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Type: PIB

  • Port Infrastructure and Shipping Industry – Sagarmala Project, SDC, CEZ, etc.

    International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

    PIB | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: MARPOL

    Mains level: Maritime pollution control and its international mechanism

    The Ministry of Shipping has informed about the steps taken for prevention and control of pollution arising from ships in the sea and in the inland waterways under the MARPOL Convention.

    Aspirants must note the following things:

    1. If the convention is a subsidiary to the United Nations/IMO,

    2. Whether it is Legally binding?

    3. If India is a signatory or not …..

    MARPOL Convention

    • MARPOL is the main international convention aimed at the prevention of pollution from ships caused by operational or accidental causes.
    • The Protocol of 1978 was adopted in response to a number of tanker accidents in 1976–1977.
    • It is one of the most important international marine environmental conventions.
    • It was developed by the IMO with an objective to minimize pollution of the oceans and seas, including dumping, oil and air pollution.
    • The Convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships – both accidental pollution and that from routine operations – and currently includes six technical Annexes.
    • India is a signatory to MARPOL.
    • It has six annexes (I to VI) and it deals with prevention of (1) Pollution from ships by Oil, (2) Noxious liquid substances, (3) Dangerous goods in packaged form, (4) Sewage, (5) Garbage and (6) Air pollution from ships respectively.

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Rare-earth based Magnetocaloric materials for cancer treatment

    PIB | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: S&T – Applications In Everyday Life

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Magnetocaloric Effect

    Mains level: Magnetocaloric Effect and its application in Cancer treatment

    Indian scientists have developed a rare-earth-based magnetocaloric material that can be effectively used for cancer treatment.

    Magnetocaloric Effect does have other applications like in the field of medical implants but for use in energy field, it is still in nascent stage.

    From exam perspective, do understand what principles lies behind this effect.

    What is Magnetocaloric Effect?

    • Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is a phenomenon where the application and removal of a magnetic field cause certain materials to get warmer and cooler, respectively.
    • This effect normally occurs near its Curie temperature where the application of the field makes the material to warm up and cools up when the field is removed.

    Issue of hyperthermia in cancer treatment

    • Advancements in magnetic materials led to the development of magnetic hyperthermia to try to address the issues of side effects of cancer treatment like chemotherapy.
    • In magnetic hyperthermia, magnetic nanoparticles are subjected to alternating magnetic fields of few Gauss, which produce heat due to magnetic relaxation losses.
    • Usually, the temperature required to kill the tumour cells is between 40 and 45°C.
    • However, the drawback in magnetic hyperthermia is the lack of control of temperature, which may damage the healthy cells in the body and also have side effects like increased BP, hair losses etc.

    Here comes in, Magnetocaloric materials

    • This hypothermia can be avoided by using magnetocaloric materials, as it can provide controlled heating.
    • The advantage of magnetocaloric materials which heat up or cool down with the application and removal of the magnetic field, respectively is that as soon as the magnetic field is removed, the cooling effect is generated.
    • The team at ARCI chose rare-earth-based alloy for studies as some of the rare earth materials are human body compatible.
    • The heating capacity would increase with the increase in the magnetic field.

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  • Policy Wise: India’s Power Sector

    “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings” Initiative

    PIB | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3:

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: EESL, MAITREE

    Mains level: Energy saving and its significance in carbon emissions reduction

    The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has launched the “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings” initiative that will pioneer ways to make workplaces healthier and greener.

    Possible prelims question:

    Q. The MAITREE programme recently seen in news is related to: Trade/Energy Efficiency/Climate Change/ Strategic Relations

    About the Initiative

    • The initiative has been launched by EESL in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) MAITREE program.
    • As part of this initiative, EESL has taken the leadership by being the first to implement this framework in its own offices.
    • This initiative addresses the challenges of retrofitting existing buildings and air conditioning systems so that they are both healthy and energy-efficient.
    • It will pave the way for other buildings to take appropriate steps to be healthy and energy-efficient.

    What is the MAITREE program,?

    • The Market Integration and Transformation Program for Energy Efficiency (MAITREE) is a part of the US-India bilateral Partnership between the Ministry of Power and USAID.
    • It is aimed at accelerating the adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency as a standard practice within buildings and specifically focuses on cooling.

    Significance of the initiative

    • Poor air quality has been a concern in India for quite some time and has become more important in light of the COVID pandemic.
    • As people return to their offices and public spaces, maintaining good indoor air quality is essential for occupant comfort, well-being, productivity and the overall public health.
    • Most buildings in India are not equipped to establish and maintain healthy indoor air quality and need to be upgraded.
    • The EESL office pilot will address this problem by developing specifications for future use in other buildings throughout the country.
    • It will aid in evaluating the effectiveness and cost benefits of various technologies and their short and long-term impacts on air quality, comfort, and energy use.

     Back2Basics: EESL

    • Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of Ministry of Power, is working towards mainstreaming energy efficiency.
    • It is implementing the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio in the country.
    • EESL aims to create market access for efficient and future-ready transformative solutions that create a win-win situation for every stakeholder.
    • About USAID: USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results.

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  • Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.

    The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)

    PIB | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: TULIP

    Mains level: Various employment measures

    The govt. has launched the TULIP program for providing internship opportunities to fresh Graduates in all ULBs & Smart Cities.

    Possible prelims question:

    Q. The TULIP program recently seen in news is related to: HRD/Floriculture/Urban Livelihood etc.

    TULIP

    • TULIP is a portal jointly developed by the Ministry of HRD, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
    • It will help reap the benefits of India’s demographic dividend as it is poised to have the largest working-age population in the world in the coming years.
    • It would help enhance the value-to-market of India’s graduates and help create a potential talent pool in diverse fields like urban planning, transport engineering, environment, municipal finance etc.
    • It will further the Government’s endeavours to boost community partnership and government- academia-industry-civil society linkages.
    • This launch is also an important stepping stone for the fulfillment of MHRD and AICTE’s goal of 1 crore successful internships by the year 2025.

    Why need such a program?

    • India has a substantial pool of technical graduates for whom exposure to real-world project implementation and planning is essential for professional development.
    • General education may not reflect the depth of productive knowledge present in society.
    • Instead of approaching education as ‘doing by learning,’ our societies need to reimagine education as ‘learning by doing.’

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  • Skilling India – Skill India Mission,PMKVY, NSDC, etc.

    SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) Initiative

    PIB | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Issues relating growth and development, employment

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: SWADES

    Mains level: Various employment measures

    The Union Govt. has launched a new initiative SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the returning citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission.

    In the first go, one may get reminded of the SWADESH Darshan Scheme… Please beware! This SWADES initiative has nothing to do with the tourism sector!

    SWADES Initiative

    • SWADES is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of External Affairs.
    • MSDE’s implementation arm National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is supporting the implementation of the project.
    • It aims to create a database of qualified citizens based on their skillsets and experience to tap into and fulfil the demand of Indian and foreign companies.
    • The collected information will be shared with the companies for suitable placement opportunities in the country.
    • The returning citizens are required to fill up an online SWADES Skills Card.
    • The card will facilitate a strategic framework to provide the returning citizens with suitable employment opportunities through discussions with key stakeholders including.

    Data on the returnees

    • Amongst the data gathered so far, the top countries from where the citizens are returning are UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
    • As per the skill mapping, these citizens had been primarily employed in sectors such as oil & gas, construction, tourism & hospitality, Automotive and Aviation.
    • The data also suggests that the States which have shown highest returning labour are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.

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  • Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries Sector – Pashudhan Sanjivani, E- Pashudhan Haat, etc

    Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) for 1.5 crore dairy farmers

    PIB | Agriculture | Mains Paper 3: Economics Of Animal-Rearing

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: KCC scheme

    Mains level: KCC and its outreach

    The Union Govt. is set to provide Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to 1.5 crore dairy farmers belonging to Milk Unions and Milk producing Companies within the next two months under a special drive.

    We can expect multiple statements based prelim question here. Note the following features of the KCC from the newscard:

    1. Year of its introduction (in rarest case)

    2. Types of banks issuing KCC

    3. Credit types extended under KCC

    4. Sectors covered under KCC

    What is Kisan Credit Card (KCC)?

    • KCC is a credit scheme introduced in August 1998 by banks to extend credit facilities to farmers.
    • This model scheme was prepared by the NABARD on the recommendations of R.V. GUPTA committee to provide term loans for agricultural needs
    • Participating institutions include all commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks, and state co-operative banks. The scheme has short term credit limits for crops and term loans.
    • KCC offering credit to the farmers is of two types: 1. Cash Credit 2. Term Credit (for allied activities such as pump sets, land development, plantation, drip irrigations).

    Facilities under KCC

    • Credit card and passbook or credit card cum passbook provided to eligible farmers facilitate revolving cash credit facility.
    • Any number of withdrawals and repayments within a limit, which is fixed on the basis of operational land holding, cropping pattern and scale of finance can be made.
    • Each withdrawal has to be repaid within a maximum period of 12 months and the Card is valid for 3 to 5 years subject to annual review.
    • Conversion/reschedulement of loans is permissible in case of damage to crops due to natural calamities.
    • Crop loans disbursed under KCC Scheme for notified crops are covered under Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana, to protect farmers against loss of crop yield caused by natural calamities, pest attacks etc.

    What’s’ in the bucket for Dairy Farmers?

    • Under the dairy cooperative movement, approximately 1.7 crore farmers are associated with 230 Milk Unions in the country.
    • In the first phase of this campaign, the target is to cover all farmers who are members of dairy cooperative societies and associated with different Milk Unions and who do not have KCC.
    • Although the general limit for KCC credit without collateral is Rs. 1.6 lakh, but for dairy farmers, it can be upto Rs.3 lakh.
    • This will ensure more credit availability for dairy farmers associated with Milk Unions as well as assuring repayment of loans to banks.

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  • Industrial Sector Updates – Industrial Policy, Ease of Doing Business, etc.

    CHAMPIONS Platform to empower MSMEs

    PIB | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: CHAMPIONS Portal

    Mains level: Various moves to boost MSME sector

    Recently PM has launched the technology platform CHAMPIONS as a one-stop-shop solution of MSME Ministry.

    At the very first sight, the name CHAMPIONS creates a delusion. It looks more of an HRD initiative. Here lies the risk! Please cautiously make a personal note here. Demarcate all such initiatives on an A4 page.

    CHAMPIONS Platform

    • CHAMPIONS stand for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength.
    • The portal is basically for making the smaller units big by solving their grievances, encouraging, supporting, helping and handholding.
    • It is a technology-packed control room-cum-management information system.
    • It is also fully integrated on a real-time basis with GOI’s main grievances portal CPGRAMS and MSME Ministry’s own other web-based mechanisms.
    • This ICT based system is set up to help the MSMEs in a present difficult situation and also to handhold them to become national and international champions.

    Detailed objectives

    • Grievance Redressal: To resolve the problems of MSMEs including those of finance, raw materials, labour, regulatory permissions etc particularly in the COVID created a difficult situation;
    • To help them capture new opportunities: including manufacturing of medical equipment and accessories like PPEs, masks, etc and supply them in National and International markets;
    • To identify and encourage the sparks:e. the potential MSMEs who are able to withstand the current situation and can become national and international champions.

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  • Tourism Sector

    Char Dham Project

    PIB | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Char Dham Project

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Chamba Tunnel constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Chardham Project was recently inaugurated.

    Make a note of all projects and circuits under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD Scheme.

    What is the Char Dham Project?

    • The Char Dham project consists of widening and repairing 889-kilometres of national highways leading to revered shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
    • It is a proposed two-lane expresses National Highway with a minimum width of 10 metres in the state of Uttarakhand.
    • The project includes 900 km national highways will connect whole of Uttarakhand state.

    Chamba Tunnel

    • The Chamba tunnel is 440 m long and is a Horseshoe type tunnel with 10-metre carriageway width and 5.5m vertical clearance.
    • The BRO achieved this major milestone by digging up a 440 m long Tunnel below the busy Chamba town on Rishikesh-Dharasu road Highway (NH 94).

    Back2Basics: Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

    • The BRO develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighbouring countries and functions under the Ministry of Defence.
    • It is entrusted for construction of Roads, Bridges, Tunnels, Causeways, Helipads and Airfields along the borders.
    • Officers from the Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) and personnel from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) form the parent cadre of the Border Roads Organisation.
    • It is also staffed by officers and troops drawn from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers on extra regimental employment.
    • The BRO operates and maintains over 32,885 kilometres of roads and about 12,200 meters of permanent bridges in the country.

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  • Zoonotic Diseases: Medical Sciences Involved & Preventive Measures

    [pib] Kangra Tea and its medicinal properties against the coronavirus

    PIBSpecies | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Kangra Tea

    Mains level: Not Much

    The chemicals in Kangra tea are found to be effective in boosting immunity as they can block coronavirus activity better than anti-HIV drugs.

    It would be no surprise to expect a question based on worldwide tea production:

    Q. Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years? (CSP 2019)

    (a) China

    (b) India

    (c) Myanmar

    (d) Vietnam

    Kangra Tea

    • Kangra tea is a tea from the Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, India.
    • Both black tea and green tea have been produced in the Kangra Valley since the mid-19th century.
    • After a feasibility survey in 1848 showed the area of being suitable for tea plantation, a Chinese variety of Camellia sinensis was planted across the region.
    • Kangra tea is known for its unique colour and flavour.
    • The unique characteristics of the tea are attributed to the geographical properties of the region.
    • Kangra tea was given the Geographical Indication status in 2005. Tea was first grown in the Kangra region in the mid-19th century.

    Benefits of Kangra Tea

    • Using computer-based models, the scientists screened 65 bioactive chemicals or polyphenols that could bind to a specific viral protein more efficiently than commercially available anti-HIV drugs approved for treating COVID-19 patients.
    • These chemicals might block the activity of the viral protein that helps the virus to thrive inside human cells.

    Back2Basics: Lopinavir/ Ritonavir

    • Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r), sold under the brand name Kaletra among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
    • It combines lopinavir with a low dose of ritonavir.
    • It is generally recommended for use with other antiretrovirals.

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  • Bharat Emission Standards

    [pib] L7 Quadricycle category for BS VI

    PIB | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: BS norms

    Mains level: Vehicular pollution and PM 2.5

    The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification regarding the emission norms for L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS-VI.

    Practice question for Mains:

    Q. What are Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES)? Discuss how the early implementation of BS-VI norms will help curb vehicular pollution in India.

    What is Quadricycle Vehicle verification?

    • The quadricycle is a European Union vehicle category for four-wheeled microcars, which allows these vehicles to be designed to less stringent requirements when compared to regular cars.
    • Quadricycles are defined by limitations in terms of weight, engine power and speed.
    • There are two categories of quadricycles: light quadricycles (L6e) and heavy quadricycles (L7e)

    What are the new notified norms?

    • These norms are applicable from the date of notification.
    • This notification completes the process of BS-VI for all L, M and N category vehicles in India.
    • The emission norms are in line with EU with WMTC cycle.
    • The procedure for testing is laid down in Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 137-Part 9.

    What is the WMTC cycle?

    • The World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC) is a system of driving cycles used to measure fuel consumption and emissions in motorcycles.
    • The methods are stipulated as part of the Global Technical Regulation established under the UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, also known as WP.29.

    Back2Basics:  Bharat Stage Norms

    Standard Reference Date of Implementation
    Bharat Stage II Euro 2 1 April 2005
    Bharat Stage III Euro 3 1 April 2010
    Bharat Stage IV Euro 4 1 April 2017
    Bharat Stage VI Euro 6 April 2020 with a mandate (proposed)

    Minutes of BS-VI

    • Carmakers would have to put three pieces of equipment — a DPF (diesel particulate filter), an SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system, and an LNT (Lean NOx trap) — to meet stringent BS-VI norms, all at the same time.
    • This is vital to curb both PM (particulate matter) and NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions as mandated under the BS-VI norms.

    How is BS-VI Different from BS-IV?

    • The major difference between the existing BS-IV and forthcoming BS-VI norms is the presence of sulphur in the fuel.
    • While the BS-IV fuels contain 50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, the BS-VI grade fuel only has 10 ppm sulphur content.
    • Also, the harmful NOx (nitrogen oxides) from diesel cars can be brought down by nearly 70%.
    • In the petrol cars, they can be reduced by 25%.
    • However, when we talk about air pollution, particulate matter like PM 2.5 and PM 10 are the most harmful components and the BS-VI will bring the cancer-causing particulate matter in diesel cars by a phenomenal 80%.

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