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GS Paper: GS3

  • Drug trafficking In India: New Trends and Serious Security Issues

    Drug trafficking

    Central Idea

    • Narcotics trade is a global social problem that has harmful effects on the youth and families. This trade generates money that is diverted to disruptive activities having bearing on national security, keeping the law enforcement agencies on tenterhooks. India is also facing the problem of drug trafficking, and the issue is assuming dangerous proportions.

    What is Narcotics trade?

    • The narcotics trade refers to the illegal production, distribution, and sale of drugs such as opium, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
    • It is a global issue that poses a serious threat to public health and safety, as well as national security.
    • The trade is often controlled by criminal organizations, and the money generated from it is often used to fund other illicit activities such as terrorism and money laundering.

    Drug trafficking

    Prevalence of Narcotics trade in India

    • Significant challenge: The Narcotics trade is a serious problem in India, affecting the youth and families, and leading to the diversion of money for disruptive activities that have a bearing on national security.
    • Sandwiched between golden Crecent and golden triangle: India is a big market and a transit route for other countries. India has been seen as sandwiched between the Death (Golden) Crescent and Death (Golden) Triangle.
    • Use of drones to supply drugs: The use of drones to supply drugs and weapons across the border in Punjab is a new phenomenon.
    • Hot destination for cocaine: India has surprisingly become a hot destination for cocaine, which is controlled by South American drug cartels. Investigations have revealed the connection of these cartels with NRIs based in Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and several European countries along with local drug lords and gangsters in India.

    Concerns regarding the Narcotics trade in India

    • Social and health impact: Narcotics trade harms youth and families, leading to addiction and health problems.
    • Diversion of funds for disruptive activities: The money generated from the narcotics trade is diverted for disruptive activities that have bearings on national security.
    • Increase in terrorism: Drug traffickers from across borders have been found to have connections with terrorist organizations like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, and the illegal money is used for terror activities sponsored by the ISI.
    • Infiltration of organized crime: Organized gangs, which primarily used to carry out extortion activities in their local areas, are getting hooked to the narcotics trade network, and are being used for drug trafficking and gun running. This creates a nexus between terrorists and organized gangs/underworld, which poses a new and disturbing trend that needs to be tackled effectively by security agencies.
    • Proliferation of darknet markets: Studies reveal that 62 per cent of the darknet is being used for illicit drug trafficking. The anonymity and low risks of darknet transactions are disrupting traditional drug markets.
    • Border security: The heroin and methamphetamine-producing areas have porous borders and are reportedly under the control of rebel groups indirectly supported by intelligence setups. Illicit arms are manufactured here and supplied to underground groups active in India.

    Drug trafficking

    Facts for prelims

    • The Golden Crescent: The Golden Crescent is a region in South Asia that is known for the production of illicit drugs, particularly opium. The region includes parts of Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. It is one of the two major drug-producing areas in the world, along with the Golden Triangle, which is located in Southeast Asia.
    • The Golden Triangle: The Golden Triangle is a region in Southeast Asia that encompasses parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It is one of the world’s largest opium-producing areas and is named after the shape formed by the overlapping mountains of these countries.
    • Nearly 90% of the world’s demand for heroin and methamphetamine is being met from these regions.

    Why drug trafficking is a serious security issue?

    • Illegal money: Drug trafficking generates a significant amount of illegal money, which can be used to fund other illegal activities such as terrorism, money laundering, and human trafficking.
    • Social and economic consequences: Drug addiction and abuse can have severe social and economic consequences, including increased crime rates, loss of productivity, and strain on the healthcare system.
    • Organized crime syndicates: Drug trafficking often involves organized crime syndicates, which can undermine the rule of law and weaken the state’s ability to maintain law and order.
    • Impacts regional stability: Drug trafficking can create instability in regions that are already vulnerable to conflict and violence, as rival groups compete for control of the lucrative trade.

    Steps taken by India to address the issue of drug trafficking

    • National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances: India has a comprehensive policy framework to address the issue of narcotics trade. The National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances provides a framework for controlling the illicit traffic in drugs, preventing drug abuse, and providing care and rehabilitation to drug addicts.
    • Narcotics Control Bureau: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the nodal agency for combating drug trafficking in India. It works closely with other law enforcement agencies to prevent drug trafficking, intercept drug shipments, and prosecute drug traffickers.
    • International cooperation: India has been cooperating with other countries to combat the narcotics trade. It has signed several bilateral and multilateral agreements to strengthen cooperation on drug trafficking, including the SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
    • Seizure of drugs: Law enforcement agencies have been seizing large quantities of drugs in recent years. In 2020, the NCB seized over 9,500 kg of drugs and arrested over 5,000 people in drug-related cases.
    • Awareness campaigns: The government has been running awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse. It has also been working with NGOs and civil society organizations to provide care and rehabilitation to drug addicts.
    • Use of technology: Law enforcement agencies are using technology to track drug trafficking. For example, the NCB has been using social media and the dark web to track drug trafficking.
    • Strengthening border security: India has been strengthening its border security to prevent the entry of drugs into the country. The government has been using modern technology, such as drones and sensors, to monitor the borders.
    • Use of financial intelligence: Law enforcement agencies are using financial intelligence to track the money trail of drug traffickers. They are working closely with banks and financial institutions to identify suspicious transactions and freeze the assets of drug traffickers.

    Way ahead

    • International cooperation: India needs to engage with its neighboring countries to ensure that they take steps to prevent the production and transit of narcotics through their territories. India should also collaborate with international agencies like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to share intelligence and develop a coordinated approach towards combating the drug menace.
    • Strengthening law enforcement: India should strengthen its law enforcement agencies and provide them with the necessary resources and training to effectively tackle the narcotics trade. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) should be given more teeth and made more proactive in tracking down drug traffickers and seizing drugs.
    • Public awareness: India needs to launch a sustained public awareness campaign to educate people about the harmful effects of drugs and the links between drug trafficking and terrorism. The government should also work with civil society organizations to mobilize communities to report drug-related activities in their neighborhoods.
    • Stricter punishment: India needs to introduce stricter punishment for drug traffickers and increase the penalties for drug-related crimes. This will act as a deterrent and make it more difficult for drug traffickers to operate in India.
    • Use of technology: India needs to leverage technology to track and intercept drug shipments. The use of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles can be explored to monitor the movement of drugs across borders.
    • Monitoring darknet activities: India needs to monitor activities on the darknet and take action against those engaged in drug trafficking through this channel. The NCB can work with international agencies to track down drug traffickers operating on the darknet.
    • Rehabilitation: India needs to focus on rehabilitating drug addicts and providing them with the necessary support to overcome their addiction. This will help in reducing demand for drugs and prevent people from getting into the trap of drug trafficking.

    Conclusion

    • The problem of drug trafficking is a growing threat to India’s security, and the issue needs to be addressed urgently. Concerted and coordinated efforts of all the agencies will be required to tackle this growing threat. The nexus between terrorists and organized gangs/underworld is a new and disturbing trend and the law enforcement agencies must develop new strategies to counter the new trends.

    Mains Question

    Q. The problem of drug trafficking is a growing threat to India’s security. In this backdrop discuss the concerns regarding narcotics trade in India and suggest a way ahead

  • Mapping India’s Export Hotspots

    export

    Central idea: The article discusses the top exporting districts in India and their contribution to the country’s overall exports. It also provides information on the top exported commodities in each district.

    Top Exporting Districts in India

    Rank District State Share of India’s Exports
    1 Jamnagar Gujarat 24%
    2 Surat Gujarat 4.5%
    3 Mumbai Suburban Maharashtra 4.5%
    4 Dakshina Kannada Karnataka –
    5 Devbhumi Dwarka, Bharuch, Kachchh Gujarat –
    6 Mumbai Maharashtra –
    7 Kancheepuram Tamil Nadu –
    8 Gautam Buddha Nagar Uttar Pradesh –

     

    Top Exporting Districts in Each State

    • Map 1 shows the district that formed the highest share of a State’s exports in FY23.
    • The size of the circle in the map corresponds to the value of exports.
    • Most top exporting districts in the north-eastern States formed as much as 90% of a State’s exports, while some top exporting districts formed only around 20% of a State’s exports.

    Top Exported Commodities

    • Jamnagar’s dominance can be attributed to the fact that it formed a lion’s share of India’s surging petroleum exports, while Kancheepuram’s most exported commodity was smartphones.
    • Map 1 also lists the top exported commodity of the top exporting districts in each State.

    Top Exporting Districts for Each Commodity

    • Maps 2A-2F show the top five exporting districts for the top six commodities exported by India.
    • They include petroleum products, precious stones and jewellery, rice, wheat and other cereals, smartphones and electronic parts, vehicles other than railways, and pharmaceutical products.

    Share of Top Exporting Commodity

    • Table 3 shows the share of the top exporting commodity of the top exporting district in India’s total exports.
    • For instance, Jamnagar’s petroleum products export formed 67% of India’s total exports for that commodity, while Surat’s precious stones and jewellery exports formed 36% of India’s total exports for that commodity.

     

  • WTO panel rules against India in IT tariffs dispute

     

    A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled that India has violated global trading rules in a dispute with the European Union (EU), Japan, and Taiwan over import duties on IT products.

    About World Trade Organization (WTO)

    Details
    Purpose Regulate and facilitate international trade between nations
    Establishment 1995
    Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland
    Membership 164 member countries as of 2023, representing over 98% of global trade
    Goal Promote free and fair trade by negotiating and enforcing rules and agreements governing international trade
    Agreements Administers a number of agreements, including GATT, SPS Agreement, and TRIPS Agreement
    Dispute Resolution Operates a dispute settlement system to resolve conflicts between member countries
    Technical Assistance Provides technical assistance and training to help developing countries participate more effectively in international trade
    Decision-Making Body Ministerial Conference, which meets every two years
    Director-General Chief executive responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations and activities
    Criticisms Some criticize the WTO for being undemocratic, favoring developed countries, and not doing enough to promote labor and environmental standards in international trade

     

    What was the case?

    • The case involved a dispute over India’s introduction of import duties ranging from 7.5% to 20% on a wide range of IT products, including mobile phones, components, and integrated circuits.
    • The EU, Japan, and Taiwan challenged these import duties in 2019, arguing that they exceeded the maximum rate allowed under global trading rules.
    • The recent ruling by the WTO panel found that India had violated these rules and recommended that India bring its measures into conformity with its obligations.

    WTO Panel’s Ruling

    • The WTO panel has ruled that India violated global trading rules by imposing these import duties.
    • The panel recommended that India bring these measures into conformity with its obligations.
    • While the panel broadly backed the complaints against India, it rejected one of Japan’s claims that India’s customs notification lacked “predictability”.

    Implications of the ruling

    • The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner, accounting for 10.8% of total Indian trade in 2021, according to the European Commission.
    • The ruling could have implications for trade relations between India and the EU, as well as Japan and Taiwan.
    • India may be required to lower or eliminate the challenged import duties.
    • It remains to be seen whether India will appeal against the ruling.
    • If it does, the case will sit in legal purgatory since the WTO’s top appeals bench is no longer functioning due to US opposition to judge appointments.

    Conclusion

    • The panel recommended that India bring such measures into conformity with its obligations, and it remains to be seen whether India will appeal against the ruling.
    • The case highlights the importance of complying with global trading rules and the role of the WTO in resolving trade disputes between countries.

     

  • What is Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

    pacific

    Central idea: The article reports on a recent study which found evidence that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vast area in the North Pacific Ocean where plastic waste has accumulated due to ocean currents.

    What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)?

    Features
    Location North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG), north of the equator in the Pacific Ocean
    Currents Kuroshio, North Pacific, California, and North Equatorial currents, moving in a clockwise direction
    Sources Any trash that enters one of these currents from any of the 51 Pacific Rim countries
    Size Estimated to be 1.6 million sq. km
    Age More than 50 years old
    Plastic Content Estimated to contain 45,000-129,000 metric tonnes of plastic, predominantly in the form of microplastics
    Visible Objects Heavier, more visible objects that haven’t yet broken down into smaller particles accounted for 92% in 2018

     

    Findings of the new study

    • Researchers from Canada, the Netherlands, and the U.S. have reported that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
    • From November 2018 to January 2019, they collected 105 pieces of plastic debris, the most heavily plastic-polluted ocean gyre on the globe.
    • Based on studying them, they reported that 98% of the debris items had invertebrate organisms.

    Plastic inflicting into a coastal organism

    • Organisms found on coasts were getting by on small floating islands of garbage out in the Pacific Ocean, which the researchers named the neopelagic community.
    • They found organisms belonging to 46 taxa, and 37 of them were coastal; the rest were pelagic. Among both coastal and pelagic organisms, crustaceans were the most common.
    • Nearly all taxa were of Northwest Pacific origin, including Japan.
    • Eight of the remainder were from East Asia and five specifically from Japan. Four items were from North America.
    • They found that 68% of the coastal taxa and 33% of the pelagic taxa reproduced asexually and that there was evidence of sexual reproduction among the hydroids and the crustaceans, among others.

    Implications of the findings

    • Marine plastic pollution has given rise to a new kind of standing coastal community in the open ocean.
    • The neopelagic community is not misplaced but lives on plastic items in the garbage patch, including reproducing there.
    • The finding recalls other studies that show the chemical bonding of plastic with rocks, sedimentary rocks embedded with plastic earrings in Brazil, and the formation of plastiglomerates in Hawaii.

     

    What is neopelagic community?

    • The neopelagic community refers to the group of organisms that inhabit the open ocean or the pelagic zone beyond the continental shelf.
    • It is characterized by deep waters with very few physical structures or substrate for organisms to attach to.
    • This community includes a wide variety of organisms, including zooplankton, fish, squid, and marine mammals, among others.
    • These organisms have adapted to survive in the open ocean environment, which can be quite challenging due to factors such as temperature fluctuations, limited food availability, and the absence of physical structures for shelter.
    • The neopelagic community is an important part of the global marine ecosystem, playing a key role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer between different levels of the food chain.

     

    GPGP and its impact on marine life

    • The GPGP has significant impacts on marine life due to the ingestion of plastic by marine animals, which can cause harm and even death.
    • Plastic can also entangle and suffocate marine animals, leading to the disruption of ecosystems.
    • The new study sheds light on the neopelagic community, which has adapted to living on plastic in the garbage patch.

    Plastic pollution and its environmental impact

    • Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that affects land and water ecosystems worldwide.
    • Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose, and even then, it breaks down into microplastics that can persist in the environment indefinitely.
    • The presence of plastic in the environment has negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health.

    Conclusion

    • There are various solutions to plastic pollution, including reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling, and promoting alternative materials.
    • Governments and industries can also take steps to reduce plastic waste, such as implementing policies and regulations that reduce plastic use and increase recycling.
    • Individual actions, such as reducing personal plastic consumption and properly disposing of plastic waste, can also make a difference.

     

  • What is Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)?

    crown

    Central idea: The article talks about an astrophotographer named Andrew McCarthy capturing an image of a plasma waterfall on the sun. The phenomenon is called Polar Crown Prominence (PCP).

    Polar Crown Prominence (PCP)

    • PCP is a solar phenomenon that occurs on the sun’s Polar Regions.
    • It is a type of solar prominence, which is a large, bright, gaseous feature that extends out from the sun’s surface.
    • A solar prominence is a large, bright, gaseous feature that extends out from the sun’s surface.
    • It is made up of ionized gas (plasma) that is held in place by magnetic fields.
    • Prominences are visible during total solar eclipses and can also be observed using specialized telescopes.
    • PCPs are often associated with sunspots, which are dark regions on the sun’s surface that are caused by magnetic activity.

    How are PCPs Formed?

    • PCPs are formed by the interaction of magnetic fields on the sun’s surface.
    • Magnetic fields are created by the movement of charged particles (plasma) in the sun’s interior.
    • When these magnetic fields interact, they can create regions of intense magnetic activity, such as sunspots.
    • PCPs are often associated with these regions of magnetic activity.

    Why are PCPs Important?

    • PCPs are important because they provide clues about the sun’s magnetic activity and how it affects the Earth’s environment.
    • Solar activity, including PCPs, can cause disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field, which can lead to auroras and disruptions in communication systems.

     

     

  • India’s first Mangrove Pitta Birds Census conducted in Odisha

    pitta

    Central idea: The article talks about the first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, India.

    About Mangrove Pitta

    • The mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) belongs to the family of pittas, the Pittidae.
    • The mangrove pitta species is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
    • These pitta species have fragmented distribution and considered ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN. These pittas are monotypic species.

    Focus of the Census

    • In this census, a total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted.
    • The census mainly focused on the mangrove patches along the coasts of Kendrapara and Jagatsingpur districts.
    • Information was collected on the distribution, habitat, and breeding of mangrove pittas along the coastal mangroves.
    • The census was carried out by point count method, either by walking in the forest or using country boats in the creeks.

     

  • SpaceX Starship: World’s biggest rocket set for first test flight

    starship

    SpaceX is preparing for the first test flight of Starship, which is the most powerful rocket ever built.

    About SpaceX Starship

    • Starship is a fully reusable spacecraft designed and built by SpaceX with the primary goal of sending humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

    Key objectives

    • SpaceX aims to use Starship to establish a self-sustaining human settlement on Mars.
    • The ultimate goal is to enable humans to become a multi-planetary species.
    • It also aims to make Starship reusable, reducing the cost of spaceflight and bringing down the price to a few million dollars per flight.
    • In the long run, the company aims to achieve full and rapid reusability of the spacecraft.

     

    Features

    Details
    Design and configuration
    • Made up of two parts: a 50-meter tall spacecraft and a 70-meter tall Super Heavy rocket booster.
    • Spacecraft has six Raptor engines; Super Heavy Booster has 28 Raptor engines.
    • Payload capacity of up to 100 metric tons and features a large heat shield.
    • Interior can be configured for up to 100 passengers or cargo.
    Manoeuvrability
    • Designed to be fully reusable, with vertical take-off and landing on Earth, Moon, and Mars.
    • Can be refuelled in orbit for deeper space travel and for establishing a human settlement on Mars.
    Construction and materials
    • Built using durable and cost-effective stainless steel material.
    • Stainless steel also provides heat protection during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
    Power and thrust
    • Powered by methane and liquid oxygen fueled Raptor engines.
    • Generates 17 million pounds of thrust more than twice that of the Saturn V rockets used for the Apollo missions.

     

  • Omicron evolved strategies to evade T Cell Immunity

    t cell

    Central idea: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has the ability to evade CD8 T cells, which are important in reducing the viral load and clearing the infection by detecting and killing infected cells.

    What is the news?

    • A recent study has revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has the ability to modulate MHC I expression in host cells.
    • MHC I is crucial in alerting the immune system to virally infected cells.
    • The virus has evolved multiple strategies to inhibit MHC I expression, which is not seen in the case of the influenza virus.

    What is T Cell Immunity?

    • Like B cells, which produce antibodies, T cells are central players in the immune response to viral infection.
    • For your immune system to fight off any kind of invader, such as a virus, you need a kind of white blood cell called a B cell, which makes antibodies, and a similar-looking white blood cell called a T cell.
    • T cells can play different roles altogether.
    • They can act as “killer cells”, attacking cells which have been infected with a virus or another kind of pathogen, or they can act as “helper cells” by supporting B cells to produce antibodies.

    How do they function?

    • Alongside antibodies, the immune system produces a battalion of T cells that can target viruses.
    • Some of these, known as killer T cells (or CD8+T cells), seek out and destroy cells that are infected with the virus.
    • Others, called helper T cells (or CD4+T cells) are important for various immune functions, including stimulating the production of antibodies and killer T cells.
    • T cells do not prevent infection, because they kick into action only after a virus has infiltrated the body. But they are important for clearing an infection that has already started.
    • In the case of COVID-19, killer T cells could mean the difference between a mild infection and a severe one that requires hospital treatment.

     

     

  • In news: Pralay Ballistic Missile

    pralay

    India is going to buy 250 more Pralay ballistic missiles for the services to strengthen them on the northern borders, further boosting the firepower of the defence forces.

    Pralay Ballistic Missile

    • Pralay is a tactical missile developed from India’s K-series of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
    • It has a range of 150-500 km and can carry warheads weighing between 350 to 700 kg.
    • The missile is a canisters road-mobile system, which enhances its mobility and allows for quick preparation and launch of the missile.
    • Pralay has the ability to perform manoeuvres in flight and follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory to maintain high speed, making it difficult for enemy missile defence systems to intercept.

    Classification

    • The Indian Defence Ministry has classified Pralay as a “conventional Surface-to-Surface missile”.
    • This distinguishes it from the Agni series of missiles, which have the capability to carry either conventional or nuclear warheads.

    Testing and launch

    • The missile was launched on a quasi-ballistic trajectory in one of the two tests, which enhances its effectiveness against enemy missile defence systems.
    • Satellite imagery of the test shows that Pralay is a canisterised road-mobile system, which adds to its mobility and flexibility in responding to evolving threats.

     

  • India’s Forex Reserves rise $6.30 bn to $584.75 bn

    forex

    India’s forex reserves increased by $6.306 billion to $584.755 billion last week, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

    Why discuss this?

    • In October 2021, India’s forex reserves reached an all-time high of $645 billion.
    • Since then, the reserves have been declining.

    What is Foreign Exchange (Forex) Reserve?

    • Foreign exchange reserves are important assets held by the central bank in foreign currencies as reserves.
    • They are commonly used to support the exchange rate and set monetary policy.
    • In India’s case, foreign reserves include Gold, Dollars, and the IMF’s quota for Special Drawing Rights.
    • Most of the reserves are usually held in US dollars, given the currency’s importance in the international financial and trading system.
    • Some central banks keep reserves in Euros, British pounds, Japanese yen, or Chinese yuan, in addition to their US dollar reserves.

    India’s forex reserves cover:

    1. Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs)
    2. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)
    3. Gold Reserves
    4. Reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

    Countries with the highest foreign reserves

    • Currently, China has the largest reserves followed by Japan and Switzerland.
    • India earlier overtook Russia to become the fourth-largest country with foreign exchange reserves. (Data from August 2022)
    1. China – $3,349 Billion
    2. Japan – $1,376 Billion
    3. Switzerland – $1,074 Billion
    4. Russia – $597.40 Billion

    Why are these reserves so important?

    • All international transactions are settled in US dollars and, therefore, required to support India’s imports.
    • More importantly, they need to maintain support and confidence for central bank action, whether monetary policy action or any exchange rate intervention to support the domestic currency.
    • It also helps to limit any vulnerability due to sudden disturbances in foreign capital flows, which may arise during a crisis.
    • Holding liquid foreign currency provides a cushion against such effects and provides confidence that there will still be enough foreign exchange to help the country with crucial imports in case of external shocks.

    Initiatives taken by the government to increase forex

    • To increase the foreign exchange reserves, the Government of India has taken many initiatives like AatmaNirbhar Bharat, in which India has to be made a self-reliant nation so that India does not have to import things that India can produce.
    • Other than AatmaNirbhar Bharat, the government has started schemes like Duty Exemption Scheme, Remission of Duty or Taxes on Export Product (RoDTEP), Nirvik (Niryat Rin Vikas Yojana) scheme, etc.
    • Apart from these schemes, India is one of the top countries that attracted the highest amount of Foreign Direct Investment, thereby improving India’s foreign exchange reserves.