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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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

     

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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

    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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