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  • India close to Hindu Rate of Growth: Raghuram Rajan

    hindu

    Central idea: Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has warned that India is “dangerously close to the Hindu rate of growth”.

    What is Hindu Rate of Growth?

    • The “Hindu Rate of Growth” is a term used to describe the slow growth rate of the Indian economy between the 1950s and the 1980s.
    • It was coined by the Indian economist Raj Krishna in the 1970s.
    • During this period, the Indian economy grew at an average rate of around 3.5% per year, which was much lower than other developing countries like South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
    • The term is considered controversial as it suggests that the slow growth rate was a result of cultural or religious factors rather than economic policies and structural issues.
    • However, the term is still used in academic and policy discussions to refer to the slow growth of the Indian economy during this period.

    Features of Hindu Rate of Growth

    The then features which led to the coining of this term were-

    • Low GDP growth rate: The term refers to the period from the 1950s to the 1980s when India’s economy grew at an average rate of around 3.5% per year, which was much lower than other developing countries.
    • Slow Industrialization: The industrial sector was dominated by a few public sector companies, and the private sector was heavily regulated.
    • Stagnant Agriculture: There was little investment in agriculture, and the sector was not given much priority in government policies.
    • License Raj: India had a socialist economic model with heavy government regulation. The License Raj system required permits and licenses for businesses, creating a bureaucratic and corrupt system that hindered innovation and entrepreneurship.
    • Import Substitution: India followed a policy of import substitution, where the government tried to develop domestic industries by protecting them from foreign competition. This led to a lack of competition, low quality of products, and high prices.
    • Inefficient Public Sector: The public sector dominated the economy, but it was inefficient, unproductive, and plagued by corruption. Public sector companies were often overstaffed and poorly managed, resulting in low productivity.
    • Lack of Foreign Investment: India was not attractive to foreign investors during this period, and there was little foreign investment in the economy. The government imposed strict controls on foreign investment, and the regulatory environment was not conducive to foreign investment.

    Concerns flagged by Rajan

    Rajan noted that India’s economic growth rate had been declining even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country.

    (a) Decline in GDP growth rate

    • India’s economic growth rate had fallen to 4.5% in the September quarter of 2019, before the pandemic hit in early 2020.
    • During the pandemic, the Indian economy contracted sharply, with GDP falling by 7.7% in the 2020-21 fiscal year.
    • The economy has rebounded somewhat, with the IMF forecasting GDP growth of 9.5% for the current fiscal year.

    (b) Lower growth potential than hyped

    • However, Rajan noted that India’s potential growth rate is likely to be lower than in the past, due to factors such as an aging population, a decline in the working-age population, and sluggish investment.
    • He also cited the country’s poor performance on human development indicators, such as education and health, as a constraint on growth.

    Key suggestions

    • Rajan called for measures to address the structural factors that are holding back growth, such as investment in infrastructure and education, and improving the ease of doing business in India.
    • He also emphasized the importance of macroeconomic stability and maintaining fiscal discipline, to avoid inflation and currency depreciation.
    • He also called for measures to address inequality, such as better targeting of subsidies to those who need them most.

    Conclusion

    • Overall, Rajan’s remarks suggest that India faces significant challenges in maintaining high levels of economic growth, and that structural reforms will be needed to address these challenges.

     


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  • Ayurveda Practice: Significant Challenges

    practice

    Central Idea

    • Ayurveda graduates face significant challenges in pursuing a career in Ayurvedic practice due to widespread scepticism about the efficacy of Ayurvedic theories and practices. Despite the publicity campaigns to promote Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), the fact is that there is a trust-deficit in these systems.

    What is National AYUSH Mission?

    • Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has launched National AYUSH Mission (NAM) during 12th Plan for im­plementing through States/UTs.
    • The basic objective of NAM is to promote AYUSH medical systems through cost effective AYUSH services, strengthening of educational systems, facilitate the enforcement of quality control of ASU &H drugs and sustainable availability of ASU & H raw-materials.
    • It envisages flexibility of implementation of the programmes which will lead to substantial participation of the State Governments/UT.
    • The NAM contemplates establishment of a National Mission as well as corresponding Missions in the State level.

    practice

    What is Ayurveda?

    • Sanskrit word: Ayu means life, and Veda means knowledge or science Hence it is “The Science of Life.”
    • Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago.
    • It was taught orally from one generation to another by accomplished masters.
    • Some of this knowledge was later put into writing, but much of it remains inaccessible.
    • The principles of many natural healing systems, including Homeopathy and Polarity Therapy, have their roots in Ayurveda.

    What are the reasons for the public’s skepticism towards Ayurveda?

    • Failed to keep the pace: The Ayurveda establishment has failed to keep pace with the intellectual and scientific advances of the times.
    • Archaic theories and lack of evidence-based quality: Archaic theories that are apt to arouse suspicion in the minds of educated patients are peddled as sophisticated dogmas. Treatments are not subjected to straightforward testing as they are claimed to be based on these theories
    • Perception that Ayurvedic treatments are slow to heal: Ayurveda treatments are slow to heal is another common view that characterises the public image of Ayurveda.

    What are the challenges faced by Ayurveda graduates in pursuing a career in practice?

    • Practical usability is limited: Limited practical usability of ancient medical wisdom taught in college training
    • Lack of vibrant ecosystem of Research: Dependence on personal experimentation due to a lack of a vibrant ecosystem of science and research. The Research process involves a lot of trial and error with patients and predictably leads to an erosion of the practitioner’s reputation.
    • Necessity of complementing Ayurveda with modern medicine: Inability to treat all primary-care illnesses, necessitating complementing with modern medicine, which is prohibited in most states.
    • Unhealthy competition and advertisements: Competition from gimmickry and publicity-based practitioners.

    practice

    How can appropriate policy-making help solve these challenges?

    • Proper training: Rejuvenating primary care by training Ayurveda graduates to become good primary-care doctors.
    • Evidence-based appraisal of Ayurveda: Conducting a vigorous evidence-based appraisal of Ayurvedic theories and practices to sift the usable from the obsolete
    • Practice modern medicines: Statutory decision to allow Ayurveda graduates to practice modern medicine in stipulated primary care areas

    Practice

    Conclusion

    • Ayurveda prioritizes patient benefit over gratification and emphasizes prevention through balance, diet, lifestyle, and herbs. Sustainable treatment requires a gradual transition to wellness. Ayurveda, science, and public welfare all stand to gain. What is needed is sincerity, straight-thinking, and some adventurism on the part of stakeholders.

    Mains Question

    Q. What is Ayurveda? Despite of the efforts to promote Ayurveda, the graduates face significant challenges in pursuing a career in Ayurvedic practice. Discuss.


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  • India-Bangladesh Relations: The Golden Chapter

    Bangladesh

    Central Idea

    • In recent years, Bangladesh-India relations have entered the Golden Chapter in their relations. Setting the seal on this bilateral bonhomie, The Prime Minister of Bangladesh has been invited by the Indian Prime Minister to attend the G20 Summit as a special guest. Bangladesh is the only South Asian country to be on India’s guest list. India’s invitation to Bangladesh as its guest speaks volumes of the high priority the country accords its immediate eastern neighbor and ‘best friend’ in the neighborhood’.

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    India-Bangladesh ties: An organic transformation

    • India’s links with Bangladesh are civilization, cultural, social and economic.
    • There is much that unites the two countries – a shared history and common heritage, linguistic and cultural ties, and passion for music, literature and the arts.
    • It is also worth recalling that India shares its longest border of 4,096.7 kilometres with Bangladesh, which is also the fifth-longest border in the contemporary world.
    • With the onset of economic liberalization in South Asia, they forged greater bilateral engagement and trade.

    Bangladesh

    In Depth: Why Bangladesh is cardinally important to India?

    1. India’s largest trading partner in South Asia
    • Bangladesh emerged as India’s largest trading partner: In 2021-22, Bangladesh emerged as India’s largest trading partner in South Asia and India is Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner and its largest export market in Asia. Despite the pandemic, bilateral trade has grown at an unprecedented rate of 14 per cent
    • Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement: The two countries are also preparing to sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, for substantial enhancement of trade and commercial partnerships between the two countries.
    1. Gateway for India’s Northeast
    • Strategic location: Efforts have been made in recent years by both Bangladesh and India to improve connectivity between Bangladesh and India’s Northeast, which is geographically located between West Bengal and landlocked Northeastern states.
    • Initiatives to Improve Connectivity: Initiatives such as inviting India to use Chattogram and Mongla ports, adding new ports and protocol routes to the shared inland waterway network, constructing the Maitri and Padma Setu bridges, and the upcoming Akhaura-Agartala rail line, aim to provide better trade and transport connectivity. The Mitali Express has also been operationalized for bi-weekly journeys between New Jalpaiguri and Dhaka.
    • Important for stability and security issues: Bangladesh has been an outstanding partner of India on security issues, especially with its zero-tolerance attitude towards terrorism. On several occasions, Bangladesh has arrested and handed over insurgents from the separatist militant groups in the Northeast (United Liberation Front of Asom) to India.
    • A central pillar in India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East Policies
    • Bay of Bengal’s Increasing Strategic Significance: The increasing strategic significance of the Bay of Bengal, heightened by China’s rising and assertive presence in this maritime space has led India to bolster relations with the Bay littorals to ensure its pre-eminence in the Bay, which it considers to be a primary area of interest.
    • Important  for India’s Eastern Neighborhood Policy: Furthermore, as its western front remains troubled, India is increasingly trying to build stronger relations with its eastern neighbourhood to realise its Indo-Pacific aspirations.
    • As china trying to make inroads, India Reviving and Cultivating Cooperation: As China also tries to make inroads into Bangladesh to gain a stronger foothold in the Bay region, India has felt an added impetus to nurture its relationship with the country, reviving age-old bonds and cultivating new avenues for cooperation.
    • India’s Vaccine Maitri Initiative For example: In the pandemic, India prioritised Bangladesh and supplied 10.3 crore vaccine doses to the country, making it the largest recipient of its Vaccine Maitri initiative. The gesture was generously reciprocated, by providing of

    Bangladesh

    Key Areas of Cooperation on India’s G20 Agenda

    1. Climate change and disaster management
    • Green Development, Climate Finance and LiFE’: As the name suggests, the segment is devoted to developing environmental consciousness and understanding the impact of climate change with a particular focus towards not only climate finance and technology, but also ensuring just energy transitions for developing nations across the world.
    • For instance: Both countries agreed to cooperate on climate change with particular attention to the Sundarban area which is facing challenges due to climate-induced sea level rise.
    • Disaster risk reduction: Both India and Bangladesh experience frequent disasters such as cyclones originating from the turbulent Bay of Bengal. Consequently, the two countries signed an MoU on Disaster Management in 2021, to mitigate this transnational threat.
    1. Transition to renewable energy
    • Energy transition and cooperation: As energy transitions are an important issue in India’s G20 mandate, recently, Bangladesh announced its target of generating 40 percent of power from clean energy by 2041. India-Bangladesh have increased cooperation in the energy sector.
    • Projects for instance: With projects such as the Friendship Pipeline and Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, and agreed to enhance cooperation in energy efficiency and clean energy, including biofuels.
    • Cyber security
    • Cyber security cooperation: Cyber security is an intrinsic aspect of Digital Public Infrastructures (DPI’s) and also happens to be one of the areas in which India-Bangladesh have agreed to cooperate.
    • Joining hands to enhance AI and cyber security: In June 2022, both countries decided to expand their strategic partnership to enhance Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber security.

    Way ahead: Forging better multilateralism

    • Within G20, a priority for India is to promote reformed multilateralism which cultivates accountable, inclusive, just, equitable and representative multipolar international systems, fit for addressing contemporary challenges.
    • As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, Bangladesh will become even more important for India in future.
    • In many of the multilateral platforms in India’s neighbourhood (an area India seeks to influence), Bangladesh is also a member, for e.g., SAARC, BIMSTEC, and IORA.
    • The country’s support is, therefore, necessary, if India’s G20 aspiration is to find a reflection in regional multilateral platforms.

    Bangladesh

    Conclusion

    • As India tries to shape the global agenda through G20 it needs Bangladesh’s support to translate many of these ideas into action in its neighbourhood. This will lend further credibility to its presidency and in the long run, some of these nascent areas of cooperation may add pages to the “Golden Chapter” in India-Bangladesh relations.
  • Doubling Farmers’ Income: An Assessment

    Doubling

    Central Idea

    • Recently, Prime Minister shared his dream of doubling farmers’ incomes in the year when India completes 75 years of Independence and enters Amrit Kaal. Now that we have entered Amrit Kaal, it is a good time to revisit that dream and see if it has been fulfilled, and if not, how best it can be done. It was a noble dream because unless the incomes of farmers go up, we cannot have sustained high growth of overall GDP.

    What is Doubling Farmers Income scheme?

    • Doubling farmers’ income is a target set by the government of India in February 2016 to be achieved by 2022-23.
    • To promote farmers’ welfare, reduce agrarian distress and bring parity between income of farmers and those working in non-agricultural professions.
    • Doubling Farmers Income can directly have a positive effect on the future of agriculture.

    Doubling

    Doubling Farmers Income: A Noble Vision

    • Improved Farm Machinery and Advanced Technologies: If the income earned by the farmer is doubled, they will have access to better farm machinery and advanced technologies, leading to increased productivity, better quality of seeds, and improved farming techniques.
    • Increased Agricultural Productivity: Doubling farmers’ income means increasing agricultural productivity, which is essential for meeting the growing demand for food in the country.
    • Improved Quality of Crops: Increasing the income of farmers will not only increase agricultural production but also improve the quality of crops, which is crucial for ensuring food security and meeting quality standards for exports.
    • Growth of Indian Economy: Doubling farmers’ income will contribute to the growth of the Indian economy by increasing rural demand for goods and services, creating employment opportunities, and boosting overall economic growth.
    • Reduced Incidents of Farmer Suicides: Financial stress is one of the leading causes of farmer suicides in India. Doubling farmers’ income will provide them with financial security, which will reduce the incidents of farmer suicides and improve their overall well-being.

    Government efforts in this direction

    • Fertilizer subsidy: Fertilizer subsidy budget crosses Rs 2 lakh crore. Even when global prices of urea crossed $1,000/metric tonne, the Indian price of urea remained flat at around $70/tonne. This is perhaps the lowest price in the world.
    • PM-Kisan: The government has allocated Rs 60,000 crore to its flagship PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana for the financial year 2023-24.
    • PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: Further, many small and marginal farmers also get free ration of at least 5 kg/person/month through the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
    • Subsidies and crop insurance: There are also subsidies for crop insurance, credit and irrigation (drip). States also dole out power subsidies in abundance, especially on irrigation. Even farm machinery for custom hiring centres is being subsidised by many states.

    Evaluation: Impact of all these policies on farmers’ incomes and on environment

    • Impact of Input Subsidies and Output Trade Policies on Farmers’ Income: While Input subsidies help raise farmers’ incomes by reducing the cost of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. Output trade and marketing policies adopted by the government, such as the ban on exports of wheat or the 20% export tax on rice, can suppress farmers’ incomes.
    • Pro-Consumer Approach: The current policy approach is pro-consumer rather than pro-farmer, which is a fundamental problem with our policy framework.
    • Environmental Damage Caused by Subsidized Inputs and Uncontrolled Procurement Policies: The excessive subsidization of inputs like fertilizers and power, coupled with uncontrolled procurement of paddy and wheat in certain states, is causing severe environmental damage. There is a growing need to rationalize these policies.

    Doubling

    Way ahead

    • It is crucial to assess the net impact of input subsidies and output trade policies on farmers’ income to understand where they stand.
    • Realign the support policies keeping in mind environmental outcomes.
    • Millets, pulses, oilseeds, and much of horticulture could perhaps be given carbon credits to incentivise their cultivation. They consume less water and fertilisers. We need to make subsidies/support crop-neutral.
    • It is crucial to adopt policies that are pro-farmer and promote their interests, support income growth, and enhance overall economic growth.
    • Agriculture today needs innovations in technologies, products, institutions and policies for more diversified high-value agriculture that is also planet friendly.

    Notes for Good marks

    Agriculture: Crucial sector of the Indian Economy

    • Employment: Agriculture engages the largest share of the workforce (45.5 per cent in 2021-22 as per PLFS). Agriculture provides direct employment to around 50% of the Indian population, and it indirectly supports the livelihoods of millions more in allied industries such as agro-processing, transportation, and marketing.
    • Food and nutritional security: Agriculture is essential for meeting the food requirements of the country. India is one of the largest producers of rice, wheat, and other cereals, and it is also a significant producer of fruits, vegetables, and spices.
    • Contribution to GDP: Agriculture is a significant contributor to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for around 17% of the country’s total GDP.
    • Foreign exchange earnings: India is a leading exporter of agricultural products such as Basmati rice, spices, tea, and cotton. The export of these products earns valuable foreign exchange for the country.
    • Rural development: Agriculture plays a vital role in the development of rural areas by providing employment and income opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship, and improving the standard of living in these areas.
    • Environmental sustainability: Agriculture is closely linked to the environment, and sustainable agricultural practices can help conserve natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, and promote ecological balance.

    Doubling

    Conclusion

    • On the question of doubling farmers’ income, we must realize it is going to take time. It can be done by increasing productivity through better seeds and better irrigation. It will have to be combined with unhindered access to the markets for their produce. Further, diversifying to high-value crops, and even putting solar panels on farmers’ fields as a third crop will be needed. It is only with such a concerted and sustained effort we can double farmers’ incomes.

    Mains Question

    Q. What do you understand by Doubling famers income? Enumerate the efforts taken by the government and what needs to be done to achieve the target?


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  • UPSC Current Affairs program to ensure a Top 50 rank| Samachar Manthan new batches launched for UPSC 2023 and 2024

    UPSC Current Affairs program to ensure a Top 50 rank| Samachar Manthan new batches launched for UPSC 2023 and 2024

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  • Agriculture: India Needs Green Revolution 2.0

    Green Revolution

    Central Idea

    • The statement made by the then viceroy, George Curzon in the early 20th century, that the Indian economy, particularly agriculture, is a gamble on the monsoon, may need to be rephrased in modern times. More than the monsoon, it is temperatures that are emerging as a greater source of uncertainty for farmers. Today, what India needs is Green Revolution 2.0.

    The fact today: Rising Temperatures Threaten Winter-Spring Harvest in India

    • Irrigation Prevents Winter-Spring Drought: The country now produces more foodgrains during the winter-spring season than in the post-monsoon season shows how irrigation has helped to prevent drought.
    • Rising Temperatures Threaten Winter-Spring Harvest: However, the rising temperatures in February and March pose a threat to the winter-spring harvest, which was previously considered safe from rainfall-related problems.
    • Shorter Winters, Earlier Summers Increase Crop Risks: Although thunderstorms and hail have always been a risk for winter-spring crops, they are now overshadowed by the risks from shorter winters and earlier summers.

    Heat Waves and wheat yield at present

    • Surge in temperature last year: The impact of temperature surge was seen in March 2022, when the wheat crop had just entered its final grain formation and filling stage. The heat stress led to early grain ripening and reduced yields.
    • Record-high temperatures in February this year: In February of this year, the maximum temperatures recorded were the highest ever seen. This is attributed to the absence of active western disturbances that bring rain and snowfall over the Himalayas, whose cooling effect percolates into the plains.
    • Rising Temperatures in Wheat-Growing Areas: Currently, minimum and maximum temperatures in most wheat-growing areas are ruling 3-5 degrees Celsius above normal. The next couple of weeks or more are going to be crucial. As long as the maximum remains within 35 degrees, there should be no danger of March 2022 repeating itself.

    Green Revolution

    Green Revolution in India

    • In India, the Green Revolution was mainly led by M.S. Swaminathan.
    • In 1961, M.S. Swaminathan invited Norman who suggested a revolution like what has happened in Mexico, Japan, etc in Indian agriculture.
    • Green Revolution was introduced with the Intensive Agriculture District Program (IADP) on an experimental basis in 7 districtin India.
    • In 1965-66 the HYV program was started which is the starting point of the Green Revolution in India.
    • The Green Revolution, spreading over the period from 1967-68 to 1977-78, changed India’s status from a food-deficient country to one of the world’s leading agricultural nations.
    • The Green Revolution resulted in a great increase in production of food grains (especially wheat and rice) due to the introduction into developing countries of new, high-yielding variety seeds, beginning in the mid-20th century.

    Green Revolution

    Why India Need another Green Revolution?

    • Climate change and food insecurity: Climate change poses a significant risk to Indian agriculture. The changing weather patterns, extreme temperatures, and rainfall variations are causing unpredictability in crop production, leading to food insecurity and farmer distress.
    • Declining Soil Fertility: Soil degradation and depletion of nutrients have affected the productivity of the land. It is necessary to develop crops that require less water and fertilizers and are disease-resistant.
    • For example: The development of genetically modified (GM) cotton has led to higher yields, less pesticide use, and improved soil health.
    • Price volatility: In addition to climate change, Indian farmers are also struggling with price volatility, as seen in the recent crash of onion and potato prices. This dual risk of climate and prices requires urgent attention from policymakers, farmers, and scientists to develop resilient crop varieties and effective crop planning and management.
    • Sustainable crop varieties: The need of the hour is to develop crop varieties that can withstand extreme temperature and rainfall variations while yielding more with less water and nutrients.
    • For instance: The use of precision agriculture techniques can help farmers manage their crops efficiently and minimize losses due to climate and price fluctuations.
    • Coordinated efforts: Improving market intelligence and access to markets is also crucial to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce. This will require a coordinated effort from both the government and private sector to create efficient supply chains and distribution networks.
    • Success of the First Green revolution: The success of the first Green Revolution in India was built on scientific research, policy support, and effective implementation. Similarly, addressing the current challenges facing Indian agriculture will require a comprehensive approach that involves research, policy, and implementation at all levels of government and society.

    Prelims Shot: All you need to know about “Wheat”

    • Climate: It is a crop of temperate climate. It can be grown in the drier areas with the help of irrigation.
    • Temperature: 15°-20°C
    • Rainfall: 25-75 cms.
    • Soil: Well drained loamy and clayey soils are ideal.
    • Cultivation: On about 14% of the total arable area of the country.
    • Two important wheat producing zones in the country: The Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west and the black soil region in the Deccan.
    • In north India: wheat is sown in October –November and harvested in March – April.
    • In south India: It is sown in September-October and harvested in December – January.
    • Uttar Pradesh (highest producer), Punjab (highest yield per hectare), Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttarakhand.
    • Important varieties: Sonalika, Kalyan, Sona, Sabarmati, Lerma, Roso, Heera, Shera, Sonara-64.
    • “Wheat takes lesser time in ripening in south India than that in the north because of hotter climatic conditions in the south.”

    Green Revolution

    Conclusion

    • India needs a new agricultural transformation to overcome the challenges it faces. Green Revolution 2.0 can help develop crops that are climate-resilient, require less water and fertilizers, and are disease-resistant. By investing in research and development of new technologies, India can achieve a more sustainable and profitable agriculture sector. Farmers must know what to plant, how to manage their crop at various stages under different stress scenarios, and when to sell. Agriculture for today and tomorrow cannot be the same as it was yesterday.

    Mains Question

    Q. Indian agriculture is under stress due to rising temperatures and climate change. In this light discuss why India need green revolution 2.0?


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  • Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Judgements and Important Provisions/Articles/Schedules of the Indian Constitution

    Dear Aspirants,

    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

    Session Details

    YouTube LIVE with Parth sir – 1 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

    Evening 04 PM  – Daily Mini Tests

    Telegram LIVE with Sukanya ma’am – 06 PM  – Current Affairs Session

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    6th Mar 2023

    Important Judgements of Indian constitution 

    Case

    Relevance

    A.K. Gopalan Case (1950)

    SC contented that there was no violation of Fundamental Rights enshrined in Articles 13, 19, 21 and 22 under the provisions of the Preventive Detention Act, if the detention was as per the procedure established by law. Here, the SC took a narrow view of Article 21.

    Shankari Prasad Case (1951)

    This case dealt with the amendability of Fundamental Rights (the First Amendment’s validity was challenged). The SC contended that the Parliament’s power to amend under Article 368 also includes the power to amend the Fundamental Rights guaranteed in Part III of the Constitution.

    Berubari Union case (1960)

    This case was regarding the Parliament’s power to transfer the territory of Berubai to Pakistan. The Supreme Court examined Article 3 in detail. 9th Amendment Act was passed to enforce the agreement.

    Golaknath case (1967)

    SC contented that Fundamental Rights are not amenable to the Parliamentary restriction as stated in Article 13. Also stated that Article 368 gives the procedure to amend the Constitution but does not confer on Parliament the power to amend the Constitution.

    Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)

    This judgement defined the basic structure of the Constitution. The SC held that although no part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, was beyond the Parliament’s amending power, the “basic structure of the Constitution could not be abrogated even by a constitutional amendment.” 

    Maneka Gandhi case (1978)

    The SC held that right to go abroad is included in the Right to Personal Liberty. The SC also ruled that the mere existence of an enabling law was not enough to restrain personal liberty. 

    Indra Sawhney and Union of India (1992)

    SC examined the scope and extent of Article 16(4), and upheld the constitutional validity of 27% reservation for the OBCs with certain conditions (like creamy layer exclusion, no reservation in promotion, total reserved quota should not exceed 50%, etc.)

    Minerva Mills case (1980)

    The judgement struck down 2 changes made to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act 1976, declaring them to be violative of the basic structure. 

    Shah Bano Begum case (1985)

    Milestone case for Muslim women’s fight for rights. The SC upheld the right to alimony for a Muslim woman and said that the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is applicable to all citizens irrespective of their religion. 

    S. R. Bommai case (1994)

    In this judgement, the SC tried to curb the blatant misuse of Article 356 (regarding the imposition of President’s Rule on states).

    Vishaka and State of Rajasthan (1997)

    This case dealt with sexual harassment at the workplace. 

    Lily Thomas v Union of India (2000)

    Here, the SC held that the second marriage of a Hindu man without divorcing the first wife, even if the man had converted to Islam, is void unless the first marriage had been dissolved according to the Hindu Marriage Act.

    I.R Coelho and State of Tamil Nadu 2007

    This judgement held that if a law is included in the 9th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, it can still be examined and confronted in court.

    Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011)

    The SC ruled that individuals had a right to die with dignity, allowing passive euthanasia with guidelines. 

    NOTA judgement (2013)

    This judgement introduced the NOTA (None-Of-The-Above) option for Indian voters.

    Triple Talaq Judgement (2016)

    The SC outlawed the backward practice of instant ‘triple talaq’, which permitted Muslim men to unilaterally end their marriages by uttering the word “talaq” three times without making any provision for maintenance or alimony. 

    Right To Privacy (2017)

    The SC declared the right to privacy as a Fundamental Right protected under the Indian Constitution. 

     
     
     

    Important Provisions/Articles/Schedules of the Indian Constitution

    Parts of the Indian Constitution

    Subject Covered

    Articles in Indian Constitution

    Part I Union and its Territories Article 1-4
    Part II Citizenship Article 5-11
    Part III Fundamental Rights Article 12-35
    Part IV Directive Principles Article 36-51
    Part IV A Fundamental Duties Article 51A
    Part V The Union Article 52-151
    Part VI The States Article 152-237
    Part VII Note: 7th Amendment Act, 1956 repealed Part 7
    Part VIII The Union Territories Article 239-242
    Part IX The Panchayats Article 243-243O
    Part IX A The Municipalities Article 243P-243ZG
    Part IX B Co-operative Societies Article 243ZH-243ZT
    Part X Scheduled and Tribal Areas Article 244-244A
    Part XI Relation between Union & States Article 245-263
    Part XII Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits Article 264-300A
    Part XIII Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the territory of India Article 301-307
    Part XIV Services under the Union and States Article 308-323
    Part XIV A Tribunals Article 323A-323B
    Part XV Elections Article 324-329A
    Part XVI Special Provisions relating to certain classes Article 330-342
    Part XVII Official Languages Article 343-351
    Part XVIII Emergency Provisions Article 352-360
    Part XIX Miscellaneous Article 361-367
    Part XX Amendment of the Constitution Article 368
    Part XXI Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions Article 369-392
    Part XXII Short title, Commencement, and Authoritative Text in
    Hindi and Repeals
    Article 393-39

    Part 1: Article 1 – Article 4

    • Article 1 –Name of the union and its territories
    • Article 2 –Acceptance and creation of the new state
    • Article 3 – New state creation, as well as changes to the names, boundaries, and territories of existing states

    Part 2: Article 5 – Article 11

    • Article 5 –Citizenship at the time the Constitution first came into effect
    • Article 6 –An individual’s citizenship rights after coming to India from Pakistan
    • Article 10 –Maintenance of citizenship rights
    • Article 11 –The right to citizenship will be governed by law by Parliament.

    Part 3: Article 12 – Article 35

    • Article 12 –The state’s definition
    • Article 13 –Laws that violate or interfere with fundamental rights

    The Indian Constitution originally outlined seven fundamental rights, but only six remain. The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 repealed the Right to Property under Article 31. Part XII of the Constitution was amended to create the legal right under Article 300-A.

    • Right to Equality: Article 14 to Article 18
    • Right to Freedom: Article 19 to Article 22
    • Right to Exploitation: Article 23 to Article 24
    • Right to Freedom of Religion: Article 25 to Article 28
    • Cultural and Educational Rights: Article 29 to Article 30
    • Right to Constitutional Remedies: Article 32

    Part 4: Directive Principal of States Policy: Article 36 – 51

    • Article 36 – Definition
    • Article 37 – Application of DPSP
    • Article 39A – Free legal representation and equal justice
    • Article 40 – Forming a village panchayat
    • Article 41 – Right to employment, education, and, in some circumstances, public support
    • Article 43 – Living Wages, etc. for Workers
    • Article 43A – Participation of workers in the management of industries
    • Article 44 – Uniform civil code ( applicable in Goa only)
    • Article 45 – Provision for free and compulsory education for children
    • Article 46 – Promotion of educational and economic interest of scheduled castes, ST, and OBC
    • Article 47 – Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health
    • Article 48 – Deals with agriculture and animal husbandry
    • Article 49 – Protection of monuments, places and objects of natural importance
    • Article 50 – Separation of judiciary from the executive
    • Article 51 – Promotion of international peace and security

    Part 5: Union: Article 52 – 151

    • Article 52 –The President of India
    • Article 53 –Executive Power of the union
    • Article 54 –Election of President
    • Article 61 –Procedure for Impeachment of the President
    • Article 63 –The Vice Presidents of India
    • Article 64 –The Vice-President to be ex-officio chairman the council of States
    • Article 66 –Election of Vice-president
    • Article 72 –Pardoning powers of President
    • Article 74 –Council of ministers to aid and advise President
    • Article 76 –Attorney General of India
    • Article 79 –Constitution of Parliament
    • Article 80 –Composition of Rajya Sabha
    • Article 81 –Composition of Lok Sabha
    • Article 83 –Duration of Houses of Parliament
    • Article 93 –The speakers and Deputy speakers of the house of the people
    • Article 105 –Powers, Privileges, etc. of the House of Parliament
    • Article 109 –Special procedure in respects of money bills
    • Article 110 –Definition of “Money Bills”
    • Article 112 –Annual Financial Budget
    • Article 114 –Appropriation Bills
    • Article 123 –Powers of the President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of parliament
    • Article 124 – Establishment of Supreme Court
    • Article 125 – Salaries of Judges
    • Article 126 –Appointment of acting Chief justice
    • Article 127 –Appointment of ad-hoc judges
    • Article 128 –Attendance of retired judge at sitting of the Supreme Court
    • Article 129 –Supreme Court to be a court of Record
    • Article 130 –Seat of the Supreme Court
    • Article 136 –Special leaves for an appeal to the Supreme Court
    • Article 137 –Review of judgment or orders by the Supreme Court
    • Article 141 –Decision of the Supreme Court binding on all the courts
    • Article 148 –Comptroller and Auditor-General of India
    • Article 149 –Duties and Powers of CAG

    Part 6: States: Article 152 – 237

    • Article 153 –Governors of State
    • Article 154 – Executive Powers of Governor
    • Article 161 –Pardoning powers of the Governor
    • Article 165 –Advocate-General of the State
    • Article 213 –Power of Governor to promulgate ordinances
    • Article 214 – High Courts for states
    • Article 215 –High Courts to be a court of record
    • Article 226 –Power of High Courts to issue certain writs
    • Article 233 –Appointment of District judges
    • Article 235 –Control over Subordinate Courts
    Part Detail
    Part 7 Repealed: Article 238
    Part 8 Union Territories: Article 239 – 242
    Part 9 Panchayats: Article 243 – 243O 

    • Article 243A – Gram Sabha
    • Article 243B – Constitution of Panchayats
    Part 9A Municipalities: Article 243P – 243ZG
    Part 9B Co-operative Societies: Article 243ZH – 243ZT
    Part 10 Scheduled and Tribal Areas: Article 244
    Part 11 Center- State Relations: Article 245 – 263

    Part 12: Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits: Article 264 – 300A

    • Article 266 – Consolidated Fund and Public Accounts Fund
    • Article 267 –Contingency Fund of India
    • Article 280 –Finance Commission
    • Article 300-A –Right to property

    Part 13: Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the territories of India: Article 301 – 307

    • Article 301 – Freedom to trade, commerce, and intercourse.
    • Article 302 –Power of Parliament to impose restrictions on trade, commerce, and intercourse.

    Part 14: Services Under Center and State: Article 308 – 323

    • Article 312 –All- India-Service.
    • Article 315 –Public service commission’s for the union and for the states
    • Article 320 –Functions of Public Service Commission.

    Part 14A: Tribunals: Article 323A – 323B

    • Article 323A –Administrative Tribunals

    Part 15: Elections: Article 324 – 329

    • Article 324 –Superintendence, direction and control of Elections to be vested in an Election Commission.
    • Article 325 –No person to be ineligible for inclusion in or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex.
    • Article 326 –Elections to the house of the people and to the legislative assemblies of states to be on the basis of adult suffrage.

    Part 16: Special Provisions to SC, ST, OBC, Minorities etc: Article 330 – 342

    • Article 338 –National Commission for the SC, & ST.
    • Article 340 –Appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.

    Part 17: Official Language: Article 343 – 351

    • Article 343 –Official languages of the Union.
    • Article 345 –Official languages or languages of states.
    • Article 348 –Languages to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts.
    • Article 351 –Directive for development of the Hindi languages.

    Part 18: Emergency: Article 352 – 360

    • Article 352 –Proclamation of emergency (National Emergency).
    • Article 356 –State Emergency (President’s Rule)
    • Article 360 –Financial Emergency

    Part 19: Miscellaneous: Article 361 – 367

    • Article 361-Protection of President and Governors

    Part 20: Amendment of Constitution: Article 368

    • Article 368 –Powers of Parliaments to amend the constitution

    Part 21:  Special, Transitional and Temporary Provisions: Article 369 – 392

    • Article 370 –Special provision of J&K.
    • Article 371A –Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland
    • Article 371-J –Special Status for Hyderabad-Karnataka region

    Part 22: Short Text, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and Repeals: Article 392 – 395

    • Article 393 – Short title – This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India.

    Important Schedules of the Indian Constitution 

    Schedules

    Articles of Indian Constitution

    First Schedule Article 1 and Article 4
    Second Schedule Articles: 59, 65, 75, 97, 125, 148, 158, 164, 186, 221
    Third Schedule Articles: 75, 84, 99, 124,146, 173, 188, 219
    Fourth Schedule Article 4 and Article 80
    Fifth Schedule Article 244
    Sixth Schedule Article 244 and Article 275
    Seventh Schedule Article 246
    Eighth Schedule Article 344 and Article 351
    Ninth Schedule Article 31-B
    Tenth Schedule Article 102 and Article 191
    Eleventh Schedule Article 243-G
    Twelfth Schedule Article 243-W

     
  • Lankan Fishermen Oppose Proposal to License Indian Fishermen

    fish

    Sri Lanka’s northern fishermen fiercely oppose the government’s plan to issue licenses to Indian fishermen to enter Sri Lankan waters, terming the move a “serious setback” to their nearly 15-year-long struggle.

    Recent development

    • The Sri Lankan government has proposed issuing fishing licenses to Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters.
    • The proposal has been met with fierce opposition from Northern Province fishermen who view it as a threat to their livelihoods and an infringement on their fishing rights.
    • Indian fishermen have been accused of using illegal fishing methods and damaging the marine ecosystem, which has further fueled tensions between the two groups.
    • The conflict over fishing rights has led to violence and arrests on both sides.

    Issues for Sri Lanka

    • Proliferation of Trawlers: The overuse of mechanized trawlers in Palk Bay is damaging the marine ecosystem in SL waters.
    • Breach of sovereignty: There were many favorable reasons too for Indian fishermen as their access to Sri Lankan waters was easier at the time of Sri Lankan civil war.
    • Porous borders: Maritime boundaries were never tightly guarded as a result, Indian trawlers continue to routinely enter Lankan waters for fishing.
    • End of Civil War: Everything changed in 2009 with the end of civil war. Arrests and attacks increased on Indian fishermen as they continued entering Lankan waters because of depletion of marine resources on the Indian side.

    Fishermen’s concern:

    (1) Depletion of fisheries

    • There is a depletion of fisheries on the Indian side, so Indian fishermen cross into Sri Lankan waters thus denying the livelihood of their counterparts.
    • They deliberately cross the territorial waters even at the risk of getting arrested or shot dead by the Sri Lankan Navy.
    • Sri Lankan fishermen across Palk Bay are concerned over similar depletion on their side (where there is a ban for trawlers) because of poaching by Indian fishermen.

     (2) Rights over Katchatheevu Island

    • Tamil fishermen have been entering Sri Lankan waters nearby Katchatheevu island, where they had been fishing for centuries.
    • In 1974, the island was ceded to Sri Lanka after an agreement was signed by Indira Gandhi between the two countries without consulting the Tamil Nadu government.
    • The agreement allows Indian fishermen “access to Katchatheevu for rest, for drying of nests and for the annual St Anthony’s festival” but it did not ensure the traditional fishing rights.

    (3) Hefty fines

    • After some respite in the last couple of years, Sri Lanka introduced tougher laws banning bottom-trawling and put heavy fines for trespassing foreign vessels.
    • SL has increased the fine on Indian vessels found fishing in Sri Lankan waters to a minimum of LKR 6 million (about ₹25 lakh) and a maximum of LKR 175 million (about ₹17.5 Crore).
    • Quiet often, the fishermen are shot dead by SL marines.

    Fishermen issue in TN politics

    • It has been often a sensitive political issue in Tamil Nadu in the past one decade.
    • In a defiant speech in 1991, late CM Jayalalitha had called on the people of Tamil Nadu to retrieve the Katchatheevu Island.

    Way forward

    • Leasing: Two courses of action exist: (1) get back the island of Katchatheevu on “lease in perpetuity” or (2) permit licensed Indian fishermen to fish within a designated area of Sri Lankan waters and vice versa.
    • Licensing: The second course of action would persuade Colombo to permit licensed Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters for five nautical miles from the IMBL.
    • Reconsidering old agreements: The 2003 proposal for licensed fishing can be revisited.
    • Looping in fishermen themselves: Arranging frequent meetings between fishing communities of both countries could be systematized so as to develop a friendlier atmosphere mid-seas during fishing.

    Conclusion

    • The underlying issues of the fisheries dispute need to be addressed so that bilateral relations do not reach a crisis point.
    • Immediate actions should be taken to begin the phase-out of trawling and identify other fishing practices.

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