny.

    Back2Basics: Cryptocurrency

    • A cryptocurrency is a digital asset stored on computerised databases.
    • These digital coins are recorded in digital ledgers using strong cryptography to keep them secure.
    • The ledgers are distributed globally, and each transaction made using cryptocurrencies are codified as blocks.
    • And multiple blocks linking each other forms a blockchain on the distributed ledger.
    • There are estimated to be more than 47 million cryptocurrency users around the world.
    • These cryptocurrencies are created through a process called mining.

     

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  • 10 Years of Sexual Harassment Law

    Central Idea

    • The Supreme Court of India has identified “serious lapses” and “uncertainty” in the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act).
    • It has directed the Union, States, and UTs to verify the formation of Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) in government bodies and ensure strict adherence to the Act’s composition requirements.

    What is the POSH Act?

    • The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act was passed in 2013.
    • It defined sexual harassment, lay down the procedures for a complaint and inquiry, and the action to be taken.
    • It broadened the Vishakha Guidelines, which were already in place.

    What are Vishakha Guidelines?

    • The Vishakha guidelines were laid down by the Supreme Court in a judgment in 1997. This was in a case filed by women’s rights groups, one of which was Vishakha.
    • In 1992, she had prevented the marriage of a one-year-old girl, leading to the alleged gangrape in an act of revenge.

    Guidelines and the law

    • The Vishakha guidelines, which were legally binding, defined sexual harassment and imposed three key obligations on institutions :
    1. Prohibition
    2. Prevention
    3. Redress
    • The Supreme Court directed that they should establish a Complaints Committee, which would look into matters of sexual harassment of women at the workplace.

    The POSH Act broadened these guidelines:

    • It mandated that every employer must constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at each office or branch with 10 or more employees.
    • It lay down procedures and defined various aspects of sexual harassment, including the aggrieved victim, who could be a woman “of any age whether employed or not”, who “alleges to have been subjected to any act of sexual harassment”.
    • This meant that the rights of all women working or visiting any workplace, in any capacity, were protected under the Act.

    Definition of Sexual Harassment

    Under the 2013 law, sexual harassment includes “any one or more” of the following “unwelcome acts or behaviour” committed directly or by implication:

    • Physical contact and advances
    • A demand or request for sexual favours
    • Sexually coloured remarks
    • Showing pornography
    • Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

    The Ministry of Women & Child Development has published a Handbook on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace with more detailed instances of behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment at the workplace. These include, broadly:

    • Sexually suggestive remarks or innuendos; serious or repeated offensive remarks; inappropriate questions or remarks about a person’s sex life
    • Display of sexist or offensive pictures, posters, MMS, SMS, WhatsApp, or emails
    • Intimidation, threats, blackmail around sexual favours; also, threats, intimidation or retaliation against an employee who speaks up about these
    • Unwelcome social invitations with sexual overtones, commonly seen as flirting
    • Unwelcome sexual advances.

    Unwelcome behavior

    • The Handbook says “unwelcome behaviour” is experienced when the victim feels bad or powerless; it causes anger/sadness or negative self-esteem.
    • It adds unwelcome behaviour is one which is “illegal, demeaning, invading, one-sided and power based”.

    Circumstances amounting to SHW

    The Act mentions five circumstances that amount to sexual harassment implied or explicit:

    1. Promise of preferential treatment in her employment
    2. Threat of detrimental treatment
    3. Threat about her present or future employment status
    4. Interference with her work or creating an offensive or hostile work environment
    5. Humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety

    Procedure for complaint

    Description
    Filing a complaint Aggrieved victim has the option to file a complaint with the ICC, but it is not compulsory for the ICC to act.
    Assistance in filing a complaint Any member of the ICC must provide reasonable assistance to the victim in filing a written complaint.
    Filing a complaint on behalf of the victim If the victim is unable to file a complaint due to incapacity, death, or other reasons, her legal heir may file it on her behalf.
    Time limit for filing a complaint Complaint must be made within 3 months from the date of the incident
    Extension of time limit ICC has the authority
    Monetary settlement and conciliation Yes
    Forwarding complaint or initiating an inquiry Must be completed within 90 days.
    Confidentiality of information Act ensures the confidentiality of the woman’s identity, respondent’s identity, inquiry details, recommendations, and actions taken

    Requirements imposed on employers

    Description
    Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) Employers with more than 10 employees must establish an ICC to address sexual harassment complaints.
    Composition of ICC The ICC must include women employees, another employee, and a third-party member familiar with sexual harassment issues.
    Local Committee (LC) for smaller organizations Organizations with fewer than 10 employees must create an LC to receive complaints from the informal sector.
    Complaint filing process Women can file written complaints to either the ICC or LC within three to six months of the incident.
    Resolution methods The Act provides two resolution methods: conciliation between the parties involved or conducting an inquiry by the committee.
    Annual audit report Employers must file an annual audit report on sexual harassment complaints and take responsibility for conducting workshops, awareness programs, and orientation for ICC members.
    Non-compliance penalties Non-compliance with the Act can result in penalties, including fines.

    Hurdles to the Act’s Implementation

    Description
    Inadequate constitution of ICCs Improper constitution of Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) with inadequate members or absence of mandatory external members.
    Lack of accountability Unclear specification of responsibilities for ensuring compliance with the Act, leading to ineffective enforcement.
    Inaccessibility for informal sector workers Limited accessibility of the law for women in the informal sector, comprising a significant portion of the female workforce.
    Underreporting of sexual harassment cases Significant underreporting of cases due to fear of repercussions, power dynamics, and lack of awareness about the process.
    Reliance on evidence and due process Excessive reliance on concrete evidence, discouraging victims from coming forward and potential penalties during inquiries.
    Lack of clarity in conducting inquiries Lack of clarity in inquiry procedures, resulting in confusion and inefficiency in addressing sexual harassment cases.

    Recent concerns and directions from the Supreme Court

    Description
    “Serious lapses” and “uncertainty” in implementation Supreme Court expressed concerns about the implementation of the PoSH Act, citing serious lapses and uncertainty in its enforcement.
    Verification of Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) It directed to verify the formation of ICCs in government bodies.
    Strict adherence to composition requirements Emphasis was placed on ensuring strict adherence to the Act’s composition requirements for ICCs.
    Inadequate constitution of ICCs The Court highlighted the issue of improperly constituted ICCs, including the absence of mandatory external members.
    Proactive approach for enforcement A proactive approach from both State and non-State actors was called for in enforcing the Act.
    Publication of committee details Directions were given to publish committee details on websites within a specified timeframe.
    Ensuring a safe and respectful workplace The importance of providing a safe and secure workplace, ensuring the dignity and respect women deserve, was emphasized.
    Accountability and effective enforcement The Court’s directions aimed to ensure accountability and effective enforcement of the PoSH Act.

     

     

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  • What is ‘Adopt a Heritage’ Scheme?

    heritage

    Central Idea

    • Private firms, companies, and public sector units can adopt and maintain State-owned archaeological sites or monuments through agreements with the Union Ministry of Culture.
    • These businesses are referred to as “Monument Mitras” under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ Scheme.

    Adopt a Heritage scheme

    • The ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ scheme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
    • Launched in September 2017, it aims to develop selected monuments and heritage sites across India with the participation of public and private entities.
    • The scheme focuses on providing and maintaining basic amenities, improving accessibility, cleanliness, illumination, and advanced facilities like surveillance systems and night-viewing facilities.

    Selection and Adoption Process

    • Sites/monuments are selected based on tourist footfall and visibility, and they can be adopted by private and public sector companies and individuals known as “Monument Mitras.”
    • The Oversight and Vision Committee, co-chaired by the Tourism Secretary and the Culture Secretary, selects the Monument Mitras based on their vision for developing the site.
    • No financial bid is involved in the selection process, and corporate entities are expected to use their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the upkeep of the site.
    • The adopted sites provide limited visibility to the Monument Mitras on the premises and on the Incredible India website.
    • The oversight committee has the authority to terminate the memorandum of understanding in case of non-compliance or non-performance.

    Previous Initiatives and Controversy

    • The government previously formed the National Culture Fund and initiated the ‘Campaign Clean India’ scheme to involve the corporate sector in maintaining tourist sites.
    • The ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme faced controversy when it was reported that Dalmia Bharat, under a MoU, would build infrastructure and maintain the Red Fort.
    • Critics argued that the involvement of private parties in iconic monuments raised concerns about the preservation of India’s heritage.
    • The government defended the scheme, stating that it aimed to increase tourist footfall and improve the maintenance of sites.

    Perils and Challenges of the Scheme

    • Diminishing role of ASI: The scheme sidelines the role of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and disregards established guidelines for presenting excavated objects.
    • Undue commercialization: Allowing businesses to occupy prime public land and build their brands can further diminish the grounds around iconic monuments.
    • Demographic impacts: The involvement of big businesses in guided tours and illumination of monuments may impact local communities and their livelihoods.
    • Disregarding historical preservation: Concerns arise about businesses altering the historical character of monuments not protected by the ASI or located in states without Archaeology Directorates.

    Govt intention behind the scheme

    • Businesses can help citizens understand why monuments matter: This can be done by earmarking CSR funds for grants for researching, writing, and publishing high-quality textbooks, and developing imaginative and effective ways of teaching history.
    • Skillful conservation: Industrial houses can support the meaningful conservation of heritage buildings by looking within through their CSR.
    • Collaborative efforts: The private sector’s resources and expertise may also help the ASI and State Archaeology Directorates to secure monuments from dams, mining projects, defacement, and looting.
    • Cultural contribution: By embracing principles of historical preservation, businesses and organizations can showcase India’s progress in safeguarding its pluralistic heritage and inspire citizen participation in this endeavour.

    Way ahead

    • Transparent selection process: Implement a fair and transparent process for selecting entities or Monument Mitras to adopt heritage sites, ensuring accountability and avoiding favoritism.
    • Robust monitoring mechanism: Develop a strong monitoring system to ensure that the adopted sites are maintained and developed according to the agreed-upon standards and guidelines.
    • Preservation protocols: Strictly adhere to preservation guidelines set by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and other relevant authorities to protect the historical and cultural integrity of heritage sites.
    • Engagement with local communities: Involve local communities and stakeholders in decision-making processes, encouraging their participation, ownership, and contribution to the conservation efforts.
    • Sustainable tourism practices: Promote sustainable tourism practices that minimize the environmental impact, respect the local culture and heritage, and provide socio-economic benefits to the communities living around the heritage sites.

     

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  • Gaps in Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) abused by Cybercriminals

    aadhaar

    Central Idea

    • Scammers are using silicone thumbs to operate biometric POS devices and ATMs, draining users’ bank accounts.
    • Incidents of Aadhaar-linked fingerprint misuse and unauthorized withdrawals have been reported.

    What is AePS?

    Details
    What is it? Enables online financial transactions using Aadhaar authentication, eliminating the need for OTPs and other details.
    Supported transactions Cash deposit, withdrawal, balance inquiry, and fund transfer can be done with just the bank name, Aadhaar number, and fingerprint.
    Default activation AePS may be enabled by default for most bank account holders when Aadhaar is linked to their account.
    Mandatory linking for benefits and subsidies Users seeking benefits or subsidies under Aadhaar Act schemes must link their Aadhaar number with their bank account.

    Issues AePS

    • Data breaches: These have been reported, although UIDAI denies breaching Aadhaar data.
    • Information Leak: Criminals can obtain Aadhaar numbers from photocopies and soft copies, using Aadhaar-enabled payment systems to breach user information.

    Securing Aadhaar

    • Regulation: UIDAI proposes regulations to prevent sharing of Aadhaar details without redaction.
    • New two-factor authentication: This combines finger minutiae and image capture for fingerprint liveness.
    • Locking Aadhaar Online: Aadhaar can be locked using the UIDAI website or the myAadhaar app. Locking generates a 16-digit VID code needed for unlocking.
    • Zero Liability: Customers’ entitlement to zero liability arises if unauthorized transactions are reported to the bank within three working days.

    Way forward

    • Immediately lock Aadhaar biometric information if suspicious activity occurs.
    • Inform banks and authorities promptly to initiate necessary actions.
    • Timely reporting ensures the possibility of returning money transferred fraudulently.
    • Regularly check bank accounts for any suspicious activity and inform the banking institution promptly.

     

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  • [pib] Meri LiFE Mera Swachh Shehar Campaign launched

    life

    Central Idea: The Union Ministry for Housing and Urban Affairs has launched the ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Shehar’ campaign.

    Meri LiFE Mera Swachh Shehar

    • The campaign focuses on waste management and promotes the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (RRR).
    • It aims to create awareness and encourage individuals to adopt sustainable daily habits for environmental protection.
    • The campaign strengthens citizens’ commitment to reducing, reusing, and recycling under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
    • It aligns with Mission LiFE’s objective of adopting sustainable daily habits for environmental conservation.

    Objectives of the Campaign

    • The campaign involves setting up RRR Centres where citizens can contribute items such as clothes, shoes, books, toys, and plastic for reuse or recycling.
    • The collected items will be refurbished or transformed into new products, aligning with the vision of a circular economy.
    • The RRR approach empowers craftsmen, recyclers, Self Help Groups, entrepreneurs, and startups to convert waste into various products.

    Key initiatives: RRR Centres and Circular Economy

    • The RRR Centres to be launched nationwide will serve as one-stop collection centers for various unused or used items.
    • Citizens, institutions, and commercial enterprises can deposit plastic items, clothes, shoes, books, and toys at these centers.
    • The collected items will be refurbished for reuse or transformed into new products, promoting the government’s vision of a circular economy.

    Back2Basics: Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)

    • The LiFE movement was introduced by India during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021.
    • It aims to promote an environmentally conscious lifestyle that emphasizes mindful and deliberate utilization rather than mindless and wasteful consumption.
    • The movement seeks to replace the prevailing “use-and-dispose” economy with a circular economy characterized by conscious and deliberate consumption.
    • The objective of the LiFE Movement is to leverage the power of social networks to influence social norms related to climate change.
    • It plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals known as ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3) who are committed to adopting and promoting environmentally friendly lifestyles.
    • Through the P3 community, the mission aims to establish an ecosystem that supports and sustains environmentally friendly behaviours.

     

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  • MoD signs 250th contract under ‘Innovations for Defence Excellence’

    Central Idea

    • Innovations for Defence Excellence (IDEX), the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has achieved a milestone with the signing of the 250th contract.
    • The first contract under Mission DefSpace and the 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract were signed on May 15.

    What is Innovations for Defence Excellence (IDEX)?

    • IDEX is a government initiative launched in April 2018.
    • Its objective is to contribute to the modernization of the Defence Industry.
    • The initiative focuses on promoting innovation and technology development in the Defence and Aerospace sectors.
    • Industries, including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academia, are engaged under iDEX.
    • IDEX provides funding and support to these industries to carry out Research & Development activities.
    • The Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) funds and manages IDEX, serving as its executive arm.

    Key achievements of IDEX

    • The first IDEX contract of Mission DefSpace was exchanged between officials of the MoD and InspeCity, a winner of the challenge for developing a micro propulsion system for CubeSats.
    • InspeCity is working on a gas-based compact micro propulsion system that can be integrated with satellites, including the CubeSat swarm under Mission DefSpace.
    • IDEX has received over 7,500 applications from individual innovators, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and startups.
    • The initiative has generated thousands of jobs and attracted India’s talent back to the country.

     

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