Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Seventh Schedule, NEET
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The conflict between Tamil Nadu and the Centre over the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) has intensified.
- It has reignited discussions about the transfer of education back to the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Why in news?
- Educational Autonomy: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called for education’s transfer back to the State List, originally placed in the Concurrent List during the Emergency.
- NEET Controversy: Tamil Nadu’s opposition to NEET escalated dramatically after the tragic suicides of a student and his father due to exam-related stress.
Why Tamil Nadu Opposes NEET?
- Undue competition: NEET, a centralised entrance exam for medical courses, faces opposition in Tamil Nadu due to its mechanical focus on marks.
- Impact on Local Models: NEET disrupted models like Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, known for emphasizing aptitude over marks.
- In-Service Quota Impact: NEET dismantled Tamil Nadu’s in-service quota for medical graduates, adversely affecting healthcare quality.
- Disadvantages Marginalized: The exam favours affluent sections who affords lakhs worth coaching (esp. repeaters), disadvantaging underprivileged groups and hindering their aspirations.
Emotive Nature of the Issue
- Equity and Social Justice: Opposition to NEET is deeply rooted in demands for educational equity and autonomy, driven by social justice concerns.
- Kamaraj’s Vision: Tamil Nadu’s education vision, shaped by Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, emphasized accessibility and empathy for unlettered masses.
Legislative Struggles
- AIADMK Bills: The previous AIADMK government introduced Bills in 2017 seeking state autonomy in medical admissions. They were returned by the President.
- Stalin’s Efforts: In 2021, CM M.K. Stalin’s government passed the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021, aiming to abolish NEET and base admissions on Class 12 marks for social justice.
- Governor’s Opposition: Governor R.N. Ravi, opposed to the anti-NEET Bill, delayed its forwarding to the President, leading to political tensions.
Justice A.K. Rajan Committee
- Committee Formation: The Justice A.K. Rajan Committee was established in 2021 to assess NEET’s fairness in medical admissions.
- Critical Findings- Rich vs. Poor: The committee criticized NEET for favouring repeaters and coached students while disadvantaging first-time applicants, leading to reduced admissions among marginalized groups.
Why is TN now fuming?
- Concurrent List: Medical course admissions fall under the Concurrent List (Entry 25), allowing states to legislate on these matters.
- Amending Central Laws: States can enact laws related to admissions and amend central laws on admission procedures, as long as they don’t contradict parliamentary laws.
Current Scenario
- Historic Public Health Practices: Tamil Nadu’s public health infrastructure thrived on retaining PG doctors, indicating the state’s effective healthcare practices.
- Balancing Uniformity and Fairness: The NEET stalemate reflects the challenge of balancing uniformity with local values and needs.
- Clash of Values: The conflict highlights the broader tension between central standardization and local autonomy, revealing deeper debates about democracy, equality, and social justice in India.
Conclusion
- The NEET controversy in Tamil Nadu is not merely about an entrance exam; it represents a larger struggle for educational equity, autonomy, and social justice.
- The state’s commitment to its unique vision of education and healthcare clashes with central standardization, sparking a crucial dialogue about the nature of democracy and fairness in the country.
Back2Basics: Seventh Schedule
- The Seventh Schedule under Article 246 of the Indian Constitution is a pivotal component that delineates the allocation of powers between the central government and the states.
- This framework ensures an efficient governance structure by classifying subjects into three lists:
- Union List: The Union List outlines subjects on which only the Parliament can legislate. This list includes crucial aspects like defense, foreign affairs, currency, communication, and more.
- State List: The State List enumerates matters solely under the jurisdiction of state legislatures. It encompasses areas such as public health, agriculture, police, local government, and others.
- Concurrent List: The Concurrent List incorporates subjects on which both Parliament and state legislatures can enact laws. However, in case of a conflict, federal supremacy grants authority to the Parliament’s law.
Evolution and Dynamics
- Over time, the Union List expanded to encompass significant areas such as defense, banking, and foreign affairs.
- The State List’s scope included subjects like public order, police, and agriculture, critical for regional governance.
- The Concurrent List reflects matters of shared importance like criminal law, civil procedure, population control, and more.
Amendments and Special Provisions:
- 42nd Amendment Act (1976): It transferred select subjects like education, forests, and administration of justice from the State List to the Concurrent List.
- 101st Amendment Act (2018): It introduced a special provision for Goods and Services Tax (GST), allowing both Parliament and state legislatures to make laws regarding GST.
Power Distribution and Conflict Resolution:
- Parliament’s jurisdiction prevails over the State List and the Concurrent List in cases of overlap.
- In cases of overlap between the Union List and the State List, the Union List takes precedence.
- If there’s a conflict between the Union List and the Concurrent List, the Union List prevails.
- In situations of conflict between central and state laws on a Concurrent List subject, central law prevails. An exception exists if the state law has the president’s assent.
Consultative Approaches
- Sarkaria Commission (1983) recommended maintaining the existing list allocation, emphasizing the absence of a strong case for transferring items from the Concurrent List to the State List.
- Venkatachaliah Commission (2002) underscored the lack of a formal institution requiring consultation between the Union and states while legislating under the Concurrent List.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GM crops and recent developments
Mains level: Gene-edited mustard and its advantages
What’s the news?
- Scientists have used gene editing to create mustard plants with lower glucosinolate levels in seeds, improving their suitability for cooking oil and animal feed, potentially reducing India’s reliance on imported vegetable oils.
Central idea
- India’s domestically grown oilseeds, like rapeseed and mustard, provide cooking oil and protein-rich livestock meals. However, the pungent flavor from high glucosinolate levels limits consumer appeal, and an unpalatable meal poses livestock challenges. A genetic breakthrough offers hope, potentially transforming mustard’s applications.
Rapeseed-Mustard: A Key Crop
- Rapeseed-mustard plays a vital role in India’s oilseed landscape, accounting for 42.6% of vegetable oil production and 30.3% of meal production, second only to soyabean.
- Glucosinolates in mustard seeds contribute to the characteristic pungency of their oil and meal.
What is glucosinolate?
- Glucosinolates are a group of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds found in plants, including rapeseed-mustard.
- These compounds contribute to the distinctive pungent taste and aroma of mustard seeds and other cruciferous vegetables.
- The glucosinolates in mustard seeds are responsible for their characteristic flavor but can also limit their acceptability for consumption and livestock feed due to their strong taste and potential negative effects on animals.
The Distinction Between GE and GM Crops
- Genetically Modified (GM) Crops:
- Contain foreign genes from other species, such as Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria in cotton or Bar-Barnase-Barstar in GM hybrid mustard.
- Subject to stringent environmental release regulations in India, requiring clearance from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment.
- GEAC’s approval is not solely binding; final authorization comes from the Union Government.
- Genetically Edited (GE) Crops:
- Are transgene-free or non-GM, containing no foreign genes.
- The Cas9 enzyme, used for gene editing, is eliminated in subsequent generations, resulting in transgene-free lines.
- Benefit from an exemption provided by the MoEFCC on the requirement for GEAC approval for open field trials of GE plants free of exogenous introduced DNA.
- Approval is now necessary at the level of an Institutional Bio-Safety Committee (IBSC) comprising scientists engaged in GE crop development and the DBT.
A Breakthrough in Gene Editing
- Researchers, including those at Delhi University and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, have employed CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to address the glucosinolate issue.
- They edited 10 out of 12 GTR genes in the Varuna mustard variety, significantly reducing glucosinolate content in seeds while maintaining higher levels in leaves and pod walls.
- This editing also improved resistance to fungal pathogens and insect pests, enhancing the plant’s defense mechanisms.
Significance of this development
- Reducing Edible Oil Imports: India’s significant dependence on edible oil imports, valued at $20.84 billion (Rs 167,270 crore) for the FY ending March 2023, underscores the need to curb foreign exchange outflow and enhance domestic production.
- Addressing Economic Strain: The extensive import value strains India’s trade balance and foreign exchange reserves, making it imperative to boost self-reliance in edible oil production.
- Promoting Agricultural Self-Sufficiency: This development aligns with India’s goal of achieving greater agricultural self-sufficiency by reducing reliance on imports and enhancing domestic oilseed production.
- Impact on Oilseed Crops: Mustard and soyabean, cultivated across 9 million and 12.5 million hectares, respectively, are key to India’s oilseed sector. Mustard’s higher oil-extractable content of 38% accentuates its significance.
- Nutritional and Livestock Benefits: Mustard’s improved suitability for culinary and animal feed purposes positively impacts both human nutrition and the livestock sector.
- Scientific Innovation: The creation of genetically edited (GE) low-seed, high-leaf glucosinolate mustard lines and GM hybrid mustard showcases India’s scientific capabilities and innovation in agriculture.
- Enhanced Food Security: By augmenting domestic oilseed production and quality, this development contributes to India’s food security and reduces its vulnerability to global market fluctuations.
Conclusion
- The genetic breakthrough in editing mustard genes offers potential to revolutionize India’s oilseed sector. By lowering seed glucosinolate levels and maintaining higher leaf levels, it improves culinary and feed suitability. As the GE variety undergoes trials, it addresses oil seed production, import reliance, and self-sufficiency needs.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: India's remarkable poverty alleviation journey, factors behind, persisting challenges and way forward
What’s the news?
- On the 77th Independence Day of our nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the historic Red Fort in Delhi, heralding a remarkable achievement in the fight against poverty.
Central idea
- The Prime Minister’s announcement highlighted the lifting of 135 million people from poverty in five years, as confirmed by the MDPI from NITI Aayog. This aligns with UNDP’s estimate of 415 million lifted out of poverty between 2005–06 to 2019–21, a commendable milestone in India’s history.
Remarkable Achievements in the Fight Against Poverty
- 135 Million Uplifted: Between 2015-16 and 2019-21, 135 million people were lifted out of poverty.
- 415 Million Escaped Poverty: From 2005–06 to 2019–21, India lifted 415 million people out of poverty (MDPI).
- Extreme Poverty Reduced: Extreme poverty decreased from over 80% to around 15% based on the MDPI.
- Leading Rice Exporter: Successful policies resulted in India becoming the largest exporter of rice.
- Top Producer of Milk and Cotton: India emerged as the largest producer of milk (222 MT) and cotton (39 million bales).
- Infant Mortality Decreased: Infant mortality decreased significantly from 57% in 2005–06 to 35% in 2019–21.
Factors Behind This Achievement
- Economic Policy Transition (1991): The shift to a market-oriented economy in 1991 generated substantial resources for poverty reduction.
- Strategic Government Initiatives: Targeted policies like the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana directly impact poverty reduction by providing essential commodities.
- Education and Skill Development: Prioritizing education and skill enhancement empowers individuals, grants access to improved livelihood opportunities, and contributes to child nutrition.
- Agricultural Reforms (Green Revolution): Innovations like the Green Revolution augmented rural incomes, lifting communities out of poverty by enhancing agricultural productivity.
- Women’s Empowerment: Focusing on women’s education and participation correlates with positive effects on family welfare and economic growth, as exemplified by proposals to train women in self-help groups for drone operation.
- Technological Advancements: Technological breakthroughs have streamlined service delivery, as seen in the provision of commodities through the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana and enhanced agricultural productivity via the gene revolution in cotton.
- Global Integration: Embracing globalization and trade expanded economic horizons, fostering growth, job creation, and effective poverty reduction.
- Resilience and Adaptability: Society’s adaptability to changing economic conditions bolstered resilience against poverty, preventing further economic deterioration.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between the government and the private sector magnified poverty reduction efforts, as evident from Punjab Agricultural University’s role in the Green Revolution.
- Civil Society Participation: Non-governmental organizations and civil society groups complemented government initiatives, actively contributing to poverty alleviation and service delivery.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data to identify poverty pockets and target interventions precisely enhances the efficacy of poverty reduction strategies.
- Foreign Exchange Reserves: India’s growth in foreign exchange reserves from $1.4 billion in July 1991 to approximately $600 billion bolstered the economy against external shocks, enhancing its ability to sustain poverty alleviation efforts.
Challenges and Concerns
- Child malnutrition: Despite progress, 32% of children are underweight and 35% are stunted, according to the NFHS-5.
- Climate Change Impact: Increasing extreme weather events due to climate change pose a threat to food security and poverty alleviation.
- Gender Gap in the Labor Force: Women’s participation rate in the labor force remains low at around 30% (2021–22).
- Quality Education Gap: Ensuring quality education and skill formation for women beyond the 12th grade is a challenge.
- Access to Nutritious Food: Ensuring equitable access to nutritious food, especially for vulnerable populations, is a challenge.
Way Forward: A Blueprint for Transformation
- Education Empowerment: Strengthen education programs beyond the 12th grade, providing quality education and skill formation for women to enhance their contribution to poverty reduction.
- Enhanced Gender Participation: Implement measures to boost women’s participation in the labor force, aiming to bridge the gender gap and empower women economically.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Prioritize sustainable agricultural practices that address climate change challenges, ensuring food security and rural income stability.
- Nutrition Interventions: Develop targeted interventions to address child malnutrition, focusing on reducing underweight and stunting rates among children under five.
- Data-Driven Approach: Continuously utilize accurate and comprehensive data to inform policy decisions, ensuring effective poverty alleviation strategies.
Conclusion
- India’s remarkable poverty alleviation journey reflects recent unparalleled progress. Leveraging inclusive growth, women’s education, and agricultural innovation can drive lasting transformation. Safeguarding against climate change and enhancing food systems can pave the way for a prosperous and equitable future.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Generative AI Models in News
Mains level: Generative AI revolution, advantages, concerns and measures
What’s the news?
- The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) presents a world of possibilities and challenges.
Central idea
- The rapid rise of generative AI is reshaping our world with technological wonders and societal shifts. LLMs like ChatGPT promise economic growth and transformative services like universal translation but also raise concerns about AI’s ability to generate convincingly deceptive content.
What is generative AI?
- Like other forms of artificial intelligence, generative AI learns how to take actions based on past data.
- It creates brand new content—a text, an image, even computer code—based on that training instead of simply categorizing or identifying data like other AI.
- The most famous generative AI application is ChatGPT, a chatbot that Microsoft-backed OpenAI released late last year.
- The AI powering it is known as a large language model because it takes in a text prompt and, from that, writes a human-like response.
What are large language models (LLMs)?
- Large Language Models (LLMs) are advanced AI systems designed to understand and generate human-like language.
- They use vast amounts of data to learn patterns and relationships in language, enabling them to answer questions, create text, translate languages, and perform various language tasks.
Potential of large language models
- Economic Transformation: LLMs are predicted to contribute $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy.
- Enhanced Communication: LLMs redefine human-machine interaction, allowing for more natural and nuanced communication.
- Information Democratization: Initiatives like the Jugalbandi Chatbot exemplify LLMs’ power by making information accessible across language barriers.
- Industry Disruption: LLMs can transform various industries. For example, content creation, customer service, translation, and data analysis can benefit from their capabilities.
- Efficiency Gains: Automation of language tasks leads to efficiency improvements. This enables businesses to allocate resources to higher-value activities.
- Educational Support: LLMs hold educational potential. They can provide personalized tutoring, answer queries, and create engaging learning materials.
- Medical Advances: LLMs assist medical professionals in tasks such as data analysis, research, and even diagnosing conditions. This could significantly impact healthcare delivery.
- Entertainment and Creativity: LLMs contribute to generating creative content, enhancing sectors like entertainment and creative industries.
- Positive Societal Impact: LLMs have the potential to improve accessibility, foster innovation, and address various societal challenges.
Case study: Jugalbandi Chatbot
- Overview: The Jugalbandi Chatbot, powered by ChatGPT technology, is an ongoing pilot initiative in rural India that addresses language barriers through AI-powered translation.
- Universal Translator: The chatbot’s core function is to act as a universal translator. It enables users to submit queries in local languages, which are then translated into English to retrieve relevant information.
- Accuracy Challenge: The chatbot’s success relies on accurate translation and information delivery. Inaccuracies could perpetuate misinformation.
- Ethical Considerations: Ensuring accuracy and minimizing biases in translation is crucial to avoid spreading misconceptions or causing harm.
- Cultural Sensitivity: The initiative highlights the need for culturally sensitive deployment of advanced AI technology in diverse linguistic contexts.
- Positive Transformation: Jugalbandi Chatbot showcases the potential benefits of leveraging AI for bridging language gaps and providing underserved communities with access to information.
- Complexities and Impact: As the pilot progresses, its effectiveness and impact will become clearer, shedding light on the complexities and possibilities of utilizing AI to address real-world challenges.
Concerns associated with large language models
- Misinformation Propagation: LLMs can be harnessed to spread misinformation and disinformation, leading to the potential for public confusion and harm.
- Bias Amplification: Biases present in training data may be perpetuated by LLMs, exacerbating societal inequalities and prejudices in generated content.
- Privacy Risks: LLMs could inadvertently generate content that reveals sensitive personal information, posing privacy concerns.
- Deepfake Generation: The capability of LLMs to create convincing deepfakes raises worries about identity theft, impersonation, and the erosion of trust in digital content.
- Content Authenticity: LLMs’ production of sophisticated fake content challenges the authenticity of online information and poses challenges for content verification.
- Ethical Considerations: The development of AI entities indistinguishable from humans raises ethical questions about transparency, consent, and responsible AI use.
- Regulatory Complexity: The rapid progress of LLMs complicates regulatory efforts, necessitating adaptive frameworks to manage potential risks and abuses.
- Security Vulnerabilities: Malicious actors could exploit LLMs for cyberattacks, fraud, and other forms of digital manipulation, posing security risks.
- Employment Disruption: The widespread adoption of LLMs might lead to job displacement, particularly in sectors reliant on language-related tasks.
- Social Polarization: LLMs could exacerbate social polarization by facilitating the dissemination of polarizing content and echo chamber effects.
What is the identity assurance framework?
- The identity assurance framework is a structured approach designed to establish trust and authenticity in digital interactions by verifying the identities of entities involved, such as individuals, bots, or businesses.
- It aims to address concerns related to privacy, security, and the potential for deception in the digital realm.
- The framework ensures that parties engaging in online activities can have confidence in each other’s claimed identities while maintaining privacy and security.
- The key features:
- Trust Establishment: The primary objective of the identity assurance framework is to foster trust between parties participating in digital interactions.
- Open and Flexible: The framework is designed to be open to various types of identity credentials. It does not adhere to a single technology or standard, allowing it to adapt to the evolving landscape of digital identities.
- Privacy Considerations: Privacy is a core concern within this framework. It employs mechanisms such as digital wallets that permit selective disclosure of identity information.
- Digital Identity Initiatives: The framework draws from ongoing digital identity initiatives across countries. For example, India’s Aadhaar and the EU’s identity standard serve as potential building blocks for establishing online identity assurance safeguards.
- Leadership and Adoption: Countries that are at the forefront of digital identity initiatives, like India with Aadhaar, are well-positioned to shape and adopt the framework. However, full-scale user adoption is expected to be a gradual process.
- Balancing Values and Risks: The identity assurance framework acknowledges the delicate balance between competing values such as privacy, security, and accountability. It aims to strike a balance that accommodates different nations priorities and risk tolerances.
- Information Integrity: The framework extends its principles to information integrity. It validates the authenticity of information sources, content integrity, and even the validity of information, which can be achieved through automated fact-checking and reviews.
- Global Responsibility and Collaboration: The onus of ensuring safe AI deployment lies with global leaders. This requires collaboration among governments, companies, and stakeholders to build and enforce a trust-based framework.
Way Forward
- Identity Assurance Framework:
- Establish an identity assurance framework to verify the authenticity of entities engaged in digital interactions.
- Ensure trust between parties by confirming their claimed identities, encompassing humans, bots, and businesses.
- Utilize digital wallets to enable selective disclosure of identity information while safeguarding privacy.
- Open Standards and Adaptability:
- Design the identity assurance framework to be technology-agnostic and adaptable.
- Allow the integration of diverse digital identity credential types and emerging technologies.
- Digital Identity Initiatives:
- Leverage ongoing digital identity initiatives in various countries, such as India’s Aadhaar and the EU’s identity standard.
- Incorporate these initiatives to form the foundation of the identity assurance framework.
- Privacy Protection and Selective Disclosure:
- Prioritize privacy by using mechanisms like digital wallets to facilitate controlled disclosure of identity information.
- Empower individuals to share specific attributes while minimizing unnecessary exposure.
- Global Collaboration and Leadership:
- Encourage collaboration among global leaders, governments, technology companies, researchers, and policymakers.
- Establish a collaborative effort to ensure the responsible deployment of AI technologies.
- Balancing Values and Risks:
- Address tensions between privacy, security, accountability, and freedom.
- Develop a balanced approach that respects civil liberties while ensuring security and accountability.
- Information Integrity:
- Extend the identity assurance framework principles to information integrity.
- Validate the authenticity of information sources, content integrity, and information validity.
- Ethical Considerations:
- Recognize and address ethical dilemmas arising from the use of AI-generated content for harmful purposes.
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- Ensure that responsible and ethical practices guide the development and deployment of AI technologies.
Conclusion
- The generative AI revolution teems with potential and peril. As we venture forward, it falls upon us to balance innovation with security, ushering in an era where the marvels of AI are harnessed for the greater good while safeguarding against its darker implications.
Also read:
What is Generative AI?
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Udgam Portal
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The RBI has launched Centralised Web Portal called UDGAM to search and retrieve unclaimed deposits from various banks, all in one centralized location.
What are Unclaimed Deposits?
- The RBI defines “Unclaimed Deposits” as funds residing in dormant savings or current accounts for a duration of ten years.
- Similarly, for fixed deposits (FDs), the funds remain unclaimed if they have not been withdrawn within ten years from the maturity date.
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About UDGAM Portal
- The UDGAM portal is a centralized web platform launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) called “Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation.”
- It is collaborated by Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS), and participating banks.
- It aims to provide individuals with an accessible and user-friendly platform to search and retrieve their unclaimed deposits from various banks in one centralized location.
- The portal consolidates unclaimed deposit data from different banks.
- It empowers users to identify their dormant accounts and take actions such as claiming the deposited amount or reactivating their dormant accounts directly through their respective banks.
Key Features
The UDGAM Portal brings forth a set of user-centric features that redefine the approach to reclaiming unclaimed deposits:
- Reclaim or Activate: Through this platform, users have the autonomy to initiate either the process of reclaiming the deposited amount or reactivating their dormant accounts, all under the umbrella of their respective banks.
- Effortless Registration: Customers can swiftly register on the UDGAM Portal using their mobile numbers, initiating their journey towards unlocking their unclaimed funds.
- Search and Input: Once registered, users can seamlessly search for their unclaimed deposits by inputting essential details such as their name, PAN, voter ID, driving license, and passport number.
- KYC Process: Upon locating their deposits, customers can facilitate their retrieval by completing a streamlined Know Your Customer (KYC) process through their respective bank branches.
- Nominee Assistance: In instances where the deposit holder is no longer alive, the nominee can facilitate the retrieval process by providing the necessary documents.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: 3D Printed Post Office , 3D Printing
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- India’s pioneering 3D-printed post office located in Bengaluru’s Cambridge Layout was recently inaugurated.
3D Printed Post Office
- Swift Build: The 3D-printed post office was constructed in just 43 days, surpassing the original deadline by two days.
- Construction Team: Larsen & Toubro Limited undertook the project in collaboration with IIT Madras.
Technological Process
- Spatial Dimension: The post office covers an area of 1,021 square feet and was created using advanced 3D concrete printing.
- Automated Procedure: Robotic printers used an automated process to layer concrete according to the approved design.
- Strong Bonding: A specially formulated quick-hardening concrete ensured strong bonding between layers.
- Rapid Construction: With robotic precision and pre-embedded designs, the project was completed in just 43 days, far shorter than the conventional 6 to 8 months.
Advantages of 3D Printing
- Cost-Effective: The project cost ₹23 lakhs, indicating a 30-40% cost reduction compared to traditional methods.
- Showcasing Technology: The project highlighted concrete 3D printing technology using indigenous machinery and robots, showcasing its scalability.
Distinctive Features
- Continuous Perimeter: The project boasted continuous perimeter construction without vertical joints.
- Flexibility: The 3D printing accommodated curved surfaces and different site dimensions, overcoming flat wall limitations.
- Structural Innovation: Continuous reinforced concrete footing and three-layer walls were created, enhancing structural integrity.
- Reduced Timeline: The innovative technique drastically reduced the construction timeline to 43 days, minimizing material wastage.
Back2Basics: 3D Printing
- 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a transformative technology that involves creating three-dimensional objects by adding material layer by layer.
- This technology has found applications in various industries, from manufacturing and aerospace to healthcare and fashion.
Here’s an overview of the technology and its key components:
(A) Printing Process: The basic process of 3D printing involves the following steps:
- Design: Create a 3D model using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Slicing: The 3D model is divided into thin horizontal layers using slicing software.
- Printing: The 3D printer follows the instructions from the sliced file, depositing material layer by layer to build up the object.
(B) Types of 3D Printing Technologies: There are several 3D printing technologies, each with its own unique approach to material deposition and layering. Some common types include:
- Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): This is one of the most popular methods. It involves extruding thermoplastic material through a heated nozzle to build up layers.
- Stereolithography (SLA): SLA uses a UV laser to solidify liquid resin layer by layer, creating highly detailed and accurate objects.
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): In SLS, a laser fuses powdered material (often plastic or metal) layer by layer to create the object.
- Powder Bed Fusion (PBF): Similar to SLS, PBF involves fusing powder particles using a laser or electron beam to create metal parts.
- Digital Light Processing (DLP): Similar to SLA, DLP uses a projector to cure an entire layer of resin at once.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Agnibaan SOrTeD
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos takes a significant step as it moves its innovative rocket, Agni-1, to Sriharikota for integration assessments.
- Successful integration checks could position Agnikul as the second Indian space-tech firm, following Skyroot Aerospace, to achieve suborbital space flight capability.
Agnikul’s Remarkable Space Vehicle: Agnibaan
- Agnibaan SOrTeD is a single-stage launch vehicle powered by Agnikul’s patented Agnilet semi-cryogenic engine.
- In contrast to traditional sounding rockets, Agnibaan SOrTeD’s vertical take-off and precise trajectory enable orchestrated maneuvers during flight.
(A) Distinct Features of Agnibaan
- Customizability: The rocket offers custom launch configurations, either single or two-stage launches.
- Impressive Dimensions: Standing at 18 meters and weighing 14,000 kg, Agnibaan SOrTeD is a powerful presence.
- Payload Capacity: With a capacity for payloads of up to 100 kg, it can reach altitudes of 700 km in five different Lower Earth Orbits (LEOs).
- Engine Configuration: The first stage can house up to seven Agnilet engines, powered by Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene, dependent on the mission’s requirements.
- Versatile Launch: Designed for launch from over 10 different launch ports.
- Launch Pedestal ‘Dhanush’: AgniKul’s built ‘Dhanush’ supports the rocket’s mobility across configurations, ensuring compatibility with multiple launch ports.
- Cutting-Edge Agnilet Engine: The world’s sole single-piece 3D-printed engine powers the entire operation.
(B) Innovative Agnilet Engine
- Heart of the Vehicle: Agnilet engine, a 3D-printed, single-piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic marvel, drives Agnibaan’s propulsion.
- Propellant Composition: The engine employs a novel blend of liquid kerosene and supercold liquid oxygen as propellants, successfully tested at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NBFCs and other related concepts
Mains level: credit inadequacy and the role of NBFCs
What’s the news?
- India’s Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) sector is on a path of recovery after a turbulent period following the collapse of IL&FS and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Central idea
- India’s NBFC sector’s revival aids credit flow in tandem with banks, bolstered by upgraded outlooks from ICRA due to enhanced oversight, wider bank credit, robust market performance, reduced NPAs, and higher provisions. However, Ind-Ra and Fitch’s caution highlights concerns over certain NBFCs’ unsecured credit exposures.
Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
- A NBFC is a financial institution that offers various financial services similar to those offered by traditional banks, but it does not hold a banking license and cannot accept deposits from the public.
- NBFCs provide services such as loans and credit, investment and wealth management, insurance services, money market operations, and other financial products.
- They play a crucial role in extending credit to sectors of the economy that might not be served by traditional banks, contributing to financial inclusion and overall economic growth.
What is credit inadequacy?
- Credit inadequacy refers to the insufficiency of available credit or loans to meet the financial needs and investment requirements of various sectors within an economy.
- In the context of India, it signifies a situation where the amount of credit available from traditional banking sources is limited and falls short of what is required to support economic growth, business expansion, and other investment activities.
What are credit sources?
- Credit sources refer to the origins or channels through which funds are made available for lending or borrowing purposes.
Credit sources within the Indian financial system
- Credit Flow through Financial Intermediaries (Banks and NBFCs):
- This channel involves banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) acting as intermediaries between savers and borrowers.
- Banks collect deposits from individuals and businesses and then lend these funds to borrowers in the form of loans.
- NBFCs, while similar to banks, cannot accept deposits but can still provide credit by borrowing from other financial institutions or markets and lending those funds to borrowers.
- Market credit through bond markets:
- This channel involves borrowing and lending directly through the financial markets.
- Various participants, like mutual funds, insurance companies, and banks, engage in the bond market.
- Borrowers issue bonds, which are essentially debt instruments, and investors purchase these bonds, effectively lending money to the issuers in return for interest payments.
Evolution of credit and banking sector challenges
- Historical Credit Growth:
- Between 1991 and the early 2000s, annual bank credit expanded by 15% on average.
- From 2003 to 2008, the growth rate surged to 28%, driven by optimistic disbursements for the commercial sector due to positive growth outlook.
- Challenges and Non-Performing Assets (NPAs):
- The rapid credit expansion of 2003-2008 led to an increase in non-performing assets (NPAs) during the early 2010s.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced asset quality reviews in 2016 as NPAs rose from 3.4% to 10% between 2013 and 2017.
- The rise in bad assets hampered banks appetite for commercial sector exposure, leading to a shift towards retail loans.
- Credit Slowdown and NBFC Emergence:
- Bank credit growth declined after 2016, reaching 10% annually pre-Covid, and further dropping to 7% during the pandemic.
- This slowdown created an opportunity for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to step in and bridge the credit gap.
- NBFCs compensated for reduced bank credit, particularly in MSMEs and real estate, where they contributed 60% of incremental credit flows between 2014 and 2018.
- Disruption and Liquidity Crisis:
- A major infrastructural lending-focused NBFC’s collapse in 2018 created a sector-wide contagion.
- Both commercial banks and NBFCs experienced a sharp decline in incremental credit, resulting in liquidity challenges.
- This crisis highlighted the vulnerability of NBFCs due to concentrated liability books and disrupted funding sources.
Significance of NBFCs in a capital-constrained nation like India?
- Filling the Credit Gap: In a country where credit flow is limited, NBFCs step in to bridge the credit gap, particularly in sectors like MSMEs and real estate. They contribute 60% of incremental credit flows to these sectors, supporting their growth and development.
- Niche Expertise: NBFCs possess specialized sectoral expertise and flexibility in underwriting. They can evaluate borrowers based on unconventional parameters, extending credit to segments that traditional banks might consider riskier.
- Financial Inclusion: NBFCs extend credit to underserved and remote regions where traditional banks have limited reach. This contributes to financial inclusion by providing loans to individuals and businesses that might otherwise be excluded from the formal credit system.
- Timely Investment: With quick and efficient loan processing, NBFCs enable timely investment and economic activity. This agility is crucial in addressing credit needs promptly, supporting growth in various sectors.
- Alternative Funding: NBFCs raise funds through diverse channels such as bank borrowings, market issuances, and commercial papers. This alternative funding approach ensures that credit is available even when traditional banking sources face limitations.
- Complementary Role: NBFCs complement traditional banks by extending credit and financial services. They serve as an alternative credit avenue, ensuring a broader spectrum of borrowers can access the funds needed for their ventures.
- MSME and Real Estate Focus: NBFCs’ emphasis on MSME and real estate financing fills a critical gap. These sectors, vital for India’s growth, often face challenges in accessing credit from traditional banks due to perceived risks or constraints.
- Sectoral Growth: NBFCs, with their specialized approach, contribute to sectoral growth. For instance, they supported 60% of incremental credit flows to MSMEs and real estate developers between 2014 and 2018, facilitating expansion in these key sectors.
- Diversified Credit Landscape: NBFCs enhance the overall credit landscape by offering an alternative credit channel. Their presence helps distribute credit more evenly across sectors, promoting balanced economic growth.
How can NBFCs be used to address the problem of credit inadequacy in India?
- Targeted Credit Access: NBFCs can cater to segments that traditional banks might find riskier or less viable, such as MSMEs and real estate developers. Their specialized approach, nimbleness, and sectoral expertise allow them to provide tailored credit solutions to these underserved sectors.
- Financial Inclusion: NBFCs extend credit to areas where traditional banks have limited reach, fostering financial inclusion. They can provide loans to individuals and businesses in remote and underserved regions, contributing to economic growth across the nation.
- Flexibility in Underwriting: NBFCs often adopt innovative and tech-enabled approaches for assessing creditworthiness. This enables them to evaluate borrowers based on unconventional parameters, extending credit to those who might not meet traditional banking criteria.
- Quick and Efficient Processes: NBFCs, with streamlined operations, can offer faster loan approvals and disbursements. This agility in processing loans can bridge the credit gap more rapidly, supporting timely investment and economic activities.
- Sectoral Focus: NBFCs can concentrate on specific sectors or niches, catering to unique credit requirements. For instance, they can offer specialized real estate financing or support to micro and small businesses, contributing to sectoral growth.
- Liquidity Channels: NBFCs can raise funds through various channels, including bank borrowings, market issuances, and commercial papers. This diversity in funding sources enables them to overcome liquidity challenges more effectively.
- Diversification of Funding Sources: For sustainable growth, NBFCs can diversify their funding sources to reduce reliance on specific channels, reducing vulnerability to liquidity shocks, as highlighted in the article.
- Complementing the Banking System: NBFCs complement traditional banks in extending credit and financial services. Their presence provides an alternative credit avenue, ensuring that credit is available to a wider spectrum of borrowers.
Conclusion
- In a country where financial inclusion and access to bank credit remain challenges, NBFCs play a vital role in reaching underserved segments. Learning from the crisis of 2018–2021, diversifying funding sources, and implementing short-term liquidity buffers can fortify NBFCs against future shocks.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Semiconductor and its applications
Mains level: India-Japan semiconductor collaboration and its significance
What’s the news?
- In July 2023, India and Japan announced a landmark collaboration aimed at bolstering the semiconductor sector’s resilience and jointly developing the semiconductor ecosystem.
Central idea
- India and Japan’s pioneering collaboration aims to fortify their semiconductor industries and drive joint innovation in semiconductor design, manufacturing, equipment research, supply chain resilience, and talent development. This strategic partnership signifies a noteworthy advancement in both government-to-government and industry-to-industry engagements.
What are semiconductors?
- Semiconductors are a class of materials that exhibit the unique property of electrical conductivity, lying between conductors and insulators.
- Unlike conductors, which allow electricity to flow freely through them, and insulators, which do not conduct electricity at all, semiconductors have an intermediate level of electrical conductivity.
Semiconductor fabrication
- Semiconductor fabrication, also known as semiconductor manufacturing or semiconductor processing, refers to the intricate process of creating semiconductor devices, such as integrated circuits (ICs), microchips, and other electronic components.
- These devices are the building blocks of modern electronics and play a crucial role in various technologies, including computers, smartphones, televisions, and many other electronic devices.
The India-Japan Semiconductor Collaboration and a Strategic Policy Alignment
- Common Vision and Agreements:
- India’s Make in India and Japan’s Society 5.0 visions converge in the pursuit of self-reliance and innovation.
- Bilateral agreements have been signed for technology transfer, cooperative semiconductor research, and reciprocal trade in related products.
- Industry Leadership:
- Japan’s advanced semiconductor industry’s global prominence complements India’s growing IT sector and rising demand for semiconductors across industries.
- Their complementary strengths lay the groundwork for a mutually beneficial collaboration.
- Addressing Challenges:
- Geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions in the Indo-Pacific region highlight the need for diversified semiconductor supply chains and international collaboration.
- Joint research efforts combine resources and expertise to address complex semiconductor design, manufacturing, and material challenges.
- Human Resource Development:
- Skill exchange programs, workshops, and training initiatives underline the commitment to cultivating skilled professionals.
- The emphasis is on preparing the workforce for the evolving semiconductor landscape.
What are the challenges?
- Technological Challenges:
- Semiconductor Miniaturization: The challenge of creating smaller and more powerful semiconductor components to meet the increasing demand for compact and efficient devices
- AI Integration: Integrating artificial intelligence into various applications requires specialized semiconductors that can handle complex AI algorithms efficiently. Developing such chips is challenging due to the need for high computational power and energy efficiency to accommodate AI workloads effectively.
- Quantum Computing: Quantum computing, a cutting-edge technology, relies on quantum bits (qubits) for enhanced computational capabilities. Developing stable and reliable qubits is a challenge due to the delicate nature of quantum states and the need for advanced error correction mechanisms.
- Supply Chain Resilience:
- Disruptions in Semiconductor Supply Chains: The article highlights disruptions caused by supply chain vulnerabilities due to factors such as geopolitical tensions and natural disasters. Collaborations between nations like India and Japan aim to strengthen semiconductor supply chains to minimize such vulnerabilities.
- Geopolitical Uncertainties:
- Tensions in the Indo-Pacific Region: Geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region impact trade, technology transfer, and collaborations. The partnership between India and Japan reflects the need for like-minded countries to work together amidst such uncertainties.
- Talent Shortage:
- Shortage of Skilled Professionals: The article does not explicitly mention a shortage of skilled professionals in the semiconductor industry. However, the skill exchange programs and training mentioned in the article suggest that developing a skilled workforce is a priority for the partnership.
Indo-US Collaboration and the Emerging Landscape
- Technology Partnership: The technology partnership between India and the United States encompasses investment, innovation, and workforce development. This collaboration underscores both countries’ commitment to advancing their semiconductor ecosystems in a strategic and comprehensive manner.
- Academic Involvement: India is set to sign an agreement with Georgia Tech University, demonstrating a focus on academia-industry collaboration to foster semiconductor research and talent development.
- Private Sector Investments: The partnership is reinforced by specific investments from Micron Technology and Applied Materials to establish semiconductor manufacturing units and research centers, signaling tangible private sector involvement.
- Global Implications: The collaboration reflects global recognition of India’s semiconductor capabilities by the United States, positioning India as a significant player in semiconductor development on the global stage.
- Supply Chain Resilience: The partnership’s emphasis on investment and innovation aligns with the broader goal of diversifying semiconductor supply chains, reducing dependencies, and enhancing resilience.
- Complementary Collaborations: The collaboration complements India’s partnership with Japan, creating a multidimensional approach that addresses diverse aspects of the semiconductor landscape.
Conclusion
- The India-Japan semiconductor partnership signifies a paradigm shift in global technology alliances. This collaboration not only holds the potential to reshape the semiconductor landscape but also contributes to regional stability and innovation. As India and Japan march forward hand in hand, their combined efforts promise to shape a future characterized by cutting-edge technologies and a shared resolve to achieve new frontiers of technological brilliance.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Key concepts: rupeefication, Dollarisation, De-dollarisation
Mains level: De-dollarisation, rupeefication advantages and challenges
What’s the news?
- Countries worldwide are pursuing de-dollarisation to reduce reliance on the US dollar in international trade, exploring bilateral currency agreements and strategies like rupeefication.
Central idea
- In the past century, a single currency has dominated the global economy, transitioning from the pound sterling to the US dollar, now comprising 59.02% of COFER. The US dollar’s prevalence is due to its pivotal role in international trade. India’s push for the Indian Rupee’s use in trade showcases this trend, aiming at bolstering economic autonomy.
What is meant by Dollarisation?
- US dollar as a substitute for domestic currency: Dollarisation refers to the phenomenon where countries adopt the US dollar as a substitute for their domestic currency to varying degrees.
- This practice can take several forms:
- Financial dollarisation (substituting domestic assets/liabilities with foreign ones)
- Real dollarisation (pegging domestic transactions to exchange rates)
- Transactional dollarisation (using the US dollar for domestic transactions)
- Poor performance of the domestic currency:
- Dollarisation typically arises due to the poor performance of the domestic currency, caused by factors such as political instability or economic uncertainty.
- It can also result from financial market liberalization and economic integration, leading to reduced exchange rate risk and increased capital inflow.
- The US dollar’s dominance: The US dollar’s dominance as an anchor currency for international trade contributes to its widespread acceptance and high demand, thereby driving dollarisation trends.
What is meant by De-dollarisation?
- De-Dollarisation refers to the global trend of countries reducing their reliance on the US dollar in international trade and financial transactions.
- This movement involves shifting towards bilateral currency agreements, using domestic currencies for trade, and promoting alternatives to the dollar.
- The aim is to achieve greater economic autonomy, reduce risks associated with dollar fluctuations, and challenge the dominance of the US dollar in the global financial system.
What is meant by Rupeefication?
- Rupeefication refers to the process of internationalizing the Indian Rupee (INR) by promoting its use in international trade and financial transactions.
- This strategy involves enabling trade partners to transact in INR, issuing financial instruments denominated in INR to foreign entities, and facilitating greater access to the INR in global markets.
- The objective of rupeefication is to enhance the INR’s status as a global currency, reduce dependence on the US dollar, and strengthen India’s economic resilience and autonomy on the global stage.
De-dollarisation in motion
- Brazil’s Bilateral Currency Trade: Brazil is expanding bilateral currency trade agreements, notably with Japan and China. These agreements involve using domestic currencies for trade, reducing reliance on the US dollar.
- China’s Leadership in De-Dollarisation: Following sanctions against Russia, China has been at the forefront of reducing dollar reliance. China’s actions have prompted other BRICS nations to follow suit in decreasing dollar usage.
- Indonesia’s Local Currency Trade System: Indonesia has adopted a Local Currency Trade (LCT) system to lower the role of the US dollar in its current account transactions. This shift aims to promote greater usage of domestic currency.
- Africa’s Consideration for Intra-Africa Trade: African nations are contemplating replacing the US dollar with domestic currencies for intra-Africa trade. This approach aligns with the broader global trend of de-dollarisation.
- BRICS Summit and Integrated Payment System: The upcoming BRICS Summit will address the challenges of de-dollarising trade and establishing an integrated payment system. This reflects the growing global emphasis on reducing dollar dependence.
- India’s Multi-Faceted Approach: India, while pursuing de-dollarisation, also considers bilateral currency agreements. However, it might opt out of a common BRICS currency due to existing trade commitments with the US and Europe
How is India actively advancing its systems to bypass the US dollar and fortify the INR?
- Bilateral Currency Agreements: India is engaging in bilateral currency agreements with multiple nations. These agreements encourage trade partners to transact in INR instead of the US dollar, reducing the reliance on the dollar in international trade transactions.
- Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs): India has established Special Rupee Vostro Accounts with various countries, including the UK, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Germany. These accounts enable foreign entities to transact in INR directly with Indian banks, promoting the use of the Indian currency.
- Currency Internationalization: By promoting the use of INR in international transactions, India aims to increase the acceptance of its currency in global markets. This strategy involves initiatives to make INR more widely recognized and used beyond its borders.
- Reducing Dollar Dependency: India’s efforts to develop systems that bypass the dollar aim to reduce the country’s dependence on the US dollar for international trade and financial transactions. This can enhance India’s economic autonomy and mitigate the risks associated with fluctuations in the value of the dollar.
- Enhancing the INR’s Global Role: Strengthening the INR involves making it a viable alternative to the US dollar in global transactions. By creating systems that support the use of INR in trade and finance, India aims to increase the currency’s global significance.
Advantages of rupeefication
- Risk Mitigation for Exporters: Rupeefication provides exporters with a means to limit their exposure to exchange rate risks. By invoicing trade in INR, exporters can avoid the uncertainties associated with fluctuating US dollar exchange rates, enhancing predictability in their earnings.
- Deepened Markets and Wider Access: The adoption of rupeefication can lead to increased market access and deeper trade relationships. As the INR gains wider acceptance, exporters can tap into new markets and expand their customer base.
- Lower Borrowing Costs for the Private Sector: Rupeefication enables the private sector to access international financial markets with reduced borrowing costs. This can result in enhanced profitability and investment opportunities for businesses.
- Public Sector Financing Flexibility: The public sector benefits from the ability to issue international debt denominated in INR. This provides an alternative source of financing for government projects without depleting official US dollar reserves.
- Strengthened Economic Autonomy: By promoting rupeefication, India can gradually reduce its reliance on the US dollar, leading to increased economic autonomy. This reduces vulnerability to external economic shocks and fluctuations in the value of the dollar.
- Microeconomic Growth and Livelihoods: A focus on rupeefication encourages the growth of the private sector, leading to increased economic activities and job opportunities. This approach can contribute to the improvement of livelihoods across various sectors.
- Enhanced Monetary Policy Autonomy: As rupeefication gains traction, India can exercise more control over its domestic monetary policy. This autonomy allows for tailored economic measures that align with the country’s specific needs.
Potential challenges associated with its implementation
- Exchange Rate Volatility: Shifting towards rupeefication could expose businesses to exchange rate volatility if the INR’s value fluctuates significantly against other major currencies. This could impact the predictability of earnings and increase risks for exporters.
- Limited Acceptance in International Markets: Achieving widespread acceptance of the INR in global markets might be challenging. Many international transactions are still predominantly conducted in the US dollar, which could hinder the seamless adoption of rupeefication.
- Global Economic and Political Factors: External economic and political events can impact the feasibility of rupeefication. Global factors such as economic crises or geopolitical tensions could influence the willingness of other nations to engage in transactions using the INR.
- Trade Balance and Reserves: A swift shift to rupeefication might impact India’s trade balance and foreign exchange reserves, potentially necessitating greater reserves of foreign currencies to manage trade deficits.
- Gradual Implementation: Rapidly transitioning to rupeefication might lead to economic disruptions.
Way forward
- Gradual Transition: To address the challenges and uncertainties associated with shifting towards rupeefication, a gradual and phased approach is recommended. This allows businesses, financial institutions, and the economy as a whole to adapt to the changes smoothly.
- Macroeconomic Stability: Maintaining macroeconomic stability is crucial. Efforts should be directed toward ensuring the stability of the INR’s value to inspire confidence among trade partners and investors.
- Promoting INR Use: Initiatives to promote the use of the INR in international transactions should be continued. This could involve diplomatic efforts to foster bilateral agreements, increasing awareness about the benefits of INR invoicing, and addressing concerns about exchange rate risk.
- Collaborative Approach: Collaborating with other nations and international organizations is essential. The adoption of rupeefication requires cooperation and coordination among various stakeholders to establish the INR as a viable global currency.
- Balancing Trade and Reserves: Balancing trade and managing foreign exchange reserves remain crucial. Gradual rupeefication should align with maintaining a stable trade balance and adequate reserves to manage potential deficits.
Conclusion
- While the journey towards de-dollarisation and rupeefication is multifaceted and not devoid of challenges, India’s persistent efforts to limit dollar reliance while nurturing the international status of the INR underscore its commitment to greater economic autonomy. By gradually integrating the INR into the global financial landscape, India aims to bolster its economic resilience, promote growth, and enhance its position as a global economic player.
Also read:
The Future of the US Dollar As a World Reserve Currency
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Madan Lal Dhingra
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- On the 114th anniversary of his execution, a memorial is being formally inaugurated in honour of Madan Lal Dhingra.
Who was Madan Lal Dhingra?
- Early Life: Born on September 18, 1883, in an affluent family in Amritsar, Dhingra’s father was a staunch British loyalist, working as a chief medical officer.
- Shift towards Nationalism: Dhingra’s exposure to the nationalist movement in Lahore during his studies ignited his patriotism.
- Socio-Economic Concerns: Driven by a sense of justice and concern for India’s impoverished masses, Dhingra’s patriotism extended to socio-economic issues.
- Expulsion and Resilience: Expelled from college for protesting against the use of British-imported cloth, Dhingra’s defiance marked his commitment to the cause.
Involvement in Revolutionary Circles
- Contact with Leaders: Dhingra connected with prominent figures like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Shyamji Krishna Varma, active in London’s revolutionary circles.
- India House: Dhingra frequented India House, a hub for revolutionary Indian nationalism founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma, further igniting his revolutionary spirit.
- Abhinav Bharat Mandal: Dhingra joined Abhinav Bharat Mandal founded by Vinayak Savarkar, where he refined his plan to assassinate Curzon Wyllie.
Assassination of Curzon Wyllie
- Curzon Wyllie’s Profile: Curzon Wyllie was a British Indian officer and intelligence officer known for collecting information on revolutionaries.
- The Assassination: On July 1, 1909, Dhingra attended an event where Curzon Wyllie was present. Dhingra fired five shots, fatally hitting both Curzon Wyllie and a doctor who tried to intervene.
- Dhingra’s Justification: During his trial, Dhingra argued that if fighting Germans was patriotic for an Englishman, fighting the British was even more justifiable for him.
Legacy and Memorial
- Execution and Burial: Dhingra was found guilty, executed on August 17, 1909, and buried in London. His remains were brought to India in 1976.
- Struggle for a Memorial: A memorial in Dhingra’s name has been a long-standing demand. The efforts culminated in the formal inauguration of the memorial on the 114th anniversary of his execution.
- Memorial Inauguration: The memorial was inaugurated by Governor Banwari Lal Purohit on August 17, 2023, in Amritsar’s Golbagh area.
- Memorial’s Significance: The memorial stands as a tribute to Dhingra’s sacrifice and his role in the fight for India’s freedom.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Tachymenoides harrisonfordi
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The snake, known as Tachymenoides harrisonfordi, was named after Harrison Ford for his commitment to environmental advocacy.
Tachymenoides harrisonfordi
- It is a snake species that was named in honour of the actor Harrison Ford.
- This naming was a recognition of Ford’s dedication to environmental advocacy.
- Its characteristics include:
- Physical Attributes: Tachymenoides Harrisonfordi measures approximately 16 inches (40.6 centimetres) and features a yellowish-brown colour with scattered black blotches.
- Distinctive Features: The snake boasts a black belly, a vertical streak above its copper-coloured eye, and unique markings that contribute to its identity.
- Habitat and Elevation: The sole specimen, a male snake, was found sunbathing in a marsh at an altitude of 3,248 meters above sea level.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: INS Vindhyagiri, Project 17A
Mains level: Naval fleet modernization
Central Idea
- President’s launch of INS Vindhyagiri, the final vessel in the Project 17A (Alpha) frigates series, marked a significant milestone for India’s maritime strength and self-reliance.
- The launch of INS Vindhyagiri, the sixth vessel in the Project 17A Frigates series, carries forward India’s naval legacy.
About INS Vindhyagiri
- INS Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the Project 17A Frigates series, showcasing India’s commitment to indigenous defense technology and self-reliance.
- After INS Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, and Dunagiri, INS Vindhyagiri derives its name from a mountain range in Karnataka.
- These frigates are a follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates, integrating improved stealth, advanced weapons, and cutting-edge sensors.
- It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, India.
Key features
- Employs a cutting-edge propulsion system enabling speeds of over 28 knots, ensuring rapid response and agility in various operational scenarios.
- Equipped with state-of-the-art stealth features, enhancing its ability to operate discreetly and minimize detection.
- Over 75% of the equipment and systems used are sourced from indigenous firms, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Back2Basics: Project 17A
- Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) were launched by the Indian Navy in 2019.
- The first stealth ship launched was the Nilgiri, launched in 2019.
- The project was launched to construct a series of stealth guided-missile frigates, which are currently being constructed by two companies:
- Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
- These guided-missile frigates have been constructed with a specific stealth design, which has radar-absorbent coatings and is low-observable which can make its approach undetectable for the enemies.
- The new technology also reduces the infrared signals of the ship.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Remission, Pardoning Power
Mains level: Political use of Pardoning Power
Central Idea
- The Supreme Court bench handling petitions related to the early release of convicts in the Bilkis Bano case raised concerns about the selective application of remission policies in Indian jails.
- Justices on the two-judge bench questioned why the policy is not uniformly implemented and sought clarifications from the Additional Solicitor General representing the Gujarat government.
Also read:
What is Bilkis Bano Case?
Bilkis Bano Case and Remission
- Background of the Case: Bilkis Bano was a victim of gangrape during the 2002 riots in Gujarat, where her three-year-old daughter was also killed by a mob. She was pregnant at the time.
- Remission and Release: All 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case were granted remission by the Gujarat government, leading to their release on August 15, 2022.
- Justification for Release: The Additional Solicitor General defended the state’s decision, explaining that remission is distinct from sentencing and that guidelines are being considered to address concerns about its application.
Inquiry into Remission Policy Application
- Selective Implementation Query: The Supreme Court inquired why the policy of remission, aimed at granting convicts early release, is applied selectively across jails and states.
- Overcrowding and Undertrials: The court raised concerns about the overcrowding of jails, especially with undertrials, and questioned the reasons behind the policy not being consistently applied.
- Justice Nagarathna’s Query: Justice B V Nagarathna, leading the bench, emphasized that state-wise statistics are needed to understand the extent to which the remission policy is applied and whether every eligible prisoner is given an opportunity to reform.
- Relevance of Rudul Sah Case: Referring to the Rudul Sah case, where an individual remained in jail for 14 years despite acquittal, the court highlighted extreme cases where the prison system failed to provide justice. The court emphasized that fairness should prevail in both conviction and acquittal scenarios.
What is Remission?
- Stay of Execution: Remission involves suspending or postponing the execution of a sentence.
- Reduced Duration: It reduces the sentence’s duration while maintaining its original nature.
- Unchanged Sentence Nature: The sentence’s fundamental characteristics remain intact; only the duration is shortened.
- Release Date Determined: Remission sets a specific date for the prisoner’s release, marking their legal freedom.
- Conditional Release: Any breach of remission conditions cancels it, necessitating the completion of the original sentence.
Constitutional Framework for Remission:
- Prisons as State Subject: Prisons fall under the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- Pardoning Power: Article 72 (President) and Article 161 (Governor) grant pardoning, suspending, remitting, or commuting powers for sentences issued by courts.
New Norms for Remission:
(A) Eligibility Criteria
- Women and transgender convicts aged 50 and above
- Male convicts aged 60 and above, completing 50% of their sentence (excluding general remission period)
- Physically challenged convicts with 70% or more disability, completing 50% of their sentence
- Terminally ill convicts
- Convicts serving two-thirds (66%) of their sentence
- Indigent prisoners completing their sentence but detained due to unpaid fines
- Offenders aged 18-21 with no criminal involvement, completing 50% of their sentence
(B) Exceptions
- Excluded: Death sentence convicts, life imprisonment convicts, and those convicted under specific acts.
- Prohibited Acts: Terrorism-related offences, acts under anti-terror and security legislation, explosives, national security, official secrets, and anti-hijacking.
Implications and Benefits
- Justice and Equity: The new norms aim to provide justice to certain categories of prisoners and address their specific circumstances.
- Overcrowding Mitigation: By releasing eligible convicts, the policy seeks to alleviate prison overcrowding.
- Reformation Focus: Remission offers prisoners an opportunity to reform, especially those who demonstrate good behaviour or require medical attention.
- Humanitarian Approach: The policy recognizes the needs of the physically challenged, terminally ill, and aged prisoners.
- Respecting Youth: Young offenders with no further criminal engagement are given a chance for early rehabilitation.
Back2Basics: Pardoning Powers in India
- Pardoning powers in India, enshrined in Article 72 for the President and Article 161 for Governors, provide a mechanism for granting leniency, reducing sentences, or offering reprieves to convicted individuals.
- These powers play a crucial role in the justice system, allowing for the reconsideration of punishments in specific cases.
Presidential Pardoning Powers
- Scope and Authority: Article 72 empowers the President to grant pardons, respites, reprieves, or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit, or commute sentences.
- Types of Pardoning:
- Pardon: Complete exoneration, restoring the person’s status as a normal citizen.
- Commutation: Reducing the severity of punishment, e.g., converting a death penalty to life imprisonment.
- Reprieve: Delaying execution to allow time for further legal remedies or evidence presentation.
- Respite: Reducing the punishment’s degree due to specific circumstances.
- Remission: Altering the punishment’s quantum without changing its nature.
Cases Covered by Article 72
- Cases tried by court-martial.
- Cases involving offences under Union’s executive power.
- Cases with a death sentence.
Governor’s Pardoning Powers
- Governor’s Authority: Article 161 grants the Governor the power to pardon, commute, suspend, or remit sentences.
- Scope and Limitation: Pardoning authority extends to offences within the state’s executive jurisdiction.
- Exclusion: Governors lack the authority to grant pardons in cases of death sentences.
Nature of Pardoning Power
- Presidential Advice: Though not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, the President exercises pardoning powers based on the Council of Ministers’ advice.
- Governor’s Power: The Governor’s pardoning power is also guided by the principle of seeking advice.
- Judicial Review: The Epuru Sudhakar case highlighted the possibility of limited judicial review over the pardon powers exercised by the President and Governors. This review aims to prevent arbitrariness.
- Judicial Retained Power: Despite these powers vested in the Executive, the judiciary retains a measure of authority for judicial review, ensuring fairness and constitutionality.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: India's youth aspirations and prominence of unemployment
What’s the news?
- A recent report released by Lokniti-CSDS has unveiled significant insights into the perspectives of India’s youth, aged 15 to 34, regarding the most pressing challenges confronting the nation.
Central idea
- The Lokniti-CSDS report provides a comprehensive insight into the concerns and preferences of Indian youth, shedding light on their perception of the country’s key challenges and their aspirations for the future. The report, conducted across 18 states with a sample size of 9,316 respondents, reveals a comprehensive picture of the concerns, hopes, and choices of India’s young population.
Findings of the Report
- Unemployment, A Central Worry:
- 36% of the surveyed youth view unemployment as the most critical challenge facing India.
- This represents an increase of 18 percentage points since the previous survey in 2016.
- 40% of highly educated respondents, including graduates and those with advanced degrees, identify unemployment as the most pressing issue.
- 16% of respondents expressed concerns about poverty.
- 13% highlight inflation as a major challenge.
- Gender plays a role: 42% of males compared to 31% of females see unemployment as their top concern.
- About 49% of the surveyed youth are currently engaged in some form of work.
- Among those working, 23% are self-employed, indicating an entrepreneurial inclination.
- Various sectors are represented: 16% are professionals, 15% are engaged in agriculture, and 27% are skilled or semi-skilled workers.
- Only 6% are employed in government jobs.
- Aspirations and Preferences:
- When considering ideal career paths, 16% of respondents aspire to roles in the health sector.
- 14% prefer jobs in the education sector.
- 10% express interest in science and technology-related roles and entrepreneurship.
- 2% are content with continuing in their current jobs.
- Employment Choices: Government Jobs and Entrepreneurship:
- 60% of respondents favor government jobs, reflecting their consistent appeal over time.
- Over 25% lean toward entrepreneurship, showcasing a growing trend in entrepreneurial ambitions.
The Significance of the Age Bracket Between 15 and 34 for India
- Demographic Powerhouse: The youth aged 15 to 34 constitute a considerable 34% of India’s population, making it a demographic powerhouse. With over 40 crore individuals, their collective influence is significant in determining societal trends, economic patterns, and policy priorities.
- Human Capital Reservoir: This age group forms the core of India’s human capital reservoir. Their energy, creativity, and potential can drive the nation’s progress across various sectors. The report’s insights highlight the youth’s aspirations, which, if harnessed, can contribute to the nation’s growth.
- Agents of Change: As the report suggests, the youth possess a dynamic outlook and are open to exploring diverse career paths. Their adaptability and willingness to embrace new opportunities position them as agents of change, capable of shaping industries and driving innovation.
- Future Workforce: This age range encompasses individuals in different stages of education and employment preparation. Their choices and preferences, as illuminated by the report, offer insights into the future composition of India’s workforce, guiding policy decisions and skill development initiatives.
- Socio-Economic Transformation: The youth’s concerns, such as unemployment and poverty, directly correlate with the socio-economic fabric of the nation. Addressing these challenges is crucial for achieving inclusive growth and elevating the living standards of millions.
- Cultural and Social Trends: The age group between 15 and 34 witnesses the convergence of traditional values and modern aspirations. Understanding their perspectives can aid in shaping cultural and social trends, influencing areas ranging from consumer behavior to family dynamics.
- Global Competitiveness: India’s global competitiveness is intricately linked with the capabilities of its youth. As the report reveals, their interest in sectors like technology and entrepreneurship can position India as a hub for innovation on the global stage.
- Long-Term Implications: Investments made in education, skill development, and employment opportunities for youth can have long-term implications. Nurturing this demographic can result in a more educated, skilled, and capable population, boosting economic growth and societal progress.
Addressing Youth Concerns: A Path Forward
- Targeted Employment Generation: Address the rising concern of unemployment by implementing policies that stimulate job creation across sectors. Encourage public-private partnerships to create diverse and suitable job opportunities for educated youth.
- Inclusive Economic Policies: Formulate and execute inclusive economic policies that uplift marginalized sections of society. Tackling poverty and controlling inflation will directly alleviate concerns among youth from lower economic backgrounds.
- Gender-Responsive Initiatives: Develop gender-specific initiatives to provide equal opportunities for education and employment. Empower young women with skills and education to bridge the gender gap in the job market.
- Education Reforms: Align educational curricula with the aspirations of youth. Promote practical skills alongside traditional academic subjects, enabling them to pursue careers that resonate with their interests.
- Fostering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Establish supportive ecosystems for entrepreneurship. Offer mentorship, funding, and regulatory frameworks that encourage young individuals to embark on entrepreneurial ventures.
- Government and Private Sector Collaboration: Foster collaborations between the government and private sector to create a diverse range of job opportunities. Provide stability through government jobs while embracing innovation through private sector growth.
- Youth-Centric Policies: Translate the insights from the report into concrete policies that address the concerns of youth. Regularly review and adapt these policies to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
Conclusion
- The prominence of unemployment as a pressing issue underscores the need for focused efforts to address this concern, especially among educated youth. As the nation strives to harness the potential of its youth population, understanding their viewpoints and preferences becomes essential for shaping policies and initiatives that align with their aspirations and drive sustainable growth.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Three key bills, provisions
Mains level: Reforming criminal justice system
What’s the news?
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah has put forth three significant bills for consideration in the Lok Sabha, aiming to overhaul India’s criminal justice system.
Central idea
- The proposed legislation includes the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill. The introduction of these bills has sparked a spirited debate regarding the necessity of these reforms, the perceived misuse of existing laws, and the potential implications of the proposed amendments.
What is the proposed legislation?
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill:
- This bill aims to replace the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860.
- The proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill seeks to update and modernize the criminal laws to better reflect evolving societal values and democratic aspirations.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill:
- This bill is intended to supersede the current Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973.
- The proposed bill aims to reform these procedures and streamline the criminal justice process.
- This bill aims to replace the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
- The proposed Bharatiya Sakshya Bill seeks to modernize and adapt these rules to the contemporary legal landscape.
How are the new Bills different from the prevalent laws?
- Indian Penal Code (IPC) Replacement (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill):
- The existing IPC, enacted in 1860, is considered operational but might not adequately reflect changing values and democratic aspirations.
- The proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill seeks to update the IPC, with amendments to 175 sections, the addition of eight new sections, and the repeal of 22 sections.
- The aim is to align the criminal laws with contemporary socio-economic and political realities.
- Code of Criminal Procedure Replacement (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill):
- The current Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was established in 1973.
- The new Bill introduces significant changes, including extending the period of detention without charges to 90 days.
- New discretionary powers are granted to law enforcement, such as the ‘right to handcuff,’ which was previously uncommon in India.
- The new CrPC introduces provisions that could legitimize encounters and violence during arrests.
- Amendments in the new CrPC appear to move in the opposite direction of global criminal justice jurisprudence by extending detention periods, contrary to shorter periods adopted in other countries.
- Indian Evidence Act Replacement (Bharatiya Sakshya Bill):
- The Indian Evidence Act of 1872 is being replaced by the proposed Bharatiya Sakshya Bill.
- The changes in the evidence law aim to modernize the rules and principles for the admissibility of evidence in court proceedings.
What are the similarities between the existing laws and the new Bills?
- Continuation of Existing Practices:
- The new Bills maintain many existing practices in the current legal framework, endorsing and legitimizing established procedures and norms.
- Detention and Criminal Offenses:
- The new CrPC maintains the practice of detention without charges.
- Both the existing laws and the new Bills address various criminal offenses, albeit with potential changes in definitions and terminology.
- Continued Concerns:
- Both the existing laws and the new Bills raise concerns about the potential misuse and abuse of certain provisions. For instance, concerns are raised about expanded discretionary powers granted to law enforcement as well as potential ambiguities in the new definitions of offenses.
- Gendered Provisions:
- The existing laws and the new Bills both highlight gendered provisions. For example, the new rape provisions are said to be gendered and apply specifically to women, possibly excluding other scenarios.
Concerns raised over the new bills
- Detention Period Extension:
- One of the prominent concerns is the extension of the detention period without charges from the current duration to 90 days in the proposed Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Bill.
- This longer detention period raises apprehensions about potential misuse and human rights violations, particularly in cases where individuals may be held without sufficient evidence.
- Discretionary Powers for Law Enforcement:
- The introduction of discretionary powers, such as the ‘right to handcuff,’ to law enforcement officers under the new CrPC raises ethical and practical concerns.
- These discretionary powers might lead to potential misuse, undermining individual rights, and potentially legitimizing violence during arrests.
- Gendered Provisions:
- The gendered nature of certain provisions in the new Bills is a concern. For instance, the new rape provisions apply specifically to women.
- This approach may exclude scenarios involving sexual offenses between men and women and may not adequately address the full range of potential cases.
- Broad Definitions and Ambiguity:
- The broad and vague definitions introduced in the new Bills for offenses like sedition, subversive activities, and terrorist acts are sources of concern.
- These vague definitions can lead to ambiguity in legal interpretations and may potentially infringe on individuals’ rights due to overreach.
- Repeal and Revocation of Sections:
- The complete repeal and revocation of certain sections without retaining core legal principles raises concerns about the continuity of established legal precedents.
- This discontinuity could create confusion and disrupt legal processes, particularly in the transition period.
- Impact on Minority Rights:
- The new Bills, with provisions like the ‘Love Jihad’ offense, raise concerns about their potential impact on minority rights and freedom of choice.
- Such provisions might disproportionately affect certain communities and could be seen as invasive and discriminatory.
- Lack of Public Participation:
- Concerns are voiced over the pace at which the new Bills are being introduced, with experts emphasizing the importance of seeking public input and feedback before making sweeping changes to the legal framework.
- Overarching Disruption:
- The introduction of such comprehensive changes in a relatively short span of time might lead to disruption in the legal system and raise challenges for law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and the public.
What are the welcome changes in the new Bills?
- Definition of Terrorism and Organized Crime:
- The new Bills introduce a clear definition of terrorism and organized crime, address the evolving nature of criminal activities, and align the legal framework with contemporary challenges.
- Expedited Trial Process:
- The new Bills propose measures to expedite the trial process by setting a limit of 30 days for concluding judgments and allowing only two adjournments.
- These measures aim to prevent unnecessary delays in delivering justice.
- Mob Lynching as a Separate Offense:
- The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill defines mob lynching as an offense, underscoring the importance of addressing violence perpetuated by mobs and providing stricter punishment for such crimes.
- Stricter Punishment for Crimes Against Women:
- The new Bills propose stricter punishment for crimes against women, reflecting a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of women.
- Petty Offenses and Timely Trials:
- A provision in the new Bills suggests that trials for petty offenses should be concluded within six months; otherwise, the accused will not be tried.
- This provision aims to streamline the legal process and reduce the backlog of cases.
- Recognition of Changing Political and Social Debates:
- The inclusion of offenses like love Jihad and specific provisions related to mob lynching in the new Bills demonstrates an effort to address issues that have emerged in recent political and social debates.
- Organized Crime and Community Service:
- The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill introduces provisions related to organized crime and community service, indicating a comprehensive approach to addressing diverse criminal activities and emphasizing societal responsibility.
- Adaptation to Contemporary Needs:
- The proposed changes reflect an effort to modernize the legal framework to align with the evolving socio-economic and political landscape.
Way forward
- Public Participation and Feedback: Open the proposed Bills for public input and discussions to incorporate diverse perspectives, ensuring that the laws are comprehensive and well-rounded.
- Address Concerns and Ambiguities: Carefully address concerns regarding potential misuse, gendered provisions, and ambiguity in definitions to create clear, equitable, and just laws.
- Balancing Rights and Security: Strike a balance between safeguarding individual rights and ensuring law enforcement effectiveness when granting discretionary powers.
- Expert Involvement: Engage legal experts, scholars, and human rights activists to provide insights and ensure a thorough understanding of potential implications.
- Gradual Implementation and Monitoring: Implement proposed changes incrementally to minimize disruptions and establish a robust monitoring system to evaluate their impact and address issues as they arise.
Conclusion
- While updating and adapting laws to changing societal values is required, it is crucial to underline the importance of thoughtful and balanced reforms that safeguard individual rights and prevent misuse. As these Bills continue to garner attention and feedback from the public, legal professionals, and lawmakers, it remains to be seen how these transformative changes will shape the future of India’s legal landscape.
Also read:
IPC is history: In 1837, how Macaulay cracked the code
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Organoid Intelligence and apliactions
Mains level: Organoid Intelligence, applications and ethical concerns
What’s the news?
- By utilizing brain organoids derived from stem cells, Organoid Intelligence (OI) seeks to explore new frontiers in information processing, offering potential breakthroughs in understanding brain functionality, learning, and memory.
Central Idea
- In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought forth remarkable technological advancements. Yet, the realm of cognitive computing is being further extended by Organoid Intelligence (OI), a burgeoning interdisciplinary domain that envisions innovative biocomputing models.
What is an Organoid?
- An organoid is a specialized type of tissue culture that is generated from stem cells and intended to mimic the structure and function of specific organs.
- These three-dimensional structures are cultivated in vitro, or outside the body, under controlled conditions that attempt to recreate the microenvironment of the target organ.
- The term organoid encompasses diverse structures that imitate different organs or tissues.
What is Organoid Intelligence (OI)?
- Organoid Intelligence is an emerging multidisciplinary field that merges the realms of biology and computing to explore the potential of using brain organoids to achieve cognitive capabilities and enhance our understanding of brain function.
- This novel concept envisions harnessing the unique properties of brain organoids, which mimic certain aspects of brain structure and function, to develop biocomputing models that could process information and potentially exhibit rudimentary cognitive abilities.
Potential applications of OI
- Cognitive Computing: Integrating brain organoids and computation for information processing and adaptive learning.
- Disease Modeling and Drug Testing: Using organoids to simulate diseases, test treatments, and study cognitive aspects.
- Understanding Brain Development: Analyzing Organoids to grasp early brain stages and cellular memory processes.
- Personalized Brain Organoids: Tailoring organoids to study genetics, medicine, and cognitive conditions.
- Advantages over Traditional Computing: Exploring organoids’ capabilities for intricate data tasks and energy-efficient processing.
- Biocomputers and Energy Efficiency: Developing faster, greener biocomputers with brain organoids.
- Ethical Considerations: Addressing ethical concerns like informed consent, gene editing rules, and inclusive access.
- Sustainable Alternatives: Offering eco-friendly options for intensive cognitive tasks and learning, amidst technology advancement.
Case Study: DishBrain System Experiment
- The DishBrain system stands as a compelling case study illustrating the application of Organoid Intelligence (OI). This innovative experiment, led by a team of researchers from Cortical Labs in Melbourne, demonstrates the integration of brain organoids with computational systems to achieve rudimentary cognitive capabilities.
- Experiment Overview:
- Brain Organoid Culturing: The researchers cultivated brain organoids, which are complex three-dimensional structures derived from stem cells. These organoids simulate certain aspects of brain development and function.
- In Silico Integration: Brain organoids were interfaced with computational simulations and algorithms through in silico computing. This integration aimed to enable enhanced neural processing and cognitive functions.
- Gameplay: Pong’: The brain organoids were trained to engage in the classic video game Pong. They were programmed to respond to key in-game variables, such as the movement of the virtual ball.
- Learning Mechanism: When the brain organoids failed to respond correctly in the game, the system provided feedback in the form of electrical pulses. This approach mimics the concept of reinforcement learning observed in living organisms.
- Application of the Free-Energy Principle: In the absence of real-time incentive systems like dopamine pathways, the researchers employed the free-energy principle. This principle suggests that living systems strive to minimize unpredictability. Brain organoids adapted their behavior to make the game environment more predictable.
- Key Outcomes: Within an astonishingly short span of five minutes, the brain organoids demonstrated signs of learning in response to the game stimuli. The utilization of the free-energy principle showcased the potential to guide the behavior of brain organoids using computational principles, driving them toward predictable responses.
Challenges and ethical considerations associated with Organoid Intelligence
- Challenges:
- Technological Advancements: Scaling up brain organoids and enhancing their cognitive capacities pose significant technical hurdles. Developing more sophisticated blood flow systems and introducing diverse cell types are among the challenges.
- Complexity of Learning: Despite promising results, achieving advanced cognitive capabilities in brain organoids remains a complex task. Imitating the intricacies of learning and memory seen in human brains is a challenge that requires further research.
- Gap in Knowledge: There are aspects of OI technology that are yet to be fully understood and developed. This includes improving memory storage mechanisms within brain organoids to enable more complex cognitive functions.
- Ethical Considerations:
- Informed Consent: Obtaining voluntary informed consent for cell donation is crucial to upholding donors’ rights and dignity.
- Selection Bias and Discrimination: Preventing selection biases during organoid development is essential to avoid potential discrimination risks and ensure neurodiversity.
- Gene Editing Regulations: Balancing commercial interests with ethical gene editing regulations is necessary to ensure the responsible and ethical culturing of brain organoids.
- Data Sharing and Open Access: Ensuring data sharing and open access to OI technology promotes inclusivity and diverse knowledge generation.
- Stakeholder-Informed Regulations: Developing regulations for the ethical use of OI technology requires stakeholder input to ensure responsible applications.
- Consciousness and Suffering Concerns: Ethical concerns range from the potential consciousness of brain organoids to addressing the possibility of suffering in these bioengineered systems.
Technological Advancements and Future Prospects
- Scaling up brain organoids, introducing diverse cell types, and enhancing memory storage are essential steps for augmenting OI’s cognitive potential.
- A 100-fold increase in the number of cells could yield complex cognitive capabilities, necessitating innovations in blood flow systems and cell diversity incorporation.
- The rudimentary success of DishBrain’s Pong experiment signifies the journey towards intelligence through OI.
- Although complete realization is distant, the limitations of current AI and silicon technologies in complex cognition, learning, and energy efficiency emphasize the urgency to explore sustainable alternatives.
Conclusion
- Through brain organoids, researchers are poised to unlock an unprecedented understanding of cognitive processes and revolutionize the ways we approach learning, memory, and neurological disorders. As OI advances, navigating ethical considerations and embracing technological innovations will be pivotal in ensuring a responsible and impactful journey toward an era of more sustainable and intelligent computing solutions.
Also read:
AI to improve maternal and child health in India
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sulina Canal
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- As Russia threatens ships in the Black Sea, a Romanian route ‘Sulina Channel’ provides a lifeline for Ukraine’s grain exports.
Sulina Channel
- The Sulina Channel is located in the southeastern part of Romania, specifically within the Danube Delta region.
- It connects the Danube River, one of Europe’s major rivers, with the Black Sea, providing a direct route for maritime transportation.
- The channel is approximately 64 km long, making it a significant watercourse for shipping and navigation.
- It is a vital trade route for cargo vessels, commercial ships, and other maritime traffic entering or leaving the Black Sea region.
- The construction of the Sulina Channel dates back to the 19th century when it was developed to improve the navigation of large ships and vessels in and out of the Danube Delta.
Significance for Ukraine
- The Sulina Channel, the only deep and wide channel among the Danube’s branches, serves as a crucial “riverine expressway” for transporting goods from inland Ukrainian ports to the Black Sea.
- Ukrainian grain ships sail from ports like Izmail and Reni on the Chilia Channel to Sulina, where the cargo is transferred to larger vessels.
- These vessels proceed to Constanta, Romania’s major seaport, for further transport into the Mediterranean.
- This route falls under NATO’s surveillance and protection, ensuring a degree of security against Russian aggression.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: PM Vishwakarma Scheme
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Union Cabinet has given its nod to the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at uplifting artisans and craftsmen in India.
What is PM Vishwakarma Scheme?
- Supporting Artisans: It will be a Central Sector Scheme with twofold objective: to nurture the Guru-Shishya Parampara:
- Age-old tradition of imparting skills within families, and
- To uplift artisans and craftsmen engaged in manual trades.
- Coverage: This comprehensive scheme encompasses 18 traditional trades in its initial phase, including blacksmiths, carpenters, potters, goldsmiths, tailors, and more, who form the bedrock of rural economies.
Key Highlights of Scheme
- Financial Provision: The scheme is fortified by a budgetary outlay of ₹13,000 crore, ensuring robust financial support to artisans and craftsmen.
- Recognition and ID: Artisans and craftspeople will receive recognition through the prestigious PM Vishwakarma certificate and an official ID card, validating their skills and contributions.
- Credit Support: The scheme provides access to credit support, offering up to ₹1 lakh in the first tranche and ₹2 lakh in the second tranche, with an advantageous interest rate of 5%.
- Skill Upgradation: To enhance expertise, the scheme includes skill upgradation programs encompassing both basic and advanced training. Participants will receive a stipend of ₹500 per day during training.
- Modern Tools and Incentives: Beneficiaries will be granted up to ₹15,000 to acquire modern tools, further improving the quality and efficiency of their work.
- Digital Transactions and Marketing: Embracing modern practices, the scheme encourages digital transactions and marketing support, linking artisans with broader markets.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: E-Bus Seva Scheme
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Union Cabinet’s recent approval of the PM e-bus Seva scheme marks a significant step towards enhancing urban mobility and promoting green transportation across India.
PM E-Bus Seva: Scheme Overview
- E-Bus Definition: The scheme’s core revolves around e-buses, which are buses powered solely by zero-emissions electricity sources for both propulsion and accessory systems.
- Scope and Cost: The PM e-bus Sewa scheme is estimated to cost ₹57,613 crore, with the Central government contributing ₹20,000 crore.
- Operational Support: The scheme is designed to provide operational support to bus services for a period of 10 years.
Implementation Strategy
- Two Segments: The scheme will be executed in two distinct segments:
- 10,000 E-Buses: In 169 cities, 10,000 e-buses will be introduced through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: In 181 other cities, green urban mobility initiatives will focus on improving infrastructure, bus priority, charging infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, and automated fare collection systems.
- Depot Infrastructure: For the first segment, the development and enhancement of depot infrastructure, including power substations, will be undertaken to support the new e-buses.
- Job Creation: The scheme is expected to generate around 45,000 to 55,000 direct jobs, contributing to employment growth.
Coverage and Funding
- Coverage: Cities with populations of three lakh and above, Union Territory capitals, as well as northeastern and hill states, are included in the scheme’s ambit.
- Funding Model: States or cities will manage bus services and payments to bus operators, with the Central government providing subsidies as outlined in the scheme. This approach promotes decentralized management.
Positive Impacts
- Environmental Benefits: The adoption of electric buses will significantly reduce noise and air pollution, contributing to cleaner and healthier urban environments.
- Carbon Emission Reduction: Electric mobility aligns with India’s commitment to curb carbon emissions and combat climate change.
- Economies of Scale: Aggregating electric bus procurement is expected to achieve economies of scale, making electric buses more financially viable and encouraging their adoption.
Conclusion
- The PM e-bus Sewa scheme signifies India’s ambitious stride towards sustainable and eco-friendly urban mobility.
- It also highlights the government’s commitment to job creation, as well as its determination to transform the transportation sector into a cleaner, greener, and more efficient mode of commuting.
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