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Historical and Archaeological Findings in News

Uthirameur Inscription: Ancient Tamil proof of Democratic Provisions

Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Uthiramerur inscriptions

Mains level: Democracy since Indian Civilizations

uthirameur

PM Modi referred to an over 1,100-year-old inscription found in Uthirameur, Tamil Nadu, which talks about rules for a local body, including provisions for disqualifying a member.

What are Uthiramerur inscriptions?

  • Uthiramerur inscriptions are a set of ancient Tamil inscriptions found in Uthiramerur, a town in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu.
  • These inscriptions date back to the 10th century CE and were created during the reign of the Chola dynasty, which ruled over a large part of South India.
  • It was crafted under the rule of Parantaka Chola I (907 – 956 AD.)

What does the inscription say?

The temple inscriptions of Uthiramerur provide historical descriptions of rural self-governance.

(1) Sabha and Ur

  • Uthiramerur had two village assemblies: Gram Sabha and Ur.
  • Sabha was exclusively a Brahmin assembly, while the Ur was made up of people belonging to all classes.
  • Sabha managed land sales, endowment fund for dredging a tank, and assigned duties to the Ur for managing deserted land.
  • Sabha assembled in the hall of the local temple and was summoned through beating of the drums.
  • The inscriptions contained references to variyars, the executive officers subordinate to the Sabha.

(2) Administrative System

  • The executive powers were given to committees called Variyams during the Chola king Parantaka I’s reign (907–955).
  • Each variyam constituted 6 to 12 members, depending on the importance of its functions.
  • The first inscription (dated 919 CE) described the rules for electing committee members.
  • The second inscription (dated 921 CE) described some amendments to these rules to make them more practical.

(3) Committees and Qualifications

  • The village had 30 kudumbus or wards, from which the members of various committees were selected annually.
  • The inscription lays down the qualifications for a nominee, including ownership of tax-paying land, residence on self-owned land, age between 35 and 70 years, knowledge of mantras and the Brahmanas, and not being associated with certain offenses or activities.
  • The candidates were selected via Kudavoloi (pot of palm leaf tickets) system.
  • The tenure of a committee member was 360 days.
  • Anyone found guilty of an offense was immediately removed from the office.

(4) Punishments

  • The Uthiramerur inscriptions indicate that parading on a donkey was a punishment for offenses such as incest, adultery, theft, and forgery.

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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Afghanistan

India signs MoU with World Food Programme for sending wheat to Afghanistan

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood - Relations
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: World Food Program

Mains level: India's assistance to Afghanistan

India signed an MoU with the World Food Programme (WFP) to send 10,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan.

Reason: Utilizing WFP supply chain

  • The MoU signed between India and the World Food Programme (WFP) paves the way for sending 10,000 metric tonnes of wheat for the people of Afghanistan.
  • The WFP has a massive supply chain and logistics infrastructure in Afghanistan that could help in ensuring that the food supply reaches those who need it the most and no one is excluded.
  • The MoU also ensures that the assistance is coordinated and delivered in an effective and efficient manner, and that it reaches the most vulnerable sections of the Afghan population.

What is World Food Programme (WFP)?

  • The WFP is a humanitarian organization that is part of the United Nations system.
  • It was established in 1961 and has its headquarters in Rome, Italy.
  • The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency focused on combating hunger and promoting food security.

Scope of Operations

  • The WFP operates in more than 80 countries, delivering food assistance to people in need.
  • WFP programs reach over 97 million people each year, including children, pregnant and nursing women, and people affected by emergencies, such as conflict or natural disasters.
  • It provides a range of food assistance, including in-kind food assistance, cash and voucher-based transfers, and specialized nutritious foods.

Funding and Support

  • The WFP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from governments, companies, and individuals.
  • The organization works closely with donors to ensure that funding is used effectively and efficiently, and to ensure that it is directed to the areas and programs where it is needed most.

Governance and Structure

  • The WFP is governed by an Executive Board, which is composed of 36 member states that are elected to three-year terms.
  • The Executive Board provides oversight and strategic direction to the organization, and approves the WFP’s programs and budgets.
  • The WFP is headed by an Executive Director, who is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
  • The organization has more than 17,000 staff worldwide, including professionals in fields such as logistics, nutrition, and food security.

Impact and Achievements

  • Over the years, the WFP has made significant contributions to addressing hunger and promoting food security worldwide.
  • The organization has responded to numerous emergencies, providing food assistance to millions of people affected by conflict, natural disasters, and other crises.
  • The WFP has also supported programs that help people access the food they need to lead healthy, active lives, and that promote sustainable agriculture and development.
  • The WFP has been recognized for its efforts, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 in recognition of its contributions to combatting hunger and promoting peace.

 

 

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

Inflation in India is Driven by Food Prices

op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Inflation, WPI and CPI

Mains level: Inflation trends in India

Inflation in India

Central Idea

  • The recent trajectory of inflation in India is attributed to the pricing power of five big corporates or ‘Big 5’ according to former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Viral Acharya. However, the argument is flawed as the Indian inflation is different from the rest of the world, and it is driven by food price inflation. While corporate pricing power does exist, it is limited, and the extent to which it drives overall inflation is still debatable.

The factor of food price inflation

  1. Divergence between Indian and Western inflation rates is not new:
  • Sudden surge of Inflation in India: After the global financial crisis of 2008, Indian inflation surged higher than the economies of the US and UK due to food price inflation caused by negative agricultural shocks and high procurement price hikes.
  • Core inflation: Food-price inflation tends to feed into core inflation, so it would be hasty to conclude that Indian inflation is higher than the West today due to corporate pricing power.
  • Food price inflation: Evidence suggests that in India, food price inflation affects core inflation, and food price inflation enters costs of the non-agricultural sector.
  1. Corporate pricing power in India:
  • Corporate pricing power and overall inflation: Corporate pricing power exists in Indian industry, but the extent to which it drives overall inflation in India is debatable. The question is how much corporate power is driving inflation beyond its obvious role in elevating the price level.
  • Prices of food: To measure inflation without considering the price of food is to exclude what matters most to the public, as opposed to central bankers.
  • Inflation control strategy: India’s inflation control strategy needs to address the challenge of ensuring the production of food at affordable prices.
  1. Comparing WP inflation with CP inflation
  • Comparing WP inflation with CP inflation is to acquiesce in a mismatch.
  • The commodity basket corresponding to CP includes items that do not enter the wholesale price index, so we would be comparing apples with oranges.

Inflation in India

The argument is based on a short time period

  • WP inflation has eased considerably in the six months preceding March 2023, but CP inflation has not. However, a mismatch between WP and CP inflations is not new.
  • So, the maintenance of high price increases by firms in the retail sector even after wholesale price inflation has declined in 2022-23 may just be a compensating mechanism, i.e., the rising input cost of the retail sector is being passed on with a lag.

Facts for prelims: WP inflation VS CP inflation

Aspect Wholesale Price (WP) Inflation Consumer Price (CP) Inflation
Definition Measures the change in average price level of goods sold by producers at the wholesale level Measures the change in average price level of goods and services purchased by households
Captures Changes in prices of goods before they reach the retail market Changes in prices of goods and services at the retail level
Indicator of Early indicator of changes in overall price level of economy Inflation that households experience in their day-to-day lives
Impact Affects production cost and supply chain Affects purchasing power of consumers
Calculation Based on price changes of goods sold in bulk to retailers or other businesses Based on price changes of goods and services purchased by households
Usage Used by policymakers to monitor changes in cost of production and production-level inflation Used by policymakers to monitor inflation and make decisions related to monetary policy
Examples Wholesale prices of raw materials, oil, and other commodities Retail prices of food, clothing, transportation, and other consumer goods and services

Rising food prices driving current inflation

  • Over 75% of the direct contribution to inflation in the first three quarters of the financial year came from sectors in which the Big 5 are unlikely to be represented in a big way.
  • The contribution of food products alone was close to 50% in most time periods.
  • Rising food prices are driving current inflation in India.

The current inflation control strategy

  • Considerable rise in food prices: In India, food prices have only risen, and in recent years their rate of inflation has been very high. For all the reforms since 1991, the real price of food, i.e., its price relative to the general price level, has risen considerably.
  • What matters most to public must be considered: In the context, to measure inflation without considering the price of food is to exclude what matters most to the public, as opposed to central bankers.
  • Current strategy restricted to using the interest rate to dampen aggregate demand: India’s inflation control strategy is currently restricted to using the interest rate to dampen aggregate demand. This strategy avoids addressing the challenge of ensuring the production of affordable food.
  • Question mark on RBI’s ability to control inflation: The RBI has been unable to control even the core inflation which central banks are assumed to be able to control. A recent intervention explaining core inflation in India has highlighted the RBI’s inability to control inflation.

Conclusion

  • Inflation is being discussed only in terms of core inflation, which excludes the inflation in food and fuel prices because these prices tend to fluctuate and even out the changes, so it is assumed that they do not require a policy response. However, this assumption is flawed in the context of India’s economy, as food and fuel prices have a significant impact on the economy and people’s livelihoods. Therefore, limiting the discussion to core inflation ignores the role of corporate pricing power and the impact of food and fuel prices on the economy.

Mains Question

Q. What is the factor that primarily drives inflation in India? Highlight the relationship between food price inflation and overall inflation in India?

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Breakthrough

AI Regulation in India: Ensuring Responsible Development and Deployment

op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields,S&T - Applications In Everyday Life
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: AI applications and latest developments

Mains level: AI's limitless potential, challenges, risks and regulations

AI

Central Idea

  • As the deployment of Artificial intelligence (AI) based systems continues to grow, it is important for India to develop and implement regulations that promote responsible development and deployment, while also addressing concerns related to privacy, competition, and job losses.

The Potential of AI and its Risks

  • Limitless potential: The potential of AI is vast and encompasses a wide range of applications across various fields. AI has the potential to improve productivity, increase efficiency, and provide personalized solutions in many areas such as healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, transportation, defense, space technology, molecular biology, deep water mining, and exploration.
  • Significant risks: While the potential of AI is immense, it also comes with significant risks that need to be addressed. Some of the risks associated with AI include biased algorithms, misdiagnosis or errors, loss of jobs for professionals, unintended harm or civilian casualties, and cybersecurity threats. It is important to ensure that AI development and deployment are carried out with caution and that potential risks are mitigated.

AI

Takeaway keyword Box from civilsdaily: AI applications in various fields, advantages, challenges and associated risks.

Fields AI Applications Advantages Challenges Risks
Healthcare Diagnosis and medical imaging, drug discovery, personalized medicine, virtual nursing assistants, remote monitoring of patients, health data analysis Improved accuracy and speed of diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, faster drug discovery, remote patient monitoring Integration with existing healthcare systems, ethical and regulatory concerns, data privacy and security Misdiagnosis or errors, biased algorithms, loss of jobs for healthcare professionals
Finance Fraud detection, customer service chatbots, personalized financial advice, risk assessment and management, trading algorithms Improved fraud detection and prevention, personalized customer support, optimized risk management, faster trading decisions Integration with existing financial systems, ethical and regulatory concerns, data privacy and security Biased algorithms, systemic risks, cyber attacks
Education Personalized learning, adaptive learning, intelligent tutoring systems, student engagement analytics, automated grading and feedback Improved student outcomes, personalized learning experiences, increased student engagement, reduced workload for educators Integration with existing education systems, ethical and regulatory concerns, data privacy and security Biased algorithms, loss of jobs for educators, lack of human interaction
Manufacturing Quality control, predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, collaborative robots, autonomous vehicles, visual inspection Increased efficiency and productivity, reduced downtime, optimized supply chains, improved worker safety Integration with existing manufacturing systems, ethical and regulatory concerns, data privacy and security Malfunctioning robots or machines, loss of jobs for workers, high implementation costs
Transportation Autonomous vehicles, predictive maintenance, route optimization, intelligent traffic management, demand forecasting, ride-sharing and on-demand services Reduced accidents and fatalities, reduced congestion and emissions, optimized routing and scheduling, increased accessibility and convenience Integration with existing transportation systems, ethical and regulatory concerns, data privacy and security Malfunctioning autonomous vehicles, job displacement for drivers, cybersecurity threats
Agriculture Precision agriculture, crop monitoring and analysis, yield optimization, automated irrigation and fertilization, pest management, livestock monitoring Increased crop yields, reduced waste and resource use, optimized crop health, improved livestock management Integration with existing agriculture systems, ethical and regulatory concerns, data privacy and security Malfunctioning drones or sensors, loss of jobs for farm workers, biased algorithms
Defense Intelligent surveillance and threat detection, unmanned systems, autonomous weapons Improved situational awareness and response, reduced human risk in combat situations Ethical and legal concerns surrounding the use of autonomous weapons, risk of AI being hacked or malfunctioning in combat scenarios Unintended harm or civilian casualties, loss of jobs for military personnel
Space technology Autonomous navigation, intelligent data analysis, robotics Increased efficiency and productivity in space exploration, improved accuracy in data analysis Risk of AI being hacked or malfunctioning in space missions, ethical and regulatory concerns surrounding the use of autonomous systems in space Damage to equipment or loss of mission due to malfunctioning AI
Molecular biology Gene editing and analysis, drug discovery and development, personalized medicine Faster and more accurate analysis of genetic data, improved drug discovery and personalized treatment plans Ethical and regulatory concerns surrounding the use of AI in gene editing and personalized medicine Misuse of genetic data or personalized treatment plans, loss of jobs for medical professionals
Deep water mining and exploration Autonomous underwater vehicles, intelligent data analysis Increased efficiency and productivity in deep sea exploration and mining, improved accuracy in data analysis High costs and technical challenges of developing and deploying AI systems in deep sea environments Malfunctioning AI systems, environmental damage or destruction due to deep sea mining activities

The Need for Regulation

  • Current regulatory system not well equipped: The current regulatory system may not be equipped to deal with the risks posed by AI, especially in areas such as privacy and competition.
  • Develop regulations in collaboration: Governments need to work with tech companies to develop regulations that ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI systems.
  • Balanced regulations: The regulation needs to be adaptive, flexible and balance between the benefits and risks of AI technology. This way, AI technology can be developed while taking into account societal concerns.
  • Privacy Concerns and responsible usage: AI-based systems, such as facial recognition technology, raise concerns related to privacy and surveillance. Governments need to develop regulations that protect citizen privacy and ensure that data is collected and used in a responsible way.
  • Risk assessment: Risk assessment could help in determining the risks of AI-based systems and developing regulations that address those risks.
  • For instance: Europe’s risk assessment approach may serve as a useful model for India to develop such regulations.

Competition and Monopolization

  • AI powered checks and balance: The dominance of Big Tech in the tech landscape raises concerns of monopolization and the potential for deepening their control over the market. However, the presence of multiple players in the AI field generates checks and balances of its own.
  • Healthy market for AI technology: The development of new players and competitors can promote innovation and ensure a healthy market for AI technology.

AI

Conclusion

  • AI technology holds immense potential, but its risks need to be mitigated, and its development and deployment need to be carried out responsibly. Governments must work towards developing regulations that ensure that AI technology benefits society, while addressing concerns related to privacy, competition, and job losses. Responsible development and deployment of AI technology can lead to a brighter future for all.

Mains Question

Q. AI has limitless potential in various fields. In this light of this statement enumerate some of its key revolutionary applications in various fields and discuss challenges and associated risks of deploying AI in various fields.

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Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

Women Cadres (Maoist): Structural Violence and Exploitation

op-ed snap | Indian Society | Mains Paper 3: Inclusive Growth & Issues,Linkages Between Development & Spread Of Extremism
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: NA

Mains level: Inner party women representation and hardships

Women Cadre

Central idea

  • The Communist Party of India (Maoist) claims to fight for gender equality, but the reality is that women cadres are subject to structural violence and exploitation.

Women’s representation in the party

  • Negligible representation in the council: Despite constituting 35%-40% of the party, women’s representation in the Central Committee and the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) is negligible
  • Members in the cadre: Only one-woman cadre is a Central Committee member out of more than 20 members, and only two women cadres are DKSZC members out of approximately 20 members

Concerns over women’s health and nutrition

  • Health challenges: Women face additional health challenges in the jungle and receive inadequate nutrition and healthcare. Most women become anaemic due to the lack of proper nutrition.
  • Menstrual hygiene challenges: Women cadres do not receive menstrual leave and need to be alert all the time with a gun. Only one loin cloth is provided to two women cadres to be shared as a sanitary napkin for six months.
  • Fundamental necessities are not adequate: Women cadres are not allowed to liberally use water and are at the mercy of the unit commander who carries some medical necessities

Conditions for marriage and reproduction

  • Marriage is not to enjoy family life: The party permits marriage only between willing partners to fight together, not to enjoy family life.
  • Forced vasectomy: Male cadres are forced to undergo vasectomy either before marriage or immediately after marriage.
  • Forced abortion: If a woman cadre gets pregnant, she has to undergo an abortion
  • Silent on divorce and polygamy: The party is silent on issues of divorce and polygamy

Sexual exploitation and ill-treatment of women

  • Sexual exploitation and ill treatment: Sexual exploitation of women is not uncommon in the party, and instances of suicide by women cadres due to ill-treatment and suspicion are reported.
  • Nominal punishment: Disciplinary action is taken against cadres for moral turpitude, but the maximum punishment is only suspension for a year or demotion.

Conclusion

  • Women who join the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in the hope of bringing about a revolution for the proletariat and the landless class are often subject to the same structural violence that they are supposed to fight. The party needs to ensure gender equality in reality, not just in its claims, and provide better conditions for women cadres.

Mains Question

Q. How do structural inequalities and power dynamics within political movements impact the fight for gender equality? Illustrate.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): Bus to Become An Arbitration Hub

op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 2: E-Governance
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: ODR applications

Mains level: Online Dispute Resolution mechanism in India, advantages , challenges and measures

Online

Central Idea

  • India can still become a leader in dispute resolution despite missing the opportunity to establish itself as an arbitration hub. The use of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) can enable India to enhance its ease of doing business and become a more preferred destination for dispute resolution.

India’s shortcomings in arbitration

  • India’s low rank in the ‘Enforcing Contracts’ category in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report, which indicates the difficulties in enforcing contracts in India.
  • Although India has taken steps to improve its arbitration laws and regulations, it is not yet a preferred destination for arbitration.

India’s strengths in technology

  • India’s has demonstrated its strengths in technology, especially in the field of ODR.
  • India has a unique advantage in this area due to the widespread adoption of online technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the judiciary lead the way in online hearings.

What is Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)?

  • ODR is a method of resolving disputes through the use of digital technology and the internet, without the need for physical presence in a traditional courtroom setting.
  • It involves the use of various tools and platforms such as video conferencing, case management systems, digital signatures, and even advanced technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to resolve disputes.
  • ODR offers many advantages over traditional methods of dispute resolution, such as reduced burden on courts, time and cost savings, and increased accessibility to dispute resolution services for parties located in different geographical locations.
  • ODR is becoming increasingly popular around the world, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has made physical hearings and meetings difficult or impossible in many cases.

Advantages of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in India

  • Convenience: ODR provides a convenient way for parties to resolve disputes without the need to physically travel to a court or other dispute resolution center. This can save time and money, especially in cases where parties are located in different parts of the country.
  • Efficiency: ODR can help to streamline the dispute resolution process by providing tools such as case management systems, automated case flows, and digital signatures and stamping. This can help to reduce the time and costs associated with traditional dispute resolution methods.
  • Accessibility: ODR can make dispute resolution more accessible to individuals and businesses, especially those who may not have the resources to pursue traditional legal remedies.
  • Expertise: ODR platforms can provide access to experts in specific fields, such as intellectual property, international trade, or e-commerce, which can be especially useful in resolving disputes that involve complex legal issues.
  • Confidentiality: ODR can provide a confidential environment for parties to resolve disputes, which can be especially important in cases where sensitive business information is involved.
  • Flexibility: ODR can be tailored to the specific needs of the parties and the dispute, providing a more flexible and adaptable approach to dispute resolution than traditional legal methods.

Opportunities for ODR in India

  • ORD already in use: Private platforms in India are already resolving lakhs of disputes through ODR and that many corporates have migrated to ODR to resolve small-value disputes.
  • Look beyond the conventional tools: The ODR can be used for more than just audio/video conferencing and can encompass tools such as multi-channel communication, case management systems, automated case flows, digital signatures and stamping, and even advanced technologies such as blockchain, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

Measures to promote ODR

Three key measures that can be taken to promote ODR in India are as follows:

  1. Incentivizing the use of ODR: Incentivizing the use of ODR through legislative measures such as setting ODR as a default dispute resolution tool for online transactions, fast-tracking enforcement of ODR outcomes, and exempting or reducing stamp duty and court fees.
  2. Solving infrastructure challenges: Solving infrastructural challenges and optimizing existing setups such as Aadhaar kendras to also function as ODR kiosks. Each court can have an ODR cell along with supplemental technical and administrative support.
  3. Proactive use of ODR by government: Government departments should explore ODR as a grievance redress mechanism. Proactive use of ODR by government entities will not only increase trust in the process but also ensure that citizens have access to a convenient and cost-effective means of resolving disputes with the government.

Conclusion

  • The ODR has the potential to ensure justice for all, at everyone’s fingertips. While India may have missed the bus to become an arbitration hub, it can still catch up and overtake other countries in ODR.

Mains Question

Q. What is Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)? Discuss the advantages of ODR in India and suggest measures that can be taken to promote its use.

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Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

Role of Parliamentary Committees

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Parliamentary Committees

Mains level: Legislative consultation

Central idea: This article discusses the importance and functions of parliamentary committees in India.

Why in news?

  • As little as 25% of the Bills introduced were referred to committees in the 16th Lok Sabha, as compared to 71% and 60% in the 15th and 14th Lok Sabha respectively.
  • This represents a declining trend of national legislation being subjected to expert scrutiny.

What is a Parliamentary Committee?

  • A committee appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker that works under the direction of the Speaker and presents its report to the House or the Speaker.
  • Two kinds of committees: Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees.

(1) Standing Committees

  • Permanent and regular committees constituted from time to time in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
  • The work of these Committees is of continuous nature.
  • Examples include the Financial Committees and DRSCs.

(2) Ad hoc Committees

  • Appointed for a specific purpose and cease to exist when they finish the task assigned to them and submit a report.
  • The principal Ad hoc Committees are the Select and Joint Committees on Bills.
  • Examples include the Railway Convention Committee and Joint Committee on Food Management in Parliament House Complex.

Why need Parliamentary Committee?

  • Parliament scrutinizes legislative proposals (Bills) in two ways: discussion on the floor of the two Houses and referring the Bill to a parliamentary committee.
  • Since Parliament meets for 70 to 80 days in a year, there is not enough time to discuss every Bill in detail on the floor of the House.

Role of the committee in the passage of a Bill

  • The debate in the house is mostly political and does not go into the technical details of a legislative proposal.
  • Referring a Bill to a parliamentary committee takes care of the legislative infirmity of debate on the floor of the House.
  • However, referring Bills to parliamentary committees is not mandatory.

What is a Select Committee?

  • India’s Parliament has multiple types of committees.
  • Departmentally related Standing Committees focus on the working of different ministries.
  • Each committee has 31 MPs, 21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
  • The main purpose is to ensure the accountability of Government to Parliament through a more detailed consideration of measures in these committees.

When does a committee examine a Bill?

  • Bills can reach a committee through a recommendation by the minister piloting the Bill or the presiding officer of the House.

What happens when a Bill goes to a Committee?

  • The committee undertakes a detailed examination of the Bill, inviting comments and suggestions from experts, stakeholders and citizens.
  • The government also appears before the committee to present its viewpoint.
  • The committee’s report makes suggestions for strengthening the Bill.
  • While the committee is deliberating on a Bill, there is a pause in its legislative journey.
  • The Bill can only progress in Parliament after the committee has submitted its report.

What happens after the report?

  • The report of the committee is of a recommendatory nature.
  • The government can choose to accept or reject its recommendations.
  • Select Committees and JPCs have an added advantage of including their version of the Bill in the report.
  • The minister in charge of that particular Bill can move for the committee’s version of the Bill to be discussed and passed in the House.

Importance of these Committees

  • Parliamentary committees analyze the impact that a specific piece of legislation may have on governance indicators.
  • It recommends the government to take an ‘Action Taken’ report for the House to judge the progress made on the suggestions of the committee.
  • Though committee reports aren’t binding on the government, it helps the legislature ensure oversight of the executive.

 

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Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.

UGC releases National Credit Framework (NCrF)

| Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: National Credit Framework (NCrF)

Mains level: Read the attached story

The University Grants Commission (UGC) released the National Credit Framework (NCrF), which will allow students to earn educational credits at all levels, irrespective of the mode of learning i.e. offline, online, or blended.

What is National Credit Framework (NCrF)?

  • The NCrF is a meta-framework that integrates the credits earned through school education, higher education, and vocational and skill education.
  • It consists of three verticals:
  1. National School Education Qualification Framework (NSEQF)
  2. National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) and
  3. National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)
  • The NCrF provides a mechanism for the integration of general academic education and vocational and skill education, ensuring equivalence within and between these two education streams.
  • Institutions would be free to notify their detailed implementation guidelines with flexibility for catering to their academic requirements.

Key features

(1) Credit System

  • Under the NCrF, one credit corresponds to 30 notional learning hours in a year of two semesters.
  • A student is required to earn a minimum of 20 credits every semester.
  • A student can earn more than 40 credits in a year.
  • Maximum credits a student can earn during schooling period is 160.
  • A three-year bachelor’s degree course will result in a total of 120 credits earned.
  • A Ph.D. degree is at Level 8 and earns 320 credits upon completion.

(2) Study of Vedas:  Students can obtain credits for their proficiency in diverse areas of the Indian knowledge system, including the Puranas, Vedas, and other related components.

(3) Indian Knowledge System (IKS): UGC notified the final report, which includes the components of the IKS. The IKS comprises 18 theoretical disciplines called vidyas and 64 practical disciplines, including vocational areas and crafts. These disciplines were the foundation of the 18 sciences in ancient India, as per the report.

(4) Educational Acceleration: The NCrF supports educational acceleration for students with gifted learning abilities. It provides scope for crediting national/international achievers in any field, including but not limited to sports, Indian knowledge system, music, heritage, traditional skills, performing & fine arts, master artisans, etc.

(5) International Equivalence: The international equivalence and transfer of credits shall be enabled through various multilateral/bilateral agreements between respective regulators of the countries concerned. NCrF would lend credibility and authenticity to the credits being assigned and earned under various programs in India, making these credits more acceptable and transferable internationally.

 

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

What is Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

Mains level: Not Much

hadron

Central idea: The article provides an overview of the LHC, its construction, how it works, and what it has discovered. It also discusses the future of the LHC, including plans to upgrade it and build a bigger version.

Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

  • The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world’s largest science experiment built by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
  • It is a collider that smashes two beams of particles in opposite directions and these particles are hadrons.
  • The LHC is on the energy frontier of physics research, conducting experiments with highly energized particles.
  • Currently, the LHC is being warmed up for its third season of operations following upgrades that have made it more sensitive and accurate.

How does the LHC work?

  • Hadrons are subatomic particles made up of smaller particles, and the LHC typically uses protons.
  • Protons are energized by accelerating them through a narrow circular pipe that is 27 km long.
  • The pipe encircles two D-shaped magnetic fields created by almost 9,600 magnets.
  • Protons are accelerated through the beam pipe by rapidly switching the direction of the magnetic field.
  • Eventually, protons move at 99.999999% of the speed of light, according to the special theory of relativity.

What happens when particles are smashed?

  • When two antiparallel beams of energized protons collide head-on, the energy at the point of collision is equal to the sum of the energy carried by the two beams.
  • The highest centre-of-mass collision energy the LHC has achieved so far is 13.6 TeV.
  • At the moment of collision, there is chaos, and energy coalesces into different subatomic particles under the guidance of the fundamental forces of nature.
  • Different particles take shape depending on the amount and flavour of energy available.

What has the LHC found so far?

  • The LHC consists of nine detectors, and they study particle interactions in different ways.
  • The ATLAS and CMS detectors discovered the Higgs boson in 2012 and confirmed their findings in 2013.
  • Using the data from collisions, scientists have tested the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics, observed exotic particles, and pieced together information about extreme natural conditions.

What is the LHC’s future?

  • The LHC has not been able to find ‘new physics’ that can explain the nature of dark matter or why gravity is such a weak force.
  • One way forward is to improve the LHC’s luminosity by 10x by 2027 through upgrades.
  • Another idea is to build a bigger and more powerful version of the LHC, based on the hypothesis that it can find ‘new physics’ at even higher energies.
  • Physicists are divided on whether to invest in building a bigger machine or less expensive experiments with guaranteed results.

B2BASICS

What is Hadron?

  • Hadron is any member of a class of subatomic particles that are built from quarks and thus react through the agency of the strong force. The hadrons embrace mesons, baryons (e.g., protons, neutrons, and sigma particles), and their many resonances.

CERN

  • European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory.
  • CERN is based in Geneva on the French-Swiss border. It has 23 member states.
  • India in 2016 became an associate member of the CERN. Indian scientists have played a significant role in the ALICE experiment, which is a dedicated experiment for search and study of Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP).

Try this MCQ

Which of the following is a subatomic particle made up of smaller particles and is commonly used in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

(a) Protons

(b) Electrons

(c) Neutrons

(d) Photons

 

Post your answers here.

 

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Civil Aviation Sector – CA Policy 2016, UDAN, Open Skies, etc.

International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Important International Institutions
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: IASA Program

Mains level: Not Much

Central idea

  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US has retained the “Category 1” status for India’s aviation safety oversight following a review.
  • The FAA uses the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program to determine whether a country’s oversight of its airlines that operate or wish to operate to the US or enter into codeshare partnerships.

What is the IASA Program?

  • The International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program is conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
  • The program evaluates the safety oversight of civil aviation authorities in countries worldwide.
  • It determines whether a country’s oversight of its airlines that operate or wish to operate to the U.S. or enter into codeshare partnerships with U.S. carriers comply with safety standards established by the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  • The IASA program focuses on three broad areas, including personnel licensing, operation of aircraft, and airworthiness of aircraft.
  • Countries are rated as Category 1 if they comply with international safety standards, or Category 2 if they do not comply with international safety standards.
  • The IASA program is conducted over a one-year period, which includes physical audits and a further review.

India’s commitment to aviation safety

  • The assessment by the ICAO as well as the FAA is a testimony to India’s commitment of having an effective safety oversight for its civil aviation system.
  • In November 2021, the ICAO conducted an audit, and India scored an Effective Implementation (EI) of 85.65%, an improvement from the previous EI of 69.95%.

 

 

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Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

Teja Singh Sutantar: Remembering the revolutionary leader

Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Teja Singh Sutantar

Mains level: NA

teja

Punjab Chief Minister unveiled a statue of Teja Singh Sutantar, a former MP and revolutionary leader.

Teja Singh Sutantar

  • Teja Singh was born as Samund Singh in 1901 in Aluna village of Gurdaspur district.
  • After completing his schooling, he joined Khalsa College in Amritsar.
  • Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, he joined the Akali Dal to participate in the movement to liberate gurdwaras from degenerate mahants.
  • However, in September 1921, he formed his own squad called the Sutantar Jatha, which successfully liberated a gurdwara in a village called Teja in Gurdaspur district from the mahants.
  • He later freed another gurdwara in Othian village from mahants.

Early life and revolutionary activities

  • In early 1923, Teja Singh went to Kabul as a Sikh missionary and there he came into contact with a few leaders of the Ghadar Party, who were preparing for their second attempt to overthrow the British government.
  • They persuaded Teja Singh to undergo military training, so he joined the Turkish military academy in 1925 under the pseudonym Azad Beg.
  • He later moved to Berlin and then to Canada and the United States, where he addressed congregations of Indians, mainly Punjabi Sikh immigrants.

Political Career

  • After visiting several countries, Teja Singh returned to India and became a prominent leader of the communist party (CPI).
  • He contributed revolutionary articles to the party journal, the Kirti, frequently writing about issues that plagued peasants.
  • In May 1937, he was elected unopposed to the Punjab Legislative Assembly as a nominee of the Indian National Congress while he was still in prison.
  • He continued to remain a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly till 1945.
  • He was also the secretary of the Communist Party (Punjab) from 1944 to 1947.

 

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Indian Air Force Updates

Exercise Cope India 23

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Exercise Cope India 23

Mains level: NA

The Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters, including Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Rafale, SU-30MKI, and Jaguars, are set to participate in bilateral air Exercise Cope India 23 with US Air Force (USAF) F-15 fighters and B-1B long-range bombers.

Exercise Cope India

  • Cope India began in 2004 as a fighter training exercise held at Air Station Gwalior.
  • The exercise has evolved to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, airdrop training and large-force exercises, in addition to fighter-training exercises.
  • The exercise was last held in 2009.
  • The exercise showcases US and India’s efforts and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Highlights of the 2023 version

  • The exercise will be conducted in two phases, with the first phase practicing the air-mobility component involving transport aircraft of both countries.
  • The IAF element will include the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas, and Jaguar fighter aircraft, while Japan is taking part in the exercise as an observer.
  • The second phase of the exercise will witness the participation of B-1B bombers of USAF, and F-15 fighter aircraft of the USAF will join the exercise subsequently, according to an IAF statement.
  • The exercise will be supported by aerial refuellers, Airborne Warning and Control System, and Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft of the IAF.

 

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International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

ESA to launch Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) Mission

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Juice Mission

Mains level: Not Much

juice

The European Space Agency (ESA) is all set to launch the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or Juice, mission from its spaceport in French Guiana on an Ariane 5 launcher.

What is the Juice Mission?

  • Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission is a project by the European Space Agency (ESA) to explore the Solar System’s largest planet Jupiter and its three largest moons, Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa.
  • Juice is constructed by an industrial consortium led by Airbus Defence and Space and is planned to reach Jupiter in 2031 using remote sensing, geophysical, and in situ instruments.

Goals of the Juice mission

  • Juice aims to create a detailed map of the surfaces of Jupiter’s moons and to look beneath them to probe their potential habitability by creating a comprehensive picture of Jupiter.
  • One of the primary goals of the Juice mission is to gain insight into how planetary systems form and evolve over time and how possibly habitable environments can arise in Jupiter-like systems around other stars.
  • Juice will also analyze the chemistry, structure, dynamics, weather, and climate of Jupiter and its ever-changing atmosphere.

Ganymede: Focus of the Juice mission

  • Ganymede is the largest moon in the Solar System and the only one to generate its magnetic field.
  • Juice will move into Ganymede’s orbit after approximately four of arriving at Jupiter.
  • Juice will use its suite of ten sophisticated instruments to measure how Ganymede rotates, its gravity, its shape and interior structure, its magnetic field, its composition, and to penetrate its icy crust using radar down to a depth of about nine km.

Can Juice detect life?

  • Juice is not equipped to detect life on Jupiter or its moons.
  • It is, however, capable of finding out whether there could be places around Jupiter, inside the icy moons, where the necessary conditions, such as water, biological essential elements, energy, and stability, to sustain life are present.
  • Scientists believe that there is a possibility that life is present on Jupiter’s moons, in the form of microbes or more advanced species, such as those found in deep-sea trenches and at hydrothermal vents on Earth.

 

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Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

The 17th Lok Sabha: A Short-Lived Parliament with Low Productivity

op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Parliament & State Legislatures
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Lok Sabha and its devices

Mains level: Low productivity of Lok Sabha, reasons and implications

17th Lok Sabha

Central Idea

  • The 17th Lok Sabha is set to complete its five-year term in 2024. However, with only 230 sitting days so far, it is unlikely to surpass the 331 days of the shortest full-term Lok Sabha since 1952. The latest session, the Budget session, was marked by minimal legislative activity and continuous disruptions, with only one item, the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, being discussed.

Low Productivity of the 17th Lok Sabha

  • The Lok Sabha has functioned for only 33% of its scheduled time (46 hours) during the Budget session, with the Rajya Sabha working for 24% (32 hours).
  • The second part of the session was even more unproductive, with the Lok Sabha working for only 5% and the Rajya Sabha for 6% of their scheduled time.
  • The number of Bills introduced and passed has also declined significantly since the first session, with fewer than 10 Bills being introduced or passed in each of the last four sessions.
  • The latest Budget session was also one of the shortest since 1952, with the Lok Sabha spending only 18 hours on financial business, compared to an average of 55 hours in previous Budget sessions of the 17th Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha Term Total Sitting Days Bills Introduced Bills Passed Average Sitting Days per Year
15th 2009-2014 357 244 181 71
16th 2014-2019 331 247 156 66
17th 2019-2024 Less than 331 (projected) 150 (as of April 2023) 131 (as of April 2023) 58 (projected)

Lack of Debates and Discussions

  • Short-duration discussions: The Rules of Procedure of both Houses of Parliament provide for various devices that can be used to draw attention to matters of public importance and hold the government accountable. However, in the 17th Lok Sabha, only 11 short-duration discussions and one half-an-hour discussion have been held so far, and none were held during the latest session.
  • Question Hour: This is despite the fact that the latest session saw the least amount of time spent on questions in the current Lok Sabha. Question Hour functioned for only 19% of the scheduled time in the Lok Sabha and 9% of the scheduled time in the Rajya Sabha.

Why the Lok Sabha’s productivity has been low?

  • Disruptions and Protests: The 17th Lok Sabha witnessed frequent disruptions and protests from opposition parties, leading to a significant loss of time and decreased productivity. Some of the major issues that led to disruptions include the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and farm laws.
  • Lack of Consensus: The ruling party enjoyed a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, but there was still a lack of consensus on many key issues, resulting in a delay in passing important bills and legislation.
  • COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to the low productivity of the Lok Sabha as many sessions were delayed or cancelled due to safety concerns.
  • Speaker’s Decision: The decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to disallow opposition MPs from raising certain issues also resulted in protests and disruptions, further reducing the productivity of the house.
  • Shorter Sessions: The 17th Lok Sabha had shorter sessions compared to previous Lok Sabhas, which also contributed to lower productivity. Many important bills and issues were left pending as there was not enough time to discuss and debate them thoroughly.

Implications of low productivity of the Lok Sabha

  • Delay in passing important bills: When the Lok Sabha is unable to function effectively, it can lead to a delay in passing important bills, which may have an adverse impact on the economy and governance. For example, crucial bills related to taxation, infrastructure, and social welfare may get delayed, affecting the overall progress of the country.
  • Poor quality of legislation: When the Lok Sabha is unable to function effectively, it may lead to poor quality of legislation. There may be a lack of debate and discussion, leading to hasty decision-making and poor-quality laws that may have unintended consequences.
  • Damage to democratic institutions: When the Lok Sabha is unable to function effectively, it can damage the democratic institutions of the country. It can erode the trust of citizens in the democratic process and lead to a feeling of disenchantment and disengagement among the people.
  • Wastage of taxpayers’ money: When the Lok Sabha is unable to function effectively, it leads to wastage of taxpayers’ money. The salaries and allowances of Members of Parliament are paid from the public exchequer, and if they are not able to discharge their duties effectively, it amounts to a waste of taxpayers’ money.
  • Negative impact on investor confidence: When the Lok Sabha is unable to function effectively, it can have a negative impact on investor confidence. Investors may be hesitant to invest in the country, leading to a slowdown in economic growth and development.
  • Lack of accountability: When the Lok Sabha is unable to function effectively, it may lead to a lack of accountability. Members of Parliament may not be held accountable for their actions, and the executive may be able to push through decisions without proper scrutiny or oversight.

17th Lok Sabha

Conclusion

  • The 17th Lok Sabha has been marked by low productivity and a lack of debates and discussions, despite the availability of mechanisms to hold the government accountable. The upcoming year is unlikely to see a significant increase in the number of sitting days. This lack of productivity and accountability could undermine the role of Parliament in a democracy and the ability of the government to pass important legislation.

Mains Question

Q. What are the reasons for the low productivity of the 17th Lok Sabha? What are the implications of its low productivity, and how might it affect the country’s progress and democratic institutions?

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Internal Security Trends and Incidents

India Must Take Khalistan Extremism Seriously and Address The Root Causes

op-ed snap | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Organized Crime & Terrorism,Social Media Networks & Internal Security
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: NA

Mains level: Internal security

Central Idea

  • The resurgence of Sikh extremism in the form of the self-styled Sikh extremist preacher Amritpal Singh, modelling himself on Bhindranwale of yore, has raised concerns in areas with a significant Sikh diaspora. The real cause for concern is that the current security dispensation has not learnt from past mistakes and needs to take appropriate action before the situation spirals out of control.

Background: Bhindranwale Phenomenon

  • The resemblance of the self-styled Sikh extremist preacher, Amritpal Singh, to Bhindranwale is limited to style and lacks substance.
  • However, the extremist fringe among Sikh youth, including the Sikh diaspora in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, seems to be galvanized by the imposter’s attempts to revive the Bhindranwale mystique.
  • The links have been established by this ‘core group’ with pro-Khalistan groups such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the Babbar Khasla, and the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).

Lessons from the Past

  • Inadequate current security dispensation: The current security dispensation does not appear to have learnt the right lessons from past mistakes.
  • Operation Blue Star: The Bhindranwale phenomenon was not a sudden development, and if it were properly handled, it could have been checkmated well before 1984, and the subsequent violence leading to ‘Operation Blue Star’ and the damage caused to Akal Takht could have been avoided.

What was the Khalistan movement?

  • Dates to pre-independence era: The Khalistan movement, which started in the 1940s during British rule, calls for establishing a separate nation for Sikhs. When India became independent and Punjab was partitioned, its leaders demanded a special status for the state. However, the Central Government did not pay attention to these demands, and Sikhs felt betrayed, leading to the idea of a separate nation growing substantially.
  • Rise of Bhindranwale: Many individuals and organizations contributed to the Sikh revivalist movement; however, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale emerged as a charismatic leader after becoming the head of Damdami Taksal on August 25, 1977.
  • Failure to fulfil regional demand: Punjabi political parties, such as the Sikh Akali Party, failed to fulfil the regional demands concerning river waters and the transfer of Chandigarh as a capital city to Punjab. The devolution of power gave rise to Bhindranwale’s image among the masses.
  • Finally Military Operation: The military mission, OBS, was carried out between June 1 to June 10, 1984, to take control of key gurdwaras, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, from Bhindranwale’s supporters. Bhindranwale was killed during the operation; however, in recent times, his image remains alive and well.

Why is it being revived?

  • Political instability: Punjab in recent years has witnessed a political crisis leading to a change in governments, ruling political parties and CM’s giving chance for radical outfits to grow.
  • Economic challenges: Punjab state has a high employment rate (According to data from the Centre’s Periodic Labour Force Survey 2019-20, Punjab’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average). Also, the year-long Farmers’ protest in 2021 and railways blockades have led to the creation of negative sentiments among investors about the state’s investment environment leading to decreasing investments in Punjab and rising unemployment.
  • Rising communalism: multiple events of blasphemy have taken place in the state which is flaming the fire of communalism among the people of the state.
  • Provocation from Pakistan: Investigations by security agencies suggest links between Khalistani groups and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) – further increasing the likelihood of feelings of separatism due to drug trafficking and networking through Sikh pilgrimages.
  • Feeling to of persecuted minority: images of the 1984 anti-sikh riots and the topic of the non-persecution of culprits of the riots are being used to suggest that Sikhs are persecuted minority and thus they must have their own land in form of Khalistan.

Cause of concern

  • Threat to national security and integrity: the resurgence of the Khalistan movement is a threat to national security similar to the Kashmir and NE insurgency.
  • May darken Punjab’s future: a poor law and order situation may deter investors to invest in Punjab thus further deteriorating its economy and leading to spillover effects in social and political sectors.
  • Involvement of diaspora: The idea of forming a separate state for Sikhs has died down in Punjab; however, it has attracted the attention of a large audience in the diaspora who now have settled in other nations for long and thus have lost their affinity with India as their homeland.
  • Misuse of social media: which defies any international boundary, thus misused by separatists in Pakistan and other nations.
  • Bilateral relations may be harmed: the Khalistan issue has already harmed Indo- Canada relations and now straining Indo-UK due to the conduction of Referendum 2020 in these countries despite the Indian Government’s objection.

Avoiding Misreading of Sentiments

  • Wider perspective: Treating all that is happening now as evidence of a foreign conspiracy instead of facing up to the reality that this may be more than a mere emotional outburst of the Sikh extremist fringe is a grave mistake.
  • Finding the real cause: Blaming the current violence on the drug mafia with links to Pakistan can at best be a proximate, but not the real cause.

Confronting the Threat

  • Innovative ways: India needs to find ways and means to defeat the ‘siren call’ of radical extremists of every hue, whether they be Khalistanis or other kinds of extremists.
  • Ensure balance and sense of unity: It needs to steer between the extremes of the right and left and ensure a greater sense of unity within the country, according to individual dignity and human progress, and demonstrating leadership in the comity of nations.

Way ahead

  • The resurgence of Sikh extremism and the growing insecurity among Sikh youth and discontent prevailing among the Sikh peasantry needs to be addressed to prevent a repeat of the violent events that took place in the late 1970s to the 1990s.
  • Intelligence analysis should be prioritized to detect the signs of growing insecurity and discontent.
  • There is need for good intelligence to deal with the situation.

Conclusion

  • India should not yield to the temptation of resorting to hard measures without understanding the true causes and join the ranks of nations that solely believe in strong-arm methods. India needs to effectively confront the threat posed by radical extremists, such as the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), while respecting liberal values and ensuring unity within the country.

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Foreign Policy Watch: India-China

China’s Renaming Exercise Undermines International Law

op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood - Relations
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: NA

Mains level: China's renaming strategy and its implications

Central Idea

  • China’s recent move to rename 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh and standardise those names on the basis of a map is an exercise of the Chinese perspective of international law, which goes against the international law widely adhered to by most members of the United Nations.

Historical Basis of China’s Claims

  • China’s claims over disputed territories, such as the South China Sea, are often based on historical records, maps, and cultural relics.
  • China argues that these territories had been its territory since the Song Dynasty and, therefore, should be considered part of its sovereign territory. However, this approach is not recognized under international law and undermines the basis of the international legal system.

Chinese perspective of international law

  • Jurisdiction rights: The Chinese perspective of international law is based on its strong stress on the principle of sovereignty. According to this view, sovereign states have an inalienable right to exercise jurisdiction over their territories and their people without interference from other states.
  • Historic rights: China combines its vision of sovereignty with the historic right to exercise jurisdiction over those territories or maritime areas as well, which were once ruled by a Chinese dynasty in the mediaeval or ancient era.
  • Undermines international legal system: The historic right approach makes China undermine the basis of the international legal system grounded in the sovereign equality of states and the general rules of international law.

Contravention of international courts and tribunals

  • Contravenes the decisions of international courts and tribunals: China’s attempt to rename 11 disputed locations on historical and administrative bases contravenes the decisions of international courts and tribunals.
  • No convincing proofs: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) considers direct evidence of possession and the actual exercise of sovereignty as more convincing proof of title to a territory than indirect presumption from events in history.
  • Against the principle of uti possidetis juris: China’s renaming exercise goes against the principle of uti possidetis juris, which is the principle that the boundaries of newly independent states should follow those of the previous colonies.
  • Help of cartographic materials: China tries to buttress its territorial and maritime claims with the support of maps, but cartographic materials do not have any legal value by themselves. They constitute extrinsic evidence of varying reliability that might, depending on the circumstances, be used together with other evidence to establish a fact.

What is the principle of uti possidetis juris?

  • The principle of uti possidetis juris is a Latin phrase that means as you possess under law.
  • It is a principle of international law that was developed in the context of decolonization. The principle holds that newly independent states should inherit the territorial boundaries that existed at the time of their independence.
  • The idea is that the territorial integrity of a new state should be protected and that the boundaries of the state should not be subject to change without the consent of the state.
  • The principle of uti possidetis juris is meant to prevent disputes over territorial boundaries that could lead to instability or conflict.

Implications of China’s actions

  • China’s actions in Arunachal Pradesh undermine the international legal system based on the sovereign equality of states and the general rules of international law.
  • China’s historic right approach to sovereignty over territories and maritime areas is a cause for concern for other countries with territorial disputes with China.
  • China’s use of maps to support its territorial and maritime claims is not a legally valid argument and undermines the legal basis for resolving territorial disputes.

Conclusion

  • China’s attempt to rename disputed territories in Arunachal Pradesh goes against established principles of international law and undermines the sovereign equality of states. The use of historical claims and maps to support territorial and maritime claims is not recognized in international law. This renaming exercise is likely to further strain India-China relations and impact regional stability. It is essential to uphold the principles of international law to ensure the independence and stability of new states and prevent challenges to territorial boundaries.

Mains Question

Q. What is the principle of uti possidetis juris? How does China’s attempt to rename territories in Arunachal Pradesh contravene the decisions of international courts and tribunals?

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Right To Privacy

Data Protection Bill in Monsoon Session

Bills/Act/Laws | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Read the attached story

Mains level: Data Privacy and Protection

 

data

 

The Union government informed the Supreme Court that a new law, namely the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, to enforce individual privacy in online space was “ready”.

Legislation on ‘Data’: A Backgrounder

  • The personal data protection bill has been in the works for about five years.
  • The first draft of the Bill was presented by an expert panel headed by Justice B.N. Srikrishna in July 2018, after a year-long consultation process.

Timeline of key events

data

 

 

  • July 2018: After a year of consultations and deliberations, the PDP Bill, 2018, drafted by an expert committee headed by Justice BN Srikrishna, is presented to MeitY. Subsequently, MeitY begins drafting the next iteration of the Bill.
  • December 2019: The PDP Bill, 2019, prepared by MeitY, is referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for review.
  • December 2021: After multiple extensions, and a leadership change, JPC Chairperson tabled the report of the JPC on the PDP Bill, 2019, as well as the draft Data Protection Bill 2021, in the parliament.
  • August 2022: On August 3 this year, MeitY withdrew the 2021 Bill, stating that a more “comprehensive legal framework” will be presented soon.

DPDP Bill, 2022 is based on seven principles

According to an explanatory note for the bill, it is based on seven principles-

  • Lawful use: The first is that “usage of personal data by organisations must be done in a manner that is lawful, fair to the individuals concerned and transparent to individuals.”
  • Purposeful dissemination: The second principle states that personal data must only be used for the purposes for which it was collected.
  • Data minimisation: Bare minimum and only necessary data should be collected to fulfill a purpose.
  • Data accuracy: At the point of collection. There should not be any duplication.
  • Duration of storage: The fifth principle talks of how personal data that is collected cannot be “stored perpetually by default,” and storage should be limited to a fixed duration.
  • Authorized collection and processing: There should be reasonable safeguards to ensure there is “no unauthorised collection or processing of personal data.”
  • Accountability of users: The person who decides the purpose and means of the processing of personal data should be accountable for such processing.

Key features of the bill

(1) Data Principal and Data Fiduciary

  • The bill uses the term “Data Principal” to denote the individual whose data is being collected.
  • The term “Data Fiduciary” the entity (can be an individual, company, firm, state etc.), which decides the “purpose and means of the processing of an individual’s personal data.”
  • The law also makes a recognition that in the case of children –defined as all users under the age of 18— their parents or lawful guardians will be considered their ‘Data Principals.’

(2) Defining personal data and its processing

  • Under the law, personal data is “any data by which or in relation to which an individual can be identified.”
  • Processing means “the entire cycle of operations that can be carried out in respect of personal data.”
  • So right from collection to storage of data would come under processing of data as per the bill.

(3) Individual’s informed consent

  • The bill also makes it clear that individual needs to give consent before their data is processed.
  • Every individual should know what items of personal data a Data Fiduciary wants to collect and the purpose of such collection and further processing.
  • Individuals also have the right to withdraw consent from a Data Fiduciary.
  • The bill also gives consumers the right to file a complaint against a ‘Data Fiduciary’ with the Data Protection Board in case they do not get a satisfactory response from the company.

(4) Language of information

  • The bill also ensures that individuals should be able to “access basic information” in languages specified in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.
  • Further, the notice of data collection needs to be in clear and easy-to-understand language.

(5) Significant Data Fiduciaries

  • The bill also talks of ‘Significant Data Fiduciaries, who deal with a high volume of personal data.
  • The Central government will define who is designated under this category based on a number of factors ranging from the volume of personal data processed to the risk of harm to the potential impact on the sovereignty and integrity of India.

(6) Data protection officer & Data auditor

  • Such entities will have to appoint a ‘Data protection officer’ who will represent them.
  • They will be the point of contact for grievance redressal.
  • They will also have to appoint an independent Data auditor who shall evaluate their compliance with the act.

(7) Right to erase data, right to nominate

  • Data principals will have the right to demand the erasure and correction of data collected by the data fiduciary.
  • They will also have the right to nominate an individual who will exercise these rights in the event of death or incapacity of the data principal.

(8) Cross-border data transfer

  • The bill also allows for cross-border storage and transfer of data to “certain notified countries and territories.”
  • However an assessment of relevant factors by the Central Government would precede such a notification.

(9) Financial penalties

  • The draft also proposes to impose significant penalties on businesses that undergo data breaches or fail to notify users when breaches happen.
  • Entities that fail to take “reasonable security safeguards” to prevent personal data breaches will be fined as high as Rs 250 crore.
  • As per the draft, the Data Protection Board — a new regulatory body to be set up by the government — can impose a penalty of up to ₹500 crore if non-compliance by a person is found to be significant.

What distinguishes this bill from its earlier versions?

  • Gender neutrality:  Significantly, and for the first time in the country’s legislative history, the terms ‘her’ and ‘she’ have been used irrespective of an individual’s gender. This, as per the draft, is in line with the government’s philosophy of empowering women.
  • Imbibes best global practices: To prepare it, best global practices were considered, including review of data protection legislations of Australia, European Union (EU), Singapore, and a prospective one of the USA.
  • Comprehensiveness: The draft has outlined six ‘Chapters’ and a total of twenty-five points. The ‘Chapters’ are: ‘Preliminary,’ ‘Obligations of Data Fiduciary,’ ‘Rights and Duties of Data Principal,’ ‘Special Provisions,’ ‘Compliance Framework,’ and ‘Miscellaneous.’
  • Special emphasis for child protection: If personal data is likely to cause harm to a child, its processing will not be allowed.

Hits of the bills

  • Widening the scope of data: Narrowing the scope of the data protection regime to personal data protection is a welcome move, as it resonates with the concerns of various stakeholders.
  • Harnessing economic potential: Now non-personal data could be used to unlock social and economic value to benefit citizens, businesses, and communities in India with appropriate safeguards in place.
  • Doing away with aggressive push for Data localisation:  Relaxing data localisation provisions to notify countries to which data can flow, could aid India in unlocking the comparative advantage of accessing innovative technological solutions from across the globe, which in turn helps domestic companies.
  • Free flow of data: In addition, the free flow of data will help startups access cost-effective technology and storage solutions, as our research shows.
  • Allowing data transfers: This will also ensure that India is not isolated from the global value chain, helping businesses stay resilient in production and supply chain management and fostering overseas collaboration.

Some criticisms of the bill

  • Wordplay: There had been use of open-ended language such as “as necessary” or “as may be prescribed”.
  • Govt monopoly: The Bill did not seem to work towards protecting people, but ensures that the government retains all power without any checks or balances.
  • Exemption provisions: The government has been given the power to exempt not only government agencies but any entity that is collecting user data, from having to comply with the provisions of this bill when it is signed into law.
  • No protection against data breach: The Executive in India has a track record of exploiting to expand its powers. There is no right for compensation to individuals in case of a data breach. They have no right to data portability.

Conclusion

  • Crafting such crucial legislation is no mean task. It may require some more trial and error to succeed.
  • Definitely, it will involve some time and deliberation to arrive at a comprehensive legal framework.

 

 

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Monsoon Updates

IMD predicts normal monsoon despite El Nino effect

| Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Important Geophysical Phenomena
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: ENSO, El Nino, La Nina, IOD

Mains level: Factors affecting Indian Monsoon

nino

Central idea

  • India’s four-year run of abundant summer monsoon rainfall is likely to end this year, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a 4% shortfall in the coming season.
  • The monsoon forecast for 2022 is still categorized as “normal” but at 96% of the long-period average (LPA), it is at the lowest end of the range.
  • El Nino, a cyclical phenomenon of warming in the central Pacific, is believed to be the key factor responsible for the below-normal forecast.

Factors affecting the forecast

  • El Nino: It has been linked to diminished rainfall in six out of 10 years in India, and 2022 is expected to see its development.
  • La Nina: It has been influencing the rainfall in India since 2019 and is expected to end this year.
  • Reduced snow cover in Eurasia: It can have a positive impact on the monsoon forecast, and this year’s snow cover in Eurasia was below normal.
  • Positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): IOD could result in more moisture and rainfall over India during August and September, and therefore, have a reduced impact of the El Nino.
  • IMD’s dynamical monsoon forecast techniques: It involves the simulation of global atmospheric and ocean conditions to forecast climate conditions, which the IMD has started to rely on more heavily in recent years.

What is El Nino and La Nina?

  • El Nino and La Nina are two opposite phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
  • ENSO is a naturally occurring phenomenon that involves the interaction between the ocean and atmosphere in the equatorial Pacific.

Here is a detailed comparison of El Nino and La Nina

El Nino La Nina
Definition Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures Cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures
Frequency Every two to seven years Every two to seven years
Duration Several months to a year or more Several months to a year or more
Impact on winds Weakens trade winds, leading to changes in patterns Strengthens trade winds, leading to changes in patterns
Impact on rains Reduces rainfall and can cause droughts Increases rainfall and can cause flooding
Impact on temp. Warmer-than-average temperatures Colder-than-average temperatures
Global effects Droughts in Asia and Africa, floods in Americas Floods in Asia and Africa, droughts in South America

 

Impacts on India

El Nino La Nina
Associated with weak monsoons and drought-like conditions in India Associated with above-normal rainfall and floods in India
Sea surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean rises above normal levels Sea surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean drops below normal levels
Changes in the atmospheric circulation patterns Changes in the atmospheric circulation patterns
Shift in the location of the jet stream, affecting the strength and direction of the monsoon winds Increase in the strength of the monsoon winds, bringing more moisture and rainfall to India
Results in reduced rainfall, dry spells, and heatwaves, leading to crop failures and water scarcity Excessive rainfall can also lead to floods and landslides, causing damage to crops and infrastructure

 

Back2Basics: Long Period Average (LPA) study of Monsoon

  • The IMD predicts a “normal”, “below normal”, or “above normal” monsoon in relation to a benchmark “long period average” (LPA).
  • The LPA of rainfall is the rainfall recorded over a particular region for a given interval (like month or season) average over a long period like 30 years, 50 years, etc.
  • LPA refers to the average rainfall recorded from June to September for the entire country, the amount of rain that falls every year varies from region to region and from month to month.
  • The IMD’s prediction of a normal monsoon is based on the LPA of the 1971-2020 period, during which India received 87 cm of rain for the entire country on average.
  • It has in the past calculated the LPA at 88 cm for the 1961-2010 period, and at 89 cm for the period 1951-2000.

IMD Rainfall Distribution Categories

Rainfall Distribution Categories Percentage Departure of Actual Rainfall from LPA
Normal or Near Normal +/- 10% of LPA (between 96-104% of LPA)
Below Normal Less than 10% of LPA (90-96% of LPA)
Above Normal 104-110% of LPA
Deficient Less than 90% of LPA
Excess More than 110% of LPA

 

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Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries Sector – Pashudhan Sanjivani, E- Pashudhan Haat, etc

What is the Amul versus KMF controversy?

| Economics | Mains Paper 3: Food Processing & Related Industries In India
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Anand Model

Mains level: India's dairy sector

amul

Central idea

  • Amul, the country’s largest dairy player, announced on April 5 that it would supply milk and curd through e-commerce portals in Bengaluru.
  • The announcement was met with opposition from Kannadigas, who saw it as an attempt to threaten the iconic Nandini milk brand of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).

Political Controversy

  • The Amul vs. KMF row turned into a political tool in poll-bound Karnataka.
  • Dissenting sections expressed fears that Amul would eat into the market of Nandini and pose a threat to its business in the state.
  • The ruling government was accused of attempting to privatize the milk sector and “finish off” a home-grown product.

A quick backgrounder

  • Both Amul Dairy and KMF are successful examples of adopting the three-tiered ‘Anand’ model of dairy procurement.
  • Farmers supply milk to dairy cooperatives at the village level, which is then procured by milk unions at the district and state levels.
  • There are 16 district milk unions in Karnataka supplying milk to the dairy cooperatives.
  • KMF provides competitive prices to dairy farmers.
  • KMF corners most of the market share for surplus milk provided by farmers in the state.

Anand Model of Dairy Procurement

  • It is a system of milk collection and distribution pioneered by the Amul cooperative in Anand, Gujarat, India.
  • This model has revolutionized the dairy industry in India by providing a fair price to dairy farmers, eliminating the need for middlemen, and improving the quality of milk.
  • Under the Anand model, farmers are organized into dairy cooperatives, which collect and market their milk.
  • The cooperatives are managed by the farmers themselves and are supported by the infrastructure and marketing expertise of the Amul cooperative.
  • The farmers are paid a fair price for their milk, which is based on its quality and quantity, and they receive regular payments for their milk.

Why are people protesting?

  • Overpricing: The pricing difference between Amul’s toned milk and Nandini’s toned milk was highlighted, with Amul’s milk priced at ₹54 per litre and Nandini’s at ₹39 per litre.
  • Unhealthy competition: KMF’s online presence in the state could create unhealthy competition with Amul’s online presence, despite the pricing difference, according to the federation.

The turf war

  • The KMF is the second-largest milk cooperative in India after Amul.
  • While Amul and KMF compete in neutral regions like Mumbai, Nagpur, Goa, Hyderabad, and Chennai markets, they have not clashed on home turfs.
  • Karnataka is a milk-excess market that meets the needs of the state and exports surplus to other states.
  • KMF plans to write to the National Dairy Development Board, requesting it to direct Amul not to venture into the Bengaluru market and concentrate on milk-deficient states.

Clarification by Amul

  • Amul clarified that it was launching its fresh milk and curd only for a niche market through e-commerce channels and not through the mass market distribution network.

 

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Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

The Legend of Guru Tegh Bahadur

Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Guru Tegh Bahadur

Mains level: Not Much

guru

The Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs, was celebrated on April 11.

Who was Guru Tegh Bahadur?

  • Guru Tegh Bahadur was born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar, Punjab.
  • He was the ninth Guru of the Sikhs and the son of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, and Mata Nanaki.
  • His birth name was Tyag Mal, which means “master of renunciation.”
  • He spent his early years in Amritsar and was trained in religious studies, martial arts, and horse riding.
  • He was also trained in music and poetry, and he became a skilled poet and musician.

His teachings and beliefs

  • Guru Tegh Bahadur’s teachings were based on the importance of meditation, self-discipline, and living a moral and ethical life.
  • He believed in the idea of one God and the unity of all religions.
  • His term as Guru ran from 1665 to 1675. One hundred and fifteen of his hymns are in Guru Granth Sahib.
  • He emphasized the importance of serving others and treating everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their religion or social status.
  • He also believed in the principle of selfless service and encouraged his followers to help those in need.

Significance in Indian History

  • Guru Tegh Bahadur played a crucial role in Sikh history by defending the religious freedom of Hindus against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
  • Aurangzeb was known for his intolerance towards non-Muslims and had imposed a tax on Hindu pilgrims visiting the holy city of Varanasi.
  • When a group of Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadur for help, he decided to defend their right to practice their religion freely.
  • He refused to convert to Islam despite facing torture and persecution, and was eventually executed by Aurangzeb in 1675.
  • His martyrdom is remembered as a significant event in Indian history, and he is considered a hero and a martyr by Sikhs around the world.

His legacy

  • His legacy continues to inspire Sikhs and people of all religions and backgrounds.
  • His teachings and beliefs are an essential part of Sikhism today and are embodied in the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.
  • He is remembered as a saint, scholar, and warrior who sacrificed his life to defend the rights of others.
  • Many Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) around the world are dedicated to him, including the Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, where he was martyred.
  • His martyrdom is commemorated each year on the occasion of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day, which is observed on December 19.

Try this PYQ:

Q.Consider the following Bhakti Saints:

  1. Dadu Dayal
  2. Guru Nanak
  3. Tyagaraja

Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 2

 

 

Post your answers here.

 

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