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GS Paper: GS3

  • What is THAAD?

    thaad

    Why in the News?

    The US has announced that it will send its advanced THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) missile system to Israel, along with US troops to operate it.

    What is THAAD?

    • THAAD is an advanced missile defense system developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation in the 1990s.
    • It is designed to intercept and destroy short-range (up to 1,000 km), medium-range (1,000–3,000 km), and intermediate-range (3,000–5,000 km) ballistic missile threats during their terminal phase of flight.
    • Key Features of THAAD:
      • Uses “hit-to-kill” technology to destroy missiles.
      • Can defend a larger area than the older Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
      • Provides a rapidly deployable capability both inside and outside the atmosphere.

    India’s AD-1 missile interceptor under the Phase 2 Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, is similar to the THAAD missile system used by the US.

    • AD-1 and AD-2 interceptor missiles are developed to intercept ballistic missiles, including ICBMs, with ranges over 2,000 km.
    • Swordfish LRTR, derived from Israel’s Green Pine radar, has an upgraded detection range of 1,500 km for enhanced missile tracking.
    • The system intercepts both exo-atmospherically and endo-atmospherically, creating a comprehensive missile defence shield.
    • It can manage multiple missile threats simultaneously, ensuring defence against complex attack scenarios.
    • A floating test range is being developed for missile trials over the sea, enabling tests at higher altitudes and ranges up to 1,500 km.
    • INS Dhruv, equipped with advanced radars, monitors missile tests and supports surveillance during defense operations.

    Significance of Sending THAAD to Israel

    The decision to send THAAD to Israel is significant for several reasons:

    • It is part of broader US military adjustments in the region to support Israel’s defense and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias.
    • The deployment signals increased US involvement in the conflict.
    PYQ:

    [2018] What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news?

    (a) An Israeli radar system

    (b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme

    (c) An American anti-missile system

    (d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea

  • Why precision medicine in India can’t advance without biobank laws?

    Why in the News?

    Precision medicine is ushering in a new era of personalized healthcare, with its foundations taking shape during the completion of the Human Genome Project by scientists.

    What is the current legal framework governing biobanks in India?

    • Lack of Comprehensive Legislation: India lacks specific, comprehensive laws governing biobanks. The current framework consists of guidelines rather than enforceable laws, creating gaps in the regulation of biobanking practices.
    • National Ethical Guidelines by ICMR: The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has issued guidelines on ethical practices in biomedical research involving human participants. However, these guidelines are not legally binding and do not address all aspects of biobanking, such as long-term storage and data sharing.
    • Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Standards: The DBT has certain practices in place for data storage and analysis, but these also lack enforceability and do not fully cover issues such as informed consent and privacy.
    • Absence of a Single Regulatory Authority: India currently does not have a dedicated regulatory authority to oversee biobanks, which leads to inconsistencies and limited oversight in biobanking activities.

    How do privacy concerns impact biobank operations and precision medicine?

    • Informed Consent Issues: Participants often give consent without detailed information about how their biological samples and associated data will be used, who will have access, and for how long. This lack of transparency raises privacy concerns.
    • Genetic Data Privacy Risks: Genetic information can reveal intimate details about an individual’s health and predisposition to diseases, potentially affecting their family members. If data privacy is not robustly protected, it may lead to genetic discrimination in insurance or employment.
    • Data Sharing Without Proper Regulation: In the absence of clear legal provisions, data or samples could be shared without proper consent, risking misuse by pharmaceutical companies or research organizations, including foreign entities.
    • Impact on Public Trust: Weak data and privacy protections may reduce public willingness to participate in biobank projects, thus limiting the scale and diversity necessary for effective precision medicine research.

    What are the ethical implications of biobanking practices in India?

    • Ownership and Benefit Sharing: Without legal protections, there is ambiguity regarding the ownership of biological samples. Individuals contributing samples may not receive benefits from commercial applications resulting from their data, raising ethical concerns about fair compensation.
    • Consent Transparency: Participants may not fully understand the scope of their consent, especially regarding future uses of their samples and data. This lack of clarity can be considered ethically problematic, as it may involve the exploitation of participants’ contributions.
    • Risk of Misuse or Mismanagement: Inconsistent regulations and the absence of penalties for ethical violations create a risk of mishandling samples, unauthorized data access, and exploitation, which may compromise research integrity.
    • Discrimination Risks: Genetic information obtained from biobanks could be used to discriminate against individuals based on their health risks or genetic traits, which raises concerns about ethical and legal safeguards.

    Way forward: 

    • Establish Comprehensive Legislation: Develop and implement a comprehensive legal framework specifically governing biobanks, including clear guidelines on informed consent, data protection, ownership rights, and benefit sharing.
    • Create a Regulatory Authority: Establish a dedicated regulatory authority to oversee biobank operations, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and legal requirements.

  • Issues in the treatment of ‘rare diseases’, and what the govt can do?

    Why in the News?

    The Delhi High Court recently issued directives to enhance the availability of “orphan drugs” to combat rare diseases.

    About the Delhi High Court Verdict:

    • The Delhi High Court issued directions aimed at improving the availability of “orphan drugs,” which are used to treat rare diseases.
    • This intervention seeks to address challenges related to the high cost of these treatments and the barriers to access for patients with rare diseases in India.

    Rare Diseases in India and Their Classification:

    • Definition: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rare diseases are debilitating, lifelong conditions that affect 1 or fewer individuals in 1,000.
    • Conditions Recognized as Rare Diseases in India: Approximately 55 conditions, including Gaucher’s disease, Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs), and certain muscular dystrophies, are classified as rare diseases.
    • National Registry: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) manages the National Registry for Rare and Other Inherited Disorders (NRROID), which has documented 14,472 patients with rare diseases.

    Classification of Rare Diseases in India:

    • Group 1: Diseases that can be treated with a one-time curative procedure (e.g., certain enzyme replacement therapies).
    • Group 2: Conditions requiring long-term or lifelong treatment, which are relatively less expensive and have documented benefits. Regular medical check-ups are necessary for patients.
    • Group 3: Diseases for which effective treatments are available, but they are highly costly and require ongoing, lifelong therapy. Selecting beneficiaries for these treatments presents a challenge due to the high costs.

    Current Funding Policy in India:

    • National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) 2021: Launched to provide financial support for the treatment of rare diseases. Patients receiving treatment at designated Centres of Excellence (CoE) can get financial assistance up to Rs 50 lakh.
    • Centres of Excellence: The CoEs include institutions such as AIIMS in Delhi, PGIMER in Chandigarh, and the Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research at Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital.
    • Crowdfunding and Voluntary Donations Portal (2022): The Health Ministry launched a digital platform that allows donors to contribute toward the treatment of rare disease patients at CoEs. The portal provides details about patients, their conditions, estimated treatment costs, and bank account information of the CoEs.
     

    Did you know?

    • Murine Typhus (a rare disease) is a flea-borne bacterial disease caused by Rickettsia typhi, transmitted through infected flea bites, primarily from rodents and not contagious between humans.
    • A 75-year-old man from Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram was recently diagnosed with Murine Typhus after travelling to Vietnam and Cambodia.

    Challenges Associated with Orphan Drugs:

    • Limited Treatment Options: Therapies are available for fewer than 5% of rare diseases, resulting in less than 10% of patients receiving disease-specific treatment.
    • High Treatment Costs: Many existing therapies for rare diseases are prohibitively expensive, putting a significant financial burden on patients and their families.
    • Regulatory Delays: Approval processes, such as those from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), can be slow. For instance, delays in approving US-based Sarepta Therapeutics’ medicines in India have affected the timely availability of treatments.
    • Bureaucratic Hurdles: Decision-making delays and administrative red tape further complicate access to necessary drugs, impacting patient care.
    • Challenges in Beneficiary Selection: Due to high treatment costs, identifying and prioritizing beneficiaries for financial assistance is difficult, potentially leaving some patients without support.

    Way forward: 

    • Streamline Regulatory Approvals: Expedite the approval process for orphan drugs by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and establishing a fast-track mechanism for essential treatments, ensuring timely access to life-saving medications.
    • Increase Financial Support and Expand Coverage: Enhance the funding cap under the National Policy for Rare Diseases and extend financial assistance to more patients, while encouraging public-private partnerships and innovative funding mechanisms like insurance coverage for rare disease treatments.

  • In news: Wular Lake

    Why in the News?

    The harvest of water chestnuts, locally known as goer has begun around “Wular Lake” in Kashmir.

    About Wular Lake:

    Details
    Location Bandipore district, Jammu and Kashmir
    Size Largest freshwater lake in India, second-largest in Asia
    Area Covers 200 sq. km, with a length of 24 km and breadth of 10 km
    Source Fed by the Jhelum River; Streams Madhumati and Arin.
    Formation Formed due to tectonic activity; possibly a remnant of the ancient Satisar Lake
    Island formation Features a small island called Zaina Lank, constructed by King Zainul-Abidin
    Ecological Significance Ramsar Wetland Site (since 1990), supports wintering, staging, and breeding of many bird species
    Wildlife Important for bird species like black-eared kite, Himalayan monal, Himalayan golden eagle
    Fish Habitat Accounts for 60% of the fish production in Jammu and Kashmir
    Wetland status Designated as a Wetland of International Importance in 1990 under the Ramsar Convention
    Tulbul Project Located at the mouth of Wular Lake, aims to regulate the flow of water from the lake into the Jhelum River to enhance navigation and ensure year-round water availability.

    Controversial due to objections raised by Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. Currently, the project remains stalled.

     

    PYQ:

    [2018] Which one of the following is an artificial lake?

    (a) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)

    (b) Kolleru (Andhra Pradesh)

    (c) Nainital (Uttarakhand)

    (d) Renuka (Himachal Pradesh)

  • What is Wayanad’s new X-band Radar?

    Why in the News?

    After the floods and landslides in Wayanad in July 2024, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an “X-band radar” in the district.

    What is an X-Band Radar?

    • An X-band radar is a type of radar that operates in the 8-12 GHz frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum, with wavelengths of 2-4 cm.
    • This radar is particularly useful for detecting smaller particles like raindrops, fog, and other fine materials due to its shorter wavelengths, which allow for higher resolution images.

    Key Features of X-Band Radar:

    • High Resolution: The shorter wavelength provides more detailed images, making it ideal for tracking weather phenomena, including precipitation and particle movements.
    • Limited Range: They have a relatively shorter range compared to other types like S-band radars because higher frequency signals get attenuated (weakened) faster as they travel through the atmosphere.

    Applications: In weather forecasting, X-band radars are used for short-range weather monitoring, such as predicting rainfall intensity and landslides. They are also used in air traffic control and military applications.

    What is a Doppler Radar?  

    • A Doppler radar is a type of radar used primarily in meteorology to measure the velocity and movement of weather formations, such as clouds and storms.
    • It works on the principle of the Doppler effect, which refers to the change in frequency of waves as their source moves relative to the observer.

    It’s applications: 

    • Velocity Measurement: By measuring these changes in frequency, Doppler radar can determine how fast the object (e.g., rain cloud) is moving and in which direction.
    • Weather Monitoring: Doppler radar helps in tracking rainfall intensity, detecting wind patterns, and predicting the formation of storms or tornadoes.

    India’s Radar Network

    • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) began using radars in weather applications in the 1950s.
      • The first indigenously designed X-band storm detection radar was installed in 1970 in New Delhi.
    • In 1996, the IMD replaced 10 outdated X-band radars with digital X-band radars.
    • India’s radar network includes both wind-finding and storm-detecting X-band radars. The country also uses S-band radars (2-4 GHz) for long-range detection. The first S-band cyclone detection radar was installed in Visakhapatnam in 1970.

    Recent Developments:

    • In September 2024, the Ministry of Earth Sciences announced that India would install 56 additional Doppler radars over the next few years.
    • On September 11, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the ₹2,000-crore ‘Mission Mausam’, which aims to upgrade meteorological infrastructure, including the installation of up to 60 radars by 2026.
    • The Wayanad radar initiative also includes the installation of a C-band radar (4-8 GHz) in Mangaluru, with an observational range of 250 km.

    About the NISAR

    • NISAR, short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, is a joint satellite mission being developed by NASA and ISRO.
    • NISAR will use radar imaging to create a high-resolution map of the earth’s landmasses, tracking changes in natural processes.
    • Its payload consists of an L-band radar (1.25 GHz, 24 cm) built by NASA and an S-band radar (3.2 GHz, 9.3 cm) built by ISRO.
    • NISAR is expected to launch in 2025 aboard an ISRO GSLV Mk II rocket, with a total cost of $1.5 billion, primarily funded by NASA.

     

    PYQ:

    [2016] Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

  • China’s ‘Anaconda Strategy’

    Why in the News?

    Taiwanese authorities recently stated that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is using an ‘anaconda strategy’ to put pressure on Taiwan.

    China’s Military Maneuvers around Taiwan

    • China has been steadily increasing its military activities around Taiwan, both by air and sea:
    1. Air incursions into the Taiwan Strait have increased significantly, from 36 incursions in January to 193 in September.
    2. Chinese ships operating around Taiwan has also risen, from 142 in early 2024 to 282 by August.
    • These maneuvers seem designed to wear down Taiwan’s navy and air force, creating constant pressure.

    What is the Anaconda Strategy?

    • The ‘anaconda strategy’ involves a combination of military tactics, psychological pressure, and cyber warfare.
    • The goal is to weaken Taiwan’s defenses and force the island into submission without the need for a full-scale invasion.
    • China’s approach is one of relentless pressure.
    • It is trying to tire out Taiwan and force it into making mistakes, which could then be used as a pretext to launch a blockade.
    • Its ultimate goal appears to be to make Taiwan vulnerable without resorting to direct military conflict, keeping Taiwan’s forces on the defensive.

    Other Unconventional Strategies used by China:

    • Wolf Warrior Diplomacy: A confrontational and assertive style of diplomacy used by Chinese officials, characterized by aggressive rhetoric and nationalistic stances, often aimed at defending China’s interests and countering foreign criticism.
    • Gray-Zone Tactics: A set of covert strategies that fall between war and peace, including actions like cyberattacks, propaganda, and incremental territorial gains, aimed at advancing a nation’s goals without triggering a full-scale military conflict.
    • Salami Slicing: A strategy where small, incremental actions are taken over time to achieve a larger goal without triggering a strong reaction. It is often used to gain control or advantage bit by bit, avoiding immediate confrontation.

     

    PYQ:

    [2021] The US is facing an existential threat in the form of a China that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union. Explain.

    [2017] “China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia”. In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour.

  • Workplace carcinogens are increasingly a global problem

    Why in the News?

    Data indicates that Central Europe and the wealthiest nations in Asia are approaching the cancer rates from workplace exposure to carcinogens seen in Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

    Carcinogens are associated with Occupational Cancer:

    • Asbestos: A major contributor to lung cancer and mesothelioma, responsible for the highest number of deaths is related to occupational exposure.
    • Benzene: Associated with leukemia and bladder cancer; prevalent in chemical industries.
    • Silica: Linked to lung cancer; significant exposure occurs in construction and mining.
    • Diesel Engine Exhaust: Contributes to lung cancer and other respiratory issues.
    • Secondhand Smoke: Increases risk of lung cancer among workers in smoke-exposed environments.
    • Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium: Various cancers are associated with these substances, including kidney and lung cancers.

    Data Trends on Cancer from Workplace Exposure:

    • Western Europe and Australasia historically had the highest rates of death from cancers attributed to workplace carcinogens. These regions have maintained the highest mortality rates for over three decades.
    • Southeast Asia countries like Singapore, Japan, Brunei, and South Korea have seen their cancer death rates from occupational exposure triple since 1990. This increase correlates with their growing manufacturing sectors.
    • In Central Europe and East Asia, death rates have doubled in Central Europe and increased by 2.5 times in East Asia since 1990. The rise is attributed to a large manufacturing economy that often lacks stringent safety regulations.

    International guidelines: 

    • World Health Organization (WHO): The WHO emphasizes the need for primary prevention by avoiding exposure to carcinogens. They recommend specific interventions, such as banning asbestos and introducing benzene-free alternatives. WHO also advocates for comprehensive national cancer control programs that include occupational health standards.
    • International Labour Organization (ILO): The ILO has established conventions and recommendations aimed at preventing occupational hazards caused by carcinogenic substances. These include:
      • Replacement of carcinogenic substances with less dangerous alternatives.
      • Establishing lists of prohibited or controlled carcinogens.
      • Implementing medical surveillance and exposure monitoring

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Regulations and Enforcement: Implement and enforce stricter occupational health and safety regulations, including banning or limiting the use of known carcinogens, such as asbestos and benzene, and promoting safer alternatives in industries.
    • Enhance Awareness and Training: Develop comprehensive training programs for workers and employers on the risks of carcinogens, safe handling practices, and the importance of regular health monitoring to prevent occupational cancers.

  • As the green patch spreads in Antarctica, here’s what is worrying scientists

    Why in the News?

    A new study reveals that plant cover on the Antarctic Peninsula, a mountainous region extending towards South America, has increased more than tenfold in recent decades due to rising temperatures.

    What has the study found?

    • Vegetation in the Antarctic Peninsula increased 14-fold between 1986 and 2021, expanding from less than 1 sq km to nearly 12 sq km.
    • Mosses and lichens dominate this vegetation, with greening accelerating by 30% between 2016 and 2021.
    • The changes are linked to anthropogenic climate change and observed through satellite data.

    How quickly is Antarctica warming?

    • Antarctica is warming twice as fast as the global average, at 0.22-0.32°C per decade (compared to 0.14-0.18°C globally).
    • The Antarctic Peninsula is warming five times faster than the global average and is now almost 3°C warmer than in 1950.
    • Record-breaking heatwaves have occurred, with temperatures rising up to 28°C above normal in July 2023 and 39°C above normal in March 2022.

    Why should we worry about increased vegetation in Antarctica?

    • Invasive Species: Warming temperatures and increased vegetation disrupt the ecological balance, allowing non-native species to outcompete native flora like mosses and lichens, leading to reduced biodiversity and altered habitats.
    • Albedo Effect: Increased plant cover lowers the albedo effect, resulting in greater solar energy absorption and further warming, creating a feedback loop that promotes additional vegetation growth.
    • Soil Formation: Plant life accelerates soil development by adding organic matter, enhancing nutrient cycling, and creating a more hospitable environment for non-native species, thereby increasing the risk of invasives.
    • Ice Loss and Sea-Level Rise: Higher temperatures from warming and the albedo effect lead to increased ice melt, contributing to global sea-level rise, which threatens coastal ecosystems and human settlements with flooding and erosion.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen climate action: Accelerate global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on renewable energy and sustainable practices to mitigate further warming in Antarctica.
    • Monitor ecosystems: Establish stricter biosecurity measures and enhanced monitoring to prevent invasive species from spreading and disrupting Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem.
    • Promote global cooperation: Increase international collaboration on Antarctic research, focusing on climate change impacts, ecosystem protection, and adaptation strategies to minimize global sea-level rise and biodiversity loss.

    Mains PYQ:

    Q Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2016)

  • What are Synthetic Medical Images?

    Synthetic medical images are AI-generated images created without using traditional imaging devices like MRI, CT scans, or X-rays.

    Why in the News?

    As we consider how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various fields, one emerging area is the use of synthetic medical images in healthcare.

    What are Synthetic Medical Images?

    • Synthetic medical images are AI-generated images created without using traditional imaging devices like MRI, CT scans, or X-rays.
    • These images are constructed using mathematical models or AI techniques, such as generative adversarial networks (GANs), diffusion models, and autoencoders.

    Advantages offered

    • Intra- and Inter-Modality Translation: Generate images from the same or different types of scans, helping when certain scans are unavailable.
    • Privacy Protection: Created without patient data, reducing privacy concerns and easing data sharing for research.
    • Cost and Time Efficiency: Synthetic images are quicker and cheaper to generate compared to real medical scans.
    • Scalability: Easier to produce large volumes of medical data for AI training and research.

    Challenges posed

    • Potential for Misuse: Could be used to create medical deepfakes, leading to fraudulent claims or fake clinical findings.
    • Lack of Real-World Complexity: May not capture subtle details found in real medical data, potentially lowering diagnostic accuracy.
    • Truth Erosion: Relying too heavily on synthetic data may distort AI models, leading to diagnoses that don’t align with real-world cases.
    • Ethical and Regulatory Concerns: Questions around how these images should be controlled and monitored to avoid misuse.

    PYQ:

    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
    3. Disease diagnosis
    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion
    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2, 4 and 5 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • NABARD Survey on Rural Financial Inclusion

    Why in the News?

    The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has published findings from its second All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) 2021-22.

    About the NAFIS 2021-22

    • The survey gathered primary data from 1 lakh rural households across 28 states and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
    • The first NAFIS survey was conducted for the agricultural year 2016-17, with results released in 2018.
    • This survey provides valuable information on rural economic and financial indicators, especially in the post-COVID period.

     

    Key Highlights from NAFIS 2021-22:

    Details
    1. Increase in Average Monthly Income • Average monthly income increased by 57.6% from Rs. 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs. 12,698 in 2021-22, indicating a nominal CAGR of 9.5%.
    • Agricultural households earned slightly more, with an average income of Rs. 13,661, compared to Rs. 11,438 for non-agricultural households.
    • Salaried employment was the largest income source for all households, accounting for approximately 37% of total income.
    • For agricultural households, cultivation was the main income source, contributing about one-third of their monthly earnings.
    • For non-agricultural households, government/private services contributed 57% of the total household income.
    2. Rise in Average Monthly Expenditure • Average monthly expenditure increased from Rs. 6,646 in 2016-17 to Rs. 11,262 in 2021-22.
    • Agricultural households had higher expenditure at Rs. 11,710, compared to Rs. 10,675 for non-agricultural households.
    • In states like Goa and Jammu & Kashmir, monthly household expenditure exceeded Rs. 17,000.
    • Overall, agricultural households demonstrated both higher income and expenditure levels than non-agricultural households.
    3. Increase in Financial Savings • Annual average financial savings rose to Rs. 13,209 in 2021-22 from Rs. 9,104 in 2016-17.
    • 66% of households reported saving money in 2021-22, up from 50.6% in 2016-17.
    • 71% of agricultural households reported savings, compared to 58% of non-agricultural households.
    • States with 70% or more households saving money include Uttarakhand (93%), Uttar Pradesh (84%), and Jharkhand (83%).
    • States with less than half of households reporting savings are Goa (29%), Kerala (35%), Mizoram (35%), Gujarat (37%), Maharashtra (40%), and Tripura (46%).
    4. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Usage • 44% of agricultural households possessed a valid Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
    • Among those with land holdings greater than 0.4 hectares or who had taken agricultural loans from banks in the past year, 77% had a valid KCC.
    5. Insurance Coverage • Households with at least one member covered by any form of insurance increased from 25.5% in 2016-17 to 80.3% in 2021-22.
    • 80.3% means that four out of every five households had at least one insured member.
    • Agricultural households had higher insurance coverage than non-agricultural households by about 13 percentage points.
    • Vehicle insurance was the most prevalent, with 55% of households covered.
    • Life insurance coverage extended to 24% of households, with agricultural households showing slightly higher penetration (26%) compared to non-agricultural ones (20%).
    6. Pension Coverage • Households with at least one member receiving any form of pension increased from 18.9% in 2016-17 to 23.5% in 2021-22.
    • Overall, 54% of households with at least one member over 60 years old reported receiving a pension.
    • Pensions included old age, family, retirement, or disability pensions, highlighting their importance in supporting elderly members of society.
    7. Financial Literacy • Respondents demonstrating good financial literacy increased from 33.9% in 2016-17 to 51.3% in 2021-22, a rise of 17% points.
    • Individuals exhibiting sound financial behavior increased from 56.4% to 72.8% during the same period.
    • When assessed on financial knowledge, 58% of rural respondents and 66% of semi-urban respondents answered all questions correctly.

    Key aspects that contribute to Rural Empowerment

    • The survey shows significant progress in rural financial inclusion since the first survey in 2016-17.
    • Rural households have seen improvements in income, savings, insurance coverage, and financial literacy.
    • Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, MGNREGS, and PMAY-G have contributed to the improvement in the lives of rural people.

    PYQ:

    [2015] Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana was launched by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on 28 August 2014. What is the main objective of the scheme?

    (a) To provide housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates

    (b) To promote women’s Self Help Groups in backward areas

    (c) To promote financial inclusion in the country

    (d) To provide financial help to marginalised communities