Search results for: “”

iCET: Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies between India and US
Context
- The talks between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his American counterpart Jake Sullivan in Washington this week have concluded with the announcement of a new road map for deeper military and techno-economic cooperation between the two countries that is iCET.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

Background: Idea first mooted in QUAD summit
- The idea was first mooted in the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden on the margins of the Tokyo summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) last May.
Ups and downs in high technology cooperation in US-India relations
- Early advances in India’s nuclear and space programs: High technology cooperation has long been a major focus of US-India relations. Early advances in India’s nuclear and space programmes in the 1950s and 1960s involved significant inputs from the US.
- US nuclear sanctions and reduced cooperation: But the US nuclear sanctions from the 1970s steadily whittled down the extent of bilateral high-tech cooperation.
- Civil nuclear initiative renewed cooperation: The historic civil nuclear initiative of 2005 opened the door for renewed technological cooperation.
- Political ambivalence bureaucratic inertia prevented best use: But residual restrictions on technology transfer in Washington and Delhi’s political ambivalence and bureaucratic inertia prevented the best use of the new possibilities.
- The iCET process and new possibilities ahead: The iCET process, which will be monitored and driven from the PMO in Delhi and the White House in Washington, will hopefully bring greater coherence to this round of India-US technological engagement.
What is Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)?
- Cooperation in emerging technology: The iCET is a partnership between India and the US to work together in developing important and new technologies.
- Areas of collaboration for instance: The iCET involves collaboration in a range of areas including quantum computing, semiconductors, 5G and 6G wireless infrastructure, and civilian space projects such as lunar exploration.
- Adding depth and breadth to already growing partnership: The iCET’s goal is to increase the technology interaction between the US and India while also potentially adding additional strategic depth and breadth to their growing partnership.
- Directly monitored by PMO and White house: The Prime Minister’s Office in Delhi and the White House in Washington will oversee and direct the iCET.
Significance of iCET for India
- The importance of iCET in the context of assertive China: Lending urgency to the iCET is the growing convergence of Indian and US interests in managing the security, economic, and technological challenges presented by a rising and assertive China.
- India’s alternative for dependence on Russian military technology: India is also looking to reduce its over dependence on Russian weapons and military technology and to produce more weapons at home in partnership with western countries.
- Boost to India’s technological capabilities: The iCET would provide India with access to cutting-edge technology and expertise in areas that are critical and emerging in nature.
- Economic growth: Working together on new and important technologies can lead to more business between India and the US, which can help the economy grow as it will bring more investment and employment opportunities.
Other focus area: Cooperation in defence production
- The two sides are also focused on cooperation in defence production.
- While much of this cooperation will need to be fleshed out in the months ahead, Doval and Sullivan announced one concrete measure the making of a fighter jet engine in India.
- GE Aerospace has applied for an export licence for jet engine production and phased transfer of technology to Indian entities. Washington promises to process this application expeditiously. This fits in nicely with Delhi’s plans to modernise its rusty defence industrial base.
Conclusion
- If implemented with speed and purpose, the bilateral Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) could lend a new strategic depth and breadth to the expanding engagement between India and the United States.
Mains question

Q. What is Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)? Discuss the Importance of iCET especially for India.

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
February 2, 2023

Highlights of the Union Budget 2023-24

The Union Finance Minister has presented the Union Budget 2023-24 in Parliament today. The highlights of the Budget are as follows:

Major achievements discussed

Per capita income: PCI has more than doubled to ₹1.97 lakh in around nine years.
5^th largest economy tag: Indian economy has increased in size from being 10th to 5th largest in the world in the past nine years.
Formalized employment: EPFO membership has more than doubled to 27 crore.
Direct Benefit Transfer: Cash transfer of ₹2.2 lakh crore to over 11.4 crore farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
Digital transactions: 7,400 crore digital payments of ₹126 lakh crore has taken place through UPI in 2022.
Household toilets: 11.7 crore toilets constructed under Swachh Bharat Mission.
Insurance cover: For 44.6 crore persons under PM Suraksha Bima and PM Jeevan Jyoti Yojana.
Others: 9.6 crore LPG connections provided under Ujjwala; 220 crore covid vaccination of 102 crore persons; 47.8 crore PM Jan Dhan bank accounts.

Part A: Major Announcements

(1) Seven priorities of the budget ‘Saptarishi’

These include inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth power and financial sector.

(2) Welfare

Housing for all: Outlay for PM Awas Yojana is being enhanced by 66% to over Rs. 79,000 crore.
Silver Economy: The maximum deposit limit for Senior Citizen Savings Scheme to be enhanced from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate: To commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a one-time new small savings scheme, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate to be launched. It will offer deposit facility upto Rs 2 lakh in the name of women or girls for tenure of 2 years (up to March 2025) at fixed interest rate of 7.5 per cent with partial withdrawal option.

(3) Industrial sector boost

Entity DigiLocker: Entity DigiLocker will be setup for use by MSMEs, large business and charitable trusts to store and share documents online securely.
PAN as business identifier: FM has said the Permanent Account Number (PAN) will be made as a single business identifier for all digital systems of all specified departments of the government.
Credit facilitation for MSMEs: Revamped credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs to take effect from 1st April 2023 through infusion of Rs 9,000 crore in the corpus. This scheme would enable additional collateral-free guaranteed credit of Rs 2 lakh crore and also reduce the cost of the credit by about 1 per cent.
Central Processing Centre: This is to be setup for faster response to companies through centralized handling of various forms filed with field offices under the Companies Act.
Diamond Industry: R & D grant for Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD) sector to encourage indigenous production of LGD seeds and machines and to reduce import dependency.
Unity Mall: States to be encouraged to set up a Unity Mall for promotion and sale of their own and also all others states’ ODOPs (One District, One Product), GI products and handicrafts.

(4) Infrastructure push

New Infrastructure Finance Secretariat: It will be established to enhance opportunities for private investment in infrastructure.
Massive outlays: Investment of Rs. 75,000 crore, including Rs. 15,000 crore from private sources, for one hundred critical transport infrastructure projects, for last and first mile connectivity for ports, coal, steel, fertilizer, and food grains sectors.
Highest ever outlay for Railways: Capital outlay of Rs. 2.40 lakh crore has been provided for the Railways, which is the highest ever outlay and about nine times the outlay made in 2013-14.
Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF): It will be established through use of priority Sector Lending shortfall, which will be managed by the national Housing Bank, and will be used by public agencies to create urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

(5) Agricultural boost

Agriculture Accelerator Fund: It will be set-up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs in rural areas.
Millet boost: To make India a global hub for ‘Shree Anna’, the Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be supported as the Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research and technologies at the international level.
PRANAM Scheme: “PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth” (PM-PRANAM) to be launched to incentivize States and Union Territories to promote alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers.
Animal husbandry: ₹20 lakh crore agricultural credit targeted at animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries A new sub-scheme of PM Matsya Sampada Yojana with targeted investment of ₹6,000 crore to be launched to further enable activities of fishermen, fish vendors, and micro & small enterprises, improve value chain efficiencies, and expand the market.
Digital public infrastructure for agriculture: It will be built as an open source, open standard and inter operable public good to enable inclusive farmer centric solutions and support for growth of agri-tech industry and start-ups.
APMC Storage: Massive decentralised storage capacity to be set up to help farmers store their produce and realize remunerative prices through sale at appropriate times.
Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Program: This has been given an outlay of ₹2200 crore to be launched to boost availability of disease-free, quality planting material for high value horticultural crops.
Bio-Input Resource Centres: Centre to facilitate one crore farmers to adopt natural farming over the next three years. For this, 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centres to be set-up, creating a national-level distributed micro-fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing network.

(6) Health sector boost

Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: FM announced a mission to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047, which will include universal screening of seven crore persons between the ages of 0 and 40 years in affected tribal areas.
Medical research: Joint public and Private Medical research to be encouraged via select ICMR labs for encouraging collaborative research and innovation. New Programme to promote research in Pharmaceuticals to be launched.
More nursing colleges: 157 new nursing colleges to be established in co-location with the existing 157 medical colleges established since 2014.

(7) Rural Development

Aspirational Blocks Programme covering 500 blocks: Launched for saturation of essential government services across multiple domains such as health, nutrition, education, agriculture, water resources, financial inclusion, skill development, and basic infrastructure.
PVTG Development mission: FM announced the launch of a national mission for vulnerable tribes with an outlay of Rs 15,000 crore. The mission aims to provide support to India’s vulnerable tribes in areas of health, clean water and sanitation, basic infrastructure, and sustainable livelihood opportunities, among others.

(8) Higher Education

District Institutes of Education and Training to be developed as vibrant institutes of excellence for Teachers’ Training.
National Digital Library for Children and Adolescents to be set-up for facilitating availability of quality books across geographies, languages, genres and levels, and device agnostic accessibility.
‘Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions’ to be set up in a digital epigraphy museum, with digitization of one lakh ancient inscriptions in the first stage.

(9) Finance Sector

‘Effective Capital Expenditure’ of Centre: Rs. 13.7 lakh crore
Continuation of 50-year interest free loan: Such loans for state governments for one more year to spur investment in infrastructure and to incentivize them for complementary policy actions.
National Financial Information Registry: To be set up to serve as the central repository of financial and ancillary information for facilitating efficient flow of credit, promoting financial inclusion, and fostering financial stability. A new legislative framework to be designed in consultation with RBI to govern this credit public infrastructure.

(10) Urban development

Sustainable cities of tomorrow: Encouragement to states and cities to undertake urban planning reforms and actions to transform our cities into ‘sustainable cities of tomorrow’.
Mechanized sanitation work: Transition from manhole to machine-hole mode by enabling all cities and towns to undertake 100 percent mechanical desludging of septic tanks and sewers.

(11) Skill development

iGOT Karmayogi: An integrated online training platform, launched to provide continuous learning opportunities for lakhs of government employees to upgrade their skills and facilitate people-centric approach.
Unified Skill India Digital platform: To be launched for enabling demand-based formal skilling, linking with employers including MSMEs, and facilitating access to entrepreneurship schemes.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme: Direct Benefit Transfer under a pan-India National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme to be rolled out to provide stipend support to 47 lakh youth in three years.
Tribal education: Centre to recruit 38,800 teachers and support staff for the 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, serving 3.5 lakh tribal students over the next three years.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0: It will be launched to skill lakhs of youth within the next three years covering new age courses for Industry 4.0 like coding, AI, robotics, mechatronics, IOT, 3D printing, drones, and soft skills. 30 Skill India International Centres to be set up across different States to skill youth for international opportunities.

(12) Ease of Doing Business

Jan Vishwas Bill: To amend 42 Central Acts have been introduced to further trust-based governance.
Decriminalization of certain compliances: More than 39,000 compliances reduced and more than 3,400 legal provisions decriminalized to enhance Ease of Doing Business.

(13) IT push

National Data Governance Policy: To be brought out to unleash innovation and research by start-ups and academia.
AI push: Three centres of excellence for Artificial Intelligence to be set-up in top educational institutions to realise the vision of “Make AI in India and Make AI work for India”.
5G rollout: 100 labs to be setup for 5G services based application development to realize a new range of opportunities, business models, and employment potential.
Infra push for E-Courts: Phase-3 of the E-Courts project to be launched with an outlay of Rs. 7,000 crore for efficient administration of justice.

(14) Energy

Mandatory Compress Biogas blend of 5%: 5 per cent compressed biogas mandate to be introduced for all organizations marketing natural and bio gas.
Green hydrogen: Annual production of 5 MMT under Green Hydrogen Mission to be targeted by 2030 to facilitate transition of the economy to low carbon intensity and to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.
Battery storage: The government will support setting up of battery storage capacity of 4,000 MWH in India with viability gap funding.
RE pus in Ladakh: 20,700 crore outlay provided for renewable energy grid integration and evacuation from Ladakh.

(15) Climate change mitigation

GOBARdhan Boost: 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants under GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme to be established for promoting circular economy at total investment of Rs 10,000 crore.
‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes’, MISHTI: To be taken up for mangrove plantation along the coastline and on salt pan lands, through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund and other sources.
Green Credit Programme to be notified under the Environment (Protection) Act to incentivize and mobilize additional resources for environmentally sustainable and responsive actions.
Amrit Dharohar scheme to be implemented over the next three years to encourage optimal use of wetlands, enhance bio-diversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.
Net zero commitments: ₹35000 crore outlay for energy security, energy transition and net zero objectives.
Green credit programme: FM also says a green credit programme will be notified under the Environment Protection Act.

(16) Tourism Boost

Model destinations: At least 50 destinations will be selected through challenge mode — physical, virtual connectivity, tourism security, guides, would be made available on an app to enhance tourist experience.
Sector specific skilling and entrepreneurship development: To be dovetailed to achieve the objectives of the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative.
Vibrant Villages Programme: Border tourism infrastructure and amenities to be facilitated in border villages.

(17) Others

ISFC reforms: To enhance business activities in GIFT IFSC, the following measures to be taken-

Delegating powers under the SEZ Act to IFSCA to avoid dual regulation.
Setting up a single window IT system for registration and approval from IFSCA, SEZ authorities, GSTN, RBI, SEBI and IRDAI.
Permitting acquisition financing by IFSC Banking Units of foreign bank.
Establishing a subsidiary of EXIM Bank for trade re-financing.
Amending IFSCA Act for statutory provisions for arbitration, ancillary services, and avoiding dual regulation under SEZ Act
Recognizing offshore derivative instruments as valid contracts.

Part B: Estimates

Revised Estimates 2022-23

The total receipts other than borrowings is Rs 24.3 lakh crore, of which the net tax receipts are Rs 20.9 lakh crore.
The total expenditure is Rs 41.9 lakh crore, of which the capital expenditure is about Rs 7.3 lakh crore.
The fiscal deficit is 6.4 per cent of GDP, adhering to the Budget Estimate.

Budget Estimates 2023-24

The total receipts other than borrowings is estimated at Rs 27.2 lakh crore and the total expenditure is estimated at Rs 45 lakh crore.
The net tax receipts are estimated at Rs 23.3 lakh crore.
The fiscal deficit is estimated to be 5.9 per cent of GDP.
To finance the fiscal deficit in 2023-24, the net market borrowings from dated securities are estimated at Rs 11.8 lakh crore.
The gross market borrowings are estimated at Rs 15.4 lakh crore.

Part C: Direct Taxes

Increased Rebate limit of Personal Income Tax: To be increased to Rs. 7 lakh from the current Rs. 5 lakh in the new tax regime. Thus, persons in the new tax regime, with income up to Rs. 7 lakh to not pay any tax.
Tax slabs: Tax structure in new personal income tax regime, introduced in 2020 with six income slabs, to change by reducing the number of slabs to five and increasing the tax exemption limit to Rs. 3 lakh.

New Tax Regime (current)	Tax Rates under the 2020 regime
Rs 0 to Rs 3 lakh – Exempt Rs 3 to 6 lakh – 5% Rs 6 to 9 lakh – 10% Rs 9 to 12 lakh – 15% Rs 12 to 15 lakh – 20% Above Rs 15 lakhs – 30%	Income till Rs 2.5 lakh – Exempt Rs 2.5 to Rs 5 lakh – 5% Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh – 15% Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh – 20% Above Rs 10 lakh – 30%

Agniveer Fund to be provided EEE status: The payment received from the Agniveer Corpus Fund by the Agniveers enrolled in Agnipath Scheme, 2022 proposed to be exempt from taxes. Deduction in the computation of total income is proposed to be allowed to the Agniveer on the contribution made by him or the Central Government to his Seva Nidhi account.

Part D: Direct Taxes

EV push: Customs Duty on specified capital goods/machinery for manufacture of lithium-ion cell for use in battery of electrically operated vehicle (EVs) extended to 31.03.2024

Electronics manufacturing push

Customs duty on camera lens and its inputs/parts for use in manufacture of camera module of cellular mobile phone reduced to zero and concessional duty on lithium-ion cells for batteries extended for another year.
Basic customs duty reduced on parts of open cells of TV panels to 2.5 per cent.
Basic customs duty on electric kitchen chimney increased to 15 per cent from 7.5 per cent.
Basic customs duty on heat coil for manufacture of electric kitchen chimneys reduced to 15 per cent from 20 per cent.

Legislative Changes in Customs Laws

Customs Act, 1962: To be amended to specify a time limit of nine months from date of filing application for passing final order by Settlement Commission.
Customs Tariff Act: To be amended to clarify the intent and scope of provisions relating to Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD), Countervailing Duty (CVD), and Safeguard Measures.

CGST Act to be amended

to raise the minimum threshold of tax amount for launching prosecution under GST from one crore to two crore;
to reduce the compounding amount from the present range of 50 to 150 per cent of tax amount to the range of 25 to 100 per cent;
decriminalise certain offences;
to restrict filing of returns/statements to a maximum period of three years from the due date of filing of the relevant return/statement; and
to enable unregistered suppliers and composition taxpayers to make intra-state supply of goods through E-Commerce Operators (ECOs).

Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more

February 2, 2023

2nd Feb 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

[WpProQuiz 1230]

[WpProQuiz_toplist 1230]

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

February 2, 2023

Is Judicial Majoritarianism justified?

As the recent majority judgment of the Supreme Court on demonetization comes under criticism, the minority judgment by J. Nagarathna is being hailed for its challenge to the RBI’s institutional acquiescence (reluctant acceptance) to the Central government.

What is Judicial Majoritarianism?

Numerical majorities are of particular importance to cases which involve a substantial interpretation of constitutional provisions.
The requirement for a majority consensus flows from Article 145(5) of the Constitution which states that no judgment in such cases can be delivered except with the concurrence of a majority.
It also provides for judges to freely deliver dissenting judgments or opinions.
In important cases, Constitutional Benches, consisting of five or more judges, are set up in consonance with Article 145(3) of the Constitution.
Such Benches usually consist of five, seven, nine, 11 or even 13 judges.

Why in news?

Blind acceptance: This situation raises questions with respsect to our blind acceptance of numerical majority judgements.
Disregard for dissent: This flags issues in judicial decision-making and the constitutional disregard of analysis and appreciation of arguments and evidence in dissenting judgments.
Merits of dissent: Analysts now seek to challenge the weightage given to numerical majorities in judicial decisions by our Constitutional Courts as opposed to the merits in their reasoning.

CASE STUDY: “Why Do Bare Majorities Rule on Courts?”

Jeremy Waldron has dealt with this concept at length in his work titled ‘Five to Four: Why Do Bare Majorities Rule on Courts?’.
He proffers that the arguments which are made in defense of judicial majoritarianism cannot explain or justify our adherence to majority decisions –

1. Efficiency through ease of decision-making;

2. Epistemic objectivity through majority adherence; and

3. Equality through fairness,

He questions why is it that the judges too have to resort to head counting in order to resolve disagreements amongst judges.

Heart of the debate: Why do experts need to resort to ‘majority’?

Defiance of merit: A meritorious minority decision, irrespective of the impeccability of its reasoning receives little weightage in terms of its outcomes.
Complex situations: All judges on a particular Bench give their rulings on the same set of facts, laws, arguments and written submissions.
Nature of bias: Judicial hunches may be an outcome of subjective experiences, outlooks, perceptions, prejudices and biases.

Narrow margin: Some meritorious dissents in India

Our Constitutional history is replete with such meritorious dissents-

The dissenting opinion of Justice H.R. Khanna in A.D.M. Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla (1976) upholding the right to life and personal liberty even during situations of constitutional exceptionalism is a prime example.
Another example is the dissenting opinion of Justice Subba Rao in the Kharak Singh v. State of U.P. (1962) case upholding the right to privacy which received the judicial stamp of approval in the K.S. Puttaswamy v. UOI (2017) case.

Do you know?

The Kesavananda Bharati verdict (1973) was divided 7–6 majority. And 4 other judges to bench refused to sign the Judgment! It is almost like the Basic Structure Doctrine was rejected. It should have had an overwhelming majority.

Way forward

Weightage-based assent in judgments: Ronald Dworkin proffers a system that may either give more weightage to the vote of senior judges given that they have more experience or to the junior judges as they may represent popular opinion better.
Doing away with headcounts: Such alternatives, however, can only be explored once we identify and question the premises and rationales which underlie head-counting in judicial decision-making.
Imbibe critical discourse: The absence of a critical discourse on judicial majoritarianism represents one of the most fundamental gaps in our existing knowledge regarding the functioning of our Supreme Court.
Cases to expert benches: As pending Constitutional Bench matters are listed for hearing and judgments are reserved, we must reflect upon the arguments of judicial majoritarianism on the basis of which these cases are to be decided.

Conclusion

There is a need to reflect upon the concept of judicial majoritarianism.
The academic discourse on this aspect is still nascent and developing.

Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more

February 2, 2023

Who is a Puisne Judge, and what does the term mean?
While recommending two names for appointment as judges of the Supreme Court, the Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said that the collegium had taken into “consideration the seniority of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges…”

Who are Puisne Judge?
- According to the dictionary, the word puisne has French origins, which means “later born” or younger.
- It is pronounced / “puny”, the English word that means small or undersized.
- Puisne is almost always used in the context of judges, and essentially denotes seniority of rank.
- The term puisne judge is used in common law countries to refer to judges who are ranked lower in seniority, i.e., any judge other than the Chief Justice of that court.
Now again, what is common law?
- Common law is the body of law that is created by judges through their written opinions, rather than through statutes or constitutions (statutory law).
- Common law, which is used interchangeably with ‘case law’, is based on judicial precedent.
- The United Kingdom (UK) and the Commonwealth countries, including India, are common law countries.
Legal reference to Puisne Judges

In the Third Judges Case ruling in 1998, one of the two cases that led to the evolution of the collegium system, the Supreme Court clarified that-
- The CJI must make a recommendation to appoint a Judge of the Supreme Court and to transfer a Chief Justice or puisne Judge of a High Court in consultation with the four seniormost puisne Judges of the Supreme Court.
Is a “puisne judge” in India the same as in the UK?
- In the UK, puisne judges are judges other than those holding distinct titles.
- The Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1877 defined a “puisne judge” as any judge of the High Court besides the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice of England, and the Master of the Rolls.
- In India, all judges have the same judicial powers.
- As the seniormost judge of a court, the Chief Justice has an additional administrative role.
- In India, there is a reference to a puisne judge only while considering the order of seniority for appointments, elevations to High Courts, etc., but it does not have a bearing on the exercise of a judge’s judicial power.
What is the recent context?
- The Supreme Court collegium recommended current Chief Justices of the Allahabad and Gujarat High Courts respectively, for appointment as judges of the Supreme Court.
- While giving reasons for its recommendation, the collegium said that the decision was made taking “into consideration the seniority of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges in their respective parent High Courts.
- This was done because seniority is one of the several criteria that are considered while making appointments to the higher judiciary.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
February 2, 2023
Who are the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)?
The Union Budget 2023-24 has provided to launch the Pradhan Mantri PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) Development Mission in order to saturate the PVTG families and habitations with basic facilities.

What is the budgetary announcement about?
- The Pradhan Mantri PVTG Mission will be launched as part of ‘Reaching The Last Mile’, one of the seven Saptarishi priorities enlisted in this year’s Budget.
- More details are awaited for this new.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
- There are certain tribal communities who have declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology and are economically backward.
- They generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support.
- These groups are among the most vulnerable section of our society as they are few in numbers, have not attained any significant level of social and economic development.
- 75 such groups have been identified and categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
Origin of the concept
- The Dhebar Commission (1960-1961) stated that within Scheduled Tribes there existed an inequality in the rate of development.
- During the fourth Five Year Plan a sub-category was created within Scheduled Tribes to identify groups that considered to be at a lower level of development.
- This was created based on the Dhebar Commission report and other studies.
- This sub-category was named “Primitive tribal group”.
Features of PVTGs
- The features of such a group include a:
1. Pre-agricultural system of existence
2. Practice of hunting and gathering
3. Zero or negative population growth
4. Extremely low level of literacy in comparison with other tribal groups
- Groups that satisfied any one of the criterion were considered as PTG.
- In 2006 the government of India proposed to rename “Primitive tribal group” as Particularly vulnerable tribal group”.
Try this PYQ:

Q.Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct? (CSP 2019)

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) 1, 3 and 4

[wpdiscuz-feedback id=”v4aaz3vlmy” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
February 2, 2023
Budget 2023:Push for Digitisation and Green Growth
Context
- The Union Budget speech by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday highlighted the government’s continuous efforts to push for digitisation in the country. Also the Finance Minister listed ‘Green Growth’ as one of the seven priorities of her Budget.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

Push for digitisation in the country: key highlights
- Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture: It will be an open source, open standard and interoperable public good. The platform will offer inclusive, farmer-centric solutions through relevant information services for crop planning and health, improved access to farm inputs, credit, and insurance, help for crop estimation, market intelligence, and support for the growth of the agri-tech industry and start-ups.
- National Digital Library for Children and Adolescents: This will be established for facilitating the availability of quality books in different languages, genres and at different levels. The government will also try to inculcate a culture of reading by collaborating with NGOs, which will provide age-appropriate reading material to everyone.
- Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence: There is a proposal for setting up three centres of excellence for Artificial Intelligence in top educational institutions. These centres, in partnership with leading players in the industry, will conduct interdisciplinary research and develop cutting-edge applications and scalable problem solutions in the areas of agriculture, health, and sustainable cities.
- National Data Governance Policy: Government will formulate a data governance policy to enable access to anonymised data for innovation and research by start-ups and academia.
- 5G Services: A hundred labs will be established in engineering institutions for developing applications using 5G services to realise a new range of opportunities, business models, and employment potential.
- E-Courts: Government will roll out phase three of the E-Courts project to ensure the efficient administration of justice.
- Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions (Bharat SHRI): A digital epigraphy museum will be established and one lakh ancient inscriptions will be digitised in the first stage.
- Skill India Digital Platform: The digital ecosystem for skilling will be further expanded by launching a unified Skill India Digital platform for enabling demand-based formal skilling, linking with employers including MSMEs and facilitating access to entrepreneurship schemes.
Elements of the Budget’s Green Growth push
- Green Hydrogen Mission: The recently launched National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an outlay of Rs 19,700 crores, will facilitate transition of the economy to low carbon intensity, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, and make the country assume technology and market leadership in this sunrise sector. India aims to reach a target of an annual production of 5 MMT of green hydrogen by 2030.
- Energy Transition: The Budget has provided Rs 35,000 crore for priority capital investments towards energy transition and net zero objectives, and energy security by Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
- Energy Storage Projects: To steer the economy on the sustainable development path, Battery Energy Storage Systems with capacity of 4,000 MWH will be supported with Viability Gap Funding. A detailed framework for Pumped Storage Projects will also be formulated.
- Renewable Energy Evacuation: The Inter-state transmission system for evacuation and grid integration of 13 GW renewable energy from Ladakh will be constructed.
- Green Credit Programme: For encouraging behavioural change, a Green Credit Programme will be notified under the Environment (Protection) Act. This will incentivize environmentally sustainable and responsive actions by companies, individuals and local bodies, and help mobilize additional resources for such activities.
- PM-PRANAM: A new PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth will be launched to incentivize States and Union Territories to promote alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers.
- GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme: 500 new waste to wealth plants under GOBARdhan scheme will be established for promoting circular economy.
- Bhartiya Prakritik Kheti Bio-Input Resource Centres: Proposal to facilitate over the next three years 1 crore farmers to adopt natural farming. For this, 10,000 Bio-Input Resource Centres will be set-up, creating a national-level distributed micro-fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing network.
- MISHTI: Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes, MISHTI, will be taken up for mangrove plantation along the coastline and on salt pan lands, wherever feasible, through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund and other sources.
- Amrit Dharohar: The government will promote their unique conservation values through Amrit Dharohar, a scheme that will be implemented over the next three years to encourage optimal use of wetlands, and enhance bio-diversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.
- Coastal Shipping: Coastal shipping will be promoted as the energy efficient and lower cost mode of transport, both for passengers and freight, through PPP mode with viability gap funding.
- Vehicle Replacement: Replacing old polluting vehicles is an important part of greening our economy. In furtherance of the vehicle scrapping policy states will also be supported in replacing old vehicles and ambulances.
Conclusion
- The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlines the government’s push for digitization and green growth in India. Key highlights suggests that the budget lays the foundation for a more digitally connected and environmentally sustainable India.
Mains question

Q. Recently Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Union Budget 2023. many suggests that the budget lays the foundation for a more digitally connected and environmentally sustainable India. Discuss.

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
February 1, 2023
(New batch) Smash Prelims February Edition for UPSC Prelims 2023 – Revamped and more effective | Dual mentorship by Zeeshan sir and Santosh sir | Enrollment Open
Two best UPSC Mentors coming together for UPSC Prelims 2023

February Edition of Smash Prelims 2023 will have 1-1 mentorship by Prelims guru Zeeshan sir and his Destroy Prelims module as the game changer. Read more below

Enroll now for Smash Prelims: Get mentored by Zeeshan sir

Have a query? Click and get a FREE mentorship session

With less than 4 months to go for UPSC Prelims 2023, you stand at a decisive crossroads in your prelims preparation journey.

At this moment it is not just about covering the syllabus or just attempting the mock tests. You have to integrate every element in your preparation to ensure your success in UPSC Prelims 2023.

Syllabus coverage + Mock Tests + Paper attempting skills + Intelligent Elimination Techniques + Revision + Mentorship = UPSC Prelims 2023 success

Launching Smash Prelims February Edition

This Smash Prelims February Edition program is not just about learning, but about balancing syllabus completion with the application of that knowledge, so you can maximize your score and achieve your goal of becoming an IAS in 2023.

Zeeshan Hashmi sir will be the personal mentor for Smash Prelims February edition

Smash Prelims integrates every element required to help you get in the 1% who will clear UPSC Prelims 2023.

Enrollments are open for Smash Prelims 2023 February Edition

Course completion (GS+Current Affairs) Lectures, Test Series, Destroy Prelims module, 1-to-1 Mentorship by Zeeshan sir, Weekly zoom sessions by Santosh sir, daily quiz on Telegram group, and PDF Notes

Read about our 7 pillared approach

Table of Content:
Smash Prelims 2023

Smash Prelims February batch is exactly what you need at this moment for UPSC Prelims 2023 success.

The focus of this program will be on:
1. Syllabus completion through LIVE lectures – both GS and Current affairs for 1.5 yrs
  - Most important and probable topics will be covered in a timely manner leaving ample time for multiple revisions.
  - Special classes on topics including Polity, History, Economics, Geography, Sessions to cover Environment innovatively, Science & Technology and more. (check timetable for lectures here)
  - To be done through LIVE lectures, Notes will be shared.
  - Comprehensive and exhaustive notes covering everything that is important.
2. Dual Mentorship for Time management and result-oriented preparation
  - Personalized 1-1 mentorship by Zeeshan sir
  - Strategy and plan- both micro and macro. This will ensure syllabus completion and rigorous practice through the test series.
  - Santosh sir’s personal guidance through weekly Zoom sessions
3. Smash Prelims Test series – Evidence-based questions based on the UPSC’s current trends
  - To keep your preparation relevant to UPSC 2023 pattern
  - Bringing efficiency to your preparation. Leaving out what is not important.
4. Constant and gradual improvement through
  - One-to-one mentorship sessions with Zeeshan sir
  - Weekly Zoom sessions with Santosh sir
  - Daily quiz on Telegram group
  - Sessions with UPSC rankers
5. Destroy Prelims module by Zeeshan sir: Imparting skills to attempt and solve Prelims paper
  - Targeting an accuracy rate of 90% and attempting maximum questions.
  - Logical and intelligent question-solving techniques and Practical hacks by Zeeshan sir .
6. Evolving your personal approach for attempting UPSC prelims paper
  - Accuracy vs a high number of attempts. Accuracy improvement sessions.
  - Attempting from question 1 or go section-wise.
7. Collaborative learning under Zeeshan sir’s supervision
  - Telegram group membership administered by Zeeshan sir
  - Daily quiz session on hot topics for UPSC Prelims
February Edition of Smash Prelims 2023 will have 1-1 mentorship by Prelims guru Zeeshan sir and his Destroy Prelims module as the game changer.

Enroll now for Smash Prelims: Get mentored by Zeeshan sir

Have a query? Click and get a FREE mentorship session

What makes Smash Prelims the best program for UPSC Prelims 2023?

1-1 Dedicated Mentorship by Zeeshan sir, Prelims guru who mentored AIR 65, AIR 117, and many more

AIR 117 on Zeeshan sir’s mentorship

Tavishi failed thrice in the Prelims before but after joining Smash Prelims program and clearing Prelim 2022 in her 4th attempt.

Smash Prelims 2023: Program inclusion
1. One-to-One mentorship for UPSC Prelims 2023 by Zeeshan sir
2. Evidence-based and UPSC level test series: 60 Tests
  - 44 tests (14 basics + 8 Advanced + 10 FLT + 6 CSAT + 6 CA ) for back to back intensive revision
  - 16 Tests for Practice
  - Mandatory mentorship and doubt resolution call after every test
3. Smash Value LIVE lectures: Most important and probable GS and Current Affairs topics for Prelims 2023. Lectures will be recorded and PDF notes will be share
4. Weekly LIVE Zoom sessions with Santosh Sir for strategy, doubt clearance, and QnA
5. Destroy Prelims module by Zeeshan sir- Imparting skills to attempt and solve UPSC MCQs
  - LIVE MCQs solving session
  - Intelligent Elimination techniques and practical hacks for a sure score of 120+ marks
6. 1.5 yrs worth of complete current affairs topics (LIVE) covered by the core CD faculty in featured classes with a LIVE discussion + PDF notes
7. CA magazine + budget and economic survey will be provided for free
8. Telegram group membership for collaborative learning
Enroll now for Smash Prelims: Get mentored by Zeeshan sir

Have a query? Click and get a FREE mentorship session

Smash Prelims 2023 Lecture Timetable

Smash-Prelims-Lecture-timetable-Feb Download

Smash Prelims 2023 Test Timetable

Smash-Prelims-February-Edition Download

Other Details:

Test start date: 4th Feb 2023

Lecture ongoing

Course fee: ~~Rs 25,000~~ Rs. 20,000 + GST

You are 8 times more likely to clear Prelims 2023 with Zeeshan sir’s mentorship under the Smash Prelims program

Enroll now for Smash Prelims: Get mentored by Zeeshan sir

Have a query? Click and get a FREE mentorship session

What CivilsDaily’s Smash Prelims students have to say?

Smash Prelims, a crucial part of the first prelims success for Rahul

A miracle for Debarpita, Smash Prelims 2022 student

Schedule a free mentorship call for prelims 2023 | click and fill up the form

Other messages showering gratitude for Zeeshan sir and Smash Prelims team

February Edition of Smash Prelims 2023 will have 1-1 mentorship by Prelims guru Zeeshan sir and his Destroy Prelims module as the game changer.

Enroll now for Smash Prelims: Get mentored by Zeeshan sir

Have a query? Click and get a FREE mentorship session
February 1, 2023
Opportunity to unlock the full Potential of MSMEs
Context
- India overtook the UK as the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2022, and is on track to achieving PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a $5 trillion economy by 2026-27. Despite concerns of a looming global recession, supply disruptions and the Russia-Ukraine war, India has stood out as a bright spot, growing faster than most major emerging markets. The government’s budget for 2023 presents an opportunity to make the Indian MSMEs competitive and self-reliant.
Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

What are MSMEs? How are they defined?
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 which was notified on October 2, 2006, deals with the definition of MSMEs. The MSMED Act, 2006 defines the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises based on:
1. The investment in plant and machinery for those engaged in manufacturing or production, processing or preservation of and
2. The investment in equipment for enterprises engaged in providing or rendering of services.
MSMEs in India at present
- The 6.3 crore micro, small and medium enterprises which account for 30 per cent of GDP and employ nearly 11 crore people have demonstrated this spirit of resilience.
- With sales in several industries across the MSME sector reaching 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, India’s small businesses are scripting a turnaround.
Union budget 2023: An opportunity to make MSMEs more competitive and self-reliant
- Streamlining input tax credit for e-commerce suppliers: Currently, suppliers selling on e-commerce platforms need to procure input services like logistics, which are taxed at 18 per cent. This leads to precious working capital getting blocked without any visibility of future realisation, potentially discouraging suppliers from adopting e-marketplaces.
- Adequate working capital for small businesses: From meeting fixed expenses such as electricity, rent and employee wages to investing in future growth, adequate working capital is a must for small businesses.
- Lowering GST rates on input services: By lowering GST rates on input services availed by online sellers, the government will not only shore up their finances but also give a leg-up to their digitisation journey. Further, refunds of accumulated input tax credit will improve their cash flow situation.
- Expedited GST relaxation for small online businesses: There is also a need to expedite GST relaxation for small online businesses. In a landmark move last year, the GST Council announced a relaxation of rules for small businesses looking to go online.
- GST relaxation measures for small online vendors: Among other measures, mandatory GST registration was waived for small online vendors with a turnover of less than Rs 40 lakh and Rs 20 lakh for goods and services, respectively.
- Unlocking the potential of MSMEs through Digitization: With just 10 per cent of our MSMEs currently online, expeditious implementation of these new norms is key to unlocking their full potential. Millions of small businesses are waiting in the wings, hoping to reap the benefits of digitisation such as a much bigger addressable market, increased efficiencies and easier access to capital.
- The National Logistics Policy (NLP) can also be leveraged to make MSMEs competitive: The NLP aims to bring down logistics costs as a percentage of the GDP from 13-14 per cent to 8 per cent, on par with developed nations. While lower costs will encourage more MSMEs to use tech-powered logistics services, they will need support to tap rising e-commerce demand from smaller towns and semi-rural areas.
- Indian post and railways can be utilized for cost effective last mile delivery: The government could rope in India Post as a tech-enabled last-mile delivery partner that can facilitate cash-on-delivery transactions at competitive prices. Similarly, the unparalleled reach of Indian Railways can be synergised to ship wares to the remotest parts of the country quickly and cost-effectively.
Why the MSME sector is important especially for India?
- Employment: The Indian MSME sector provides maximum opportunities for both self-employment and wage-employment outside the agricultural sector.
- Help building inclusive and sustainable society: It contributes to building an inclusive and sustainable society in innumerable ways through the creation of non-farm livelihood at low cost, balanced regional development, gender and social balance, environmentally sustainable development, etc.
- For example: Khadi and Village industries require low per capita investment and employs a large number of women in rural areas.
- Contribution to GDP: With around 36.1 million units throughout the geographical expanse of the country, MSMEs contribute around 6.11% of the manufacturing GDP and 24.63% of the GDP from service activities.
- Exports: It contributes around 45% of the overall exports from India.
Conclusion
- With a visionary government charting out the nation’s growth path, it is anticipated that the budget would certainly deliver on the challenges for MSMEs and take us closer to the dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Mains question

Q. Highlight the significance of MSME’s for India. What more efforts can be taken to make MSMEs more competitive and self-reliant?

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
February 1, 2023
UPSC Notification for Civil Services 2023 and IFoS 2023 released | Only 20 days remain for you to apply for the exam | Number of vacancies 1105 Download it
Civil Services Examination UPSC 2023 NOTIFICATION is out now! Only 20 days remain for you to apply for the exam.

Download the notification inside and fill Samanvaya form to discuss the strategy and approach you should be following. Zeeshan sir will be taking a LIVE webinar for 4 months on strategy for UPSC prelims 2023.

SAMANVAYA: FREE 1-on-1 Mentorship Session | Zeeshan sir’s webinar
- Exam: UPSC-CSE 2023
- Number of Vacancies: 1105
- Last Date of Application: 21st February 2023
- Date of Prelims: 28th May 2023
With only 116 days till the UPSC preliminary exam, having a structured, organized study plan is crucial and necessary. We advise you to rely on reliable sources, adhere to them, and revise as frequently as you can.

Dear students, UPSC has just now released the notification for Civil Services Exam 2023 and the Indian Forest Services 2023 Exam. You can download the notifications here (Link at the bottom)

Notif-CSP-23-engl-010223 Download

SAMANVAYA: FREE 1-on-1 Mentorship Session | Zeeshan sir’s webinar

Approximately 1105 vacancies are going to be there for UPSC Civil Services. The number for CSE has increased when compared to 2022 (Vacancies were 1011). But the competition isn’t going to be less tough.

The last date to apply for the UPSC CSE (Prelims) 2023 is 21st February, 6 pm. The UPSC CSE Prelims 2023 will be conducted on May 28th.

We’ll share a detailed analysis very soon.

Gear up for UPSC prelims now. Get a 4 months strategy by Zeeshan sir now.

SAMANVAYA: FREE 1-on-1 Mentorship Session | Zeeshan sir’s webinar

What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

SAMANVAYA: FREE 1-on-1 Mentorship Session | Zeeshan sir’s webinar
February 1, 2023