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Type: PIB

  • Coronavirus – Health and Governance Issues

    [pib] Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH) Program

    2 May 2020 | PIB | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: GS2-13.Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: YASH Program

    Mains level: NA

    National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) has launched a programme on health and risk communication ‘Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH)’ with focus on COVID-19.

    There are various initiatives named with Hindi acronyms. YASH is newer among them. It is very unlikely to frame a prelim question on it. Still, we should know it for the sake of general awareness.

    YASH Program

    • YASH is a comprehensive and effective science and health communication effort for promoting grass-root level appreciation and response to health.
    • The current pandemic scenario has posed concerns and challenges all around, where scientific awareness and health preparedness play a significant role to help combat the situation.
    • This requires translation and usage of authentic scientific information to convey the risks involved and facilitates communities to overcome the situation.
    • The programme will encompass the development of science, health, and risk communication software, publications, audio-visual, digital platforms, folk performances, trained communicators, especially in regional languages to cater to various cross-sections of the society in the country.
    • It would help to save and shaping the lives of people at large, as well as build confidence, inculcate a scientific temper and promote health consciousness among them.

    Activities under YASH

    • The programme is aimed at minimizing risks at all levels with the help of public communication and outreach activities.
    • It would promote public understanding of common minimum science for community care and health safety measures like personal sanitation and hygiene, physical distancing, maintaining desired collective behaviour and so on.
    • It also includes information dissemination mechanisms to reduce the fear of risks and build confidence with necessary understanding for adopting sustainable healthy lifestyles and nurturing scientific culture among masses and societies.

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  • Agricultural Sector and Marketing Reforms – eNAM, Model APMC Act, Eco Survey Reco, etc.

    [pib] Kisan Sabha App to Connect Farmers to Supply Chain and Freight Transportation

    2 May 2020 | PIB | Agriculture
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-06.Storage, transport and marketing of Agricultural produce and issues and related constraints

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Kisan Sabha App and its purpose

    Mains level: Technology intervention for supply-chain dynamics of farm produces in India

    Kisan Sabha App developed by CSIR to connect farmers to supply chain and freight transportation management system was recently launched.

    Initiatives as such are less likely to be asked in the prelims as the name and purpose create no different analogy. But for the sake of information and mains perspective, it is vital to remember such technology interventions while emphasizing on Agricultural marketing reforms.

    Kisan Sabha App

    • Kisan Sabha aims to provide the most economical and timely logistics support to the farmers and increase their profit margins by minimizing the interference of middlemen and directly connecting with the institutional buyers.
    • It will also help in providing the best market rates of crops by comparing nearest mandis, booking of freight vehicle at the cheapest cost thereby giving maximum benefit to the farmers.
    • The portal connects the farmers, transporters, Service providers (like pesticides/ fertilizer/ dealers, cold store and warehouse owner), mandi dealers, customers and other related entities for a timely and effective solution.
    • The app has 6 major modules taking care of Farmers/Mandi Dealers/Transporters/Mandi Board Members/ Service Providers/Consumers.

    Facilities provided by the app

    • The portal acts as a single stop for every entity related to agriculture, be they a farmer who needs better price for the crops or mandi dealer who wants to connect to more farmers or truckers who invariably go empty from the mandis.
    • It provides a platform for people who want to buy directly from the farmers.
    • It would also prove to be useful for those associated with cold store(s) or godown(s).

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  • ISRO Missions and Discoveries

    [pib] Earth’s Magnetosphere and its dynamics

    1 May 2020 | PIB | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Earths magnetosphere

    Mains level: Earths magnetosphere and its significance for space missions

    Scientists at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have developed a generalized one-dimensional fluid simulation code capable of studying a wide spectrum of coherent electric field structures of earth’s magnetosphere which can be useful in the planning of future space missions.

    The newscard talks of not so new phenomenon but a basic terminology of space sciences. Kindly make a note of what the Magnotesphere is, how it is formed, role of solar winds, Geodynamo etc.

    Earth’s Magnetosphere

    • The magnetosphere is the region of space surrounding Earth where the dominant magnetic field is the magnetic field of Earth, rather than the magnetic field of interplanetary space.
    • It is generated by the interaction of the solar wind with Earth’s magnetic field.

    Features of the Earth’s magnetosphere

    1) Bow shock,

    2) Magnetosheath,

    3) Magnetopause,

    4) Northern tail lobe,

    5) Southern tail lobe,

    6) Plasmasphere,

    7) Solar wind.

    How is it formed?

    • Sun is the major source of plasma deposition in space around the Earth. Sun forces some of its plasma towards the earth in the form of the solar wind.
    • The speed of this wind varies between 300 to 1500 km/s, which carries with it solar magnetic field, called as Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF).
    • The magnetic field is generated by electric currents due to the motion of convection currents of a mixture of molten iron and nickel in the Earth’s outer core.
    • These convection currents are caused by heat escaping from the core, a natural process called a geodynamo.

    Why study the magnetosphere?

    • The Earth’s magnetosphere is a vast region which has a finite number of satellites hurtling through this realm.
    • The morphology of the plasma processes around the satellite can be understood quite well.
    • However, when they leave the observational domain of one satellite to enter into another, a vast blind arena is created.
    • How the morphology of these processes changes over space and time can be ideally deciphered only through computer simulations.

    Outcome of the study

    • Almost 99% of matter in the universe is in the form of plasma, Earth’s magnetosphere, too, contains this material and the plasma.
    • They have the ability to hamper the working of a number of satellites that have been placed in orbit in the magnetospheric region.

    Significance

    • Apart from the well being of these expensive satellites, the academic understanding of this region is quite essential to comprehend the cosmos in its entirety.
    • The study will help advance the knowledge of plasma waves, instabilities, and coherent effects associated with wave-particle interactions that are useful in planning of future space missions.
    • It can also lead to precisely controlled fusion laboratory experiments for ever-expanding energy needs of humanity.

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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    [pib] HCARD robot to assist frontline COVID-19 healthcare warriors

    30 April 2020 | PIB | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: HCARD

    Mains level: Technology assistance for COVID-19 containment

    HCARD, a robot, to assist frontline COVID-19 healthcare warriors has been developed by a CSIR lab.

    It is very unlikely to create a prelim question on HCARD. However, developments as such help in exemplifying the scientific developments which helped contain such highly contagious outbreaks.

    What is HCARD?

    • The robotic device HCARD, an acronym for Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device, can help frontline healthcare workers in maintaining physical distance from those infected by the coronavirus.
    • The device is equipped with various state-of-the-art technologies and works both in automatic as well as manual modes of navigation.
    • This robot can be controlled and monitored by a nursing booth with a control station having such features as navigation, drawer activation for providing medicines and food to patients, sample collection and audio-visual communication.
    • The cost of this device is less than Rs 5 lakh and the weight is less than 80 kilograms.

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  • ISRO Missions and Discoveries

    [pib] Super-luminous Supernova SN 2010kd

    24 April 2020 | PIB | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Supernovae

    Mains level: Not Much

    Indian researchers have found that SN 2010kd, a super-luminous supernova stands out with the amount of mass as well as Nickel ejected during explosion.

    Space science-related terms these days are often focused on Gravitational waves, Black holes etc. But basic terminologies are very important and need to be taken care of. For example, a layman may hardly find any difference between Novae-Supernovae, Neutron star, Nebula etc. UPSC often tries to bust you with such basic differences.

    What are Supernovae?

    • Supernovae are kind of energetic explosions were the core of massive stars (a few times to that of the mass of our Sun) goes to a catastrophic phase of explosion liberating huge amounts of energy and mass.
    • These events are visible through very far away distances much beyond our own solar system.
    • Super-luminous supernovae are a special type of stellar explosions having energy output 10 or more times higher than that of standard supernovae.

    What is so distinct about SN 2010kd?

    • The mass ejection from SN 2010kd is metallic and is much more than seen in case of normal core-collapse supernovae.
    • The scientists found that SN 2010kd exploded with a larger velocity but decayed slower than other similar supernovae.
    • The observations show that parameters like rotation and metallicity play a crucial role in stellar explosions.

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  • Fertilizer Sector reforms – NBS, bio-fertilizers, Neem coating, etc.

    [pib] Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates and its fixation

    23 April 2020 | PIB | Agriculture
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-08.Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and MSP

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: NBS schemes

    Mains level: NBS scheme and its benefits

    Union Cabinet has approved fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for the year 2020-21.

     

    Fertilizer subsidy  accounts for large fiscal subsidies (about 0.73 lakh crore or 0.5 per cent of GDP), the second-highest after food.  We can expect a question like – “Discuss the role of NBS in ensuring land fertility and farm productivity in India.”

     

    About Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme

    • The NBS Scheme for fertilizer was initiated in the year 2010 and is being implemented by the Department of Fertilizers.
    • Government is making available fertilizers, Urea and 21 grades of P&K fertilizers to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers/importers.

    What NBS provides?

    • The scheme allows the manufacturers, marketers, and importers to fix the MRP of the Phosphatic and Potash fertilizers at reasonable levels.
    • The MRP will be decided considering the domestic and international prices of P&K fertilizers, inventory level in the country and the exchange rates.
    • The NBS ensures that adequate quantity of P&K is made available to the farmers at a statutory controlled price.

    Fertilizers covered

    • Under this, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on an annual basis is provided on each grade of subsidized Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, except for Urea based on the nutrient content present in them.
    • It is largely for secondary nutrients like N, P, S and K and micronutrients which are very important for crop growth and development.
    • In India, urea is the only controlled fertilizer and is sold at a statutory notified uniform sale price.

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  • Primary and Secondary Education – RTE, Education Policy, SEQI, RMSA, Committee Reports, etc.

    [pib] VidyaDaan 2.0 Programme for e-learning content contributions

    23 April 2020 | PIB | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: GS2-13.Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: VidyaDaan initiative

    Mains level: Various e-learning initiaitves

    The Union HRD Ministry has e-launched VidyaDaan 2.0 program for inviting e-learning content contributions.

    There are various web/portals/apps with peculiar names such as YUKTI, DISHA, SWAYAM etc. Their core purpose is similar with slight differences. Pen them down on a separate sheet under the title various digital HRD initiatives.

    Add one more to this list.

    VidyaDaan

    • ‘Vidya Daan’ is a digital program to enable contributions to improve teaching & learning.
    • It encourages the sharing of high quality, curated, relevant & curriculum-linked digital content.
    • This program attempts to synergize countrywide developments in the field of education by providing schools all over India, from the Metro cities to the smallest villages with good quality e-content.

    How does it work?

    • VidyaDaan has a content contribution tool that provides a structured interface for the contributors to register and contribute different types of content (such as, explanation videos, presentations, competency-based items, quizzes etc.), for any grade (from grade 1 to 12), for any subject as specified by the states/UTs.

    About phase 2.0

    • The programme has been re-launched due to the increasing requirement for e-learning content for students especially in the backdrop of the situation arising out of COVID- 19.

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  • Coronavirus – Health and Governance Issues

    [pib] ‘COVID India Seva’ platform for citizen engagement on COVID-19

    22 April 2020 | PIB | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: GS2-13.Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: COVID India Seva

    Mains level: Coronovirus outbreak and its mitigation

    The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched the COVID India Seva platform to establish a direct channel of communication with millions of Indians amid the pandemic.

    We can take this initiative as an example while answering mains questions like – “India’s fight against Coronavirus pandemic is a public movement at large. Discuss.”

    COVID India Seva

    • This initiative is aimed at enabling transparent e-governance delivery in real-time and answering citizen queries swiftly, at scale, especially in crisis situations like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Through this, people can pose queries @CovidIndiaSeva and get them responded to in almost real time.
    • @CovidIndiaSeva works off a dashboard at the backend that helps process large volumes of tweets, converts them into resolvable tickets, and assigns them to the relevant authority for real-time resolution.
    • The dedicated account will be accessible to people be it local or national in their scope.
    • The Ministry will respond to broader queries and public health information. This does not require the public to share personal contact details or health record details.

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  • FDI in Indian economy

    Amendment in the FDI Policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies

    21 April 2020 | PIB | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-12.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: FDI in India

    Mains level: Features of India's FDI Policy

    The Government of India has reviewed the extant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19.

    Context

    • The Indian policy revision is meant for sectors and enterprises other than defence, space, atomic energy and sectors and activities “prohibited for foreign investment”.
    • It was understood that the Indian decision was a response to the news of an incremental purchase of shares in HDFC by the People’s Bank of China.

    FDI is an all-season hot topic for both prelims as well as mains. Reading the newscard will make you aware of its scope. We can expect a mains question like –  Recent amendment in the FDI Policy aims for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies. Elucidate.

    Background

    FDI in India

    • Foreign investment was introduced in 1991 under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), driven by then FM Manmohan Singh.
    • There are two routes by which India gets FDI.
    1. Automatic route: By this route, FDI is allowed without prior approval by Government or RBI.
    2. Government route: Prior approval by the government is needed via this route. The application needs to be made through Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal, which will facilitate single-window clearance of FDI application under Approval Route.
    • India imposes a cap on equity holding by foreign investors in various sectors, current FDI in aviation and insurance sectors is limited to a maximum of 49%.
    • In 2015 India overtook China and the US as the top destination for the Foreign Direct Investment.

    What is the amendment about?

    • The govt. has amended para 3.1.1 of extant FDI policy as contained in Consolidated FDI Policy, 2017.
    • In the event of the transfer of ownership of any existing or future FDI in an entity in India, directly or indirectly, resulting in the beneficial ownership, such subsequent change in beneficial ownership will also require Government approval.

    The present position and revised position in the matters will be as under:

    Present Position

    • A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited.
    • However, a citizen of Bangladesh or an entity incorporated in Bangladesh can invest only under the Government route.
    • Further, a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan can invest, only under the Government route, in sectors/activities other than defence, space, atomic energy and sectors/activities prohibited for foreign investment.

    Revised Position

    • A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited.

    [spot the difference]

    • However, an entity of a country, which shares a land border with India or where the beneficial owner of investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the Government route.
    • Further, a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan can invest, only under the Government route, in sectors/activities other than defence, space, atomic energy and sectors/activities prohibited for foreign investment.

    In response to China

    • China accused that India’s recently adopted policy goes against the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
    • It tends to violate WTO’s principle of non-discrimination, and go against the general trend of liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment.

    Impact

    • The amended policy brings every kind of Chinese investors to India within the ambit of government approval reducing the space for private business negotiations.
    • The decision would face difficulties, especially if the government tried to attribute nationality to venture capital funds.

    Back2Basics: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

    • An FDI is an investment in the form of a controlling ownership in a business in one country by an entity based in another country.
    • It is thus distinguished from a foreign portfolio investment by a notion of direct control.
    • FDI may be made either “inorganically” by buying a company in the target country or “organically” by expanding the operations of an existing business in that country.
    • Broadly, FDI includes “mergers and acquisitions, building new facilities, reinvesting profits earned from overseas operations, and intra company loans”.
    • In a narrow sense, it refers just to building a new facility, and lasting management interest.

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  • UDAY Scheme for Discoms

    [pib] Draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020

    21 April 2020 | Bills/Act/LawsPIB | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-13.Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc:

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Not Much

    Mains level: Highlights of the policy

    The Ministry of Power has issued a draft proposal for amendment of Electricity Act, 2003 in the form of the draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

    Draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2020

    Major amendments proposed in the Electricity Act are as follows:

    Viability of DISCOMs

    • Cost reflective Tariff: To eliminate the tendency of some Commissions to provide for regulatory assets, it is being provided that the Commissions shall determine tariffs that are reflective of  cost so as to enable Discoms to recover their costs.
    • Direct Benefit Transfer: It is proposed that tariff be determined by Commissions without taking into account the subsidy, which will be given directly by the government to the consumers.

    Sanctity of Contracts

    • Establishment of Electricity Contract Enforcement Authority:  Such an authority headed by a retired Judge of the High Court is proposed to be set-up with powers of the Civil Court to enforce performance of contracts related to purchasing or sale or transmission of power between a generating, distribution or transmission companies.
    • Establishment of adequate Payment Security Mechanism for scheduling of electricity: It is proposed to empower Load Dispatch Centres to oversee the establishment of adequate payment security mechanism before scheduling dispatch of electricity, as per contracts.

    Strengthening the regulatory regime

    • Strengthening of the Appellate Tribunal (APTEL): It proposed to increase the strength of APTEL to seven apart from the Chairperson so that multiple benches can be set-up to facilitate quick disposal of cases.
    • Doing away with multiple Selection Committees: It is proposed to have one Selection Committee for selection of Chairpersons and Members of the Central and State Commissions and uniform qualifications for appointments of Chairperson and Members.
    • Penalties: In order to ensure compliance of the provisions of the Electricity Act and orders of the Commission, section 142 and section 146 of the Electricity Act are proposed to be amended to provide for higher penalties.

    Renewable and Hydro Energy

    • National Renewable Energy Policy: It is proposed to provide for a policy document for the development and promotion of generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy. It is also proposed that a minimum percentage of purchase of electricity from hydro sources of energy is to be specified by the Commissions.
    • Penalties: It is being further proposed to levy penalties for non-fulfilment of obligation to buy electricity from renewable and/or hydro sources of energy.

    Miscellaneous

    • Cross border trade in Electricity: Provisions have been added to facilitate and develop trade in electricity with other countries.
    • Franchisees and Distribution sub licensees: It is proposed to provide that the Distribution Companies, if they so desire, may engage Franchisees or Sub-Distribution Licensees to distribute electricity on its behalf in a particular area within its area of supply. However, it will be the DISCOM which shall be the licensee, and therefore, ultimately responsible for ensuring quality distribution of electricity in its area of supply.

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