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  • Disasters and Disaster Management – Sendai Framework, Floods, Cyclones, etc.

    The Human Cost of Disasters Report (2000-2019)

    IOCR | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Disaster Management

    The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) recently published its report titled “The Human Cost of Disasters”.

    The report holds much significance for prelims as well as mains. Just for the sake of information, we must be aware of the report.

    Highlights of the report

    • 7,348 major disaster events had occurred between 2000 and 2019, claiming 1.23 lives, affecting 4.2 billion people and costing the global economy some $2.97 trillion.
    • Of this, China (577 events) and the US (467 events) reported the highest number of disaster events followed by India (321 events).
    • Climate change is to be blamed for the doubling of natural disasters in the past 20 years says the report.
    • There had also been an increase in geophysical events like earthquakes and tsunamis that are not related to climate but are particularly deadly.

    Back2Basics: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

    • The UNDRR was established in 1999 as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
    • It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
    • It is mandated to serve as the focal point in the UN system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities.
    • It has a vision to substantially reduce disaster risk and losses for a sustainable future with the mandate to act as the custodian of the Sendai Framework to which India is a signatory.

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  • Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

    Next Generation Treasury Application (NGTA)

    | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    In a bid to improve its functioning, the RBI has decided to move to the Next Generation Treasury Application (NGTA) for managing the country’s foreign exchange and gold reserves.

    Aspirants must make a note here:

    1.Authority managing FOREX in India

    2.Components of FOREX

    3.IMF’s SDRs

    4.Emergency use of FOREX

    What is NGTA?

    • The NGTA, according to the RBI, would be a web-based application providing scalability, manoeuvrability and flexibility to introduce new products and securities, besides supporting multi-currency transactions and settlements.
    • It would be supporting various transactions in asset classes like Fixed Income (FI), Forex (FX), Money Market (MM) and Gold.
    • It would be used for managing the foreign exchange reserves in a more efficient way, mitigate risk, achieve operational efficiencies, dealing in various asset classes and reporting.

    Objectives of NGTA

    The objectives of the proposed system include:

    • dealing in various asset classes (like Fixed Income Securities, Forex, Money Market, Gold);
    • portfolio management; workflow management; reserve management;
    • integration with various third-party and in-house systems; and dashboards, reports, widgets.

    Features of NGTA

    • The NGTA shall automatically fetch all the relevant details of a security/contract from a trading platform.
    • It shall support all internationally accepted conventions pertaining today count, interest computation, holiday logic, shut period-dividend, ex-dividend, cash flows, and odd coupon.
    • With respect to transactions in gold, the NGTA shall support purchase, sale, deposit (including rollover and premature withdrawal).
    • On maturity of a gold deposit, there can be exact, under or over delivery.

    Back2Basics: Forex Reserves

    • Reserve Bank of India Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 set the legal provisions for governing the foreign exchange reserves.
    • RBI accumulates foreign currency reserves by purchasing from authorized dealers in open market operations.
    • The Forex reserves of India consist of below four categories:
    1. Foreign Currency Assets
    2. Gold
    3. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)
    4. Reserve Tranche Position
    • The IMF says official Forex reserves are held in support of a range of objectives like supporting and maintaining confidence in the policies for monetary and exchange rate management including the capacity to intervene in support of the national or union currency.
    • It will also limit external vulnerability by maintaining foreign currency liquidity to absorb shocks during times of crisis or when access to borrowing is curtailed.

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  • Contention over South China Sea

    Places in news: Taiwan Strait

    National Parks/WS | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood – Relations

    A U.S. warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait in what the American military described as a “routine” passage on but enraging China, which claims sovereignty over the island and surrounding seas.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Which one of the following can one come across if one travels through the Strait of Malacca?

    (a) Bali

    (b) Brunei

    (c) Java

    (d) Singapore

    Taiwan Strait

    • The Taiwan Strait, also known as the Formosa Strait, is a 180 km wide strait separating Taiwan and mainland China.
    • The strait is currently part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea to the north. The narrowest part is 130 km wide.
    • The entire strait is on Asia’s continental shelf.
    • Historically both the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan espoused a One-China Policy that considered the strait part of the exclusive economic zone of a single “China”.

    Tap to read more about One China Policy at:

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  • Intellectual Property Rights in India

    [pib] KAPILA Program

    PIB | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Intellectual Property Rights

    Union Education Ministry has launched ‘KAPILA’ Kalam Program for IP Literacy and Awareness Education campaign to bring awareness towards the patenting of inventions.

    Remember one thing, ‘KAPILA’ Program is related to IP awareness. It sounds much like an animal husbandry related initiative.

    ‘KAPILA’ Program

    • KAPILA is an acronym for Kalam Program for IP (Intellectual Property) Literacy and Awareness.
    • Under this campaign, students pursuing education in higher educational institutions will get information about the correct system of the application process for patenting their invention and they will be aware of their rights.
    • The program will facilitate the colleges and institutions to encourage more and more students to file patents.

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  • Electronic System Design and Manufacturing Sector – M-SIPS, National Policy on Electronics, etc.

    Issues in the Phased Manufacturing Policy

    | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    The Production Linked Incentive Scheme, though ambitious in its goal suffers from several fundamental issues. The article discuses such issues.

    Background of the Phased Manufacturing Policy

    • The Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) incentivised the manufacture of low value accessories initially, and then moved on to the manufacture of higher value components.
    • This was done by increasing the basic customs duty on the imports of these accessories or components.
    • The PMP was implemented with an aim to improve value addition in the country.
    • Recently, 16 firms in the mobile manufacturing sector were approved for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to transform India into a major mobile manufacturing hub.
    • The PLI comes on the back of a phased manufacturing programme (PMP) that began in 2016-17.

    Issues to consider

    1) More imports and less value addition in India

    • Firms such as Apple, Xiaomi, Oppo, and OnePlus have invested in India, but mostly through their contract manufacturers.
    • As a result, production increased from $13.4 billion in 2016-17 to $31.7 billion in 2019-20.
    • But factory-level production data from the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) shows that more than 85% of the inputs were imported.
    • UN data for India, China, Vietnam, Korea and Singapore (2017-2019), show that except for India, all countries exported more mobile phone parts than imports.
    • More export than import by these countries indicate the presence of facilities that add value to these parts before exporting them.
    • India, on the other hand, imported more than it exported.
    • Therefore, while the PMP policy increased the value of domestic production, improvement in local value addition remains low.
    • The new PLI policy offers an incentive subject to thresholds of incremental investment and sales of manufactured goods.
    • Thus, focus remains on increasing value of domestic production, and not local value addition.

    2) Shift from China unlikely

    • India produced around 29 crore units of mobile phones for the year 2018-19; 94% of these were sold in the domestic market.
    • This implies that much of the incremental production and sales under the PLI policy will have to be for the export market.
    • Recently, a study by Ernst & Young showed that if the cost of production of a mobile phone is say 100 (without subsidies), then the effective cost (with subsidies and other benefits) of manufacturing mobile phone in China is 79.55, Vietnam, 89.05, and India (including PLI), 92.51.
    • So, it may be premature to expect a major chunk of mobile manufacturing to shift from China to India.

    3) PLI doesn’t strengthen the current export competitiveness

    • India’s mobile phone exports grew from $1.6 billion in 2018-19 to $3.8 billion in 2019-20, but per unit value declined from $91.1 to $87, respectively.
    • This shows that our export competitiveness seems to be in mobiles with lower selling price.
    • However, for foreign firms chosen under the PLI policy, the incentive will be at and above ₹15,000 ($204.65).
    • So, it is clear that the PLI policy does not strengthen our current export competitiveness in mobile phones.

    4) Absence of domestic firms

    • Domestic firms have been nearly wiped out from the Indian market.
    • So, their ability to take advantage of the PLI policy and grab a sizeable domestic market share seems difficult.
    • Domestic firms may have the route of exporting cheaper mobile phones to other low-income countries.
    • However, their performance in the last couple of years has not been promising.

    5) Importance of supply chain colocation

    • The six component firms that have been given approval under the ‘specified electronic components segment’do not complete the mobile manufacturing ecosystem.
    • For example, when Samsung set up shop in Vietnam, it relied heavily on its Korean suppliers which co-located with it to produce intermediate inputs, so much so that 63 among Samsung’s 67 suppliers then were foreign.
    •  Though Samsung is invested hugely in India, it has not colocated its supply chain in the country.
    • So, the foreign firms chosen under the PLI policy should be encouraged to colocate their supply ecosystems in the country.

    6) Complaint at WTO against PMP

    • In September 2019, Chinese Taipei contested the raise in tariffs under the PMP.
    • If the PMP is found to be World Trade Organization (WTO) non-compliant, then we may be flooded with imports of mobile phones.
    • This might make the local assembly of mobile phones unattractive.
    • This will affect the operations of the mobile investments done under the PMP.

    Conclusion

    The PMP policy, since 2016-17 has barely been helpful in raising domestic value addition in the industry even though value of production expanded considerably.

    B2BASICS

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  • Economic Indicators and Various Reports On It- GDP, FD, EODB, WIR etc

    What is Debt-to-GDP Ratio?

    | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    India’s public debt ratio, which remarkably remained stable at about 70% of the GDP since 1991, is projected to jump by 17 percentage points to almost 90% a/c to IMF.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Consider the following statements:

    1. Most of India’s external debt is owed by governmental entities.
    2. All of India’s external debt is denominated in US dollars.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Why such a spike?

    • The increase in public spending, in response to COVID-19, and the fall in tax revenue and economic activity, will make public debt jump by 17 percentage points to almost 90% of GDP.

    What is Debt-to-GDP Ratio?

    • The Debt-to-GDP ratio is the ratio between a country’s government debt and its gross domestic product (GDP).
    • It measures the financial leverage of an economy.
    • A country able to continue paying interest on its debt-without refinancing, and without hampering economic growth, is generally considered to be stable.
    • A country with a high debt-to-GDP ratio typically has trouble paying off external debts (also called “public debts”), which are any balances owed to outside lenders.
    • In such scenarios, creditors are apt to seek higher interest rates when lending. Extravagantly high debt-to-GDP ratios may deter creditors from lending money altogether.
    • A low debt-to-GDP ratio indicates an economy that produces and sells goods and services sufficient to pay back debts without incurring further debt.
    • Geopolitical and economic considerations – including interest rates, war, recessions, and other variables – influence the borrowing practices of a nation and the choice to incur further debt.

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  • Hunger and Nutrition Issues – GHI, GNI, etc.

    [pib] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

    IOCRPIB | International Relations | Mains Paper 1: Poverty & Development Issues

    On the occasion of 75th Anniversary of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on 16th October 2020, PM has released a commemorative coin of Rs 75.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?

    1. To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity.
    2. To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities.
    3. To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such identified GIAHS Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    About FAO

    • It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
    • It was founded in October 1945 and is headquartered in Rome.
    • It maintains regional and field offices around the world, operating in over 130 countries.
    • It also conducts research, provides technical assistance to projects, operates educational and training programs, and collects data on agricultural output, production, and development.
    • Composed of 197 member states, the FAO is governed by a biennial conference representing each member country and the European Union, which elects a 49-member executive council.
    • The Director-General serves as the chief administrative officer.

    India and FAO

    • India has had a historic association with FAO.
    • Indian Civil Service Officer Dr Binay Ranjan Sen was the Director-General of FAO during 1956-1967.
    • The World Food Programme, which has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2020, was established during his time.
    • India’s proposals for the International Year of Pulses in 2016 and the International Year of Millets 2023 have also been endorsed by FAO.

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  • Primary and Secondary Education – RTE, Education Policy, SEQI, RMSA, Committee Reports, etc.

    [pib] STARS Project

    PIB | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    The Union Cabinet has approved the sum of Rs. 5718 crore for the World Bank aided project STARS.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q. The STARS Project recently seen in news is an initiative of:

    World Bank/ Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation / UNECOSOC/ UNICEF

    STARS Project

    • ‘STARS’ is an acronym for Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS).
    • The STARS project will be implemented through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, the flagship central scheme.
    • The six states include- Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Rajasthan.
    • It will help improve learning assessment systems, strengthen classroom instruction and remediation, facilitate school-to-work transition, and strengthen governance and decentralized management,
    • Some 250 million students (between the age of 6 and 17) in 1.5 million schools and over 10 million teachers will benefit from the STARS program.
    • STARS will support India’s renewed focus on addressing the ‘learning outcome’ challenge and help students better prepare for the jobs of the future – through a series of reform initiatives.

    Major components of the STARS

    1)      At the national level, the project envisages the following interventions which will benefit all states and UTs:

    • To strengthen MOE’s national data systems to capture robust and authentic data on retention, transition and completion rates of students.
    • To support MOE in improving states PGI scores by incentivizing states governance reform agenda through SIG (State Incentive Grants).
    • To support the strengthening of learning assessment systems.
    • To support MOE’s efforts to establish a National Assessment Center (PARAKH).

    2)       At the State level, the project envisages: 

    • Strengthening Early Childhood Education and Foundational Learning
    • Improving Learning Assessment Systems
    • Strengthening classroom instruction and remediation through teacher development and school leadership
    • Governance and Decentralized Management for Improved Service Delivery.
    • Strengthening Vocational education in schools through mainstreaming, career guidance and counselling, internships and coverage of out of school children

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  • Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

    [pib] Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna

    PIB | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Union Health Ministry has launched the second phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna” for underprivileged Thalassemic patients.

    Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna

    • This scheme was launched in 2017 under the Coal India CSR funded Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) program.
    • It aims to provide a one-time cure opportunity for Haemoglobinopathies like Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Disease for patients who have a matched family donor.
    • The initiative was targeted to provide financial assistance to a total of 200 patients by providing a package cost not exceeding Rs. 10 lakhs per HSCT.

    What is Thalassemia?

    • Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by less oxygen-carrying protein (haemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in the body than normal.
    • When there isn’t enough haemoglobin, the body’s red blood cells don’t function properly and they last shorter periods of time, so there are fewer healthy red blood cells travelling in the bloodstream.
    • Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, paleness and slow growth.
    • Mild forms may not need treatment. Severe forms may require blood transfusions or a donor stem-cell transplant.

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  • Monetary Policy Committee Notifications

    The RBI tunes in to the economy

    op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    The article analyses the recent changes signalled by the RBI in its policymaking.

    Changes in the economic policymaking

    • Recently the U.S. Fed declared that the Fed will not let inflation stand in the way of maximising employment.
    • The reason for this was that the Phillips Curve, the relationship between inflation and unemployment, may no longer hold in the U.S. economy.
    • This is significant, given that the Anglo-American economics has been dominated by Phillips Curve.

    Why there was need for change in inflation targeting

    • Data show that the model that currently guides India’s inflation control strategy may be quite irrelevant.
    • This is seen in the recent behaviour of inflation.
    • We know that output contracted by more than 23% in the first quarter of this year.
    • Despite this staggering decline the inflation rate did not change,
    • This was contrary to experience that inflation reflects an ‘over heating’ economy, one growing too fast in relation to its potential.
    • This view represents the RBI’s official understanding of inflation, and presumably forms the basis of its policy of inflation targeting.
    • It was endorsed by the Government of India when it legislated the modern monetary policy framework to enable the RBI to pursue inflation targeting.
    • If the Phillips Curve, which the RBI’s approach internalises, exists, inflation should have decreased as India’s economy contracted during the lockdown.
    • The current inflation targeting mechanism had been imagined with developing economies in mind.
    • Inflation targeting mechanism is based on the idea that food prices are an important determinant of inflation along with imported inflation.
    • Accordingly, a macroeconomic contraction need not lower inflation.

    Role of food prices in India

    • A recent working paper of the RBI’s research department suggested that a more eclectic model than the one that underlies inflation targeting does a better job of forecasting inflation in India.
    • This model accepts a role for food prices, a possibility that is missed when embracing economic models developed in the western hemisphere, where food prices have stopped trending upwards over half a century ago.

    Conclusion

    The RBI shifting away from its rigid inflation targeting policy is in tune with the time and signals that the central bank is finally alive to India’s economy.

    Back2Basics: What is Philips Curve?

    • The Phillips curve is an economic concept, stating that inflation and unemployment have a stable and inverse relationship.
    • The theory claims that with economic growth comes inflation, which in turn should lead to more jobs and less unemployment.
    • However, the original concept has been somewhat disproven empirically due to the occurrence of stagflation in the 1970s, when there were high levels of both inflation and unemployment.

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