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Type: Prelims Only

  • What is New Umbrella Entity (NUE) Network?


    umbrella

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is said to have put on hold licensing of the New Umbrella Entity (NUE) network, a fintech institution planned as a rival to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

    Why in news?

    • Six groupings, which included Facebook, Google, Amazon, Flipkart and others, had applied for NUE licences.

    What is New Umbrella Entity (NUE)?

    • NUE is an entity (under the Companies Act 2013) that will manage and operate the new payment system in the retail sector such as ATMs, POS, UPI etc.
    • NUEs will be set up for profit entities that will manage payments in the retail space.
    • These could offer a host of retail payment services, including setting up of ATMs, offering white-label, point of sale terminals, Aadhaar-based payments, remittance services, and develop newer payment methods.
    • They will also manage clearing and settlement systems that could be an alternative to the bank-promoted NPCI.
    • They will be allowed to charge fees for transactions (unlike the existing NPCI).
    • All NUEs will have to be interoperable with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

    Why need NUEs?

    • The NPCI is at the epicentre of the digital payments in the country.
    • RBI has introduced NUEs to end the so-called monopoly of NPCI.
    • The central bank also noted that during the pandemic, with people spending more time at home the usage of e-commerce has increased, and there’s been a significant rise in the incidence of internet fraud, cyber-crimes.

    If NPCI is doing its job well, then why NUE?

    • 48% of all electronic retail payments in the country pass through the NPCI infrastructure.
    • RBI’s concern stems from having the operations of so much of the country’s payment system concentrated in one entity.

    How will NUE aid Consumers?

    • With the introduction of NUEs, options for payment will increase for users.
    • This will result in more competition and eventually help boost transaction volumes for both platforms as e-commerce expands and reaches deeper into India’s unbanked hinterland.
    • In the World Bank’s most recent report on financial inclusion in 2017, some 190 million Indians did not have a bank account and more than half did not make or receive digital payments.
    • Customers who face frequent sever transaction due to server overload currently have few options.
    • In the new regime, they’ll be able to try the other platform.

    What about Data Safety?

    • Compliance as far as data safety and privacy is concerned holds good for all and sundry in the payments and banking space.
    • Every entity involved in payments and settlement have to follow the same set of rules.
    • RBI already have a new set of guidelines on “Regulation of Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways” .
    • It ensures that neither the authorised Payment Aggregators (PAs) nor the merchants on-boarded by them can store customer card credentials within their database or server to avoid data breaches and potential abuse.

    Will NUEs replace NPCI?

    • NUEs will co-exist with NPCI to strengthen the payment infrastructure network.
    • A robust and resilient infrastructure is needed to ensure the government’s ambitious target of one billion digital transactions per day is achieved.
    • NUEs will not replace but complement NPCI in taking India’s digital payment success story to new heights.
    • By establishing a neutral and independent standards-setting body, we can make sure that the system as a whole in our country evolves in the best traditions of digital infrastructure adopted anywhere in the world.

     

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  • Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya

    This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in TH.

    Living Root Bridges

    root

    • A living root bridge is a type of simple suspension bridge formed of living plant roots by tree shaping.
    • They are common in the southern part of the Northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. Such a bridge is locally called jingkieng jri.
    • They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees (Ficus elastic) by the Khasi and Jaintia peoples of the mountainous terrain along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau.
    • Most of the bridges grow on steep slopes of subtropical moist broadleaf forest between 50m and 1150m above sea level.

    Why is it so unique?

    • As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the roots in the bridge can naturally grow thick and strengthen.
    • New roots can grow throughout the tree’s life and must be pruned or manipulated to strengthen the bridge.
    • Once mature some bridges can have as many as 50 or more people crossing, and have a lifespan of up to 150 years.

     

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  • Superconductivity in Mercury

    mercury

    This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in TH.

    What is a superconductor?

    • A superconductor is defined as a substance that offers no resistance to the electric current when it becomes colder than a critical temperature.
    • Some of the popular examples of superconductors are aluminium, magnesium diboride, niobium, copper oxide, yttrium barium and iron pnictides.

    How mercury becomes superconductor?

    • In 1911, Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes discovered superconductivity in mercury.
    • He found that at a very low temperature, called the threshold temperature, solid mercury offers no resistance to the flow of electric current.

    How is mercury capable of achieving superconductivity?

    Ans. Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory

    • Scientists classified mercury as a conventional superconductor because its superconductivity could be explained by the concepts of Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory.
    • While scientists have used the BCS theory to explain superconductivity in various materials, they have never fully understood how it operates in mercury — the oldest superconductor.
    • The researchers used state-of-the-art theoretical and computational approaches and found that all physical properties relevant for conventional superconductivity are anomalous in some respect in mercury.

    How BCS explains it?

    • In BCS superconductors, vibrational energy released by the grid of atoms encourages electrons to pair up, forming so-called Cooper pairs.
    • These Copper pairs can move like water in a stream, facing no resistance to their flow, below a threshold temperature.
    • By including certain factors that physicists had previously side-lined, the group’s calculations led to a clearer picture of how superconductivity emerges in mercury.
    • For example, when the researchers accounted for the relationship between an electron’s spin and momentum, they could explain why mercury has such a low threshold temperature (around –270°C).

    Coulomb repulsion and Mercury

    • Similarly, the group found that one electron in each pair in mercury occupied a higher energy level than the other.
    • This detail reportedly lowered the Coulomb repulsion (like charges repel) between them and nurtured superconductivity.
    • Thus, the group has explained how mercury becomes a superconductor below its threshold temperature.
    • Their methods and findings suggest that we could have missed similar anomalous effects in other materials, leading to previously undiscovered ones that can be exploited for new and better real-world applications.

     

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  • Ottanthullal Artform of Kerala

    ottanthullal

    A renowned folk artist has expressed his angst over the fading participation of students in Ottanthullal Artform.

    What is Ottanthullal?

    • Ottanthullal (or Thullal, in short) is recite-and-dance art-form of Kerala.
    • It was introduced in the 18th century by the famous Malayalam poet Kunchan Nambiar (1705 – 1770).
    • It is famous for its humour and social satire, and marked by its simplicity as opposed to more complex dance-forms like Kathakali and Koodiyattam.

    Unique features

    • Ottanthullal follows the classical principles of Natyasasthra (a treatise on art compiled in the 2nd century B.C.E).
    • It is enacted into three separate versions
    1. Ottanthullal
    2. Seethankan thullal
    3. Parayan thullal
    • The Ottanthullal is the most popular among the three varieties of Thullal.

    How is it performed?

    • The performance uses elaborate expressions and stories recited in verses to bring important mythological tales and stories to life.
    • The costume and makeup of the performer are similar to that of a Kathakali artist.
    • It is performed at temple festivals and cultural programmes.
    • The performer is supported by a singer who repeats the verses and is accompanied by an orchestra of mridangam or thoppimaddalam (percussions) and cymbals.

     

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  • Sagol Kangjei: Ancient Polo of Manipur

    sagol kangjei

    It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur.

    Sagol Kangjei

    • Modern polo is said to have originated from Sagol Kangjei, a sport indigenous to Manipur.
    • In this players ride horses, specifically the Manipur Ponies, which are referenced in records dating back to the 14th century.

    Conserving the breed: Manipur Pony

    • The Manipur Pony is one of five recognised equine breeds of India, and has a powerful cultural significance for Manipuri society.
    • The pony has been indispensable with Manipuri society for its socio-cultural association for centuries.
    • Its antecedents, however, are not clear, as one source stated Tibetan ponies as its ancestors while another source stated its origin to be a cross between Mongolian wild horse & Arabian.
    • The 17th Quinquennial Livestock Census 2003 had recorded 1,898 Manipur Ponies; the number fell to 1,101 in the 19th Quinquennial Livestock Census in 2012.

     

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  • What is Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)?

    India’s Services sector reported a sharp growth with Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surging to 58.5 last month from 56.4 in November 2022.

    Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)

    • PMI is an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and services sectors.
    • It is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before.
    • It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed.
    • The PMI is compiled by IHS Markit based on responses to questionnaires sent to purchasing managers in a panel of around 400 manufacturers.

    How is the PMI derived?

    • The PMI is derived from a series of qualitative questions.
    • Executives from a reasonably big sample, running into hundreds of firms, are asked whether key indicators such as output, new orders, business expectations and employment were stronger than the month before and are asked to rate them.

    How does one read the PMI?

    • A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business activity. Anything below 50 denotes contraction.
    • Higher the difference from this mid-point greater the expansion or contraction. The rate of expansion can also be judged by comparing the PMI with that of the previous month data.
    • If the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the economy is expanding at a faster rate.
    • If it is lower than the previous month then it is growing at a lower rate.

    What are its implications for the economy?

    • The PMI is usually released at the start of the month, much before most of the official data on industrial output, manufacturing and GDP growth becomes available.
    • It is, therefore, considered a good leading indicator of economic activity.
    • Economists consider the manufacturing growth measured by the PMI as a good indicator of industrial output, for which official statistics are released later.
    • Central banks of many countries also use the index to help make decisions on interest rates.

     

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  • Reserve Bank Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RBIOS)

    Issues related to ATM/debit cards and mobile/electronic banking were the top grounds of complaints received at the Office of Banking Ombudsman (OBO).

    Why in news?

    • Of these, 3,04,496 complaints were handled by the 22 Offices of RBI Ombudsman (ORBIOs), including the complaints received under the three erstwhile Ombudsman Schemes till November 11, 2021.
    • Complaints related to ATM/ debit cards were the highest at 14.6% of the total, followed by mobile/ electronic banking at 13.6%.
    • About 90% of the total complaints were received through digital modes, including on the online Complaint Management System (CMS) portal.
    • Majority 66.1% of the maintainable complaints were resolved through mutual settlement/ conciliation/ mediation.

    Banking Ombudsman Scheme

    • The Banking Ombudsman Scheme is an expeditious and inexpensive forum for bank customers for resolution of complaints relating to certain services rendered by banks.
    • It is introduced under Section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 by RBI with effect from 1995.
    • Presently the Banking Ombudsman Scheme 2006 (As amended upto July 1, 2017) is in operation.
    • All Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Primary Co-operative Banks are covered under the Scheme.
    • As per the present regulations, the ombudsman redressal is allowed for complaints where the compensation amount for any loss suffered by the complainant is limited to Rs 20 lakh.
    • Under the RBI-OS, 2021, following the ‘One Nation, One Ombudsman’ principle, the territorial jurisdictions have been abrogated, and complaints are assigned to all the ombudsmen by the CMS.

    What about other sectors?

    • The Reserve Bank Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RBIOS) amalgamates three ombudsman scheme of RBI – banking ombudsman scheme of 2006, ombudsman scheme for NBFCs of 2018 and ombudsman scheme of digital transactions of 2019.
    • The unified ombudsman scheme will provide redress of customer complaints involving deficiency in services if the grievance is not resolved to the satisfaction of the customers or not replied within a period of 30 days.
    • The new scheme also includes non-scheduled primary co-operative banks with a deposit size of Rs 50 crore and above.
    • The integrated scheme makes it a “One Nation One Ombudsman’ approach and jurisdiction neutral.

     

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  • What are Black Carbon Aerosols?

    black carbon

    Black carbon aerosols have indirectly affected the mass gain of the Tibetan Plateau glaciers by changing long-range water vapour transport from the South Asian monsoon region, a study has found.

    What are Black Carbon Aerosols?

    • Black Carbon (BC) aerosol, often called soot, is the dominant form of light absorbing particulate matter in the atmosphere.
    • They are emitted by incomplete combustion processes, both human (e.g., diesel engines) and natural (e.g., wildfire).
    • Its ability to absorb visible and infrared radiation means BC can heat the atmosphere and darken surfaces, specifically snow and ice.
    • These effects have important consequences on earth’s climate and climate change.
    • BC may also have adverse impacts on human health. Unlike long-lived greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, BC is removed from the atmosphere in 1-2 weeks, so its impacts tend to be more regional rather than global.

    Deposition over Himalayas

    • The South Asia region adjacent to the Tibetan Plateau has among the highest levels of black carbon emission in the world.
    • Many studies have emphasised black carbon aerosols from South Asia can be transported across the Himalayas to the inland region of the Tibetan Plateau.

    Impact on glaciers melting

    • Black carbon deposition in snow reduces the albedo of surfaces — a measure of how much of Sun’s radiations are reflected.
    • This accelerates the melting of glaciers and snow cover, thus changing the hydrological process and water resources in the region.
    • They heat up the middle and upper atmosphere, thus increasing the North-South temperature gradient.
    • As a result, precipitation in the central and the southern Tibetan Plateau decreases during the monsoon, especially in the southern Tibetan Plateau.
    • The decrease in precipitation further leads to a decrease of mass gain of glaciers.
    • From 2007 to 2016, the reduced mass gain by precipitation decrease accounted for 11% of the average glacier mass loss on the Tibetan Plateau and 22.1% in the Himalayas.

     

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  • Who was Savitribai Phule?

    phule

    Recently, 192nd birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, w/o Jyotiba Phule (the pioneer of Satyashodhak Samaj) was celebrated.

    Who was Savitribai Phule?

    • A Dalit woman from the Mali community, Savitribai was born on January 3, 1831, in Maharashtra’s Naigaon village.
    • Married off at the age of 10, her husband Jyotirao Phule is said to have educated her at home.
    • Later, Jyotirao admitted Savitribai to a teachers’ training institution in Pune.
    • Throughout their life, the couple supported each other and in doing so, broke many social barriers.

    Pioneering first school for girls in India

    • At a time when it was considered unacceptable for women to even attain education, the couple went on to open a school for girls in Bhidewada, Pune, in 1848.
    • This became the country’s first girls’ school.

    Opposition to Phules’ schools

    • The Phules opened more such schools for girls, Shudras and Ati-Shudras (the backward castes and Dalits, respectively) in Pune.
    • This led to discontent among Indian nationalists like Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
    • They opposed the setting up of schools for girls and non-Brahmins, citing a “loss of nationality”, and believing not following the caste rules would mean a loss of nationality itself.
    • Savitribai herself faced great animosity from the upper castes, including instances of physical violence.
    • When serving as the headmistress of the first school in Bhide Wada, upper-caste men often pelted stones and threw mud and cow dung on her.

    Phule’s role as a social reformer, beyond education

    • Infanticide prevention: Along with Jyotirao, Savitribai started the Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha (‘Home for the Prevention of Infanticide’) for pregnant widows facing discrimination.
    • Child adoption: The Phules also adopted Yashwantrao, the child of a widow, whom they educated to become a doctor.
    • Reforms in marriages: Savitribai Phule also advocated inter-caste marriages, widow remarriage, and eradication of child marriage, sati and dowry systems, among other social issues.
    • Denouncing Brahmanical ritualism: As an extension, they started ‘Satyashodhak Marriage’ – a rejection of Brahmanical rituals where the marrying couple takes a pledge to promote education and equality.
    • Bubonic plague mitigation: Savitribai became involved in relief work during the 1896 famine in Maharashtra and the 1897 Bubonic plague. She herself contracted the disease while taking a sick child to the hospital, and breathed her last on March 10, 1897.

    Savitribai’s literary works

    • Savitribai Phule published her first collection of poems, called Kavya Phule (‘Poetry’s Blossoms’), at the age of 23 in 1854.
    • She published Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (‘The Ocean of Pure Gems’), in 1892.
    • Besides these works, Matushri Savitribai Phulenchi Bhashane va Gaani (Savitribai Phule’s speeches and songs’), and her letters to her husband have also been published.

     

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  • Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Project

    nilgiri tahr

    The Tamil Nadu government launched an initiative for the conservation of the Nilgiri Tahr, the State animal.

    Nilgiri Tahr

    IUCN Conservation Status: Endangered

    Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I

    • It is endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portion of the Western Ghats in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in Southern India.
    • It is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
    • The Nilgiri tahr inhabits the open montane grassland habitat of the South Western Ghats montane rain forests eco-region.
    • At elevations from 1,200 to 2,600 metres (3,900 to 8,500 ft), the forests open into grasslands interspersed with pockets of stunted forests, locally known as sholas.
    • Eravikulam National Park is home to the largest population of this Tahr.
    • It is estimated that there are 3,122 Nilgiri Tahrs in the wild. It has become locally extinct in around 14% of its traditional shola forest-grassland habitat.

     

    Nilgiri Tahr Conservation Project

    • Under The Nilgiri Tahr project, TN government plans to develop a better understanding of the Nilgiri Tahr population through-
    1. Surveys and radio telemetry studies;
    2. Reintroduce the Tahrs to their historical habitat;
    3. Address proximate threats; and
    4. Increase public awareness of the species.
    • The project is to be implemented from 2022 to 2027.
    • Furthermore, October 7 will be celebrated as ‘Niligiri Tahr Day’ in honour of E.R.C. Davidar, who was responsible for pioneering one of the first studies of the species in 1975.

    Historic significance of Nilgiri Tahr

    • There are multiple references to the Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Sangam literature dating back to 2,000 years.
    • The late Mesolithic (10,000-4,000 BC) paintings highlight the significance of the Tahr in folklore, culture and life.
    • It was designated as the State animal in recognition of its ecological and cultural significance.

     

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