Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire after 13 months of rising conflict, though it is linked to the UN Resolution 1701, which has not been fully implemented.
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| What is it? |
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| Key Provisions and Objectives |
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| Implementation and Violations |
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PYQ:[2018] “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. |
The Minister of State for Communications has provided crucial information about the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).
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| What is it? | Division of India Post under the Ministry of Communications, launched in 2018.
Operates as payments bank. |
| Vision and Principles | • Objective: Promote financial inclusion by providing accessible and affordable financial services. • Customer-Centric: Focuses on delivering secure and affordable banking to rural and underserved areas. |
| Empowerment Initiatives by IPPB | • Financial Inclusion: Offers savings accounts, current accounts, money transfers, bill payments, and insurance. • Aadhaar-Linked Services: Implements Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) for easy and secure transactions. • Doorstep Banking: Provides banking services through 3 lakh postmen and Grameen Dak Sewaks. • Rapid Expansion: Reached 4 crore customers by December 2020 and crossed 8 crore customers by January 2022, with over 9 crore customers as of March 2024. |
Back2Basics: Payments Bank
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PYQ:[2018] Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India? (a) Indian banks’ Association (b) National Securities Depository Limited (c) National Payments Corporation of India (d) Reserve Bank of India |
The Indian Chemical Council (ICC) was honored with the prestigious Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), The Hague Award during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties.
Significance of the OPCW-The Hague Award
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| What is it? | • CWC bans the development, use, and stockpiling of chemical weapons and mandates their destruction. • Genesis: Negotiations began in 1980. • Established: Opened for signature on January 13, 1993, and entered into force on April 29, 1997. • More comprehensive than the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which only banned the use of chemical weapons. |
| Structure and Functions | • Conference of States Parties (CSP): The main decision-making body, meeting annually. • Executive Council: 41-member body overseeing CWC implementation. • Technical Secretariat: Provides support for verification and compliance. • Verification: Inspects facilities and ensures compliance with the treaty. |
| Membership criteria and members | • Open to all nations: Any state can join if it meets requirements. • 193 States-Parties: Includes most nations. • Non-Signatories: Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan have neither signed nor ratified the CWC. |
| Functioning Arm | • Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) implements the CWC, headquartered in The Hague. • Role: Oversees the destruction of chemical weapons and ensures treaty compliance. • Inspection: Conducts inspections of chemical facilities worldwide. • Awards: The OPCW won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts in chemical weapons elimination. |
PYQ:[2016] With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’, consider the following statements:
(a) 1 only |
The Ministry of Science and Technology, through its three key departments — Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) — is implementing various schemes to bolster the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem across India.
| Scheme | Objective | Key Components |
| Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building (2015) | Enhance human resource development and institutional capacity in science and technology. | – Fellowships at various levels (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, post-doctoral). – Establishment of sophisticated R&D facilities. – Capacity building for faculty. |
| Research and Development (R&D) (2009) | Support research in fundamental, applied, and translational sciences. | – Collaborative research with universities, government, and private sectors. – International research cooperation. – Focus on diverse sectors like health, energy, and IT. |
| Innovation, Technology Development, and Deployment (2016) | Foster innovation and facilitate the development of new technologies for national development. | – Technology incubation centers. – Technology transfer and commercialization. – Support for startups and entrepreneurs. |
| National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) (2017) | Promote interdisciplinary research in Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) that integrate computational algorithms with physical processes. | – Development of CPS technologies (e.g., IoT, smart cities, advanced manufacturing). – Setting up innovation centers and testbeds for CPS. |
| National Quantum Mission (NQM) (2023) | Advance quantum technologies for solving national challenges in energy, communications, and security. | – Research in quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensing. – Establishment of quantum technology hubs and research centers. |
| Scheme | Objective | Key Components |
| Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) (2017) | Foster innovation in biotechnology through research, industrial development, and entrepreneurship. | – Biotechnology R&D: Funding for research projects. – Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED): Support for biotech startups and industrial innovations. – Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry: Development of manufacturing and biotechnological production systems. |
| PYQ Relevance: Q) Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (UPSC CSE 2018) |
Mentor’s Comment: UPSC Mains have always focused on ‘Inclusive Healthcare Infrastructure’ (in 2020), ‘Effective Implementation of Healthcare Policies’ (in 2017), ‘Universal Health Coverage Programs’ (in 2015).
Corneal blindness is a significant public health issue in India, contributing to approximately 15% to 20% of total blindness cases. With an estimated 1.2 million people affected and 20,000 to 25,000 new cases emerging annually, the urgency for effective solutions is paramount.
Today’s editorial explores the current challenges and proposes a comprehensive approach to address corneal blindness in India. This content can be used to present ‘Public Health challenges’ and to suggest some ‘innovative solutions to address Public Health’ in India.
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Let’s learn!
The Report titled “India’s corneal blindness crisis” published by India Today, highlights the increasing incidence of corneal blindness, particularly in rural areas, and discusses the contributing factors such as limited access to healthcare and a shortage of donor corneas.
| What are the key findings from these reports? • Rising Incidence: Corneal blindness is increasing in India, with estimates of 20,000 to 25,000 new cases annually. This condition accounts for approximately 7.5% of total blindness cases in the country, significantly impacting rural populations where access to eye care is limited. • Demographics and Causes: The causes of corneal blindness have shifted from infectious diseases like keratitis to eye trauma and complications. Factors such as vitamin A deficiency, poor hygiene, and delayed medical interventions exacerbate the problem, particularly affecting children and working-age adults in rural areas. • Healthcare Disparities: Many individuals in rural regions lack access to quality eye care services, leading to irreversible corneal damage before they seek help. There is a notable gap in training and resources for healthcare providers, limiting their ability to effectively manage and treat corneal conditions. • Shortage of Donor Corneas: Despite a demand for around 100,000 corneal transplants each year, only about 25,000 to 30,000 corneas are donated annually. This shortage poses a significant barrier to treating those affected by corneal blindness. • Policy Considerations: Indian policymakers are considering implementing a ‘presumed consent’ model for organ donation to increase the availability of donor corneas. This approach aims to address the critical shortage and improve access to necessary treatments. |
| Current Statistics • Corneal blindness affects approximately 1.2 million people in India. • The country sees an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 new cases of corneal blindness each year. • Corneal blindness accounts for around 7.5% of the total blindness burden in India. • Children and working-age adults in rural areas are particularly susceptible due to malnutrition and frequent injuries, while elderly individuals face risks from degenerative eye conditions. |
By implementing these strategies, India can make significant strides towards reducing the prevalence of corneal blindness and improving overall eye health across its population.
On November 26, 2024, India celebrated 75 years of its Constitution, honouring how leaders from different viewpoints worked together in the Constituent Assembly to build a nation that respects the rights and interests of all cultural groups.
Q COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (UPSC IAS/2020)
Origin of the Name ‘Fengal’
Cyclone Naming Process:
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PYQ:[2015] In the South Atlantic and South Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the main reason behind this? (a) Sea Surface temperature are low (b) Inter Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs (c) Coriolis force is too weak (d) Absence of land in those regions |
On Constitution Day (November 26), President Murmu acknowledged the significant role of women members in the Constituent Assembly of India.
| Name | Their Contributions |
| Ammu Swaminathan (1894-1978) | • Co-founded the Women’s India Association in 1917 with leaders like Annie Besant. • Advocated for women’s education and rights. • Spoke on the Hindu Code Bill and gender equality in the Constituent Assembly. • Became the first woman elected to the Madras legislature. • After independence, served as India’s goodwill ambassador to countries like Russia, China, and the US. |
| Annie Mascarene (1902-1963) | • Born in Travancore to a Latin Christian family considered at the bottom of the caste system. • Advocated for universal adult franchise and against caste-based voting rights. • Joined the Travancore State Congress and fought for political representation of marginalized communities. • As a member of the Constituent Assembly, called for a strong Centre and autonomy for local governments. • Elected as an independent candidate in 1952 from Thiruvananthapuram. |
| Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul (1909-2001) | • Hailing from a prominent family in Punjab, she faced resistance for her education, with a fatwa issued against her convent schooling. • Fought for women’s rights and opposed separate electorates based on religion. • Stayed in India post-partition and joined the Indian National Congress. • Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1952. • Helped promote women’s hockey in India. |
| Dakshayani Velayudhan (1912-1978) | • First Dalit woman to graduate in science and the first Dalit woman in the Cochin Legislative Council. • Advocated for nationalism and opposed separate electorates for Dalits. • Strongly committed to social justice despite facing discrimination. • After independence, remained involved in the Dalit movement and continued advocating for social justice. |
| Renuka Ray (1904-1997) | • Came from an affluent family with a civil servant father and a progressive mother. • Joined the freedom struggle after meeting Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. • Advocated for women’s rights, particularly on divorce and inheritance. • Represented women’s organizations in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1943. • Opposed women’s reservation in legislatures, seeing it as a hindrance to women’s growth. • After losing the 1952 elections, returned to politics and worked on women’s empowerment. |
| PYQ:
[2011] With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for: (a) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement |
National Milk Day on November 26 commemorates the birth anniversary of ‘The Milkman of India’, Dr Verghese Kurien, who was credited with making India self-reliant in milk production.
| Details | • Observed on November 26 to honor Dr. Verghese Kurien’s contributions to India’s dairy industry and the White Revolution. • Celebrates India’s transformation into the world’s largest milk producer. |
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| Contributions made by Varghese Kurien | • Born on November 26, 1921, in Kozhikode, Kerala. • Played a key role in establishing Amul (1949) and transforming it into a global dairy brand. • Inaugural chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). • Led Operation Flood, which revolutionized India’s dairy industry and made it self-sufficient in milk production. • Received numerous awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership (1963). |
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| About the White Revolution and Milk Production in India | • Initiated in 1970 through Operation Flood to increase milk production and reduce dependence on milk powder imports. • Empowered dairy farmers by promoting a cooperative-based model for milk production. • By the late 1990s, India became the world’s largest milk producer, surpassing the US. • Milk production grew threefold, from 21.2 million tonnes in 1968-69 to over 55 million tonnes by 1991-92. • Helped build the infrastructure for milk supply chains, processing plants, and storage facilities, making milk more accessible. • Significantly improved the income and livelihood of rural farmers, boosting employment and economic development.
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