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IASBUZZ Current Affrais IAS CURRENT AFFAIR MAGAZINE
MAY 2017
Brainy IAS
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INDEX
GST “One Country One Tax”. ............................................................................................................................. 6
International Affairs and Global Issues ............................................................................................................ 11
1. The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) ....................................11
2. United Nations Convention Against Torture..................................................................12
3. Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) ..................................................................................13
4. SAARC .............................................................................................................................15
5. India-Afghanistan relations ............................................................................................17
Socio-Political Issues ........................................................................................................................................ 19
6. Farmer’s Suicide .............................................................................................................19
7. Challenges women face on economic empowerment ..................................................20
8. Racism in India................................................................................................................22
Economy........................................................................................................................................................... 24
9. Unemployment policy on the anvil ................................................................................24
10. Scheme For Agro-Marine Processing And Development Of Agro-Processing Clusters
(SAMPADA).....................................................................................................................24
11. Producer price index ......................................................................................................26
12. Rapid Urbanization .........................................................................................................27
13. Forensic auditing ............................................................................................................28
14. Taxing the big farmers....................................................................................................29
15. Public Sector Banks ........................................................................................................30
16. India’s medium-size cities ..............................................................................................31
17. Food security in Kerala ...................................................................................................32
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18. Rail Development Authority (RDA) ................................................................................33
19. Futures Contracts in Agricultural Commodities .............................................................34
20. UDAN – Regional Connectivity Scheme for Civil Aviation..............................................35
21. National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016................................................................................37
22. The draft National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy .................................................................38
23. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) ..............................................................39
24. Farmer FIRST ..................................................................................................................40
25. Mera Gaon-Mera Gaurav ...............................................................................................41
26. Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) ...................................................41
27. STUDENT R.E.A.D.Y .........................................................................................................42
28. Good and Services Tax (GST)..........................................................................................42
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE .............................................................................................................................. 46
29. Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS) ..........................................46
30. Global ranking of Indian universities..............................................................................47
31. New Paradigm in governance ........................................................................................49
32. AADHAR ..........................................................................................................................51
33. Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patients (Protection of Patients and Medical
Practitioners) Bill ............................................................................................................52
34. The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) Underwent a Change ..................53
35. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritava Abhiyan ...............................................................54
36. Accessible India Campaign .............................................................................................55
37. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana ..............................................................................................57
38. The draft ‘Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2017’........................................................58
39. The draft Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2014.........................59
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40. Article 142: Supreme Court’s Curative Power ...............................................................60
Security............................................................................................................................................................. 62
41. Cyber security in India ....................................................................................................62
42. Integrated Theatre Command System ...........................................................................64
43. NSCN-IM and Shared Sovereignty..................................................................................67
44. Development and Kashmir .............................................................................................67
45. Left Extremism ...............................................................................................................68
46. Sukma Attack..................................................................................................................72
47. Ransom ware..................................................................................................................73
Science and Technology ................................................................................................................................... 75
48. Food Fortification ...........................................................................................................75
49. Genetically Modified Crops (GM Crops) ........................................................................76
50. Generic Drugs .................................................................................................................79
51. Xenon Based Electric Propulsion System .......................................................................81
52. Biodegradable Electronics ..............................................................................................82
53. Multidrug-resistant ........................................................................................................83
54. Augmented Reality .........................................................................................................86
Ethics ................................................................................................................................................................ 87
55. Rabindranath Tagore’s idea of “Oneness of humanity” ................................................87
56. Ethics in Social media .....................................................................................................89
Geography, Environment and Ecology ............................................................................................................ 91
57. Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) ........................................................................................91
58. Air pollution in India .......................................................................................................92
59. Heat Wave ......................................................................................................................94
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60. Climate Change: Coastal Areas ......................................................................................96
61. Evergreen Revolution .....................................................................................................98
62. GM Crops ........................................................................................................................99
63. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) ............................................................101
64. Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN)...................102
65. Cattle Genomics ...........................................................................................................103
66. Ocean Acidification ......................................................................................................104
67. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972..............................................................................105
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GST “One Country One Tax”.
What is GST?
It is a destination based tax on consumption of goods and services. It is proposed to be levied at all stages right
from manufacture up to final consumption with credit of taxes paid at previous stages available as setoff. In a
nutshell, only value addition will be taxed.
Benefits of GST-Details
(A) Make in India
i . Will help to create a unified common national market for India, giving a boost to Foreign investment and
“Make in India” campaign;
ii . Will prevent cascading of taxes as Input Tax Credit will be available across goods and services at ever y
stage of supply;
iii . Harmonization of laws, procedures and rates of tax;
iv. It will boost export and manufacturing activity , generate more employment and thus increase GDP with
gainful employment leading to substantive economic growth;
v. Ultimately it will help in poverty eradication by generating more employment and more financial
resources;
vi. More efficient neutralization of t axes especially for exports thereby making our products more
competitive in the international market and give boost to Indian Exports;
vii. Improve the overall investment climate in the country which will naturally benefit the development in
the states;
viii . Uniform SGST and IGST rates will reduce the incentive for evasion by eliminating rate arbitrage between
neighboring States and that between intra and inter-state sales;
ix. Average tax burden on companies is likely to come down which is expected to reduce prices and lower
prices mean more consumption, which in turn means more production thereby helping in the growth of
the industries . This will create India as a” Manufacturing hub”.
(B) Ease of Doing Business
i . Simpler tax regime with fewer exemptions;
ii . Reduction in compliance costs - No multiple record keeping for a variety of taxes - so lesser investment of
resources and manpower in maintaining records;
iii . Simplified and automated procedures for various processes such as registration, returns, refunds, tax
payments, etc;
Make in India
Ease of doing business
Benefits for consumer
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iv. All interaction to be through the common GSTN portal- so less public interface between the taxpayer and
the tax administration;
v. Will improve environment of compliance as all returns to be fi led online, input credits to be verified
online, encouraging more paper trail of transactions;
vi. Electronic matching of input tax credits all -across India thus making the process more transparent and
accountable.
(C) Benefit to Consumers:
i . Final price of goods is expected to be lower due to seamless flow of input tax credit between the
manufacturer, retailer and service supplier;
ii . It is expected that a relatively large segment of small retailers will be either exempted from tax or will
suffer very low tax rates under a compounding scheme- purchases from such entities will cost less for the
consumers;
iii . Average tax burden on companies is likely to come down which is expected to reduc e prices and lower
prices mean more consumption.
Summary:
1. By amalgamating a large number of Central and State taxes into a single tax, it would mitigate
cascading or double taxation in a major way and pave the way for a common national market.
2. Widens the tax base.
3. Moves the tax base from production to consumption.
4. It will lead to lower tax rate per capita.
5. Removes the cascading effect of tax. I.e . imposition of 'tax on tax'.
6. Interlinked incentives: It has inherent benefits of compliance, because the computer network from
producer to consumer shall be interlinked and every tax payer on the supply chain will have to produce
the proof of purchase/ sale.
7. Reduction in inflation and hence increased consumption. This will give a boost to Make in India project.
What is GSTN?
Goods and Services Tax Network 8. Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has been set up by the Government as
a private company under erstwhile Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. GSTN would provide three front end
services, namely registration, payment and return to taxpayers. Besides providing these services to the taxpayers,
GSTN would be developing back-end IT modules for 25 States who have opted for the same.
Center-state relations> Fiscal federalism
Currently, the fiscal powers between the Centre and the States are clea rly demarcated in the Constitution with
almost no overlap between the respective domains. The Centre has the powers to levy tax on the manufacture of
goods (except alcoholic liquor for human consumption, opium, narcotics etc.) while the States have the powers to
levy tax on the sale of goods. In the case of inter-State sales, the Centre has the power to levy a tax (the Central
Sales Tax) but, the tax is collected and retained entirely by the States. As for services, it is the Centre alone that is
empowered to levy service tax. Introduction of the GST required amendments in the Constitution so as to
simultaneously empower the Centre and the States to levy and collect this tax. The Constitution ofIndia has been
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amended by the Constitution (one hundred and firs t amendment) Act, 2016 for this purpose. Article 246A of the
Constitution empowers the Centre and the States to levy and collect the GST.
Constitution (One Hundred and First) Amendment Act, 2016
The Constitution (122ndAmendment) Bill was introduced in the 16thLok Sabha on 19.12.2014. The Bill
provides for a levy of GST on supply of all goods or services except for Alcohol for human consumption.
The tax shall be levied as Dual GST separately but concurrently by the Union (central tax - CGST) and the
States (including Union Territories with legislatures) (State tax - SGST) / Union territories without
legislatures (Union territory tax- UTGST).
The Parliament would have exclusive power to levy GST (integrated tax - IGST) on inter-State trade or
commerce (including imports) in goods or services. The Central Government will have the power to levy
excise duty in addition to the GST on tobacco and tobacco products. The tax on supply of five specified
petroleum products namely crude, high speed diesel, petrol, ATF a nd natural gas would be levied from a
later date on the recommendation of GST Council.
A Goods and Services Tax Council (GSTC) shall be constituted comprising the Union Finance Minister, the
Minister of State (Revenue) and the State Finance Ministers to recommend on the GST rate, exemption
and thresholds, taxes to be subsumed and other features. This mechanism would ensure some degree of
harmonization on different aspects of GST between the Centre and the States as well as across States.
One half of the total number of members of GSTC would form quorum in meetings of GSTC. Decision in
GSTC would be taken by a majority of not less than three-fourth of weighted votes cast. Centre and
minimum of 20 States would be required for majority because Centre would have one-third weightage of
the total votes cast and all the States taken together would have two-third of weightage of the total votes
cast.
The Constitution Amendment Bil l was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha in May, 2015. The Bill was referred
to the Select of Rajya Sabha on 12.05.2015. The Select Committee had submitted its Report on the Bill on
22.07.2015. The Bill with certain amendments was finally passed in the Rajya Sabha and thereafter by Lok
Sabha in August, 2016. Further the bil l had been ratified by required number of States and received
assent of the President on 8thSeptember, 2016 and has since been enacted as Constitution (101st
Amendment) Act, 2016 w.e.f. 16th September, 2016.
Salient Features of GST
i . GST would be applicable on “supply” of goods or services as against the present concept of tax on the
manufacture of goods or on sale of goods or on provision of services.
ii . GST would be based on the principle of destination based consumption taxation as against the present
principle of origin based taxation.
iii . It would be a dual GST with the Centre and the States simultaneously levying it on a common base. The
GST to be levied by the Centre would be called Central GST (CGST) and that to be levied by the States
[including Union territories with legislature] would be called State GST(SGST). Union territories without
legislature would levy Union territory GST (UTGST).
iv. An Integrated GST (IGST) would be levied on inter-State supply (including stock transfers) of goods or
services. This would be collected by the Centre so that the credit chain is not disrupted.
v. Import of goods would be treated as inter-State supplies and would be subject to IGST in addition to the
applicable customs duties. Import of services would be treated as inter -State supplies and would be
subject to IGST.
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vi. CGST, SGST /UTGST& IGST would be levied at rates to be mutually agreed upon by the Centre and the
States under the aegis of the GSTC.
vii. Which of the existing taxes are proposed to be subsumed under GST?
The GST would replace the following taxes:
Taxes currently levied and collected by the Centre:
a) Central Excise duty
b) Duties of Excise (Medicinal and Toilet Preparations)
c) Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance)
d) Additional Duties of Excise (Textiles and Textile Products)
e) Additional Duties of Customs (commonly known as CVD-Countervailing duty)
f) Special Additional Duty of Customs (SAD)
g) Service Tax
h) Central Surcharges and Cesses so far as they relate to supply of goods and services
State taxes that would be subsumed under the GST are:
a) State VAT
b) Central Sales Tax
c) Luxury Tax
d) Entry Tax (all forms)
e) Entertainment and Amusement Tax (except when levied by the local bodies)
f) Taxes on advertisements
g) Purchase Tax
h) Taxes on lotteries, betting and gambling
i) State Surcharges and Cesses so far as they relate to supply of goods and services
The GST Council shall make recommendations to the Union and States on the taxes, cesses and surcharges levied
by the Centre, the States and the local bodies which may be subsumed in the GST.
Other important features include:
i. A common threshold exemption would apply to both CGST and SGST. Taxpayers with an annual turnover of
Rs. 20 lac (Rs. 10 lacfor special category States as specified in article 279A of the Constitution) would be
exempt from GST. A compounding option (i.e. to pay tax at a flat rate without credits) would be available to
small taxpayers (including to specified category of manufacturers and service providers) having an annual
turnover of up to Rs. 50 lac. The threshold exemption and compounding scheme would be optional.
ii . Exports would be zero-rated.
iii . Credit of CGST paid on inputs may be used only for paying CGST on the output and the credit of
SGST/UTGST paid on inputs may be used only for paying SGST/UTGST. In other words, the two streams of
input tax credit (ITC) cannot be cross utilized, except in specified circumstances of inter -State supplies for
payment of IGST. The credit would be permitted to be util ized in the following manner:
a) ITC of CGST allowed for payment of CGST & IGST in that order;
b) ITC of SGST allowed for payment of SGST & IGST in that order;
c) ITC of UTGST allowed for payment of UTGST & IGST in that order;
d) ITC of IGST allowed for payment of IGST, CGST & SGST/UTGST in that order.
ITC of CGST cannot be used for payment of SGST/UTGST and vice ver sa.
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iv. Refund of tax to be sought by taxpayer or by any other person who has borne the incidence of tax within
two years from the relevant date.
v. Obligation on electronic commerce operators to collect ‘tax at source’, at such rate not exceeding one per
cent. (1%) of net value of taxable supplies, out of payments to suppliers supplying goods or services through
their portals.
vi. Limitation period for raising demand is three (3) years from the due date of fi ling of annual return or from
the date of erroneous refund for raising demand for short-payment or non-payment of tax or erroneous
refund and its adjudication in normal cases.
vii. Limitation period for raising demand is five (5) years from the due date of fi ling of annual return or from
the date of erroneous refund for raising demand for short-payment or non-payment of tax or erroneous
refund and its adjudication in case of fraud, suppression or willful mis-statement.
viii . Arrears of tax to be recovered using various modes including detaining and sale of goods, movable and
immovable property of defaulting taxable person.
ix. Officers would have restrictive powers of inspection, search, seizure and arrest.
x. Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal would be constituted by the Central Government for hearing
appeals against the orders passed by the Appellate Authority or the Revisional Authority. States would
adopt the provisions relating to Tribunal in respective SGST Act.
xi. Provision for penalties for contravention of the provision of the proposed legislation has been made.
xii. Advance Ruling Authority would be constituted by States in order to enable the taxpayer to seek a binding
clarity on taxation matters from the department. Centre would adopt such authority under CGST Act.
xiii . An anti-profiteering clause has been provided in order to ensure that business passes on the benefit of
reduced tax incidence on goods or services or both to the consumers.
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International Affairs and Global Issues
The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF)
Relevancy from examination point of view
G.S paper 2
Increasing China is increasing its international influence through several OBOR projects of which BRF is an
important forum.
Recently
A resolution adopted by UNSC in Afghanistan included references of China’s Belt and Road Forum for
international cooperation (BRF) which gives BRF an international recognition.
This international recognition reflects a global consensus.
What is BRF?
The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is a high-profile international meeting on the Belt
and Road Initiative, a China-proposed trade and infrastructure arrangement linking Asia with Europe and
Africa.
China will use the forum to build a more open and proficient international collaboration platform and a
closer, stronger affiliation arrangement as well as to push for a more rational and balanced international
governance system.
Aim of BRF
The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, is based on the theme "strengthening
international cooperation and co-building the 'Belt and Road' for win-win development”.
The forum has been intended to pool more harmony, recognize cooperation directions, push forward the
implementation of projects, and advance supporting systems.
International recognition
More than 100 countries and international organizations have already joined the initiative, of which more
than 40 have signed cooperation agreements with China.
The United Nations General Assembly, the UN Security Council and APEC have all integrated or reflected
Belt and Road cooperation in their resolutions and documents.
Major projects
A series of major transport, energy and communication projects, includes
o The multi-purpose road-rail Padma Bridge in Bangladesh,
o The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and
o China Railway Express trains to Europe
China is also pushing forward six economic corridors in the framework of the Belt and Road
Initiative,these are,
o The New Eurasian Continental Bridge,
o The China-Mongolia-Russia corridor,
o The China-Central Asia-West Asia corridor,
o The China-Indochina Peninsula corridor,
o The China-Pakistan corridor, and
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o The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar corridor.
Together, the six corridors form a trade and transport network across Eurasia, laying a solid foundation for regional
and trans-regional development plans.
Outcomes
Results of the forum are expected to range from consensus building to specific measures on
implementation.
China expects to sign cooperative documents with nearly 20 countries and more than 20 international
organizations at the event.
China will also work with countries along the routes on nearly 20 action plans concerning infrastructure,
energy and resources, production capacity, trade and investment.
China will work with all parties on a set of measures, including an improved financial cooperation
mechanism, a cooperation platform for science, technology and environmental protection, and enhanced
exchanges and training of talent.
During the forum, all parties will identify major cooperative projects, set up working groups and establish
an investment cooperation centre.
What are the aims of The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF)? How China is spreading its
reach through its OBOR initiative? How this initiative can help India grow its economic ties with European
countries?
United Nations Convention Against Torture
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2 (Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting
India's interests)
Rising number of cases of death in police custody and fake encounters have risen despite current la ws
in the country.
Recently
Recently government gave a nod to Anti -Torture Bill that aims to harmonize India’s laws with United
Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
(CAT) which was signed by India in 1997 but is yet to ratify it.
About
The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, also
commonly known as the United Nations Convention against Torture, is an international human rights
treaty, under the review of the United Nations.
The Convention has 161 state parties
It aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or
punishment around the world.
The Convention requires states to take efficient measures to avert torture in any terrain under
their jurisdiction, and forbids states to carry people to any other country where there is reason to believe
they will be tormented.
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The text of the Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1984
and it came into force on 26 June 1987.
26 June is now recognized as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, in honor of the
Convention.
Since the convention's entry into force, the absolute prohibition against torture and other acts of c ruel,
inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment has become accepted as a principle of customary
international law.
Anti-Torture Bill
The Government of India has now given the nod for an anti -torture Bill that is aimed at harmonising
country’s laws with United Nations Convention Against Torture, a condition that is necessary for its
ratification.
Under the Prevention of Torture Bill , public servants who obtain a confession by causing grievous physical
or mental hurt or danger to the life of any person a re guilty of torture and liable for imprisonment up to
10 years.
Current provisions
Provisions in the Indian Penal Code such as Section 330 (grievous hurt) may apply to torture cases but
have limitations,
o They apply only in situations where specific kinds of physical injuries are inflicted and fail to
cover the gamut of ways in which torture is committed.
o For the purposes of such sections, it is of no relevance whether the perpetrator of the offenc e is
a public servant or not.
Q. What are the reasons that India signed United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) in 1997 but has not yet to ratified it?
Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
Relevancy
International relations (GS2), Resources (GS1), and Security(GS3)
Recently
Recent report indicates that India is set to formalise a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic
Union, clearing the decks for negotiations on deepening trade relations with the five former Soviet
republics.
What is the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)?
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an economic union of states located primarily in northern Eurasia.
A treaty aiming for the establishment of the EAEU was signed on 29th
May 2014 by the leaders of Belarus,
Kazakhstan and Russia, and came into force on 1 January 2015.Later of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan also
joined the treaty.
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The Eurasian Economic Union has an integrated single market of 183 million people and a gross
domestic product of over 4 trillion U.S. dollars (PPP).The EAEU introduces the fr ee movement of
goods, capital, services and people and provides for common policies in macroeconomic sphere,
transport, industry and agriculture, energy, foreign trade and investment, customs, technical
regulation, competition and antitrust regulation. The member states decided to seek a purely
economic union, having concerns about keeping their independenc e and sovereignty intact.
India has responded well by declaring its interest in signing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation
Agreement (CECA) with the Russian led Customs Union. It holds both economic and strategic
importance for India.
India enjoys amiable relationship with all the countries of EEU. ONGC Videsh Ltd recently received
invitation by Kazakhstan to explore its Abai block for energy resources and it also signed a deal with
Belarus to supply 500 tonnes of potash fertilisers.
What is the importance of signing CECA with Eurasian Economic Union for India?
The agreement will be beneficial to India in the form of removal of trade barriers and greater market
access of its goods and services. This will also help in bringing much needed investment.
It will help India to increase its sphere of economic influence in the Eurasian region. Currently the trade
turnover between Russia and China is $90 billion which is almost 8 times the turnover between India and
Russia i.e. $11 billion.
It is very important for India to have strong friendly relationship with central Asian countries for the
security and stability of the Afghanistan. The stable Afghanistan is necessary for the peace and stability of
the region.
These regions can play an important role in the energy security of India as it has one of the largest
reserves of oil and natural gas in the word. The increasing gulf between Russia and western countries
after Ukraine crisis means Russia will also be willing to make new partner to sell its oil reserves.
The region also provides great opportunity for duty free market access for its export products like
pharmaceuticals. Currently, Indian pharma products face non-tariff barriers in Russia and thus delay the
supplies of these products; this can be overcome once the FTA is signed.
Further, Indian textile industry will benefit as the FTA will provide inherent incentives on the duty front. In
particular, knitwear exporters will be able to reap the advantages of the FTA as the agreement will make
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Indian products cost-competitive. Additionally, exports of bovine, cow and buffalo meat and egg products,
which faced stricter norms from Russia, will see relaxation once the CEPA is signed.
This FTA is vital for investments in India’s infrastructure, defence and technology -intense sectors. For the
Make-in-India initiative, the country has to improve its infrastructure and meet its energy demand.
With India having one of the youngest populations, India also seeks for an easier to region’s job market
for its professional.
Although India has confirmed it will sign the FTA with EEU, it now needs to take forward the negotiations quickly as
a huge potential exists for both the participants out of this deal.
Mention the members of Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). What are the benefits to India if it decides to join EEU?
SAARC
Relevancy from examination point of view
International relations (GS2)
It is also important whether regional cooperation should be promoted after the Brexit.
Recently
Bhutan has backed out of the project.
India’s announcement that it will not attend the 19th SAARC summit in Pakistan.
Historical Background
SAARC was recognized in Dhaka on December 7-8, 1985 with the objectives of:- promoting the interests
of people of South Asia; increasing economic development and social progress; supporting active
partnership in economic development and social progress; supporting active partnership in the economic,
social, cultural, technical and scientific fields; intensification and cooperation in international forums on
matters of similar interest; and cooperating with international and regional organizations with similar
aims and purposes.
Its members include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
SAARC comprises
3% of the world's area,
21% of the world's population
3.8% (US$ 2.9 trillion) of the global economy
South Asian Free Trade Agreement
The Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was approved by all the member States of the South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) during the twelfth ‘SAARC Summit’ held in Islamabad on Janu ary 4-6,
2004. Therefore, SAFTA came into force from January 1, 2006.
Purpose
The purpose of SAFTA is to endorse and improve mutual trade and economic cooperation among the ‘Contracting
States’ by inter-alia:
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Eliminating blockades to trade in, and facilita ting the cross-border movement of goods between the
territories of the Contracting States;
Promoting conditions of fair competition in the free trade area, and ensuring equitable benefits to all
Contracting States, taking into account their respective levels and pattern of economic development;
Creating effective mechanism for the implementation and application of this Agreement, for its joint
administration and for the resolution of disputes; and
Establishing a framework for further regional cooperation to expand and enhance the mutual benefits of
this Agreement.
Exports currently constitute only around 10% of South Asia’s GDP. This is the lowest of all regions barring sub -
Saharan Africa. In fact, the contribution of exports to GDP has come down across the region in recent years.
Reason for no tangible movement towards SAFTA
Pakistan may presently appear to be the most visible obstacle to the progress of the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as an effective regional body, but it is a c ombination of deeper historical,
geographical, ethno-religious, and political factors – some of which are independent of Pakistan and beyond the
control of India – that have gridlocked SAARC.
Pakistan stalled the new SAARC initiatives of regional connectivity. It does not support regional transport
agreements that would provide India with overland access to Afghanistan and does not allow Indian
humanitarian aid to Afghanistan to pass through its territory.
Pakistan’s involvement in terrorist activities agai nst India and Bangladesh and it recent involvement in uri
attack.
Lack of regional connectivity within the members’ states. Recent initiative of BBIN by the four members
has also been unable to materialize because Bhutan backed out of it stating environmen tal concerns.
The size of India is much larger than all the others put together. India alone accounts for at least ¾ of
SAARC’s area, population, GDP (on a purchasing power parity basis), foreign exchange and gold reserves,
foreign direct investment and armed forces. The enormous resource and power differentials engender a
sense of insecurity in India’s neighbourhood. (In contrast, no single country dominates the EU and ASEAN,
hitherto successful regional organisations.).
India’s central location within SAARC accentuates the effect of its size. India shares a land and/or
maritime boundary with all the other SAARC countries (other than Afghanistan).Apart from Pakistan and
Afghanistan, the other countries do not share boundaries with each other and have India as their sole
neighbour. No wonder some of these countries perceive themselves to be India -locked, rather than
merely landlocked.
Moreover, not all the international borders in the region are settled beyond dispute. Afghanistan and
Pakistan and India and Pakistan are locked in longstanding territorial disputes that fuel conventional
conflicts.
India does not have a boundary dispute with Sri Lanka, but the Indian state of Tamil Nadu continues to
feel strongly about the uninhabited island of Katchatheevu, whi ch was ceded to Sri Lanka in the 1970s and
tensions over illegal ¾shing in each other’s waters continue to haunt the bilateral relationship.
The region is also divided over the distribution and management of river water. The Indus Water Treaty
between India and Pakistan has come under enormous stress in recent times. India, Nepal, and
Bangladesh have not yet managed to arrive at an equitable means of sharing international rivers.
Differences in political systems also hinder regional co-operation. Other than India, none of the SAARC
countries is a stable, secular democracy. India’s strained relations with Abdulla Yameen’s Maldives, K.P.
Oli’s Nepal and Mahinda Rajapakse’s Sri Lanka are recent cases in point
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Mention the reason for the slow progress in the signing of The Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
India-Afghanistan relations
Relevancy
Important international relations
Stable Afghanistan is in favor security of India.
Recently
India Delivers 4th Combat Helicopter to Afghanistan
Background
India and Afghanistan have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural links.
Bilateral trade: Despite the lack of direct land access, India is the second-largest destination for Afghan
exports. India’s bilateral trade with Afghanistan stood at $684.47 million in 2014-15
Defence: India has delivered an attack helicopters to Afghanistan .
Parliament building : India has constructed the new building at a cost of about $90 million, as a sign of
friendship.
Financial assistance: India has so far given financial assistance worth over $2 billion to Afghanistan and
has been involved in massive developmental efforts in the war-torn country.
Salma Dam was initially inaugurated in Afghanistan is build by India.
Strategic partnership: In recent past, Indo-Afghan relations have been fur ther strengthened by the
Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the two countries in 2011
The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between the two sides, inter alia, provides for
assistance to help rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure and institutions, education,
technical assistance to re-build indigenous Afghan capacity in different areas,
encouraging investment in Afghanistan's natural resources,
duty free access to the Indian market for Afghanistan's exports support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned,
broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation.
It also advocates the need for a sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international
community.
Recent Initiative
China has opted to initiate talks with the Taliban as a prelude to peacemaking; India has resorted to
developmental support while refraining from partaking militarily in the conflict. There is a disagreement
between the two on how to move ahead and no side accepting other ’s view.
But both India and China have both pursued deceptively similar strategies vis -a-vis Afghanistan, officially
premised on “non-intervention.”
India has always eyed Afghanistan through the prism of Pakistan.
India was earlier not included in Moscow-led multi-party talks on security of Afhanistan but which
engaged China and Pakistan. Thus, India registered a strong opposition. This led to its inclusion in the
subsequent talks.
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Sino-Indian cooperation is paramount if peace in Afghanistan is to be secured.
Way Forward
India is limiting its engagement to the economic realm to avoid backlash from Pakistan. But this
cautiousness of Indian in Afghanistan has not won over Pakistan — nor has it avoided the looming threat
of Pakistani-based terrorist groups’ attacks on its homeland and interests abroad such as Uri attack,
Gurdaspur attack etc.
Pakistan will never l ike the idea of being surrounded by India on its east and India’s close partner
Afghanistan on its west. Thus Pakistan is determined to make the landlocked Afghanistan pay a very
heavy price for its normal relationship with India.
The only viable solution to the near-daily terror onslaught is increased military cooperation and robust
Indian military assistance to make the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) strong.
This would not only prevent terrorists from gaining a permanent foothold in Afghanistan and help
regional stability, but also convince Pakistan that it cannot accomplish its strategic objectives (i.e.,
preventing any India-Afghanistan cooperation).
There has been reduction in military support provided by the U.S. And there is also a lack of military
support from other regional powers such as Russia and China.
The recently provided four attack helicopters are not enough to fight the terrorist. India must do more
and act swiftly on the Afghan military “wish list.”
Q. In the light of recent attack by terrorist group from Pakistan on India discuss should India engaged increase
military cooperation with Afghanist an.
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Socio-Political Issues
Farmer’s Suicide
Relevancy
Social Issue
Increasing incidences of suicide among farmers
Background
A study conducted across by the Union Agriculture Ministry throws up the all -too-familiar reasons that drive
farmers to suicide. The story behind each death points to fr equent crop failure, vagaries of the monsoon, absence
of assured water resources, attacks of pests and diseases, debts, farming and social causes. The data from National
Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) also provide the similar results.
‘Bankruptcy or Indebtedness’ and ‘Farming related issue’ are major causes of suicides, accounting for
38.7% and 19.5% respectively of total farmers’ suicides during 2014-15. The other prominent causes of
farmers’ suicides are ‘Family Problem’ (10.5) ‘Illnes’ (10.5%), and ‘Drug Abuse’.
Land holding status of farmers who committed suicide revealed that 44.5% and 25.4% of victims were
small farmers and marginal farmers respectively, they together accounted for 69.9% total farmer suicides.
Scholars cite several factors that have led farmers to commit suicides:
the shift from traditional farming to the farming of high yielding commercial crops without adequate
technical support combined with withdrawal of the state in the area of agricultural extension services in
providing counselling on farm technologies, problems faced, immediate remedial steps and lack of timely
advice to farmers
decline in public investment in agriculture in the last two decades
low rates of germination of seeds provided by large global firms, spurious seeds and pesticides by private
agents
crop failure, pest attack and drought
debt at very high interest rate of 36 per cent to 120 per cent from private money lenders
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cheap imports leading to decline in pricing and profits
lack of access to water for crops which forced the farmers to borrow money at exorbitant rates of interest
to sink bore-wells that failed.
Steps Taken
Recently launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which provides farmers’ full insurance and had
covered 172.94 lakh farmers with a total sum of ₹69,851.37 lakh crore during Rabi 2016-17.
The government had increased the target of agricultural credit from ₹9 lakh crore to ₹10 lakh crore in
Budget 2017-18.
The Reserve Bank of India has allowed State and district level banks to take a lenient view on rescheduling
of loans if crop loss is 33% or more.
Various schemes for increase the agricultural productivity and productions such as Krishi Unnati Yojana
include selection of crop based on soil and promotion of organic farming and horticulture promotion,
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana etc.
Discuss why farmer’s suicide is a cause of concern for government of India. Also mention the steps taken to tackle
this problem.
Challenges women face on economic empowerment
Relevancy
GS 1
Decrease in participation of female even after good economic growth.
Many social norms and safety concerns are responsible for this trend.
Recently
While Nepal has the highest female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) in South Asia i.e. 80%.
India ranks below Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan.
India’s FLFPR has declined despite high economic growth.
Background
Poor participation of female in labor market.
In India female labour force participation rate is lowest among the South Asian countries i.e. 27.
This is continuously decreased in the last decade.
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Labour force participation rate is defined as the section of worki ng population in the age group of 16-64 in the
economy currently employed or seeking employment.
The following challenges can be attributed to low FLFPR:
31% of women in India who spend most of their time on domestic duties would like some kind of job,
according to the National Sample Survey. If these women joined the labour force, India’s FLFPR would
increase by 21 percentage points.
Farzana Afridi, associate professor of Economics at Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Delhi, cited lack of
suitable opportunities outside agriculture as one of the reason.
Women act as primary caregivers this restricts their ability to invest in their human capital and social
networks.
Social norms restrict women’s physical and economic mobility. Women have to face street ha rassment
coupled with lack of safe transportation options.
Female representation is also low in higher tiers of management.
o This may partly be because of historically lower human-capital levels among women.
o Women sometimes don’t accept the promotions as l onger hours interfere with domestic
responsibilities.
o Unsupportive family,
o Working late or travelling far from home presents security challenges.
There is lack of control over assets because they are mostly in the name of male member of the family, as
loans require collateral. According to one estimate only 10-15 % of the Micro and Small Enterprises in
India are owned by women.
The level of financial inclusion of women in terms of number of women with bank accounts still remains
low in India
Government Schemes to increase FLFPR
To enable more women to join, remain and progress in the work force, support in the form of childcare
services and flexible working conditions is required. This is provided under recently passed Maternity bill.
Maternity bill is a landmark but will only benefit formal sector employees.
“Stand Up India Scheme” to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and Women entrepreneurs.
Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) aim for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial
services.
Mhatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), where one-third of the
employment opportunities are set aside for women.
Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Scheme aims to provide skills that
give employability to women and to provide competencies and skill that enable women to become self-
employed/entrepreneurs.
Outside the government sector, organisations like Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), have
tried to encourage women to earn a living by starting busines ses of their own.
Many Self-help groups and microfinance firms have also helped provide lending to women.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao : It important component is to Change the mindsets through awareness
campaigns.
State some of the reasons for the poor participation of women in labor market. Mention the steps taken by the
Government to overcome these challenges.
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Racism in India
Relevancy
Society and GS 4
The rec ent incidents of attack on the people from Africa.
Recently
A slew of incidents of violence against Africans and Indians from the Northeastern states.
Background
India has a strong historical links with Africa.
India has been trying to build strong economic and political link with the countries of African continent.
Kenya hosts estimated 80,000 strong Indian Diasporas. India may invest $15 billion in Nigeria's oil, gas
sector.
On the other hand there are incidents like
o An attack by up to 600 men on a Nigerian man in Greater Noida on the outskirts of Delhi.
o A 23-year-old Congolese national was beaten to death in Kishangarh near Vasant Kunj where he
had gone to meet a friend.
Reasons for the attack
First, false rumours that think of People from Africa as drug pedlars and cannibals swirled. This can also be
attributed to very less interaction between Indian and African. Thus they know very l ittle about each
other’s culture.
Second, in India the official narrative is that diversity is a given in this land. But this is not so helpful in
case of Men and women from Africa and the Northeast. As they stand out because of shrinking diversity.
Most of Indians are not used to their cultural traits. This may be because of their minuscule size.
Third, racism in India is possibly a product of casteism, and must be read alongside casteism. Li ke caste, it
has become institutionalized.
Fourth, these incidents can also be attributed to human perception. Here the majority feels the visible
minority enjoys privileges that it does not have. For instance the person from the Northeast, who doesn’t
look anything like you yet, speaks better English than you.
Sixth, the growing political regionalization has led to the growing tide of political antipathy toward Others
- Indian and Africans. This manifested in the form of attacks on them.
Though constitution has made India a democratic society, patriarchy is still prevalent in India. These men
attack visible minorities, men for whom the idea of superiority is entrenched. The men who attack
Africans and Indians from the Northeast are no different from the men who rape and subject women to
sexual assault.
Way forward
The need is to spread awareness about the racism. This would sensitize the people about the existing
problem.
People should be given better understanding of the Africa and its diverse culture. Similarly, a proper
orientation must be given to African students coming to study in India. This would require continues
interaction between the two.
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A few efforts by artist to generate awareness has been done, the need is to increase their frequency so as
to reach wider masses.
Police must be trained and sensitized regarding the various issues faced by the African people.
Supporting law to punish those involved in such racial attacks must be made and strictly enforced.
A far wider cultural engagement with the continent is necessary not only to combat the malevolent
racism, but also to expand the global horizons of the Indian public. This can be done through frequent
cultural and sports events.
If India has to emerge as a global leader, if it want to protest against the racial attack against its own citizens, if it
want to preserve its image as peaceful nation that is accommodative of everyone then it must take every action to
avoid any form of racial attack.
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Economy
Unemployment policy on the anvil
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2 (Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and
issues arising out of their design and implementation.)
India is witnessing low employment generation.
Recently,
Looking towards a financial year with low employment generation, the centre will make changes in
current National Employment Policy.
Jobs in India are more concentrated in informal sector and there is a need to shift it towards formal
sectors.
Reasons behind rise in Unemployment
Fall in employment generation in India
Employment increase in informal sector
Automation in IT industries
Tightening of H1-B visa norms
Unemployment in India
Unemployment records in India are kept by the Ministry of Labour and Employment of India.
According to a quarterly survey of industries conducted by Labour Bureau, job creation in India has
declined from 2013 to 2015.
Another survey, Fifth Annual Employment-Unemployment Survey – of households conducted by
Labour Bureau showed unemployment rate rising from 4.7% in 2012 -13 to 5% in 2015-16.
At present, in India, around 92% of the workers are engaged in informal employment — those who
are not covered by any social security law.
Based on the gender, it was found that the quality of female candidates is better than the males. This
and many more such insights are part of the first India Skills Report, which is an effort to capture the
skill levels of the supply side and needs of the demand side of Talent and perform matchmaking
between the two ends.
Scheme For Agro-Marine Processing And Development Of Agro-
Processing Clusters (SAMPADA)
Relevancy
Food Processing ( GS3)
To modernize processing and increase farm income.
Background
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Food Processing Sector has emerged as an important segment of the Indian economy in terms of its
contribution to GDP, employment and investment.
During 2015-16, the sector constituted as much as 9.1 and 8.6 per cent of GVA in Manufacturing and
Agriculture sector respectively.
Introduction
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for re-structuring the schemes of the
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) under new Central Sector Scheme – SAMPADA for the
period 2016-20 coterminous with the 14th
Finance Commission cycle.
The scheme will benefit 20 lakh farmers and generate 5, 30,500 direct/ indirect employment in the
country by the year 2019-20.
Objective
The objective of SAMPADA is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease agri -waste.
SAMPADA is an umbrella scheme incorporating ongoing schemes of the Ministry like Mega Food Parks, Integrated
Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, etc. and also new
schemes like Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages, Creation /
Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities.
Benefits of SAMPADA
It will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate
to retail outlet,
It will not only provide a big boost to the growth of food processing sector in the country but also help in
providing better prices to farmers,
It is a big step towards doubling of farmers’ income,
It will create huge employment opportunities (5,30,500 direct/ indirect) especially in the rural areas,
It will help in reducing wastage of agricultural produce,
It will help in increasing the processing level,
It will help in increasing the availability of safe and convenient processed foods at affordable price to
consumers,
It will also help in enhancing the export of the processed foods.
Government has taken various other measures to boost food processing sector. With these measures food
processing sector has grown at 7 per cent. Various measures are:
In order to arrest post-harvest losses of horticulture & non-horticulture produce, the Ministry has
accorded approval to 42 Mega Food Parks and 236 Integrated Cold Chains for creation of modern
infrastructure for the food processing along the value chain from the farm to the market.
To provide impetus to investment in food processing and retail sector, govt. has allowed 100% FDI in
trading including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured and / or produced in
India. This will benefit farmers immensely and will create back – end infrastructure and significant
employment opportunities.
The govt. has also set up a Special Fund of Rs. 2000 crore in NABARD to make available affordable credit
at concessional rate of interest to designated food parks and agro processing units in the designated food
parks.
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Food and agro–based processing units and cold chain infrastructure have been brought under the ambit
of Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to provide additional credit for food processing activities and
infrastructure thereby, boosting food processing, reducing wastage, create employment and increasing
farmers’ income.
Mention the various steps taken by government to boost food processing sector. Mention the objective and
benefits of recently launched SAMPADA.
Producer price index
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2
It will help to understand basic concept of Producer Price Index.
Recently,
The government is set to release the new Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and Wholesale Price
Index (WPI) series with 2011-12 base year replacing the 2004-05 base years, it will make comparisons
easier.
What is Producer Price Index (PPI)?
It is an index that monitors the price changes in the production process.
It monitors the average change in selling prices that producers get for their goods and services.
It measures the changes in price for goods and services sold to final and intermediate demand.
Final demand is demand that would be satisfied by consumption, while intermediate demand is
demand from the production process.
PPI is used as a measure of inflation.
The main objective of Producer Price Index (PPI) is to address rise in prices at the producers level
before they pass on to consumer and it excludes indirect taxes, transport, trade margins etc.
Difference between Producer Price Index (PPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI)?
Producer Price Index (PPI) Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
It measures the average change over time in the
selling prices received by domestic producers of
goods and services.
It shows average price change of goods that are
bought and sold in wholesale market.
It measures price change from the perspective of
the seller.
It measures price change from the perspective of
the wholesaler.
It measures the price of goods sold by the producer
to the first buyer i.e. wholesalers.
It measures the price of goods sold by the first
wholesaler to the next smaller wholesaler or the
retailers.
PPI is measured monthly and is released in a report
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
It is published by the office of Economic Advisor,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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Advant ages of PPI
It will reveal all the costs of production including hidden costs e.g. taxes, shipping charges etc.
It is internationally comparable
It will show economy’s effectiveness in transferring goods and services from one level of
operation to another level.
Why there is need of PPI?
Currently, Consumer Price Index and Wholesale Price Index, both are used to measure inflation.
WPI is in contrast with global standards as mostly CPI and PPI are used by Nations.
WPI considers only goods while neglecting services which are also very important part in Indian
Economy.
The prices at consumer level are not included in WPI, whereas CPI only measures change in the
important commodities at retail level neglecting producer level.
Rapid Urbanization
Relevancy
Increasing Urbanization in India ( GS1 & GS3)
Rapid urbanization brings with it enormous challenges.
Recently
The basic challenges of urbanisation include a lack of prior and proper planning, the ineffec tive
functioning of civic bodies and the paucity of resources for urban local bodies.
Background
Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, "the gradual increase in the
proportion of people living in urban areas", and the ways in which each society adapts to th e change.
Policymakers and planners are facing several challenges — social, demographic, environmental and
economic — to redesign and develop burgeoning cities into vibrant, environment-friendly urban
areas that provide access to resources and basic amenities to all citizens on an equitable and
sustainable basis.
The need of the hour is to implement the “New Urban Agenda” by pursuing appropriate policies and
addressing the challenges in terms of physical spaces and other issues for urban, periurban and rural
areas at all levels — international, national and local.
The New Urban Agenda
The New Urban Agenda is the outcome document agreed upon at the Habitat III cities conference in
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Quito, Ecuador, in October 2016.
It will guide the efforts around urbanizati on of a wide range of actors — nation states, city and regional
leaders, international development funders, United Nations programmes and civil society — for the next
20 years.
Inevitably, this agenda will also lay the groundwork for policies and approaches that will extend, and
impact, far into the future.
Urbanization and development
Both are interl inked as urbanization is the driving force for growth and development.
While cities and towns occupy only 2 % of the total land, they contribute 70 % of the GDP — they are the
main engines and drivers of growth.
Reason for the spread of urbanization
There are five basic reasons why people are moving to cities — education, employment, entertainment,
economic opportunities and enhanced medical facilities.
It is also a reality that agriculture is more mechanized now than in the past and is becoming less
remunerative.
The vagaries of the monsoon, unfavourable market conditions, exploitation by middlemen, a lack of
opportunities for value addition of agrobas ed products are among the factors that are rendering
agriculture unremunerative.
Since urban areas are becoming the centers of development, and also contributing towards poverty
reduction, people are choosing urban areas for better living.
Forensic auditing
Relevancy
Rising cases of fraud in banks and firms.
Corporate Governance
Recently
The Reserve Bank of India wants banks to create a common pool of forensic audit firms so that they can
pick one of them quickly whenever a high-value fraud needs to be investigated.
Worried over rising cases of fraud in the banking sector, Indian Banks' Association is looking for reputed
CA firms to undertake forensic audit of banks with a view to recover money and curb such practices.
Introduction
Forensic auditing : A forensic audit is an examination and evaluation of a firm's or individual's financial
information for use as evidence in court. A forensic audit can be conducted in order to prosecute a party
for fraud, embezzlement or other financial claims. In addition, an audit may be conducted to determine
negligence or even to determine how much spousal or child support an individual will have to pay
Why it matters
Forensic auditing is important because it presents financial statement and transaction information in a
way that is suitable for court.
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Taxing the big farmers
Relevancy
Useful in “mobilization of resources” under GS3
Poor tax base in India
Provision of “No agriculture taxation” has been exploited.
Background
Out of 1.3 bil lion people in India only 37 million are income tax payers.
More than 50% of people are engaged in agriculture
Agriculture’s share in GDP is already very low i.e. 18%, which is very low as compared to share of people.
Rational behind the agricultural taxation:
India has a presence of rich farmers as well and there exists as a strong justification for taxing them in
order to widen the country’s embarrassingly narrow tax base.
India's public finances are notoriously precarious, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimating
that tax revenues are equivalent to just 17.7 per cent of gross domestic product - low by comparison with
other emerging markets.
Although most farmers are poor, the tax loophole they enjoy has been exploited by others to generate
"black" cash from illicit sources.
India’s tax base, standing at a minuscule 5.9% of the working population, is already amon g the lowest in
the world. This unnecessarily burdens the more formal sectors of the economy that are already overtaxed
This will increase the tax revenue for the government that can be used to fund agricultural infrastructure
that would be more beneficial to poor and marginal farmers and rural society as whole.
Poor direct tax collection also forced government increase indirect taxes. But by focusing on indirect
taxation India risks burdening the poor who spend a greater share of their income on daily need s than the
better off.
Dharmendra Malik who is spokesman of a farmers' union also said that “We support the proposal ... to tax
agricultural income provided the government takes steps to improve the income level of the majority of
farmers,".
Hurdles
According to Census figures, the size of the farm workforce increased by 28.9 million between 2001 and
2011. This is due to a combination of factors, but one in particular is worth noting: the difficulty
agricultural workers face in finding jobs in other more a dvanced sectors. A tax on lucrative high value farm
ventures, which affects their ability to absorb labourers from low-value farming, could make life more
difficult for farmers unable to make the cut in industry or services.
There is an increasing incidences of farmers’ suicide as discuss in the previous article.
This is a very sensitive move and government will find it difficult yo get the required support from all
political parties.
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Public Sector Banks
Relevancy
GS mains paper III
Current twin balance sheet problem: Poor banking sector/ NPAs will affect the economic growth
Some of the recent initiatives taken by the government
Recently
The Festering Twin Balance Sheet Problem
Background
Bank nationalization , which was done a few decades ago, had a historical role, especially the financial
deepening in the 1970s due to expansion of the branch network. This led to higher savings that created
the conditions for the acceleration of economic growth after 1980.
The dominance of PSB was supposed to have lent th e Indian financial sector unique stability during the
global financial crisis.
But today, the biggest risk to the economic stability of India appears to be the same banking sector (which
is still predominantly owned by the government).
Problems
There is an increase in bad loans (NPAs) for the Indian banking system. The slowdown in the economy in
the last few years led to a rise in bad loans or non-performing assets (NPAs).
In the last few years, Capital to Risk Assets Ratio (CRAR) has declined steadily for Indian banks. At the
same time banks are not able to raise money easily, especially public -sector banks which already have
higher number of bad loans. If banks do not shore up their capital soon, some could fail to meet the
minimum capital requirement set by the RBI.
The twin balance sheet problem, over-indebtedness in the corporate and banking sectors, has restricted
the capacity of the banks to lend further.
Solutions
First, government ownership of the Indian banking sector needs to be drastically reduced.
Second, allow new private sector banks to bloom. Privatization of public sector banks will necessarily be a
slow process. It requires legislative change.
Third, India needs a more diverse financial system so that banks are not burdened with tasks they are not
suited for. The current mountain of bad debts can at least partly be explained by the pressure on PSB to
fund large infrastructure projects as well as generally push lending at a rate that was far faster than the
underlying growth in nominal gross domestic product. The result was a credit bubble that later popped.
Fourth, priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms can be re-assessed. There are two options: one is indirect
reform, bringing more sectors into the ambit of the PSL, until in the limit every sector is a priority sector;
the other is to redefine the norms to slowly make priority sector more targeted, smaller, and need -driven.
In a nutshell, the banks must be free from the dual burden of economic growth and lifting the poor
standard of living.
Recent initiatives taken
Indradhanush scheme to revamp PSBs.
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Economic Survey 2016-17 called for a need to set up a government-owned asset reconstruction company,
Public Sector Asset Rehabilitation Agency (PARA). PARA will be an independent entity that will identify
the largest and most vexatious NPA accounts held by banks, and then buy these out from them. It is
expected to solve two problems. One, it can effect speedier settlements with borrowers by cutting out
individual banks. Two, as a single large lender, it can drive a better bargain with borrowers and take more
stringent enforcement action against them.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 has been passed.
Q. Discuss the current problems faced by the banking system in India. Also mention some of the recent
initiative to tackle it .
India’s medium-size cities
Relevancy
GS 2 & GS 3
Role of medium size cities in economic growth
Current hurdles faced by these cities and schemes to overcome them
Background
Although India has experienced rapid growth over the last two decades, spatial disparities have increased.
India’s growth is concentrated in mega cities.
This stands in sharp contrast with the spatial development in China and the US, where intermediate cities
have become the new drivers of growth and job creation.
This is documented in the 2009 World Development Report; growth is often accompanied by an
increasing spatial concentration of economic activity.
Relationship between mega cities and concentration of industries
There is evidence now shows increased spatial concentration in high density manufacturing clusters for example
Kolkata and Mumbai. Mega cities (above 1 Crore population )may also benefit from relatively large agglomeration
economies compared to medium-sized cities, which might suffer from market access problems, lack of
intermediate goods and infrastructure, and other impediments to fast growth.
There is now spurt in the growth of India’s Tier II and III cities, and the ongoing development a nd expansion taking
place in these locations, is also making them attractive for Indian industry. Thus there is a need to focus on the
growth of cities other than tier 1 cities: These is because
Industries in these centres have contributed to balanced regional growth across India.
It is important if India has to maintain its existing GDP, and ensure that the benefits of growth percolate
down to the grassroots.
It will help to mitigate the strains of urban life in the existing mega cities in India and maximise the
opportunities offered by cities (including smaller locations). According to an estimate by 2030 nearly 590
million people will live in India’s cities, twice the population of US today.
According to McKinsey Global Institute, though India has a young and rapidly growing population, a
potential demographic dividend, it needs thriving cities if that dividend has to pay out.
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India’s smaller cities have delivered robust economic growth over the last 15 years, comparable with
India’s largest cities, despite very small inflows of public investment.
The presence of a large number of towns and cities that offer an improved quality of life will ensure that
migration to larger cities will be checked.
What Is Holding Back Medium-Density Locations
the percentage of the population with a high school degree or more;
the percentage of the population with postsecondary education;
household access to infrastructure (for example, percentage of households with electricity, toilet,
telecommunication services, or tap water);
travel time to a top-ten city;
distance from a top-seven or a top-three city.
To overcome these issues GoI has taken many initiatives such as:
UDAN Scheme was launched to boost regional air connectivity.
Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal and retrofitting program with an aim to develop cities all over
the country making them citizen friendly and sustainable.
A HARIDAY scheme is launched to preserve and revitalize the soul and unique character of the heritage
cities in the country.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) to improve basic urban infrastructure
in 500 cities/ towns
“The focus of the future economic growth must be on the medium size cities” Analyze
Food security in Kerala
Relevancy
GS 3
Food security
Impact of land reforms
Recently
Kerala is seeking a greater allocation of rice to it.
Background
Kerala has implemented Kerala Agrarian Relations Bill
Kerala has a long history of foodgrains deficit, especially in rice. For instance, deficit in rice has increas ed
steadily in the State from 45 per cent to 85 per cent between 1957 and 2008.
Kerala Agrarian Relations Bill
The three main aspects of this legislation were
to restrict the maximum land a family could own,
to transfer to the tenant land leased in,
to invest agricultural labour with ownership rights over dwellings hitherto occupied on sufferance from
the landlord
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Below reason can be attributed to the present situation of food shortage in Kerala.
The enactment of the land reform coincided with the onset of the Gulf Boom. Gulf Boom provided an
opportunity for economic migration of people. Thus Kerala has faced a shortage of manual labour ever
since.
Women were also not interested to work in agricultural fields because of increase in household income.
Thus made rice cultivation, which is a labour intensive task, economically unviable.
There is paradigm shift in the cropping system from food crops to non-food crops, namely, the shift from
paddy to non-paddy cultivation.
A pronounced trend towards marginalisation of holdings has been observed in the post land reform
period. When the average size of the marginal holdings declined from .72 acres in 1970 -71 to .45 acres in
1991.
There is increase in alienation of arable land.
Some of the fer tile land has been diverted for non-agricultural activities thus damaging soil fertility.
Kerala has a long history of foodgrains deficit, especially in rice. For instance, deficit in rice has increased
steadily in the State from 45 per cent to 85 per cent between 1957 and 2008. However, not enough
attention has been paid to mitigate the food insecurity problem in the State.
Steps need to bring food security of the state
Systematic Rice Intensification: This method must be adopted in Kerala to increase rice yield with
minimum water. In addition to this research must be promoted in this field to further raise production to
achieve the goal of Per Drop More Crop.
Land reform: Land leasing and land consolidation must be encouraged.
Adequate buffer stock of food grain must be kept to deal with shortages.
Need to make agriculture more lucrative by providing better MSP, infrastructure development – Krishi
Vikas Yojana, APMC reforms etc.
New generation must be encouraged to take up farming activities.
Use of existing schemes like MGNREGA, PMFBY etc to check agricultural land destruction.
Promotion of food processing industries under Make in India.
“The present situation of food shortage in Kerala can be attributed to land reforms.” Analyze.
Rail Development Authority (RDA)
Relevancy
Governance ( GS2)
Governance reforms in railway.
Recently
In a move set to attract investments, the Union cabinet has recently approved the setting up of a
regulator for the railways—the Rail Development Authority (RDA).
Background
The RDA will be based in Delhi with an initial corpus of Rs. 50 crore.
It is envisaged that RDA comprising a Chairman and three Members with a fixed term of five years each.
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The RDA will act within the parameters of the Railway Act, 1989 and only make recommendations to the
Ministry which will take a final call on passenger and freight fares
Aims and Objectives of Rail Development Authority
Pricing of services commensurate with costs,
Enhancement of non fare revenue,
Protection of consumer interests by ensuring quality of service and cost optimization,
Competition, efficiency and economy,
Market development,
Creation of positive environment of investment,
Benchmarking of service standards against international norms,
Providing framework for non-discriminatory open access to dedicated freight corridor ,
Absorption of new technologies for achieving efficiency and performance standards,
Human resource development to achieve any of its stated objectives.
Functions of RDA
Tariff determination
Streamlining the tariff determination mechanism and fixing tariffs rationally based both on cost recovery
principle and what the traffic can bear is an absolute necessity for the Railways. This will help reduce the
cross-subsidy and can improve the market share in freight.
Ensuring fair play& level playing field for private investments in Railways
The Railway Board has been often accused of bias. The regulatory body will ensure level -playing field for
all stakeholders. In this regard, the Authority would be authorised to penalise cartelisatio n, abuse of
dominance and other unfair market mechanisms.
Efficiency and Performance Standards
It will help set efficiency and performance standards and steps to improve current efficiency standards
would also be provided.
Dissemination of information
The Authority would collect, analyse and disseminate information and statistics and forecasts concerning
the rail sector in India and, in particular, on matters affecting consumer interest.
The regulator would only make recommendations on tariff and not impose a tariff on the Indian Railways.
Discuss the functioning of the recently created Rail Development Authority (RDA).
Futures Contracts in Agricultural Commodities
Relevancy
Agriculture marketing ( GS3)
Price fluctuation in agricultural commodities
Recently
Farmers in some States are regretting their abundant yields this year as the prices of agricultural
commodities have crashed.
o Chilli farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana,
o Tomato growers in Karnataka,
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o Toor dal cultivators in Maharashtra
Background
India, where 60% of the population depends on agricultural commodities, surprisingly, has an under
developed commodity market.
The Forward Markets Commission (FMC) is the chief regulator of commodity futures markets in India.
It is overseen by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Govt. of India.
It is a statutory body set up in 1953 under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952.
Hurdles
Currently rules do not allow futures trading in pulses and rice over fears it may lead to speculation or
stoke inflation, but experts suggest a rethink.
Individual farmers cannot take positions (due to l imited scale of produce). But it is relatively easy for
farmer-producer organization (FPO).
E-NAM, the electronic integration of all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) on a single
national electronic platform, will be an integral part of such a framework. But not much progress has been
done in this direction.
Benefits
The move would help farmers to obtain the best price for their produce.
State agencies can procure only in limited quantities (like in pulses) and the futures market can efficiently
signal prices and help farmers make better crop choices ,
During bumper crop year when farmers across the country have to satisfy itself with l ower crop prices,
futures contracts can be used to hedge against price dips.
Apart from prices, another benefit that accrues is better financing for the produce. It will allow banks to
offer post-harvesting finance in an environment of improving risk mana gement. Electronic negotiable
warehouse receipts issued against warehoused goods, be it for the spot market or derivatives, could be
used as collateral for such finance,
The future price movement will allow farmers to choose the commodity they want to grow.
Steps to increase futures trading
Promotion of groups of farmers registered as FPOs that will be attracted
More crops must be allowed
Committee must be set-up to find ways to integrate spot and derivatives market for trading in agricultural
commodities.
Promotion of setting up of E-NAM.
Discuss the steps needed to deal with the problem of price fluctuation in agricultural sector.
UDAN – Regional Connectivity Scheme for Civil Aviation
Relevancy
General Studies Paper 3
Infrastructure and regional connectivity
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Recently
The Civil Aviation Minister Shri P Ashok Gajapathi Raju has launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme “
UDAN” .
Introduction
UDAN is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.
It is a market-based mechanism in which airlines bid for seat subsidies.
This first-of-its-kind scheme globally will create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights
on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns .
The scheme UDAN envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country
through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
The scheme would be in operation for a period of 10 years.
Objective
Its objective is “Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik” .
The scheme ensures affordability, connectivity, growth and development.
It would provide a win-win situation for all stakeholders
The Citizens would get the benefit of affordability, connectivity and more jobs.
The Centre would be able to expand the regional air connectivity and market.
The state governments would reap the benefit of development of remote areas; enhance trade and
commerce and more tourism expansion.
For incumbent airlines there was the promise of new routes and more passengers while for and start-up
airlines there is the opportunity of new, scalable business.
Airport operators will also see their business expanding as would original equipment manufacturers.
Model of the scheme
UDAN has a unique market-based model to develop regional connectivity. Interested airline and
helicopter operators can start operations on hitherto un-connected routes by submitting proposals to the
Implementing Agency.
The operators could seek a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) apart from getting various concessions.
All such route proposals would then be offered for competitive bidding through a reverse bidding
mechanism and the route would be awarded to the participant quoting the lowest VGF per Seat.
The operator submitting the original proposal would have the Right of First Refusal on matching the
lowest bid in case his original bid is within 10% of the lowest bid.
The successful bidder would then have exclusive rights to operate the route for a period of three years.
Such support would be withdrawn after a three year period, as by that time, the route is expected to
become self-sustainable.
Cooperative federalism
The States have a key role under the scheme.
The selection of airports where UDAN operations would start would be done in consultation with State
Government and after confirmation of their concessions.
It may be recalled that revival of dysfunctional airports and starting operations on un-served airports has
been a long standing demand of most States and this will be addressed through UDAN to a large extent.
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Benefits
The UDAN is likely to a give a major fillip to tourism and employment generation in the hinterland.
Through introduction of helicopters and small aircraft, it is also likely to significantly reduce travel timings
in remote and hilly regions, as well as islands and other areas of the country.
Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are becoming growth engines, and enhanced aviation connectivity between them
will be beneficial.
Critically discuss the importance of launching the UDAN scheme.
National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016
Relevancy
General Studies Paper 3
Infrastructure and regional connectivity
Recently
Releasing of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 by The Minister of Civil Aviation
Introduction
This is the first time since independence that an integrated Civil Aviation Policy has been brought out by
the Ministry.
The centre-piece of the policy is to make regional air connectivity a reality.
Benefits
The policy aims to take flying to the masses by making it affordable and convenient,
To establish an integrated eco-system which will lead to significant growth of the civil aviation sector,
It will help to promote tourism, employment and balanced regional growth,
I will enhance regional connectivity through fiscal support and infrastructur e development ,
It will enhance ease of doing business through deregulation, simplified procedures and e-governance.
Salient features of the policy are
Introduction of new regional flights, allowing new carriers to fly abroad — with partial or full abolition of
the 5/20 rule. Under the 5/20 rule, carriers need to have atleast five years of operational experience and
a fleet of minimum 20 aircrafts to be allowed to fly abroad.
The Centre has proposed a regional connectivity scheme (RCS) by offering concessions to the airlines,
incentivising them to fly on regional routes. The government has also proposed a fare cap at Rs 2500 for
an hour’s flight on regional routes. As per the scheme, the Centre will fund 80% of the airline's losses and
the rest will come from the states.
The policy proposes a regional connectivity fund to be set up by levying a 2% c ess on domestic and
international tickets.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will try to create a single-window system for all aviation-
related transactions, queries and complaints.
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DGCA also intends to ensure real -time safety tracking and prompt incident reporting.
Government of India will enter into 'Open Sky' Air Service Agreements (ASA) on a reciprocal basis with
SAARC countries and countries located beyond 5000 km from Delhi.
Revival of air strips, depending on demand, as no-frills airports will be done at a cost not exceeding Rs 50
crore, mostly through AAI.
The Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) business of Indian carriers is around Rs 5000 crore, 90% of
which is currently spent outside India. In the budget for 2016-17, customs duty has been rationalised and
the procedure for clearance of goods simplified.
Discuss the recently launched National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016.
The draft National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy
Relevancy
General Studies Paper 3
The draft policy aims to facilitate hybridization of existing solar or wind systems, besides new hybrid
projects.
Recently
The Government has formulated draft National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy. The draft policy has been
launched by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Goal
The goal of the policy is to reach a wind-solar hybrid capacity of 10 GW by 2022.
Salient Features
The objective of the policy is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind -solar PV
system for optimal and efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land, reducing the variability
in renewable power generation and thus achieving better grid stability.
Further, the Policy aims to encourage new technologies, methods and way-outs involving combined
operation of wind and solar PV plants.
Solar and wind being almost complementary to each other, hybrid of two technologies would help in
minimizing the variability apart from optimally utilizing the infrastructure including land and transmission
system and thus strengthening the energy security of the country.
The main aim of the policy is to lay a framework for promoting large grid connected wind -solar
photovoltaic system. This will be helpful for creating optimal and efficient transmission infrastructure and
land, reducing the variability in renewable power generation to achieve better grid stability.
The draft policy is not clear about the financial incentives for hybrid systems and merely refers to the existing
incentives for solar and wind projects.
The superimposition of wind and solar resource maps shows that there are large areas where both wind and solar
have high to moderate potential, according to the policy.
The existing wind farms have scope of adding solar PV (photovoltaic) capacity and similarly there may be wind
potential in the vicinity of existing solar PV plants.
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Discuss the salient features of The draft National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2
Understanding major achievements and policies of ICAR.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) The ICAR works to create cost effective and environment friendly technologies by harnessing the
developments in science for vigorous development of agriculture and the farmers of our country. It was established in 1929, registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act–1860, the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is primarily mandated to plan, co-ordinate and guide research nationally and develop research partnership internationally, in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries
and animal sciences, in the country. The ICAR is the national apex body for agricultural research and extension education organize the
National Agricultural Research & Education System (NARES) in developing farmer friendly technologies. The improvement in the existing research and education infrastructure received due importance and
based on the needs of R&D some new institutions were established whereas some existing institutions were reoriented to enhance systems efficiency and competence in technology development.
Six additional colleges in north eastern states on agriculture, horticulture, veterinary sciences and food
processing are being established under the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, thus raising the total number of colleges from 7 to 13.
In order to ensure and maintain quality of higher agricultural education in the country, four Regional
Centres of National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board have been set up.
Major achievements Decoding of Wheat genome first time in the world in which scientists of the ICAR, PAU, Ludhiana
and Delhi University collaborated. This genetic blueprint of wheat will help in the first-track development of superior wheat varieties.
Cloning is useful for conservation of endangered animal species as well.
o For the first time in the world somatic cells isolated from urine have been used to clone
a calf, Apurvaa female cloned calf. o In India’s efforts to conserve the biodiversity, ‘Deepasha’ a clone of wi ld buffalo was
developed to save this species from extinction. It was cloned form cells of her mother the only surviving female of this breed in the Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary at Chhattisgarh.
A mobile mini lab named ‘Mridaparikshak’ has been developed that can assess the soil health
and can be used in the preparation of soil health cards . o It is a digital mobile quantitative mini lab to provide soil testing service at farmers’
doorsteps.
o It comes with ‘Smart Soil Pro’ an instrument for determining the soil parameters and displaying of fertilizer nutrient recommendations.
o It determines all the important soil parameters i.e. soil pH, EC, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and micronutrients l ike zinc, boron and iron.
o It can provide information on doses of fertilizer N, P, and K based on the targeted yield equations.
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A new device, Improved Light trap, has been designed to separate the insects having small,
narrow body size i.e., mostly beneficial/ non-targeted insects from other (mostly harmful) insects.
o It comprises of a light source as attractant and a funnel to direct lured insects into the porous insect collecting chamber (having single or double-walled chamber that facilitate automatic sieving).
o The devices can be used to manage the insect-pests in field crops (paddy, pigeon pea,
chickpea, groundnut, soybean, castor, sugarcane, and tobacco), vegetable, horticultural and other crops viz., spices, medicinal plants, plantation crops, forestry, tea, floricultural nurseries, etc.
o It may serve as an effective component of integrated pest management (IPM). These
technologies have been licensed exclusively on joint basis to private sector. Dissemination of user friendly technologies at ground level is undertaken by a wide network of K rishi
Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) having direct interface with farmers. 16 new Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs), Network Project on Expert System and New
Extension Methodologies and Approaches have been approved.
Newly Launched Schemes From translating its vision of ‘lab to land’, ICAR has launched the following schemes
o Farmer FIRST, o ARYA, o Student READY and
o Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav.
Farmer FIRST
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2 Understanding the concept on the Scheme
Farmer FIRST The project is an ICAR initiative to move beyond the production and productivity and to privilege the
complex, diverse & risk prone realities of majority of the farmers through enhancing farmers -scientists
contact with multi stake holders -participation. The focus is on Farmer’s Farm, Innovations, Resources, Science and Technology (FIRST).
Many aspects are multiple or multi; multiple stakeholders, multiple perspectives, multiple realities,
multi-functional agriculture, multi -method approaches. There are concepts and domains that are new or new in emphasis like food systems, trade, market
chains, value chains, innovation pathways and most of all innovation systems.
Main Focus
The project is conceptualized to deal with focus on: Enabling involvement of researchers for continuous interaction with farm conditions, problem
orientation, exchange of knowledge between farmers and other stakeholders, prioritization of problems and setting up of research agenda;
Integrating components of technology for application in different agro-ecosystems with focus on
innovations and feedback;
Building partnerships involving different stakeholders; development of rural based institutions; agro -
ecosystem and stakeholders analysis and impact studies and Using the platform of the project having commodity institutions as partners to develop commodity
specific contents for e-enabled knowledge sharing.
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It is envisaged that project will provide a platform of;
o creating linkages o capacity building
o technology adaptation and application o on-site input management o feedback and institution building
Mera Gaon-Mera Gaurav
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2
Understanding the objectives on the Scheme
Mera Gaon-Mera Gaurav
To enhance the direct interface of scientists with the farmers, an innovative initiative has been la unched
as “Mera Gaon- Mera Gaurav”which will hasten the lab to land approach.
The objective of this initiative is to provide farmers with o required information,
o knowledge and o advisories on regular basis.
Under this scheme, groups of scientists will select villages and will remain in touch with that village and
provide information to farmers on technical and other related aspects in a time frame through personal
visits or through telecommunication. In this way, 20,000 scientists of National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) can work
directly in villages.
Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA)
Relevancy G.S. Paper 2 Understanding the concept and objectives on the Scheme
Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) Realizing the importance of rural youth in agricultural development especially from the point of view of
food security of the country, ICAR has initiated a programme on “Attracting and Retaining Youth in
Agriculture”. ARYA project will be implemented in 25 States through KVKs, one district from each State.
In one district, 200-300 rural youths will be identified for their skill development in entrepreneurial
activities and establishment of related micro-enterprise units in the area of Apiary, Mushroom, Seed Processing, Soil testing, Poultry, Dairy, Goatry, Carp-hatchery, Vermi-compost etc., KVKs will involve the
Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes as Technology Partners. At KVKs also one or two enterprise units will be established so that they serve as entrepreneurial training
units for farmers. Purpose
The purpose is to establish economic models for youth in the villages so that youths get attracted in
agriculture and overall rural situation is improved.
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Skill development of rural youths will help in improving their confidence levels and encourage them to
pursue farming as profession, generate additional employment opportunities to absorb under employed and unemployed rural youth in secondary agriculture and service related activities in rural areas.
The concurrent monitoring, evaluation and mid-term correction will be an integral part of project
implementation.
Objectives To attract and empower the Youth in Rural Areas to take up various Agriculture, all ied and service sector
enterprises for sustainable income and gainful employment in selected districts, to enable the Farm Youth to establish network groups to take up resource and capital intensive activities
like processing, value addition and marketing,
To demonstrate functional linkage with different institutions and stakeholders for convergence of
opportunities available under various schemes/program for sustainable development of youth.
STUDENT R.E.A.D.Y
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2 Understanding the concept on the Scheme
STUDENT R.E.A.D.Y The term READY refers to “Rural and Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana”.
Student READY is Skill development initiative to strengthen students with skills, so as to enable them to
tackle global challenges, and to improve both their employability as well as ability to set up a venture. Student READY concept signifies this as a Finishing school for the undergraduate students.
The students get experience of working on farm in coordination with research stations and KVKs under
RAWE Component.
The students also stay in villages with farm families, agro based industries, cooperatives during phases of the RAWE programme to enable them to get real life field experience, understating of the problems and
enable them to gain confidence to tackle these problems. Approximately, 25000 graduates as Student READY will be a mandatory requirement for the UG Degree.
It is an all inclusive approach to strengthen the entrepreneurship development scenario in the country
which is competent, quality conscious, market savvy, innovative and has globally competitive entrepreneurs shall be carefully mentored and encouraged.
The programme will attract youth towards agriculture and allied sector and such ventures, when
established will help improve economic conditions in rural areas. All out efforts are being made to raise profitability of agriculture for making it a really attractive
occupation, especially for youth
Good and Services Tax (GST)
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2 (government’s welfare schemes).
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GST will replace all the taxes in India, will be easy to monitor and is a biggest tax reform in the country.
It will remove the tumbling effect of taxes because it is taxed at every point of business and the value
chain has the input credit.
Recently
GST will be applicable from July 1, 2017. As per the draft rules, a registered tax-[aying entity under the
GST system for indirect tax need to have a records of exported and imported goods and services and tax -
paid supply separately for each activity, including manufacturing, trading and services.
Additional requirements have been specified for different firms — based on whether they are into
manufacturing, services, execution of works contracts or a warehouse owner or operator, apart from the
general obligations proposed for all entities in the GST net.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
It is an indirect taxation in India which will merge the majority of existing taxes into a single system.
The GST is governed by GST Council and its Chairman is Union Finance Minister of India - Arun Jaitley.
It was introduced as The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act 2016, following the
passage of Constitution 122nd Amendment Bill .
GST is a wide-ranging indirect tax on the manufacture, sale and consumption of goods and services all
over India (Except state of Jammu and Kashmir), to replace taxes imposed by
the central and state governments.
This method allows GST-registered businesses to declare the tax credit to the value of GST they paid on
the purchase of goods or services as part of their normal commercial activity.
Exports would be considered as zero-rated supply and imports would be levied the same taxes as
domestic goods and services remaining to the destination principle in addition to the Customs Duty which
will not be subsumed in the GST.
Introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a significant step in the reform of indirect taxation in
India. Amalgamating several Central and State taxes into a single tax would mitigate cascading or double
taxation, facilitating a common national market.
From the consumer’s perspective, the biggest advantage would be in terms of a reduction in the overall
tax burden on goods, free movement of goods from one state to another without stopping at state
borders for hours for payment of state tax or entry tax and reduction in paperwork to a large extent.
GST is expected to be applicable from 1 July 2017.
The reform process in an indirect tax regime of India was started in 1986 by Vishwanath Pratap Singh by
the introduction of Modified Value Added Tax (MODVAT).
Taxes that will merge with GST
Goods and services tax (GST) will include various indirect taxes including
Central excise duty,
Service tax,
Additional customs duty,
Surcharges and cess
Additional duties of customs (commonly known as CVD)
Special additional duty of customs (sad)
State-level value added tax and
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Octroi.
Central sales tax
Luxury tax entry tax
Entertainment and amusement tax
Taxes on advertisements
Purchase tax taxes on lotteries, betting and gambling
State surcharges and cesses
Taxes that will not be included under the GST
Potable alcohol
Five petroleum products viz. Petroleum crude, motor spirit (petrol), high speed diesel, natural gas and
aviation turbine fuel
Electricity
Dual GST
Most of the countries have a unified GST system. Brazil and Canada follow a dual system where GST is
levied by both the Union and the State governments.
India has dual GST where Centre and States simultaneously levying it on a common tax base.
The structure is as follows:
For Intra-State Trade The GST levied by the centre is called Central GST (CGST) while that levied by States
/ UTs is State GST (SGST) or UTGST.
For Inter-State Trade For inter-state supply of Goods & Services, an Integrated GST (IGST) will be levied
and administered by the Centre.
CGST and IGST will be levied and administered by the Centre; while SGST / UTGST will be levied and
administered by respective states and UT administrations.
Principles followed in adopting dual GST The principle of fiscal federalism has been adapted where by the
centre and states have been assigned powers to levy and collect taxes through appropriate legislations.
GST Legislation
Constitution 101st amendment Act, 2016: This act was passed in September 2016 and comes into force in
July 1, 2017.
Central GST (CGST) Bil l , 2017: This bill has been now passed in Lok Sabha and expected to be passed in
Rajya Sabha Soon.
SGST (state GST) Bill , 2017: This bil l has been approved in GST Council but yet to be introduced and
passed.
Union Territory GST (UTGST) Bill , 2017: This bill has been passed in Lok Sabha and yet to be passed in Raya
Sabha Integrated GST (IGST) Bill , 2017: This Bill has been passed in Lok Sabha and Yet to be passed in
Rajya
Sabha GST (Compensation to States) Bill , 2017 (Compens ation Cess Bill): This bill has been passed in Lok
Sabha and yet to be passed in the Rajya Sabha.
Power of Taxation
IASBUZZ Current Affrais
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Parliament as well as every state legislature in the country has powers to enact laws to levy Goods and
services tax. In case of inter-state trade, only parliament has power.
{Article 248} The residual power of taxation, i.e. to tax the subjects which are not in the state or
concurrent list is STILL with Parliament. However, such power is now subject to Article 246 -A.
{Article 248} If Rajya Sabha by two-third majority passes a resolution that it is necessary and in the
national interest that parliament should make a law with respect to Goods and Services Tax on any matter
in state list, it shall be lawful for the parliament to do so. Such a tax shall be in force for one year. To
extend it further, similar resolution from Rajya Sabha will be needed.
{Article 249} During emergency, Parliament of India will have powers to make GST law on any subject in
the state l ist
{Article 250}. Duties levied by the Union, but collected and appropriated by the States include only Stamp
duties. The stamp duties collected shall not form the part of the consolidated fund of India BUT will be
assigned to states.
{Article 268 (1); Kindly note that excise duty on medicinal and toilet preparations has been omitted from
this article}
Article 268-A (Service tax levied by the Union and collected and appropriated by the Union and the States)
has been omitted from the constitution and now is part of GST.
Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)
Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN) is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up to cater to the needs of
GST.
The GSTN shall provide a shared IT infrastructure and services to Central and State Governments,
taxpayers and other stakeholders for implementation of GST.
The key functions of the GSTN are as follows;
o Facilitating registration forwarding the returns to Central and State authorities
o Computation and settlement of IGST matching of tax payment detail with banking network
o Providing various MIS reports to the Central and the State Governments based on the taxpayer
return information
o Providing analysis of the tax payers’ profile
o Running the matching engine for matching, reversal and reclaim of input tax credit.
The GSTN is developing a common GST portal and applications for registration, payment, return and MIS/ reports.
Q. what future issues may arise with the implementation of GST in India? What strategies can be implemented to
solve the problem?
IASBUZZ Current Affrais
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POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS)
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)
India is facing huge burden of pending cases which is increasing every day.
Recently
The highest Judicial forum and the final court of appeal in the country, the supreme court of India (SC)
recently launched Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS) for enhanced transparency
and efficiency.
The Indian legal system suffers from resource constraints resulting in slow processing of cases. As of April
2017, 27095 regular hearing matters and 33650 admission matters were pending before the SC, adding up
to a total of 60745.
What is Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS)?
ICMIS is expected to address information asymmetries, providing a completely transparent case
management regime, and make the processing of cases more efficient.
With the ICMIS, when lawyers want to appeal a High Court (the highest court at the state level) or der,
they just need to enter the number of the case and the grounds on which they are fi ling and the entire
paperbook of the case is automatically transferred to the SC from the High Court (HC), if the relevant HC
has digitised records.
There could be hundreds or thousands of pages in each paperbook. At later stages, also, documents
available in digital form in the concerned courts can be retrieved by the ICMIS, as and when required.
The transfer of the digitised content saves time for everyone involved. If the HC does not have digitised
records for the case, the system provides a mechanism for the HC to create digital records and upload
them to ICMIS within the timeline prescribed.
Every part of the process is monitored to ensure that everyone discharges their duties in time. If that
doesn’t happen, the next higher authority is informed automatically.
All parties concerned, including the litigants, lawyers and the HC are informed the moment the case is
filed, through emails and text messages to registered mobile phone numbers. Multiple communication
addresses can be entered.
Once informed, the parties can also download the grounds of appeal filed by the lawyer. They are also
informed of pending court fees.
The same communication modes are used for updating the parties and stakeholders of any developments
during the progress of the cases, such as the passing of orders or the setting of dates. No business matter
remains undated. The ‘Case status’ section displays tentative dates if not dates have been assigned by the
court, based on predefined logic. An updated index of paperbooks is available for the benefit of lawyers
and litigants. Information is provided on all documents fi led and the users can download documents. The
notice service status is available, including information on which serving the notice to which respondents
in pending.
In the event of any delays, everyone concerned is alerted and informed of what needs to be done.
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ICMIS will also help in regular management of resources in the court, with auto-distribution of workload
among available court staff on given day.
ICMIS will be accessible through a new interactive website, http://www.sci.gov.in/. The website is
intended to provide a user-friendly interface between litigants, lawyers and the SC regis try. It is optimised
for use on mobile devices and includes the facility of a payment gateway.
Police stations across the country will also be integrated into the system through the Crime and Criminal
Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) project. Under the CCTNS Project, there are plans to connect around
14,000 Police Stations along with 6000 higher offices in the police hierarchy e.g. Circles, Sub-Divisions,
Districts, Range, Zones, Police Headquarters, scientific and technical organizations such as Finger Print
Bureaux and Forensic Labs. In March, the media reported on the first police post in the country to be
linked to CCTNS. Prisons can also be integrated at a later stage.
Q. What is Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS)? What are its advantages?
Global ranking of Indian universities
Relevancy
Governance ( GS2)
Poor ranking of Indian universities in the field of research.
Recently
Indian educational institutions have again had a poor run in global ratings with none, including the
prestigious IITs, making it to the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings.
Background
While there is increase in enrolment of students. But there is no corresponding increase in teachers.
There is increase in ratio of no. of students/no. of teachers increase.
0200400600800
19
50
-51
19
60
-61
19
70
-71
19
80
-81
19
90
-91
20
00
-01
20
10
-11
20
11
-12
20
12
-13
Number of Universities
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
Number of Colleges
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While the student enrolments have gone up by approximately 66 times between 1950 -51 and 2011- 12,
the number of teachers has gone up by 40 times only.
In spite of the above quantitative phenomenal growth in the education system, the GER (Gross Enrolment
Ratio) as compared with some of the developed economies, is low as is evident from the following table:-
Country GER(%)
South
Korea 93
US 89
Russia 76
UK 59
France 55
Malaysia 40
China 24
India 19.4
Indian higher education sector has shown impressive and exponential growth in the number of institutes and
students enrollment in the country ; but it still faces challenges on several fronts like: -
As some vice chancellors and professors point out India does not spend enough on research in its
universities.
There is a serious lack of government funding to carry out research in Indian universities.
o Countries like Korea, Japan, Ireland, etc, gives a bare minimum funding to universities and this spend
keeps on increase sing based on the university’s performance.
o The National Institute of Health in Maryland, USA, spends more than 1,000 times the money that Indian
research institutions do on research.
o Similarly, while in the US, universities receive about 45% funding for facilities and services , Indian
universities receive between 0% and 5%.
Besides, the funding that most universities get is sometimes not even sufficient to meet the salaries of the
staff, leave alone to carry out research.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0
5000000
10000000
15000000
20000000
25000000
19
50
-51
19
60
-61
19
70
-71
19
80
-81
19
90
-91
20
00
-01
20
10
-11
20
11
-12
Rat
io
Axis Title
Number of Students (‘000’)
Number of Teachers
Ratio
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While effort are being made to increase the gross enrol ment ratio (GER) in higher education. But focus
must also be on improving the quality of research, teaching and infrastructure.
There is an acute shortage of faculty in universities in India
Deficient and low quality infrastructure
Indian universities put low emphasis on consultancy, patenting, research, development & innovation.
Curriculum is extremely outdated and is not tuned to the current industry needs.
How to Improve the Ranking of the Indian Universities (as suggested by Prof. Dr P K Gupta (Secretary General,
National Foundation of Indian Engineers, New Delhi))
Instead of multiplicity of regulatory institutions like AIU, AICTE, UGC, NBA, NAAC etc., create one central
agency as National Commission for Higher Education & Research (NCHER) covering AICTE and UGC Act.
Accreditation to be made mandatory for all universities and affiliated colleges
In order to make our universities world class and centres of excellence, three major success factors must
be aligned viz concentration of talent, availability of resources in abundance and favorable governance.
Governance Issues Following are the key governance issues to be addressed by the stake holders:-
o The Governmental control in the Universities must be reduced, so that the University autonomy
and accountability are strengthened and academic decisions are taken independently and
expeditiously
o New methods and procedures of financial regulations should be devised and direct interference
of the finance department in the financial management of Universities, which is
counterproductive, should be stopped.
o As the Colleges are the feeding sources of the Universities, a better coordination in their working
and activities is very much required. The participation of the teaching faculty through a
democratic process should be ensured.
o Complete transparency should be maintained in the working of Executive/Academic Bodies and
other Governing Councils of the Universities. There is an urgency to review the University Acts in
different States and revise the same in the light of the new requirements and the challenges
being faced by the Universities. New technologies of information and communication should be
utilized for obtaining administrative efficiency.
o Higher Education should be developed as an infrastructure for social a nd economic growth of the
Country.
o Student’s involvement in the area of University/College governance should be encouraged.
o Political interference in the appointment of University teachers and administrators should be
totally stopped.
Discus the reason for poor ranking of Indian universities.
New Paradigm in governance
Relevancy
Governance ( GS2)
Minimum Government and Maximum Governance
Cooperative Federalism
Background
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The rec ent changes in the governance in India can be studies broadly under
First under Cooperative and Competitive Federalism: It is based on the philosophy that centre alone
cannot transfer India. It needs a partnership of the States.
Second, the government will have to do things very differently (less activity in some spheres, much more
activity in others)
Cooperative and Competitive Federalism
The government must shift from centralize planning towards multi -level planning.
It needs to discard the one-size fit all approach.
Different needs and potential of the states must be recognized.
States must have greater say in the planning and implementation process
Competitive Federalism means race to the top as States compete with one another on various
parameters.
Following steps taken for the promotion of Cooperative Federalism
The abolition of the Planning Commission,
Rationalisation of centrally-sponsored schemes ,
Greater devolution of finances to the States by the 14th
Finance Commission laid,
For the first time, States have a say in Union policy — subcommittees of CMs have studied Ski ll India,
Swachh Bharat, centrally sponsored schemes and digital payments.
Following steps taken for the promotion of Competitive Federalism
There is now a ranking of States on the Ease of Doing Business,
There will soon be indices for health, education and water outcomes,
Centre’s role is limited to conceptualising the indices and monitoring their integrity,
Centre should help the states by sharing of best practices and model laws.
Minimum Government and Maximum Governance
It means that the state retreats from spheres where it plays an obviously counterproductive role, l ike in
making it difficult to do business through over-regulation (there is a commitment to improve India’s
ranking in
The focus is to improve India’s ranking in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Survey.
It doesn’t mean a complete retreat of the state from spheres of economic activity.
It stresses to weed out the underperforming enterprises while strengthening and giving autonomy to
those which can thrive.
The state cannot retreat altogether but it has to be more efficient in carrying out its activities.
Following steps taken for Minimum Government and Maximum Governance
Changes
Cooperative and Competitive Federalism Minimum Government and Maximum
Governance
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Subsidised (but not free) insurance
o Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana,
o Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana,
o Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
The Ujjwala scheme for giving LPG connections to the poorest households,
The emphasis on Aadhaar and on direct benefits transfer to bring transparency in the government
functioning.
Discuss some of the recent changes in the rel ationship between Center-State. What steps would you suggest to
achieve Minimum Government and Maximum Governance?
AADHAR
Relevancy from examination point of view
G.S paper 2
Recently
To address privacy and security concerns over Aadhaar, the Union government is in the process of
educating government agencies that sensitive data must not be made public.
The Government is drafting amendments to the Information Technology (IT) Act to strengthen the
provisions for data protection and security.
What is AADHAR?
AADHAAR is a 12 digit unique-identity number issued to all Indian residents based on their biometric and
demographic data.
The data is collected by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), a statutory authority, under
the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, under the provisions of the Aadhaar Act 2016.
AADHAAR is the world's largest biometric ID system
Applications
It is used for unique identification.
Nowadays it became mandatory for all our basic needs. In states like Tamil Nadu, it is mandatory for
providing ration.
It is used for forensic purposes since it is a bio-metric identification
In July 2014, an Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system (AEBAS) was introduced in government
offices. The system was introduced to check late arrival and absenteeism of government employees. The
public could see the daily in and out of employees on the website attendance.gov.in.
In November 2014, it was reported the Ministry for External Affairs was considering making Aadhaar a
mandatory requirement for passport holders.
Linked to DBT
Aadhaar project has been linked to some public subsidy and unemployment benefit schemes like the
domestic LPG scheme and MGNREGS.
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In these Direct Benefit Transfer schemes, the subsidy money is directl y transferred to a bank account
which is Aadhaar-linked.
Issues/Concerns
Lack of legislation for privacy of biometric data
Legal issues related to sharing of the data with law enforcement agencies.
The Aadhaar and the similar National Population Register (NPR) projects have been reported to be having
conflicts. In January 2012, it was reported that UIDAI will share its data with NPR and NPR will continue to
collect its own data.
It was originally intended to flush out illegal immigrants, but social security benefits were later added to
avoid privacy concerns
the Aadhaar threatens to legitimise the illegals living in the country. Local bureaucrats and politicians give
away documents like ration cards to illegal immigrants for political or personal gains.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of US prohibits discrimination based on collected biomedical
data, but India has no such safeguards for its citizens.
AADHAR is still facing operational issues like privacy and security concerns. How this issue can be
addressed?
Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patients (Protection of Patients
and Medical Practitioners) Bill
Relevancy from examination point of view
G.S paper 2 (Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Health, Important aspects of governance).
Euthanasia is gaining recognition worldwide, but India only allows partial euthanasia. It is important to
understand the need to legalize euthanasia and what issues can arise in country like India.
Recently
Recently, a petition was moved to the SC to provide physical and personal dignity to terminally ill persons
by giving them right to plan the course of their treatment.
The Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patients (Protection of Patients and Medical Prac titioners) Bill ,
only addresses the issue of euthanasia while ignoring the right of a person to refuse the treatment under
Article 21 i.e. Right to Life, of the Indian Constitution.
Need for the law
Efforts to allow mercy kil ling have picked up pace around the world recently with many nations legalizing
it. But in India, where mercy killing is not open and widely supported, a debate over legalization of
euthanasia continues.
There are ethical implications of this law as well as there is a big question about its functionality.
There is need of a law which will ensure that a person is constitutionally protected under Right to Life and
misuse must be reduced.
What is Euthanasia?
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It is a practice of intentionally ending a l ife of a person suffering from long ter m illness, in order to relieve
such suffering.
Passive euthanasia entails the withholding of common treatments, such as antibiotics, necessary for the
continuance of life.
Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances or forces, such as administer ing a lethal injection to
kill , and it is controversial.
Euthanasia may be classified according to whether a person gives informed consent into three types:
o Voluntary -Euthanasia conducted with the consent of the patient is termed voluntary
euthanasia.
o Non-voluntary- Euthanasia conducted when the consent of the patient is unavailable is
termed non-voluntary euthanasia.
o Involuntary- Euthanasia conducted against the will of the patient is termed involuntary
euthanasia.
Provisions of the draft bill
According to the draft bill ,2016, a patient suffering from a terminal disease and is above the age of 16
years can decide the future course of his/her treatment. A choice whether to continue the current
medical treatment or let nature take its own course.
The bill also provides protection to patients and doctors treating them from any liability for either
withholding or withdrawing medical treatment.
When a patient decides and communicated with his/her decision with the doctor, such decision is binding
on the doctor.
The draft also makes sure that the doctor must be completely satisfied that patient is competent and the
decision is made with free will.
There will be a panel of medical experts to look into different cases.
The bill only take note to legalize passive euthanasia and does not consider active euthanasia which can
lead to misuse.
The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) Underwent a
Change
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2
It will help in understanding the recent changes in The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana.
Recently
The union cabinet gave approval to Pan-India implementation of Maternity Benefit Program which now
has been extended to all districts of the country
Objectives of the scheme
To provide partial compensation for the wage loss in terms of cash incentives so that the woman can
take adequate rest before and after delivery of the first living child.
How Medical Treatment of Terminally Ill Patients (Protection of Patients and Medical Practitioners) Bill will help
patients suffering from terminal illness? What issues can arise by legalizing euthanasia?
IASBUZZ Current Affrais
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The cash incentives provided would lead to improved health of the mother and reduce the effects of
under-nutrition i.e. stunting, wasting and other related problems.
To ensure that every woman gets satisfactory support and health care during pregnancy and at the time
of delivery
To ensure that every newborn is immunized on time.
Earlier provisions of the scheme
All the pregnant women of 19 years of age and above were eligible for conditional cas h transfer benefits
of Rs. 4000 to be paid in three installments.
After the implementation of National Food Security Act , the amount was revised to Rs. 6000
Earlier the scheme was applicable for the first two live births.
Women having paid maternity leave were not included in the scheme.
Introduced in 53 districts in India
The cash fund transfer had following conditions;
o First transfer at the end of second live birth- Rs. 3000
o Second transfer three months after delivery- Rs. 3000
The benefits will be released through direct benefit transfer.
Recent changes
Now Maternity benefit programme is issued for pregnant and lactating mothers excluding the employees
of government enterprises and PSUs.
Now pregnant and lactating mothers will be entitled to Rs. 6000 only for their First Born Child.
Cabinet now extended the scheme to all the districts in the country.
Now the benefit will be provided in three installments;
o At the registration of pregnancy- Rs 1,000
o Once they carry out at least one antenatal check-up after six months of pregnancy- Rs 2,000
o when the birth of the child is registered, and the child has its first cycle of vaccines, including
BCG, OPV, DPT and hepatitis -B - Rs 2,000
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritava Abhiyan
Relevancy
Woman & Child Health( GS2)
PM Surakshit Matritava Abhiyan
Recently
The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan has been launched by the Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India.
Introduction
It aims to provide fixed-day, assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally to all
pregnant women on the 9th
of every month.
One of the critical components of the Abhiyan is identification and follow-up of high risk pregnancies.
These services will be provided in addition to the routine ANC at the health facility/ outreach at identified
public health facilities in both urban and rural areas.
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OBGY specialists / Radiologist/ Physicians working in the private sector are encouraged to volunteer for
the campaign and various mechanisms have been developed to facilitate participation of private doctors.
Beneficiaries
Pregnant women can now avail of a special antenatal check-up in their second or third trimesters at
Government health facilities.
Goal of the PMSMA
The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan envisages improvement in the quality and coverage of Antenatal
Care (ANC) including diagnostics and counseling services as part of the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and
Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) Strategy.
Why PMSMA?
As per latest data of the Rapid Survey on Children (2013 - 14), the institutional deliveries in India are
78.7%.
In spite of this massive increase in the number of pregnant women coming to institutions for delivery, ti ll
date only 61.8% women rec eive first ANC in first trimester (RSOC) and the coverage of full ANC (provision
of 100 IFA tablets, 2 tetanus toxoid injections and minimum 3 ANC visits) is as low as 19.7 % ( RSOC ).
Maternal mortality with MMR of 167 per 1, 00,000 live births still remains high even with improved access
to maternal health care services.
Timely detection of risk factor during pregnancy and childbirth can prevent deaths due to 5 preventable
causes. This can only be possible if the complete range of the required services is accessed by the
pregnant women.
PMSMA is based on the premise — that if every pregnant woman in India is examined by a physician and
appropriately investigated at least once during the PMSMA and then appropriately followed up — the process can
result in reduction in the number of maternal and neonatal deaths in our country.
Accessible India Campaign
Relevancy
Society ( GS1) & Policy ( GS2)
Accessible India Campaign
Introduction
It is the nationwide flagship campaign of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
(DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment .
The aim of the Campaign is to make a barrier free and conducive environment for Divyangjans all over the
country.
As per Census 2011, in India, out of the 121 Cr population, about 2.68 Cr persons are ‘disabled’ which is
2.21% of the total population.
People with disabilities are vulnerable because of the many barriers we face: attitudinal, physical, and financial.
Addressing these barriers is within our reach and we have a moral duty to do so...... But most impor tant,
addressing these barriers will unlock the potential of so many people with so much to contribute to the world.
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Governments everywhere can no longer overlook the hundreds of millions of people with disabilities who are
denied access to health, rehabilitation, support, education, and employment—and never get the chance to shine.
Stephen Hawking
Rational behind the campaign
The campaign is based on the principles of the Social Model of Disability, that disability is caused by
the way society is organised, and not the person’s limit ations and impairments.
The physical, social, structural and attitudinal barriers prevent People with Disabilities from
participating equally in the socio-cultural and economic activities.
A barrier-free environment facilitates equal participation in all the activities and promotes an
independent and dignified way of life.
The campaign has the vision to build an inclusive society in which equal opportunities are provided
for the growth and development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) so that they can lead productive,
safe and dignified lives.
Impact of poor accessibility
Poor accessibility has led to social exclusion of people with disabilities for accessing various services.
This forced then not to be able to attend the school, unable to participate in employment, etc. This has a
huge economic consequence for the country.
UN agencies put this cost at around 7% of national GDP.
Accessible India Campaign has the following three important components:
Built Environment Accessibility
o An accessible physical environment benefits everyone, not just persons with disabilities.
o Measures should be undertaken to eliminate obstacles and barriers to indoor and outdoor
facilities including schools, medical facilities, and workplaces .
o These would include not only buildings, but also footpaths, curb cuts, and obstacles that block
the flow of pedestrian traffic.
Transportation System Accessibility
o Transportation is a vital component for independent l iving, and like others in society, P wDs rely
on transportation facilities to move from one place to another.
o The term transportation covers a number of areas including air travel, buses, taxis, and trains.
Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility
Campaign Compnenets
Built Environment Transport Information & Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem
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o Access to information creates opportunities for everyone in society.
o Access to information refers to all information.
o People use information in many forms to make decisions about their daily lives.
o This can range from actions such as being able to read price tags, to physically enter a hall, to
participate in an event, to read a pamphlet with healthcare information, to understand a train
timetable, or to view web pages.
o No longer should societal barriers of infrastructure, and inaccessible formats stand in the way of
obtaining and utilizing information in daily life.
Economic Benefits of the campaign
Accessible services and business premises can broaden the customer base, increasing turnover and
positively impacting the financial health and social brand of the company.
A rec ent research pegged the market size of different product categories needed by persons with
disabilities in India at a whopping Rs. 4,500 crore.
This can only be realized if we increase the accessibility of the PwD in all the three parameters defined
under Accessible India Campaign
Discuss the three pillars of Accessible India Campaign. What is the rationale behind the launch of this campaign?
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Relevancy
Society ( GS1)
Geriatric care
Recently
“Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana”, a ‘Scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior
citizens belonging to BPL category.
Background
This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Central Government.
The expenditure for implementation of the scheme will be met from the "Senior Citizens' Welfare
Fund".
The Scheme will be implemented through the sole implementing agency - Artificial Limbs
Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO), a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
ALIMCO will undertake one year free maintenance of the aids & assisted living devices.
The Scheme is expected to benefit 0.53 million Senior Citizens over a period of the 3 years.
As per the Census figures of 2011:
The population of senior citizens in India is 10.38 crore.
More than 70% of the population of senior citizens live in rural areas of the country.
A sizeable percentage (5 .2%) of the senior citizens suffers from some sort of disabilities related to old age.
Projections indicate that the number of elderly population will increase to around 173 million by 2026.
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Salient features of the Scheme
The Scheme aims at providing Senior Citizens, belonging to BPL category and suffering from any of the age
related disability/infirmity viz. Low vision, Hearing impairment, Loss of teeth and Locomotor disability,
with such assisted-living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions, overcoming
the disability/infirmity manifested.
The assistive devices shall be of high quality and conforming to the standards laid down by the Bureau of
Indian Standards.
Under the Scheme, the following Aids and Assisted-Living Devices will be provided to eligible elderly
beneficiary senior citizens, depending upon their physical impairment: Walking sticks, Elbow crutches,
Walkers / Crutches, Tripods/Quadpods, Hearing Aids, Wheelchair, Artificial Dentures, Spectacles.
There will be free of cost distribution of the devices. In case of multiple disabilities/infirmities manifested
in the same person, the assistive devices will be given in respect of each disability/impairment.
Identification of beneficiar ies
Beneficiaries in each district will be identified by the State Governments/UT Administrations through a
Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner/District Collector.
As far as possible, 30% of the beneficiaries in each district shall be women.
The State Government/UT Administration/District Level Committee can also utilize the data of BPL
beneficiaries receiving Old Age Pension under the NSAP or any other Scheme of the State/UT for
identification of senior citizens belonging to BPL category.
The draft ‘Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2017’
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2
It will help in better understanding of Fugitive Economic Offender and the proposed bill .
Recently
Recently the finance ministry has sought public comments on the draft the Fugitive Economic Offenders
Bill , 2017.
The bill comes against the condition of India seeking the exile of Vijay Mallya from the U.K. for defaulted
loans to banks.
Who is a Fugitive Economic Offender?
A person having an arrest warrant issued due to a scheduled offence and who,
o Leaves or is leaving India to avoid any criminal prosecution or
o Refuses to return India to face criminal prosecution.
Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2017
The bill provides for measures to prevent economic offenders from evading the process of Indian Law by
remaining outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts, thereby preserving the sanctity of the rule of law in
India.
The act extends to the whole of India.
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The bill provides for the setting up of special courts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act that
would have the power to declare a person as a fugitive economic offender.
If the offender returns to India and surrenders before the appropriate jurisdiction, proceedings under the
act would cease by law.
The main consequences faced by the offender will be;
o Confiscation of any property that is a proceed of crime of the accused
o Any other property owned by such person in India
The draft Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2014
Relevancy
Society ( GS1) & Ethics ( GS4)
Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Recently
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee has approved the transgenic mustard for environmental
release.
Background
The draft Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill of 2014 seeks to amend Section 3 of
the principle The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971 to provide that “the length of
pregnancy shall not apply” in a decision to abort a foetus diagnosed with “substantial foetal
abnormalities as may be prescribed”.
Loophole in the bill
The unsafe abortions are widely prevalent even 40 years after the Act came into force.
Unsafe abortion is the third leading cause of maternal deaths in the country,
According to data from The Registrar General of India, Sample Registration System (2001-03), unsafe
abortions contribute to 8% of the total maternal deaths.
Ten women die of unsafe abortions every day in India which sees nearly 68 lakh pregnancy terminations
every year.
Research shows more than 80 % of women do not know that abortion is legal in India and this contributes
to women seeking terminations from backstreet providers.
All stakeholders argue that unsafe abortions still continue to outnumber safe and legal abortions in the
country
The current Act does not allow abortions above the gestational age of 20 weeks.
However, legal experts have argued that medical science and technology have made the 20 -week ceiling
redundant and that conclusive determination of foetal abnormality is possible in most cases after the
20th week of gestational age.
National Commission for Women in Support
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) (Amendment) Bil l contemplates the extension of the legal
limit for abortion from the 20 weeks to 24 weeks.
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The National Commission for Women (NCW) had also proposed an extension of gestation limit for
conducting MTP in case of certain vulnerable categories of women e.g.
o rape survivors,
o victims of incest,
o single (unmarried, divorced, widowed)
o women with disabilities
o Cases of severe foetal abnormalities where these were detected after the existing gestation limit
of 20 weeks.
Article 142: Supreme Court’s Curative Power
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2
This will help in understanding the use as well as misuse of article 142.
Recently
The Supreme Court’s use of its vast powers under the Article has done tremendous good to many
deprived sections
What is Article 142?
Art. 142 is further elaboration of Art. 141.
It provides that in order to do absolute justice, Supreme Court will have power to pass any judgment,
verdict or order as is necessary.
Such order shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India.
Mechanism of enforcement shall be determined by the law passed by parliament in that regard. In case
there is no law passed by parliament to implement the order of SC then, a President’s order shall
determine it by prescription.
Recent Criticism
In recent years, there have been several judgments of the Supreme Court invoking Article 142 where even
fundamental rights of individuals are being ignored.
Court has not considered the far-reaching effects of its judgments.
The coal block allocation case:
o The allocations of coal blocks which were granted since 1993 were cancelled in 2014.
o No findings were done to prove the wrongdoings and no individual was heard on their particular
facts.
o The cancellation lead to the penalty of Rs. 295 per tonne of coal already mined over the years.
The ban on the sale of alcohol along the national and state highways:
o Central government issues a notification prohibiting liquor stores along national highways only,
later SC put in place a ban of a distance of 500 meters invoking Article 142 and the ban was
extended to state highways as well.
o This resulted in close down of many hotels, restaurants, bars a nd liquor stores leading to large
scale unemployment.
o According to the statistics of 2015, only 4.2% accidents are caused by drunken driving and 44.2%
are caused by over-speeding.
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Security
Cyber security in India
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 3 (Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social
networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security)
Recently
Recently, some anonymous hackers executed cyber attacks in more than 74 countries and wreaking havoc
on nation like Russia, Ukrain, India and Taiwan.
A group named “Shadow Brokers” began posting software tools said to be NSAs stockpile of hacking
weapons.
This cyber attack amounts to an audacious global blackmail attempt.
These attacks will rise question of growing number of cyberweapons by countries, same tools stolen and
are turned against their own people.
Cyber security
Cybersecurity is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks,
computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access.
In a computing context, security includes both cybersecurity and physical security.
Ensuring cybersecurity requires coordinated efforts throughout an information system. Elements of
cybersecurity include:
o Application Security
o Information Security
o Network Security
o Disaster Recovery / Business Continuity Planning
o Operational Security
o End-User Education
Types of security threats
Hacking of important data
Email spamming
Child pornography
Digital forgery
Cyber stalking
Online gambling
Phishing
DoS attacks (denial of service)
Malware
o Virus
o spyware
o Worms
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o Hoax
o Trojan
Cyber security in India
National Cyber Security Policy is a policy framework by Department of Electronics and Information
Technology (DeitY)
It aims at protecting the public and private infrastructure from cyber attacks.
The policy is also intended to safeguard "information, such as personal information, financial and banking
information and sovereign data". This was particularly relevant in the wake of US National Security
Agency (NSA) leaks that suggested the US government agencies are spying on Indian users, who have no
legal or technical safeguards against it.
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India) defines Cyberspace is a complex
environment consisting of interactions between people, software services supported by worldwide
distribution of information and communication technology.
Tools for protection against Cyber Attacks
Digital signature
Cyber forensics
Encryption
Security audit
Agencies that tackles Cyber Crime issues in India
National Information Board
National Crisis Management Committee
Department Of Information Technology
National Security Council Secretariat
Standardization, Testing And Quality Certification Directoratenational Cyber Response Centre- Indian
Computer Emergency Response Team
Department Of Telecommunications
National Disaster Management Of Authority
National Information Infrastructure Protection Centre
The Cyber Regulations Appellate Tribunal
Information Technology Act, 2000
The Information Technology Act, 2000 aims to provide legal recognition to e-commerce and e-governance
and assist its development as an alternate to paper based traditional methods.
The Act has adopted a functional equivalents approach in which paper based requirements such as
documents, records and signatures are replaced with their electronic counterparts.
The Act seeks to protec t this advancement in technology by defining crimes, prescribing punishments,
laying down procedures for investigation and forming regulatory authorities.
National Cyber Security Policy 2013
In 2013, newspapers mentioned documents leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, has
suspected that much of the NSA close watch was focused on India's domestic politics and i ts strategic and
commercial interests.
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This lead to uproar among the people and under pressure, the government unveiled a National Cyber
Security Policy 2013 on 2 July 2013.
Vision
o To build a secure and resilient cyberspace for citizens, business and government and also to
protect anyone from intervening into your privacy.
Mission
o To protec t information and information infrastructure in cyberspace, build capabilities to prevent
and respond to cyber threat, reduc e vulnerabilities and minimize damage from cyber incidents
through a combination of institutional structures, people, processes, technology and
cooperation.
Objective
o To create a secure cyber ecosystem in the country, generate adequate trust and confidence in IT
system and transactions in cyberspace and thereby enhance adoption of IT in all sectors of the
economy.
o To create an assurance framework for design of security policies and promotion and enabling
actions for compliance to global security standards and best practices by way of conformity
assessment (Product, process, technology & people).
o To strengthen the Regulatory Framework for ensuring a SECURE CYBERSPACE ECOSYSTEM.
o To enhance and create National and Sectoral level 24X7 mechanism for obtaining strategic
information regarding threats to ICT i nfrastructure, creating scenarios for response, resolution
and crisis management through effective predictive, preventive, protective response and
recovery actions.
Strategies
o Creating a secured Ecosystem.
o Strengthening the regulatory Framework.
o Creating mechanism for Security Threats Early Warning, Vulnerability management and response
to security threat.
o Securing E-Governance services.
o To develop bilateral and multilateral relationship in the area of cyber security with another
country. (Information sharing and cooperation)
Q. What are the important features of the National Cyber Security Policy 2013? What cyber threats India is facing?
Integrated Theatre Command System
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2 (international relations), G.S. Paper 3 (national security)
The Government pushed for a big reform in defence, i.e. Unified Tri -services Command.
Recently
The armed forces have formulated a new "joint doctrine" to ensure the Army, Navy and IAF plan and work
together to effectively tackle the entire spectrum of conflict, ranging from full blown conventional wars to
irregular and hybrid warfare, in the years ahead.
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The "Joint Doctrine of the Indian Armed Forces - 2017" is nevertheless a positive step to address the lack
of military synergy in the country, with the Army, Navy and IAF often pulling in different directions on
doctrinal, training, planning, procurement and operational matters.
What is Threatre Command?
In warfare, a theater is an area in which main military events occur or are progressing.
A theater can include the entirety of the air space, land and sea area that is or that may potentially
become involved in war operations.
A theatre command is an organisational structure designed to control all military assets in a theatre of
war to achieve military effects. In the modern military, a strategic command is better known as a combat
command that may be a combination of army groups.
Integrated Theatre Command System aims to put the resources of the three Services at the disposal of
the theatre commander, keeping in mind the tasks assigned to him, and thereafter leaves him free to
train his command to make it a cohesive fighting force capable of achieving its designated charter in the
shortest possible timeframe.
Examples
China has an expansive military space programme and specialised cyber-warfare units, while last year it
also re-organised its 2.3-million People's Liberation Army into five theatre commands for better
command-and-control and greater offensive capabilities.
In accordance with the experience of World War I, the term "theater of operations" was usually conceived
of as a large land mass over which continuous operations would take place and was divided into two chief
areas-the combat zone, or the area of active fighting, and the communications zone, or area required for
administration of the theater. As the armies advanced, both these zones and the areas into which they
were divided would shift forward to new geographic areas of control.
The division of large continental and maritime areas assis ts in determining the limits within which the
plans for operation of strategic military groups of forces are developed, allowing the conduct of military
operations on specific significant strategic directions known as fronts which were named in accordance to
their theater of operations, for example Southwestern Front (Russian Empire), 1st Ukrainian
Front, Northern Front (Soviet Union).
Need for Theatre Command
Jointness and Integration
o jointness implies synergised use of the resources of the three Services in a seamless manner to
achieve the best results in the least possible time, thus, avoiding duplication and making
optimum use of the available resources.
o Integration, on the other hand, seeks to merge individual Service identities to achieve a
composite and cohesive whole. It implies enmeshing the three Services together at different
levels and placing them under one commander for execution of operational plans.
Integrated Logistics
o In the current system, each Service plans and caters for its own logistics back-up for the
operations. This leads to a tremendous amount of duplication, long inventories and a colossal
waste of precious resources.
o When the logistics requirement of all the Services is somewhat similar in operations, it does not
stand to logic that each of them follows its own planning, provisioning, transportation and
delivery model.
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o With a little bit of forethought and coordination, it is possible to integrate the logistics
organisations of the three Services and create one integrated structure which caters to the
requirements of all, thus, optimising utilisation of resources.
Advant ages
Avoids duplication,
Ensures optimum utilisation of available resources,
Brings in greater jointness,
Leads to timely and mature decisions to developing situations and
Ensures flawless execution of orders to achieve success in battle.
Current proposal for integrated commands
It is proposed that India must move away from the current system and create integrated commands in addition to
the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) as follows:
Northern Command. Incorporating the states of Uttar Pradesh (UP), Uttranchal, Himachal and Jammu and
Kashmir (J&K).
Western Command. To include Punjab, Haryana and part of Rajasthan. ƒ Southwestern Command. To
include the balance of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Southern Command. To include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and Kerala. ƒ Southeastern Command. To
include Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. ƒ
Eastern Command. To include Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and
Tripura.
Central Command. To include Bihar, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry.
Conclusion
In India, the military inherited a system which had been instituted by the British to serve their
requirements best.
Modern warfare is continuously evolving. Doctrines, concepts, methodology and weapon systems of war -
fighting are constantly getting refined to achieve success in the shortest possible time.
Driven by technology, these changes are likely to have a much more profound influence on war -fighting
than ever seen hitherto. Real -time intelligence, transparency of the battlefield, cyber warfare, information
warfare, spacebased weapon systems, etc. are some the oft-spoken and discussed terms among military
strategists in the present-day environment.
While most advanced militaries of the world have already transitioned to the Theatre Command system,
we in India are still discussing and debating its relative merits and demerits.
Integrated Theatre Commands are by no means a panacea for all our military shortcomings. But they are
an important edifice in the overall organizational structure that we seek to improve, to bring in clarity and
efficiency in our military functioning.
Q. What is Integrated Theatre Command System? What are its advantages? Mention few proposed Integrated
Theatre Command Systems in India.
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NSCN-IM and Shared Sovereignty
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2, G.S. Paper 3
Recently
The Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) has finally settled for ‘co-existing together with Shared
Sovereignty’.
Background
The Nagas were sovereign before the arrival of the British.
Only a part of Nagalim was conquered by the British.
There is no unification agreement between the Nagas and India.
Naga outfits envisage a “Greater Nagalim” comprising the adjacent Naga -inhabited areas of Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur with Nagaland and also a large tract of Myanmar.
In 1997, NSCN (Isak-Muivah) signed a ceasefire agreement for an indefinite period with the Centre.
After 37 years of armed struggle and 20 years of negotiations, in 2015, the Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-
IM) and the Centre signed a ‘framework agreement’ for a final settlement.
Concerns
India has concerns around Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) recruiting locals on the ground that they
would be recruited in the central armed police forces, once the final agreement was signed.
The details of the framework agreement are yet to be made public.
In 2016, while extending Armed Forces Special Powers Act in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Centre
in a notification mentioned “extortion and intimidation” by the cadres of NSCN-IM as one of the reasons
for doing so.
Shared Sovereignty
Shared sovereignty involves the formation of institutions for governing specific issue areas within the
country— areas over which external and internal actors willingly share authority.
Such structures are born of a compact between national authorities and some external entity.
The government, in the 'framework agreement' has recognized the Nagas' sovereignty and has also
accepted that the Nagas are unique people with a separate entity and sovereign rights.
The framework agreement contained various demands of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and a
separate passport and flag was also demanded by them then. The government of India’s reply was very
clear on this that we don’t agree to this.
The framework agreement between the Nagas and India to ensure peaceful coexistence will include this
new experiment.
Development and Kashmir
Relevancy
GS 3
Relationship between security and development
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Increasing incidents of clash of college students with security forces
Background
There is an increase in skirmishes between the security forces and the protestors in J&K.
There is an increasing anger among youth against government and security forces.
The development indicators of the state
A look at some of the key development indicators suggests that the state has fared better than the rest of the
country.
Human development index (HDI) of Jammu and Kashmir fares better than the average Indian state. While
national average is 0.6087, J&K has 0.6489.
The National Family and Health Survey, which was conducted in 2015 -16 (NFHS 2015-16), also shows that
Jammu and Kashmir fares better on dev elopment indicators when compared with all -India averages, or
with insurgency-affected states such as Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Chhattisgarh.
State has fared well in term of households that have access to the amenities such as improved drinking
water, improved sanitation, using clean fuel, access to electricity etc.
Thus development cannot be the sole reason for the current crisis in the valley.
Possible reasons of protest
The lack of quality jobs may be one reason for the frustration of Kashmiri youth.
According to the 2011 census, the share of 0-14-year-old population was slightly higher in Jammu
and Kashmir (34%) than all -India (31%). Now various incident suggested that there is increased in
participation from this section.
Not only does Jammu and Kashmir have more people than the rest of country in this age-group,
its youth population (15-34 years) also has a bigger employment problem.
According to the 2011 census, Jammu and Kashmir had a much smaller share of main workers
(who are employed for more than six months in a year) in comparison to the rest of India and
other conflict-ridden states.
There is an increasing anger among youth towards security forces.
Other reason can be attributed to:
The imposition of AFSPA
The growing radicalization of the youth of the state
The Pakistan sponsored terrorist activities in the state
The fallout of the security forces’ hardening attitude towards the locals has led to the spike in
local militancy.
Lack of political will to come tighter and find the solution
Is lack of development driving the Kashmir conflict?
Left Extremism
Relevancy
Society and Security
Naxalism is still operating in several parts of the country
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Recently
25 CRPF personnel were today killed and six other injured in Chhattisgarh's Sukma distric t.
Background
Naxalism has been operating in several parts of the country. It has been there from the late 60s and 70s
and different parts of the country have been affected with different levels of naxal violence. These
affected regions can be presented under Red Corridor.
Shocking Dat a
According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), a data -driven website on terrorism in South Asia,
since 2004, 3912 security forces personnel have martyred in India in different theatres of conflict, in
Jammu & Kashmir, in our north-eastern part of the country and in the Naxal corridors of India.
Out of which 1885 security forces personnel have lost their l ives in Naxal attacks. That casualty count is
much higher than even the most debated theatre of conflict in India - Jammu & Kashmir.
In the same period, since 2004, according to the SATP, 1369 security forces personnel lost their lives in
Jammu & Kashmir, a significantly higher numbers, but much lower when we see it in comparison with the
1914 lives lost in the Maoist violence in the same period.
The north-eastern part of India comprising eight states, ie, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura and Sikkim, is the third major theatre of conflict where the
fatality rate of our forces is quite high.
The Red Corridor
It is a region in the India that experiences considerable Naxalite–Maoist insurgency.
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Causes for Spread of Left Extremism
While the goal of the left extremists was to actualise their own vision of the State through ‘revolution’, they chose
to usher that revolution by enlisting the support of the deprived and exploited sections of society.
It is, therefore, necessary to identify the reasons for such deprivation and consequent discontent. Below are the
reasons as suggested by ARC report.
Land Related Factors
o Evasion of land ceiling laws.
o Existence of special land tenures (enjoying exemptions under ceiling laws).
o Encroachment and occupation of Government and community lands (even the water -bodies) by
powerful sections of society.
o Lack of title to public land cultivated by the landless poor.
o Poor implementation of laws prohibiting transfer of tribal land to non-tribals in the Fifth
Schedule areas.
o Non-regularisation of traditional land rights.
Displacement and Forced Evictions
o Eviction from lands traditionally used by tribals.
o Displacements caused by irrigation and power projects without adequate arrangements for
rehabilitation.
o Large scale land acquisition for ‘public purposes’ without appropriate compensation or
rehabilitation.
Livelihood Related causes
o Lack of food security – corruption in the Public Distribution System (which is often non-
functional).
o Disruption of traditional occupations and lack of alternative work opportunities.
o Deprivation of traditional rights in common property resources.
Social Exclusion
o Denial of dignity.
o Continued practice, in some areas, of untouchability in various forms.
o Poor implementation of special laws on prevention of atrocities, protection of civil
o Rights and abolition of bonded labour etc.
Governance Related Factors
o Corruption and poor provision/non-provision of essential public services including primary health
care and education.
o Incompetent, i l l trained and poorly motivated public personnel who are mostly absent from their
place of posting.
o Misuse of powers by the police and violations of the norms of law.
o Perversion of electoral politics and unsatisfactory working of local government institutions.
Capacity Building to Deal with Violent Left Extremism
ARC suggested that various instituti ons of State and civil society need to be pressed into service to manage the
situation brought about by left extremism. These can be considered under the following categories:
Security forces
Administrative institutions
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Government personnel
Local bodies
Civil society organisations
Capacity building capacity of Security Forces (including the Police)
o Where there is overt, recurrent violence, extremism cannot be tackled by negotiations alone.
o Development, despite being essential to maintain peace in disturbed areas, must be accompanied by
vigorous action of the security forces including providing protection to personnel responsible for
implementation of development programmes.
o Training and reorientation including sensitising police and paramilitary personnel to the root causes
of the disturbances that they are seeking to curb are requirements that need no further elaboration.
Building capacity of Administrative Institutions
o Filling the administrative vacuum in the regions of the country affected by left extremism is of
paramount importance.
o Institutional capacity refers not only to organisations but also to the legal framework and norms
within which services are to be delivered.
o In the context of left extremism, matters l ike more efficient implementation of laws impinging on the
lives and livelihood of the tribals and endowing the delivery institutions with greater effectiveness
and empathy are issues of particular relevance.
o The introduction of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme will help provide employment
opportunities and minimum wage to the people.
o The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is
a welcome measure which seeks to enhance institutional capacity to deal with a major causative
factor for support of left extremism in tribal areas.
Ccapacity building among Government Personnel
o Government officials must be given proper training so as to professionally equip them to serve in
tribal areas.
o There is need for a national policy which could provide for reimbursing State Governments for the
additional resources that may be required to make it attractive for officers to voluntarily opt for
serving under difficult conditions in such areas.
Capacity building in local bodies
o Enactment of the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996
commonly known as PESA, is thus a welcome initiative for ensuring grass -roots management of
community affairs.
o The healthy cooperative institutions in these areas are as important for the robust Panchayat system.
But the Apex level institutions like TRIFED have failed to provide the right guidance and leadership to
the cooperatives in tribal areas. It is time that the needs of the cooperative sector in these areas are
given attention on the analogy of PESA.
Capacity building in civil Society Organisations
o These organisations have a major role to play as interlocutors,
o Their vigil and critical alertness acts as a bulwark against abuse of power by the police and other state
functionaries – in other words their activities strengthen the rule of law.
o They can help in educating the people about the futility of violence and preventing aggravation of the
situation by ventilating public grievances within the legal -democratic framework.
Discuss the measures that are needed to control the spread of left extremism.
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Sukma Attack
Relevancy
Internal Security ( GS3)
Threat of leftwing extremism.
Recently
The Maoist attack on the 99member Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) party in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, in
which 25 jawans lost their lives.
Background
Naxalism is still operating in several parts of the country.
These affected regions are classified as Red Corridor.
The Sukma incident has once again brought the focus on not just the threat represented by leftwing
extremism (LWE) but also questions of preparation, equipping, training and strategy of the CRPF that is
bearing the brunt of the burden in this fight.
The fight against Maoists has been characterised by high casualty count of our security forces.
Major issues
The LWE/Maoists corridor spreads across several States and the lack of a common plan has left each State
government combating the Naxals as per their own strategy.
There is lack of institutionalised intelligence sharing between States and regions. This is being clearly
utilized by the LWEs/Maoists.
Between 2005 and 2017, as many as 1,910 security personnel were killed in LWE/Maoist attacks in India,
out of which 954 casualties were in Chhattisgarh alone, including the latest incident.
In 2012, the Home Ministry had proposed to replicate Greyhounds in five Maoismhit States. But, the
proposal has not seen the light of day, especially in Chhattisgarh.
The Greyhounds
The Greyhounds special force of undivided Andhra Pradesh has by far been the most effective force to have
succeeded in reversing the trend of Maoist violence. Since 2005, 36 security personnel have lost their lives in
Andhra Pradesh. This is far better when compared to Chattisgarh i.e. more than 900 casualties.
The CRPF personal recruited are given inadequate training to deal with such incidents.
There are also shortages of adequate instruments that are required by these forces.
There is inadequate availability of sanctioned number of armored vehicles. The damage and loss of life
from attacks with grenade launchers and improvised explosive devices (IED) can be lessened with
movement in armoured vehicles. Out of sanctioned 350 armored vehi cles 122 armored vehicles are
available to CRPF.
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Inadequate combat capability of police forces in Maoist affected States remains the prime factor for
failing security response as also dependency of State police forces on the Central government for anti
Maoist operations.
There is also lack of use of technology (including drones) to increase surveillance around patrols to
prevent ambushes.
The battle with the Maoist must be accompanied by not just the perseverance and devotion of our men in
uniform, but also better tactics, equipment, training and a determined strategy to prevail and win that combines
the resources and leadership of all States involved and the Central government.
Discuss the steps that should be taken by the government to check the Maoist attack.
Ransom ware
Relevancy
Security ( GS3)
Critical IT infrastructure
Digital India Mission
Recently
The ransomware (dubbed “WannaCry” ) has affecting PCs and laptops in more than 150 countries.
An estimated 200,000 computers globally were crippled in the first wave of attacks.
Background
Ransomware is a type of malware (Malware is a general term that refers to software that’s harmful
to your computer) that essentially takes over a computer and prevents users from accessing data on
it until a ransom is paid
This ransomware spreads as a worm. All it needs is for one computer on any network to be infected,
for the attack to spread to other l inked computers.
In most cases, the software infects computers through links or attachments in malicious messages
known as phishing emails.
Phishing is the attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and,
indirectly, money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic
communication.
How the ransomware works
It finds all of your files and encrypts them and if you want to decrypt them, you have to pay,
In the case of WannaCry, the ransom was demanded in bitcoin, a crypto-currency,
The ransomware encrypts data on the computer using an encryption key that only the attacker knows. If
the ransom isn’t paid, the data is often lost forever.
Protection
First a computer needs to get the latest version of the operating system from the authentic source.
Second, whatever system you are runni ng, it is important to keep the software completely up to date
Third, avoid phishing mails and report such incidents to the authorities asap. It’s important to avoid
clicking on such links or opening attachments.
Fourth, step is being cautious as there is “no perfect solution” to the problem.
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Fifth, user should regularly take backup of their data.
What is ransomware? Discuss its working and protections that user can take to prevent any harmful affect.
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Science and Technology
Food Fortification
Relevancy
G.S 1,2 and 3
Food Fortification is important for questions related to health policies of government.
Recently
To tackle the issue of Malnutrition in India, FSSAI (Food safety standards authority of India) released a set
of standards for food fortification.
FSSAI is focused on generating more awareness among masses.
What is Food Fortification?
Food fortification or enrichment is the process of adding micronutrients (essential trace elements and
vitamins) to food.
It may be a purely commercial choice to provide extra nutrients in a food, while other times it is a public
health policy which aims to reduce the number of people with dietary deficiencies within a population.
Types of food fortification;
The main methods of food fortification (named as to i ndicate the procedure that is used in order to fortify the
food) are:
Biofortification (i.e. breeding crops to increase their nutritional value, which can include both
conventional selective breeding, and modern genetic modification)
Synthetic biology (i.e. addition of probiotic bacteria to foods)
Commercial and industrial fortification (i.e. flour, rice, oils (common cooking foods))
Home fortification (e.g. vitamin D drops)
Foods that are fortified;
As outlined by the FAO, the most common fortified foods a re:
Cereals and cereal based products
Milk and Milk products
Fats and oils
Accessory food items
Tea and other beverages
Infant formulas
The draft by Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2016, prescribe the standards for fortification of Salt, Oil, Milk
and Rice.
Food fortification in India;
In October 2016, FSSAI (Food safety standards authority of India) published draft standards for food
fortification.
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Based on an analysis of the wheat flour supply chain in Haryana, it appears that fortifying atta flour for
the mid-day meal, infant child development, and public distribution systems could have a significant
health impact.
In 2000, the Darjeeling district of West Bengal became the first place in India to fortify wheat flour. Now
we estimate that 7.6% of th e industrially milled wheat flour in India is fortified.
Flour fortification is supported by the government of India, several state governments and their ministries
and departments dealing with cereal grains and food distribution.
Need for food fortification in India;
Rajasthan has a high burden of under-nutrition and micronutrient malnutrition.
Anaemia is found in 79 percent of children under 3 years of age, 54 percent of married women between
15 and 49 years old, 62 percent of pregnant women, and 21 per cent of married men.
Wheat flour, the major staple, is consumed in large amounts. Consumption of oil and milk is also relatively
high.
Fortification of these foods with micronutrients like iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamins A and D
helps to deliver micronutrients through both the open market and government distribution channels.
Examples;
"Golden rice" is a variety of rice which has been genetically modified to produce beta carotene.
Calcium is frequently added to fruit juices, carbonated beverages and rice.
White rice is frequently enriched to replace some of the lost nutrients during milling or adding extras in.
Amylase rich flour is utilized for food making to increase dietary consumption.
Genetically Modified Crops (GM Crops)
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 2, G.S. Paper 3 (Science and Technology- developments and their applications)
Recently
Recently the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GECA) approved and recommended the use of
GM Mustard to the environment ministry.
If the ministry approves, GM Mustard will be the first genetically modified food crop to be introduced in
the country at large scale.
Currently only non-food GM Cotton has been allowed.
What are GM Crops?
Genetically modified crops, also known as biotech crops, are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of
which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques.
In most cases, the intent is to commence a new trait or characteristic to the plant which does not
occur naturally in the species.
Examples in food crops comprise res istance to certain pests, diseases, or environmental conditions
like high temperature or humidity, reduction of spoilage, or resistance to chemical treatments, or
improving the nutrient profile of the crop.
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Examples in non-food crops include making of pharmaceutical agents, bio fuels, and other industrially
useful goods, as well as for bioremediation.
Kinds of Modification
Transgenic
o Transgenic plants have genes inserted into them that are derived from another species.
o The inserted genes can come from species within the same kingdom (plant to plant) or between
kingdoms (for example, bacteria to plant).
o In many cases the inserted DNA has to be modified slightly in order to correctly and
efficiently express in the host organism.
o Example; Transgenic carrots have been used to produce the drug Taliglucerase Alfa, which is
used to treat Gaucher's disease.
Cisgenic
o Cisgenic plants are made using genes found within the same species or a closely related one,
where conventional plant breeding can occur.
o Some breeders and scientists argue that cisgenic modification is useful for plants that are difficult
to crossbreed by conventional means (such as potatoes), and that plants in the cisgenic category
should not require the same regulatory scrutiny as transgenics.
Subgenic
o GM plants can also be developed using gene knockdown or gene knockout to alter the genetic
makeup of a plant without incorporating genes from other plants.
Underlying Principle
The foundation of GM seeds is that the usual methods of breeding that carried the Green Revolution had
come to a point where there is a need for a new system.
Excessive overuse of fertilizers and water has led to soil degradation leading to other problems like
salinity and alkalinity.
The GM seeds with added quality improvements are seen as a solution to all such problems.
Other reasons mentioned were the raise in farmer’s net income by dropping overall costs and increasing
productivity.
Traits of GM Crops
GM crop traits include
Improved shelf l ife
Disease resistance
Added nutrition
Stress resistance
Herbicide resistance
Pest resistance
Production of useful goods such as biofuel or drugs
Ability to absorb toxins
For use in Bioremediation of pollution
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Legal framework Worldwide
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), ( Cartagena Protocol) is related to GM crops and the basic
focus of the protocol is Biosafety.
This protocol is based upon the idea that the LMOs (Living Modified Organisms) have become an
important component of an rising number of products, together with foods and food additives,
beverages, drugs, adhesives, and fuels; and there is a need of international framework on Biosafety
including risks to biological diversity.
The first important provision under this protocol is that it allows governments to signal whether or not
they are willing to accept imports of agricultural commodities that include LMOs.
If they want it or not want it, they can communicate their decision via a Biosafety Clearing House, a
mechanism set up to facilitate the exchange of information on and experience with LMOs.
Another protocol of CBD i.e. Nagoya Protocol is focussed around Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair
and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.
When a microorganism, plant, or animal is used for a commercial application, the country from which it
came has the right to benefit. Such benefits can include cash, samples, training and research participation
and other profits.
GM Crops in India
India has so far allowed only one GM Crop viz. Bt cotton, tha t too because it is not a food crop.
Bt Brinjal had been at centre stage for last few years.
Recently, GM Mustard has become a new focus GM crop in India.
Legal Framework in India
Environment Protection Act and GEAC
o All transgenic crops in India require environmental clearance under 1989 “Rules for Manufacture,
Use, Import, Export and storage of hazardous microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms
or Cells” notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
o A Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) was established in 1989, as apex body to
monitor all the activities and implementation of Biosafety regulatory framework.
o This framework covers areas of research as well as large scale applications of GMOs as well as
hazardous microorganisms which may not be genetically modified.
National Biological Diversity Act 2002
o It has provisions to deal with the possible risks associated with the application of modern
biotechnology.
o The apex body constituted under this act is National Biodiversity Author ity (NBA).
o As per this act, all foreign nationals require approval from NBA for obtaining Biological
Resources.
o All Indian individuals/entities are required to seek NBA approval before transferring knowledge /
research and material to foreigners.
o Prior approval of NBA is needed before applying for any kind of IPR based on research conducted
on biological material and or associated knowledge obtained from India.
o On state level this act makes provisions for the state level biodiversity board.
Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill
o The government had also introduced in April 2013 the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill ,
which proposed to give easy access to GM crops in India.
o The bill is in cold storage as of now.
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Issues and Concerns
Impacts of GM crops on the environment and wildlife,
o By adding genes from organisms which have never been eaten as food, new proteins are
introduced into the human and animal food chains.
o There is concern that these could cause allergic reactions or other health effects .
Terminator seeds
o One of the major issues with the GM crops is that the biotech companies can resort to the
Genetic Use Restriction Technology (GURT) and produce the terminator seeds which makes crops
die off after one harvest without producing offspring.
o This would force the farmers to buy new seeds for each planting, which reduces their self -
sufficiency and makes them dependent on major seed and chemical companies.
Non-food Bt Crops were introduced with relatively lesser resistance, but Food crops have faced stiff
resistance around the world.
The Introduction of GM crops has been slow and tardy because of some basic issues;
o Human Health
o Weeds
o Biodiversity
o Non-targets
o Soil health
o Terminator seeds
Q. Examine why environmentalists and other organizations are opposing approval for the GM mustard variety by
the government. How GM crops for cultivation will benefit farmers and the country in whole? Examine.
Generic Drugs
Relevancy
GS 3
The cost of generic medicine is lower than that of branded.
Recently
PM said “In the coming days, the government will bring a legal framework under which doctors will have
to prescribe generic medicines which are cheaper than equivalent branded drugs, to patients”
Background
When a company develops a new drug — often after years of research — it applies for a patent, which
prohibits anyone else from making the drug for a fixed period. To recover the cost of research and
development, companies usually price their brand name drugs on the higher side.
Once the patent expires, other manufacturers duplicate and market their own versions of the drug. Since
the manufacture of these generic drugs do not involve a repeat of the extensive clinical trials to prove
their safety and efficacy, it costs less to develop them. Generic drugs are, therefore, cheaper.
A generic drug is a chemically equivalent, lower-cost version of a brand-name drug, costing 30-80% less. A
brand-name drug and its generic version must have the same active ingredient, dosage, safety, strength,
usage directions, quality, performance and intended use.
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Given the widespread poverty across the country, making available reasonably priced quality generic
medicines in the market would benefit everyone.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of
Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are
equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in November, 2008 under the name Jan Aushadi
Campaign. Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP.
The Objective is to make quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and
disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets "Jan Aushadhi Medical Store", so as to reduce out of pocket
expenses in healthcare.
About Jan Aushadhi Store (JAS)
JAS have been opened across the country.
All therapeutic medicines are made available from Jan Aushadhi Stores.
In addition to medicines and surgical items supplied by BPPI, Jan Aushadhi stores also sell allied medical
products commonly sold in chemist shops so as to improve the viability of running the Jan Aushadhi store.
OTC (Over-the-counter) products can be purchased by any individual without a prescription. A prescription
from a registered medical practitioner is necessary for purchase of schedule drugs.
BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of
Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply and
marketing of generic drugs through the Jan Aushadhi Stores.
The quality, safety and efficacy of medicines are ensured by getting each batch of medicines procured from
CPSUs as well as private suppliers tested from NABL approved laboratories and conforming to the required
standards before the same are supplied to Supers stockists /Jan Aushadhi Stores from the Warehouse of BPPI.
Hurdles to prescribing generic drugs
Of the total domestic pharmaceutical formulations, generic medicines account for not more than 10%.
Therefore, even if a doctor prescribes a drug by generic name, the patient will generally end up buying a
branded product.
The pharmacists will dispense the brand which offers them the biggest margin.
Some experts argue that brand names ensure quality and many doctors believe this.
There is lack of awareness in the public regarding the availability of generic drugs.
Steps to increase the accessibility of generic drugs
Experts say the priority of the government should be to bring a legal framework to ensure quality in
generic drug testing. No more than 1% of generic drugs sold in India undergo quality tests. The best
insurance for good quality is good regulation
The government should ensure uniform quality only then can doctors prescribe them with confidence.
The number of drug inspectors — approximately 1,500 now — must be increased. In each state, drug
inspectors are responsible for the inspection of all manufacturing, distribution and sales units, to ensure
that manufacturing, sales, distribution, storage and dispensing of medicines.
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The government also has to take steps to make it mandatory for the pharmacist or chemist to give the
most appropriate drug to the patient. The government has to ensure that their profit motive doesn’t get
in the way of increasing the use of generic drugs.
Steps must be taken to create awareness among public regarding the benefits of generic medicines.
Xenon Based Electric Propulsion System
Relevancy from examination point of view
G.S paper 3
Xenon Based EPS is new technology that will help India to make advancements in strengthening
communication systems.
Recently
ISRO will be launching GSAT-9 or the South Asia Satellite that will eventually make advanced Indian
spacecraft lighter and will even lower the cost of launches substantially in the near future.
What is GSAT series?
The GSAT satellites are India's indigenously developed technologies for communications satellites, used
for digital audio, data and video broadcasting.
The GSAT series of geosynchronous satellites is a system developed by ISRO with an objective to make
India self-reliant in broadcasting services.
The range of 10 GSAT satellites, working in the C, Extended C and Ku-bands provides services to
telecommunications, television broadcasting, weather forecasting, disaster warning and search and
rescue operations etc.
GSAT 9:
GSAT-9 is a multi band communication and observation satellite planned to be launched by ISRO in 2017
by a GSLV rocket.
The satellite will carry GAGAN navigation payload that will provide GPS services to the security forces and
air traffic control organizations.
GAGAN:
The satellite will have a mission life of 12 years.
The GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) is an implementation of a regional satellite-based
augmentation system (SBAS) by the Indian government.
It is a system to advance the precision of a GNSS receiver by providing reference signals.
Xenon Based Electric Propulsion System (ion thrusters)
An ion thruster is a type of electric propulsion that creates thrust by accelerating ions with electricity.
Ion thrusters are categorized by how they accelerate the ions, using
either electrostatic or electromagnetic force.
Ion thrusters are being designed for a numerous kinds of missions, such as keeping communications
satellites in the proper position also known as station-keeping, propelling spacecraft etc.
These thrusters have high specific impulses i.e. ratio of thrust to the rate of propellant consumption, so
they require notably less propellant for a given mission than conventional chemical propulsion.
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Ion propulsion is even considered to be mission enabling for some cases where sufficient chemical
propellant cannot be carried on the spacecraft to accomplish the desired mission.
What is Xenon Based EPS? How it can be used to make advancements in India communication system?
Biodegradable Electronics
Relevancy from examination point of view
G.S paper 3 (Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life,
Conservation, environmental pollution and degrada tion).
The rising issue of electronic waste can be addressed with this development.
Development of future electronic devices without effec ting environment.
Recently
Recently, scientists developed an ultra thin and flexible electronic device which is biodegradable that may
help in undertaking the problem of increasing electronic waste worldwide.
What is Biodegradable Electronics?
These are semi conductive polymers having a limited life due to their biodegradable properties.
Such electronics are anticipated to be useful in medical treatments, i .e. implantation, as well as
momentary communication sensors.
These are also known as Organic Electronic devices which are compostable and are fabricated on paper
and aluminium foil to expand its functionalities.
The inspiration to the Organic Electronic Devices is ‘Human Skin’ which is self-healable, stretchable and
biodegradable. Scientists have already developed self-heable and stretchable material, but this polymer is
biodegradable as well.
Along with this polymer, scientists have also developed a degradable electronic circuit and a
biodegradable substrate material, which is flexible and can biodegrade into nontoxic components once it
meets its requirements.
This flexible electronic device can easily be degraded by a dding a weak acid like pure vinegar.
Benefits
It will reduce the electronic waste which is generated in large amount leading to environmental
degradation. Biodegradable devices will have more application in medical implantation, which will not
leave any toxic residue after its use.
This combination of biodegradable conductive polymer and substrate will have applications in wearable
electronics to measure blood pressure, sweat content and glucose level.
Sensor dusts can be used to conduct large scale environmental surveys, which will gather the information
about the environment of a particular large and remote area and later will degrade without damaging or
polluting the environment.
It can be inserted inside a human body without the fear of toxic reaction. This will lead to safer
implantations.
DARPA -The US military research agency, funded the research on building a miniature dissolving camera
with the silk coating, which will degrade itself when no longer needed, for use as a disposable spy camera.
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What are biodegradable electronics? What are their applications?
Multidrug-resistant
Relevancy
Science and Technology ( GS3)
Governance reforms in the Indian Railway.
There is a need to rationalize antibiotic use to l imit antibiotic resistance in India.
The Government is trying to spread awareness about side effects of antibiotic resistance.
Recently
Health Ministry set itself the target of eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2025.
Recently, researchers from Bengaluru’s IISc and IISER were able to reverse antibiotic resistance in E.coli
Bacteria.
The researchers understood the mechanism, by which the Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) has produced by
bacteria, protects them from antibiotics and plays a key role in helping the bacteria to develop drug
resistance.
Background
India shoulders the highest TB burden in the world, with over 2 million cases.
Two new TB drugs, Bedaquiline and Delamanid are being used in Europe and the U.S. for several years.
But they are yet to be made available in India’s national healthcare system.
What is Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR)
It is also known as multidrug resistance or multi -resistance is antimicrobial resistance shown by a species
of microorganism to multiple antimicrobial drugs.
The types most threatening to public health are MDR bacter ia that resist multiple antibiotics; other types
include MDR viruses, fungi, and parasites (resistant to multiple antifungal, antiviral, and anti -parasitic
drugs of a wide chemical variety).
Recognizing different degrees of MDR, the terms extensively drug resistant (XDR) and pandrug-resistant
(PDR) have been introduced. For instance:
o MDR-TB: resistant to more than one of the first-line drugs.
o Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB): resistant to at least one of the second-line injectable
drugs.
Killing the TB bacteria
The TB drugs that are taken for the treatment of TB, have the aim of killing all the TB bacteria in the person’s body.
This means that the person is cured of TB. However, TB bacteria die very slowly, and so the drugs have to be taken
for quite a few months. Even when a patient starts to feel better they can still have bacteria alive in their body. So
the person needs to keep taking the TB treatment until all the bacteria are dead.
All the drugs must be taken for the entire period of TB treatment . If only one or two TB drugs are taken then the
bacteria may not all be killed? They may then become resistant to the TB drugs which then don’t work. If the
person becomes sick again then different TB drugs may be needed.
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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the capacity of a microbe to defy the effects of medication earlier used to treat
them. This broader term also covers antibiotic resistance, which applies to bacteria and antibiotics. Resistance
takes place through one of following ways:
Natural resistance in certain types of bacteria,
Genetic mutation, or
By one species acquiring resistance from another.
Examples of drug-resistant strains are to be found in microorganisms such as
o Bacteria and viruses
o Parasites, both endo- and ecto-
o Plants, fungi, arthropods
o Mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians.
In the domestic environment, drug-resistant strains of organism may arise from seemingly safe activities such as
o The use of bleach, tooth-brushing and mouth washing,
o The use of antibiotics, disinfectants and detergents, shampoos, and soaps, particularly
antibacterial soaps, hand-washing, surface sprays,
o Application of deodorants, sun blocks and any cosmetic
o Health-care product, insecticides, and dips.
Important facts related to TB in India
o The Lancet indicates that India’s TB crisis is set to snowball by 2040 when one in 10 cases could be drug
resistant — both multidrug-resistant TB and extensively drug-resistant TB
o The increase in number of drug-resistant cases will come from direct transmission from infected people to
others rather than by strains acquiring resistance to TB drugs during treatment. The same trend is seen in
the case of XDR-TB too
o This is due to inadequate treatment or discontinuation of treatment midway.
o The increased availability of drugs to fight drug-sensitive TB has led to the emergence of MDR-TB strains.
Mechanisms
The main mechanisms by which microorganisms exhibit resistance to antimicrobials are:
Drug inactivation or modification
Alteration of target site
Alteration of a metabolic pathway
Reduced drug accumulation
Causes
Widespread antibiotic use has made more bacteria resistant through the progression of evolutionary
pressure.
Antibiotic use in livestock feed at low doses initially for development is an acknowledged pra ctice, but this
is also one of the main reasons that lead to the increased levels of resistance.
Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics by physicians.
Self medication by people
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The WHO concluded that improper use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is an original contributor to the
emergence and increase of antibiotic-resistant germs, and that the use of antibiotics as growth promoters
in animal feeds should be restricted.
Antibiotic applications
Antibiotic resistance is a significant tool for genetic engineering.
By constructing a plasmid that contains an antibiotic-resistance gene as well as the gene being
engineered, a researcher can ensure that, when bacteria replicate, only the copies that carry the plasmid
survive.
This ensures that the gene being manipulated passes along when the bacteria replicates.
In general, the most commonly used antibiotics in genetic engineering are "older" antibiotics. These
include:
o Ampicillin
o Kanamycin
o Tetracycline
o Chloramphenicol
To limit the development of antimicrobial resistance, it has been suggested to:
Use the appropriate antimicrobial for an infection; e.g. no antibiotics for viral infections
Identify the causative organism whenever possible
Select an antimicrobial which targets the specific organism, rather than rel ying on a broad-spectrum
antimicrobial
Complete an appropriate duration of antimicrobial treatment (not too short and not too long)
Use the correct dose for eradication; “subtherapeutic dosing” (drug dosage below the level necessary to
treat disease, not powerful enough to have a therapeutic effect) is associated with resistance.
Enhancing infection prevention and control;
By using antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor;
Prescribing and dispensing the right antibiotic(s) to treat the il lness.
Completing the full prescription, even if they feel better;
Health workers and pharmacists can help tackle resistance by:
Never sharing antibiotics with others or using leftover prescriptions.
Only prescribing and dispensing antibiotics when they are truly needed;
Policymakers can help tackle resistance by:
Strengthening resistance, tracking and laboratory capacity.
Regulating and promoting appropriate use of medicines.
Promoting cooperation and information sharing among all stakeholders.
Fostering innovation and research and development of new tools
Q. What is Multiple drug resistance? Why full treatment of TB drugs all the drugs have to be taken for the entire
period. Mention some of the steps to limit the development of antimicrobial resistance.
Q. A recent study highlighted the possibil ity to reverse the drug resistance. What is drug resistance? Why it has
been a big issue in India?
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Augmented Reality
Relevancy
Science and Technology ( GS3)
Augmented reality has many applications: from being used for military, industrial, and medical
applications to entertainment and other commercial industries.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented reality (also known as AR) is using technology to superimpose information on the world we
see. For example, images and sounds are superimposed over what the user sees and hears. In other
words, it is the live view of the physical real -world environment, but in this case its elements are
augmented (or supplemented) by computer-generated sensory input - sound, video, graphics or GPS data.
Difference between Augmented reality & Virtual reality
Augmented reality is rather different from virtual reality (VR) . Virtual reality means computer-generated
environments for you to interact with, and being immersed in. Virtual reality typically refers to computer
technologies that use virtual reality headsets to generate the realistic images, sounds and other
sensations.
Thus virtual reality replicates a real environment or creates an imaginary setting. Augmented reality adds
to the reality you would ordinarily see rather than replacing it.
Augmented reality is often presented as a kind of futuristic technology, but it's been around in some form
for years, if your definition is loose. For example, the heads-up displays in many fighter aircraft as far
back as the 1990s would show information about the attitude, direction and speed of the plane.
AR is not just limited to desktop or mobile devices.Google Glass, a wearable computer with optical head -
mounted display, is a perfect example.
Application of Augmented reality
Apps are being developed in the education sector. Textbooks, flashcards and other educational reading
material contained embedded markers, which when scanned by an AR device, produced supplementary
information to the student rendered i n a multimedia format.
Printing and advertising industries are developing apps to display digital content on top of real world
magazines.
With help of AR, travelers can access real -time information of historical places just by pointing their
camera viewfinder to subjects.
AR is helpful in development of translation apps that can interpret text in other languages for you.
What is Augmented reality? How is it different from Virtual reality. Mention some of the use of Augmented reality.
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Ethics
Rabindranath Tagore’s idea of “Oneness of humanity”
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 4 (Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders)
Recently
Recently on the occasion of 156th
birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabinderanath Tagore, President
Pranab Mukherjee urged everyone to draw inspiration from Tagore’s idea of oneness of humanity.
Rabinranath Tagore was the author of India’s national anthem and won Asia’s first Nobel Prize in
literature in 1913.
About
Born in 1941, Gurudev reshaped Bengali li terature and music along with Indian Art between late 19th
to
early 20th
centuries.
Poetry was his main forte, but he also wrote novels, essays, short stories, dramas, songs and travelogues.
Some of his important works are,
o Gitanjali (poem)- for this, Rabinranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1913.
o Valmiki Pratibha (drama)
o Gora (novel)
o Ghare-Baire (novel)
o National Anthems – ‘jJana Gana Mana’ and Bangladesh’s ‘Amar Shonar Bangla’
The Sri Lankan National Anthem was also inspired by his work.
Tagore also took up painting and drawing in his later life and made a debut appearance in Paris.
Tagore opposed imperialism and supported Indian nationalists.
Tagore renounced his knighthood in 1919 after Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s life lessons
Education
o Today’s education teaches everything, at the cost of making people forget who they really
are.
o According to Tagore, education system must focus on knowledge which starts where logic
ends. Purpose of education should be to open up mind, not close it.
Success
o No one is born talented, it is acquired by practicing more and more. what if we could inspire
& allow every children to devote to the subject/ idea/ activity they enjoyed most from the
very childhood, instead of wasting their valuable time forcing them to memorizing useless
data?
Parenting
o According to Tagore, next generations have more to teach than to learn.
o “Don’t l imit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.”
Courage
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o Rabindranath Tagore taught everyone to be fearless and face all the dangers and difficulties
in life.
o “Let us not pray to be shelteres from dangers but to be fearless when facing them.”
Optimism
o Inspite of so much progress and development, more and more people are becoming
pessimist.
Mind
o Like every successful people, Rabindranath Tagore also understood how mind worked – Law
of Attraction. We are programmed from our childhood by people around us to think and feel
according to what is happening to us. If life is going good, feel good. If l ife is going tough, feel
bad. Most people live their whole lives never realizing the catch point –
o “Our mental c ondi ti on is not the effec t, but the c a us e of everythi ng tha t is
ha ppeni ng to us .”
Inspiration from Tagore’s stories
Kabuliwala:
o Friendship has no conditions and is beyond all barriers.
The heart-warming deep bond, inside jokes and laughter a young Bengali girl - Mini and a middle
aged seller from Afghanistan share sets a brilliant example of show friendship sees no barriers of
religion, age, caste and gender. The bonds formed with genuine and innocent intentions are
deep and leave lasting impressions
Aparichita
o Stand by your honor and be unafraid even if you are one against the whole world if that is what
takes to preserve your honour.
Choker Bali
o Real people have many shades to their personality and people are not defined by their tags.
Inspirational quotes by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore
“I slept and dreamt that l ife was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service
was joy.”
“To be outspoken is easy when you do not wait to speak the complete truth.”
“Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom.”
“Those who own much have much to fear.”
“Let your l ife lightly dance on the edges os time like dew on the tip of a leaf.”
“You cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”
“By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower.”
“Faith is the bird that feels that light when the dawn is stil l dark.”
“Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.”
“Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it.”
Q. Analyse Rabindranath Tagore’s concept of education system in the Indian context.
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Ethics in Social media
Relevancy
Ethics and Security
Social media is being misused to propagate lies, hatred
Background
India has a billion of phones. India’s broadband user count has crossed 100 million
There is increasing access to social media website.
These media technology companies such as Facebook and Google don’t take responsibility for the
truthfulness of their content.
They are being misused to propagate lies & hatred.
The Digital News Report 2016 by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found that 51% of their sample
use social media as a source of news.
According to the Global Web Index’s first-quarter report for 2017,
94% of digital consumers aged 16-64 say they have an account on at least one social media platform
98% have visited/used one within the last month;
One in every three minutes spent online is devoted to social networking and messaging, with digital
consumers engaging for a daily average of over two hours.
At least 78% of the Internet population aged 16-64 is now networking via a mobile.
Ethics in Social Media
Know Your Audience
Person or company should be well acquainted their audiences. They should know about their preferenc es,
interests and choices. Have a complete demographic and psychographic overview. Great care and
sensitivity should be exercised to avoid shocking or offending the reader.
Privacy must be respected
Privacy is a very sensitive domain and it must respect at any cost. If a company is doing some marketing
via social media, it must not violate privacy rules. The personnel information gathered by any media
platform like Facebook shouldn’t be shared with other’s and must be used only with the accent of the
user.
News shouldn’t be biased
The new must be present in a neutral manner. It shouldn’t be biased against any group, community,
religion. The sentiments of all must be respected. They must realize that media is considered the 4th
pillar
of democracy.
Transparency
If a company is aligned to some idea or personality, then it needs to disclose its reason. Mentioning this
relationship with that parti cular product, non-profit entity, brand or political entity in your campaign,
handle, or bio is essential. If a company has some interest or affiliation in something being discussed, then
it needs to communicate its affiliation.
Verification
Before reporting news over the social media its source must be verified. The verification of the source and
the authenticity of the report before publishing it will help gain wider media coverage.
Imagine the Impact
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Though it is difficult to image the impact of any news, certain precautions can be taken to at least
minimize the adverse affect. This can be gained only through lots of errors and trials. The broader
guidelines can be prepared by experts on this matter with the help of government. These guidelines will
act as guiding lights to social media.
What ethical rules must be followed by the social media so as to minimize its misuse?
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Geography, Environment and Ecology
Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED)
Relevancy
General Studies Paper 3
It will focus on MSMEs and small businesses along with the environmental protection.
Background
The acronym stands for zero defect, zero effec t (on the environment) — high quality manufacturing
that's also green.
The announcement of Make in India and Zero Defect Zero Effect put in perspective the governments’
intent to change the course of economy by focusing on manufacturing as an engine to sustained growth.
In order to build the ecosystem to implement the idea, three important components emerged as the
vehicle for this new transformation:
o The Ease of Doing Business in India.
o The confidence in quality of source material, components and services.
o Making available competent human resource to drive the change.
The ecosystem around ZED model is calibrated to make aware, assess, rate, counsel, handhold, re-assess & certify
MSMEs and ensure that they rise up the ZED ladder, thus enhancing their competitiveness in the global
marketplace and making them an important cog in the wheel in the “MAKE-IN-INDIA” campaign. It also, as a
consequence, provides career opportunities for the youth in India.
Rational
The initiative is meant to raise quality levels in the unregulated micro small and medium enterprises
(MSME) sector,
MSME are engine of growth for the Indian economy, driving almost 38% of the nation's GDP and
employing 110 million Indians.
MSME's are seen as a cornerstone of the flagship Make in India programme, which is aimed at turning
India into a global manufacturing hub, generating jobs, lifting incomes and boosting growth.
The Model shall be applicable for all sectors of manufacturing industries.
It will focus on MSMEs and small businesses.
It will address the quality and ecological needs of domestic and overseas customers, society, employees,
partners, regulators, and investors.
Zero Defect (focus on customer)
• Zero non-conformance/non-compliance
• Zero waste
Zero Effect (focus on society)
• Zero air pollution/liquid discharge (ZLD)/solid waste
• Zero wastage of natural resources
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Benefits of ZED
Credible recognition of the industry for international customers seeking investment in India
Streamlined operations and lower costs
Superior quality, reduced rejection and higher revenues
Increased environmental & social benefits
Additional employment generation
What do you mean by “Zero Defec t Zero Effec t”. Discuss it main features and benefits.
Air pollution in India
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 3 (Environment and disaster management)
The increase in air pollution is a concern for all the nations.
Recently
A paper published in the latest issue of a science journal Archives Of Environmental Contamination And
Toxicity , Indian diesel contains a high concentration of sulfur due to which air pollution is rising drastically.
Geologists have found high levels of sulfur pollution along the Manali -Leh highway towards the northwest
Himalayas due to diesel emissions.
Air pollution
Air pollution is when harmful substances, including particulates and biological molecules are commenced
into Earth's atmosphere.
It may cause diseases, allergies or death in humans; it may also cause harm to other l iving organisms such
as animals and plants, and damage the environment.
Human activity and natural processes can both generate air pollution.
Indoor air pollution and poor urban air quality are listed as two of the world's worst toxic pollution
problems in the 2008 Blacksmith Institute World's Worst Polluted Places report.
An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem.
The substance can be solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. A pollutant can be of natural origin or man -
made.
Pollutants are classified as primary or secondary.
o Primary pollutants are usually produced from a process, such as ash from a volcanic eruption.
Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or the sulfur
dioxide released from factories.
o Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Rather, they form in the air when primary
pollutants react or interact. Ground level ozone is a prominent example of a secondary pollutant.
o Some pollutants may be both primary and secondary: they are both emitted directly and formed
from other primary pollutants.
Substances emitted into the atmosphere by human activity include:
o Carbon dioxide (CO2)
o Sulfur oxides (SOx)
o Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
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o Carbon monoxide (CO)
o Volatile organic compounds (VOC) They are categorized as either methane (CH4) or non-methane
(NMVOCs)
o Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM),
o Persistent free radicals
o Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
o Ammonia (NH3)
o Odours — such as from garbage, sewage, and industrial processes
o Radioactive pollutants - produced by nuclear explosions, nuclear events, war explosives, and
natural processes such as the radioactive decay of radon.
Secondary pollutants include:
o Smog
Classic smog results from large amounts of coal burning in an area caused by a mixture
of smoke and sulfur dioxide.
Modern smog does not usually come from coal but from vehicular and i ndustrial
emissions that are acted on in the atmosphere by ultraviolet light from the sun to form
secondary pollutants that also combine with the primary emissions to form
photochemical smog.
o Ground level ozone (O3) formed from NOx and VOCs.
o Ozone (O3)
Air pollution in India
Air pollution in India is a serious issue with the major sources being fuel -wood and biomass burning, fuel
adulteration, vehicle emission and traffic congestion.
In autumn and winter months, large scale crop residue burning in agriculture fields – a low cost
alternative to mechanical till ing – is a major source of smoke, smog and particulate pollution.
India has a low per capita emissions of greenhouse gases, but the country as a whole is the third largest
after China and the United States.
A 2013 study on non-smokers have found that Indians have 30% lower lung function compared to
Europeans.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was passed in 1981 to regulate air pollution and there
have been some measurable improvements .
The 2016 Environmental Performance Index ranked India 141 out of 180 countries.
In 2015, Government of India, together with IIT Kanpur launched the National Air Quality Index.
Emission standards
Many two wheels, three wheels and four wheels vehicles lacked catalytic converters.
Increases in vehicle emissions were among the highest in the world.
In 2005, India adopted emission standard of Bharat Stage IV for vehicles, which is equivalent to Euro
IV European standards for vehicle emissions.
Fuel Adulteration
Adulteration of gasoline and diesel with lower-priced fuels is common in South Asia, including India.
Some adulterants increase emissions of harmful pollutants from vehicles, worsening urban air pollution.
Financial incentives arising from differential taxes are generally the primary cause of fuel adulteration.
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As fuel prices rise, the public transport driver cuts costs by blending the cheaper hydrocarbon into highly
taxed hydrocarbon. The blending may be as much as 20–30 percent.
Adulterated fuel increases tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of
nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).
The permissible level of fuel sulfur in India, in 2002, was 0.25 percent by weight as against 0.10 percent
for gasoline.
The higher levels of sulfur can deactivate the catalyst. Once the catalyst becomes deactivated, the amount
of pollution from the vehicle dramatically increases.
Recent trends in air quality monitoring
India's Central Pollution Control Board now routinely monitors four air pollutants namely
o Sulphur dioxide (SO2),
o Oxides of nitrogen (nox),
o Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and
o Respirable particulate matter (PM10).
These are target air pollutants for regular monitoring at 308 operating stations in 115 cities/towns in 25
states and 4 Union Territories of India.
The monitoring of meteorological parameters such as wind speed and direction, relative humidity and
temperature has also been integrated with the monitoring of air quality.
The monitoring of these pollutants is carried out for 24 hours (4-hourly sampling for gaseous pollutants
and 8-hourly sampling for particulate matter).
Heat Wave
Relevancy
GS 3
NDMA has issued the guidelines related to heat wave.
The global warming is only going to increase the frequency and intensity of heat waves.
Recently
There has been an increasing trend of heat-wave in India over the past several years whereby several
cities in India have been severely affected.
More than 2400 people died in the heat wave of 2015.
Heat wave also caused death of cattle and wildlife besides affecting animals in various zoos in India.
Introduction
Heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature
that occurs during the pre-monsoon (April to June) summer season.
Heat –waves typically occur between March to June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.
Heat wave is also called a “silent disaster” as it develops slowly and kills and injures humans and animals
nationwide
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has given the following criteria for Heat Waves :
Heat Wave need not be considered till maximum temperature of a station reaches atleast 40°C for Plains
and atleast 30°C for Hilly regions
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When normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40*C Heat Wave Departure from
normal is 5°C to 6°C Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 7°C or more
When normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40*C Heat Wave Departure from normal is
4°C to 5°C Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 6°C or more
When actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature,
heat waves should be declared. Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are
becomingly increasingly frequent globally due to climate change. India too is feeling the impact of climate
change in terms of increased instances of heat waves which are more intense in nature with each passing
year, and have a devastating impact on human health thereby increa sing the number of heat wave
casualties.
Despite several recent deadly heat waves in India, and the increasing recognition of heat as a public
health problem, India did not thus far have an HVI.
Creating and mapping a heat vulnerability index is a useful first step in protecting the public from the
health burden of heat. The index can be used by planners, policymakers, and disaster mitigation experts.
The heat wave vulnerability index (HVI) drawn up by the researchers puts 10 districts in the ‘Very High’
category — 4 of which are in Madhya Pradesh, 2 in Chhattisgarh, and 1 each in Jharkhand, Rajasthan,
Odisha and Gujarat. 97 of the country’s districts are in the ‘High’ risk category, while the bulk of the
remaining districts are in ‘High Normal’ (213) and ‘Low Normal’ (225) categories respectively.
75 districts are in the ‘Low’ HVI category; 10 in ‘Very Low’. Districts in the latter group are at least risk
from a heat wave, and are located in Kerala, Goa and Lakshadweep.
Recently, Heat wave mapping has brought out the following facts:
Districts with higher heat vulnerability are located in the central parts of the country.
These districts are less urbanised and have low rates of l iteracy, access to water and sanitation, and
presence of household amenities.
“With a higher tribal population”, these “hot spots” have been “at the lower end of various health,
education, economic and population growth indicators”.
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Rural places show more vulnerability than urban areas due to less electricity, less water supply and other
parameters that were assessed to arrive at the HVI.
Heat-Wave Action plan
The Heat-Wave Action plan aims to provide a framework for implementation, coordination and evaluation
of extreme heat response activities in cities/town in India that reduces the negative impact of extreme
heat.
Objective of the Plan
The Plan’s primary objective is to alert those populations at risk of heat-related illness in places where
extreme heat conditions either exist or are imminent, and to take appropriate precautions, which are at
high risk.
Key strategies
Establish Early Warning System and Inter-Agency Coordination to alert residents on predicted high and
extreme temperatures. Who will do what, when, and how is made clear to individuals and units of key
departments, especially for health.
Capacity building / training programme for health care professionals at local level to recognize and
respond to heat-related illnesses, particularly during extreme heat events. These training programmes
should focus on medical officers, paramedical staff and community health staff so that they can
effec tively prevent and manage heat-related medical issues to reduce mortality and morbidity.
Public Awareness and community outreach Disseminating public awareness messages on how to protect
against the extreme heat-wave through print, electronic and social media and Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) materials such as pamphlets, posters and advertisements and Television
Commercials (TVCs) on Do’s and Don’ts and treatment measures for heat related illnesses.
Collaboration with non government and civil society: Collaboration with non-governmental organizations
and civil society organizations to improve bus stands, building temporary shelters, wherever necessary,
improved water del ivery systems in public areas and other innovative measures to tackle Heat wave
conditions.
What is a heat wave? Mention the guidelines issued by National Disaster Management Authority to reduce the
negative impact of extreme heat.
Climate Change: Coastal Areas
Relevancy
Climate Change ( GS3)
Sea level rise from the global warming.
Recently
The ‘Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6): Regional Assessments’ said the worst impacts of climate
change are projected to occur in the Pacific and South and South-East Asia.
Nearly 40 million Indians will be at risk from rising sea levels by 2050.
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Background
NASA’s satellite data on the average rise and fall in sea levels shows that the seas on average have risen
85 mm since 1993, adding about 3.5 mm annually.
Looking ahead, future sea level rise could total one meter or even more by the end of this century if
emissions are not held in check.
Sea level rise has already worsened flooding caused by tropical cyclones and everyday high tides. Yet
today about half of the world's population — three billion people — live within 200km of a coastline.
Impacts of global warming on the coast al regions
Increase in coastal storms and surges
Rising seas can send ocean water further inland. When this salt water contaminates it, fresh groundwater
becomes useless for drinking or farming.
As waves reach higher and further, they cause more erosion damage on coastal lands. This damage
becomes even worse during storms, when seawater and waves push still further inland, damaging more
wildlife habitat, soil, buildings, and roads and other infrastructure.
Increase in salt water intrusion on to the aquifers and changes to water availability and quality
Increasing frequency and intensity of the coastal flooding,
ocean acidification (due to higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere),
Loss of livelihood for the fishing population living in the coastal regions,
Small island nations
People of small island nations are among the first and worst affected by sea level rise and climate c hange.
Some small islets among the Pacific islands of the Republic of Kiribati have already disappeared beneath
the rising ocean.
Today, flooding on Kiribati regularly kills crops, contaminates drinking water, and floods homes.
Between 1.2 and 2.2 million people could displaced from the Caribbean and Indian and Pacific ocean
islands with future sea level rise of between 0.5 and 2m (under 4° Celsius of warming).
Steps needed to face such challenge
Mapping of the vulnerable coastal areas,
Actively monitoring the changes and implementing the adaptation plan,
Proper maintenance of wetlands by maintaining proper river water flow and prohibiting any
encroachment activities
Focus should be on incorporating wetland protection into the planning of new infrastruc ture.
Early warning system for the coastal floods, cyclones.
Local communities should be well trained to deal with these unexpected variability
Discuss the impact of rising sea level on the coastal communities.
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Evergreen Revolution
Relevancy
Agriculture ( GS3)
Farm Income , sustainability
Recently
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for an “evergreen revolution” to enable the country to
meet the challenge faced by the agriculture sector.
Introduction
PM emphasised the need for moving from the concept of ’food security’ to ‘nutrition security’, for
which he favoured scientific and technological intervention.
Government aims to double farm income by 2022.
PM emphasize on following pattern of agriculture clusters similar to industrial clus ters, wherein
different areas could be identified with particular crops.
Problems
Land for agriculture was shrinking with the infrastructure development.
Vagaries of monsoon
Climate Change
Small landholding
Poor farmers with lack of technological knowledge
Farm Productivity
The population is increasing but the land is not going to increase, so we have to see how the productivity
increases.
There should be more production in less land.
Farming in both India and China is dominated by small farmers. But Chines e agriculture has fared better
than Indian agriculture on most counts over the past few decades. Both are among the world’s top three
producers of important crops such as rice, wheat, cotton and maize, but China produces much more from
each hectare of land than India does.
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“The world would require 50 per cent more rice in 2030 than what was in 2004, with approximately 30
per cent less arable land of today. Hence, the need for a sustainable development goal set towards
providing food security and nutrition,” M.S. Swaminathan said.
60% Population in this India has been largely dependent on agriculture.
48 % or 54 million children under-five years in India are stunted .
India accounts for 33 per cent of stunted children in the world.
Way Forward
Integrating ecology and technology is the way forward towards an evergreen revolution.
Renowned agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan stressed that organic agriculture could help us move
from green revolution to ever-green revolution.
M.S. Swaminathan said that information technology is a transformational technology and it has to be
used towards sustainable development.
M.S. Swaminathan said: “At least 97 per cent of world’s water resource is sea water. We should think of sea water
farming.” Adding that with genetic modification, rice could be cultivated that has the ability to elongate with the
rise of water levels where it could be carefully harvested.
There is also a need to ensure that youth get excited about agriculture. Now, even agriculture has seen
several developments in technology and youth can take part in food production and agriculture.
Discuss the problems faced by the farmers in India. Also mention some of the ways to achieve evergreen
revolution.
GM Crops
Relevancy
S&T ( GS3)
Food security and Environmental protection
Recently
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The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee has approved the transgenic mustard for environmental
release.
Background
In 2009 the GEAC approved Bt brinjal, developed by Mahyco and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
for commercial release.
GM mustard (DMH-11)
Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11)
It uses a system of genes from soil bacterium that makes mustard — generally a self pollinating plant —
better suited to hybridisation than current methods,
A similar sequence of genes has been used in imported canola oil also used in India,
The technology used in DMH-11 allows local crop developers to easily develop different varieties of hybrid
mustard,
Benefits of GM crops
GM crops have been modified to make them more resistant to insects and other pests like Bt cotton. Thus
reduce the amount of pesticide chemicals needed.
GMOs provide a stable and efficient way to sustain enough crops to feed the ever growing population of
people in the world. Thus plays an important role in term of food security.
They have a longer shelf life. This improves how long they last and stay fresh during transportation and
storage.
The GM Crops helps farmers in producing greater amounts of crops and thus increasing their income
level.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, some GM crops like Golden
Rice have been engineered to become more nutritious in terms of vitamin or mineral content. This not
only helps people get the nutrients they need, but also plays a significant role in fighting against
malnutrition in third-world countries.
Drawbacks
Ever since the introduction of GMO foods, the amount of childhood food allergies has risen significantly.
The crops that have been genetically modified have antibiotic properti es put into them in order to make
them immune to certain diseases. When you eat these foods these properties are left in your body and
can make many antibiotics less effective.
GM crops could prove toxic to some organisms, which can lead to their reduced numbers or even
extinction. Thus reduece the overall biodiversity.
Cross-pollination can cover quite large distances, where new genes can be included in the offspring of
organic, traditional plants or crops that are miles away. This can result in difficulty in distinguishing which
crop fields are organic and which are not, posing a problem to the task of properly labeling non -GMO food
products.
Experts warn that genes from commercial crops that are resistant to herbicides may cross into the wild
weed population, thus creating super-weeds that have become impossible to kill .
Environmentalist Vandana Shiva, founder of Navdanya, an organisation promoting organic farming, said
that GM crops contaminate the environment.
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GM mustard is resistant to the herbicide glufosinate, and thus is an herbicide-tolerant (HT) crop.
A farmer growing DMH-11 can potentially get rid of weeds with a blanket spray of glufosinate which will
kill all the plants except the mustard crop.
This is completely unsuitable in the Indian context as it will adversely impact the vast constituency of
manual laborers, for whom weeding provides livelihood, and generate selective pressure for the
emergence of herbicide-resistant or “super” weeds.
In the light of recent controversy surrounding GM crops should India consider the release of GMO in edible crops
also?
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
Relevancy
G.S. Paper 1 (Diversity of India), G.S. Paper 3 (environment and biodiversity).
The role of NTCA in conservation of tigers and challenges.
Recently:
Chenchus tribal people living in Nallamala Hills in Eastern Ghats have been forced out of the forest by
NTCA.
Under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, no rights shall be conferred in Critical Tiger Habitats (CTH) notified
under section 38 V (4) (i)
About
NTCA established in 2005, reorganize the management of Project Tiger and all the Tiger reserves in the
country.
NTCA is set up under the ministry of Environment and Forests.
There are 50 tiger reserves in India, which are governed by Project Tiger administered by NTCA. India is
home to 70 percent of tigers in the world.
Structure
Chairman of the National Tiger Conservation Authority is Minister for Environment & Forests.
Authority has eight experts or professionals having experience and qualifications in wildlife conservation
and tribal people welfare.
Three members of parliament of whom, two will be elected by Lok Sabha and one by council of states.
In charge of the project will be the inspector general of forests, ex-officio member secretary.
State level committiees will be set up in the tiger states under chairmanship of respective chief ministers.
As recommended by the Tiger Task Force constituted by the Prime Minister, this has been done with a
view for ensuring coordination, monitoring and protection of tigers in the States.
Objectives
To lay down guidelines, standards for tiger conservation in the reserves, apart from sanctuaries and
national parks.
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To provide information on protection measures which includes tiger estimation, future co nservation
plans, mortality survey, disease surveillance, patrolling, keeping an eye on poaching activities etc.
To support and facilitate any kind of suggestion and management in the states through eco -development
and generating awareness for people’s participation.
To prepare an annual report to be laid in the parliament along with the audit report.
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with the objective to ensure the increase in Tiger population in the
country and to preserve the area of such national heri tage for education, research, benefit and enjoyment
of the people.
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006
The Act provides for creating the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Tiger and Other
Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau).
The implementation over the years has highlighted the need for a statutory authority with legal backing
to ensure tiger conservation.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 provides the basic framework to ensure the protection and
management of wildlife. The Act was amended subsequently in 1982, 1986, 1991 and 1993 to
accommodate provision for its effective implementation.
Article-48-A of the constitution provides:“The state shall endeavour to protect and improve the
environment and to safeguard forest and wildlife of the country.”
Article 51-A (g) Provides: It shall be duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural
environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife an to have compassion for living creatures.”
Need for the act
The rapid decline of India’s wild animals and birds, one of the richest and most varied wildlife resources of
the country has been a cause of grave concern.
Some wild animals and birds have already become extinct in this country and the other in danger of being
so.
Areas which were once teeming with wildlife have become devoid of it and even in sanctuaries and
National Parks the protection afforded to wildlife needs to be improved.
The Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1935 has become completely outdated.
Explain the structure and objectives of NTCA. How The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 helps in Tiger
Conservation?
Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-
KISAN)
Relevancy
S&T ( GS3)
Impact on rural livelihood through science.
Recently
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Biotech-Kisan was launched by The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science &
Technology.
The schemes are designed to increase productivity and yield from farm by active scientific interventions
and education of scientific solutions.
Background
Biotech-KISAN aims to understand the problems of water, soil, seed and market faced by the farmers and
provides simple solutions to them.
The scheme will be implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India in phased manner.
Objectives
Linking available science and technology to the farm by first understanding the problem of the local
farmer and provide solutions to those problems.
The working together, in close conjunction, of scientists and farmers is the only way to improve the
working conditions of small and marginal farmers.
This programme aims to work with small and marginal farmers especially the woman farmer for better
agriculture productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices in the Indian
context.
The Biotech-KISAN will also provide fellowships to farmers.
Benefits
Scientists will work in sync with farmers to understand problems and find solutions.
Biotech-KISAN aims to link farmers, scientists and science institutions across the country in a network that
identifies and helps solve their problems in a cooperative manner.
It helps to empower the women farmer to meet her concerns for better seed, storage of seed and
protection of the crops from disease and pest.
Biotech-KISAN will connect farmers to best global practices; training workshops will be held in India and
other countries. Farmers and Scientists will partner across the globe.
The scheme will help to understand individual problems of the smallholding farmers and prov ide ready
solutions.
Farmers as Innovators. The hub will have tinkering lab, communication cell and will run year -long training,
awareness, workshops and which will act as education demonstration units to encourage grass root
innovation in the young as wel l as women farmers.
Communicating Best Practises There will be a communication set-up to make radio and TV programmes
for local stations, as well as daily connectivity through social media.
What do you understand by “Biotech-KISAN”? Mention some of it benefits.
Cattle Genomics
Relevancy
S&T ( GS3)
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To transform the local livestock breeding
Recently
It was launched by The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology.
Background
Livestock contributes significantly to the livelihood of rural poor in our country and has enormous
potential to reduce poverty.
There is a predicted increase in demand for animal food products in India by 2020.
Genetic improvement of l ivestock through traditional selection for increasing livestock pr oductivity has
major limitations.
To overcome these, genomic selection has played a crucial role in livestock industry globally.
Benefits
In the wake of climate change challenges, quality breeding of indigenous livestock is essential. When
breeding is selective, the native livestock can transform the lives of small farmers. Genomic selection will
ensure high-yielding, disease-resistant, resil ient livestock.
Selecting hardy livestock that give high-yields. Better l ivestock can be genetically selected which
ultimately leads to enhancement of productivity in a sustainable, resilient manner.
Traditional Breeding takes time. Genetic improvement of l ivestock through traditional selection for
increasing livestock productivity has major limitations. To overcome these, genomic selection has played a
crucial role in livestock industry globally.
Global best methods for local livestock. Genomic selection will transform local livestock breeding. This
uses information on variation in DNA sequences between animals to predict the breeding value of animals
more accurately.
The programme also envisages development of high-density DNA chips. This will reduce the cost and time
interval for future breeding programmes and productivity of indigenous cattle would be enhanced.
Discuss the need to launch “CATTLE GENOMICS” scheme?
Ocean Acidification
Relevancy
Climate Change ( GS3)
Threat to marine biodiversity
Recently
Recent report suggests that New Zealand’s iconic Yellow-eyed penguins may go extinct within the next 25
years due to rising ocean temperatures and climate change.
Introduction
Ocean acidification refers to a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused
primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
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For more than 200 years, or since the industrial revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2) in
the atmosphere has increased due to the burning of fossil fuels and land use change.
The ocean absorbs about 30 percent of the CO2 that is released in the atmosphere, and as levels of
atmospheric CO2 increase, so do the levels in the ocean.
When CO2 is absorbed by seawater, a series of chemical reactions occur resulting in the increased concentration
of hydrogen ions . This increase causes the seawater to become more acidic and causes carbonate ions to be
relatively less abundant.
Carbonate ions are an important building block of structures such as sea shells and coral skeletons.
This process was once believed to be beneficial as it slowed global warming but caused a dr op in the pH of the
seawater, commonly known as ocean acidification.
Affect of ocean acidification
The decreases in carbonate ions can make building and maintaining shells and other calcium carbonate
structures difficult for calcifying organisms such as oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep
sea corals, and calcareous plankton.
These changes in ocean chemistry can affect the behavior of non-calcifying organisms as well. Certain
fish's ability to detect predators is decreased in more acidic waters. When these organisms are at risk, the
entire food web may also be at risk.
Ocean acidification is affecting the entire world’s oceans, including coastal estuaries and waterways.
Many economies are dependent on fish and shellfish and people worldwide rely on food from the ocean
as their primary source of protein.
Study has shown that elevated CO2 levels significantly decreased survival and growth rates in eggs and
larvae of a fish.
Since fish are a highly diverse group of animals, and species will l ikely react differently to increasing CO2 levels.
Thus the exact impact of ocean acidification on this diverse system will be too difficult to generalize.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Relevancy from examination point of view
G.S paper 3
It is an important topic related to biodiversity and the environment.
It explains the efforts done by the government to protect endangered species of animal, plants and birds
in the country.
Recently
Endangered species of Indian Wild Dogs or Dholes are protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife
Protection Act 1972.
Recently, The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) has planned to reintroduce the pack of Dholes in the
Eastern Ghats to test if they can survive.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is an Act of Indian parliament for protection of animal as well as
plant species.
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The act provides protection to wild animals, Plants and birds; and extends to the whole of India
except Jammu and Kashmir, as they have their own wildlife protection act.
The act has six schedules which provide varying degrees of protection for wildlife.
Important sections of the Act
Out of the six schedules, Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection and
offenses under these are set with the highest penalties.
The penalties for Schedule III and Schedule IV are less and these animals are protected.
Schedule V includes the animals which may be hunted. These are Common crow , Fruit bats, Mice &
Rats only.
Schedule VI contains the plants, which are prohibited from cultivation and planting. These plants are,
Beddomes’ cycad (Cycas beddomei), Blue Vanda (Vanda soerulec), Kuth (Saussurea lappa), Ladies
slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp.), Pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana) and Red Vanda (Rananthera
inschootiana)
Amendments
The Act has been amended several times from 1982 to 2013.
The 2002 Amendment Act, which came into force in 2003 have made punishment and penalty for
offences under the Act more rigorous.
For offenses relating to wild animals (or their parts and products) included in schedule-I or part II of
Schedule- II and those relating to hunting or altering the boundaries of a sanctuary or national park the
punishment and penalty have been enhanced, the minimum imprisonment prescribed is three years
which may extend to seven years, with a minimum fine of Rs. 10,000/-.
Offenses related to trade and commerce in trophies, animals articles etc. derived from certain animals
(exception: chapter V A and section 38J) attracts a term of imprisonment up to three years and/or a fine
up to Rs. 25,000/-.
Explain the important sections of The Wildlife Protection Act ,1972. How this act has helped the
government to tackle the issue of hunting of endangered species in the country?