Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Trends in wheat and Rice production
Mains level: National food security;
Why in the News?
The recent drop in agricultural production due to El-Nino has highlighted once more the critical role Punjab and Haryana play in ensuring India’s food security.
Role of Punjab and Haryana for the Food Security of India:
- Punjab and Haryana are crucial in years with bad monsoons or climate shocks.
- The average per hectare wheat and paddy yields in these states are 4.8 tonnes and 6.5 tonnes, respectively, significantly higher than the all-India averages of 3.5 tonnes and 4.1 tonnes.
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Wheat Production:
- Traditional procurement: Until the mid-2000s, Punjab and Haryana supplied over 90% of the wheat for India’s public distribution system (PDS) and other government programs.
- Impact of the Green Revolution: The spread of high-yielding varieties to other states and the establishment of infrastructure for buying grain at minimum support prices (MSP) reduced Punjab and Haryana’s share to around 65% by the early 2010s.
- In 2019-20 and 2020-21, total wheat procurement reached record levels (39-43.3 million tons), with Punjab and Haryana’s share falling to just over 50%. Madhya Pradesh became the top wheat procurer in 2019-20, surpassing Punjab.
- Climate Shocks: The last three years have seen production setbacks due to climate shocks, including: An unseasonal temperature surge in March 2022. Heavy rain in March 2023 during the grain formation stage.
Recent Climate Impact:
In 2023-24, unusually warm temperatures in November-December impacted wheat yields, especially in central India. The delayed winter, attributed to El Nino, led to premature flowering and shortened the vegetative growth phase.
Regional Impact:
- Madhya Pradesh’s wheat procurement dropped significantly from 12.8-12.9 million tons in 2019-20 and 2020-21 to about 4.6 million tons.
- Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan also saw significant declines from their 2020-21 highs.
- Punjab and Haryana have been less affected due to longer winters and later sowing (early to mid-November).
- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar reported good production due to near-normal March temperatures, but much of their produce was sold to private traders at prices above the MSP.
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Rice production in the states:
- Traditional Procurement: Government rice procurement was historically concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, and the Godavari-Krishna and Kaveri delta regions of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Tamil Nadu (TN).
- Diversification: There has been a diversification in rice procurement, with new states like Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh (UP) becoming significant contributors to the Central pool.
- Change in Procurement Shares: The combined share of Punjab and Haryana in total rice procurement decreased from 43-44% in the early 2000s to an average of 28.8% in the four years ending 2022-23. In the current crop year, this share has risen to around 32.9%, with some procurements still pending in Telangana, AP, and TN.
Impact of Irrigation:
- Farmers in Punjab and Haryana, with assured access to irrigation, did not suffer production losses from last year’s patchy monsoon attributed to El Niño.
- In contrast, states like Telangana saw reduced rabi paddy planting and struggled with irrigation due to depleted groundwater levels.
Policy implications
- NFSA Entitlements: Under the NFSA, about 813.5 million people are entitled to receive 5 kg of wheat or rice per month through the Public Distribution System (PDS) at highly subsidized prices.
- Current Government Policy: Since January 2023, the current government has been providing this grain to all NFSA beneficiaries free of cost.
Way Forward:
- Adoption of Climate-Resilient Varieties: Develop and promote high-yield, climate-resilient wheat varieties that are tolerant to heat, drought, and diseases.
- Efficient Irrigation Systems: Invest in modern irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation to ensure efficient water use.
- Invest in Agricultural Research: Increase funding for agricultural research institutions to develop new wheat varieties and innovative farming techniques.
Mains PYQ:
Q Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually by-pass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good availability of water? (UPSC IAS/2014)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Political Parties and their registration/de-registration in India;
Mains level: Issues related to Political Parties;
Why in the News?
The ECI urges star campaigners to uphold societal harmony, sparking debate on its efficacy in curbing MCC violations and enforcing norms.
Criteria for Registration of Political Parties:
- Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) outlines the criteria for registering a political party with the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- Any party seeking registration must submit a copy of its memorandum or constitution. This document must declare that the party will faithfully adhere to the Constitution of India.
- Additionally, it must commit to the principles of socialism, secularism, and democracy, and uphold the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
How are political parties registered in India?
- A political party recognized as a ‘National’ or ‘state’ party under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (Symbols Order) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) is referred to as a Recognized Political Party (RPP).
- Recognition as a ‘National’ or ‘state’ political party is contingent upon meeting specific criteria, such as winning a requisite number of seats or obtaining a required percentage of votes in a general election to the Lok Sabha or State Assembly.
- Currently, there are 6 National political parties and 61 state political parties that have been granted recognition. Recognized parties benefit from additional privileges, including the reservation of a symbol during elections and the designation of forty ‘star campaigners’.
- Registered political parties enjoy the following legal benefits:
- Tax exemption for donations received under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Common symbol for contesting general elections to the Lok Sabha/State Assemblies
- Twenty ‘star campaigners’ during the election campaign. As per the ECI, there are 2,790 active registered political parties in India.
What are the issues related Criteria for Deregistration?
- Misuse of Privileges: Non-contesting RUPPs raise concerns about potential misuse of benefits like income tax exemption and donations for purposes such as money laundering.
- Absence of De-registration Powers: The Representation of the People Act (RP Act) does not explicitly empower the Election Commission of India (ECI) to de-register political parties for failure to contest elections, conduct inner-party elections, or submit required returns.
- Legal Limitations: The Supreme Court ruling in “Indian National Congress versus Institute of Social Welfare & Ors (2002)” affirmed that the ECI lacks the authority to de-register political parties under the RP Act, except under extraordinary circumstances such as fraudulent registration or cessation of allegiance to the Constitution.
- Violations of Model Code of Conduct (MCC): Recognised political parties have been found guilty of breaching the MCC, which prohibits the exploitation of caste and communal sentiments for electoral gain, as well as voter bribery and intimidation.
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What needs to be done? (Way Forward)
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has proposed amendments to the law in its 2016 memorandum for electoral reforms, aiming to grant the ECI the authority to deregister political parties.
- The Law Commission’s 255th report on ‘Electoral reforms’ in 2015 also advocated for amendments allowing the de-registration of a political party if it abstains from contesting elections for 10 consecutive years. These recommendations should be put into effect.
- Paragraph 16A of the Symbols order grants the ECI the power to suspend or revoke the recognition of a recognized political party if it fails to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) or comply with lawful directives from the Commission.
- Although this provision has been utilized only once, as seen in the temporary suspension of the National People’s Party’s recognition in 2015 for non-compliance with ECI directives, stricter enforcement of this measure would foster adherence to the MCC.
Mains PYQ:
Q Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.(UPSC IAS/2022)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hysterectomy Among Women;
Mains level: Health and disease Issues; Hysterectomy Among Women;
Why in the News?
According to the recent report published in Women’s Reproductive Health under the title ‘Reported Reasons for Undergoing Hysterectomy Among Women Aged 45 Years and Above‘, it was seen that data is lacking on women’s health conditions; thus the true magnitude is never known, impeding funding and escaping the attention of policymakers.
What is Hysterectomy?
- A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. After a hysterectomy, you will not menstruate (have periods) or be able to get pregnant.
- Uterus removal is a common treatment for a variety of conditions that affect a woman’s reproductive organs.
Key highlights of the Report:
Reasons for Undertaking Hysterectomy:
- Medical Conditions: Common medical reasons such as fibroids, excessive bleeding, prolapse, endometriosis, and cancer.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Influence of sociodemographic factors like age, education, income, and access to healthcare services.
- Cultural and Regional Differences: Variations in hysterectomy rates and reasons across different regions and cultural contexts within India.
Frequency of Hysterectomy:
- Global Context: Hysterectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgeries among women worldwide.
- Prevalence in India: The countrywide hysterectomy prevalence rate is 11.5%. The highest prevalence is reported in the southern (18.2%) and western (12.7%) regions of India.
- According to the NFHS-5 (2019-2021), 3.3% of women aged 15–49 underwent hysterectomy, a slight increase from 3.2% in NFHS-4. Alarmingly, 50% of women who underwent hysterectomy did so before the age of 35.
- Regional Variations: Andhra Pradesh has the highest prevalence rate at 63 per 1,000 women, followed by Telangana (55 per 1,000), Karnataka (29 per 1,000), and Punjab (23 per 1,000).
- Sociodemographic Factors: Higher risk of hysterectomy among women from the OBC category, the richest wealth quintile, those with lower education levels, those who married at a younger age, and those with three or more children.
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Most Cited Reasons for Hysterectomy:
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- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding or Pain: Cited by 32.1% of women as the reason for undergoing hysterectomy.
- Fibroids or Cysts: Cited by 24.2% of women as the reason for the surgery.
- Uterine Prolapse: Cited by 16.3% of women.
- Less Frequently Reported Reasons:
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- Cancer: Among the least reported reasons for undergoing a hysterectomy.
- Severe Post-Partum Hemorrhage is also among the least reported reasons.
- Sociodemographic Factors:
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- Higher risk of undergoing hysterectomy among women from the OBC category, the richest wealth quintile, those with lower education levels, those who married at a younger age, and those with three or more children.
What are the Ministerial guidelines?
- Hysterectomy is a major surgery with a long recovery time and should be considered only after less invasive treatments have been tried.
- The government emphasizes on attempting nonsurgical alternatives in elective cases before opting for a hysterectomy.
Way Forward:
- Healthcare Providers: Train healthcare providers about the potential overuse of hysterectomy and emphasize the importance of considering nonsurgical alternatives.
- Public Awareness: Launch awareness campaigns to educate women about gynecological health, the implications of hysterectomy, and available alternatives.
Mains PYQ:
Q Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Battle of Udagai, Reign of Raja Raja I (Rajaraja Chola) and his achievements
Why in the news?
- The southern part of India historically ruled by the Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings, was known for its great literature, art, culture, and temple architecture.
- It also witnessed fierce battles among these kingdoms led by Raja Raja I.
Who was Raja Raja I?
- His reign marked a golden era for the Chola Empire through extensive military conquests, administrative reforms, and cultural patronage.
- Ponniyin Selvan (The Son of Ponni) is a Tamil language historical fiction novel with the story of the early days of Prince Raja Raja I (also called Arulmozhivarman).
Here are detailed facts and key events from the reign of Raja Raja I:
Background and Ascension to the Throne:
- Full Name: Arulmozhivarman, popularly known as Raja Raja Chola I.
- Reign:
- He reigned from 985 AD to 1014 AD, taking the throne following the death of his father Sundara Chola.
- He was succeeded by Rajendra I.
Military Conquests:
Raja Raja I embarked on several military campaigns that significantly expanded the Chola Empire.
- He conquered parts of what is now Tamil Nadu, northern parts of Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, consolidating the Chola influence across the region.
- His most notable military achievement was the conquest of the ancient Chera capital of Mahodayapuram and the invasion of Sri Lanka, where he captured the northern half of the island.
- Nagapattinam Port was his major naval base.
- His success allowed his son Rajendra Chola to lead the Chola invasion of Srivijaya (Sumatra) and Kadaram (Malaysia).
Administrative Reforms:
- He streamlined the administrative structure of the empire with precise revenue collection and management systems.
- He implemented a well-organized provincial administration with efficient governance, dividing his empire into various provinces under the control of local governors.
Cultural Contributions and Temple Building:
Raja Raja I was a great patron of the arts and architecture. Under his reign, Chola architecture and Tamil literature flourished.
- Construction of the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur (Dravidian style).
- Completed in 1010 AD
- He also supported the revival of Hinduism and promoted Shaivism, actively endowing temples and supporting the livelihood of the temple priests. He called himself ‘Shivapada Shekhara’.
- He also allowed for the flourishing of other religious practices for example Vaishnavism and Buddhism.
Trade and Diplomacy:
- His reign saw an increase in trade and diplomatic contacts with far-off kingdoms, including those in Southeast Asia.
- The Chola navy played a crucial role in protecting and enhancing trade routes in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
- To promote trade, Rajaraja sent the first Chola mission to China.
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About the Battle of Udagai/Udayagiri
- It occurred in 1003 CE between the Cholas and the Cheras at Udagai, now known as Udayagiri in Kalkulam taluk of Kanniyakumari district, during the reign of Raja Raja I, the greatest of Chola kings.
- It was the bloodiest war in medieval Indian history, where the Cholas plundered Udagai and returned to their headquarters in Thanjavur with tonnes of gold and the best elephants.
- The battle began with the conquest of Kanthalur Salai in the Chera Kingdom.
- The Chola army was led by Raja Raja’s son Rajendra.
Evidence from Epigraphy
- The Discovery of a Chola period epigraphy near Chengam suggests that Salai was an army training centre run by the Cheras.
- The training centre was a challenge to the Cholas.
- The battle marked the end of the relationship between the Cholas and the Cheras, which had been established through marriages.
Aftermath of the War
- The battles terminated the relationship between the Cholas and Cheras during the reign of Rajendra Chola.
- In 1004 CE, Raja Raja celebrated his birthday grandly in the Chera kingdom, renaming the village Muttam as Mummudi Chola Nalloor.
- He granted the temple at Thirunanthikarai for a seven-day celebration of his birthday.
- Subsequently, he returned to Thanjavur with gold, elephants, and cattle.
- Kamban Manian, a Chola general, brought a Shiva idol made of emerald to Thirupazhanam near Thanjavur, though it is no longer found there.
PYQ:
[2020] Consider the following events in the history of India:
- Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja.
- Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I.
- Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka-I.
- Pala dynasty founded by Gopala.
What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
(a) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
(b) 3 – 1 – 4 – 2
(c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3
(d) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sperm Whales, Project CETI
Why in the news?
- A recent study has uncovered the intricate structure of their communication system, which appears to possess a “phonetic alphabet,” offering new insights into the depth of their social interactions.
- Sperm whales, the largest toothed whales, utilize a diverse array of vocalizations to communicate, including bursts of clicking noises known as ‘codas’.
About Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus)).
- Sperm whales, the largest toothed whales
- It has a series of vertical creases or wrinkles on its body and a small, inconspicuous dorsal fin located near the rear of its back.
- The sperm whale uses ‘echolocation’ to navigate and locate prey during these deep dives.
- Prey: Sperm whales primarily feed on squid (including the giant squid) sharks and deep-sea fish.
- Habitat: Sperm whales are found in deep oceanic waters worldwide, from the equator to the edges of the pack ice in the Arctic and Antarctic.
- Behavior: Known for their exceptional diving capabilities, sperm whales can dive to depths of over 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) and stay submerged for up to 90 minutes. They are social animals, typically found in groups called ‘pods’, which can contain up to twenty individuals.
- Conservation Status: Listed as ‘VULNERABLE’ by the IUCN.
- Threats cause: Collisions with ships, entanglement in fishing gear, and noise pollution.
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Insights from the Study:
- Expressivity: The study, which utilized data from Project CETI demonstrated that sperm whale calls exhibit a broader range of expressivity than previously recognized, hinting at a nuanced mode of communication.
- Social Dynamics: Like all marine mammals, sperm whales rely heavily on vocalizations as an integral aspect of their social interactions.
- Contextual Analysis: The next phase of research aims to decipher the behavioural context surrounding sperm whale vocalizations, shedding light on their potential meanings.
About Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative)
- Project CETI is a non-profit, interdisciplinary scientific and conservation initiative on a mission to listen to and translate the communication of sperm whales off the island of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean.
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PYQ:
[2013] Consider the following animals
- Sea cow
- Sea horse
- Sea lion
Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Article 300A, 44th Constitutional Amendment, Right to Property
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
The Supreme Court’s ruling safeguards landowners from arbitrary government acquisition, emphasizing adherence to Article 300A, ensuring the constitutional right to property and sub-rights compliance.
Procedural Sub-Rights under Right to Property
These seven rights are foundational components of a law that is in tune with Article 300A, and the absence of one of these or some of them would render the law susceptible to challenge:
- Right to Notice: Individuals must be informed about the intention to acquire their property.
- Right to Be Heard: Affected individuals have the right to voice objections.
- Right to a Reasoned Decision: The government must justify the acquisition with a reasoned decision.
- Public Purpose Justification: Acquisitions must serve a demonstrable public purpose.
- Right of Restitution or Fair Compensation: Landowners are entitled to fair compensation for their property.
- Right to An Efficient and Expeditious Process: Acquisition procedures should be efficient and adhere to set timelines.
- Right of Conclusion: The process concludes with the physical transfer of property; failure to take possession renders the acquisition incomplete.
Back2Basics: Right to Property in India
- The Right to Property was initially a fundamental right under the Constitution of India, included in Part III (Articles 19 and 31).
- Through the 44th Amendment Act of 1978, this right was removed from the list of fundamental rights. It was reclassified as a constitutional right under Article 300A.
About Article 300A:
- Article 300A was introduced to the Constitution, stating that “No person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law.”
- Legal Framework: This implies that the government can still acquire private property, but this acquisition must be done through a law that justifies the acquisition and provides for fair compensation to the affected parties.
Current Legal Status
- Not a Fundamental Right: The Right to Property is no longer a fundamental right, which means it cannot be directly enforced through the Supreme Court or High Court under Article 32 or Article 226. However, it remains a constitutional right.
- Protection under Law: Any person deprived of his property under any state enactment can approach a High Court challenging the legality of the act under Article 300A.
- Legal Recourse: Affected individuals have the right to legal recourse if they believe that the acquisition was not justified or that the compensation was inadequate.
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Recent Judgment: Human Rights
- Case Background: The judgment supported a Calcutta High Court decision that dismissed an appeal by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation regarding the acquisition of private land.
- Court’s Order: The Corporation was ordered to compensate with ₹5 lakh for costs within 60 days.
- Human Rights Perspective: The right to property is not only protected as a constitutional right but has also been recognized as a human right by a “Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Aravind Kumar”.
Legal Interpretations and Clarifications
- Justice Narasimha clarified that the phrase ‘authority of law’ in Article 300A extends beyond the state’s power of eminent domain.
- It necessitates a proper legal framework for property acquisition.
- The ruling underscored that mere possession of eminent domain power and the provision of compensation do not justify compulsory acquisition if due processes are not followed.
PYQ:
[2021] What is the position of the Right to Property in India?
(a) Legal right available to citizens only
(b) Legal right available to any person
(c) Fundamental Right available to citizens only
(d) Neither Fundamental Right nor legal right |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Climate Change; Heat Waves;
Mains level: Impacts of Climate change;
Why in the News?
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are affecting either the smaller regions or the larger geographical areas in India at every 26 days of the month.
What are the Heat Waves?
- The “World Meteorological Organization” defines a heat wave as five or more consecutive days during which the daily maximum temperature exceeds the average maximum temperature by five degrees Celsius.
- If the maximum temperature of any place continues to be more than 45 Degree Celsius consecutively for two days, it is called a heat wave condition.
Heatwaves in India:
- Regional Observations: A place with a normal temperature of 40°C in summer is not experiencing a heatwave at 42-43°C, but another location with a normal temperature of 27-28°C is in a heatwave at 35°C.
- Heatwaves are common in northern, central, and eastern India during summer. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged due to climate change.
- In February 2023 (winter month for India), several regions experienced heatwaves with maximum temperatures 5 to 11 degrees higher than normal. (with a mean temperature 1.36°C higher than normal)
- Predictions and Records: The outlook for heatwaves this year is grim, with predictions of prolonged heatwaves lasting 10 to 20 days in some areas, compared to the usual 4 to 8 days.
- In April 2023, Odisha experienced an 18-day heatwave, the second-longest in the state’s history.
- Gangetic West Bengal recorded the highest number of heatwave days in any month over the last 15 years. Eastern India recorded its warmest April ever.
- Upcoming Heatwave: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a fresh spell of heatwaves starting over northwest India.
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Impact of Heatwaves:
- Impact on Resource Availability:
- Water Resources: It exacerbates water scarcity by drying up of water bodies, reducing water availability for agriculture and domestic use, and increasing competition for resources. This can lead to conflicts over water, affect irrigation practices, and impact water-dependent industries.
- Energy Resources: It increases electricity demand for cooling purposes, leading to strain on power grids and potential blackouts. This can disrupt economic activities, affect productivity, and impact vulnerable populations.
- Impact on Health:
- Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to Dehydration and Cardiovascular and Respiratory diseases.
- Rapid rises in heat gain can compromise the body’s ability to regulate temperature and can result in a cascade of illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia.
- Health Ministry reported 264 heat-related deaths in the first six months of 2023. NCRB reported 730 heat-related deaths in the same year.
However, data collected and maintained by IMD and NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) showed a sharp decline in heat-related deaths ever since state governments and district administrations began implementing heat action plans.
Mitigation of Heatwaves:
- Need to establish an Early Warning System: The Inter-Agency Coordination needs to alert residents on predicted high and extreme temperatures. Who will do what, when, and how is made clear to individuals and units of key departments, especially for health.
- Increase Public Awareness and Community Outreach: Disseminating public awareness messages on how to protect against the extreme heat – wave through social media and advertisements. Additionally, the government needs to aware the general public through Television programs the Do’s and Dont’s for heat-related illnesses.
Conclusion: Need to improve collaboration with Non-governmental organizations and Civil society organizations to improve public spaces wherever necessary, improve water delivery systems in public areas, and other innovative measures to tackle heatwave conditions.
Mains PYQ:
Q ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (UPSC IAS/2017)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Migration Pattern;
Mains level: Internal security issues; Changing Migration Pattern in India;
Why in the News?
The report by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) termed it the highest number of displacements in India triggered due to the conflict and violence in India since 2018.
Key highlights on Internal Displacement in India (2009-2023):
- The above image shows the Internally Displaced People (IDP) currently living in India.
- This term focuses on the individuals who have been displaced till the end of every year. At the end of 2023, there were 0.61 million such persons in India.
- Globally, India was among the top five countries with the highest number of new internal displacements in 2022 due to disasters, with 2.5 million displacements.
- Causes:
- Natural: In 2023, India experienced over half a million internal displacements due to floods, storms, earthquakes, and other disasters.
- Artificial: Over the past five years (2009-2023), the number of internally displaced people resulting from regional conflict and land disputes has increased by 22.6 million, with the two biggest increases in 2022 and 2023.
- Over 1/3rd of the displacements took place within Manipur, with almost a fifth moving to the neighboring state of Mizoram and smaller numbers to Nagaland and Assam.
Regional Scenario (2009-2023):
- In 2023, conflict and violence triggered 69,000 displacements in South Asia, with Manipur violence alone accounting for 67,000, the highest number since 2018.
- The violence erupted after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in Manipur’s hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
- This led to ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities even in bordering areas of Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Global Scenario (2009-2023):
- The number of IDPs has grown by 50% in the last five years. The report said that 68.3 million people worldwide were displaced by conflict and violence as of 2023.
- By the end of 2022, at least 8.7 million people in 88 countries and territories were internally displaced by disasters, with India being one of them.
- Conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Palestine accounted for nearly two-thirds of new conflict movements in 2023
- 3.4 million new movements in the Gaza Strip in the last quarter of 2023, leaving 1.7 million internally displaced by the end of the year.
Way Forward:
- Dialogue and Mediation: Facilitate dialogue between conflicting communities, such as the Meitei and Kuki, to address underlying issues like land disputes.
- Legal Framework: Strengthen legal frameworks to protect minority rights and address grievances that may lead to violence.
- Peacebuilding Initiatives: Implement peacebuilding programs that promote social cohesion and understanding among different ethnic and community groups.
Mains PYQ:
Q How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar? (UPSC IAS/2013)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Local Governance; Delhi Pollution;
Mains level: Delhi Pollution and Local Governance; Solid Waste Management;
Why in the News?
On May 13, the Supreme Court stated that addressing the “horrible” issue of 3,800 metric tonnes of untreated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) accumulating daily in the national capital requires moving beyond party politics.
What is the status of Delhi’s SWM system?
- Population Growth and Waste Generation:
- According to the 2011 Census Data, New Delhi’s population was approximately 1.7 crore. However, this Population is expected to increase to around 2.32 crore.
- This increase will lead to a significant rise in waste generation, estimated at approximately 13,000 tonnes per day (TPD), which equates to roughly 1,400 truckloads daily.
- Presently, this daily waste generation accumulates to about 42 lakh tonnes per annum. The population is anticipated to reach 2.85 crore by 2031 due to which the waste generation could increase to 17,000 TPD.
- Waste Collection: Around 90% of the waste generated in the city is collected by three municipal corporations:
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
- Delhi Cantonment Board
- New Delhi Municipal Corporation
- Waste Composition is of major types – Biodegradable Wet Waste (50-55%), Non-Biodegradable Dry Waste (around 35%), and Inert Waste (10% that does not decompose). The total collective capacity of these facilities is about 9,200 tonnes per day (TPD).
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Issue of Unprocessed Waste Disposal:
- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is disposing of 3,800 TPD of unprocessed waste in landfills.
- Designated Landfills (Gazipur, Bhalswa, and Okhla) are filled with unprocessed wet and dry waste, leading to significant environmental issues such as methane gas emissions, leachate production, and landfill fires.
- The landfills have accumulated a total of 2.58 crore tonnes of legacy waste, covering 200 acres of land.
What are the challenges faced by MCD?
- Lack of Waste Segregation at Source: Many households and commercial establishments do not segregate waste. Unprocessed mixed waste enters landfills as a result.
- Land Availability for Waste Processing Plants: Waste processing plants require large land parcels (30-40 acres each). Securing such large tracts of land is challenging in Delhi.
- Public Awareness and Practices: There is a lack of public awareness regarding proper waste management practices. This leads to littering and improper disposal habits. MCD’s focus shifts to clearing open points rather than processing wet waste.
- Inadequate Waste Collection Services: Some areas suffer from irregular waste collection services. This contributes to waste buildup and increased littering.
- Illegal Dumping: Waste is often illegally dumped in open areas and water bodies. This increases the pressure on the MCD and requires additional resources for cleanup.
What efforts need to be made by MCD?
- Need for a Decentralized Approach: Given the challenges of identifying large land parcels, Delhi will need to partner with its neighboring States to set up a few of these composting plants.
- Additionally, the market for organic compost produced from wet waste lies in the neighboring States of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
- Need to work on Biodegradable Wet Waste: The design capacity for wet waste processing should be 9,000 TPD. This would require at least 18 composting or biogas plants (assuming each plant has a capacity of 500 TPD).
- Significant efforts will be needed to identify land, establish composting facilities, and ensure their proper operation to prevent biodegradable waste from reaching landfills.
- Need to work on Non-Biodegradable Dry Waste: Approximately 2% of dry waste is recyclable and should be sent to recycling facilities. The remaining 33% of non-recyclable dry waste (plastics, paper, textile waste) can be used as RDF for power generation in waste-to-energy projects.
- Coordination Among Stakeholders: Improved coordination between various Municipal Corporations to streamline waste collection and segregation processes by collaborating with private companies and non-governmental organizations is needed to enhance waste segregation and processing efforts.
Conclusion: Already, Biomining Initiative was launched in 2019 by the MCD to reduce the amount of waste. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted these efforts. Originally planned for completion by 2024, now expected to take an additional two to three years.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (UPSC IAS/2018)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sangam Digital Twin Initiative, Digital Twin Technology
Why in the news?
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has unveiled the selected participants for Stage I of the ‘Sangam: Digital Twin with AI-Driven Insights Initiative’.
What is Digital Twin Technology?
- A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical object, person, or process, contextualized in a digital version of its environment.
- Digital twins can help an organization simulate real-time situations and their outcomes, ultimately allowing it to make better decisions.
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About Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative
- Launched in February 2024, it aligns with the past decade’s technological advancements in communication, computation, and sensing, in line with the vision for 2047.
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will begin this with a campaign to engage potential participants, including industry experts, academia, and other relevant stakeholders to spread awareness and interest wide.
- It is a Two-stage Initiative: It will be distributed in two stages, and conducted in one of India’s major cities.
- First Stage: An exploratory phase focusing on clarifying horizons and creative exploration to unleash potential.
- Second Stage: A practical demonstration of specific use cases, generating a future blueprint for collaboration and scaling successful strategies in future infrastructure projects.
- Objectives:
- To demonstrate practical implementation of innovative infrastructure planning solutions.
- To develop a Model Framework for facilitating faster and more effective collaboration.
- To provide a future blueprint for scaling and replicating successful strategies in future infrastructure projects.
Features: It represents a collaborative leap towards reshaping infrastructure planning and design.
- It integrates 5G, IoT, AI, AR/VR, AI native 6G, Digital Twin, and next-gen computational technologies, fostering collaboration among public entities, infrastructure planners, tech giants, startups, and academia.
- Sangam brings all stakeholders together, aiming to translate innovative ideas into tangible solutions, bridging the gap between conceptualization and realization, and paving the way for groundbreaking infrastructure advancements.
PYQ:
[2020] In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of:
(a) Digital security infrastructure
(b) Food security infrastructure
(c) Health care and education infrastructure
(d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GRAP and its implementation, AQI;
Why in the News?
- Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) registered at 243, falling under the ‘Poor’ category, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- In response to this, the Sub-Committee under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) convened to assess the situation and strategize under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
About Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
- The GRAP was conceived as a response to the alarming findings of a WHO study in 2014, which ranked Delhi as the most polluted city globally.
- It is a framework designed to combat air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.
- The Supreme Court (M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India Case, 2016) approved GRAP after multiple expert consultations.
- First GRAP was notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
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Implementation of GRAP:
- The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) took over the responsibility of implementing GRAP in 2021.
- Before 2021, the SC appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) would instruct states to enforce GRAP measures.
- The CAQM recommendations depend on the Air Quality Index (AQI) and meteorological predictions provided by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Revised measures to implement:
| Air Quality Stage |
AQI Range |
Measures to be implemented |
| Stage I (Poor) |
201-300 |
Enforce NGT/Supreme Court’s order on over-aged diesel/petrol vehicles. |
| Stage II (Very Poor) |
301-400 |
Implement rigorous actions to combat air pollution at identified hotspots. |
| Stage III (Severe) |
401-450 |
Impose strict restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles. Suspend physical classes in schools for primary grade children up to Class 5 in certain areas. |
| Stage IV (Severe Plus) |
>450 |
Prohibit the entry of four-wheelers registered outside Delhi, except for electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, and BS-VI diesel vehicles. |
Current Air Quality Scenario: Factors Contributing
- The GRAP sub-committee noted the following natural causes exacerbating dust suspension across the National Capital Region (NCR):
- Fluctuating wind patterns,
- Higher convection rates, and
- Arid weather conditions.
- Additionally, increased instances of agricultural residue burning and forest fires in neighboring states were identified as potential contributors to deteriorating air quality.
Action Plan suggested by GRAP Sub-Committee
- Intensive Drives at Pollution Hotspots: The concerned Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) and NCR committees were tasked with conducting rigorous inspections at major pollution hotspots, prioritizing dust abatement measures.
- Enhanced Dust Control Measures: Measures such as increased deployment of water sprinklers and mechanical road sweeping equipment were recommended to mitigate dust levels.
- Preventing Open Burning: Vigilance against instances of open burning, including municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural residue, was emphasized to curb further pollution.
- Strict Enforcement: Dust Control & Management Cells (DCMCs) and enforcement teams were instructed to intensify monitoring and enforcement efforts at construction sites and road projects.
- Inspections and Compliance: Flying Squads of CPCB were directed to conduct thorough inspections and take appropriate action against violators of environmental regulations.
PYQ:
[2016] In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulphur dioxide
5. Methane
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: AIFs and their regulation; Benefits offered.
Why in the News?
In response to tightening regulations impacting operations, the RBI has recommended that investments exceeding 50% of Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) units by a person resident outside India be treated as Indirect Foreign Investment.
BACK2BASICS:
What are Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)?
- An Alternative Investment Fund or AIF is any fund established or incorporated in India that is a privately pooled investment vehicle that collects funds from sophisticated investors, for investing by a defined investment policy for the benefit of its investors.
- AIFs are regulated by the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
- As per the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012, an AIF can be set up as a trust, a company, a limited liability partnership, or a corporate body.
Who can invest in an AIF?
- Indian Residents, NRIs (Non-Resident of India), and foreign nationals are eligible to invest in these funds.
- Joint investors can also invest in AIF. They can be spouse, parents, or children of investors.
- The minimum investment amount for investors is Rs1 crore for investors. For directors, employees, and fund managers, this limit is Rs 25 lakh.
- Most AIFs come with a minimum lock-in period of three years.
- The maximum number of investors in every scheme is capped at 1,000. However, in the case of angel fund, the cap is 49.
Categories of an applicant who can seek registration as an AIF:
- Category I and II AIFs are required to be close-ended and have a minimum tenure of three years. Category III AIFs may be open-ended or close-ended.
Note: Investment by an Indian company (which is owned or controlled by foreigners) into another Indian entity is considered as Indirect Foreign Investment (IFI). It is also known as downstream investment. |
Present Regulatory Landscape:
- Regulatory Ambiguity: Recent regulatory notes have instilled mistrust in the industry, particularly regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy surrounding AIFs, spooking investors and prompting reconsideration of fund deployment strategies.
- Changing Stance: The regulatory stance has evolved, with amendments in 2015-16 allowing AIFs to attract foreign capital through the automatic route, promoting onshore management and incentivizing Indian fund managers to relocate to India.
Offshore Alternatives:
- Reason for Offshoring: Offshore funds benefit from a more stable regulatory environment, with considerations for tax implications necessitating careful structuring.
- Attractive Destination: Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) has emerged as an attractive alternative for managers due to regulatory stability, tax incentives, and proximity to India.
PYQ:
[2020] With reference to Foreign Direct Investment in India, which one of the following is considered its major characteristic?
(a) It is the investment through capital instruments essentially in a listed company.
(b) It is a largely non-debt-creating capital flow.
(c) It is the investment which involves debt-servicing.
(d) It is the investment foreign institutional investors make in Government securities. |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Spices Board, CODEX, India’s Spice Trade
Why in the News?
- The Spices Board has proactively engaged with CODEX, the international food standards authority, to address the pressing issue of ethylene oxide (ETO) contamination in spices.
- This initiative follows recent recalls of certain branded spices exported from India to Hong Kong and Singapore due to concerns regarding ETO contamination.
- Concerns over spice quality have also been raised by countries like the US, New Zealand, and Australia, prompting ongoing evaluations of Indian Spice Imports.
Back2Basics: Spices Board of India
- The merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board and Spices Export Promotion Council on 26th February 1987, under the Spices Board Act 1986 led to the formation of the Spice Board of India.
- The Board functions as an International link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad with a Nodal Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- Headquartered in Kochi, it has regional laboratories in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Tuticorin, Kandla and Guntur.
- Main Functions:
- It promotes organic production, processing, and certification of spices.
- Responsible for the overall development of Cardamom.
- Focuses on post-harvest improvement programs for improving the quality of the 52 scheduled spices for export.
- These programs are included under the head ‘Export Oriented Production’.
About CODEX
-
- The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an inter-governmental food standards body established jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 1963.
- Objective: Protecting consumer’s health and ensuring fair practices in food trade.
- The Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) recognizes Codex standards, guidelines, and recommendations as reference standards.
- Members:
- Currently, the CAC has 189 Codex Members made up of 188 Member Countries and the EU.
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- India became a member in 1964.
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CODEX Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs
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- CODEX committee (CCSCH) was formed in 2013 with the support of more than a hundred countries with India as the host country and the Spices Board as the Secretariat for organizing the committee sessions.
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- To consult with other International Organisations for the standards development process in the spice market.
- To develop and expand worldwide standards.
- Since its inception, the CODEX Committee has been on a positive path in developing harmonized global standards for worldly herbs and spices.
India’s push for Permissible ETO Limits
- Advocacy for Limits: India has advocated for the establishment of limits for ETO usage, recognizing the variance in regulations across different countries.
- CODEX, thus far, has not prescribed any limit for ETO usage, and India has submitted a proposal for standardizing ETO testing protocols.
- Focus on Safety: While acknowledging the carcinogenic nature of ETO when used excessively, efforts to prevent contamination have been intensified.
- Notably, India’s sample failure rate in spices exports is less than 1% in major markets, underscoring the industry’s commitment to quality and safety standards.
Spice Market of India:
- Production:
- Major producing states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- The production of different spices has been growing rapidly over the last few years. During 2022-23, the export of spices from India stood at US$ 3.73 billion from US$ 3.46 billion in 2021-22.
- India produces about 75 of the 109 varieties which are listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
- Major Produced and Exported Spices by India: Pepper, cardamom, chili, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, nutmeg & mace, curry powder, spice oils, and oleoresins.
- Out of these spices, chili, cumin, turmeric, ginger, and coriander make up about 76% of the total production.
- Export: In 2023-24, India’s spice exports totaled $4.25 billion, accounting for a 12% share of the global spice exports. (till February 2024 data).
- India exported spices and spice products to 159 destinations worldwide as of 2023-24. The top destinations among them were China, the USA, Bangladesh, the UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the UK, and Sri Lanka. (which comprises more than 70% of the total exports).
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PYQ:
[2019] Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?
(a) Spices
(b) Fresh fruits
(c) Pulses
(d) Vegetable oils |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Emerging Technologies
Mains level: e-Governance; AI; Regulatory sandboxes;
Why in the News?
Regulatory sandboxes are now widely used in many countries because they allow new ideas to be tested in a controlled and supervised environment.
What are Regulatory Sandboxes?
- A regulatory sandbox is a tool allowing businesses to explore and experiment with new and innovative products, services, or businesses under a regulator’s supervision. They are introduced in highly regulated Finance and Energy industries.
- This is also related to specific spheres or regulations, such as AI or GDPR, to promote responsible innovation/and or competition, address regulatory barriers to innovation, and advance regulatory learning.
Regulatory Sandboxes in the World:
- According to a World Bank study, more than 50 countries are currently experimenting with fintech sandboxes.
- Japan: Japan introduced in 2018 a sandbox regime open to organizations and companies including blockchain, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as in fields such as financial services, healthcare, and transportation.
- UK: A sandbox has been set up to explore new technologies such as voice biometrics and facial recognition technology, and the related data protection issues.
Significance of Regulatory Sandboxes:
- Provides Empirical Evidence: Regulators can acquire a better understanding of innovative products, which allows them to develop adequate rule-making, supervision, and enforcement policies.
- For example, in the banking industry, the sandbox may result in amending the rules on identity verification without a face-to-face meeting in certain circumstances.
- Controlled Environment: Regulatory sandboxes help innovators to develop a better understanding of supervisory expectations. Moreover, for innovators, testing in a controlled environment also mitigates the risks and unintended consequences when bringing a new technology to market, and can potentially reduce the time-to-market cycle for new products.
- Provides high Insights: It promotes higher insights on technical experiments by closely monitoring and evaluating the performance of emerging technologies, and generating valuable empirical evidence.
- Promotes Collaboration: Regulatory sandboxes foster collaboration between innovators and regulators. This partnership helps ensure that the development of new technologies aligns with regulatory standards and public interests.
- Benefits to the end consumer: Consumers benefit from the introduction of new and potentially safer products, as regulatory sandboxes foster innovation and consumer choice in the long run.
- Regulatory sandboxes can enhance access to funding for businesses by reducing information imbalances and regulatory costs.
Need to find a Middle path:
- Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Regulatory sandboxes allow for a balanced approach, where innovation is encouraged without completely foregoing necessary regulatory oversight. This balance is crucial to prevent stifling innovation while ensuring safety towards data security and compliance.
- Risk Mitigation and Ethical Development: The features where regulatory sandboxes encourage responsible innovation by mandating risk assessments and implementing safeguards need to be used efficiently.
What approach does India need to keep?
- Multifaceted Approach: India’s strategy should encompass economic ambitions, ethical considerations, job creation, industrial transformation, and societal welfare. This holistic approach ensures that AI development aligns with the country’s broader goals.
- Regulatory Sandbox as a Preparatory Step: Rather than immediately imposing stringent regulations, India should use regulatory sandboxes as a preparatory measure. This allows for the testing of AI applications in a controlled environment, generating insights that inform future regulatory frameworks.
- Adaptable and Progressive Legislation: India’s AI regulations should be flexible and adaptable, capable of evolving with technological advancements. This can be achieved by initially using sandboxes to test and refine regulatory approaches before formalizing them.
- Ethical and Cultural Alignment: AI development in India should align with the country’s cultural and ethical values. This ensures that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and ethically, respecting societal norms and expectations.
Conclusion: The EU has come up with an AI Act, the U.S. has released a white paper on the AI Bill of Rights, and the U.K. has a national AI Strategy. China is trying to regulate various aspects of AI like generative AI while Singapore is following an innovation-friendly approach. Therefore, in a Global Competitive race, we too need some regulations to harness AI’s vast potential.
Mains PYQ:
Q The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) hasinitiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss.(UPSC IAS/2020)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: IMF; Debt-to-GDP ratio;
Mains level: International Market and Economy; Fiscal Issues;
Why in the News?
SRI Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a new economic law to stabilize its debt-to-GDP ratio that will cover key targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- The debt-to-GDP ratio measures the proportion of a country’s national debt to its gross domestic product.
- According to the World Bank, the countries whose debt-to-GDP ratios exceed 77% for prolonged periods experience significant slowdowns in economic growth.
What are the IMF Targets?
-
- The IMF has various targets and initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth and prosperity for its member countries.
- It includes promoting financial stability, monetary cooperation, and transparency in economic policies to enhance productivity, job creation, and economic well-being.
-
-
- India has not taken any financial assistance from the IMF since 1993.
- India’s current quota in the IMF is SDR (Special Drawing Rights) 5,821.5 million, making it the 13th largest quota-holding country at IMF and giving it shareholdings of 2.44%.
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- The IMF targets Sri Lanka to reduce its debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to 95% by 2030.
- Another target set by the IMF is to reduce debt servicing costs to 4.5% of GDP. It means Sri Lanka needs to focus on managing the costs associated with servicing it’s debt obligations, aiming to make it more sustainable and manageable in the long term.
How will the debt-to-GDP ratio be reduced?
- Fiscal Discipline: Sri Lanka may need to implement measures to improve fiscal discipline, such as reducing government Expenditure, increasing Tax revenue, and narrowing Budget Deficits.
- Debt Restructuring: Sri Lanka can explore negotiating with creditors to extend debt maturities, reduce interest rates, or reprofile debt payments.
- Revenue Enhancement: The government could focus on enhancing revenue generation through tax reforms, improved tax administration, and efforts to broaden the tax base.
- Economic Growth: Promoting economic growth is essential for reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio over the long term. Sri Lanka could implement policies to stimulate investment, boost productivity, and enhance competitiveness, leading to higher GDP growth rates and a more sustainable debt trajectory.
What does India do presently to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio?
- Targeted Reduction: According to a research paper by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the government aims to lower the general government debt-GDP ratio to 73.4% by 2030-31. This target is approximately 5% points lower than the trajectory projected by the IMF, indicating ambitious yet achievable goals.
- Promotes Fiscal Space: The Indian Central Bank – RBI emphasized reducing debt burdens to free up fiscal space for new investments, particularly in critical areas like the green transition. This suggests a strategic focus on investing in sustainable and environmentally friendly initiatives.
- Aligning with IMF: The IMF projects a positive trend in India’s debt reduction efforts, forecasting a decline in government debt from 81% of GDP in 2022 to 80.5% in 2028. This indicates that India’s debt reduction measures are consistent with international expectations and standards.
Conclusion: Focus on enhancing revenue generation through Comprehensive Tax reforms, improved tax compliance, and efforts to broaden the tax base is needed. Secondly, rationalizing Tax revenues can provide additional resources to finance government expenditures without relying heavily on borrowing, thus reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio.
Mains PYQ:
Q The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandates are distinctly different. Elucidate. (UPSC IAS/2013)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: About NHRC;
Mains level: Human Rights; NHRC; Paris Principles;
Why in the News?
The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) was formally informed late last week that the deferral of its status would continue for a year more.
- The deferral was put in place by the Sub-committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) for a year, in 2023.
About the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC)
-
- The NHRC is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, of 1993.
- It is mandated to promote and protect Human Rights in India, investigate complaints of human rights violations, and take serious cognizance of human rights issues.
- The NHRC plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability and justice for victims of Human Rights abuses.
- It’s Deferral status:
-
- The deferral of NHRC’s status means that its accreditation is temporarily postponed, pending improvements in its compliance with the Paris Principles.
- The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) accredits National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) based on compliance with the Paris Principles, a set of international standards for NHRIs.
About Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI):
- The GANHRI is an international network that brings together National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from around the world.
- It was established in 1993 as the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
- In 2009, it was renamed GANHRI to better reflect its global scope and mission.
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How Indian NHRC is drifting away from the Paris Principles?
- Ideological Conflict: The mention of the ‘Manusmriti’ in the NHRC document sparked outrage among historically disadvantaged communities, who view it as a source of discrimination and violence they have endured during ancient times.
- The foundational values of ‘Equality’ in the Indian Constitution and Paris Principles conflict with Manusmriti’s ‘caste-division’ principles.
- In early 2017 also the NHRC was placed in the deferral category by the GANHRI, which was later lifted after a review.
- Significance of ‘A’ Status: NHRC had emphasized the significance of ‘A’ status accreditation in its public note on a previous occasion.
- ‘A’ status grants participation in the work and mechanisms of GANHRI, the Human Rights Council, and other UN mechanisms.
Way forward:
- Comprehensive Review: Conduct a thorough review of NHRC’s policies, practices, and organizational structure to identify areas of improvement and address deficiencies.
- Strengthen Compliance: Need to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles, including enhancing autonomy, independence, and effectiveness in addressing human rights violations.
Mains PYQ:
Q Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty. Analysing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures. (UPSC IAS/2021)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Diseases in the News;
Mains level: Health and Diseases in India;
Why in the News?
A tuberculosis patient receives treatment from a nurse (instead of a specialist) at a TB hospital in Guwahati.
What is meant by Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)?
- Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) that involves the lungs but may spread to other organs where it destroys body tissue. TB is a contagious disease that can infect anyone exposed to MTB.
- It constitutes a significant portion of the TB burden in India, accounting for more than 20% of cases.
Present status of Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) in India:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, there are over 10 million new cases of TB every year and India alone accounts for 27% of the global TB burden. However, the burden of EPTB is hard to estimate. EPTB is often stain-negative, which means it is not detectable on regular TB stain tests. |
The twin challenges of the Knowledge Gap:
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- Among Physicians: Many healthcare providers are unaware that TB can affect organs other than the lungs, such as the eyes and other immune-privileged sites.
- Among Patients: Nearly 1/5th of TB patients have EPTB. Most of them go undiagnosed, and the few who are diagnosed cannot benefit from care unless they visit a few specialist health facilities.
- Lack of Accurate Diagnostic and Treatment Criteria: There is a lack of accurate diagnostic criteria for EPTB, making it challenging to identify the disease correctly. Treatment protocols for EPTB are not well-established or widely known, complicating effective management.
- Although guidelines like INDEX-TB (a set of guidelines by WHO for EPTB management in India) have been formulated, their implementation has remained dormant.
- The current system for collecting EPTB data is fragmented, with specialist departments maintaining diverse data practices.
- National Patient Management Portals, such as Ni-kshay in India, have incomplete and missing data on EPTB patients.
Need to Prioritize Research and Development (R&D) for EPTB:
- Need to understand the infection mechanism deeply: A troubling aspect of EPTB infection is the prolonged presence of disease markers even after the infection is resolved with treatment.
- This phenomenon causes a lot of misery to persons with EPTB and is an active area of research.
- Prioritize Advanced Immunological Tools: Advanced Immunological Tools such as single-cell RNA sequencing, will be able to uncover the immune mechanisms for the disease.
- This will also help physicians to understand the treatment better, instead of going for long-duration anti-TB therapy (sometimes for even two years or more).
Mains PYQ:
Q Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without a Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NISAR and its features
Mains level: NA
Why in the News?
The ISRO Chief has confirmed that the NISAR Satellite would be able to monitor the Tectonic Movements of Earth with high precision with a centimeter accuracy.
- Originally planned for July, the NISAR launch may be delayed to October-November due to issues on the U.S. spacecraft side.
About NISAR Satellite:
- NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a joint satellite mission between NASA and ISRO.
- It would be a Low Earth Orbit observatory.
- This mission is aimed at enhancing our understanding of Earth’s natural processes and environmental changes.
Features of NISAR Satellite:
- L-band and S-band Radar Frequencies:
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- NASA is responsible for the L-band radar, while ISRO provides the S-band radar.
- This dual-band capability allows the satellite to monitor and measure Earth’s surface with high precision in all weather conditions and throughout both day and night.
- Large Deployable Antenna:
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- It is equipped with a large deployable antenna that measures 12 meters in diameter.
- This large antenna enhances the satellite’s ability to capture detailed radar images with high resolution.
- It will have a 39-foot stationary antenna reflector, made of a gold-plated wire mesh to focus radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed on the instrument structure.
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-
- NISAR is designed to scan the entire Earth every 12 days.
- This rapid revisiting is crucial for observing and understanding temporal changes in the environment, such as shifting vegetation patterns, ice dynamics, and other critical parameters.
- Versatile Monitoring Capabilities:
-
- It will monitor Earth’s ecosystems and dynamics, including forest biomass, ice sheet collapses, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
- Its radar system can penetrate vegetation and soil to provide three-dimensional reconstructions of structures and changes.
PYQ:
[2015] The term ‘IndARC’ sometimes seen in the news, is the name of?
(a) An indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence.
(b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim.
(c) A scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region.
(d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region. |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: IMEX-2024
Why in the News?
The Union Ministry of Tourism is actively engaging in IMEX, Frankfurt to position India as a premier MICE destination on the International stage.
Back2Basics: IMEX
- IMEX is an international trade show for the meetings, events, and incentive travel industry.
- It stands for “International Meeting Exchange” and is held annually in Frankfurt, Germany.
- It was established in the year 2001.
- IMEX provides a platform for professionals in the global events industry to network, conduct business, and gain insights into the latest trends and innovations in event planning and management.
- IMEX hosts two major annual events:
- IMEX America in Las Vegas and
- IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany.
- These events are significant for facilitating connections within the industry, offering extensive educational opportunities, and showcasing industry innovations.
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What is MICE Tourism?
- MICE Tourism refers to “Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions,” representing a sector of the travel industry specializing in the planning and booking of logistics for large and small-scale corporate events.
- Meetings: Involves small to large gatherings where business topics and are organized to discuss and exchange information.
- Incentives: Involves company-organized trips as rewards or incentives to employees or partners to motivate them or reward them for their performance.
- Conferences: These are large gatherings focused on particular topics, where participants discuss issues of mutual interest.
- Exhibitions: Also known as expos, these events are where businesses showcase and demonstrate their new products and services.
- This sector is highly valued for its contribution to the economic development of a region by bringing in significant numbers of visitors, who then utilize various services such as hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
India’s Focus on MICE Tourism:
- Addressing Seasonality: The Ministry of Tourism has identified MICE tourism as a niche sector to mitigate the issue of seasonality and promote India as a year-round destination for international travelers.
- Meet in India Initiative: Under the umbrella of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign, the Ministry has launched the ‘Meet in India’ sub-brand, aimed at showcasing India’s robust MICE infrastructure, connectivity, and diverse tourist attractions to a global audience.
Success Stories and Global Recognition:
- G20 Presidency Impact: India’s G20 Presidency witnessed over 200 meetings in 56 cities nationwide, showcasing the country’s strong MICE infrastructure and cultural heritage to the world.
- Enhanced Global Visibility: Through these initiatives, India has gained prominence as a premier global hub for MICE activities, attracting increased tourism and business opportunities both domestically and internationally.
- ICCA Ranking: India’s efforts have been recognized internationally, positioning the country at the 9th rank in the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) ranking of countries in the Asia Pacific region in 2022.
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PYQ:
[2017] The term ‘Digital Single Market Strategy’ seen in the news refers to-
(a) ASEAN
(b) BRICS
(c) EU
(d) G20 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mahi River and its tributaries; its source, catchment area; dams
Mains level: NA
Why in the News?
Incidences of people drowning down into the Mahi River have become more frequent.
About Mahi River
- The Mahi River originates in the Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh (hot semi-arid and watershed region), near Dhar.
- It flows northward through Madhya Pradesh before turning westward upon entering Rajasthan. It then moves southwest, passing through Gujarat, and eventually empties into the Arabian Sea.
- The river stretches for about 580 kilometers.
- Soil Type: The Mahi River Basin consists of Deep Black soil (southern region) and Alluvial soil (northern region).
- Major Tributaries: the Som, the Anas, the Panam, and the Goma.
- Major Dams: Kadana Dam and the Mahi Bajaj Sagar (Banswara) Dam are significant hydroelectric and irrigation projects on the Mahi River.
- Biodiversity: Supports diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species like the Indian Skimmer and Gharial.
Key Features:
- It is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills to the north and northwest, the Malwa Plateau to the east, the Vindhyas to the south, and the Gulf of Khambhat to the west.
- One of the most notable features of the Mahi River is its crossing of the Tropic of Cancer twice; once in Madhya Pradesh and again near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border.
PYQ:
[2017] With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements:
1. The source of river Teesta is the same as that of Brahmaputra but it flows through Sikkim.
2. River Rangeet originates in Sikkim and it is a tributary of river Teesta.
3. River Teesta falls into Bay of Bengal at the border of India and Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 |
With inputs from: https://indiawris.gov.in/downloads/Mahi%20Basin.pdf
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