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  • What is Summer Solstice?

    The summer solstice will happen today around 9:02 am on Monday (Indian Standard Time).

    What is Summer Solstice?

    • Solstice means “sun stands still” in Latin.
    • The longest day of 2021 for those living north of the Equator is June 21.
    • This day is characterized by a greater amount of energy received from the sun.
    • In technical terms, this day is referred to as the summer solstice, the longest day of the summer season. It occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, or more specifically right over 23.5-degree north latitude.

    The Southern Hemisphere receives most sunlight on December 21, 22 or 23 when the northern hemisphere has its longest nights– or the winter solstice.

    Why do we have summer solstice?

    • Since Earth rotates on its axis, the Northern Hemisphere gets more direct sunlight between March and September over the course of a day.
    • This also means people living in the Northern Hemisphere experience summer during this time.
    • The rest of the year, the Southern Hemisphere gets more sunlight.
    • During the solstice, the Earth’s axis — around which the planet spins, completing one turn each day — is tilted in a way that the North Pole is tipped towards the sun and the South Pole is away from it.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.On 21st June, the Sun (CSP 2019):

    (a) Does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle

    (b) Does not set below the horizon at Antarctic Circle

    (c) Shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator

    (d) Shines vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn

    Some other facts

    • Summer solstice does not mean the earliest sunrise or latest sunset.
    • Although June 21 will be the longest day in 2021, it does not necessarily mean that it brings the earliest sunrise or latest sunset.
    • It depends on the latitudinal location of the country.

  • What is Gain-of-Function Research?

    With the re-emergence of the Wuhan lab-leak origin theory, questions are also being raised on what gain-of-function research is, and whether the benefits of conducting such research outweigh the risks of pathogens escaping from labs.

    What is gain-of-function research?

    • In virology, gain-of-function research involves deliberately altering an organism in the lab, altering a gene, or introducing a mutation in a pathogen to study its transmissibility, virulence and immunogenicity.
    • It is believed that this allows researchers to study potential therapies, vaccine possibilities and ways to control the disease better in future.
    • Gain-of-function research involves manipulations that make certain pathogenic microbes more deadly or more transmissible.
    • This is done by genetically engineering the virus and by allowing them to grow in different growth mediums, a technique called as serial passage.

    Antithesis to this theory

    • There is also ‘loss-of-function’ research, which involves inactivating mutations, resulting in a significant loss of original function, or no function to the pathogen.
    • When mutations occur, they alter the structure of the virus that is being studied, resulting in altered functions. Some of these significant mutations might weaken the virus or enhance its function.

    Associated risks

    • Some forms of gain-of-function research reportedly carry inherent biosafety and biosecurity risks and are thus referred to as ‘dual-use research of concern’ (DURC).
    • This indicates that while the research may result in benefits for humanity, there is also the potential to cause harm — accidental or deliberate escape of these altered pathogens from labs may cause even pandemics.

    Essential component of vaccine development

    • The current medical countermeasures are often insufficient largely because of resistance mechanisms that lead to ‘escape mutants’, i.e., drug-resistant strains.
    • There is, hence, a continual need to develop new antiviral drugs and additional options, such as immunotherapy, based on neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.
    • Ultimately, gain-of-function studies, which enhance viral yield and immunogenicity, are required for vaccine development.

    What is the situation in India?

    • In India, all activities related to genetically engineered organisms or cells and hazardous microorganisms and products are regulated as per the “Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells Rules, 1989”.
    • Last year, the Department of Biotechnology issued guidelines for the establishment of containment facilities, called ‘Biosafety labs’, at levels two and three.
    • The notification provides operational guidance on the containment of biohazards and levels of biosafety that all institutions involved in research, development and handling of these microorganisms must comply with.

    Should research continue?

    • Scientists have differing opinions on the issue, particularly since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • While those on the side of gain-of-function research say that it makes science and governments battle-ready for future pandemics, there have been a rising number of calls to suspend such research.
    • Proponents of gain-of-function research believe that “nature is the ultimate bioterrorist and we need to do all we can to stay one step ahead”.
    • Some researchers thinks it is time to stop such research.
    • Science policymakers “must wrestle with defining the rare instances in which the benefits of experiments that enhance a virus’s capacity to survive and flourish in human hosts outweigh any risks.

  • Species in news: Rare Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans)

    A major temple in Assam has signed a MoU with NGOs, the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden and the Kamrup district administration for the long-term conservation of the rare freshwater black softshell turtle or the Nilssonia nigricans.

    Two years back, one species from our newscard: Species in news: Hump-backed Mahseer made it into the CSP 2019.  The ‘Puntius Sanctus’ fish in the newscard creates such a vibe yet again.

    A stand-alone species being mentioned in the news for the first time (and that too from Southern India) find their way into the prelims. Make special note here.

     

    Q.Consider the following pairs

    Wildlife Naturally found in
    1. Blue-finned Mahseer Cauvery River
    2. Irrawaddy Dolphin Chambal River
    3. Rusty-spotted Cat Eastern Ghats

    Which of the pairs given correctly matched? (CSP 2019)

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    Nilssonia nigricans

    • Until sightings along the Brahmaputra’s drainage in Assam, the black softshell turtle was thought to be “extinct in the wild”.
    • It was confined only to ponds of temples in northeastern India and Bangladesh.
    • The International Union for Conservation of Nature had in 2021 listed the turtle as “critically endangered”.
    • But it does not enjoy legal protection under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, although it has traditionally been hunted for its meat and cartilage, traded in regional and international markets.

  • [pib] Flag Satyagraha

    The Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Tourism has organized to observe the Flag Satyagraha in Jabalpur to commemorate the Jhanda Satyagraha of the year 1923.

    Flag Satyagraha

    • Flag satyagrahas were one of the most common acts of defiance during the nationalist rebellions led by Gandhi and the Indian National Congress throughout the struggle.
    • It is a campaign of peaceful civil disobedience during the Indian independence movement.
    • It was against the defiance of laws prohibiting the hoisting of nationalist flags and restricting civil freedoms.
    • Flag Satyagrahas were conducted most notably in the city of Jabalpur and Nagpur in 1923 but also in many other parts of India.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the:

    (a) Agitation against the Partition of Bengal

    (b) Home Rule Movement

    (c) Non-Cooperation Movement

    (d) Visit of the Simon Commission to India

    Course of the movement

    • The arrest of nationalist protestors demanding the right to hoist the flag caused an outcry across India especially as Gandhi had recently been arrested.
    • Nationalist leaders such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jamnalal Bajaj, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and Vinoba Bhave organized the revolt.
    • Thousands of people from different regions including as far south as the Princely state of Travancore traveled to Nagpur and other parts of the Central Provinces to participate in civil disobedience.
    • In the end, the British negotiated an agreement with Patel and other Congress leaders permitting the protestors to conduct their march unhindered and obtaining the release of all those arrested.

  • Green Hydrogen

    India is all set to host a two-day summit on Green Hydrogen initiatives involving the BRICS nations.

    What is Green Hydrogen?

    • Hydrogen, when produced by electrolysis using renewable energy is known as Green Hydrogen which has no carbon footprint.
    • This gives hydrogen the edge over other fuels to unlock various avenues of green usage.
    • However, challenges lie in terms of technology, efficiency, financial viability, and scaling up which the summit will aim to address.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements:

    1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by products.
    2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
    3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Applications of green hydrogen

    • Green hydrogen has innumerable applications.
    • Green Chemicals like ammonia and methanol can directly be utilized in existing applications like fertilizers, mobility, power, chemicals, shipping among others.
    • Green Hydrogen blending up to 10 percent may be adopted in CGD networks to gain widespread acceptance.
    • Further scaling up with greening of hard to abate sectors like steel and cement through hydrogen is to be explored.
    • Many countries have brought out their strategies and defined targets and roadmaps based on their resources and strengths.

    Back2Basics: BRICS Countries

    • BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
    • To be clear, BRICS was not invented by any of its members.
    • In 2001, Goldman Sachs’ Jim O’Neill authored a paper called “Building Better Global Economic BRICs”, pointing out that future GDP growth in the world would come from China, India, Russia and Brazil.
    • Significantly, the paper didn’t recommend a separate grouping for them, but made the case that the G-7 grouping, made up of the world’s most industrialized, and essentially Western countries, should include them.
    • O’Neill also suggested that the G-7 group needed revamping after the introduction of a common currency for Europe, the euro, in 1999.
    • In 2003, Goldman Sachs wrote another paper, “Dreaming with BRICs: Path to 2050”, predicting that the global map would significantly change due to these four emerging economies.
    • In 2006, leaders of the BRIC countries met on the margins of a G-8 (now called G-7) summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, and BRIC was formalized that year.
  • Do Not FEAR Inconsistency, FIGHT It!

    Do Not FEAR Inconsistency, FIGHT It!

    Read on if you often find yourself trapped in inconsistency. We have got a proven formula to get you out of it. 

     “If a child doesn’t fall, would it ever learn to walk?

    Does the child fear falling? No.

    Does the child give up? No.

    Does the child get back up and try again? Yes. Does the child succeed? Yes.

    So can you!”

    The concept of getting back up and trying again is inherent in everyone. None of us are machines that can all the time. As humans, inconsistency is part of our nature. But the difference between people who succeed and those who don’t is that successful people do not fear inconsistency. They know it, understand it, get back up, and fight it.

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    Here’s the thing: You are not alone! Every aspirant feels the fear of inconsistency. But there’s a simple way to beat it.

    After speaking with 10000+ aspirants we realised that there are 3 basic reasons for inconsistency among the aspirants. We were able to understand these reasons. Find practical solutions that help students become calmer, consistent, and turn their fear into focus.

    A) Overwhelmed by the syllabus – Most of the students start studying with full force. But as they get deeper into the course material, they start feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the syllabus. It’s exactly like diving into an open ocean without a life jacket for support. What should I study? Which books should I complete? Where do I find relevant course material? Did I miss something? What if I am reading the wrong things? Oh, my god! What should I do?

    This feeling can create panic and make you lose focus. This makes you inconsistent in your approach. But what if you had a guide who spoke to you and helped you define the course structure? What if you had a mentor who guided you and told you what’s important and what’s not? What if there was a person who understood your fear and created a personal schedule for you to get back on track? Believe it or not, having such a person for support makes all the difference in the world.

    And this is what our mentors do, help you swim when you feel like you are drowning.

    B) Fatigue – You have been studying long and hard. You have written essays, answers, and practiced MCQs. You are reading many newspapers and about a thousand different topics in a day. The entire cycle continues for 365 long days. It is natural to feel fatigued. It is human to feel tired. It is necessary to take a break. BUT it is a ‘must’ to get back again.

    This is where your mentor comes to your rescue. Your mentor helps you cope with the syllabus. They tell you how much effort you should spend on which topics. They help create a study pattern around your strengths so that your efforts are not wasted. So, you do not feel tired. You get proven practical tips to crack the exam without burdening you with irrelevant information. They help you create a smart balance that ensures you keep going strong for as long as it takes!

    The mentors won’t make you super-human, they make you smarter-human!

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    C) No support structure – Ask any person who has succeeded in this exam and  they’ll tell you that a support structure is the most important thing in cracking this exam. Having someone you can speak to openly can make a world of difference. Imagine having someone you speak to about the things that scare you. The things that make you inconsistent. The things that are holding you back. Imagine having someone who does not see you as a machine but as a human and helps support you when you are down. Imagine having someone who has your back, no matter what!

    Yes, a mentor is that friend and guide who knows what you are going through and also how to help you. A mentor helps identify the cause of your inconsistency and solves it for you so that you can focus on your study. Finally, a mentor is someone who guides you both emotionally and intellectually to remove your fear and replace it with the will to fight!

    This is why our mentorship program produces results day-in and day-out. For our mentors, you are not machines. You are students who will have periods of inconsistency but our mentors will not let that kill your dreams. They will lift you up in your worst times and they will guide you well in your best times.

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    So, come, speak to us. Join and experience our one on one mentorship program.  Tell us what makes you inconsistent, and our mentors will find a way to beat it. Replace fear with a will to fight. You work on your studies, leave the rest to us. Connect with us, there’s no harm in giving it a shot!

  • Do Not FEAR Inconsistency, FIGHT It!

    Do Not FEAR Inconsistency, FIGHT It!

    Read on if you often find yourself trapped in inconsistency. We have got a proven formula to get you out of it. 

     “If a child doesn’t fall, would it ever learn to walk?

    Does the child fear falling? No.

    Does the child give up? No.

    Does the child get back up and try again? Yes. Does the child succeed? Yes.

    So can you!”

    The concept of getting back up and trying again is inherent in everyone. None of us are machines that can all the time. As humans, inconsistency is part of our nature. But the difference between people who succeed and those who don’t is that successful people do not fear inconsistency. They know it, understand it, get back up, and fight it.

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    Here’s the thing: You are not alone! Every aspirant feels the fear of inconsistency. But there’s a simple way to beat it.

    After speaking with 10000+ aspirants we realised that there are 3 basic reasons for inconsistency among the aspirants. We were able to understand these reasons. Find practical solutions that help students become calmer, consistent, and turn their fear into focus.

    A) Overwhelmed by the syllabus – Most of the students start studying with full force. But as they get deeper into the course material, they start feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the syllabus. It’s exactly like diving into an open ocean without a life jacket for support. What should I study? Which books should I complete? Where do I find relevant course material? Did I miss something? What if I am reading the wrong things? Oh, my god! What should I do?

    This feeling can create panic and make you lose focus. This makes you inconsistent in your approach. But what if you had a guide who spoke to you and helped you define the course structure? What if you had a mentor who guided you and told you what’s important and what’s not? What if there was a person who understood your fear and created a personal schedule for you to get back on track? Believe it or not, having such a person for support makes all the difference in the world.

    And this is what our mentors do, help you swim when you feel like you are drowning.

    B) Fatigue – You have been studying long and hard. You have written essays, answers, and practiced MCQs. You are reading many newspapers and about a thousand different topics in a day. The entire cycle continues for 365 long days. It is natural to feel fatigued. It is human to feel tired. It is necessary to take a break. BUT it is a ‘must’ to get back again.

    This is where your mentor comes to your rescue. Your mentor helps you cope with the syllabus. They tell you how much effort you should spend on which topics. They help create a study pattern around your strengths so that your efforts are not wasted. So, you do not feel tired. You get proven practical tips to crack the exam without burdening you with irrelevant information. They help you create a smart balance that ensures you keep going strong for as long as it takes!

    The mentors won’t make you super-human, they make you smarter-human!

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    C) No support structure – Ask any person who has succeeded in this exam and  they’ll tell you that a support structure is the most important thing in cracking this exam. Having someone you can speak to openly can make a world of difference. Imagine having someone you speak to about the things that scare you. The things that make you inconsistent. The things that are holding you back. Imagine having someone who does not see you as a machine but as a human and helps support you when you are down. Imagine having someone who has your back, no matter what!

    Yes, a mentor is that friend and guide who knows what you are going through and also how to help you. A mentor helps identify the cause of your inconsistency and solves it for you so that you can focus on your study. Finally, a mentor is someone who guides you both emotionally and intellectually to remove your fear and replace it with the will to fight!

    This is why our mentorship program produces results day-in and day-out. For our mentors, you are not machines. You are students who will have periods of inconsistency but our mentors will not let that kill your dreams. They will lift you up in your worst times and they will guide you well in your best times.

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    So, come, speak to us. Join and experience our one on one mentorship program.  Tell us what makes you inconsistent, and our mentors will find a way to beat it. Replace fear with a will to fight. You work on your studies, leave the rest to us. Connect with us, there’s no harm in giving it a shot!

  • What the G7 message on net-zero emissions means for India

    The article highlights G-7 countries’ emphasis on adoption of net-zero emission target and its implications for India.

    Shifting responsibility to developing countries

    • The Cornwall G7 summit sought to re-establish a common purpose among the richest democracies of the world.
    • The G7 agreed “collectively” to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 and called on “all countries, in particular, major emitting economies” to join as part of global efforts.
    • And, ODA (official development assistance) has been made contingent on net-zero emissions by 2050 and deep cuts in emissions in the 2020s.
    • G7 made an equal effort to shift the responsibility to the large developing countries.
    • However, “common and differentiated responsibilities” is the agreed guiding principle for tackling climate change.
    • Differentiation underscores the responsibility of the industrialised countries to lead.

    India’s climate actions

    • India has been a leading stakeholder in climate action and is among the few in the G20 in line to meet their commitments under the Paris Accord.
    • It has also taken on a most ambitious target of 450 GW of renewable power by 2030.
    • India has shown the world the way forward on solar power with producers now offering ultra-competitive tariffs.

    India’s concerns

    • Coal was particularly in the eye of the G7 which stressed “that international investments in unabated coal must stop now” .
    •  India, that continues to rely on coal, could face a crunch in assistance in thermal power.
    • BASIC, comprising India, China, Brazil and South Africa, has so far led the efforts of large developing countries in climate negotiations.
    • But with possible differences of opinion on net zero, BASIC’s clout in future global negotiations is questionable.

    Way forward

    • Finance and technology are the key areas where the industrialised West can and must lead.
    • The collective developed countries’ commitment of $ 100 billion per year was made in Copenhagen in 2009 and is nowhere near being reached.
    • A smallish sum of $2 billion was committed by G7 to accelerating the transition from coal.
    • For India, with its huge developmental needs and global high-table aspirations that require carbon and policy spaces, the imperative is strong diplomatic partnerships with large developing economies that have an inherent interest in GREEN-Growth with Renewable Energy, Entrepreneurship and Nature.

    Conclusion

    India, which has huge developmental needs and global high-table aspirations that require carbon and policy spaces, must protect its interests.

  • Do Not FEAR Inconsistency, FIGHT It!

    Do Not FEAR Inconsistency, FIGHT It!

    Read on if you often find yourself trapped in inconsistency. We have got a proven formula to get you out of it. 

     “If a child doesn’t fall, would it ever learn to walk?

    Does the child fear falling? No.

    Does the child give up? No.

    Does the child get back up and try again? Yes. Does the child succeed? Yes.

    So can you!”

    The concept of getting back up and trying again is inherent in everyone. None of us are machines that can all the time. As humans, inconsistency is part of our nature. But the difference between people who succeed and those who don’t is that successful people do not fear inconsistency. They know it, understand it, get back up, and fight it.

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    Here’s the thing: You are not alone! Every aspirant feels the fear of inconsistency. But there’s a simple way to beat it.

    After speaking with 10000+ aspirants we realised that there are 3 basic reasons for inconsistency among the aspirants. We were able to understand these reasons. Find practical solutions that help students become calmer, consistent, and turn their fear into focus.

    A) Overwhelmed by the syllabus – Most of the students start studying with full force. But as they get deeper into the course material, they start feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the syllabus. It’s exactly like diving into an open ocean without a life jacket for support. What should I study? Which books should I complete? Where do I find relevant course material? Did I miss something? What if I am reading the wrong things? Oh, my god! What should I do?

    This feeling can create panic and make you lose focus. This makes you inconsistent in your approach. But what if you had a guide who spoke to you and helped you define the course structure? What if you had a mentor who guided you and told you what’s important and what’s not? What if there was a person who understood your fear and created a personal schedule for you to get back on track? Believe it or not, having such a person for support makes all the difference in the world.

    And this is what our mentors do, help you swim when you feel like you are drowning.

    B) Fatigue – You have been studying long and hard. You have written essays, answers, and practiced MCQs. You are reading many newspapers and about a thousand different topics in a day. The entire cycle continues for 365 long days. It is natural to feel fatigued. It is human to feel tired. It is necessary to take a break. BUT it is a ‘must’ to get back again.

    This is where your mentor comes to your rescue. Your mentor helps you cope with the syllabus. They tell you how much effort you should spend on which topics. They help create a study pattern around your strengths so that your efforts are not wasted. So, you do not feel tired. You get proven practical tips to crack the exam without burdening you with irrelevant information. They help you create a smart balance that ensures you keep going strong for as long as it takes!

    The mentors won’t make you super-human, they make you smarter-human!

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    C) No support structure – Ask any person who has succeeded in this exam and  they’ll tell you that a support structure is the most important thing in cracking this exam. Having someone you can speak to openly can make a world of difference. Imagine having someone you speak to about the things that scare you. The things that make you inconsistent. The things that are holding you back. Imagine having someone who does not see you as a machine but as a human and helps support you when you are down. Imagine having someone who has your back, no matter what!

    Yes, a mentor is that friend and guide who knows what you are going through and also how to help you. A mentor helps identify the cause of your inconsistency and solves it for you so that you can focus on your study. Finally, a mentor is someone who guides you both emotionally and intellectually to remove your fear and replace it with the will to fight!

    This is why our mentorship program produces results day-in and day-out. For our mentors, you are not machines. You are students who will have periods of inconsistency but our mentors will not let that kill your dreams. They will lift you up in your worst times and they will guide you well in your best times.

    Click here for Samanvaya One on One Mentorship Form

    So, come, speak to us. Join and experience our one on one mentorship program.  Tell us what makes you inconsistent, and our mentors will find a way to beat it. Replace fear with a will to fight. You work on your studies, leave the rest to us. Connect with us, there’s no harm in giving it a shot!

  • Issues faced by Discoms in India

    The article highlights the need for frequent financial aids to the discoms by the Centre and discusses the factors responsible for this.

    Frequent rescue packages for discoms

    • Recently, there was a sharp decline in the dues owed by power distribution companies, discoms, to power generating companies.
    • Discoms have paid off their dues in part by drawing down a liquidity facility arranged by the Centre last year.
    • This rescue package was arranged to prevent the entire power sector chain from suffering because of the discoms’ inability to meet their obligations. 
    • In the initial years after the introduction of UDAY some states did, in fact, witness an improvement in their financial and operational indicators.
    • But it wasn’t sustained, There has been a sharp deterioration in several parameters.

    Low performance of Discoms

    1) On the basis of AT&C losses

    • A key metric to measure the performance of discoms is AT&C losses.
    • The UDAY scheme had envisaged bringing down these losses to 15 per cent by 2019.
    • However, as per data on the UDAY dashboard, the AT&C losses currently stand at 21.7 per cent at the all-India level.
    • In the case of the low-income north and central-eastern states — Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh — the losses are considerably higher.

    2) On the basis of cost and revenue per unit

    • On another metric — the gap between discoms’ costs and revenues — the difference, supposed to have been eliminated by now, stands at Rs 0.49 per unit in the absence of regular and commensurate tariff hikes.
    • For the high-income southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, this gap between costs and revenues is significantly higher.

    What are the factors responsible for inefficiencies?

    1) Electrification push without cost restructuring

    • The government’s push for ensuring electrification of all have contributed to greater inefficiency.
    •  To support higher levels of electrification, cost structures need to be reworked, and the distribution network would need to be augmented — in the absence of all this, losses are bound to rise.

    2) Economic fallout of the pandemic

    • With demand from industrial and commercial users falling, revenue from this stream, which is used to cross-subsidise other consumers, has declined, exacerbating the stress on discom finances.
    • A turnaround in the economy will provide some relief, but will not form the basis of a sustained improvement in finances.

    3) Lack of consumer data and metering

    •  Even six years after UDAY was launched, various levels in the distribution chain — the feeder, the distribution transformer (DT) and the consumer — have not been fully metered.
    • As a result, it is difficult to ascertain the level in the chain where losses are occurring.
    • Other than discoms in metros like Delhi and Mumbai, there is also limited data on which consumer is attached to which DT.
    • This lack of data makes it difficult to isolate and identify loss-making areas and take corrective action.

    4) No tariff hike

    • The continuing absence of political consensus at the state level to raise tariffs or to bring down AT&C losses signal a lack of resolve to tackle the issues plaguing the sector.

    Way forward

    • One of the solution centres around a national power distribution company.
    • Another option is to deduct discom dues, owed to both public and private power generating companies, from state balances with the RBI forcing states to take the necessary steps to fix discom finances.
    • The Centre has linked additional state borrowings to the completion of distribution reforms to incentivise states to act.

    Consider the question “Despite several efforts by the Centre to improve the efficiency, discoms continue to perform dismally requiring frequent financial aids. What are the factors responsible for this? Suggest the way forward.” 

    Conclusion

    Short of radical measures — privatisation remains a chimera — it is difficult to see how a sustainable turnaround in the financial and operational position of discoms can be engineered. As the amounts involved rise, minor tinkering isn’t likely to produce the desired results.

    Back2Basics: AT&C losses

    • Distribution loss consists of two parts:
    • a. Technical loss
    • b. Commercial loss.
    • It is also called AT&C loss.
    • AT&C loss is nothing but the sum total of technical and commercial losses and shortage due to non-realization of billed amount.
    • AT&C Loss = (Energy input – Energy billed) * 100 / Energy input.

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