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

Civilsdaily

Login

GS Paper: GS3

  • Thanthai Periyar Sanctuary Notification: Implications for Forest Communities

    Introduction

    • Triggering Concerns: Recently, the notification about the Thanthai Periyar Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district worried nearby forest communities.
    • Potential Rights Denial: Residents fear losing their rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (FRA) due to the sanctuary’s establishment.

    About Forest Rights Act, 2006

    Description
    Purpose Recognizes and vests forest rights and occupation in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD).
    Recognition Criteria
    • Forest rights can be claimed by FDST and OTFD who have been residing in forest land for generations.
    • Members or communities must have resided in forest land for at least three generations (75 years) prior to December 13, 2005.
    Types of Forest Rights Recognized
    • Title rights: Ownership rights to land farmed by them, subject to a maximum of 4 hectares.
    • Use rights: Rights to extract Minor Forest Produce, grazing areas, etc.
    • Relief and development rights: Provides for rehabilitation in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement and access to basic amenities.
    • Forest management rights: Includes the right to protect, regenerate, conserve, or manage any community forest resource traditionally protected and conserved for sustainable use.
    Authority
    • Gram Sabha
    • It is responsible for initiating the process for determining Individual Forest Rights (IFR) or Community Forest Rights (CFR).
    Empowerment
    • Aims to strengthen the conservation regime of forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of FDST and OTFD.
    Historical Injustices Addressed
    • Recognition of historical injustices faced by forest-dwelling communities
    • Empowerment of forest-dwellers for sustainable resource use and livelihood security
    Issues
    • Predominant focus on individual rights, neglecting community rights
    • Poor recognition of Individual Forest Rights (IFRs) and Community Forest Rights (CFRs)

     

    What are Forest Villages?

    • Definition: Forest villages are settlements located within forest areas, inhabited predominantly by tribal and indigenous communities.
    • Historical Context: These villages have often existed for generations, with residents relying on forest resources for their livelihoods.
    • Conversion Mandate: In 1990, the government ordered all forest villages to become revenue villages, aiming to formalize their status and grant them legal recognition.
    • Incomplete Conversion: Despite these orders, the conversion process remains unfinished in many areas, leaving forest dwellers without essential rights and facilities.

    Rights Admitted in the Sanctuary

    • Continuation of Rights: The notification recognizes rights granted under previous laws and the FRA, ensuring some rights for individuals.
    • Implementation Challenges: Tamil Nadu has struggled to enforce the FRA effectively, casting doubt on its implementation within the sanctuary.

    Impact on Forest Communities

    • Grazing Restrictions: The ban on cattle grazing within the sanctuary could affect the traditional grazing practices of forest-dwelling communities.
    • Legal Discrepancies: Prohibiting grazing conflicts with the FRA’s recognition of grazing rights, highlighting inconsistencies in policy.

    Legal Framework and Challenges

    • WLPA Provisions: Sanctuaries and national parks are governed by the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA) 1972, which mandates protecting rights within them.
    • FRA Supremacy: The FRA overrides conflicting provisions of the WLPA, emphasizing the need to balance conservation with community rights.
    • Implementation Gaps: Despite legal frameworks, inadequate enforcement of the FRA persists, undermining the rights of forest communities.

    Tamil Nadu’s FRA Implementation

    • Low Recognition Rate: Tamil Nadu has a poor record in recognizing forest rights, with only a fraction of entitled areas acknowledged under the FRA.
    • National Context: Similar challenges exist nationwide, indicating systemic failures in upholding forest rights and conservation mandates.

    Conclusion

    • Urgent Action Needed: Addressing the concerns of forest-dwelling communities and ensuring compliance with legal provisions are crucial for sustainable forest management.
    • Harmonizing Conservation and Rights: Balancing conservation goals with the rights of forest communities is essential for fair and effective forest governance.
    • Call for Accountability: Authorities must prioritize implementing laws and policies that protect both forests and the rights of those dependent on them, promoting environmental justice and social equity.

    Try this PYQ from CSP 2019:

    Consider the following statements:

    1. As per the recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas
    2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce
    3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”hjmzv064hb” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

  • Untapped Potential of Stem Cells in Menstrual Blood

    stem cells

    Introduction

    • Approximately 20 years ago, biologist Caroline Gargett embarked on a quest to uncover remarkable cells within hysterectomy tissue.
    • Dr. Gargett discovered two types of cells in the endometrium through rigorous microscopy examination, suspected to be adult stem cells due to their regenerative capabilities.
    • The discovery of these cells, known as endometrial stromal mesenchymal stem cells, opened new avenues for research in tissue repair and disease treatment.

    What are Endometrial Stem Cells?

    • Potential for Regeneration: Endometrial stem cells possess the ability to differentiate into various cell types, including neurons, cartilage, fat, bone, heart, liver, and skin cells.
    • Collection Methods: These stem cells can be obtained through a biopsy procedure or harvested from menstrual blood, offering a less invasive and more accessible means of procurement.

    Application in Women’s Health

    • Understanding Endometriosis: Endometrial stem cells have been linked to endometriosis, a condition affecting millions of women worldwide, providing insights into its etiology and potential therapeutic targets.
    • Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential: Differences in menstrual stem cells between healthy individuals and those with endometriosis offer promising avenues for diagnostic tests and targeted treatments.
    • Treatment Innovations: Clinical trials exploring the transplantation of menstrual stem cells have shown potential for treating pelvic organ prolapse and other gynecological conditions.

    Beyond Gynecological Diseases

    • Wider Therapeutic Applications: Research indicates the potential of menstrual stem cells in treating diseases beyond gynecological disorders, including diabetes and wound healing.
    • Clinical Trials and Future Prospects: Small-scale trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation in humans, paving the way for further exploration and application in diverse medical fields.

    Challenges and Biases

    • Underrepresentation in Research: Despite their therapeutic potential, menstrual stem cells constitute a minuscule fraction of stem cell research, attributed to cultural taboos and biases surrounding menstruation.
    • Funding and Investment: Limited funding and gender bias in research funding pose significant challenges to advancing research on menstrual stem cells, necessitating greater advocacy and support.

    Way Forward

    • Addressing Bias: Tackling sex and gender bias in research funding is crucial for fostering equitable investments in women’s health research.
    • Recognition and Validation: By overcoming cultural taboos and biases, menstrual stem cells can be recognized as a valuable resource in regenerative medicine, transforming perceptions of menstruation from inconvenience to scientific opportunity.

  • The wrong cooks spoiling the scientific broth

    Beautiful minds: How these scientists are getting science out of laboratories and into daily lives - The Economic Times

    Central Idea:

    The article argues for a shift in the approach of Indian scientists towards addressing real-life problems by integrating knowledge from various disciplines, including the humanities. It emphasizes the need for scientists to engage with societal issues, collaborate across disciplines, and embrace diverse forms of knowledge to find holistic solutions.

    Key Highlights:

    • Critique of the current scientific paradigm in India, where pursuit of quick rewards and adherence to disciplinary boundaries hinder problem-solving.
    • Advocacy for a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates insights from the humanities and social sciences.
    • Emphasis on the importance of understanding human complexities and societal context in scientific endeavors.
    • Proposal for scientists to engage with communities, embrace humility, and recognize diverse forms of knowledge.
    • Criticism of the hierarchical and reductionist tendencies within the scientific community.
    • Assertion that addressing complex problems requires creativity, flexibility, and integration of diverse perspectives.

    Key Challenges:

    • Resistance from scientists accustomed to disciplinary silos and reductionist methodologies.
    • Lack of institutional support and incentives for interdisciplinary collaboration.
    • Need for a shift in mindset among scientists to prioritize societal impact over academic achievements.
    • Overcoming entrenched power dynamics within the scientific community.
    • Bridging the gap between academic research and practical problem-solving.
    • Incorporating diverse forms of knowledge while ensuring rigor and reliability.

    Main Terms:

    • Scientific temper
    • Reductionism
    • Multidisciplinary approach
    • Human sciences
    • Interdisciplinary collaboration
    • Social embeddedness
    • Empirical testing
    • Holistic understanding

    Important Phrases:

    • “Science-society border”
    • “Climb down from the ivory tower”
    • “Human complexities”
    • “Tacit knowledge”
    • “Integration of knowledge”
    • “Extended peer community”
    • “Proper scientific temper”
    • “Cross-cultural conversation”

    Quotes:

    • “While religion is a sacred cow that doubles up as a cash cow, science is a cash cow that can often double up as a sacred cow in India.”
    • “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
    • “Science leaves this kind of integration of knowledge from other sources out of the ‘scientific method’ altogether.”
    • “A traditional puzzle solver scientist is like the mediocre artist who starts with a clearly visualized picture in mind and ends up painting it without leaving any scope for growth and change during the process.”

     

    Jaipur Foot PDF Prosthesis Amputation, 41% OFF

    Useful Statements for mains value addition:

    • “The time has come for a large chunk of scientific forces to be re-deployed on the science-society border to scout for solutions to real-life problems.”
    • “The natural sciences then need to work in tandem with human sciences.”
    • “A variety of perspectives and methods from different disciplines need to be brought to bear on a complex real-life problem.”
    • “Philosophy has interacted fruitfully with business and medicine on issues of ethics and reproductive technologies.”
    • “Science must confront the uncomfortable prospect of dealing with human complexities.”

    Examples and References for qauality enrichment:

    • The frothing Bellandur lake in Bengaluru vs. scholarly papers on the “giant gravity hole in the Indian Ocean.”
    • Collaborations between philosophy, business, and medicine on ethical issues.
    • Real-life problems such as human cloning, stem cell research, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with religious components.

    Facts and Data:

    • Reference to Manu Rajan, a retired information scientist from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
    • Mention of the threats posed by developments such as artificial intelligence.
    • Reference to the prevalence of disciplinary silos and reductionist approaches in Indian scientific institutions.

    Critical Analysis:

    The article provides a compelling critique of the current scientific paradigm in India, highlighting its limitations in addressing real-life problems. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of knowledge from the humanities and social sciences. However, it could provide more concrete examples of successful interdisciplinary efforts and practical strategies for fostering collaboration. Additionally, the article could address potential challenges in implementing its proposed changes, such as institutional resistance and resource constraints.

    Way Forward:

    • Promote interdisciplinary research initiatives and provide incentives for collaboration.
    • Establish platforms for dialogue and knowledge exchange between scientists and diverse stakeholders.
    • Invest in education and training programs that emphasize holistic problem-solving skills.
    • Foster a culture of humility, curiosity, and openness to diverse perspectives within the scientific community.
    • Encourage partnerships between academic institutions, government agencies, and civil society organizations to address pressing societal challenges.

    In conclusion, the article advocates for a paradigm shift in Indian science towards a more inclusive, interdisciplinary approach that prioritizes real-life problem-solving and societal impact. By embracing diverse forms of knowledge and collaborating across disciplines, scientists can better address the complex challenges facing society.

  • Why India needs deep industrialisation

     

    Recipe to tackle India's economic slowdown - Rediff.com

    Central Idea:

    The article explores India’s economic stagnation, particularly in terms of industrialization and employment generation, and proposes a shift towards high-skill, services-driven growth as advocated by Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba in their book “Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India’s Economic Future”. It argues that traditional approaches to industrialization have not been effective in India and suggests that focusing on high-skill services, particularly in the IT sector, could stimulate manufacturing and address socio-economic inequalities.

    Key Highlights:

    • India’s historical struggle with industrialization despite various reform efforts.
    • Proposal for a shift towards high-skill services-led growth to stimulate manufacturing.
    • Critique of traditional industrial policy and its failure to address unemployment and trade deficits.
    • Challenges posed by poor employment elasticity of services-led growth and inequality in the service sector.
    • Impact of unequal access to education on labor market outcomes and economic disparities.
    • Cultural factors contributing to India’s industrial stagnation, including undervaluing certain occupations and skills.
    • Importance of mass education and collective absorptive capacity for innovation and economic development.

    Key Challenges:

    • Poor employment elasticity of services-led growth.
    • Inequality in the service sector, particularly in terms of wages.
    • Unequal access to education and skills training, exacerbating socio-economic disparities.
    • Cultural attitudes towards certain occupations hindering innovation and industrial development.
    • Lack of mass education and collective absorptive capacity for technological progress.

    Main Terms:

    • Industrialization
    • Services-driven growth
    • High-skill services
    • Information technology (IT)
    • Unemployment
    • Trade deficit
    • Inequality
    • Mass education
    • Absorptive capacity
    • Technological progress

    Important Phrases:

    • “Premature deindustrialization”
    • “Disguised unemployment”
    • “Mass school education”
    • “High-skill services pitch”
    • “Cultural prerequisite for industrialization”
    • “Useful knowledge”
    • “Organic innovation in manufacturing”
    • “Collective absorptive capacity”
    • “Deep industrialization”

    Quotes:

    • “Rural entrepreneurship was able to grow out of the traditional agricultural sector on a massive scale [in China]. The rural Indian, in contrast, hampered by a poor endowment of human capital, were not able to start entrepreneurial ventures remotely on the scale of the Chinese.” – Yasheng Huang
    • “India needs deep industrialization, not just the service sector, that has the power of changing the foundations of society.” – Authors (Rajan and Lamba)

    Useful Statements:

    • “India’s historical struggle with industrialization despite various reform efforts.”
    • “Proposal for a shift towards high-skill services-led growth to stimulate manufacturing.”
    • “Impact of unequal access to education on labor market outcomes and economic disparities.”
    • “Importance of mass education and collective absorptive capacity for innovation and economic development.”

    Examples and References:

    • Periodic Labour Force Survey, 2021-22.
    • Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba’s book “Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India’s Economic Future”.
    • Economic historian Joel Mokyr’s insights on the role of useful knowledge in economic development.
    • Comparison between India and China’s approaches to rural entrepreneurship and industrialization.

    Facts and Data:

    • India’s manufacturing share in output and employment has been stagnant and below 20%.
    • India’s trade deficit has been widening, largely driven by imported goods.
    • Inequality in the service sector is higher compared to manufacturing.
    • India is one of the world’s most unequal countries in terms of education.

    Critical Analysis:

    • The article presents a critical examination of India’s historical industrialization efforts and their limitations.
    • It questions traditional approaches to industrial policy and offers a provocative alternative centered around high-skill services.
    • The critique of inequality in the service sector and its implications for socio-economic disparities adds depth to the analysis.
    • The cultural factors influencing India’s industrial stagnation provide valuable insights into the broader challenges faced by the country.

    Way Forward:

    • Emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to economic development that addresses both industrialization and service sector growth.
    • Invest in mass education and skills training to enhance collective absorptive capacity and promote innovation.
    • Reevaluate cultural attitudes towards certain occupations to foster organic innovation in manufacturing.
    • Ensure that economic policies prioritize reducing inequality and promoting inclusive growth.
  • Farmers’ Demands over Minimum Support Price (MSP) Guarantee

    Farmers’ Demands over Minimum Support Price (MSP) Guarantee

    Introduction

    • More than 200 farmers’ unions from Punjab plan to march to Delhi, demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).
    • The imposition of Section 144 across Delhi highlights the significance of this protest.

    Behind the Protest: Key Demands

    • Legal Guarantee for MSP: Farmers demand a law to enforce MSP for all crops, aligned with the recommendations of the Dr. M S Swaminathan Commission.
    • Full Debt Waiver: Complete debt waiver for farmers and laborers.
    • Land Acquisition Act Implementation: Implementation of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, with provisions for farmer consent and fair compensation.
    • Withdrawal from WTO: India’s withdrawal from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and freezing of all free trade agreements.
    • Pensions for Farmers: Provision of pensions for farmers and farm laborers.
    • Compensation for Protest Deaths: Compensation for farmers who lost their lives during protests, including job opportunities for their family members.
    • Scrapping of Electricity Amendment Bill 2020: Rejection of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020.
    • Enhanced MGNREGA Benefits: Increase in the number of days of employment under MGNREGA, higher daily wage, and linkage with farming activities.
    • Penalties for Fake Seeds and Pesticides: Imposition of strict penalties on companies producing fake seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers.
    • National Commission for Spices: Establishment of a national commission for spices such as chili and turmeric.
    • Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: Ensuring the rights of indigenous peoples over water, forests, and land.

    Why such furore over MSP?

    • Market Dynamics: Farmers often operate in a buyer’s market, lacking the bargaining power to influence prices for their produce.
    • Need for Stability: MSP provides farmers with a safety net, ensuring they receive a minimum price for their crops regardless of market fluctuations.

    What is the Minimum Support Price (MSP)?

    • History of MSP:
    1. MSP in India originated in response to food shortages in the 1960s, notably during the Bihar famine of 1966–1967.
    2. Agricultural Price Commission (APC) was established in 1965 to implement price policies like procurement at pre-decided prices and MSP.
    3. Over time, the APC evolved into the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) in 1985, with broader terms of reference.
    • Announcement: The government bases its announcement on the recommendations given by the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP).
    • Formulae for Calculation:
    1. A2: Costs incurred by the farmer in production of a particular crop. It includes several inputs such as expenditure on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, leased-in land, hired labour, machinery and fuel
    2. A2+FL: Costs incurred by the farmer and the value of family labour
    3. C2: A comprehensive cost, which is A2+FL cost plus imputed rental value of owned land plus interest on fixed capital, rent paid for leased-in land
    • National Commission of Farmers also known as the Swaminathan Commission (2004) recommended that the MSP should at least be 50 per cent more than the weighted average CoP, which it refers to as the C2 cost.
    • The government maintains that the MSP was fixed at a level of at least 1.5 times of the all-India weighted average CoP, but it calculates this cost as 1.5 times of A2+FL.
    • Crops covered are-
    1. The CACP recommends MSPs for 22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane.
    2. The mandated crops include 14 crops of the kharif season, 6 rabi crops and 2 other commercial crops.

    Criticism of MSP and Alternatives

    • Economists’ Perspective: Many economists criticize government-fixed MSPs, advocating for income support schemes as a more efficient alternative.
    • Income Support Schemes: Direct income support offers fixed payments to farmers, irrespective of crop choice or market conditions, aiming to provide stable income.

    Approaches to Guarantee MSP

    • Conventional Methods: Historically, MSP was enforced through mandatory buyer payments or government procurement. However, these methods face challenges in implementation and sustainability.
    • Price Deficiency Payments (PDP): PDP offers an alternative approach, wherein the government compensates farmers for the difference between MSP and market price, without physical procurement.

    PDP Models in Practice

    [1] Madhya Pradesh: Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana

    • Model: It experimented with PDP but encountered challenges in sustainability and central support.
    • Operational Mechanism: Market price is determined based on average modal rates in APMC mandis, with payments backed by sale agreements, weighment slips, and payment letters.

    [2] Haryana: Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana

    • Model: It combines physical procurement with PDP, demonstrating feasibility in certain crops.
    • Operational Platform: BBY operates on the ‘Meri Fasal, Mera Byaura’ portal, where farmers register their details and area sown under different crops.
    • Registration Process: Registration for kharif and rabi crops is open during specific periods, followed by crop area verification through satellite imaging.
    • Hybrid Approach: Haryana combines physical procurement with PDP under BBY, depending on the gap between MSP and market price.
    • Payment Structure: PDP rates are fixed, derived from average quotes at the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, with farmers paid based on the three-year average yield for their block/sub-district.

    Way Forward

    • Scaling PDP Nationwide: A nationwide PDP scheme, with central funding, could incentivize states to adopt similar models, leveraging existing market infrastructure for efficient MSP delivery.
    • Infrastructure Development: Investing in market infrastructure and transaction recording systems is crucial for widespread MSP implementation, ensuring transparency and accountability.

    Conclusion

    • Policy Implications: The debate over MSP guarantee underscores the need for balanced policies that address farmers’ concerns while ensuring market efficiency.
    • Alternative: Exploring innovative mechanisms like PDP alongside traditional approaches can offer a viable solution to the challenge of MSP guarantee, benefiting farmers across diverse agricultural landscapes.

    Back2Basics: National Commission on Farmers, 2004 (MS Swaminathan Commission)

    • Established in 2004 under the chairmanship of Prof. M. S. Swaminathan.
    • Submits five reports between December 2004 and October 2006.
    • Reflects priorities outlined in the Common Minimum Programme.

    Key Recommendations

    • Addressing Agrarian Distress: Implement holistic national policy for farmers; Ensure farmers’ control over resources like land, water, credit, and markets.
    • Land Reforms: Distribute surplus land and prevent diversion of agricultural land; Advocate for inserting “Agriculture” in the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
    • Water Management: Ensure sustained water access and promote rainwater harvesting.
    • Infrastructure Investment: Increase public investment in agricultural infrastructure; Promote conservation farming and soil health.
    • Credit and Financial Support: Expand rural credit, lower interest rates, and establish agriculture risk fund; Provide debt restructuring and health insurance to farmers.
    • Food Security: Establish universal public distribution system and nutrition support programs.
    • Preventing Farmers’ Suicides: Provide measures to prevent farmers’ suicides, including health insurance and debt restructuring.
    • Market Reforms: Promote farmers’ organizations, improve MSP implementation, and market reforms.
    • Employment Opportunities: Focus on creating productive employment opportunities and improving wage parity.
    • Bioresources: Preserve traditional rights, conserve biodiversity, and enhance crop and animal breeds.

  • RuPay and UPI rolled out in Mauritius, Sri Lanka

    Introduction

    • RBI has announced the establishment of RuPay card and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) connectivity between India and Mauritius, as well as UPI connectivity between India and Sri Lanka.
    • This initiative aims to deepen financial integration and facilitate digital payments among citizens of the three countries.

    Discussion: Rupee Integration with Neighbours

    • UPI in Mauritius: Indian travellers visiting Mauritius can now pay merchants in Mauritius using UPI, while Mauritian travellers can utilize the Instant Payment System (IPS) app for payments in India.
    • RuPay Adoption: The MauCAS card scheme in Mauritius will leverage RuPay technology, allowing banks to issue RuPay cards domestically. These cards can be used at ATMs and Point of Sale (PoS) terminals in Mauritius and India.
    • First Adoption: Mauritius becomes the first country outside Asia to implement RuPay technology, enabling acceptance of Indian RuPay cards at ATMs and PoS terminals within Mauritius.
    • QR Code Payments in SL: Indian travellers can make QR code-based payments at merchant locations in Sri Lanka using their UPI apps.

    About RuPay and UPI

    [A] RuPay Debit Cards

    Details
    Launch Year 2012
    Conceived by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
    Key Features First global card payment network of India

    Wide acceptance at ATMs, POS devices, and e-commerce websites
    Security Measures Highly secure network against anti-phishing

    Supports electronic payments at all Indian banks and financial institutions
    International Acceptance NPCI maintains ties with Discover Financial, JCB for international acceptance
    Issuers More than 1100 banks including public sector, private, regional banks, and cooperatives
    Core Promoter Banks SBI, PNB, Canara Bank, BOB, Union Bank of India, Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Citibank, HSBC

     

    [B] Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

    Details
    Launch April 11, 2016
    Developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
    Key Features Enables simple, easy, and quick transactions using Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
    Payment Methods Direct bank payments using UPI ID or QR code scanning

    Requesting money from a UPI ID
    Working Transfers using UPI ID, mobile number, QR code, or Virtual Payment Address.

    Offers consistent transaction PIN across apps, enhancing cross-operability.

    Supports push and pull transactions, over-the-counter payments, and recurring payments such as utility bills and subscriptions.

     

    Countries where UPI works

    Details
    Bhutan Launched in July 13, 2021.

    Partnership between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan.

    First country to adopt UPI.
    Oman Launched on October 4, 2022.

    Enables acceptance of Indian RuPay cards at all OmanNet network ATMs, POS & E-commerce sites.

    Allows reciprocal acceptance of Oman cards/MPCSS in the networks of NPCI in India.
    Mauritius Connectivity allows Indian visitors in Mauritius to use UPI for local payments, and vice versa for Mauritian tourists in India using the Instant Payment System (IPS) app.

    Enables issuance of RuPay cards by banks in Mauritius through the MauCAS card network.
    Sri Lanka Digital payments connectivity enables Indian travellers to make QR code-based payments at merchant locations in Sri Lanka using their UPI apps.
    Nepal Nepali users can make bank transfers to India using a unified payment interface (UPI) ID through mobile banking.
    France UPI service launched at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France this year.

    Partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lyra, a French leader in securing e-commerce and proximity payments.
    Southeast Asia Agreement signed between NIPL and Liquid Group to enable QR-based UPI payments in 10 countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

     

    Why such move?

    • Tourism Promotion: Facilitating digital payments through RuPay and UPI encourages tourists from India to visit Mauritius and Sri Lanka by providing them with convenient payment options.
    • Financial Integration: The rollout of RuPay and UPI fosters closer economic ties between India, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka by enabling cross-border transactions and financial services.
    • Diversification (away from Maldives): By providing modern payment infrastructure and options comparable to those in popular tourist destinations like Mauritius and Sri Lanka can attract more tourists and diversify their tourism sectors.
  • Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) confirms Black Hole Shadow

    Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) confirms Black Hole Shadow

    Introduction

    • Scientists have revealed new insights into a colossal black hole located 53 million light-years away, initially captured by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) in 2017.
    • This groundbreaking achievement provided the first visual confirmation of the existence of black holes, validating a key prediction of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

    Key Findings by EHT

    • The new data, obtained with improved telescope coverage and resolution, reiterated the previous discovery of the black hole’s ‘shadow’.
    • The findings confirmed the presence of an asymmetric ring structure consistent with strong gravitational lensing effects.
    • Observations indicated a stable ring formation process over time, with subtle changes suggesting variations in the magnetic field structure.

    About Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)

    Description
    About A large telescope array consisting of a global network of radio telescopes.

    Uses Very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI).

    Resolution of 25 micro-arc-seconds
    Collaboration International collaboration involving over 300 members and 60 institutions across 20 countries and regions
    Launch Year Initiated in 2009
    First Image Published April 10, 2019 (First image of a black hole, M87*)
    Objective Observation of objects the size of a supermassive black hole’s event horizon
    Key Targets Black holes including M87* and Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*)
    Recent Developments First image of black hole (March 2021), first image of Sgr A* (May 12, 2022)
    Reconstructive Algorithms Includes CLEAN algorithm and regularized maximum likelihood (RML) algorithm
    Scientific Implications Verification of general relativity, measurement of black hole mass and diameter, study of accretion processes

     

    Back2Basics: Black Holes and Related Concepts

    Definition
    Black hole A region in space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.
    Event horizon The boundary surrounding a black hole beyond which nothing can escape its gravitational pull.
    Singularity A point within a black hole where gravity becomes infinitely strong and spacetime curvature becomes infinite.
    Gravitational collapse The process by which massive stars collapse under their own gravity to form black holes.
    Schwarzschild radius The radius of the event horizon of a non-rotating black hole.
    Hawking radiation Radiation emitted by black holes due to quantum effects near the event horizon, predicted by physicist Stephen Hawking.
    Accretion disk A rotating disk of matter that forms around a black hole as it pulls in surrounding gas and dust.
    Supermassive black hole A black hole with a mass millions or billions of times greater than that of the Sun, found at the center of most galaxies.
    Quasar A luminous object powered by an active galactic nucleus, thought to be fueled by the accretion of material onto a supermassive black hole.
    Neutron star A highly compact star composed primarily of neutrons, formed from the collapsed core of a massive star.
    White dwarf A small, dense star composed of electron-degenerate matter, formed from the remnants of a low to medium mass star.
    Gravitational waves Ripples in spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as black holes or neutron stars.
    Black Hole Information Paradox The theoretical problem concerning the loss of information about the initial state of matter swallowed by a black hole, which contradicts the principles of quantum mechanics.

  • [pib]  SWATI (Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation) Portal

    Introduction

    • The “Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal was recently launched by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.

    About SWATI Portal

    • Objective: Designed to be a comprehensive online platform, SWATI aims to showcase the contributions of Indian women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM).
    • Single portal: SWATI serves as a single online portal representing Indian women and girls in STEMM fields.
    • Database: It hosts a database that will aid in policy-making to address gender-gap challenges in STEMM.
    • Interactive Platform: SWATI offers an interactive database, a pioneering initiative in India, developed, hosted, and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi.
    • Faculty: Featuring faculty members from Indian universities, autonomous organizations, and key ministries such as the Ministry of Science and Technology, CSIR, DBT, DST, MHRD, UGC, GATI, and KIRAN.

    Objectives

    • Scaling Efforts: The portal seeks to exponentially scale up efforts to include every Indian woman in science (WiS), covering all career stages and subjects in both academia and industry.
    • Research Facilitation: By enabling reliable and statistically significant long-term research on equality, diversity, and inclusivity issues in India, SWATI aims to develop an active search engine and searchable database.

  • How Courts have been Granting Bail in UAPA cases?

    Introduction  

    • The Supreme Court’s recent decision to deny bail to an accused in an alleged “Khalistan module,” highlights the stringent bail provisions under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
    • Unlike ordinary criminal law, the UAPA imposes higher hurdles for granting bail, reflecting the gravity of offenses related to terrorism and unlawful activities.

    About Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

    Description
    Purpose To provide for the prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations, dealing with terrorist activities, and activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.
    Applicability
    • Indian and foreign nationals and applies throughout India.
    • Citizens of India outside India, persons in the service of the Government, and persons on ships and aircraft registered in India.
    Origin
    • Enacted in 1967 based on the recommendation of the Committee on National Integration and Regionalism.
    • Followed the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963, which empowered Parliament to impose reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, right to assemble peaceably, and right to form associations or unions.
    Key Provisions
    • Declaration as unlawful (Section 3): Central government has absolute power to declare any association unlawful.
    • Chargesheet (Section 45): Investigating agency must file a chargesheet within 180 days after arrests, extendable further after court intimation.
    • Punishment (Section 16, 18): Includes death penalty and life imprisonment.
    2004 Amendment
    • Added “Terrorist Act”: To the list of offenses enabling the ban of organizations involved in terrorist activities.
    • Expanded the definition of “unlawful” activities: To include terrorist acts, in addition to actions related to secession and cession of territory.
    2019 Amendment
    • Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists based on specific grounds.
    • National Investigation Agency (NIA) DG, authority to approve seizure or attachment of property during NIA investigations.
    • NIA officers of the rank of Inspector or above to investigate terrorism cases, expanding the scope from officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police.

    Bail Provisions in UAPA: Section 43D (5)  

    • Key Provision: Section 43D (5) of the UAPA stipulates that accused individuals charged under specific chapters of the Act shall not be granted bail unless certain conditions are met.
    • Bail Criteria: The law places the burden on the accused to demonstrate to the court that the accusations against them are not prima facie true, shifting the onus from the prosecution to the defense.

    Impact of Judicial Precedents

    • Watali Judgment (2019): The Supreme Court’s ruling in Zahoor Ahmed Shah Watali v NIA established a precedent wherein bail decisions under the UAPA are based solely on accepting the prosecution’s case at face value.
    • Limitations on Defense: Legal scholars argue that the Watali judgment restricts the defense’s ability to challenge the prosecution’s case effectively, undermining the principle of a fair trial.

    Post-Watali Developments

    • Court Discretion: Despite the stringent bail provisions, courts have granted bail in certain cases, emphasizing the need for specific, individual charges supported by credible evidence.
    • Differing Judicial Interpretations: Subsequent judgments, such as in Union of India vs KA Najeeb (February 2021) and Vernon Gonsalves v State of Maharashtra (July 2023), have provided nuances to the bail criteria, recognizing the importance of balancing liberty with the right to a speedy trial.

    Challenges and Future Implications

    • Legal Ambiguity: Divergent interpretations by different benches highlight the need for clarity in UAPA bail provisions, with the potential for larger benches to resolve conflicting precedents.
    • Case Analysis: The recent denial of bail to a Khalistani protagonist underscores the predominance of the Watali ruling in UAPA bail decisions, despite potential inconsistencies with other judgments.

    Conclusion

    • Balancing Rights: The debate over UAPA bail provisions reflects the delicate balance between safeguarding national security and protecting individual liberties.
    • Legal Evolution: The evolution of judicial interpretations will shape the future landscape of UAPA bail jurisprudence, influencing the rights of accused individuals in cases involving national security concerns.

  • Understanding Brumation in Reptiles

    brumation

    Introduction

    • Imagine seeing an alligator resting quietly underwater, with only its snout visible. Is it alive or dead? There’s another possibility: brumation.

    What is Brumation?

    • Definition: Brumation is a period of dormancy or slowed activity in reptiles, similar to hibernation in mammals. It occurs during colder months when temperatures drop and food becomes scarce.
    • Purpose: Reptiles enter brumation to conserve energy and survive adverse environmental conditions.
    • Habitat: They may retreat to underground burrows, rock crevices, or other sheltered areas where temperatures are stable.
    • Metabolic Slowdown: During brumation, their metabolism significantly slows, allowing them to go weeks or months without eating.
    • Reduced Activity: Reptiles minimize their resource requirements and conserve energy during this period of reduced activity.

    Observations

    • Species Affected: Researchers have observed brumation in various reptilian species across habitats.
    • Examples: Box turtles and painted turtles burrow into the mud at the bottom of ponds or lakes. Snakes seek refuge in underground dens or caves, while lizards hide under rocks or within vegetation.

    Significance of Brumation

    • Survival Strategy: Brumation is crucial for reptiles to survive cold climates and endure challenging environmental conditions.
    • Re-emergence: It allows reptiles to conserve energy until they can re-emerge to feed and reproduce in more favorable conditions.