Dec 27, 2022 Baba’s Explainer

Baba's Explainer - Revisiting Corporate Social Responsibility

  ARCHIVES Syllabus GS-3: Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.  Context: In developing economies like India, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is seen as part of corporate philanthropy in which corporations augment the social development to support the initiatives of the government. India became the first country to legislate the need to undertake CSR activities and mandatorily report CSR initiatives under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. However, the current CSR frameworks have some flaws, such as transparency, lack of community participation in CSR activities, and lack of timely audits. In order to achieve sustainable development, India should streamline its CSR framework and focus on collective betterment through shared responsibility. What is Corporate Social Responsibility? CSR is a concept that suggests that it is the responsibility of the corporations operating within society to contribute towards economic, social and environmental development that creates a positive impact on society at large. CSR in India is based on the Gandhian concept of Trusteeship. Trusteeship Philosophy is a socio-economic philosophy propounded by Mahatma Gandhi. It provides a means by which the wealthy people would be the trustees of trusts that looked after the welfare of the people in general. Evolution of CSR in India: Companies Act, 2013 is a landmark legislation that made India the first country to mandate and quantify CSR expenditure. The inclusion of CSR is an attempt by the government to engage the businesses with inclusive growth, welfare and national development. CSR also promotes responsible and sustainable business philosophy at a broad level and encourage companies to come up with innovative ideas and robust management systems. Section 135(1) of the Act prescribes thresholds to identify companies which are required to constitute a CSR Committee – those, in the immediately preceding financial year of which: Net worth is Rs 500 Crore or more or Turnover is Rs 1000 Crore or more or Net profit amounts to Rs 5 Crore or more As per the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2019,CSR is applicable to companies before completion of 3 financial years. Companies are required to spend, in every financial year, at least 2% of their average net profits generated during the 3 immediately preceding financial years. For companies that have not completed 3 financial years, average net profits generated in the preceding financial years shall be factored in. The CSR activities in India should not be undertaken in the normal course of business and must be with respect to any of the 17 activities of CSR mentioned in Schedule VII of the act. Monitoring of CSR: Under the existing regulation, monitoring is by a board-led, disclosure-based regime, with companies reporting their CSR spends annually to the Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) through filing of an annual report. It is not known if there is a review of these reports and companies taken to task. The Standing Committee on Finance had also observed that the information regarding CSR spending by companies is insufficient and difficult to access. What are the Activities Included under CSR Category? Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013 mentions the activities that can be considered as CSR. Some major activities include: Eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition Promoting health care including preventive healthcare and sanitation including contribution to the Swach Bharat Kosh set-up by the Central Government Promoting education, including special education and employment enhancing vocational skills especially among children, women, elderly and the differently abled and livelihood enhancement projects. Promoting gender equality, empowering women, setting up homes and hostels for women and orphans Setting up old age homes, day care centres and such other facilities for senior citizens. Measures for reducing inequalities faced by socially and economically backward groups. Ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection of flora and fauna, animal welfare, agroforestry, conservation of natural resources and maintaining quality of soil, air and water including contribution to the Clean Ganga Fund set-up by the Central Government for rejuvenation of river Ganga. What are the Challenges Related to CSR Activities in India? Shrinking Role of Government: Governments used to deliver social and environmental objectives in businesses through Public Sector Enterprises. Due to increasing focus on CSR activities to fulfil these objectives, there is fear that the role of government will shrink. Absence of Clear CSR Guidelines: There are no clear principles and directions about the CSR in India. Also, the level of CSR depends upon the size of organisations, which means bigger the organisation, bigger the CSR programs. This is also a barrier for the small organisations that want to contribute to this field. Many private companies have registered their own foundations/trusts to which they transfer the statutory CSR budgets for utilisation. It is unclear if this is allowed under the Companies Act/CSR rules. Duplication of CSR Activities: There is a lack of consensus & collaboration amongst local agencies regarding CSR projects. This often results in duplication of activities by corporate houses in areas of their intervention and results in a competitive spirit between local implementing agencies rather than building collaborative approaches on issue Lack of intent making them dependent on NGOs: Corporations generally don’t have the expertise to carry out the mandated social activities. Therefore, they often depend on NGOs and fund them without accountability, just to gain visibility and brand recognition, not realising that CSR serves a more important purpose. Unavailability of Well-Organized NGOs: The lack of well-organised NGOs in remote and rural areas makes it difficult to identify real needs of the community and ensure successful CSR implementation. Lack of Time Bound Audits: The lack of time-bound audits causes many Indian companies to not disclose information about CSR activities they take part in, including funds used for the projects. Also, as a result, these companies fail to create a sense of belonging and connect with society. What Should be the Way Forward? Monitoring CSR Compliance: Government should conduct regular reviews of CSR activities of companies and put in place measures for a more professional approach. They should also set clear objectives and align all stakeholders with them. It is equally important to let their NGO partners know of their business needs. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning tools can be used by the government to mine data from mandated reports in order to maintain regular audits. Project Repository Interface: A national platform, centralised by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is needed where all states can list their possible CSR-admissible projects so that companies can determine where their CSR funds would have the most impact. Corporate Social Responsibility Projects Repository on the India Investment Grid (IIG) can serve as a guide for such efforts. Awareness: Governments should also address the issue of non-availability of NGOs and raise awareness about the importance of CSR in society. Linking CSR with Research Institutions: Innovative Projectscan be enabled through CSR funding and led by higher education institutions that would accelerate the transition from laboratory to actualisation and serve communities in effective ways. Aligning CSR with SDG: With India prioritising and achieving Sustainable Development Goals, NITI Aayog has made this mainstream to the national agenda, and now is the time to tie CSR and SDGs together. In this way, India can improve accountability of CSR at the same time moving towards green and sustainable growth. Aligning Circular Economy with CSR: Corporate social responsibility should replace end-of-life concepts for products with technologies and regulations that facilitate recycling and reusing. In this way, the life cycle of products can be extended, wastage can be minimised, and pollution reduced. In line, India can transition towards a circular economy. Main Practice Question: How far do you think that enacting a legislation for Corporate social resposibility has yielded results? Note: Write answer his question in the comment section. table{ border: 1px solid; } table tr, table td{ border: 1px solid; }

Dec 27, 2022 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2022 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 27th December 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :)After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken, and solutionsTo take the Test Click Here

Dec 26, 2022 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th December 2022

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) iNCOVACC Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Science and Technology Context: Ramping up its anti-Covid measures amid a surge in cases in other countries, mainly China, the Government has added Bharat Biotech’s intranasal vaccine Incovacc to its vaccination programme as a mix-and-match, or heterologous, booster dose. About Incovacc: Incovacc is the world’s first intranasal vaccine to be approved as a booster dose. iNCOVACC, co-developed by Bharat Biotech and the U.S.-based Washington University, was approved in November for ‘restricted emergency use’ for those aged 18 or older. The nasal vaccine is approved both as a primary dose and a heterologous booster. Unlike Covaxin, which is an inactivated coronavirus injected along with an adjuvant, iNCOVACC is an adenovirus-vectored vaccine with a “prefusion stabilised spike protein”, which is more like the technology employed in the Covishield vaccines. Advantages: It promises to become an important tool in mass vaccinations during pandemics and endemics. It is easy to administer as it is non-invasive and does not require trained health care workers. It also eliminates needle-associated risks such as injuries and infections, has higher compliance and is scalable as far as manufacturing is concerned. The sprays don’t need to be refrigerated. Source: Indian Express Previous Year Questions Q.1) In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine. Which of the statements given above are correct? (2022) 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics : Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2022) 1 only 2 only 1 and 3 2 and 3 Raktsey Karpo Apricot, Tandur Red Gram and Alibag White Onion – newly added GI Tags Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Economy Context: Adding to the present collection of GIs, 03 new items from various states of India such as Tandur Redgram of Telangana, Raktsey Karpo Apricot of Ladakh, Alibag White Onion of Maharashtra have been given the coveted GI Tags. About Raktsey Karpo Apricot: Raktsey Karpo, from family of apricot, packed with vitamins and low on calories is rich in sorbitol – a natural glucose substitute that can be consumed by diabetics. The oil from its seed is known to relieve back aches and joint pain. These apricots are grown organically as individual on trees or in clusters without using any chemical fertilisers. In Ladakh, it is locally known as ‘Chuli’. The native apricot genotypes of Ladakh possess unique characteristics, such as high TSS (Total dissolved solids) content, late and extended flowering and fruit maturity, and white seed stone phenotype. It is classified into two broad categories based on kernel taste and stone color. Khante: Fruits with bitter kernels. Nyarmo: Fruits with sweet kernels. They are further divided into two sub-groups based on seed stone color. Raktsey Karpo (Rakstey means seed, karpo means white): Fruit with white seed stone is called. Raktsey Nakpo or Nyarmo (black seeded): Fruit with brown seed stone. It is being promoted under One District One Product for Kargil (Ladakh). In India, it is grown in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and to a limited extent in North Eastern Hills. Tree can tolerate winter temperatures as cold as −30 °C or lower if in healthy sate. About Tandur Red Gram of Telangana: It is a local variety of pigeon pea which is mainly grown in the rainfed areas of the Tandur and nearby places in the state. As per the researchers, the fertile deep black soil with clay minerals specifically in Tandur Region along with huge limestone deposits can be attributed to the specific quality traits of Tandur Redgram. It contains about 24 percent protein, which is almost three times that of cereals, and is popularly known for its very good taste, and better cooking quality. About Alibag White Onion of Maharashtra: It is known for its unique sweet taste, no-tear factor, and medicinal properties. The soil of Alibaug taluka has low sulphur content and its geo-climatic conditions make it unique compared to other white onion-producing areas. White onions are an excellent source of antioxidants that contain more than 25 different types of flavonoids which lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Source: NewsOnAir Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Governance Context: Minister of State for Food Processing Industries have informed that the total amount of Centre’s Share of credit-linked subsidy provided under the PMFME Scheme is Rs.110.86 crore. About the PMFME scheme: Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme was launched under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ campaigns, to provide technical, financial and business support to micro food processing units in the country. The government intends to provide direct financial and technical assistance to about 200,000 micro food processing units under this scheme. Objectives of the scheme: Credit access to existing micro food processing businesses, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), co-operatives, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), for technology upgradation Assistance to 200,000 existing micro food processing units to transform them into organised units, by strengthening their marketing & branding, and integrating the supply chain with formal units Increased access to shared services, such as storage, incubation facilities, and packaging. Professional and technical support for food processing entrepreneurs. Proper training and research to individual or group owned food processing enterprises. The PMFME Scheme has adopted the One District One Product approach. Under this approach, the state identifies and selects a food product for the district, that could be a perishable agricultural crop, such as cereals, or a food product that is largely produced in the district. Source: PIB Antarctica’s emperor penguins Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Environment Context: Greater conservation efforts are needed to protect Antarctic ecosystems, and the populations of up to 97 per cent of land-based Antarctic species could decline by 2100 including emperor penguins if we don’t change tack, a new research has found. About Emperor Penguin The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species and is endemic to Antarctica. Like all penguins, it is flightless. Its diet consists primarily of fish, but also includes crustaceans. While hunting, the species can remain submerged around 20 minutes. It is the only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter. The lifespan is typically 20 years in the wild, although observations suggest that some individuals may live to 50 years of age. IUCN status: Near threatened Source:Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi? (2022) Ant Cockroach Crab Spider GaN Nanostructures Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Science and Technology In News Researchers in Bengaluru’s Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute under DST, have shown for the first time infrared light emission and absorption with GaN nanostructures. GaN nanostructures: It is a widely used material for blue light emission like Blue LEDs It is one of the most advanced semiconductors. It is already used in visible and ultraviolet light with LEDs and laser diodes Now, for the first time a new method to confine and absorb infrared (IR) light with GaN nanostructures has been developed. Technology used: A scientific phenomenon called surface polariton excitations in GaN nanostructures leads to light-matter interactions at IR spectral range. Surface polaritons are special modes of electromagnetic waves traveling at the interface of a conductor and an insulator such as air. By altering the morphology and shape of the nanostructures, they are also able to excite plasmon polaritons in GaN, which results in extending the light-matter coupling to further reaches of the electromagnetic spectrum. Surface polaritons are quasi-particles which have both light and matter characteristics. To grow these GaN nanostructures, the researchers utilized a specialized material deposition instrument called molecular beam epitaxy. This instrument uses ultra-high vacuum, like the conditions of outer space. This instrument grows high-quality material nanostructures with dimensions about 100000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. Applications: It can help develop highly efficient infrared absorbers, emitters, and modulators that are useful in defense technologies, energy technologies, imaging, sensing, and so on. Polaritonic technologies have attracted a wide range of applications, such as secure high-speed light-based communication (LiFi), next-generation light sources, solar energy converters, quantum computers, and waste-heat converters. In the last 25 years, blue LED with GaN has changed our world significantly. The infrared surface polariton excitations can be translated to many other semiconductors as well. Source: PIB Previous Year Questions Q.1) With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements: (2020) They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of human body. They can be used in biochemical sensors. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1,3 and 4 only 1,2,3 and 4 Species Hybridization Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Environment In News: In 2022, we have the first observational evidence of mixed-species association between the two threatened primate species Phayre’s langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) and capped langur (Trachypithecus phayrei), in fragmented forest patches of northeast Bangladesh. Earlier conjecture: Scientists initially thought that interbreeding among the two groups was more isolated to a particular place and time — specifically, when they encountered each other in western Eurasia shortly after modern humans left Africa. This idea stemmed from the fact that the genomes of modern humans from outside Africa are only about 2 per cent Neanderthal, on average. New findings: Multiple interbreeding happened between Neanderthals and the ancestors of modern humans across Europe and Asia than scientists and dilutive effects might have occurred. This is because Neanderthal ancestry is 12 to 20 per cent higher in modern East Asians compared to modern Europeans. This could be due to following reasons: One is that East Asians happen to have interbred more with Neanderthals. Of the multiple ancestral populations of Europeans, one had very little Neanderthal ancestry, diluting the overall Neanderthal contribution. Denisovans contributed to the modern human gene pool at least twice, leaving behind two distinct genetic components — one mostly in Papuan and Australian aboriginal populations, the other primarily in East Asian populations. Probable reasons why Neanderthal DNA was purged from modern human genomes: Neanderthal DNA was of less benefit to modern humans as their environments changed over time harmful mutations were more common in Neanderthals due to inbreeding. Hybridization: Mixed-species association can result in the production of hybrid offspring in the wild. Hybridisation – means a breakdown of species isolation mechanisms Traditional belief about hybridisation – is essentially unnatural, and hence unwelcome. Today, with rapid strides in science, it may be worthwhile to reconsider the biological importance of hybridisation, a naturally occurring and ubiquitous process, unsullied by value-laden human prejudices. Methodology: Scientists developed computer simulations that modelled how DNA would get shared during a range of numbers of encounters between modern humans and Neanderthals. Then, they looked into which models best fit modern human genetic databases Source: DTE J&K Land Grants Rules Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Polity and Governance In News: The J&K Lieutenant Governor’s administration notified fresh land rules under J&K Land Grant Rules-2022 and replaced the J&K Land Grants Rules-1960, which dealt with the special rules to grant government land on lease in erstwhile State of J&K. Previous rules: Prime locations such as Srinagar, Jammu, Gulmarg and Pahalgam were opened up for construction of hotels, commercial structures and residential buildings in the past. These land laws were considered as the backbone of J&K’s upper middle class and allowed a new chain of hotels and commercial structures to come up in prime locations. Need for amendment: Because the previous land laws were “regressive”. The present land holders just paid ₹5 to enjoy profit from  ₹100 crore property. New rules: Leases of current land owners will not be extended in case of expiry. Expired leases shall not be renewed and shall stand determined. lease period has been reduced to 40 years (earlier 99 yrs.) Outgoing lease holders to evict properties or else face evictions. An expert committee will enlist all properties where lease had ended. It will be e-auctioned afresh. The rules open bidding to “any person legally competent under Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.” These rules deem a person or an entity in default of Government Revenue accrued to the government under J&K Land Grant Act, 1960 or Government convicted under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 shall not be eligible for participation in the auction. According to now-repealed land laws, no such land shall be granted on lease to the person, who is not a permanent residence of the State; except where the Government, for the reasons to be recorded, relax this restriction in the interest of industrial or commercial development or in the favour of a registered charitable society. Uses of leased lands: Education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, skill development and development of traditional art, craft, culture and languages. For hydro-electric projects, stadiums, playgrounds, gymnasiums or other recreational purposes. For self-employment or for housing purposes of ex-servicemen, war widows and the families of martyrs, one who has sacrificed his life in the line of duty. For facilities of migrant workers, buildings and other construction workers. Impact of new rules: Hundreds of properties will open for fresh auction, where outsiders could also participate. Tourist hotspots Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar and Jammu’s Patnitop will go up for auction. Concerns and oppositions: Opposition contends that the first right to these lease properties “belongs to those who were already settled here”. Bringing rich outsiders to buy prime property in J&K may be at the cost of local businesses and their interests No local could participate in the e-auction given the conditions business houses were in due to the uncertain situation of the past 30 years. Only millionaires from outside will buy these properties and the locals, who hold these properties currently, will be forced to sell their personal properties, including houses, to repay loans raised on these properties. Kashmir’s two key traders’ bodies, the Jammu Kashmir Hoteliers Club (JKHC) and the Chamber Of Commerce Industry Kashmir (CCIK), said J&K’s economy would come to a grinding halt and urged the L-G to reconsider the decision. All the stakeholders are sons of soil and the matter should be looked into through the prism of humanity and personally. Source: The Hindu Previous Year Questions Q.1) With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct? (2019) The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings. The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless. It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation. Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits. New technology can create jobs reduce unemployment Open in new window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (Governance) Context: India is implementing big way of emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, blockchain, cloud and quantum computing, digital mechanisms etc. to improve the living conditions of its people. However, several international agencies highlight reduction in job opportunities due to innovative technologies that can replace human labor. Employment Situation in India: Data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) show that 19 lakh people had lost their jobs in August 2021 alone; of this, 10 lakhs were from the industrial sector. In July, eight lakh people in this sector lost their jobs. The World Bank has calculated that the industrial sector, which contributed 18 per cent to India’s GDP in 1995, is now contributing only 13 per cent. In other countries, such as China moved the largest number of workers from farms to factories and became a manufacturing hub in the world. In India, CMIE statistics reveal that employment in agriculture, which accounted for 35 per cent of total employment in 2017-18, increased to 39.5 per cent in 2020-21. Due to Covid, many industrial units have closed down and pressure on agriculture has increased. As a result, incomes in villages are falling and the purchasing power is weakening. Positive Impact of new technologies: Agriculture Sector: Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), farmers can improve their yield and reduce asymmetries. It will result in increasing their income. Financial Sector: Application of new tech will formalize the economy so it will be easier for government to track financial activity till the last mile. This record will help to finance existing unorganised manufacturing and traditional sector at nominal rate. It will help to reduce their cost of production and deliver their products at a competitive rate. It will enhance their income, the multiplier effect of which will lead to more employment opportunities. Telecom Sector: It has wide range of new opportunities for new tech including its 5G services across the country. It will generate significant employment for the youth as per the projection of Telecom Sector Skill Council. Manufacturing Sector: Using advance robotics auto manufacturing can be done easily. Although still it will require professional, skilled and semi-skilled labour in India. Travel and Tourism Sector: It can be enhanced using blockchain technology coupled with innovative digital strategies and apps. It can create positive disruption for allied sectors such as medical and virgin tourist destinations. Other sectors: Cloud computing in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers flexibility for greater collaboration with work teams, better control of documents, work from anywhere environment leading to increase in productivity, and innovation offering positive externalities and employment across the sector. Legal sector is witnessing application of disruptive technologies giving employment opportunities for ICT and data analytics professionals. Micro-technologies, especially in digital banking, connectivity and transport services may improve labour productivity. Challenges associated with new technologies: Agriculture Sector: Most of the labour force in India is in agriculture traditionally and new tech will disrupt their wages. Construction Sector: It may not witness adoption of advanced technologies as it may not be able to compete with the cheap labour available Unemployment in transition phase: During the shift from traditional to new tech jobs in between many people will lose their employment due to not having proper guidance. Unskilled Workforce: To acquire employment in new tech requires specific skilled person. In India mostly people are working in unorganised sector are unskilled or not familiar with the technology. Startup ecosystem in India: It is world’s third largest startup ecosystem. It has more than 60,000 startups across 642 districts. It has generated 65 unicorns across various industries. Unicorn: A startup company with value over 1 billion USD. These startups are specialized in emerging technologies such as in fintech, e-commerce, supply chain logistics, internet and software services and ed-tech. It provides scope for entrepreneurial ventures and self-employment. Indirectly it will result in to employment generation in the country. It may witness substantive shift from wage employment to self-employment adding to the formal sector. Suggestive measures: There is need for government to carry out upskilling programs for skill development. Proper management of work force transition is required. It is required that currently employed go under training or re-training to get comfortable with new technologies. It is also required to develop skills such as empathy, imagination or creativity, which will underpin jobs in more social sectors. Way Forward: According to various study reports, the educated unemployment in India is mainly due to factors which include, among other things, information asymmetries, lack of guidance for suitable jobs, etc., which indeed may get resolved through online tools and platforms as also flexible working environment. India has comprehensively reviewed its regulatory, policy, and legal framework, enabling it to be one of the best ‘ease of doing business’ destinations. This, along with its cheap and educated manpower, may be favourable for building micro supply chains within India paving the way for the country to become a global manufacturing hub. Thus, the new technological developments will bring challenges, but they also present an opportunity for us to upskill our workforce in order to emerge as a foreign investment destination and grow Indian startups for economic growth. Source:   The Hindu Performance of Welfare schemes Open in new window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 Governance Context: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has said that the ambitious scheme of the One Nation-One Ration Card across the country has brought a lot of relief to the poor. Various other schemes such as One Nation-One Ration Card, distribution of fortified rice, targeted public distribution and other schemes of the Center are being extended to all the beneficiaries India has also improved its Ease of doing business ranking among 190 countries in the EODB Report 2020, from 134th position in 2013 to 63rd, i.e. a jump of 71 ranks. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY): Launched in March 2020 to ameliorate the hardships faced by the poor due to economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic and to minimize its impact on food security Distribution of additional free-of-cost foodgrains (Rice/Wheat) to about 80 Crore National Food Security Act (NFSA), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) & Priority Households (PHH) beneficiaries at the scale of 5 Kg per person per month The 7th Phase (October-December, 2022) is ongoing Achievements: the Central Government has provided free food grains to the poor, worth Rs 3.90 lakh crore, the government has made a record purchase of Rs 2.75 lakh crore on MSP in 2021-22 1118 LMT foodgrains have been allocated to States/UTs so far, with an expenditure of over Rs.3.90 lakh crore. One Nation-One Ration Card scheme: Launched in aug 2019, aimed at portability of ration cards, piloting in 4 states. Achievements: Till now the scheme has been rolled out in all 36 States/UTs, which includes about 80 crore NFSA beneficiaries i.e. about 100 percent of the country’s NFSA population. More than 93 crore portability transactions have been registered under the scheme, in which more than 177 LMT food grains have been distributed. During the year 2022, 39 crore portability transactions were done in 11 months, in which more than 80 LMT food grains have been distributed including inter-state and intra-state portability transactions of NFSA and PMGKAY. Fortified rice scheme: To increase the nutritional value of rice and its scop, fortified rice to be provided under all government schemes covering ICDS, PM Poshan and Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) The implementation of the second phase started from April 2022 and the third phase will start from the year 2023-24 Achievements: Under ICDS and PM Poshan, 17.51 lakh metric tonnes of fortified rice has been distributed and States have taken 16.79 LMT rice. Achievements of NFSA and TPDS: 100 percent NFSA ration card/beneficiary data has been digitized in all States/UTs. Details of 19.5 crore ration cards covering about 80 crore beneficiaries are available on the transparency portal of the States/UTs. More than 99.5 per cent ration cards are linked with Aadhaar (at least one member of the household). 99.8% (5.33 lakh out of 5.34 lakh) Fair Price Shops are being automated with the use of electronic point-of-sale devices for transparent, assuring distribution of subsidized food grains to the beneficiaries. Achievements of MSP: Total procurement of food grains (including wheat, paddy and pulses) was 759.44 lakh tonnes in the year 2014-15, which has increased to 1345.45 lakh tonnes in 2021-22. Paddy procurement in Kharif has increased to 759 LMT in 2021-22 (an increase of 60%). There has been an increase of 132 percent in the procurement price in eight years (now the total value is about Rs 1.5 lakh crore). Rabi procurement was 251 LMT in 2013-14, which has increased to 433.44 LMT in 2021-22 (73 percent increase). In the year 2015-16, 78.3 lakh farmers were benefited from the procurement of food grains, which increased to 194 lakh (number of farmers) in the year 2021-22. 13 lakh tonnes of coarse grains have also been procured in 7 states during the year. Achievements of sugar industry: It is an important agro-based industry, involving 5 crore sugarcane farmers. The annual production is about Rs 1,40,000 crore. In the sugar season 2021-22, India has exported more than 110 LMT sugar and has become the largest producer and second largest exporter of sugar in the world. Out of total cane price arrears of Rs 1,18,271 crore for the sugar season 2021-22, Rs 1,14,981 crore has been cleared to the farmers, thus more than 97% cane arrears have been cleared. Regarding ethanol blending plan in petrol, the government has set a target of 10 per cent blending of fuel grade ethanol with petrol by 2022 and 20 per cent blending by 2025. The existing capacity of ethanol production in the country (till 31.10.2022) has jumped to 925 crore litres. Challenges of food programmes: Identification of beneficiaries – The 80-crore cap on NFSA beneficiaries and state ration card quotas are based on 2011 census data. Given the projected increase in population since then, about 10 crore eligible people are being excluded from the NFSA’s safety net. In its June 2021 judgement, the Supreme Court directed that the Centre and State should continue providing foodgrains to migrants whether or not they had ration cards. FCI stock – While the stock position of foodgrains in the FCI godowns was very comfortable in 2020, the situation has altered now. There might be a crisis if there is no proper planning and management. As of September 2022, including the estimated rice from unmilled paddy and millets, stocks are just over 60 million tonnes, while the buffer norm for October is about 30 million tonnes. The usual requirements for NFSA and other requirements are about 60 million tonnes per year, and added to this PMGKAY would require about 12 million tonnes more There are apprehensions about paddy production Dietary diversity – While the PDS contributes to providing some cereal security, from the point of view of ensuring nutrition, it is also important to improve people’s consumption of other food items such as pulses and edible oil. Burden on exchequer – As the economy is also reviving and the OMSS [or open market sale scheme] is doing well, extension of scheme can be given a second thought. Data inconsistency – A case study by Microsave Consulting, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation conducted in 88 districts showed an “average of 94% households have received the free ration on monthly basis” However, A survey by the Centre of Sustainable Employment at the Azim Premji University, showed only 27% of the eligible households reported receiving the full benefits under PMGKAY Implementation issues – example in Delhi, distribution has not started in any ration shop. Way forward: According to UN-India, there are nearly 195 million undernourished people in India, which is a quarter of the world’s hunger burden. Also, roughly 43% of children in India are chronically undernourished. Further, India ranks 68 out of 113 major countries in terms of food security index 2022. Hence, there is immense significance in such food programs. However, focus must be to build permanent capacity of the population to ensure food security. Source: PIB Anti-conversion laws Open in new window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 Polity and Governance Context: There was a long standing demand in Uttarakhand for strict action against forced conversions. Following this, the Uttarakhand government introduced the Uttarakhand Religion Freedom Amendment Bill in the Assembly. Since 2017, five states, all led by Bharatiya Janata Party governments, have either passed new anti-conversion laws or updated existing ones. The new versions of the laws put in place stricter punishments and newer grounds for restricting conversions, such as conversion “by marriage” – where a person who adopts another faith to enter into a marriage would be deemed to have been forcibly converted. Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act: It amends the prevalent Freedom of religion Act of 2018 and imposes a fine of Rs. 50,000 on any person who tries to convert the other through “misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.” It also makes it a cognisable and non-bailable offence with a minimum prison term of 3 years that can be extended up to 10 years. As per the new law, the convict will have to even pay Rs. 5 lakhs to the victim. History of Conversion laws in India: The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967 – It is the first such law in the country and prohibits conversion from one religion to the other by “force or inducement or by fraudulent means”. The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 (never enforced) – The law says that “no person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means nor shall any person abet any such conversion”. Those converting and those performing the conversion need to send an intimation within a prescribed period to the DM, or may face a punishment of one year or with fine that go up to thousand rupees or both. Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003; Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006 – The law prescribes punishment of three years for forced conversion, with a fine of up to Rs 50,000. In cases involving a woman, minor, Scheduled Caste (SC)/ Scheduled Tribe (ST), the fine can go up to one lakh rupees. Prior permission from the DM is required and it is a cognisable offence. Chhattisgarh Religion Freedom (Amendment) Act, 2006 –It provides a three-year jail term and penalty up to Rs.20,000 or both. The law makes it mandatory for a person who wants to convert to get approval 30 days in advance from the DM. The DM will have the authority to reject or accept the application after examining the case. Challenges of conversion laws: Freedom of conscience – The petitioners argued that restrictions on conversion contravened their fundamental rights since Article 25(1) of the Constitution should include the right to convert under the word ‘propogation’. However, the court held that Article 25 does not give the right to convert but only “to transmit or spread one’s religion by an exposition of its tenets”. Judicial criticisms – In 1977, a five-judge upheld the constitutionality of India’s first two anti-conversion laws: the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967 and Madhya Pradesh’s MP Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 1968. But the verdict in this case, Stainislaus vs State of Madhya Pradesh, has been criticised by constitutional experts because the court held that this right does not include voluntary conversions. Burden of proving that the conversion was ‘lawful’ lies on the person who ‘caused’ the conversion. This provision ignores the opinion of those who converted and the focuses only on the “converter. Substance over form: It is also difficult to ascertain whether a religious conversion is truly conducted solely for the purpose of marriage. Watering down provisions – In 2021, both the Gujarat and Allahabad High Courts have watered down the provisions relating to inter-faith marriages in the anti-conversion laws of their states. Pending matters – The constitutional validity of the anti-conversion laws in at least four states – Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh – has been pending before the Supreme Court since February 2021. Vagueness in laws: The UP ordinance law is criticised for the ambiguous terms used like “undue influence”, “coercion”, “allurement or marriage” for specifying the grounds for criminalising conversions. Human rights – Several petitions have been filed before several High Courts challenging anti-conversion laws. Suggestions: Some High Courts have ruled in favour of more checks during conversions and inter-faith marriages. In December 2020, the Uttarakhand High Court held that the notice to the district magistrate prior to conversion for marriage is compulsory. Courts have also regulated conversions – In 2017, in the absence of a law on the subject, the Rajasthan High Court laid down guidelines on conversions and inter-faith marriages The court said that anyone who wishes to convert should provide information to the district authorities before conversion and that a marriage can only be solemnised if adequate notice is given to the authorities. Adequate groundwork – Anti-conversion laws must be backed by a concrete study on the ground-realty of such forced conversions. Upholding diversity – It is the duty of the state to enable and facilitate inter-faith/inter-caste marriages – Allahabad HC ruling on Special Marriages Act is a step in the right direction Way forward: Justice Swaminathan said the physical violence starts with psychological violence and psychological violence comes from the violence embedded in the propaganda. Hence, we need to be sensitive in matters of religion and conversion. Any challenge to conversion laws would require the Supreme Court to relook at its Stainislaus judgment while also taking the right to privacy judgment into account. Source: The Hindu Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) With reference to GaN nanostructures, consider the following statements: They have recently been applied to visible light and ultraviolet light emissions. They are excellent semiconductors but cannot work for infrared light. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both Neither Q.2) Consider the following statements: As per the J&K Land Grants Rules: Properties in the State will open for fresh e-auction, where outsiders could also participate. The lease period has been increased to 99 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following pairs: GI Tag                                                          State Raktsey Karpo Apricot                         Arunachal Pradesh Tandur Red Gram                                  Tamil Nadu Alibag White Onion                               Maharashtra How many pairs given above is/are correctly matched? One pair only Two pairs only All three pairs None Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 26th December 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 24th December – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – d Q.2) – b Q.3) – c table, td, th { border: 1px solid;} table {width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }

Dec 26, 2022 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2022 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 26th December 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :)After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken, and solutionsTo take the Test Click Here

Dec 26, 2022 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 24th December 2022

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Economy Context: Recently the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for mutual assistance and cooperation in the area of sustainable finance. About IFSCA: The IFSCA is a statutory authority established under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019 (“IFSCA Act”) with a mandate to develop and regulate the financial products, financial services, and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centres (‘IFSC’). It headquarters is at Gujarat International Finance Tech (GIFT) City, Gandhinagar in Gujarat. It is India’s maiden international financial services centre. Composition of the Authority (9 members): Chairperson One Member each to be nominated by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Two members to be dominated by the Central Government. Two other whole-time or full-time or part-time members Services an IFSC can provide: Fund-raising for individuals, corporations and governments. Asset management and Global Treasury management Global tax management and cross-border tax liability optimization Risk management operations such as insurance and reinsurance. Merger and acquisition activities among Trans-national corporation About CEEW: The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions. The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain – and change – the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. It prides itself on the independence of its high-quality research, develops partnerships with public and private institutions, and engages with the wider public. In 2021, CEEW once again featured extensively across ten categories in the 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report. The Council has also been consistently ranked among the world’s top climate change think tanks. Source: PIB Previous Year Question Q.1) “Rapid Financing Instrument” and “Rapid Credit Facility” are related to the provisions of lending by which of the following:           (2022) Asian Development Bank International Monetary Fund United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative World Bank Sand battery Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Environment Context: Recently a Finland based company came up with sand-based battery to provide clean energy solution for Europe’s energy crisis. It is currently operational at town of Kankaanpaa in Finland. About Sand Battery: It is a type of energy storage device that uses sand or sand-like materials as the storage medium. Sand is a very effective medium for storing heat and loses little over time. The sand is charged with electricity and then discharged to produce power. Its purpose is to work as a high-power and high-capacity reservoir for renewable energy. Sand batteries can help to increase the use of renewable energy by allowing excess/surplus energy produced from renewable sources to be stored and used at a later time. Key Features: The sand battery has three major interconnected components: Steel silo: It contains 100 tonnes of sand where the heat is stored. Electric air heater: Resistors are used in regular ovens and an air-to-water heat exchanger. Heat Exchanger: It has a mechanical pipe and water. Sand stores the heat at around 500 Celsius (the same process that makes electric fires work). Sand is at the core and very far from the boundary so the heat stored in the core does not easily get lost It can last days or weeks. Reservoir is so well-insulated from the outer environment that it can retain temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius and prevent heat losses over time. It can store up to 8 megawatt-hours of energy as heat. Working conditions: It receives electricity from grid through cheaper renewable sources like solar and wind. Electricity is converted to heat and transferred to sand. Air is blown via a fan through the curricular pipe system inside the silo. It will enter the electric air heater, where it becomes hot with the help of a resistor located inside. Hot air will be circulated by air-to-water heat exchanger through metal structure (pipes). There’s no direct contact between air and water. Hot water is discharged into district heating system. It circulates in close loop from the heat exchanger to the customer and back. Energy is stored as heat which is used to heat homes or to provide hot stream and high temperature process heat to industries that are often fossil-fuel dependent. Source:  DownToEarth Muhammad Iqbal Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – History Context: Recently complaint has filed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) against principal of government school and shiksha mitra for hurting religious sentiments by recitation of the prayer ‘Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua’ written by Muhammad Iqbal. About Muhammad Iqbal: He was born to a family with Kashmiri Pandit ancestry that had embraced Islam in the 17th century. He was born in Sialkot, Punjab (now in Pakistan). He was commonly referred to as Allama (title given to Islamic scholars). As a lawyer he appeared at the Lahore High Court in several cases. He was knighted by King George V who gave him the title of “Sir” in 1922. He died in Lahore at the age of 60 years. His tomb is located in Hazuri Bagh in Lahore. Political career and Ideology: In his later life, he came across the idea of a separate nation for Muslims. He was influenced by Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of a separate nation of Pakistan. He was regarded as the ideological founder of the nation in Pakistan. Prominent works: He wrote the Urdu ghazal ‘Sare Jahan se Achccha Hindostan Hamara’. His first book, Asrár-I Khudí (The Secrets of the Self), was published in 1915 It was followed by Ramuz-e-Bekhudi (The Mysteries of Selflessness) in 1918 These are regarded as the base for his poetic philosophy. Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct? (2022) Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here. Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region from here. Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here. Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here. PRAKASHmay ‘15th Enertia Awards 2022’ Open in new window Syllabus Prelims: Current Affairs In News: NHPC won ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India – Hydropower and Renewable Energy Sector’ in recognition of its leadership in the hydropower sector with a gross asset class renewable energy capacity of more than 7000 MW, for more than 5000 MW of projects under construction and an ambitious 7000 MW plus plan for Solar capacity addition. Renewable Energy Sector Renewable energy will comprise 90 per cent of global electricity capacity expansion in the next five years and much of it will be in India, according to a new study by the autonomous intergovernmental organisation, International Energy Agency (IEA). China, the European Union and the United States will be three other geographies contributing majorly to this upward trend besides India. This is primarily owing to the favourable policies and market reforms in all four. Renewable energy’s installed power capacity will grow to 2,400 gigawatts (GW) between 2022 and 2027. In India With the addition of 145 gigawatt (GW), India is forecast to almost double its renewable power capacity over 2022-2027. Solar photovoltaic (PV) accounts for three-quarters of this growth, followed by onshore wind with 15 per cent and hydropower providing almost all the rest. Two policy measures that India has adopted to promote domestic manufacturing in the solar PV sector include the PLI scheme and raising import duties on modules – are expected to meet the growing demand of the renewable energy industry and help in the diversification of supply chains in the long term. Hybrid auctions are expected to be an increasingly important growth driver as the penetration of wind and PV technologies in India’s power system grows and grid integration challenges emerge. Hybrid projects refers to innovative combinations of solar and wind power at a site. It can include solar, wind, and battery or pumped hydro storage. Bundling coal with renewables is also another option. Storage will play a key role in the hybrid project, particularly to overcome the intermittency of RE and enhance grid balancing. Clean energy transitions are driving down the costs of energy storage technologies, expected to reduce further with an increase in scale and innovations. Policy changes in the wind energy sector were also made to accelerate the transition to renewables. In July 2022, the Indian government suspended reverse bidding in wind auctions. Currently, the government is considering closed-envelope submissions which could raise tariffs for wind energy and make it a more competitive market. Higher renewable purchase obligations, and specify targets for wind, hydro, and other renewable energy sources (solar, bioenergy), should further encourage power utilities (DISCOM) to procure renewable energy. Wind energy is a different ball game compared to solar because the good sites are only located in coastal states. Even within a coastal state, there are tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 sites depending on the wind intensity, according to the expert. Raising the capability of DISCOMs to procure more renewable energy will be crucial to achieving faster growth. Improving the financial performance of DISCOMs and increasing penalties for non-compliance with renewable purchase obligations should limit delays in signing PPAs with auction winners, making developers and investors more willing to undertake new utility-scale projects. In addition, offering DISCOMs financial and regulatory incentives to increase rooftop PV deployment in their grids should encourage them to attract tens of millions of potential prosumers by facilitating investment, thereby tripling main-case distributed PV deployment for 2022-2027. News Source: PIB Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for copra season 2023 Open in new window Syllabus Prelims: Agriculture In News: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA has approved Minimum Support Prices for copra for 2023 season. The MSP for fair average quality of milling copra has been fixed at 10 thousand 860 rupees per quintal. MSP for ball copra has been fixed at 11 thousand 750 rupees per quintal. This is an increase of 270 rupees per quintal for milling copra and 750 rupees per quintal for ball copra over the previous season. Minimum Support Prices (MSP) The MSP is the rate at which the government purchases crops from farmers, and is based on a calculation of at least one-and-a-half times the cost of production incurred by the farmers. The Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) recommends MSPs for 22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane. CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The mandated crops include 14 crops of the kharif season, 6 rabi crops and 2 other commercial crops. In addition, the MSPs of toria and de-husked coconut are fixed on the basis of the MSPs of rapeseed/mustard and copra, respectively. Support prices generally affect farmers’ decisions indirectly, regarding land allocation to crops, quantity of the crops to be produced etc MSP assures farmers agricultural income besides providing a clear price signal to the market The major objectives are to support the farmers from distress sales and to procure food grains for public distribution. The government declares MSPs for crops, but there’s no law mandating their implementation  MSP is devoid of any legal backing. Access to MSP isn’t an entitlement for farmers. They cannot demand it as a matter of right. The Centre currently fixes MSPs for 23 farm commodities based on the CACP’s recommendations — 7 cereals – paddy, wheat, maize, bajra, jowar, ragi and barley 5 pulses – chana, arhar/tur, urad, moong and masur 7 oilseeds – rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, safflower and nigerseed 4 commercial crops – cotton, sugarcane, copra and raw jute Factors for Recommending the MSP: The CACP considers various factors while recommending the MSP for a commodity: Cost of production Changes in input prices Input-output price parity Trends in market prices Demand and supply Inter-crop price parity Effect on industrial cost structure Effect on cost of living Effect on general price level International price situation Parity between prices paid and prices received by the farmers Effect on issue prices and implications for subsidy Source: News on AIR Cuetlaxochitl: The story of America’s Christmas Eve shrub Open in new window Syllabus Prelims: Biodiversity Context: The cuetlaxochitl, meaning “flower that grows in residues” in the Aztec language, became the Christmas Eve flower of modern times as well as a top-selling potted plant is a story replete with patents, a market monopoly and a leaked trade secret that finally undermined one American family’s control of the business in the 1990s after a nearly 100-year run. The Story – A case of Biopiracy? The poinsettia is a case study of what breeding skills combined with business acumen can achieve in a setting of intellectual property rights (IPRS). Where the people and the region that nurtured the plant for centuries and inspired its link with Christmas did not share the benefits of its commercialisation? Cuetlaxochitl growers could not compete with the likes of the Ecke Ranch firm (the Ecke family’s horticulture genetics company), and were unable to export to a lucrative market. Instead, they became growers for the American company. In 1828 when Poinsett brought the shrub to the US and distributed it to his friends, there was no Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). In any case, the US is still the only major country that is not a party to CBD. It traces its origins to the Rio summit of 1992 It is a multilateral treaty ratified by 196 countries for “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.” Its overarching goal is to encourage actions that will lead to a more sustainable future. It includes – Cartagena Protocol and Nagoya Protocol On the other hand, the big boost to the US poinsettia industry came from the Plant Patent Act of 1930. Apart from patent systems in individual countries, there have been systematic initiatives at the behest of plant breeders to create strong protection for their varieties — at the cost of farmers. The most significant of these is the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants or UPOV, a treaty created outside the UN to provide a regulatory system for protecting plants. An intergovernmental organization with headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland). UPOV was established by the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. The Convention was adopted in Paris in 1961 and it was revised in 1972, 1978 and 1991. UPOV’s mission is to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society. In the case of a variety protected by a breeder’s right, the authorization of the breeder is required to propagate the variety for commercial purposes. The breeder’s right is granted by the individual UPOV members. Only the breeder of a new plant variety can protect that new plant variety. It is not permitted for someone other than the breeder to obtain protection of a variety. There are no restrictions on who can be considered to be a breeder under the UPOV system: a breeder might be an individual, a farmer, a researcher, a public institute, a private company etc. India is not a member. Since it denies farmers any rights, such as the freedom to reuse farm-saved seeds and to exchange them with their neighbours, which is a tradition in this country of poor farmers. With the World Trade Organization’s all-encompassing IPR agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) coming into force, India had the choice of either joining UPOV or to formulate a sui generis system that granted protection to breeders’ rights while keeping farmers’ interests uppermost. The result was the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act of 2001 (PPV&FRA), which balances the interests of both while encouraging innovation in new varieties. The legislation recognizes the contributions of both commercial plant breeders and farmers in plant breeding activity and also provides to implement TRIPs in a way that supports the specific socio-economic interests of all the stakeholders including private, public sectors and research institutions, as well as resource-constrained farmers. India has faced pressure constantly to join UPOV. The standoff with PepsiCo, which attempted to enforce its IPR on two of its registered potato varieties that are used to make its branded wafers, has not helped India’s case that it was compliant with global norms on protecting breeders’ rights. In 2018, multinational PepsiCo began intimidating potato growers in Gujarat for violating its IPR, claiming that the farmers were using its variety illegally. Following massive protests by farmers and a strong campaign by farming activists, the authority overseeing the implementation of PPV&FRA was last year forced to revoke PepsiCo’s registrations, which had another six years to go. This has opened India to further pressure, the latest from the EU, which is negotiating an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India and is demanding that India join UPOV. Source: Down to Earth International Arbitration Centre Open in new window Syllabus Prelims: Judiciary In News: The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 14th December 2022. The Bill renames the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre as the India International Arbitration Centre. The original Act requires the NDIAC to strive to facilitate the conduct of international and domestic arbitration and conciliation. The Amendment Bill expands this to include conduct of other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Background Setup in 2019 under the provisions of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) Act, 2019 Objectve: For better management of arbitration in India. The Act declared NDIAC as an institution of national importance. Replaced the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR), an existing institution established in the year 1995. Objectives Promoting research, providing training and organizing conferences and seminars in alternative dispute resolution matters. Providing facilities and administrative assistance for the conduct of arbitration, mediation and conciliation proceedings. Maintaining a panel of accredited professionals to conduct arbitration, mediation and conciliation proceedings. Key Functions Facilitating conduct of arbitration and conciliation in a professional, timely and cost-effective manner; and Promoting studies in the field of alternative dispute resolution. Composition: The NDIAC will consist of seven members including: A Chairperson who may be a Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, or an eminent person with special knowledge and experience in the conduct or administration of arbitration; Two eminent persons having substantial knowledge and experience in institutional arbitration; Three ex-officio members, including a nominee from the Ministry of Finance and a Chief Executive Officer (responsible for the day-to-day administration of the NDIAC); A representative from a recognized body of commerce and industry, appointed as a part-time member, on a rotational basis. Term and Superannuation The members of NDIAC will hold office for three years and will be eligible for re-appointment. The retirement age for the Chairperson is 70 years and other members is 67 years. Finance and Audit The NDIAC will be required to maintain a fund which will be credited with grants received from the central government, fees collected for its activities, and other sources. The accounts of the NDIAC will be audited and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. Institutional Support The NDIAC will establish a Chamber of Arbitration which will maintain a permanent panel of arbitrators. Further, the NDIAC may also establish an Arbitration Academy for training arbitrators and conducting research in the area of alternative dispute resolution. The NDIAC may also constitute other committees to administer its functions. India as an International hub of Arbitration India is the fifth biggest economy in the world, yet we are not the international hub of arbitration, while small countries and cities have emerged as major centres for arbitration. Presently, places such as Singapore, London and Hong Kong are the preferred centres for arbitration. NDIAC can provide arbitration awards at more affordable charges in comparative to those centres. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms ADR is a mechanism of dispute resolution that is non adversarial, i.e. working together co-operatively to reach the best resolution for everyone. ADR can be instrumental in reducing the burden of litigation on courts, while delivering a well-rounded and satisfying experience for the parties involved Arbitration: The dispute is submitted to an arbitral tribunal which makes a decision (an “award”) on the dispute that is mostly binding on the parties. Mediation: In mediation, an impartial person called a “mediator” helps the parties try to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute. Arbitration and mediation have a long history in India. Recently they have acquired prominence across the world as methods of dispute resolution. Alternative dispute resolution methods are beneficial to the parties due to various reasons low-cost speed more control over timelines and process autonomy of parties a more comfortable environment a non-adversarial nature Source: The Indian Express Digital India Programme Open in new window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (Governance) Context: The Digital India Programme has made the country digitally empowered in the area of technology and innovation. About the Digital India programme: Digital India is a flagship programme of the Government of India with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The programme was launched on July 1, 2015 by Hon’ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Outcomes of the programme: Digital India has considerably reduced the distance between the Government and citizens. It has also helped in the delivery of substantial services directly to the beneficiary in a transparent and corruption-free manner. In the process, India has emerged as one of the pre-eminent nations of the world to use technology to transform the lives of its citizens. Significance of the Digital India campaign Transparency: The transparency that has come due to Digital India has eliminated corruption at various levels adversely affecting the poor and the middle class. Direct Benefit Transfer: In the last eight years, more than Rs 23 lakh crore has been transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to beneficiaries. The trio of Jan Dhan, Mobile and Aadhaar, or JAM: It has provided maximum benefit to the poor and the middle class. Ending corruption: The Digital India campaign has helped save Rs 2.25 lakh crore from falling into the wrong hands in the past eight years. Eliminating middle-men: Digital India has saved money for the common man by ending the network of middle-men Digital India helped the government tackle the crisis arising out of the Covid pandemic: CoWin and Aarogya Setu are two mobile applications that helped provide 200 crore vaccine doses. Ending digital divide: Digital India has also helped bridge the digital divide that exists between rural and urban India. Challenges: Gender gap: Indian women are 15 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone and 33 per cent less likely to use mobile internet services than men. Women constitute only one-third of internet users in India. Skewed penetration: Among states, Maharashtra has the highest internet penetration, followed by Goa and Kerala, while Bihar has the lowest, followed by Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. India’s global rank: According to the UN’s e-participation index (2022), which is a composite measure of three important dimensions of e-government, namely provision of online services, telecommunication connectivity and human capacity, India ranks 105 out of 193 nations. Online safety: According to a survey, more than half of young women have experienced violence online, including sexual harassment, threatening messages and having private images shared without consent. Women’s rights defenders and female journalists were targeted for abuse more than most. Inadequate artificial intelligence: The third threat comes from badly designed artificial intelligence systems that repeat and exacerbate discrimination. Key initiatives undertaken by MeitY under the Digital India programme: Aadhaar: Aadhaar provides 12 digits biometric and demographic-based identity that is unique, lifelong, online and authenticable. It has also given statutory backing through The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. Over 135.5 crore residents have been enrolled. Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG): For providing government services to citizens through mobile. More than 1668 e-Services and over 20,197 bill payment services are made available at UMANG. Common Services Centres: CSCs are offering government and business services in digital mode in rural areas through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs). Over 400 digital services are being offered by these CSCs. So far, 5.21 Lakh CSCs are functional (including urban & rural areas) across the country. Unified Payment Interface (UPI): It is the leading digital payment platform. It has onboarded 376 banks and has facilitated 730 crore transactions (by volume) worth Rs 11.9 lakh crore. Digi Locker: Digital Locker provides an ecosystem with the collection of repositories and gateways for issuers to upload the documents in the digital repositories. Digital Locker has more than 13.7 crore users and more than 562 crore documents. e-Sign: e-Sign service facilitates instant signing of forms/documents online by citizens in a legally acceptable form. MyGov: It is a citizen engagement platform that is developed to facilitate participatory governance. Presently, over 2.76+ crore users are registered with MyGov. MeriPehchaan: National Single Sign-on (NSSO) platform called MeriPehchaan has been launched in July 2022 to facilitate/provide citizens ease of access to government portals. Jeevan Pramaan: Jeevan Pramaan envisages digitizing the whole process of securing the life certificate for pensioners. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA): The Government has approved the scheme to usher in digital literacy in rural India. Way Forward: Need of the hour is to establish an empowered entity needs to be set up which is accountable for quality and timeliness to design and construct digital highways, and their rural branches, and ensure their optimum utilisation by sharing the infrastructure. Digital skills, required today both for life and for livelihoods, must be imparted on a war footing by transforming government digital literacy programmes into skilling missions, and expanding outreach, including through the private sector. The Social media sites can use their “algorithm power” to proactively tackle the issue of safety. Thus, the government needs to strengthen laws that hold online abusers to account, and the public to speak up whenever they witnessed abuse online. Source: The Hindu Building Disabled Friendly Infrastructure Open in new window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (Governance) Context: Recently, a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) reached the Parliament in a wheelchair and flagged the issue of poorly equipped support infrastructure available to people with disabilities in India. About Persons with Disabilities(PwDs): PwD means a person with long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others. The rights of persons with disabilities Act, 2016 recognizes 21 types of disabilities including low vision, Leprosy cured persons, etc. One billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability, and disability prevalence is higher in developing countries. Current statistics in India According to the Census 2011 about 2.68 Cr persons (2.21% of the total population) are ‘disabled’ of which 56% are males and 44% are females. Majority (69%) of the disabled population resided in rural areas. Only around 55% (1.46 Cr.) are literates. Only 36% of the total PWDs are workers. More than 50% of the children with multiple disabilities or with mental illness never attended educational institutions Constitutional provisions with regard to PwDs: Article 41 of the constitution states that the State shall make effective provisions for securing right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development. The subject of ‘relief of the disabled and unemployable is specified in the state list of the Seventh Schedule of the constitution. Legal Provisions: Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 provided monitoring the training of rehabilitation professionals and personnel, promoting research in rehabilitation and special education. National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act,1999. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 Reservation for the PwDs in government jobs increased from 3% to 4%. Right to free education for every child (6 to 18 years of age) with benchmark disability. Provision of 5% reservation in seats in Government and Government aided higher educational institution. Issues and Challenges Involved: Social and attitudinal issues: Stereotyping like many people consider PWDs unhealthy because of their impairments. Thus, PwDs have to face stigma, prejudice, and discrimination at multiple levels. Lack of enforcement and Implementation: Despite many legal provisions, schemes and initiatives to improve the condition of PwDs the implementation has been a major issue. Most buildings in India are not disability-friendly, despite the government of India, under the Accessible India Campaign, instructing all ministries to make their buildings accessible to persons with disabilities. Similarly, the quota of reservation for PwDs in government jobs and higher education institutions under Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act has not been implemented and the majority of these posts are vacant. Accessibility challenges: Design and construction of indoor and outdoor facilities can prevent them from going to school and hospitals, shopping, etc. As per estimates, only 5-15% of people who require assistive devices and technologies have access to them. Communication challenges: Experienced by people who have disabilities that affect hearing, speaking, reading, writing, and/or understanding. Cycle of Poverty and disability: Poor health and nutrition can lead to various types of disability. Equally, the onset of disability can have an adverse effect on education, employment, etc. resulting in higher rates of poverty. Government Initiatives to augment disabled friendly infrastructure The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020: The NEP has provision of “Barrier-free access to education for all children with disability” and emphasis on Imparting knowledge and to train faculties on teaching children with specific disabilities. To provide barrier-free education to children with disability as per the RPWD Act 2016. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: A nationwide major campaign to achieve universal access that will enable persons with disabilities to have access to equal opportunity and live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life in an inclusive society. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme: Under this scheme, NGOs are provided with financial assistance to provide various services to persons with disabilities, such as special schools, vocational training centers, and community-based rehabilitation. Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase / fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP): The Scheme aims at helping the disabled persons by bringing suitable, durable, scientifically-manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances within their reach. Accessible India Campaign (AIC): A case of failed enforcement In December 2015, the Government of India launched the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) to make the built environment, ICT ecosystem and transport facilities more disabled-friendly. There is an implementation gap in the AIC which has led to the failed purpose of the campaign. For Example: Section 45 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 [RpwDA] mandates to make all public buildings (government buildings plus buildings run by the private sector used for public) accessible to persons with disabilities within 5 years of implementation of such rules. These rules called the Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Persons, issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, were notified in June 2017. The five-year time period expired in June 2022. However, it is widely reported that this deadline has been breached and most of the buildings remain inaccessible to disabled. Way Forward: Make every new building accessible before it is granted an Occupancy Certificate (under RpwDA). The relevant provisions of the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, 2021 can be integrated into local bye-laws and state planning laws. The local Municipal authorities have local knowledge and can enforce these provisions with ease. Setting up of accessibility committee by the parliament to tasked with delivering recommendations in a time-bound fashion on making every aspect of the Parliamentary process more disabled-friendly. Central and state level procurement laws and policies must incorporate accessibility criteria in public procurement of physical, digital and transport infrastructure. The Department of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (Department) has released the Sugamya Bharat app to enable persons with disabilities to report any building that is inaccessible. There are many deficiencies in the app that should be rectified so as to enable a well-meaning intervention to realize its full potential. Source:Indian Express   Baba’s Explainer – Minimum Tax on Big Businesses Minimum Tax on Big Businesses Syllabus GS-2: International Institutions GS – 3: Economy, Globalisation and Challenges Context: Members of the European Union agreed in principle to implement a minimum tax of 15% on big businesses. Last year, 136 countries had agreed on a plan to redistribute tax rights across jurisdictions and enforce a minimum tax rate of 15% on large multinational corporations. Read Complete Details on Minimum Tax on Big Businesses Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) Consider the following: Cost of production Changes in input prices Input-output price parity Trends in market prices Which of the above are considered while recommending Minimum Support Price by the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP)? 1 and 3 only 2 and 4 only 1 2 and 4 only All of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements regarding International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (IUPNVP): It is an intergovernmental organization with headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland). India is a member country. The Convention was adopted in Paris in 1961 and it was revised in 1972, 1978 and 1991. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 2 and 3 only 1 2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW): CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions. The Council uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain and change – the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 24th December 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 23rd December – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – c Q.2) – a Q.3) – a table, td, th { border: 1px solid;} table {width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }

Dec 26, 2022 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd December 2022

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) Farmers’ Day or Kisan Diwas Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – History Context: On 23 December every year, Kisan Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the fifth prime minister of India Choudhary Charan Singh and his contributions towards agriculture. About Farmers’ Day or Kisan Diwas: It is celebrated to honour India’s farmers along with Choudhary Charan Singh. It was celebrated for the first time in 2001. Aims to educate people on the role of farmers and their contribution to the economy. About Choudhary Charan Singh: He was born in middle-class peasant family in Uttar Pradesh in 1902. He was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings. He also took part in India’s fight for independence. He is known for his pioneering work in agriculture sector. Political Career: His political career was largely focused on socialism in rural India. He served twice as chief minister of India’s state Uttar Pradesh. He was behind major bills such as Land Utilisation Bill of 1939 and Debt Redemption Bill in 1939 related to farmers. He stopped Zamindari system and made Land Conservation Act in 1954 to help farmers. He founded non-political, non-profit making body ‘Kisan Trust’ in 1978. Its aim is educating India’s rural masses against injustice, and fostering solidarity among them. He served as Indian prime minister between 1979 and 1980. He was given the sobriquet ‘Champion of India’s Peasants’ for his work towards the upliftment of farmers and the development of agriculture throughout the country. Major works: He was the author of several books and pamphlets that includes: Abolition of Zamindari Co-operative Farming X-rayed India’s Poverty and its Solution Peasant Proprietorship or Land to the Workers Prevention of Division of Holdings Below a Certain Minimum Source:  NewsOnAir Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Governance Context: Recently government has notified Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan – Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana for promoting Second Generation (2G) ethanol production from cellulosic and lignocellulosic biomass including petrochemical route in the country by providing financial support for setting up 2G ethanol bio-refineries. Oil CPSEs are setting up 2G ethanol bio-refineries in the country at Panipat (Haryana), Bathinda (Punjab), Numaligarh (Assam), Bargarh (Odisha) and one demonstration project at Panipat. Bio-refinery at Panipat has been dedicated to the nation. About the Scheme: It aims to provide financial support to Integrated Bioethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock. Establish commercially viable projects for 2G Ethanol production. Provide remunerative income to farmers for their otherwise waste agriculture residues. Address concerns of environmental pollution caused by burning of biomass/ agriculture residues. Help in meeting the targets envisaged in Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme promoted by Government of India and the vision of 10% reduction in import dependence by way of reducing the use of fossil fuels. To create rural and urban employment opportunities. To contribute to Swaccha Bharat Mission by supporting the aggregation of non-food biofuel feedstocks such as waste biomass and urban waste. Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical body under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG), will be the implementation Agency for the scheme. MUST READ:  Ethanol blending Source:  PIB Dhokra Art Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Art and Culture Context: Lalbazar, on the boundary with Jharkhand, is becoming a hub for  dokra metalcraft, thanks to an artist from Kolkata who made this once nondescript village his second home four years ago. About Dhokra Art: It is a metalcraft popular in Bengal. Its documented history is about 5,000 years old. In its original form, no painting or polishing is done. Most Dhokra artefacts are human or animal figurines. Complex in making process: Making Dhokra art is a difficult process. Each figurine takes about a month to make. There are many processes involved, for which seven to eight varieties of clay is required, apart from other raw materials. Source:   The Hindu Previous Year Questions Q.1) Consider the following pairs: Historical place             Well-known for Burzahom                      Rock-cut shrines Chandraketugarh        Terracotta art Ganeshwar                   Copper artefacts Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? (2021) 1 only 1 and 2 3 only 2 and 3 Q.2) Consider the following pairs: Crafts                        Heritage of Puthukkuli shawls             Tamil Nadu Sujni embroidery              Maharashtra Uppada Jamdani saris     Karnataka Which of the pairs given above is /are correct? (2018) 1 only 1 and 2 3 only 2 and 3 Palm-Leaf Manuscript Museum Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Art and Culture Context: The Kerala government came with a palm-leaf manuscript museum with modern audio-visual technology at the Central Archives, Fort, in Thiruvananthapuram. About Palm-leaf manuscript: These are manuscripts made from dried palm leaves. Palm leaves were used as writing materials in the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia reportedly dating back to the 5th century BCE. Their use began in South Asia and spread to other regions, as texts on dried and smoke-treated palm leaves of Palmyra palm or the talipot palm. Their use continued till the 19th century when printing presses replaced hand-written manuscripts. One of the oldest surviving palm leaf manuscripts of a complete treatise is a Sanskrit Shaivism text from the 9th-century, discovered in Nepal, now preserved at the Cambridge University Library. About the museum: It is set up by the Archives Department. The museum has eight theme-based galleries where select manuscripts from one of the biggest palm-leaf collections in the country will be displayed. The other galleries are: Land and people. Administration. War and peace. Education and health. Economy Art and culture – the Mathilakom records (a collection of 3,000 cadjan manuscript rolls possessed by Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple). Source: The Hindu Defence Acquisition Council Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Science and Technology In News: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), has accorded approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 24 Capital Acquisition Proposals. It is pertinent to mention that 97.4% of proposals are approved for procurement from indigenous sources. The AoNs accorded will equip the Indian Army with Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles, Light Tanks and Mounted Gun System and Ballistic Helmets About Defence Acquisition council: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has been created as an overarching structure Composition Chairman: Raksha Mantri (RM) Member Secretary: Dy. Chief of Defence Staff (PP&FD) The objective of the Defence Acquisition Council is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources. The DAC will meet as required. Functions: Give ‘in principle’ approval to Capital acquisitions and to AoN. Monitor the progress of major projects on a feedback from the Defence Procurement Board. Significance: Modernise the Armed Forces Provide substantial boost to the defence industry to achieve the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Enhance maritime strength giving boost to Indian Navy’s capabilities. Indian Air Force will be further strengthened with enhanced lethal capabilities Enhance surveillance capability in the coastal areas to new heights. Source: PIB Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Governance Aim: AMRUT Mission focuses on development of basic infrastructure, in the selected cities and towns, in the sectors of water supply; sewerage and septage management; storm water drainage; green spaces and parks; and non-motorized urban transport. AMRUT 2.0 is designed to provide universal coverage of water supply through functional taps to all households in all the statutory towns in the country and coverage of sewerage/septage management in 500 cities covered in first phase of the AMRUT scheme. AMRUT 2.0 envisages to make cities ‘water secure’ through circular economy of water. AMRUT scheme: Launched on in June 2015 in selected 500 cities. Under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Centrally sponsored scheme. AMRUT Mission has been subsumed under AMRUT 2.0 – launched in 2021 for the period of 5 years i.e. 2021-22 to 2025-26 Mission also has a reform agenda on ease of living of citizens through reduction of non-revenue water, recycle of treated used water, rejuvenation of water bodies, augmenting double entry accounting system, urban planning, strengthening urban finance etc. Other components of AMRUT 2.0 are: Pey Jal Survekshan to ascertain equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater, mapping of water bodies and promote healthy competition among the cities /towns. Technology Sub-Mission for water to leverage latest global technologies in the field of water. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to spread awareness among masses about conservation of water. Significance: AMRUT 2.0 will promote circular economy of water through development of City Water Balance Plan (CWBP) for each city focusing on recycle/reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies and water conservation. It will help cities to identify scope for projects focusing on universal coverage of functional water tap connections, water source conservation, rejuvenation of water bodies and wells, recycle/reuse of treated used water, and rainwater harvesting. This information was given by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. Source: PIB The Urban Learning Internship Programme (TULIP) Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Governance Aim: TULIP is a platform to provide internships to students and graduates in ULBs, Smart Cities, Parastatals of States/UTs. About the scheme: Under Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with Ministry of Education (MoE) and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) Launched in 2020 The State/Union Territory list beneficiaries for the scheme. MoHUA, in collaboration with School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), New Delhi and Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) had launched an e-Course on `Vulnerability Atlas of India’. So far more than 25,000 internship opportunities have been advertized; of which more than 5,000 internships have been offered; of which more than 3,500 have been completed. `Vulnerability Atlas of India’: BMTPC brought out 1st  Vulnerability Atlas of India in 1997 The Atlas presents the district-wise Housing Vulnerability Risk Tables as per 2011 Census Housing data. The Atlas is a useful tool not only for public but also for urban managers, State & National Authorities dealing with disaster mitigation and management. Source: PIB Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Governance In News: Two of the premiere institutes under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) of the Ministry of Ayush namely, Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), New Delhi, and Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi, have been accredited with NABH and NABL accreditations, respectively. Apart from these two CCRAS institutes, National Ayurveda Research Institute for Panchakarma (NARIP), Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur, Kerala has also got NABL M(EL)T accreditation for its clinical laboratory services. NARIP, Kerala is one of the premier research Institute under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of Ayush.. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) It is an autonomous body under Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India It is an apex body in India for undertaking, coordinating, formulating, developing and promoting research on scientific lines in Ayurvedic Sciences. Aim: To develop scientific evidence in Ayurvedic Principles, drug therapies by way of integrating ancient wisdom with modern technology and to bring Ayurveda to the people through scientific innovations related to diagnostics, preventive, promotive as well as treatment methods and also introduce scientific research for sustained availability of quality natural resources, to translate them into products and processes and in synergy with concerned organizations to introduce these innovations into public health systems NABH: NABH accreditation is a standard Quality assurance process of self and external evaluation at par with international quality standards for healthcare provider sector. It is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India, set up to establish and operate accreditation programs for healthcare organizations. The accreditation focus on patient safety and quality of healthcare based upon national/international standards Central Ayurveda Research Institute(CARI), New Delhi It was established in 1979 under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush It is dedicated to Clinical Research in Ayurveda and extends health care services through special OPDs in Ayurveda as General OPD, Preventive Cardiology & Lifestyle Changes, ENT OPD, Geriatric OPD, Balroga, Sandhiroga, Clinical Psychology, and Marma OPD. Central Ayurveda Research Institute(CARI), Jhansi (U.P.) It is one of the premium institutes of CCRAS, Ministry of Ayush It has state-of-the-art Quality Control Laboratories (Chemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacognosy), Ayurvedic Pharmacy, Central Herbarium and Museum, and National Raw Drugs Repository (NRDR). Source:  PIB Drone Insurance Policy Open in new window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (Governance) Context: Recently, various companies such as HDFC Ergo, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, and Tata AIG and public sector companies such as New India Assurance have launched its unmanned aircraft system insurance. About Drone or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: An unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot, crew or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system, which include additionally a ground-based controller and a system of communications with the UAV. Drones have been divided into five categories based on their weight (existing rules)-Nano : Less than or equal to 250 grams, Micro : From 250 grams to 2kg, Small : From 2 kg to 25kg, Medium : From 25kg to 150kg, Large : Greater than 150kg. Drone market in India: India’s potential: Drones and allied component industries can boost India’s manufacturing potential by approximately $23 billion by 2030. Market size: India’s drone manufacturing industry crossed annual sales of Rs 60 crore in FY 2021 and is expected to grow to Rs 900 crore by FY 2024. Highlights of the drone insurance policy: Regulation: Insurance players are now offering drone coverage within the framework set by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). Participants: It will cover large aircraft to solo flying gliders and also, it will be offered to drone owners, operators, and manufacturers. Third-party liability coverage: It will cover legal liabilities like bodily damage or property damage claims to third parties arising out of the usage and operation of drones. Policy coverage: The policy covers physical damage to the aircraft and its theft. It also provides cover for accidental physical injury to the third party and/or damage to their property due to the aircraft’s operations. It is designed to cover fixed wing, rotor wing and hybrid UAS that can be controlled remotely (with pilot intervention) or autonomous drones (without pilot intervention). These aircraft are generally deployed for military and non-military applications, including surveillance, geography and infrastructure inspections and aerial photography. It will provide coverage for the replacement or repair, accidental loss of or damage to the UAS arising from the risks covered, including disappearance if the UAS is unreported after the commencement of Flight. Regulations in the sector: Flying drones has been legalised in India since 2018. However, individuals need to take prior permission from civil aviation regulator DGCA to fly these remote-piloted aircraft. Nano drones, weighing less than 250 grams, have a permit exemption, subject to the condition they are flown at an altitude below 50 feet. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initially offered coverage to drones within a visual line of sight (VLOS) and during the day. Later on the DGCA changed the guidelines to offer coverage beyond VLOS. DGCA mandates third-party liability insurance for all drone operators. Except in the nano category and micro category only for non-commercial use, all drone activities must be done only after receiving prior approval from the Digital Sky online platform for a flight or series of flights. Globally regulation: drones are classified as aircraft and aviation regulators have already stepped in to regulate the sector. The Government of India has brought in policies (Drone Policy 1.0 in 2018 and Drone Policy 2.0 in 2019) which made the DGCA to come out with Regulations Civil Aviation Regulation CAR 1.0 in 2018 and Draft Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems, 2020. Application Areas of Drones: Aerial Photography: Drones are now being used to capture footage that would otherwise require expensive helicopters and cranes. Shipping And Delivery: Major companies like Amazon, UPS, and DHL are in favour of drone delivery. Drones could save a lot of manpower and shift unnecessary road traffic to the sky. Recently Vaccines were delivered through drones. Search And Rescue: Presence of thermal sensors gives drones night vision and makes them a powerful tool for surveillance. Drones are able to discover the location of lost persons and unfortunate victims, especially in harsh conditions or challenging terrains. Weather Forecast: Drones are being developed to monitor dangerous and unpredictable weather. Since they are cheap and unmanned, drones can be sent into hurricanes and tornadoes, so that scientists and weather forecasters acquire new insights into their behavior and trajectory. Disaster Management: Drones provide quick means, after a natural or man-made disaster, to gather information and navigate debris and rubble to look for injured victims. Its high definition cameras, sensors, radars and small size give rescue teams access to a higher field of view Precision Agriculture: The infrared sensors in drones can be tuned to detect crop health, enabling farmers to react and improve crop conditions locally, with inputs of fertilizer or insecticides. Geographic Mapping: Available to amateurs and professionals, drones can acquire very high-resolution data and download imagery in difficult to reach locations like coastlines, mountaintops, and islands. Law Enforcement: Drones are also used for maintaining the law. They help with the surveillance of large crowds and ensure public safety. Risks associated with drone’s technology: The expected rise in the use of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a host of different applications may leave operators exposed to a whole new set of risks, including third-party damage or injury and liability. One of the biggest risks, it said, was from radio frequency interference, resulting in loss of control, and, in the worst cases, fatalities. With the ability to collect massive amounts of unsolicited data, UAVs present an enormous threat to individual privacy and a significant challenge for insurance carriers, The issue is the application of these vehicles in urban areas where the risk of damage to properties and individuals is much greater than it would be in rural parts. Use of drones by terrorists causes a disproportionate psychological effect on people as well as on security personnel. Example recent attack on India’s air force station in Jammu. Way Forward: In order to achieve Atmanirbharta in the manufacturing sector there is a need for innovative and competitive manufacturing capabilities and a strong action plan to help India become a global hub for drone manufacturing by 2030. Need of the hour is to generate a strong demand, increasing manufacturing, drawing investments and facilitating exports. The government is carving out drone corridors to facilitate delivery of cargo deliveries. About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI): The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is an autonomous and statutory body which is responsible for managing and regulating insurance and re-insurance industry in India. IRDAI is a 10-member body- a chairman, five full-time members and four part-time members. It was constituted under an Act of Parliament in 1999. Headquarters: Role: It has to protect the interests of insurance policy holders and ensure that they are treated in a just manner. It also has to monitor policy issuers to ensure that the common man’s interests are not subverted. Source: Indian Express Ramanujan and AI Open in new window Syllabus Mains – Science and Technology Context: In early 2021, a team of Israeli scientists announced The Ramanujan Machine It is a software tool that creates mathematical conjectures i.e. equations without proof. Mathematicians then prove or disprove these conjectures, thereby establishing theorems. Conjectures in mathematics shed light on newer frontiers that otherwise lurk in tenebrous corners. Srinivasa Ramanujan was famous for such conjectures. Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920): Born in Erode, Tamil Nadu and died in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. In 1911 Ramanujan published the first of his papers in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society. In 1913 he began a correspondence with the British mathematician Godfrey H. Hardy which led to a special scholarship from the University of Madras and a grant from Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1918 he was elected to the Royal Society of London. First Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge University. Contributions to Mathematics: Conjectures – From 1904 till his passing in 1920, Ramanujan, recorded more than 3,000 equations that were mostly conjectures because he did not supply proof. Most of Ramanujan’s conjectures are correct as established by the proofs provided pari passu with their generalisation in the last 100 years. Game Theory: He discovered a long list of new ideas to solve many challenging mathematical problems, which gave a significant impetus to the development of game theory. His contribution to game theory is purely based on intuition and natural talent and remains unrivalled to this day. Ramanujan’s Book: One of Ramanujan’s notebooks was discovered by George Andrews in 1976 in the library at Trinity College. Hypergeometric series, the Riemann series, the elliptic integrals, mock theta function, the theory of divergent series, and the functional equations of the zeta function Formulas and Equations: Ramanujan compiled around 3,900 results consisting of equations and identities. One of his most treasured findings was his infinite series for Pi. Applications of Ramanujan’s work: Artificial Intelligence(AI)– AI makes things happen faster because they imitate cogitation. Due to findings of infinite series like fundamental constants of Pi – the artificial intelligence machines can lead to more frequent mathematical advancements. “Invincible originality” – Ramanujan could connect different mathematical domains deeply, leading to remarkable technological applications. Encryption – He developed certain equations called class invariants which generate elliptic curves suitable for encryption and this led to Elliptic Curve Cryptography It is an efficient cryptographic technique, in 1985 to make computer network communications secure. Discovery of mock-theta functions–  Ramanujan might have discovered it by starting from hypergeometric series whose consecutive terms form ratios that follow a pattern. AI- enabled technologies: Latest advancements in AI technology have attempted to “create”, mimicking human intelligence, such as:- ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a software tool that can answer questions on almost any topic, carry on conversations with humans, write poems, computer programs and perform many more complex tasks that require intelligence. Google’s LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications) that is similar to ChatGPT and other sophisticated products (Dall E) that can create image from verbal descriptions. Industrial Metaverse – Digitalizing processes of frontline workers, estimated to make up about 80% of the global workforce, have just started and there is enormous potential in the same. Augmented Reality/Mixed Reality – By linking these devices to data and workflows, industrial enterprises can create a new platform built around the needs of shopfloor workers. Indian initiatives on AI: National Task force on Artificial Intelligence 2017 launched to explore possibilities to leverage AI for development across various fields. NITI Aayog’s  ‘National strategy for Artificial Intelligence’ identifies five core areas for application of artificial intelligence The PM-STIAC’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) mission 2018 focuses on efforts that will benefit India in addressing societal needs in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities and infrastructure, including smart mobility and transportation, academia-industry interactions on developing core research capability – creation of new knowledge and in developing and deploying applications. Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CoE in AI) has been established by National Informatics Centre (NIC) in 2019. Way forward: AI is playing an integral role in transforming the way businesses have been conducting operations across numerous industries. The pandemic and remote working models have pushed companies to embrace using remote experts to create genuinely seamless end-to-end customer experiences, as 80 per cent are deskless workers. #AIforAll will aim at enhancing and empowering human capabilities to address the challenges of access, affordability, shortage and inconsistency of skilled expertise and technology leadership for achieving the greater good. Source: The Hindu Baba’s Explainer – Bangladesh’s Economic Distress and IMF Bangladesh’s Economic Distress and IMF Syllabus GS-2: India and its neighbourhood GS-3: Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Context: Bangladesh reached out to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking help. According to an IMF press release, Bangladesh will receive economic assistance worth $4.5 billion (around Rs 37,000 crore). This is a significant reversal for an economy that overtook India’s in terms of per capita income in 2020. Read Complete Details on Bangladesh’s Economic Distress and IMF Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) With reference to AMRUT scheme, consider the following statements: It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It, among other things will also focus on circular economy and water security. It covers only 500 cities of the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 and 3 only 2 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2, and 3 Q.2) With reference to TULIP scheme, consider the following statements: It is a scheme under the Ministry of Education. Under the scheme, `Vulnerability Atlas of India’ has been released by the Ministry of Education Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN yojana: It aims to establish commercially viable projects for 2G Ethanol production. It will support Swaccha Bharat Mission by supporting the aggregation of non-food biofuel feedstocks such as waste biomass and urban waste. Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical body under the aegis of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, will be the implementation Agency for the scheme. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1 2 and 3 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’ 23rd December 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st ANSWERS FOR 22nd December – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – b Q.2) – d Q.3) – c table, td, th { border: 1px solid;} table {width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }

Dec 24, 2022 IASbaba's Monthly Current Affairs Magazine

मासिक पत्रिका अक्टूबर 2022 – हिन्दी IASbaba सामयिकी

Archives Hello Friends,This is अक्टूबर/October 2022 of IASbaba’s REVAMPED Current Affairs Monthly Magazine. Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination is an important factor in this preparation.An effort towards making your Current Affairs for IAS UPSC Preparation qualitative. We hope you make the best use of it!This edition covers all Important current affairs issues that were in news for the month of अक्टूबर/October 2022.Kindly leave your feedback in the comment section below on the new design and presentation of the magazine. We would love to hear from you Download The Magazine - अक्टूबर/October 2022 Important Topics Covered In The Magazine Includes: National Maritime Heritage Complex Samburu Warriors Rock Art Living Planet Report 2022 Bhoota Kola World Health Organization (WHO) releases first-ever list of health-threatening fungi Contract Farming Law Abortion Rights Vs Ethics And Much More.... Download The Magazine - अक्टूबर/October 2022 Download The Magazine - सितंबर/September 2022 To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow-TELEGRAM Channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccountYOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvbVdio9Wgj7Z3nQz1Q0ZQFACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/iasbaba/Also, SUBSCRIBE to the WEBSITE Below, so that you don’t miss out on important posts!Thank YouIASbaba

Dec 24, 2022 Baba’s Explainer

Baba's Explainer - Bangladesh’s Economic Distress and IMF

   ARCHIVES Syllabus GS-2: India and its neighbourhood GS-3: Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Context: Bangladesh reached out to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking help. According to an IMF press release, Bangladesh will receive economic assistance worth $4.5 billion (around Rs 37,000 crore). This is a significant reversal for an economy that overtook India’s in terms of per capita income in 2020. What happened in 2020? In 2020, the per capita income of an average Bangladeshi citizen was more than the per capita income of an average Indian citizen. Typically, countries are compared on the basis of GDP growth rate, or on absolute GDP. India’s economy has mostly been over 10 times the size of Bangladesh, and grown faster every year, as can be seen in Charts 1 and 2 However, per capita income also involves another variable — the overall population — and is arrived at by dividing the total GDP by the total population. As a result, there are three reasons why India’s per capita income has fallen below Bangladesh this year. First, since 2017 onwards, as Chart 1 shows, India’s growth rate has decelerated sharply while Bangladesh’s has become even faster. Secondly, over the same 15-year period, India’s population grew faster (around 21%) than Bangladesh’s population (just under 18%). The combined effect of these two factors can be seen in how the per capita GDP gap had closed considerably even before Covid-19 hit (Chart 3). Bangladesh’s per capita GDP was merely half of India’s in 2007 — but this was just before the global financial crisis. It was roughly 70% of India’s in 2014 and this gap closed rapidly in the last few years. Lastly, the most immediate factor was the relative impact of Covid-19 on the two economies in 2020. While India’s GDP is set to reduce by 10%, Bangladesh’s is expected to grow by almost 4%.  In other words, while India is one of the worst affected economies, Bangladesh is one of the bright spots. Also, such situation had happened earlier also. In 1991, when India was undergoing a severe crisis and grew by just above 1%, Bangladesh’s per capita GDP surged ahead of India’s. Since then, India again took the lead.   How has Bangladesh managed to grow so fast and so robustly? In the initial years of its independence with Pakistan, Bangladesh struggled to grow fast. However, moving away from Pakistan also gave the country a chance to start afresh on its economic and political identity. As such, its labour laws were not as stringent and its economy increasingly involved women in its labour force. This can be seen in higher female participation in the labour force A key driver of growth was the garment industry where women workers gave Bangladesh the edge to corner the global export markets from which China retreated. It also helps that the structure of Bangladesh’s economy is such that its GDP is led by the industrial sector, followed by the services sector. Both these sectors create a lot of jobs and are more remunerative than agriculture. India, on the other hand, has struggled to boost its industrial sector and has far too many people still dependent on agriculture. Beyond the economics, a big reason for Bangladesh’s progressively faster growth rate is that, especially over the past two decades, it improved on several social and political metrics such as health, sanitation, financial inclusion, and women’s political representation. Besides the advances it has made, what challenges does Bangladesh face? \ Bangladesh’s level of poverty is still much higher than India’s and still trails India in basic education parameters and that is what explains its lower rank in the Human Development Index. The bigger threat to Bangladesh’s prospects emerges from its everyday politics. The leading political parties are routinely engaged in violent oppression of each other. In the 2019 edition of Transparency International’s rankings, Bangladesh ranks a low 146 out of 198 countries (India is at 80th rank; a lower rank is worse off). Add to this a massive surge of radical Islam, which has resulted in several bloggers being killed for speaking out unpopular views. These developments have the ability not just to arrest Bangladesh’s progressive social reforms that have empowered women but also to derail its economic miracle. What is Bangladesh’s current Economic Scenario? Unlike many countries including India that saw their GDP contract in 2020 following the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy of Bangladesh actually grew during this period. Its GDP grew by 3.4% in 2020, by 6.9% in 2021, and it is expected to grow by 7.2% in 2022. However, Bangladesh’s robust economic recovery from the pandemic has been interrupted by Russia’s war in Ukraine, leading to a sharp widening of the current account deficit, rapid decline of foreign exchange reserves, rising inflation and slowing growth. The inflation rate in November was 8.85% as against 5.98% in November 2021 primarily due to crude oil becoming costlier. Bangladesh has typically been hugely dependent on its export earnings, but as the western economies slow down and their consumers put off their demand for a later date, Bangladesh suffers. This has resulted in lower export earnings and widening of Current Account Deficit. The current account balance looks at the gap between the money coming into a country on account of earnings via the export of goods and services and the money going out of the country via the import of goods and services. Bangladesh’s currency, the Taka, weakened partly under the pressure of the increase in the US dollar and partly on account of the worsening current account deficit. In December 2021, it took 86 Taka to buy a US dollar. As of today, the exchange rate has worsened to 105 Taka A weaker Taka further aggravated the inflationary spiral because all imports become costlier still. The weakness in the external front also resulted in Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves getting depleted In December 2021, the forex reserves were valued at $46,154 million. As of now, they are just $33,790 million. How will IMF’s monetary assistance help? Bangladesh’s request is to cushion its economy from the economic disruptions caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Apart from tackling these immediate challenges, addressing long-standing structural issues remains critical, including threats to macroeconomic stability from climate change. IMF is of the opinion that in order to successfully graduate from Least Developed Country status and achieve middle-income status by 2031, it is important to build on past successes and address structural issues to accelerate growth, attract private investment, enhance productivity, and build climate resilience. Overall, what does IMF’s programme hopes to achieve? Creating additional fiscal space through higher revenue mobilisation and rationalisation of expenditures. This will allow the government to increase growth-enhancing spending as well as mitigate the impact of the current global instability. Containing inflation with increased exchange rate flexibility so that the country can buffer external shocks better. Strengthening the financial sector by enhancing governance and regulatory aspects. Boosting growth potential by creating a conducive environment to expand trade and foreign direct investment among other things. Strengthening institutions to create an enabling environment will help meet climate change objectives. Main Practice Question: Do you think that the current economic crisis in Bangladesh will have ripple effects on Indian Economy? What can India do it ensure that its neighbourhood is economically stable given that Sri Lanka is also facing similar issue? Note: Write answer his question in the comment section. table{ border: 1px solid; } table tr, table td{ border: 1px solid; }

Dec 24, 2022 Baba’s Explainer

Baba's Explainer - Minimum Tax on Big Businesses

  ARCHIVES Syllabus GS-2: International Institutions GS – 3: Economy, Globalisation and Challenges Context: Members of the European Union agreed in principle to implement a minimum tax of 15% on big businesses. Last year, 136 countries had agreed on a plan to redistribute tax rights across jurisdictions and enforce a minimum tax rate of 15% on large multinational corporations. What is Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS)? BEPS refers to tax planning strategies used by multinational enterprises that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules to avoid paying tax. Although some of the schemes used are illegal, most are not BEPS practices cost countries USD 100-240 billion in lost revenue annually. Working together within OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS, over 135 countries and jurisdictions are collaborating on The implementation of 15 measures to tackle tax avoidance, Improve the coherence of international tax rules Ensure a more transparent tax environment. What are the concerns with BEPS? Reduced Tax Revenue: Developing countries’ higher reliance on corporate income tax means they suffer from BEPS disproportionately. Disproportionately impacts domestic small firms: Such tax planning strategies undermines the fairness and integrity of tax systems because businesses that operate across borders can use BEPS to gain a competitive advantage over enterprises that operate at a domestic level. Sets wrong precedent: Moreover, when taxpayers see multinational corporations legally avoiding income tax, it undermines voluntary compliance by all taxpayers. What is OECD’s Global Tax Plan ? EU members have agreed to implement a minimum tax rate of 15% on big businesses in accordance with Pillar 2 of the global tax agreement framed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2021. Under the OECD’s plan, governments will be equipped to impose additional taxes in case companies are found to be paying taxes that are considered too low. This is to ensure that big businesses with global operations do not benefit by domiciling themselves in tax havens in order to save on taxes. Pillar 1 of the OECD’s tax plan, on the other hand, tries to address the question of taxing rights. Large multinational companies have traditionally paid taxes in their home countries even though they did most of their business in foreign countries. The OECD plan tries to give more taxing rights to the governments of countries where large businesses conduct a substantial amount of their business. As a result, large U.S. tech companies may have to pay more taxes to governments of developing countries. It is estimated that the minimum tax rate would boost global tax revenues by $150 billion annually. Why is there a need for a global minimum tax? Corporate tax rates across the world have been dropping over the last few decades as a result of competition between governments to spur economic growth through greater private investments. Global corporate tax rates have fallen from over 40% in the 1980s to under 25% in 2020, thanks to global tax competition that was kick-started by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. The OECD’s tax plan tries to put an end to this “race to the bottom” which has made it harder for governments to collect revenues required to fund their rising spending budgets. The minimum tax proposal is particularly relevant at a time when the fiscal state of governments across the world has deteriorated as seen in the worsening of public debt metrics. What lies ahead? Some governments, particularly those of traditional tax havens, are likely to disagree and stall the implementation of the OECD’s tax plan. High tax jurisdictions like the EU are more likely to fully adopt the minimum tax plan as it saves them from having to compete against low tax jurisdictions. Low tax jurisdictions, on the other hand, are likely to resist the OECD’s plan unless they are compensated sufficiently in other ways. It should be noted that, even within the EU, countries such as Poland have already tried to stall the adoption of the global minimum tax proposal citing various non-economic reasons. Since the OECD’s plan essentially tries to form a global tax cartel, it will always face the risk of losing out to low-tax jurisdictions outside the cartel and cheating by members within the cartel. After all, countries both within and outside the cartel will have the incentive to boost investments and economic growth within their respective jurisdictions by offering lower tax rates to businesses. This is a structural problem that will persist as long as the global tax cartel continues to exist. What are the implications of OECD’s tax plan? Supporters of the OECD’s tax plan believe that it will end the global “race to the bottom” and help governments collect the revenues required for social spending. Many believe that the plan will also help counter rising global inequality by making it tougher for large businesses to pay low taxes by availing the services of tax havens. Critics of the OECD’s proposal, however, see the global minimum tax as a threat. They argue that without tax competition between governments, the world would be taxed a lot more than it is today, thus adversely affecting global economic growth In other words, these critics believe that it is the threat of tax competition that keeps a check on governments which would otherwise tax their citizens heavily . Main Practice Question: What do you think are the implications of OECD’s minimum tax initiative? Note: Write answer his question in the comment section. table{ border: 1px solid; } table tr, table td{ border: 1px solid; }

Dec 24, 2022 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2022 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 24th December 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :)After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken, and solutionsTo take the Test Click Here