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  • Strontium: A Cyber-Espionage Group

    Recently, Microsoft said that it had disrupted cyberattacks from a Russian nation-state hacking group called ‘Strontium’.

    What is Strontium?

    • Strontium, also known as Fancy Bear, Tsar Team, Pawn Storm, Sofacy, Sednit or Advanced Persistent Threat 28 (APT28) group, is a highly active and prolific cyber-espionage group.
    • It is one of the most active APT groups and has been operating since at least the mid-2000s, making it one of the world’s oldest cyber-spy groups.
    • It has access to highly sophisticated tools to conduct spy operations, and has been attacking targets in the US, Europe, Central Asia and West Asia.
    • The group is said to be connected to the GRU, the Russian Armed Forces’ main military intelligence wing.
    • The GRU’s cyber units are believed to have been responsible for several cyberattacks over the years and its unit 26165 is identified as Fancy Bear.

    How does it attack networks?

    • The group deploys diverse malware and malicious tools to breach networks.
    • In the past, it has used X-Tunnel, SPLM (or CHOPSTICK and X-Agent), GAMEFISH and Zebrocy to attack targets.
    • These tools can be used as hooks in system drivers to access local passwords, and can track keystroke, mouse movements, and control webcam and USB drives.
    • APT28 uses spear-phishing (targeted campaigns to gain access to an individual’s account) and zero-day exploits (taking advantage of unknown computer-software vulnerabilities) to target specific individuals and organizations.
    • It has used spear-phishing and sometimes water-holing to steal information, such as account credentials, sensitive communications and documents.
    • A watering hole attack compromises a site that a targeted victim visits to gain access to the victim’s computer and network.

     

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  • Why are blue straggler stars different from the norm?

    Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru have studied the eccentricities of blue straggler stars.

    What are Blue Straggler Stars?

    • A blue straggler is a main-sequence star in an open or globular cluster that is more luminous and bluer than stars at the main sequence turnoff point for the cluster.
    • Blue stragglers were first discovered by Allan Sandage in 1953 while performing photometry of the stars in the globular cluster M3.

    What did the Indian researchers study?

    • Eccentricity is the deviation of a planets’ or stars’ orbit from circularity — the higher the eccentricity, the greater the elliptical orbit.
    • For this, the researchers also made use of the observations by the UVIT instrument (Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope) of ASTROSAT, India’s first science observatory in space.

    (a) Stellar ageing of stars

    • To know what blue stragglers are, it is necessary to understand how stars are classified and their evolution, studied.
    • Our Sun, for example, is what is called a main sequence star, and, given its mass and age, it is expected that once it has converted all its hydrogen into helium, its core will get denser, while outer layers expand.
    • So, it will bloat into a red giant.
    • After this phase, its fuel spent, it will shrink, becoming a smaller, cooling star called a white dwarf star at the end of its life.

    (b) Sequencing of stars

    • To study the behaviour of the star, you could plot a graph of the colour of a star, which is an indication of its surface temperature, against its magnitude, which is related to the total energy given off by it.
    • If you do this for all the stars in a globular cluster, a large number of stars are seen to find a place within a band known as the main sequence.
    • Our Sun is a main sequence star, too, and the expectation is that all main sequence stars follow a pattern of evolution pretty much like our Sun’s fate, which was described earlier.
    • There are a few stars that, just at the stage of their lives, when they are expected to start expanding in size and cooling down, do just the opposite.
    • They grow brighter and hotter and blue in colour, thus standing out from the cooler red stars in their vicinity in the colour-magnitude diagram.
    • Since they lag behind their peers in the evolution, they are called stragglers, more specifically, blue stragglers, because of their hot, blue colour.

    Outcome of the research: Reasons for Blue Stragglers behaviour

    • The puzzle of why a blue straggler is more massive, and energetic than expected may be resolved in several ways.
    • One that these do not belong to the family of stars in the cluster, and hence are not expected to have the group properties.
    • Second, the straggler draws matter from the giant companion and grows more massive, hot and blue, and the red giant ends up as a normal or smaller white dwarf.
    • The third possibility is that the straggler draws matter from a companion star, but that there is a third star that facilitates this process.

     

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  • Palli in Jammu becomes India’s First Carbon-Neutral Panchayat

    Palli village in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir has become the first panchayat in the country to become carbon-neutral, fully powered by solar energy.

    Various feats achieved

    • All its records have been digitised and the benefits of all the Central schemes are available in this village around 17 km from Jammu.
    • Palli village, with its enthusiastic and dedicated elected representatives full of dreams, has shown how to implement the Glasgow pledge (Panchamrita) made by PM Modi.
    • It has set an example of the slogan Sabka Prayas (everyone’s efforts).

    What is Carbon Neutrality?

    • Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference.
    • This can be done by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal (often through carbon offsetting) or by eliminating emissions from society.
    •  It is used in the context of carbon dioxide-releasing processes associated with transportation, energy production, agriculture, and industry.
    •  The term carbon neutral also includes other greenhouse gases, usually carbon-based, measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence.
    • The term “net-zero” is increasingly used to describe a broader and more comprehensive commitment to decarbonization and climate action.
    • Net-zero emissions are achieved when your organization’s emissions of all greenhouse gases (CO2-e) are balanced by greenhouse gas removals

    Methodology

    Carbon-neutral status can be achieved in two ways:

    • Carbon offsetting: Balancing carbon dioxide emissions with carbon offsets — the process of reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions or removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to make up for emissions elsewhere. If the total greenhouse gasses emitted is equal to the total amount avoided or removed, then the two effects cancel each other out and the net emissions are ‘neutral’.
    • Reducing emissions: Reducing carbon emissions can be done by moving towards energy sources and industrial processes that produce fewer greenhouse gases, thereby transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Shifting towards the use of renewable energy such as hydro, wind, geothermal, and solar power, as well as nuclear power, reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

    Agreement and Target

    • The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016.
    • Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
    • Article 4.1 of the Paris Agreement asks countries to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible.
    • It also requires countries to undertake rapid reductions in carbon emissions to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases.

    Back2Basics:  Panchamrita

    • ‘Panchamrita’ is a traditional method of mixing five natural foods — milk, ghee, curd, honey, and jaggery.
    • These are used in Hindu and Jain worship rituals. It is also used as a technique in Ayurveda.
    • The PM euphemistically termed his scheme as ‘Panchamrita’ meaning the ‘five ambrosia’.
    • Under Panchamrita’, India will:
    1. Get its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030
    2. Meet 50 percent of its energy requirements till 2030 with renewable energy
    3. Reduce its projected carbon emission by one billion tonnes by 2030
    4. Reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 45 percent by 2030
    5. Achieve net-zero by 2070

     

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  • What is different now in communal violence in India

    Context

    India has a long history of communal violence. Just how similar or different are the recent episodes? And what kind of dangers do they pose to the polity and society?

    What is different this time?

    • Religious processions: It should first be noted that such processions have historically been some of the largest triggers for communal riots.
    • Such processions can be, and have been, intensely political, often morphing from the religious to the communal.
    • Communalism Vs. Religiosity: Communalism in South Asia has always been distinguished from religiosity.
    • Religiosity may be about deeper meanings of life, but communalism is about a coercive assertion of power or a bloody search for retribution, often historically construed and presented.
    • Thus, it is not the coexistence of religious processions and riots that is surprising today.
    • What is different this time? Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti are not the principal religious processions touching off riots.
    • Eroding neutrality of state: The second difference that in the past, processions might have caused riots, but the state rarely gave up the principle of neutrality in dealing with them.
    • When a state either explicitly favours a community or looks away when a particular community is hounded, intimidated and attacked, it is no longer a riot, but a pogrom.
    • The rapidly eroding religious neutrality of the government in several states is one of the most alarming political developments.
    • In recent months, there have been spectacles of calls to murder in Dharam Sansads (religious assemblies).
    • Such speech is criminally liable. India’s Constitution prohibits speech that endangers “public order”.
    • In the past, it was invariably hard to find clear evidence of who led the riots.
    • The riot leaders now openly proclaim call for violence.
    • Such leaders are either not punished, or are merely given a slap on the wrist and some of them are even celebrated as heroes and rewarded with high office.
    • New research on vigilantism makes it clear that vigilantism, especially lynchings, cannot flourish unless the state provides impunity to vigilante groups.

    Conclusion

    Even though India has a long history of communal violence the recent episodes of violence are different and pose grave dangers to the polity and society.

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  • 25th April 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 979]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 979]

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  • [Sansad TV] Mudda Aapka: India–Mauritius Relations

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    Context

    • Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth is on an eight-day visit to India.
    • The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the relations between the two countries. Mauritius is becoming an integral part of the goals of India’s maritime diplomacy.
    • Mauritius is very important for India’s security from the point of view of the Indian Ocean and yet being highest FDI investor.

    As Mauritius becomes a key part of India’s renewed Ocean Diplomacy at a time when the world is changing in fundamental ways, what should be India’s approach to this island-nation?

    India-Mauritius Relations: A Backgrounder

    • Connections between India and Mauritius date back to 1730, diplomatic relations were established in 1948 before Mauritius became an independent state.
    • For far too long, Delhi has viewed Mauritius through the prism of diaspora. This was, perhaps, natural since 68% of the Mauritian population comprise of Indian origin.
    • More recently, Delhi has certainly begun to see the strategic significance of Mauritius thanks to the renewed great power contestation in the Indian Ocean.
    • In 2014, Prime Minister Modi saw Mauritius as part of India’s neighbourhood and invited its leaders to join his inauguration along with other South Asian leaders.
    • In 2015 that Modi unveiled an ambitious policy called the SAGAR (security and growth for all). It was India’s first significant policy statement on the Indian Ocean in many decades.

    Significance of Mauritius to India

    [A] Geostrategic significance

    • In 2015, the Indian Prime Minister signed an agreement to set up eight Indian-controlled coastal surveillance radar stations
    • Mauritius is part of India’s security grid including Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) station of Indian Navy’s National Command Control Communication Intelligence network.
    • The Head of Mauritius Navy and the Mauritian National Security Advisor are Indian officers.
    • India is also building a secret naval base in Agalega Islands of Mauritius.
    • If Delhi takes an integrated view of its security cooperation in the southwestern Indian Ocean, Mauritius is the natural node for it.

    [B] Economic opportunities

    • The Mauritius pivot can facilitate a number of Indian commercial activities in the southwestern Indian Ocean — as a banking gateway, the hub for flights to and from Indian cities and tourism.
    • India could also contribute to the evolution of Mauritius as a regional centre for technological innovation.
    • Companies registered in Mauritius are the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India.
    • Mauritius and India signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) on 22 February 2021, during the visit of the External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

    [C] Geo-economics

    • India is Mauritius’s largest trading partner and has been the largest exporter of goods and services to the Indian Ocean island nation since 2007.
    • The French description of the island as a “central geographic point” holds equally true for commerce and connectivity in the Indian Ocean.
    • As a member of the African Union, Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Commission, Mauritius is a stepping stone to multiple geographies.
    • As new investments pour into Africa, Mauritius is where a lot of it gets serviced. Mauritius can be the fulcrum for India’s own African economic outreach.

    [D] Mauritius as pivot of New Delhi’s island policy

    • Until now India has tended to deal with the so-called Vanilla islands of the southwestern Indian Ocean — Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion and Seychelles — on a bilateral basis.
    • If the Indian establishment thinks of them as a collective, it could make Mauritius the pivot of Delhi’s island policy.

    [E] Indian Community

    • There are nearly 11,000 Indian nationals in Mauritius. There are around 750 OCI Card holders and about 3500 PIO Card holders.
    • To increase tourism inflow from India, Mauritian Government had introduced a visa-free regime for Indian tourists in October 2004.
    • Indian tourists visiting Mauritius for a period up to 60 days do not require a visa, provided they can show sufficient funds to cover their stay.
    • Mauritian nationals visiting India are entitled to gratis E-Tourist Visa.

    [F] Institutional collaboration

    • The Mahatma Gandhi Institute (MGI) was established in 1976 as a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Mauritius for the promotion of Indian culture and education. It also hosts the ICCR Chair in Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy.
    • The Rabindranath Tagore Institute (RTI) was established with the assistance of the Government of India in 2000 as a Centre of Studies on Indian culture and traditions.
    • Mauritius also hosts the World Hindi Secretariat, an India-Mauritius bilateral organization which was inaugurated during the visit of President in March 2018.  

    Common challenges

    • Some existential challenges for Mauritius and the neighbouring island states are:
    • Climate change
    • Sustainable development and
    • Blue economy
    • The impact of natural disasters, the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems and sea level rise are their biggest security threats as these threaten their very existence.
    • According to a World Bank Report in 2018, Mauritius Ranks 16th highest disaster risk country, being highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

    Why India needs to revamp its neighbourhood strategy?

    • Responsiveness against China: India has often been accused of being self-centred in its relations with its smaller neighbours, as well as being interested in them only when China becomes a big enough presence in these countries. This is not an unfair criticism.
    • IOR Strategy: As the power dynamic in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is changing, India has come to view Mauritius as an integral part of the new security architecture that it would like to see emerge here.
    • Security-centric: Mauritius is dotted with naval outfits, communication and surveillance outposts, and/or port facilities/developments, from Tanzania, Kenya, to Oman, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
    • Multiple identities: Mauritius, much like India, sees itself in many dimensions. It sees itself as a sovereign nation, as a vibrant democracy; as multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation too. It is important for India in its approach towards Mauritius to embrace its multitude of identities.

    Way forward

    • The urgent need for New Delhi is to discard the deep-rooted perception that Mauritius is simply an extension of India.
    • Delhi must take a fresh and more strategic look at Mauritius.
    • One way of getting there is to have an early Indian summit with the leaders of the Vanilla Islands.
    • India, with its strong intelligence network, will also be helpful in maritime law enforcement by Mauritius and Seychelles.
    • While declaring support for India’s maritime security plans, there is need to pointed out that small nations are equally important in the contemporary world order and need to be taken seriously for the sake of preserving the security and order.

    Conclusion

    • Our close multifaceted relations have steadily developed over the years, based on the secure foundations of kinship and family ties, and of shared values of democracy, tolerance, peace and development.
    • It is time that both nations take it forward with mutual cooperation.
    • Jugnauth’s visit is a good moment for India to visibly demonstrate its respect for the sovereignty of Mauritius.
  • (Today) Free Webinar by IAS Khushboo Gupta on How to Approach Current Affairs for UPSC-CSE 2023 || Last Chance to Register

    (Today) Free Webinar by IAS Khushboo Gupta on How to Approach Current Affairs for UPSC-CSE 2023 || Last Chance to Register

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    “A wealth of information leads to a poverty of attention” — Herbert Simon

    A fundamental problem with Current affairs is the deluge of reading material. Freshers, in their earlier attempts, are prone to buy Current Affairs material out of whim, in a delusional hope that It now brings more marks. Their room is filled with CSR, Pratiyogita Darpan, EPW, Chronicle, Yojana and every random magazine you can name.

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  • Digital Service Tax

    Context

    Over the past four years, 137 countries have engaged intensively with the OECD to find a solution to the tax challenges arising from digitalisation. Like any international agreement, finding a middle ground has been difficult and a series of compromises have been made.

    What makes it difficult to tax the digital economy?

    • Operation across the border: The unique feature of the digital economy is that firms can operate seamlessly across borders and users and their data contribute to their profits.
    • However, this made it harder to tax such an economy.
    • It was not clear how profits were to be pinned down to any jurisdiction.
    • Political issues: Taxing digital economy became a political issue because the largest technology firms are tax residents of developed countries and redefining digital presence as the basis of taxation would potentially allow large markets like India more right to tax.
    • Developing vs. developed countries: Developing countries wanted that profits from digital operations should be fractionally apportioned to markets while developed countries believe that a fraction of residual profit, mainly arising from marketing functions, should be taxed in markets.

     Equalisation levy and DST issue

    • The divergence in developed and developing countries as explained above compelled countries to implement unilateral measures.
    • India was the first country to implement a gross equalisation levy on turnover.
    • This is not covered by tax treaties.
    • So, while the income tax act does not apply to the levy, credit is available for the tax paid by the company in its home country.
    • Similarly, several other countries have announced or implemented a digital services tax (DST).
    • In 2021, India expanded the scope of the equalisation levy.
    • The US initiated the US Trade Representative investigations which found DST to be discriminatory, and then announced retaliatory tariffs.

    Two-pillar approach and issues with its adoption

    • The DSTs encouraged the US to actively participate in finding a consensus-based solution.
    • As talks progressed, the OECD announced that the issue of allocation of taxing rights would be actively considered and adopted a two-pillar approach.
    • Pillar One approach: The first pillar was to define the rules for taxing digital companies.
    • Sovereignty issue: Pillar One was to go beyond digital companies and apply to large companies with annual revenue over € 20 billion. To ensure certainty to taxpayers, the solution will require excessive global coordination.
    • Whether this will undermine sovereignty, remains to be seen.
    • Therefore, it is important to consider if the consensus approach is worth pursuing.
    • EL may still apply to companies not covered by OECD proposal: In fact, the EL may apply to companies that are not covered by the OECD proposal, leaving one to wonder whether it will truly address the tax challenges from digitalisation. 
    • Complications: Corporations that argue in favour of simplicity must also consider the potential benefits from an EL like tax that sets aside the complications of attributing profits to complex functions.
    • The OECD approach creates a fiction of reallocation, where the profits reallocated through Pillar One could in fact be compensated for by taxing back global profits taxed below 15 per cent.

    Conclusion

    As per Pillar One proposal, DSTs will be removed once the OECD approach is ratified in 2023. It is imperative therefore that countries assess the price of compromise.

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  • NITI Aayog gets a new Vice-Chairman

    The government has appointed Suman K. Bery as the vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog following the resignation of Rajiv Kumar.

    What is NITI Aayog?

    • The NITI Aayog serves as the apex public policy think tank of the GoI.
    • It was established in 2015, by the NDA government, to replace the Planning Commission which followed a top-down model.
    • It advises both the centre and states on social and economic issues.
    • It is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body but the outcome of an executive resolution. It was not created by the act of parliament.

    Composition of NITI Aayog

    • The Prime Minister of India is the chairperson/chairman of the NITI Aayog.
    • The PM appoints one Vice-Chairperson, who holds the rank of a cabinet minister.
    • It includes the Chief Ministers of all the states and Union territories.
    • It has Regional Councils for looking after contingencies in regional areas. It is convened and chaired by the Prime Minister of India and includes concerned chief ministers and Lt. Governors.
    • The Prime Minister nominates Personalities with skilled knowledge, who are experts in particular domains as special invitees.
    • There are full-time members who hold the rank of ministers.
    • There is a maximum of two Part-time members who are invited from leading organisations, universities, and research centres.
    • The Prime Minister also appoints one Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who holds the rank of a Secretary.

    Aims, Agenda, and Objectives of NITI Aayog

    The purpose with which NITI Aayog was formed in place of the Planning Commission was a far-sighted vision. It was important to boost the development of India in the emerging global scenario. The objectives are:

    • To generate a platform for national development, sectors and strategies with the collaboration of states and centre.
    • To boost the factor of cooperative federalism between the centre and the states. For national development, it is necessary for both wings to work in synergy.
    • To develop such mechanisms which work at the ground root level for progressive growth. A nation develops when its regions and states develop.
    • To work on long term policies and strategies for long-term development. To set up a system for monitoring progress so that it can be used for analysing and improving methods.
    • To provide a platform for resolving inter-departmental issues amicably.
    • To make it a platform where the programmes, strategies, and schemes can be monitored on a day to day basis, and it could be understood which sector needs more resources to develop.
    • To upgrade technological advancements in such a manner that focus can be made on iNITIatives and programmes.
    • To ensure India’s level and ranking at the worldwide level and to make India an actively participating nation.
    • To progress from food security towards nutrition and standardised meals and focus on agricultural production.
    • To make use of more technology to avoid misadventures and corruption in governance.
    • To make the working system more transparent and accountable.

    NITI Aayog – Seven Pillars of Effective Governance

    • NITI Aayog works on principles like Antyodaya (upliftment of poor), inclusion (to include all sections under one head), people participation, and so on.
    • NITI Aayog is a body that follows seven pillars of governance. They are:
    1. To look after pro-people agenda so that the aspirations and desires of no one are compromised.
    2. To respond and work on the needs of citizens.
    3. Make citizens of the nation involve and participate in various streams.
    4. To empower women in all fields, be it social, technical, economic, or other.
    5. To include all sects and classes under one head. To give special attention to marginalised and minority groups.
    6. To provide equal opportunity for the young generation.
    7. To make the working of government more accountable and transparent. It will ensure less chance of corruption and malpractices.

     

    Also read:

    [Burning Issue] Niti Ayog – A critical Analysis

     

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  • What laws govern tapping a phone; what are the checks in place?

    A lady IPS officer is facing an FIR in Mumbai for allegedly tapping the phones of a Rajya Sabha MP in Maharashtra.

    How are phones tapped in India?

    • In the era of fixed-line phones, mechanical exchanges would link circuits together to route the audio signal from the call.
    • When exchanges went digital, tapping was done through a computer.
    • Today, when most conversations happen through mobile phones, authorities make a request to the service provider.
    • The service provider is bound by law to record the conversations on the given number and provide these in real time through a connected computer.

    Who can tap phones?

    • The State Police have the powers to tap phones.
    • Ten Central agencies are authorised to do so: Intelligence Bureau, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, National Investigation Agency, R&AW, Directorate of Signal Intelligence, and the Delhi Police Commissioner.
    • Tapping by any other agency would be considered illegal.

    What laws govern this?

    • Phone tapping in India is governed by The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
    • Section 5(2) says that “on the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of the public safety”, phone tapping can be done by the Centre or states.
    • It can be done in the interest of “public safety”, “sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of an offence”.
    • There is an exception for the press: “press messages intended to be published in India of correspondents accredited to the Central Government or a State Government shall not be intercepted or detained, unless their transmission has been prohibited under this sub-section”.
    • The competent authority must record reasons for tapping in writing.

    Who authorises phone tapping?

    • Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2007, says phone tapping orders “shall not be issued except by an order made by the Secretary to the GoI in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
    • It can be authorised by the Secretary to the State Government in-charge of the Home Department in the case of a State Government.
    • The order has to be conveyed to the service provider in writing; only then can the tapping begin.

    What happens in an emergency?

    • In unavoidable circumstances, such an order may be issued by an officer, not below the rank of a Joint Secretary to the GoI, who has been authorised by the Union Home Secretary, or the State Home Secretary.
    • In remote areas or for operational reasons, if it is not feasible to get prior directions, a call can be intercepted with the prior approval of the head or the second senior-most officer of the authorised law enforcement agency at the central level, and by authorised officers, not below the rank of Inspector General of Police, at the state level.
    • The order has to be communicated within three days to the competent authority, who has to approve or disapprove it within seven working days.
    • If the confirmation from the competent authority is not received within the stipulated seven days, such interception shall cease.
    • For example, during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, the authorities had no time to follow the complete procedure, and so a mail was sent to the service provider by the Intelligence Bureau.

    What are the checks against misuse?

    • The law is clear that interception must be ordered only if there is no other way of getting the information.
    • The directions for interception remain in force, unless revoked earlier, for a period not exceeding 60 days.
    • They may be renewed, but not beyond a total of 180 days.
    • Any order issued by the competent authority has to contain reasons, and a copy is to be forwarded to a review committee within seven working days.
    • At the Centre, the committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary with the Law and Telecom Secretaries as members.
    • In states, it is headed by the Chief Secretary with the Law and Home Secretaries as members.
    • The committee is expected to meet at least once in two months to review all interception requests.

    What if misuse occurs?

    • When the Review Committee is of the opinion that the directions are not in accordance with the provisions referred to above it may set aside the directions.
    • It may order for destruction of the copies of the intercepted message or class of messages.
    • Under the rules, records pertaining to such directions shall be destroyed every six months unless these are, or are likely to be, required for functional requirements.
    • Service providers too are required to destroy records pertaining to directions for interception within two months of discontinuance of the interception.

    Is the process transparent?

    • There are multiple provisions aimed at keeping the process transparent.
    • Directions for interception are to specify the name and designation of the officer or the authority to whom the intercepted call is to be disclosed.
    • The directions have to be conveyed to designated officers of the service providers in writing by an officer not below the rank of SP or Additional SP or equivalent.
    • The officer is expected to maintain records with details of the intercepted call.
    • The designated nodal officers of the service providers are supposed to issue acknowledgment letters to the security/law enforcement agency within two hours on receipt of an intimation.
    • They are to forward every 15 days a list of interception authorisations received to the nodal officers of the security and law enforcement agencies for confirmation of authenticity.
    • It makes the service providers responsible for actions of their employees.
    • In case of unauthorised interception, the service provider may be fined or even lose its licence.

     

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  • India extends duration of $400 mn Currency Swap to SL

    India has extended the duration of a $400 million currency swap facility with Sri Lanka which it had concluded with the island nation in January this year.

    What are Currency Swaps?

    • A currency swap, also known as a cross-currency swap, is an off-balance sheet transaction in which two parties exchange principal and interest in different currencies.
    • Currency swaps are used to obtain foreign currency loans at a better interest rate than could be got by borrowing directly in a foreign market.

    Practice question for mains:

    Q. What are Currency Swaps? Discuss the efficacy of Currency Swap Agreements for enhancing bilateral cooperation in Indian context.

    How does it work?

    • In a swap arrangement, RBI would provide dollars to a Lankan central bank, which, at the same time, provides the equivalent funds in its currency to the RBI, based on the market exchange rate at the time of the transaction.
    • The parties agree to swap back these quantities of their two currencies at a specified date in the future, which could be the next day or even three months later, using the same exchange rate as in the first transaction.
    • These swap operations carry no exchange rate or other market risks, as transaction terms are set in advance.

    Why does one need dollars?

    • FPIs investors look for safer investments but the current global uncertainty over COVID outbreak has led to a shortfall everywhere in the global markets.
    • This has pulled down foreign exchange reserves of many small and developing countries.
    • This means that the government and the RBI cannot lower their guard on the management of the economy and the external account.

    Benefits of currency swap

    • The absence of an exchange rate risk is the major benefit of such a facility.
    • This facility provides the flexibility to use these reserves at any time in order to maintain an appropriate level of balance of payments or short-term liquidity.
    • Swaps agreements between governments also have supplementary objectives like the promotion of bilateral trade, maintaining the value of foreign exchange reserves with the central bank and ensuring financial stability (protecting the health of the banking system).

     

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  • Postal ballot for NRIs being contemplated

    Chief Election Commissioner, during a recent visit to South Africa and Mauritius, urged Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to register as overseas electors and told them that a proposal on postal ballots for NRIs was being contemplated by the Election Commission of India.

    Why in news now?

    • CECs interactions with NRIs came after Union Law Minister informed the Lok Sabha in March that the government was exploring the possibility of allowing online voting for NRIs.
    • The ECI had written to the Law Ministry in 2020 proposing that NRIs be allowed to vote through postal ballots, following which the matter has been under consideration by the government.
    • The ECI at present allows NRIs to register as overseas electors as long as they have not acquired the citizenship of another country.
    • They have to reach their respective polling booths to cast their votes in person on voting day.

    Classification of Overseas Indians

    Overseas Indians, officially known as Non-resident Indians (NRIs) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), are people of Indian birth, descent or origin who live outside the Republic of India:

    (A) Non-Resident Indian (NRI)

    • Strictly asserting non-resident refers only to the tax status of a person who, as per section 6 of the Income-tax Act of 1961, has not resided in India for a specified period for the purposes of the Act.
    • The rates of income tax are different for persons who are “resident in India” and for NRIs.

    (B) Person of Indian Origin (PIO)

    Person of Indian Origin (PIO) means a foreign citizen (except a national of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and/or Nepal), who:

    • at any time held an Indian passport OR
    • either of their parents/grandparents/great-grandparents were born and permanently resident in India as defined in GoI Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the aforesaid countries OR
    • is a spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.

    (C) Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

    • After multiple efforts by leaders across the Indian political spectrum, a pseudo-citizenship scheme was established, the “Overseas Citizenship of India”, commonly referred to as the OCI card.
    • The Constitution of India does not permit full dual citizenship.
    • The OCI card is effectively a long-term visa, with restrictions on voting rights and government jobs.

     

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  • Indians can now make Payments using UPI in UAE

    Tourists or migrants to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with Indian bank accounts will be able to make UPI payments at shops, retail establishments and other merchants in the gulf nation.

    What is UPI?

    • Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) facilitating inter-bank transactions.
    • The interface is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and works by instantly transferring funds between two bank accounts on a mobile platform.

    How does the service work?

    • The NPCI and UAE’s Mashreq Bank’s NEOPAY have partnered for this service
    • It will be mandatory for users to have a bank account in India with UPI enabled on it.
    • The users will also need an application, like BHIM, to make UPI payments.

    Will UPI be accepted everywhere in the UAE?

    • Payments using UPI will only be accepted at those merchants and shops which have NEOPAY terminals.

    Does NPCI have other such international arrangements?

    • NPCI’s international arm NIPL have several such arrangements with international financial services providers for its products, including UPI and RuPay cards.
    • Globally, UPI is accepted in Bhutan and Nepal, and is likely to go live in Singapore later this year.
    • In Singapore, a project to link UPI with the city-state’s instant payment system PayNow is being undertaken by the RBI and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
    • The linkage is targeted for operationalization by July this year.

    Back2Basics: Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM)

    • BHIM is an Indian mobile payment App developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
    • Named after B. R. Ambedkar and launched on 30 December 2016 it is intended to facilitate e-payments directly through banks and encourage cashless transactions.
    • The application supports all Indian banks which use UPI, which is built over the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) infrastructure and allows the user to instantly transfer money between bank accounts of any two parties.
    • It can be used on all mobile devices.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q. With reference to digital payments, consider the following statements:

    1. BHIM app allows the user to transfer money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank account.
    2. While a chip-pin debit card has four factors of authentication, BHIM app has only two factors of authentication.

    Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? (CSP 2018)

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Post your answers here.

     

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  • UK to issue Open General Export Licence (OGEL) to India

    In the backdrop of the rapid geopolitical turmoil, PM Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson agreed on a new and expanded India-UK defence partnership and vowed to seal an ambitious free trade agreement by the end of the year.

    What is the news?

    • The UK is creating an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) for India to reduce bureaucracy and slashing delivery times for defence procurement.
    • It will partner with India on new fighter jet technology as well as in the maritime sphere to detect and respond to threats.

    What is OGEL?

    • The open General Licence is a type of license that is used for the export license that is issued by the government for domestic suppliers.
    • The items that are to be exported in India are categorised into three types. They are prohibited items, restricted items, and freely importable items. These classifications are made based on the nature and use of the products.
    • The application processing and grant of OEGL will be taken care of by the Department of Defence Production. The process will vary for each case.
    • The primary aim of the OEGL is to give a boost to the defence exports of India. This will also improve the ease of doing business and imports and exports.
    • The countries allowed under the OGELs are: Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Poland and Mexico.

    Items to be exported

    • The items permitted under OGEL includes components of ammunition & fuse setting device without energetic and explosive material; firing control & related alerting and warning equipment & related system; and body protective items.
    • Complete aircraft or complete unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and any components specially designed or modified for UAVs are excluded under this license.

     

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  • [Burning Issue] Care Economy

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    Context

    The importance of care work is now widely acknowledged and covered in various international commitments such as the SDGs. However, the investment in the care economy has not matched the pace.

    What is the care economy?

    • The care economy includes child care, elder care, and care for people who are ill or disabled and in need of assistance. That care is provided by home-based businesses, care centers, and individuals who work in the homes of those they care for.
    • The 2019 ILO report ‘A Quantum Leap for Gender Equality’ identified unpaid care work as the biggest impediment to women’s formal employment, as it engaged 21.7% of women between 18-54 years of age, as opposed to 1.7% of men.
    • A medium-term plan to increase public investment in care economy infrastructure offers India a credible instrument to meet multiple policy objectives.

    Care work and Care Economy

    A system that consists of activities and relationships involved in meeting the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of care — remains an integral but undervalued component of economies all over the world, ensuring the welfare of communities. Care work can be direct or indirect, paid or unpaid, short-term (maternity needs) or long-term (care for the disabled and elderly).

    Why is there an increasing demand for care work?

    • Individualization– The trend towards a culture of individualization from collectivism will lead to a higher proportion of dependent people.
    • Demographic Transition-  The proportion of elderly people in the population is rising slowly.
    • Climate change- Climate change has caused water scarcity and rural food distress which increases care burden on women and children.
    • The ILO estimates that doubling investment in care relative to 2015 levels would generate 117 million additional jobs by 2030.
    • According to the International Trade Union Confederation (2019), an investment of 2% GDP in care in India would create 11 million jobs, of which 32.5% would be garnered by women.
    • The relational nature of care also implies that these jobs are less likely to be automated.

    What is the significance of the care economy?

    • Employment- An analysis by the Women’s Budget Group (2019) showed that if an additional 2% of the GDP was invested in the Indian health and care sector, 11 million additional jobs could be generated, nearly a third of which would go to women.
    • Greater investment in care services can create an additional 300 million jobs globally, many of which will be for women.
    • Development- This will help increase female labor force participation and advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.
    • Lifting burden from women- A combination of childcare infrastructure and parental leave policies will offset the burden on women to facilitate higher maternal employment to population ratio.
    • Reducing Income inequalities- India’s average female daily wage was 59 % of the male wage in 1993-94 and improved to 72 %in 2018-19.
    • Gender-inclusive economic growth- Women’s unpaid work is valued at 3.1% of GDP in India. Recognizing AWWs, ANMs, ASHAs and domestic help (amongst others), as formal sector workers would allow their economic contribution to be counted in the GDP
    • Prevention of “occupational downgrading”- It will help women become less likely to end up with lower pay when looking for flexibility, or part-time roles owing to care work responsibilities.

    What is the status of care services?

    • Women’s unpaid work is valued at 3.1% of GDP in India.
    • In recent years, South Asian countries such as India and Bangladesh have begun investing in physical infrastructure which would improve the provision of care services indirectly.
    • India’s Economic Survey 2018-19 anticipates three major shifts in public policy, auguring increased attention to the care economy-
    • Declining working-age population- It has called for suitable regional policies to accommodate inter-State migrant labor, increasing the retirement age in a phased manner, and provisioning pensions and other types of retirement benefits.
    • Declining school-going population- It has shifted the focus of the National Education Policy 2019 on the merger and consolidation of existing elementary schools and emphasizes on quality of school education.
    • An increase in healthy life expectancy has also called attention to developing geriatric care in public health.
    • Maternity leave- India offers 26 weeks of maternity leave, against the ILO’s standard mandate of 14 weeks.
    • Child care- India has a long history of mandating the provision of creches in factories and establishments but there is limited information on its actual implementation.

    Gaps in the current policies?

    • Unorganized/ Informal sector- The maternity leave coverage extends to only a tiny proportion of women workers in formal employment in India, where 89% of employed women are in informal employment.
    • Paternity Leave- While increasingly being recognized as an enabler for better balance work and family responsibilities, it is not provided in many countries, including India.
    • Access to quality and affordable care- Quality Services such as childcare, elderly care and care for people with disabilities is a challenge workers with family responsibilities face globally.
    • Implementation gaps- While India has a long history of mandating the provision of crèches in factories and establishments, there is limited information on its actual implementation.
    • Domestic Workers- According to the Government’s 2019 estimates, 26 lakh of the 39 lakh domestic workers in India are female. They also face challenges in accessing decent work.

    Way Forward

    1. Comprehensive care policies– Policies that meet SDGs and can be rooted in ILO’s ‘Decent Work Agenda’ principles that begin with recognizing the value of unpaid care work, reducing the drudgery of work, redistributing responsibilities of care work between women and men, remunerating care workers, and representing their concerns.
    2. Strategic Action Plan- In consultation with the relevant stakeholders, the government needs to conceptualize a strategy and action plan for improved care policies, care service provisions and decent working conditions for care workers.
    3. Public good- Care work should be viewed as a collective responsibility and public good.
    4. Investment- Investing in a combination of childcare infrastructure and parental leave policies will have higher maternal employment to population ratio.
    5. Increase spending- India spends less than 1% of its GDP on the care economy; increasing this percentage would unfurl a plethora of benefits for workers and the overall economy.
    6. 5 R framework- The ILO proposes a 5R framework for decent care work centered around achieving gender equality. It urges on Recognition, Reduction of unpaid care work, Redistribution of unpaid care work, Rewarding care workers and decent work and Representation in social dialogue and collective bargaining.

    Conclusion

    Comprehensive care policies demand increased state involvement in investing, formalizing, and regulating the care economy. In addition to providing care benefits, national accounts should also be sensitive to the contribution of unpaid care to economic growth. Gender-sensitive budgeting, satellite accounts, and tax policy are some of the ways in which economic policy can acknowledge and reward care work. Finally, the state would be an important arbiter in engaging with care workers to realize and expand their rights

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  • We don’t advertise vacancies. But when we do, we are looking for the crème de la crème | UPSC GS subjects Lecturer | Work with us!

    Please check out the Job description, responsibilities, and experience required before applying. Freshers are also encouraged to apply.

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    We are inviting applications for the job of a Faculty at Civilsdaily for all UPCS GS subjects.

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    Job Description:

    We are looking for a self-motivated and talented Lecturer. In this position, you will be delivering lectures for UPSC GS subjects like Economics and International Relations, Polity, History and Culture, Science Tech, etc. Please read the responsibilities and requirements below. If you feel that you fit the bill then apply using the form below and we would love to have a chat with you!

    Responsibilities:

    1. Will be responsible for UPSC GS subject Lectures like Economics and International Relations, Polity, History, and culture, Science Tech, etc.
    2. Current Affairs Development these GS subjects will also be covered in lectures.
    3. The job is offline, so, Delhi-based profiles are needed.

    Skills Required:

    1. Strong, versatile, and effective Verbal skills
    2. Able to deliver Lectures in easy to understand manner with innovations to help students grasp concepts faster
    3. Command in the subjects you will be teaching.
    4. Well-versed with Current affairs.
    5. Good organizational, planning, and coordination skills
    6. Ability to multi-task and re-prioritize as needed

    Experience requirement:

    1. The minimum level of experience required is UPSC Interview.
    2. If you are a graduating/postgraduate in those subjects, then that would be an advantage.
    3. Please share the links/recorded video of your lectures (mandatory)

    To apply, please click on the link below and fill out the form:

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  • Maldives bans ‘India Out’ Campaign

    Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih issued a decree banning the ‘India Out’ campaign, now led by former President Abdulla Yameen, terming it a “threat to national security”.

    The India-Out Campaign

    • Maldivian protesters recently demanded the Solih administration to ‘stop selling national assets to foreigners’, implying India.
    • ‘India Out’ campaign in Maldives had started sometime last year as on-ground protests in the Maldives and later widely spread across social media platforms under the same hashtag.
    • It is not related to people-to-people conflict (Indian diaspora) but is discontent on close relationship between Maldivian government & India.

    Causes for the anti-India sentiments

    • Political instability: The anti-India sentiment is nearly a decade old and can be traced back to when Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom became president in 2013. He used anti-India sentiments for his political mobilization and started tilting China.
    • Controversy over helicopter gift: Two Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALF) that were given by India to the Maldives for ocean search-and-rescue operations. Opposition tried to portray this as military presence in the country.
    • Confidential agreements: Most agreements being signed between the Ibrahim Solih government and India are backdoor and has not been publicly discussed in the Maldives Parliament.
    • Alleged interference in domestic politics: India being a big neighbour, there are unsubstantiated perceptions & allegations on Indian Diplomats stationed in Maldives interfering in Domestic affairs.

    Restoration of ties

    • Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who became President in 2018 has restored Maldives close ties with India.

    India-Maldives Relations: A backgrounder

    • India and Maldives are neighbors sharing a maritime border.
    • Both nations established diplomatic relations after the independence of Maldives from British rule in 1966.
    • India was one of the first nations to recognize Maldives’ independence.
    • Since then, India and Maldives have developed close strategic, military, economic and cultural relations.
    • Maldivians generally regard Indians and India as a friend and trusted neighbor in the field economic, social and political.

    Major irritants in ties

    • Political Instability: India’s major concern has been the impact of political instability in the neighborhood on its security and development.
    • Increasing radicalization: In the past decade or so, the number of Maldivians drawn towards terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS) and Pakistan-based jihadist groups has been increasing.
    • Inclination towards terror: Radicalism in the island nation has increased the possibility of Pakistan-based terror groups using remote Maldivian islands as a launch pad for terror attacks against India and Indian interests.
    • Chinese affinity: China’s strategic footprint in India’s neighborhood has increased. The Maldives has emerged as an important ‘pearl’ in China’s “String of Pearls” construct in South Asia.

    Recent gestures by India

    [1] 2014 Malé drinking-water crisis

    • In the wake of a drinking water crisis in Malé in December 2014, following collapse of the island’s only water treatment plant, Maldives urged India for immediate help.
    • India came to rescue by sending its heavy lift transporters like C-17 Globemaster III, Il-76 carrying bottled water.

    [2] 2020 Covid-19 crisis

    • During the COVID-19 crisis of 2020, India extended help to Maldives in the form of financial, material and logistical support.
    • Also, the IAF airlifted 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines and hospital consumables to Maldives, as part of ‘Operation Sanjeevani’.

    [3] Greater Male Connectivity Project

    • India has recently announced the signing of a $500-million infrastructure project for the construction of the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP).
    • This infrastructure project, the largest-ever by India in the Maldives, involves the construction of a 6.74-km-long bridge and causeway link.

    Why is Maldives significant for India?

    • Increasing maritime cooperation: As maritime economic activity in the Indian Ocean has risen dramatically in recent decades, the geopolitical competition too in the Indian Ocean has intensified.
    • Toll Gate in Indian Ocean: It is situated at the hub of commercial sea-lanes running through the Indian Ocean. More than 97% of India’s international trade by volume and 75% by value passes through the region.
    • Naval cooperation: Maldives is an important partner in India’s role as the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
    • Important SAARC member: Besides, Maldives is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC).
    • People To People Contact: There is a significant population of Maldivian students in India. They are aided by a liberal visa-free regime extended by India. There is also medical tourism.
    • Major destination for Tourists: Tourism is the mainstay of the Maldivian economy. The country is now a major tourist destination for some Indians and a job destination for others.

    Conclusion

    • There is a significant Indian diaspora in the Maldives. Innumerable Indians work across the hospitality, education, and health-care sectors of the Maldives economy.
    • India must use its Diaspora more extensively for strengthening its relations.

     

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  • Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs)

    The government is reportedly considering a regulatory framework for special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) to lay the ground for the possible listing of Indian companies through this route in the future.

    What are SPACs?

    • An SPAC, or a blank-cheque company, is an entity specifically set up with the objective of acquiring a firm in a particular sector.
    • They aim to raise money in an initial public offering (IPO) without any operations or revenues.
    • The money that is raised from the public is kept in an escrow account, which can be accessed while making the acquisition.
    • If the acquisition is not made within two years of the IPO, the SPAC is delisted and the money is returned to the investors.
    • While SPACs are essentially shell companies, a key factor that makes them attractive to investors are the people who sponsor them.
    • Globally, prominent celebrities have participated in SPACs.

    Why in news?

    • According to reports, the Company Law Committee was set up in 2019 to make recommendations to boost ease of doing business in India.
    • This committee has made this suggestion regarding SPACs in its report submitted to the government recently.
    • The concept of SPAC has existed for nearly a decade now, and several investors and company promoters have used this route to take their investments public.
    • The vehicle gained momentum in 2020, which was a record year for SPAC deals; this record was broken in 2021.

    Where does India stand?

    • Early last year, renewable energy producer ReNew Power announced an agreement to merge with RMG Acquisition Corp II, a blank-cheque company.
    • This became the first involving an Indian company during the latest boom in SPAC deals.
    • As things stand now, the Indian regulatory framework does not allow the creation of blank cheque companies.
    • The Companies Act, 2013 stipulates that the Registrar of Companies can strike off a company if it does not commence operations within a year of incorporation.

    Risk factors around SPACs

    • The boom in investor firms going for SPACs and then looking for target companies have tilted the scales in favour of investee firms.
    • This has the potential, theoretically, to limit returns for retail investors post-merger.
    • SPACs are mandated to return money to their investors in the event no merger is made within two years.
    • However the fineprint of several SPAC prospectuses shows that certain clauses could potentially prevent investors from getting their monies back.
    • Historically, though, this has not happened yet.

     

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  • 23rd April 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 978]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 978]

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