Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Banking; RBI; The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC);
Mains level: Banking; RBI; Functions of the RBI;
Why in the news?
Recently, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which met here from April 3 to 5, decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% and maintain the policy stance of ‘withdrawal of accommodation’ in the monetary policy.
- Withdrawal of accommodation means reducing the money supply in the system which will rein in inflation further. (Temporary Provision)
Why the RBI has been wary of declaring an early victory over inflation?
- Persistent Food Inflation: Despite expectations of moderation in inflation, food inflation has remained a concern, especially due to the high prices of food grains and vegetables. In February, food inflation was at 8.7%, with foodgrain inflation still high at 9.8%.
- Inflation Gap between Bottom and Top of Urban Population: Food inflation disproportionately affects lower-income deciles more than higher ones. In February, the bottom 20% of the urban population faced 5.5% inflation compared to 4.7% for the top 20%. This pattern is similar in rural areas as well.
- Management Issues: The RBI faces challenges in managing inflation while maintaining growth, especially when inflation persists due to Geopolitical conditions. While central bank policy moves cannot directly bring down supply shock-driven inflation, they can prevent high prices from spilling over.
Why RBI has kept policy rates unchanged?
- High Economic Growth: The RBI is focused on maintaining price and financial stability to sustain high growth. The central bank expects the Indian economy to grow at 7% in fiscal year 2024-25
- Benign Core Inflation: Benign core inflation, which has declined steadily over the past months, indicates that strong growth has not been inflationary. The RBI finds comfort in the declining core inflation levels
- Monetary Policy Stance associated with food inflation: The RBI is likely to maintain policy rates until October 2024 to assess evolving risks associated with food inflation. The central bank is cautious and prefers to adopt a risk-minimization mode to align inflation towards the target while supporting growth
- Global Economic Conditions: The RBI is monitoring global economic trends and external factors that could impact domestic inflation and growth. The central bank is aware of the risks posed by geopolitical tensions, volatility in international financial markets, and geo-economic fragmentation
BACK2BASICS
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
- It is a key body responsible for formulating the country’s monetary policy. It is a statutory body constituted as per Section 45ZB under the RBI Act of 1934 by the Central Government
- It is a six-member committee established under the amended Reserve Bank of India Act, of 1934. The MPC’s primary objective is to determine the policy rate required to achieve the inflation target set by the government. The committee consists of the following members:
- RBI Governor (ex officio chairperson)
- Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy
- An officer of the Bank nominated by the Central Board
- Three members appointed by the central government
- The MPC meets at least four times a year, and decisions taken by the committee are binding on the Reserve Bank of India.
- The committee’s composition ensures a mix of expertise in economics, banking, finance, and monetary policy to effectively manage the country’s Monetary Policy Framework.
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Conclusion: The RBI has been cautious due to persistent food inflation impacting lower income groups, challenges in managing it, and the need to assess evolving risks. MPC’s unchanged policy rates reflect this caution amidst high growth and benign core inflation.
Mains pyq
Q Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments. (UPSC IAS/2019)
Source https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/why-rbi-wary-of-declaring-early-victory-over-inflation-9253330/
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Government Schemes and Policies in News; National Health Policy, 2017;
Mains level: Social Issues and Justice; Health Issues in India; Government Schemes and Policies in News;
Why in the news?
On the eve of World Health Day (7th April), many countries aim to implement UHC (Universal Health Coverage) in the same way as India introduced its National Health Policy, in 2017. However, there exist challenges in India too for implementing it.
Background:
- On December 12, 2012, the UN General Assembly unanimously endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress towards UHC.
- In India, the high-level expert group report, submitted to the Planning Commission in 2011, outlined a government intent to increase public financing for health to 2.5% of India’s GDP during the 12th Plan (2012-17).
BACK2BASICS:
About National Health Policy, 2017:
It aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage and deliver quality healthcare services to all at an affordable cost. It focuses on improving health status through preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative services with an emphasis on quality. |
What are the challenges in the Implementation of UHC in India?
- Federal Issue: Health is a state subject in India, but UHC policy is envisaged at the national level. This can lead to challenges in coordination between the central government and state governments.
- While the Directive Principles of State Policy provide a basis for the right to health, the absence of a specific constitutional guarantee may create challenges in ensuring consistent and enforceable healthcare rights.
- Migrant Population and Urban Slums: Due to issues such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited infrastructure, a significant portion of the population living in urban slums face issues with the availability and accessibility of Primary Health Services is hard to provide.
- Lack of Finance: Implementing UHC requires significant financial resources. Reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and strengthening primary healthcare services necessitate substantial investments, which may strain government budgets and require innovative financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability.
- Lack of Healthcare Infrastructure and Human Resources: India faces shortages in both infrastructure and human resources, particularly in rural and underserved areas, which hinders efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and quality.
- The vicious cycle of poverty: The vicious cycle of poverty and poor health perpetuates inequality in various spheres of life which eventually leads to the accessibility of health services.
Suggestive Measures:
- Addressing Urban Migrants’ Health Needs: Establishing mobile healthcare units or clinics that can reach migrant communities in urban and peri-urban areas, providing essential primary healthcare services.
- Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: Simplifying the reimbursement process by digitizing healthcare payment systems and integrating them with government identification or mobile banking platforms to facilitate easy reimbursement for medical expenses.
- Creating Inclusive Health Systems: Introducing multilingual and culturally sensitive health information materials and services to bridge language barriers and ensure accessibility for diverse urban populations.
- Implementing Community-Based Primary Healthcare: Establishing community health centers or clinics in urban and peri-urban areas staffed by trained community health workers who can provide basic healthcare services and referrals.
Conclusion: Building Constitutional backing, enhancing coordination, and federal with fiscal consensus with adequate infrastructure in addressing urban health needs can improve the reach of the Universal Health Program in India.
Mains PYQ
Q Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Taxation; GST;
Mains level: Recent Issues in Taxation;
Why in the news?
Recently Vijay Kelkar (chaired 13th Finance Commission) attributes frauds in Indirect Tax regimes to high GST rates; Moots switched to a single 12% rate like most other countries.
Reason behind the need for a Single GST rate:
- Simplification of the structure: A single GST rate would simplify the structure, making it easier for businesses to comply with the tax system and reducing the complexity of classification issues
- Promotion of manufacturing and exports: A single GST rate could help promote manufacturing and exports by reducing the burden of multiple rates and making the tax system more predictable
- Single GST rate in many countries: In many developed and emerging market economies, a single GST or VAT rate has been successful in optimizing tax revenue and minimizing tax disputes for example Singapore, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan, have opted for a single GST or VAT rate
- Addressing GST frauds: High GST rates can make it lucrative for fraudsters to evade taxes. A single, lower GST rate could potentially reduce the incentive for tax evasion and make the system more transparent
- Reducing litigation: A single GST rate could help reduce litigation related to classification issues and subjective interpretation of tax rates
How does the Indian GST model compare with GST in other countries?
| Particulars |
India |
Canada |
UK |
Singapore |
| Name of GST in the Country |
Goods and Service tax |
Federal Goods and Service Tax & Harmonized Sales Tax |
Value Added Tax |
Goods and Service Tax |
| Standard Rate |
0% (for food staples), 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% (+cess on luxury items) |
GST 5% and HST varies from 0% to 15% |
20 %Reduced rates- 5 %, exempt, zero rated |
7% Reduced rates- Zero rated, exempt |
| Threeshold Exemption Limit |
Rs.40 lakh or Rs.20 lakh, depending on the state and supply |
Canadian $ 30,000 |
£ 85,000 |
Singapore $ 1 million |
| Liability arises on |
Accrual basis: Issue of invoice ORReceipt of payment-earlier |
Accrual basis: The date of issue of invoice OR the date of receiptof payment- earlier. |
Accrual Basis: Invoice OR PaymentOR Supply-earliestCash basis (T/O up to 1.35mn): Payment |
Accrual Basis: Issue of invoice OR Receipt of payment OR Supply – earliestCash basis: (T/O up to SGD$1mn): Payment |
| Reverse Charge Mechanism |
Applies on goods as well as services |
Reverse charge applies to the importation of services andintangible properties |
Applicable |
Reverse charge applies to the supply of services |
| Exempt Supplies |
Sale of land and completed buildings, certain healthcare and educational services, essential food items, etc. |
Real estate, financial services, rent (Residence), charities, health, education |
Medical, education, finance, insurance, postal services |
Real estate, Financial services, Residential rental |
Significance of sharing GST with local bodies:
- Promoting Co-operative Fiscal-federalism: Sharing GST revenues with local bodies could promote fiscal federalism by ensuring a fair distribution of tax revenues among all tiers of government.
- Strengthening of their Fiscal base: Equitable sharing of GST with the third tier of government, i.e., local bodies, would strengthen their fiscal base and enable them to undertake investments for vital infrastructure and high-quality public goods
- Building Fairness and appropriateness: GST is a consumption tax, and taxpayers should see direct benefits accruing from their payment of taxes. An arrangement for sharing GST revenues with local bodies would be fair and appropriate
- Improves Local governance: Sharing GST revenues with local bodies would bolster the quality of governance provided by local governments, as citizens’ demand for quality public goods will grow louder.
BACK2BASICS:
About Goods and Services Tax:
- GST was introduced through the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016. It is one of the biggest indirect tax reforms in the country.
- It was introduced with the slogan of ‘One Nation One Tax’.The GST has subsumed indirect taxes like excise duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), service tax, luxury tax etc.
- It is essentially a consumption tax and is levied at the final consumption point.
- Tax Structure:
- Central GST to cover Excise duty, Service tax etc, State GST to cover VAT, luxury tax etc. and Integrated GST (IGST) to cover inter-state trade.
- IGST per se is not a tax but a system to coordinate state and union taxes.
- It has a 4-tier tax structure for all goods and services under the slabs- 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.
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Conclusion: Implementing a single GST rate streamlines compliance, promotes economic growth, and curbs fraud. Sharing GST revenue with local bodies strengthens fiscal bases, fosters fairness, enhances governance, and supports fiscal federalism for equitable distribution.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: trend in forest fires in states
Mains level: Region more prone to forest Fire and factores behind the forest fire
Why in the news?
The forest staff across the Kerala State are on alert with the onslaught of summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 40-41 degrees Centigrade, unusual for this time.
Forest Fires in Kerala
- Kerala records relatively fewer forest fires compared to several other states in India, including Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Maharashtra.
- Kerala’s forest cover, occupying 29.65% of the land, is dominated by deciduous and semi-deciduous woods that are drying up, especially on the forest periphery because of it Forest staff in Kerala are on alert
- Kerala reported 163 wildfire incidents since January, resulting in the burning of 230 hectares of forest, which is less compared to previous years.
- Global Forest Watch data indicates 97 VIIRS(Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suit) fire alerts in Kerala between March 15 and 22, with only 5.2% of them classified as high-confidence alerts.Fires were responsible for 0.33% forest cover loss in Kerala between 2001 and 2022 according to Global Forest Watch.
What is the frequency of forest fires in India?
- Escalation Of forest Fire : Forest fire season in India typically spans from November to June, during which hundreds of thousands of small and large fires occur annually. The frequency of fires tends to escalate from February onwards as summer approaches.
- forest Fires as per (ISFR) : In its 2021 report, the biennial India State of Forest Report (ISFR) released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) indicates that 35.47% of the forest cover is classified as fire-prone areas.
Region more prone to forest Fire
- Fires of severe magnitude occur frequently in dry deciduous forests, whereas evergreen, semi-evergreen, and montane temperate forests are relatively less susceptible to fires.
- During the November to June period, the forests in Northeast India, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand face the highest risk of fires.For example in 2021, a string of forest fires occurred in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, the Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, including within wildlife sanctuaries.
- In 2024 forest Fires: According to data from the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Mizoram reported the highest number of forest fires (3,738), followed by Manipur (1,702), Assam (1,652), Meghalaya (1,252), and Maharashtra (1,215).
Reason behind the forest fires in India
The majority of forest fires in India are ignited by human activities, including:
- Agricultural Burning: Farmers often use fire to clear land for cultivation or to manage crop residues, leading to accidental fires spreading into nearby forests.For example Jhum (slash and burn cultivation)
- Intentional Arson: Deliberate setting of fires for various reasons, such as land grabbing, hunting, or retaliatory actions.
- Carelessness: Unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, or burning of waste materials can spark fires.
- Climate Conditions: Dry and hot weather conditions during the summer months create favorable conditions for the rapid spread of fires. .For example forest fires has worsen due to climate change as per UNEP
Plan for Fighting forest Fires
- Early Detection: Implement systems for early detection of forest fires, such as fire watchtowers, aerial surveillance, and remote sensing technologies like drones and satellites.
- Rapid Response: Develop well-trained and equipped firefighting teams capable of swift response to contain fires in their early stages before they escalate.
- Controlled Burns: Conduct controlled burns during cooler and wetter months to remove excess vegetation and reduce the risk of large-scale wildfires during dry seasons.
- Firebreaks: Create and maintain firebreaks by clearing vegetation along strategic points to halt the spread of fires.
- Community Involvement: Educate local communities about fire prevention and train them in firefighting techniques. Encourage community participation in fire management efforts.
- Equipment and Infrastructure: Ensure availability and proper maintenance of firefighting equipment such as hoses, pumps, bulldozers, and firefighting aircraft.
Conclusion
Forest fires in India, exacerbated by climate conditions, pose significant threats. Kerala’s proactive measures and community involvement highlight effective strategies for prevention and control, crucial in mitigating the increasing frequency of fires nationwide.
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/natural-disasters/wildfires-will-be-more-frequent-larger-and-intense-due-to-climate-change-unep-81615
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: About Green , Blue and grey hydrogen
Mains level: Objecive of MNRE scheme, significance of hydrogen fuel vehicles and Challenges
why in the news?
Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a Rs-496-crore (until 2025-26) scheme to support pilot projects that either test the viability of green hydrogen as a vehicle fuel or develop secure supporting infrastructure such as refuelling stations.
Objecive of MNRE scheme
(i) validation of technical feasibility and performance of green hydrogen as a transportation fuel
(ii) evaluation of the economic viability of green hydrogen-powered vehicles
(iii) demonstration of safe operation of hydrogen-powered vehicles and refuelling stations.
About Green , Blue and grey hydrogen
The significance of hydrogen fuel vehicles, particularly hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
- Zero Carbon Emissions: Both hydrogen ICE vehicles and FCEVs produce zero carbon emissions during operation.
- Energy Efficiency: While research suggests that burning hydrogen in an ICE vehicle may be less energy-efficient than using it in a fuel cell, FCEVs still offer high energy efficiency compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, particularly those powered by fossil fuels like diesel and petrol.
- Clean Energy Production: Hydrogen can be produced through various renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
- Lightweight and Increased Payload Capacity: Hydrogen FCEVs typically weigh less than battery electric vehicles (BEVs) due to the lighter weight of hydrogen and the fuel cell stack compared to EV batteries.
- Long-haul Freight Applications: Research indicates that long-haul FCEVs can carry freight amounts similar to diesel trucks, while BEVs may suffer from a weight penalty due to heavier batteries. .
- Diversification of Energy Sources: Hydrogen fuel vehicles offer a viable alternative to battery electric vehicles, providing diversification in energy sources for transportation.
Challenges
- Storage and Transportation Challenges: Developing specialized cylinders capable of safely storing high-pressure green hydrogen is essential. Existing cylinders designed for compressed natural gas (CNG) are not suitable for hydrogen storage
- Fuel Costs and Infrastructure: Green hydrogen-powered vehicles face challenges in competing with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) due to higher fuel costs and the need for infrastructure development, including hydrogen refueling stations. The cost of establishing and maintaining hydrogen refueling infrastructure is significant, hindering the widespread adoption of hydrogen FCEVs.
- Safety Concerns: Hydrogen is highly flammable, necessitating robust safety standards and protocols for handling and storing the fuel at refueling stations.
Conclusion
Green hydrogen offers zero emissions, energy efficiency, and diversification in energy sources for transportation. However, challenges like storage, infrastructure costs, and safety concerns hinder widespread adoption, despite MNRE’s support scheme.
Mains PYQ
Q How is efficient and affordable urban mass transport key to the rapid economic development in India? (UPSC IAS/2019)
Q Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg protocol.(UPSC IAS/2022)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Etanol factories in India
Mains level: Negative impact of ethanol factory on the region without proper regulation
Why in the news?
- Recently Gandepalli village in news because of devastating impact of an ethanol factory (Sentini BioProducts Pvt. Ltd) since 2008
- Residents are struggling with foul air and water, poisoned crop fields, and depleting water tables
Negative impact on village
Sentini BioProducts Pvt. Ltd. is a company involved in the production of ethanol and animal feed supplements. It specializes in manufacturing extra-neutral alcohol (ENA), a type of ethanol.
- Under the red category: Ethanol production plants and distilleries, including Sentini BioProducts, fall under the ‘red category’ as per Central government norms, indicating high pollution levels (score of 60 or more)
- Wastewater Discharge: The factory is mandated to have a Zero Liquid Discharge system in place. However, residents report untreated wastewater discharge into the nearby irrigation canal.
- Air Pollution: Residents complain of a choking stench and polluted air emanating from the factory, indicating potential air pollution issues.
- Crop Damage: Extensive crop damage is reported by villagers, indicating potential contamination of agricultural lands by pollutants from the factory. Over more than 10 years, farmers in the area have experienced a decline in crop quality and yield, particularly in paddy cultivation.
- Negative Impact on quality of Life: Pollution from the factory negatively impacts the quality of life for local residents, posing health risks and environmental hazards.
Regulatory Failures in this situation:
- Unable to address the problem: Despite multiple complaints from villagers and show-cause notices issued to the factory since 2013, regulatory authorities, including the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), have been ineffective in addressing the pollution issues.
- Regulatory lapse revealed by Lokayukta: The Lokayukta inquiry revealed lapses by regulatory bodies, including the APPCB and the Joint Director of Agriculture of Krishna district, in investigating and addressing the environmental damage caused by the factory’s operations.
- Delay in action: The delay in taking appropriate action and the failure to enforce environmental regulations have allowed the factory to continue its polluting activities unabated.
Suggestive measures to address the situation:
- Need Comprehensive Investigation: Conduct a thorough investigation into the environmental impact of Sentini BioProducts Pvt. Ltd. on Gandepalli village. This investigation should include assessments of air and water quality, soil contamination, and the extent of crop damage caused by the factory’s operations.
- Enforcement of Environmental Standards: Ensure strict compliance with environmental standards and regulations by the factory.
- Community Engagement: Foster meaningful dialogue and engagement between the factory management, regulatory authorities, and the local community. Provide opportunities for residents to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and participate in decision-making processes related to environmental management and pollution control measures.
- Remediation and Compensation: Implement measures to remediate the environmental damage caused by the factory, including restoration of polluted water bodies, soil remediation, and compensation for affected farmers.
Conclusion
The devastating impact of Sentini BioProducts Pvt. Ltd. on Gandepalli village, including pollution, crop damage, and regulatory failures, necessitates urgent comprehensive investigation, strict enforcement of environmental standards, community engagement, and remediation efforts to restore environmental health and livelihoods.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Climate Change; GLOFS;
Mains level: Climate change and concerns;
Why in the news?
Recently, the Uttarakhand government has constituted two teams of experts to evaluate the risk posed by five potentially hazardous glacial lakes in the region.
Context:
- The Hazardous Glacial Lakes are prone to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), the kind of events that have resulted in several disasters in the Himalayan states in recent years.
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which operates under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has identified 188 glacial lakes in the Himalayan states that can potentially be breached because of heavy rainfall. Thirteen of them are in Uttarakhand.
About Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs):
GLOFs are disaster events caused by the abrupt discharge of water from glacial lakes large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier. As a glacier withdraws, it leaves behind a depression that gets filled with meltwater, thereby forming a lake. Example: 4 october 2023 GLOFs in Sikkim. |
Factors behind the GLOFs:
- Avalanches or Landslides: Incidents such as avalanches or landslides can also impact the stability of the boundary around a glacial lake, leading to its failure, and the rapid discharge of water.
- Due to climate change: Rising surface temperatures across the globe, including India, have increased the risk of GLOFs. Studies have shown that around 15 million people face the risk of sudden and deadly flooding from glacial lakes, which are expanding and rising in numbers due to global warming.
- Rapid infrastructure development in vulnerable areas has also contributed to the spike in such incidents.
- Sizable ice chunks in the lake: GLOFs can be triggered by various reasons, including glacial calving, where sizable ice chunks detach from the glacier into the lake, inducing sudden water displacement.
Why are GLOFs under the spotlight?
- Increased Frequency of GLOFs: Since 1980, GLOFs have become more frequent in the Himalayan region, particularly in southeastern Tibet and the China-Nepal border area. This indicates a concerning trend of glacial melting and lake formation as per Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research in China
- Extent of Potential Risk: The analysis by Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research in China suggests that approximately 6,353 sq km of land could be at risk from potential GLOFs.
- Regional Impacts: Another analysis conducted by Caroline Taylor, Rachel Carr, Stuart Dunning (Newcastle University, UK), Tom Robinson (University of Canterbury, New Zealand), and Matthew Westoby (Northumbria University, UK) indicates that GLOFs are not just a localized issue but have broader regional impacts.
- Around 3 million people in India and 2 million in Pakistan are identified as facing the risk of GLOFs, highlighting the potential humanitarian consequences of these events.
What is the situation in Uttarakhand?
- Past GLOF events: Uttarakhand has experienced two major GLOF events in recent years. The first occurred in June 2013, affecting large parts of the state, particularly the Kedarnath valley, resulting in significant loss of life.
- The second event happened in February 2021 in Chamoli district, leading to flash floods due to the bursting of a glacier lake.
- Categorization of Glacial Lakes: Uttarakhand has 13 glacial lakes categorized into three risk levels: ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’.
- Five highly sensitive lakes fall into the ‘A’ category, including Vasudhara Tal in the Dhauliganga basin (Chamoli district), Maban Lake, Pyungru Lake, and two unclassified lakes in Pithoragarh district.
- Size and Elevation of High-Risk Lakes: The lakes in the ‘A’ category have areas ranging from 0.02 to 0.50 sq km and are situated at elevations between 4,351 to 4,868 meters above sea level. These characteristics make them particularly vulnerable to glacial lake outburst events.
- Impact of Rising Temperatures: A 2021 study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research (PIK) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) suggests that rising surface temperatures could worsen the situation in Uttarakhand.
- The state’s annual average maximum temperature may increase by 1.6-1.9 degrees Celsius between 2021-2050, potentially exacerbating the risk of GLOFs.
Conclusion: Uttarakhand government forms expert teams to assess risk from 5 hazardous glacial lakes prone to GLOFs. With rising temperatures and past disasters, urgent action is needed to mitigate potential catastrophic flooding.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: International Organisation; NATO;
Mains level: Concerns about NATO;
Why in the News?
NATO grandly commemorates its 75th anniversary on April 4, 2024.
Present Concerns about NATO:
- Changed Objective: NATO was established to defend its member states from aggression but has engaged in offensive military actions.
- Cause of Military conflicts worldwide: Over the last seven decades, NATO has initiated or participated in more than 200 military conflicts worldwide, including major ones. Examples of NATO’s military interventions include the bombing of Yugoslavia, invasion of Iraq, disruption of statehood in Libya, military interference in Syria, and combating terrorism in Afghanistan.
- Role in the creation of ISIS: Critics argue that instead of bringing peace and stability, NATO’s actions have led to damage, casualties, destruction, and alienation. There is a perception that the US, NATO’s leader, played a role in the creation of ISIS.
- Provoking Russia-Ukraine War: Its expansion since 1991, despite assurances to the contrary, and its actions in Ukraine are seen as provocative moves against Russia. Russia has shown restraint in response to NATO’s actions, but NATO’s behavior remains unchanged.
- Maintaining Western Hegemony: In stark contrast to its professed peaceful ideals, NATO engages in warfare or issues threats of attack against any state that rejects the established liberal “rules-based order.” for example invasion of Iraq and execution of Saddam Hussein
- Increase presence in Indo-Pacific: The US has been actively establishing smaller multilateral arrangements, like AUKUS, the US-Japan-South Korea trio, and the Tokyo-Seoul-Canberra-Wellington quartet, to involve them in practical collaboration with NATO.
BACK2BASICS
What is NATO?
NATO, founded in 1949, is an intergovernmental military alliance initially aimed at collective defense against potential aggression, notably from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. However, its role has expanded over time to address various security challenges beyond its original purpose.
Membership:
- Starting Members: In starting only 12 founding members of NATO were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Expansion: NATO has expanded since its founding, with new member countries joining in multiple rounds. The alliance currently consists of 32 member countries.
Objectives:
- Core mission: NATO’s core mission is collective defense, as articulated in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This article specifies that an attack on any member nation will be regarded as an attack on all, triggering a collective response from the members.
- Role in crisis management: Besides its core function of collective defense, NATO also participates in crisis management activities. These include conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and stabilization efforts in diverse regions globally.
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Conclusion: NATO, founded in 1949 for collective defense, faces criticisms for engaging in offensive actions, causing global conflicts, and perceived roles in creating ISIS and provoking tensions with Russia. It has expanded and diversified its roles beyond its original purpose.
Mains Question for practice
Q Examine the key concerns raised about NATO’s actions and their implications for global security.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
Mains level: Achievement of India's Pharmaceutical Industry and challenges
Why in the News?
Recently, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) implemented a 0.00551% increase in the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for scheduled formulations of drugs starting from the commencement of the fiscal year 2024–25.
Context:
- The Department of Pharmaceuticals has released its yearly update of revised ceiling prices for 923 scheduled drug formulations and adjusted retail prices for 65 formulations.
- These revised ceiling rates took effect on April 1. The Central Government attributes the price adjustments to fluctuations in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
What is the National List of Essential Medicines?
- As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), Essential Medicines are those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare hence prepared and released the first National List of Essential Medicines of India in 1996 consisting of 279 medicines.
- Currently, India has approximately 400 molecules and 960 formulations covered under the National List of Essential Medicines.
- The prices of non-essential drugs are also monitored by the government to ensure that the manufacturers of these drugs don’t increase MRP by more than 10% annually.
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The issue of the present Current Price Increase:
- Manufacturers are allowed to increase the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of scheduled formulations based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) without prior government approval.
- Pharmaceutical companies argue that a rational increase in the cost of drugs is necessary for quality control.
- Government’s Stance on Current Hike: Despite the recent increase, the government suggests that it will only marginally impact the cost of essential drugs such as antibiotics and painkillers.
- The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) follows the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) of 2013, allowing price hikes in line with changes in the WPI index.
- Medicine prices were raised by 12% last year and 10% in 2022.
BACK2BASICS:
- National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA):
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority was set up as an attached office of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (now Department of Pharmaceuticals since July 2008) on 29th August 1997. It has been entrusted inter-alia, with the following functions
- Enforce the provision: To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 1995/2013 under the powers delegated to it and to undertake and/or sponsor relevant studies concerning the pricing of drugs/formulations.
- Monitor Demand and supply: To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and take remedial steps. To collect/maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies, etc. for bulk drugs and formulations.
- Manage legal matters: To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority. To render advice to the Central Government on changes/revisions in the drug policy.
- Assist Government: To help the Central Government in the parliamentary matters relating to drug pricing.
- Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO):
- The Drugs Prices Control Order, issued by the Government of India under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, aims to govern and regulate drug prices.
- Provides the list of price-controlled drugs: The Order interalia provides the list of price-controlled drugs, procedures for fixation of prices of drugs, method of implementation of prices fixed by Govt., penalties for contravention of provisions, etc.
- Regulate only listed drugs: According to the regulations outlined in DPCO 2013, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority oversees and regulates only the prices of drugs listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
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Achievements of India’s Pharmaceutical Industry:
- Advanced Industries: India boasts one of the most advanced pharmaceutical industries among developing nations, ranking third globally in terms of volume and 13th in terms of value.
- Export Destinations: The United States serves as the largest export destination for bulk drugs from India. This is noteworthy considering the stringent regulatory standards in the US.
- Other significant export destinations include Brazil, Bangladesh, Turkey, China, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Egypt.
- India’s Role as a Supplier for Global South (developing countries): India ranks among the top five suppliers of bulk drugs to several developing countries, including Bangladesh, Nigeria, Vietnam, Egypt, Iran, and Pakistan.
- Despite China’s dominance as a larger supplier, India remains a substantial exporter in this regard.
The challenge is Dependency on China: Despite India’s robust pharmaceutical sector, it heavily relies on China for the supply of bulk drugs and drug intermediates. Approximately two-thirds of India’s total imports in this category originate from China.
Conclusion: The recent price increase by the NPPA aligns with fluctuations in the Wholesale Price Index, aiming to regulate drug costs. India’s pharmaceutical industry faces challenges of import dependency on China, despite its global presence.
Mains PYQ
Q What do you understand by Fixed Dose Drug Combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits. (UPSC IAS/2013)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Finance Commission; State Government; FRBM Act;
Mains level: Fiscal Federalism and its challenges
Why in the News?
Recently, the SC rejected Kerala’s plea for immediate relief in its case urging the Union government to ease borrowing constraints, allowing the state to secure extra funds in the ongoing fiscal year.
State governments receive funds from three sources:
- Own revenues (tax and non-tax)
- Transfers from the Union government as shares of taxes and as grants
- Market borrowings
Fiscal Demands for Extra Funds:
- Increased Expenditure: In 2020-21, the Kerala government sharply increased its spending to 18% of its GSDP, to provide economic relief in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, aided by the relaxation in borrowing norms then
- Central Gov transfers to Kerala declined: As ratios of GSDP, the Union government’s transfers to Kerala declined to 2.8% in 2023-24, significantly lower than previous years, even as the State’s revenues remained at around 8.0%.
- This meant that, in 2023-24, the State government could meet its modest budget expenditure, equivalent to 14.2% of GSDP, only by raising the borrowing to 3.4% of the GSDP
Socio-Economic for Extra Funds:
- Aging Population: Kerala, like many other states, faces the challenge of an aging population, which puts pressure on pension funds and healthcare systems, necessitating long-term financial planning and investment.
- Pension Liabilities: The substantial outgo for pensions poses a financial burden on the state’s budget, requiring strategies for sustainable pension management to ensure fiscal stability.
- Youth Outmigration: Kerala experiences significant outmigration of its youth, leading to a loss of productive workforce and potential tax revenues, highlighting the need for policies to retain skilled workers and stimulate economic growth
About Net Borrowing Ceiling (NBC):
- The net borrowing ceiling for states in India denotes the maximum threshold set on the funds that state governments can borrow within a fiscal year.
- Significance: Ensuring fiscal discipline and preventing states from accumulating excessive debt, the net borrowing ceiling plays a pivotal role.
- Factors: The criteria for setting these limits are shaped by various factors such as inputs from the Finance Commission, the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, and specific directives from the central government, notably the Ministry of Finance.
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Basis of the Net Borrowing Ceiling:
- Fiscal Responsibility Legislation: Both the central and state governments in India adhere to the FRBM Act, which establishes fiscal deficit goals to uphold fiscal discipline. Under the FRBM, states are required to maintain a fiscal deficit limit of 3% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
- Central Government Guidelines: The central government, through the Department of Expenditure in the Ministry of Finance, sets the annual borrowing limits for each state based on a formula that considers the state’s GSDP, existing debt levels, fiscal discipline, and other relevant factors. These limits can be revised in response to special circumstances, such as natural disasters or significant economic downturns.
- Finance Commission Recommendations: The Finance Commission, which is constituted every five years, recommends how the central taxes are to be divided between the centre and the states and suggests measures to maintain fiscal stability. It also provides recommendations regarding the borrowing limits of states.
Conclusion: States need to put in place an effective forecasting and monitoring mechanism for cash inflows and outflows so that a need-based approach is followed for market borrowings and the interest cost of cash surpluses is minimized.
Mains PYQ
Q What were the reasons for the introduction of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2013? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness. (UPSC IAS/2013)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nuclear Energy;
Mains level: Sustainable Development; Energy Sector;
Why in the news?
A recent report published by IIM-A suggested that India must prioritize investment in Nuclear energy sector and expand related infrastructure.
Why India must prioritize investment in the Nuclear energy sector?
India aims to be a developed country by 2047 and is on track to achieve net zero — or effectively zero-carbon dioxide emissions by 2070.
Key findings of the Report:
- Current Energy Mix: Solar energy constitutes 16% of India’s installed generation capacity, while coal comprises 49%. Nuclear energy currently comprises only 1.6% of India’s energy mix
- Significant increase in nuclear power: The best-case scenario shows emissions falling to 0.55 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2070, achieving ‘net zero’. This scenario entails a significant increase in nuclear power capacity, reaching 30 GW by 2030 and 265 GW by 2050.
- Investment Requirements for Nuclear Energy: Achieving the proposed figures for nuclear energy would necessitate a doubling of investments. India would require an estimated ₹150-200 lakh crore between 2020-2070 to finance the necessary transitions in the energy sector
- Need technology-based solution: The authors emphasize that achieving net zero emissions requires a combination of technologies rather than a single solution.
- Transitioning away from coal: Coal is expected to remain a significant component of India’s energy system, serving as the “backbone”. However, transitioning away from coal would require substantial investment
What are the Challenges for India’s Goal of Net-Zero Emissions?
- Uranium Factor: Data by the Central Electricity Authority say solar energy accounts for 16% of India’s installed generation capacity. To achieve these idealistic figures for nuclear energy would require a doubling of investments as well as the assumption that uranium, a critical fuel but restricted by international embargo, is available in necessary quantities.
- Coal Factor: Coal accounts for 49% of India’s capacity. Coal would likely be the “backbone” of the Indian energy system and if the country has to phase down coal in the next three decades, it would need to build adequate infrastructure for alternative sources such as nuclear power, in addition to flexible grid infrastructure and storage to support the integration of renewable energy.
Suggested measures by the Report are:
- Research and Development: Invest in research and development to improve efficiency and reduce costs of renewable energy technologies, as well as advancements in nuclear energy technology.
- Policy Support: Implement supportive policies and regulations to encourage private sector investment in the energy sector, including streamlined approval processes, tax incentives, and renewable energy mandates.
- International Cooperation: Engage in diplomatic efforts to secure access to nuclear fuel and address international embargoes, while also collaborating with other countries on research and development in the energy sector.
Conclusion: India’s path to development by 2047 hinges on prioritizing energy sector investment, as per an IIM-A report. Achieving net zero emissions by 2070, India would need close to ₹150-200 lakh crore between 2020-2070 to finance these transitions.
Mains PYQ
Q With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (UPSC IAS/2018)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Article 21; Right to die with dignity; Right to will;
Mains level: Supreme Court;
Why in the news?
In early March this year, 30 people in Thrissur in Kerala executed living wills.
Context:
- The Supreme Court’s 2018 order on Passive Euthanasia, wherein it recognized the ‘Right to die with dignity’ as a fundamental right and an aspect of Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution.
- However, the people wanting to get a “living will” registered were facing problems due to cumbersome guidelines, prompting a reconsideration by the apex court.
- A Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, in three concurring opinions, upheld that the fundamental right to life and dignity includes the ‘Right to Refuse Treatment and Die with dignity’.
What is a Living Will?
A Living Will is a healthcare directive, in which people can state their wishes for their end-of-life care, in case they are not in a position to make that decision.
The Court’s procedure:
- Pre-2023: Initially, the process of creating living wills was deemed overly complex by the Court, with elaborate bureaucratic procedures in place to prevent abuse by unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit the patient’s assets.
- Post-2023: Recognizing the impracticality of requiring judicial magistrate countersignatures on living wills, the Court streamlined the process in January 2023. Now, living will require signatures in the presence of witnesses, attestation by a notary or gazetted officer, and submission to a designated government officer acting as a custodian.
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Challenges in Implementation :
- Decision-Making Process: Even if a living will is created, its implementation is not automatic. Decisions on withholding or withdrawing treatment require certification by primary and secondary medical boards, posing logistical challenges, especially in hospitals without designated boards.
- Ambiguities and Discomfort: Ambiguities in guidelines, discomfort with end-of-life care topics, and unclear legal definitions contribute to the hesitancy among officials to implement the Court’s directives without clear instructions from higher authorities.
- Legal Ambiguity: Indian law lacks a clear definition of ‘next of kin’, leading to potential disputes among family members about medical decisions for terminally ill patients.
- Barriers to End-of-Life Decisions: A survey of intensive care doctors reveals a general belief that end-of-life decisions are fraught with legal implications, serving as a significant barrier to making such decisions in the ICU.
- Regional Disparities in India:
- Haryana: While some states like Haryana have issued directions to follow the judgment, they have not provided essential guidance or protocols for implementation.
- Odisha: In contrast, Odisha has taken a more thorough approach by forming a committee of experts to develop detailed draft orders for implementing the judgment, setting a potential example for other states.
Conclusion: The central government could help bridge the gap in expertise by developing and publishing model orders and protocols to provide states with confidence and guidance in effectively implementing the judgment.
Mains question for practice
Q Discuss the challenges surrounding the implementation of living wills in India, as established by the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in 2018.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: PRATUSH;
Mains level: Lunar Missions;
Why in the news?
Astronomers are looking forward to opening a new window on the universe by posting high-resolution telescopes on the moon and in orbit around it.
Why Astronomers are looking forward to opening telescopes on the moon?
- Radio telescopes launched into orbit around Earth exacerbated the problem of receiving radio noise from the entire planet, along with signals from outer space.
- The moon’s far side offers pristine, airless conditions ideal for optical telescopes, providing crystal-clear seeing conditions during the two-week lunar night.
Global Initiatives to Install Telescope on the Moon:
- NASA’s LuSEE Night Project: LuSEE Night, a joint NASA-Berkeley Lab project scheduled for launch in December 2025, aims to study the Dark Ages period by landing on the far side of the moon, shielded from radio frequency noise from Earth.
- ESA’s Projects: ESA is preparing to launch a radio telescope to the moon’s far side aboard its lunar lander, ‘Argonaut’, by 2030, along with other projects focused on gravitational wave detection and infrared observations.
- China’s Initiatives: China is also actively involved in lunar exploration, with plans to launch a moon-orbiting radio telescope in 2026 and deploy the Queqiao-2 satellite, which includes a radio telescope payload, to serve as a communications relay between Earth and future missions.
Indian Initiative
- PRATUSH: Indian scientists plan to deploy the radio telescope PRATUSH on the moon’s far side, built by the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Deployment Process: Initially, ISRO will place PRATUSH into orbit around the Earth, then fine-tune it before launching it towards the moon. Operating in Earth orbit will offer advantages such as free space operation and reduced ionosphere impact compared to ground-based experiments.
- Observational Advantages: PRATUSH in lunar orbit will have ideal observing conditions, operating in free space with minimal radio frequency interference (RFI) and no ionosphere, essential for studying the signal from the Dark Ages.
- Instrument Features: PRATUSH will carry a wideband frequency-independent antenna, a self-calibrating analog receiver, and a digital correlator to capture radio noise in the signal from the Dark Ages.
Conclusion: The global initiative to deploy telescopes on and around the moon aims to overcome Earth’s radio noise and capitalize on the lunar far side’s pristine conditions for groundbreaking astronomical observations, including studying the universe’s early Dark Ages.
Mains question for practice
Q Discuss the global initiatives to deploy telescopes on the moon.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Job for Resilience Report
Mains level: Main findings in this report
Why in the News?
Recently, the ‘Job for Resilience Report’ was published by the World Bank. The Report talks about how the South Asia region including India is not making use of its demographic dividend.
- The pace of job creation in the region fell well short of the growth in the working-age population, even as it projected a strong 6.0-6.1% growth for 2024-25 for the region in its South Asia region.’
Main findings in this report:
The South Asia’s labor markets as Emerging markets and developing economies:
- Declining employment ratio: South Asia’s employment weakened from 2000–23, despite a 6% post-pandemic surge. While most EMDEs remained stable, South Asia declined by 2%, with varied changes within.
- Low employment ratios: Except for Nepal, South Asian countries have employment ratios significantly lower than other EMDEs, with South Asia’s ratio at 59%, notably lower than the 70% average elsewhere in 2023.
- Employment weakness for men and women: In South Asia, men’s employment ratios declined over two decades, compared with other EMDEs. Women’s ratios, persistently low and half those elsewhere, primarily contribute to South Asia’s lower overall employment rates.
- A missing engine of growth: In the 2010s, South Asia experienced a surge in labor productivity growth, which later declined below the EMDE average from 2020–23. Unlike other EMDEs, South Asia’s output growth relied heavily on labor productivity growth and working-age population expansion. However, declining employment ratios hampered output growth.
Report on Indian Scenario:
- Trends in employment and labor productivity: India’s employment growth in the 2010s was weak but rebounded post-pandemic. The employment ratio declined significantly until 2022 but partially recovered by 3 percentage points in 2023.
- Migrant workers: In India, Migrant workers returned to rural areas, and emigration from rural areas slowed, during the pandemic.5 India has the region’s second-largest share of workers in agriculture (44 per cent) after Nepal.
- Employment composition: India’s industrial employment grows with public investments, eased labor regulations, and contract labor. The services sector, led by IT, BPO, and healthcare, thrives on a skilled workforce and digital infrastructure, limiting opportunities for unskilled labor.
Measures to address the challenges highlighted in the Report:
- Skill Development Programs: Implementing extensive skill development programs to equip the workforce with the necessary skills demanded by the evolving job market, focusing on both technical and soft skills.
- Labour Market Reforms: Continuously reviewing and refining labor regulations to strike a balance between protecting workers’ rights and fostering a conducive environment for job creation and investment.
- Promotion of Inclusive Growth: Implementing policies aimed at promoting inclusive growth, particularly focusing on increasing women’s participation in the workforce through measures like affordable childcare, flexible work arrangements, and addressing cultural barriers.
- Investment in Infrastructure: Continued investment in infrastructure development to facilitate the growth of industries and services, creating more employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
- Enhancing Productivity: Implementing measures to enhance productivity across sectors through technological advancements, innovation, and efficient resource allocation.
Conclusion: World Bank warns South Asia, including India, risks wasting demographic dividend due to declining employment ratios and low productivity growth. Urgent measures needed: skill development, labor reforms, inclusive growth promotion, infrastructure investment, and productivity enhancement.
With inputs from:
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/4ec19c2d-65fd-4523-8020-338f0cb98523/content
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Global Currency
Mains level: Indian Trades;
Why in the news?
PM Modi asked the RBI to prepare a 10-year strategy to make the Indian rupee a globally “accessible and acceptable” currency and to meet the credit needs of every segment of the country
What is Global Currency?
A global currency refers to a single currency that is used by every country in the world. This concept involves all nations adopting the same currency for international trade and transactions |
What are the major challenges for India to make Rupeea a Global Currency?
- Economic Stability: The Indian economy would need to demonstrate consistent stability and growth to inspire confidence among international investors and users of the currency.
- Liquidity in Financial Market Development: These markets need to be deep and liquid to accommodate large volumes of international transactions denominated in INR.
- Capital Controls: India currently has restrictions on capital flows in and out of the country. These would need to be eased to facilitate international trade and investment denominated in INR.
- Legal and Regulatory Framework: There would need to be robust legal and regulatory frameworks in place to govern the use of the INR in international transactions, including clearing and settlement systems, as well as dispute resolution mechanisms.
- International/ Investors Acceptance: Convincing other countries, businesses, and individuals to adopt the INR as a global currency would require concerted diplomatic efforts, as well as initiatives to promote its use in international trade and finance.
- Currency Convertibility: Full convertibility of the INR would be necessary for it to become a global currency.
Indian Efforts to Make Rupee a Global Currency:
- RBI’s Roadmap for Rupee Internationalization: The RBI has published a report outlining a roadmap for the internationalization of the Rupee. This roadmap recommends actions such as including the Rupee in the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket, promoting its use in trade invoicing and settlement, facilitating its use in offshore markets, and developing financial products denominated in Rupees.
- Promoting Use of Local Currencies for Cross-Border Transactions: India has been engaging in agreements with countries like the UAE to promote the use of local currencies, including the Rupee, for cross-border transactions.
Way Forward:
- Need for Transactions in Rupee: To be an accepted International Currency, the Indian rupee is to be freely used in transactions by residents and non-residents and as a reserve currency for global trade.
- Need to increase the Exports: Indian Trades need to be promoted beyond the Asian region. All export and import transactions need to be invoiced in Indian rupees.
- Reducing the Constraints: Legal and Regulatory frameworks need to be freed to attract investors for their business profits without hampering security concerns.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/lets-make-a-global-currency-pm-to-rbi-101711996093588.html
https://theprint.in/opinion/indian-rupee-can-become-global-reserve-currency-but-modi-govt-must-bring-reforms-for-that/1738000/
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Environment Protection Act,1986; National Green Tribunal (NGT);
Mains level: Judiciary; National Green Tribunal (NGT);
Why in the News?
Recently, the SC revoked the notification given by the Environment Ministry to exempt the extraction of ordinary earth for linear projects, such as road and railway construction.
- It was challenged before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which asked the Ministry to review it within three months. However, the Ministry did not take any action, leading the matter to reach the SC.
What are the linear projects?
Linear projects refer to Construction or Development Projects. It includes the construction of linear structures like utility lines, pipelines, railroad tracks, highways, stormwater channels, and stream restoration activities. |
What was the 2020 exemption?
- September 2006: The Environment Ministry issued a notification under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, on activities that would require prior Environmental Clearance.
- January 2016: A second notification was issued, exempting certain categories of projects from this requirement.
- March 2020: It added “Extraction or sourcing or borrowing of ordinary earth for the linear projects such as roads, pipelines, etc” to the list of exempted activities.
- The general purpose of the 2020 notification was to conform to the amendments made to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in March 2020, allowing new lessees to continue mining for two years with the statutory clearances and licenses issued to their predecessors.
Nexus between the Judiciary and the Union Government (Ground for Challenges)
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- Judicial stand: The SC invalidated the broad and random exception, highlighting that the announcement was rushed during the COVID-19 lockdown without seeking feedback or objections through prior notification.
- The exemption granted without incorporating safeguards was deemed arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.
- The court emphasized that the absence of safeguards defeats the purpose of the Environment Protection Act (EP Act).
- An argument by the center: The Center contended that the exemption was essential “to benefit the general public” and would support “the kumhars (potters), farmers, gram panchayats, banjaras, roads of Gujarat,” and all non-mining activities recognized by the states.
- However, the Apex court stated that the Centre had failed to provide reasons for concluding that the notification was issued in the public interest.
Similar Judicial Scrutiny in the Past:
- January 2018: The NGT quashed an exemption offered by the Ministry’s 2016 notification from the requirement of prior EC for building and construction activities having built-up areas of more than 20,000 sq m. According to the Tribunal, there was nothing to suggest an improvement in the quality of the environment to justify the exemption.
- July 2015: Underlining that the EP Act mandates prior approval, the NGT struck down two Office Memorandums issued by the Ministry in December 2012 and June 2013 for granting ex-post facto EC to projects under the 2006 notification.
- July 2021: Another notification of the Ministry that sought to perpetuate an amnesty window opened for just six months in March 2017 to clear projects under the “violation category” and issued ex-post facto approval to more than 100 projects, until the SC stayed it in January this year.
- March 2024: The Kerala HC quashed a 2014 notification that exempted educational institutions and industrial sheds with built-up areas of more than 20,000 sq m from obtaining EC.
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Conclusion: The Supreme Court invalidated the Environment Ministry’s exemption for earth extraction in linear projects due to a lack of justification and safeguards, emphasizing compliance with Environmental Clearance to minimize environmental harm, safeguarding the Environment Protection Act’s purpose.
Mains PYQ
Q How does the draft EnvironmentImpact Assessment(EIA)Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (UPSC IAS/2020)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Environment; Solar Photovoltaic cells;
Mains level: Environment; Solar Energy;
Why in the news?
The government is finally bringing into effect the policy of an Approved list of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) that will discourage solar power project developers from relying on imported panels.
About Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules Order, 2019:
- Aim: To boost domestic manufacturing of solar panels by registering only those made with domestically manufactured cells, wafers, and polysilicon.
- Compulsory Registration: The order mandates compulsory registration for solar PV module and cell manufacturers, ensuring they meet certain quality and production standards.
- Lists: LIST-I for solar PV modules and LIST-II for solar PV cells.
- Only listed models and manufacturers in these lists are considered approved for use in various government projects and schemes.
- Eligibility Criteria: To be included in the lists, manufacturers must undergo inspections and meet specific criteria set by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) to ensure the products are genuinely manufactured and not imported.
- This order ensures the reliability of solar PV products used in installations, promotes domestic manufacturing, and aligns with the government’s initiatives for renewable energy adoption and energy security.
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Efforts made by the Government to promote domestic Solar Manufacturing:
- Import Restrictions: The creation of the Approved Models and Manufacturers list was aimed at restricting imports from China, which dominates a significant portion of the global solar supply market.
- Ambitious Renewable Energy Targets: India aims to source about 500 GW of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, with at least 280 GW coming from solar power. This necessitates adding at least 40 GW of solar capacity annually until 2030. So there is need to focus on indegenous solar project
Challenges ahead:
- Unrealistic Targets: Despite ambitious targets, India’s solar capacity additions have been relatively low in recent years, attributed in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country aims to ramp up installations to between 25 GW and 40 GW annually.
- Reliance on Imports: A significant fraction of India’s solar installations is met by imports, which affects domestic panel manufacturers who must pay for government certification but lose orders to cheaper Chinese panels. For example surge in Solar panel import in FY 24 around $1,136.28 million from FY23 imports $943.53 million
Conclusion: India’s ALMM policy aims to boost domestic solar manufacturing, aligning with ambitious renewable energy targets. Address challenges like meeting targets and reducing reliance on imports through strategic planning and support.
Mains PYQ
Q Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our government for this purpose? (UPSC IAS/2020)
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/how-india-became-a-frontrunner-in-the-global-renewable-energy-market/articleshow/100271905.cms?from=mdr
https://mnre.gov.in/approved-list-of-models-and-manufacturers-almm/
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1944075
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/indias-solar-panel-imports-set-to-remain-higher-in-fy24/106217488#:~:text=During%20the%20initial%20six%20months,million%2C%20according%20to%20Eninrac%20Consulting
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Health Governance;
Why in the News?
The study released by IIT Madras highlights the concerns related to high rates of C-section deliveries among women in Tamil Nadu, particularly in private hospitals.
- This indicates the necessity for corrective measures to address the situation.
What is a Caesarean section?
It is also known as C-section or cesarean delivery, which is the surgical procedure by which one or more babies are delivered through an incision in the mother’s abdomen.
It is often performed because vaginal delivery would put the mother or child at risk. |
Changes in the share of births delivered by C-sections in public and private sector hospitals in India, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
- High C-section Rate in Public Hospitals: In public sector hospitals in Tamil Nadu, nearly 40% of women underwent C-sections during 2019-21.
- High C-section Rate in Private Hospitals: Close to 64% of women underwent C-sections in private sector hospitals in Tamil Nadu during 2019-21, which is significantly higher than both the national average of around 50% and Chhattisgarh’s rate of 59%.
- Higher than the National Average: The rate of C-section deliveries in Tamil Nadu’s public sector hospitals is substantially higher than the national average, which is approximately 16%. Additionally, it surpasses the rate in Chhattisgarh, where it stands at 10%.
Reasons behind the increase in C-section rates despite a decrease in pregnancy complications:
- Regional Disparities: In Chhattisgarh, the likelihood of a woman undergoing a C-section in a private hospital is ten times higher than in a public hospital. This suggests potential disparities in access to high-quality healthcare services between public and private sectors, with implications for maternal health outcomes.
- Socioeconomic Factors: The study assumes that poorer households opt for public hospitals while richer households prefer private ones for deliveries. This socioeconomic divide may contribute to inequitable access to healthcare services at the national level.
- Higher Likelihood in Private Health Facilities: Women delivering in private health facilities are more likely to undergo C-sections compared to those in public facilities, with a notable disparity observed in Chhattisgarh.
- Maternal Age and Weight Status: Factors such as maternal age (35-49) and overweight status increase the likelihood of C-section delivery.
- High gap between Poor and Rich: In India, the gap in C-section prevalence between the poor and non-poor narrowed in private facilities, but Tamil Nadu exhibited a concerning trend where a higher percentage of the poor underwent C-sections compared to the non-poor.
Recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO): Cesarean delivery rates should ideally not exceed 10-15% to achieve the lowest maternal and neonatal mortality rates. When C-section rates go beyond 10%, there is no significant decrease in maternal mortality. In 2021, global C-section rates surpassed 20%, and they are projected to increase to 30% by 2030.
Conclusion: Access to C-sections in Tamil Nadu shows disparities, with high rates in both public and private hospitals. Addressing regional, and socioeconomic factors and adhering to WHO recommendations are crucial for equitable maternal healthcare.
PYQ Mains
Q Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (UPSC IAS/2018)
https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/rise-in-c-section-deliveries-despite-decrease-in-pregnancy-complications-iit-madras-study-2521773-2024-04-01
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: India- Srilanka Bilateral Relations; Places in News;
Mains level: India- Srilanka Bilateral Relations; Places in News;
Why in the news?
Katchatheevu Island, a disputed stretch in the Palk Strait, was ceded to Sri Lanka during late PM Indira Gandhi, through an agreement.
- Fifty years later, PM Modi, has mounted an attack on the Congress and DMK for ‘callously’ giving it away to Sri Lanka.
About the Katchatheevu Island:
- Katchatheevu is an uninhabited area in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka. It was created due to volcanic eruption in the 14th century and is comparatively youthful in the realm of geological chronology.
- Historically, it was controlled by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka in the medieval period.
- However, in the 17th century, control passed to the Ramnad zamindari based out of Ramanathapuram, about 55 km northwest of Rameswaram.
- The Island became part of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj. But in 1921, both India and Sri Lanka, at the time were British colonies and claimed Katchatheevu to determine fishing boundaries.
- A British delegation from India challenged this, citing ownership of the island by the Ramnad kingdom. This dispute was not settled until 1974.
Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement of 1974:
- In 1974, the Indian government, led by Indira Gandhi at the time, endeavored to definitively resolve the maritime border between India and Sri Lanka.
- As a component of this arrangement, termed the ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement’, Katchatheevu was relinquished to Sri Lanka.
- During this period, it was perceived that the island held minimal strategic significance, and relinquishing India’s claim over it was anticipated to foster stronger relations with its southern neighbor.
- Limitations of the Agreement of 1974:
- Issue of fishing rights: The 1974 agreement failed to address the issue of fishing rights. Sri Lanka interpreted the access of Indian fishermen to Katchatheevu as being restricted solely to activities such as resting, drying nets, and visiting the Catholic shrine, without the requirement of a visa.
- The issue concerning EEZ: Further agreement was reached between the two countries, prohibiting fishing within each other’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
- However, the proximity of Katchatheevu to the edges of both countries’ EEZs left unresolved questions regarding fishing rights, contributing to ongoing uncertainty.
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India’s stand on the Kachchatheevu issue:
- August 2013: The Union government informed the Supreme Court that the question of reclaiming Kachchatheevu from Sri Lanka did not arise because no Indian territory was ceded to Sri Lanka. Moreover, it was historically disputed territory between British India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and the matter was settled through agreements in 1974 and 1976.
- December 2022: The Union government reiterated the stance, emphasizing that Katchatheevu lies on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line as per the agreements. Additionally, it mentioned that the matter was under judicial consideration in the Supreme Court.
Conclusion: The recent mention of Katchatheevu by Prime Minister Modi ahead of elections in Tamil Nadu highlights its contentious nature. To address fishermen’s issues, diplomatic dialogue and legal clarity are crucial.
Mains PYQ
Q What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organizational, technical, and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security. (UPSC IAS/2022)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: HIV Drugs
Mains level: Objectives of India's National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)
Why in the news?
On April 1, 2004, the Indian government launched Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV). This decision has been one of the most successful .
Emergence of HIV drugs
- First Antiretroviral Drug Approval: In March 1987, the US FDA approved the first antiretroviral drug, AZT (zidovudine), offering a glimmer of hope for treatment.
- Additional Drug Approvals: Three more antiretroviral drugs were approved shortly after in 1988, expanding treatment options for HIV/AIDS patients.
- Introduction of Protease Inhibitors: A significant milestone occurred in 1995 with the introduction of protease inhibitors, a new class of antiretroviral drugs.
The evolution to free ART
- Millennium Summit Declaration: In 2000, world leaders at the UN General Assembly’s Millennium Summit set a goal to stop and reverse the spread of HIV.
- Formation of the Global Fund: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria was established in 2002, advocating for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services.
- High HIV Prevalence in India: In 2004, India had an estimated 5.1 million PLHIV, with a population prevalence of 0.4%. However, very few were receiving ART, with only 7,000 PLHIV on treatment by the end of the year.
- Free ART Initiative: The Indian government’s decision to provide free ART to all adults living with HIV in 2004 was groundbreaking. This initiative aimed to address the barriers of cost and geographical access to treatment.
- Expansion of ART Facilities: Over two decades, the number of ART centers in India expanded significantly, from less than 10 to around 700. Additionally, 1,264 Link ART centers have provided free ART drugs to approximately 1.8 million PLHIV.
- ART Eligibility Criteria Evolution: The criteria for initiating ART evolved over the years, starting from CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 in 2004, to less than 350 cells/mm3 in 2011, and less than 500 cells/mm3 in 2016. Finally, in 2017, the “Treat All” approach was adopted, initiating ART regardless of CD4 count.
- Rapid ART Initiation Policy: In 2021, India adopted a policy of rapid ART initiation, starting individuals on treatment within seven days of HIV diagnosis, and sometimes even on the same day. This swift initiation aimed to improve treatment outcomes and prevent transmission.
- Complementary initiatives to stop the HIV epidemic: Provision of free diagnostic facilities; attention on prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV (PPTCT) services; prevention, diagnosis and management of opportunistic infections including management of co-infections such as tuberculosis (TB).
Objectives of India’s National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) phase 5 by 2025
Ambitious 95-95-95 Targets: The NACP phase 5 sets ambitious targets known as the 95-95-95 targets, aligned with global targets agreed upon by UNAIDS. These targets aim for:
- 95% of all people living with HIV to know their HIV status.
- 95% of all people diagnosed with HIV infection to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART).
- 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy to achieve viral suppression.
- These targets are aligned with global targets agreed by the UNAIDS.
Challenges
- Delayed Enrolment to ART Facilities: Late presentation poses challenges to timely initiation of treatment and optimal disease management.
- Missed doses : Patients often start feeling better after initiating ART, leading to missed doses or discontinuation of treatment that lead to drug resistance
Measures
- Sustained Supply and Availability of ART: Ensuring consistent and uninterrupted access to ART drugs across all regions of the country
- Private Sector Engagement: Enhancing engagement with the private sector in the care of PLHIV .
- Training and Capacity Building: Continuous training and capacity building of healthcare staff are essential to ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Integration with Other Health Programs: Strengthening integration with other health programs, such as hepatitis, non-communicable diseases (NCDs
Conclusion
India’s ART initiative, launched in 2004, has been pivotal in combating HIV/AIDS. With evolving criteria, rapid initiation policies, and ambitious targets, challenges persist, but measures like sustained supply, private sector engagement, and training are being implemented.
Mains PYQ
Q What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? ( UPSC IAS/2021)
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