IASBUZZ Current Affrais€¦ · IASBUZZ Current Affrais IAS CURRENT AFFAIR MAGAZINE MAY 2017 Brainy...

IASBUZZ Current Affrais IAS CURRENT AFFAIR MAGAZINE

MAY 2017

Brainy IAS

IASBUZZ Current Affrais

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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



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



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



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



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



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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


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:



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



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.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1320112/six-nation-talks-pakistan-india-come-face-face-moscow/



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Farmers

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Tax



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.



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.



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



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.



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,



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



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.



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


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.

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Aviation



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


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.

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Dgca



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.



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.



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.



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).



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



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



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?



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.



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



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



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



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



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


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.



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


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?



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?



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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


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.



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


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.



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.



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



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?



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.



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



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.



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



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?



Geography, Environment and Ecology

Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED)

Relevancy


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



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)



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.



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



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”.



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.



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.



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.



“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



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.



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.



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



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)



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.



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


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.



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?

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