IAS Baba

Mar 27, 2021 RSTV Video

Manufacturing for Export – Reset India – RSTV IAS UPSC

Archives Topic: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. In Discussion: The economic ramifications of COVID-19 have a significant bearing on reshaping the world economic order as countries weigh their external linkages and recalibrate development strategies. For India to claim its rightful position in the new world order, it is imperative that the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ is globally integrated to harness the opportunities created by the emerging shifts. In the post-pandemic era, the world economic order is set for a recast with huge gaps emerging between the performance of countries. According to forecasts by the OECD, by end-2021, the US economy is likely to be the same size as it was in 2019, but China is expected to be 10% larger. Europe and Japan would languish below their pre-pandemic level of output and could do so for several years. From India’s perspective, recovery in GDP growth is firmly on track and sets the foundation to regain our position as the fastest-growing major economy next year. At this critical juncture, it is important to set the vision of positioning Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the new world order with priorities closely linked with our global aspirations. A. Increasing India’s share in world exports and FDI The path taken by India is not about being self-contained but strengthening our position in global supply chains. Bolstering international trade and investments is key for India to lift its GDP growth and per-capita income. Pertinent to note is that while India is currently the world’s fifth-largest economy, its GDP per capita is a fifth of the world average. Globally, trade and FDI have been crucial vehicles for enhancing economic growth and reducing poverty. Arvind Panagariya, former vice chairman, NITI Aayog, in his book “Free Trade and Prosperity (2019)” analyses performance of more than 200 countries between 1960 and 2013, demonstrating a causal relationship between trade and per capita income. The findings show that the countries that experienced intensive growth for a period always maintained a high and/or expanding trade to GDP ratio. Similarly, in the case of FDI too, many studies have established a strong positive long-term correlation with GDP per capita. However, the share of India’s exports of goods and services in GDP has declined steadily from 24.5% in 2011 to 18.7% in 2019. At 13th position globally, India has a share of 2.2% in world exports of goods and services—nearly a fifth of China (10.6%). It is noteworthy to mention that India’s trade to GDP ratio has surpassed that of China since 2008, but our imports outweigh exports significantly. A renewed focus is required to rejuvenate exports with a special emphasis on high potential manufacturing sectors—electronics, apparels, pharma, among others. Strong comparative advantage in services sector suggests focus can be on high-value services exports in ICT, healthcare, and business and professional services. With regard to FDI, an analysis of G20 countries reveals that India achieved the highest growth of 20.3% (CAGR) in FDI inflows between 1990 and 2019. However, in value terms, India ranked 9th globally in 2019, which shows further potential to move up the global order. B. Achieving a higher share in exports and FDI Achieving a higher share in exports and FDI needs to be oriented with a push for greater global competitiveness. This requires investment in infrastructure, particularly in power and logistics, and reducing the regulatory compliance burden on companies. There is no doubt that the emerging shifts in global supply chains provide India a significant opportunity to attract multinational companies. At the same time, sustained efforts are needed to build technical capacities and scale of Indian enterprises for enhancing participation in GVCs. It will also be crucial to embrace Industry 4 with greater adoption of frontier technologies by the Indian industry. Aatmanirbhar in agriculture India has been a net exporter of agri-produce. In fact, it has been so ever since the economic reforms began in 1991. The golden year of agri-trade, however, was 2013-14. That year agri-exports peaked at $43.6 billion while imports were $18.9 billion, giving a net trade surplus of $24.7 billion. The current agri-export basket of 2019-20 gives a sense of “revealed comparative advantage”. Marine products with $6.7 billion exports top the list, followed by rice at $6.4 billion (basmati at $4.6 billion and common rice at $2.0 billion), spices at $3.6 billion, buffalo meat at $3.2 billion, sugar at $2.0 billion, tea and coffee at $1.5 billion, fresh fruits and vegetables at $1.4 billion, and cotton at $1 billion. On the agri-imports front, the biggest item is edible oils — worth about $10 billion (more than 15 mt). This is where there is a need to create “aatma nirbharta”, not by levying high import duties, but by creating a competitive advantage through augmenting productivity and increasing the recovery ratio of oil from oilseeds and in case of palm oil, from fresh fruit bunches. While mustard, sunflower, groundnuts, and cottonseed have a potential to increase oil output to some extent, the maximum potential lies in oil palm. This is the only plant that can give about four tonnes of oil on a per hectare basis. India has about 2 million hectares that are suitable for oil palm cultivation — this can yield 8 mt of palm oil. Connecting the Dots: The deeper into the supply chain, the greater the impact of the outbreak is likely to be. Discuss. How has the Coronavirus impacted the global supply chain? Suggest some structural reforms that will help the sector be better prepared for a crisis of this scale.

Mar 27, 2021 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th March 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Launch of Tribal TB Initiative Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II - Health In news 'Tribal TB Initiative' in pursuit of TB Mukt Bharat was launched recently. Ministry: Ministry of Health Key takeaways A Guidance Note on Joint Action Plan for Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination, a Special Edition of Tribal Ministry’s Publication ‘ALEKH’ on TB, and a document on Tribal Tuberculosis (TB) Initiative was also released. Over 104 million tribal population lives in India, across 705 tribes, accounting for 8.6 % of India’s population. 177 tribal districts were identified as high priority districts where physical remoteness, malnutrition, poor living conditions and lack of awareness contribute to the vulnerability of the tribal population to TB. Initially, the activities of the joint plan will focus on 161 districts across 18 identified States. This would involve periodic TB active case finding drives and provision of TB Preventive Therapy (IPT) to identified vulnerable population and develop long term mechanisms for vulnerability reduction. Do you know? Lakshadweep and district of Badgam in Jammu and Kashmir have been declared TB Free on World TB Day 2021. The government has already increased the Budget allocation for TB in India a four-fold in the last 5 years. Related articles: India TB report Stop TB Partnership Board MoU signed for National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Environment In news The MoU is signed by representatives of State Pollution Control Boards, Urban Local Bodies and Institutes of Repute (IoRs) for 132 identified cities for implementation of city specific action plans under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Important value additions NCAP is a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle air pollution problem across India in a comprehensive manner. It targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024 (with 2017 as base year). A National Knowledge Network comprising leading air quality specialists has also been constituted as a technical advisory group to support activities under NCAP and guide local IoRs in conducting air quality research. AEG12 inhibits family of viruses Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Biodiversity; Sci & Tech In news According to scientists at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and their collaborator, a mosquito protein, called AEG12, strongly inhibits the family of viruses that cause yellow fever, dengue, West Nile, and Zika, and also weakly inhibits coronaviruses, Key takeaways The researchers found that AEG12 works by destabilising the viral envelope, breaking its protective covering. The protein does not affect viruses that do not have an envelope. At the molecular level, AEG12 rips out the lipids The findings could lead to therapeutics against viruses that affect millions of people around the world. While the researchers demonstrated that AEG12 was most effective against flaviviruses — the family of viruses to which Zika, West Nile, and others belong — they felt it is possible AEG12 could be effective against SARS-CoV-2. But, it will take years of bioengineering to make AEG12 a viable therapy for Covid-19. 2nd Tranche of Commercial Coal Mining Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Economy In news India launched its 2nd Tranche of auction for commercial coal mining offering 67 mines for sale of coal. Union Coal Minister launched the auction process. Key takeaways This is the highest number of mines on offer in a particular tranche of auction after commencement of the auction regime since 2014. Out of the total 67 mines offered by the Ministry of Coal, 23 mines are under CM(SP) Act and 44 under MMDR Act. The coal mines on offer are spread across 6 States Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Do you know? Rolling auction Government of India is moving towards adopting a ‘Rolling Auction’ mechanism for conducting future auctions. Coal is the first mineral resource where Rolling Auction mechanism is being implemented in which a pool of coal blocks will always remain available for auctions. Place in news: Cape of Good Hope Part of: GS Prelims and GS - I - Geography & GS – III – Economy In news With $200 billion of India’s trade flows with Europe, North America and South America at risk due to the blockage of the Suez Canal, the Department of Commerce is planning re-routing shipments through the Cape of Good Hope. Important value additions The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. A common misconception is that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa. Contemporary geographic knowledge instead states the southernmost point of Africa is Cape Agulhas. When following the western side of the African coastline from the equator, however, the Cape of Good Hope marks the point where a ship begins to travel more eastward than southward. Cape Agulhas Cape Agulhas is a rocky headland in Western Cape, South Africa. It is the geographic southern tip of the African continent and the beginning of the dividing line between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Place in news: Tigray Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – International Relations In news Eritrea will pull its troops out of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, It is a potential breakthrough in a drawn-out conflict that has seen atrocities carried out against civilians. Important value additions The Tigray Region is the northernmost of the nine regions (kililat) of Ethiopia. It is the homeland of the Tigrayan, Irob and Kunama peoples. It is also known as Region 1 according to the federal constitution. Capital and largest city: Mekelle. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Sudan to the west, the Amhara Region to the south and the Afar Region to the east and south east. Do you know? The Tigray War is an ongoing armed conflict that began in November 2020 in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. It is fought between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)-controlled Tigray Regional Government, and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF). The conflict escalated in September, when Tigray held local elections in insubordination of the Ethiopian federal government. These elections were considered “illegal” by the federal government, further leading to conflict with Tigray authorities. (Mains Focus) INTERNATIONAL/ SECURITY Topic: GS-2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests GS-2: India and its neighborhood- relations India-Bangladesh Context: In the last decade, India-Bangladesh relations have warmed up, entering a new era of cooperation, and moving beyond historical and cultural ties to become more assimilated in the areas of trade, connectivity, energy, and defence. Border Settlement Bangladesh and India have achieved the rare feat of solving their border issues peacefully by ratifying the historic Land Boundary Agreement in 2015, where enclaves were swapped allowing inhabitants to choose their country of residence and become citizens of either India or Bangladesh. Security & Insurgency The Bangladesh government has uprooted anti-India insurgency elements from its borders, making the India-Bangladesh border one of the region’s most peaceful, and allowing India to make a massive redeployment of resources to its more contentious borders elsewhere. Economic & Trade relations Bangladesh today is India’s biggest trading partner in South Asia with exports to Bangladesh in FY 2018-19 at $9.21 billion and imports at $1.04 billion. India has offered duty free access to multiple Bangladeshi products. India extended three lines of credit to Bangladesh in recent years amounting to $8 billion for the construction of roads, railways, bridges, and ports. Act East Policy Bangladesh allows the shipment of goods from its Mongla and Chattogram (Chittagong) seaports carried by road, rail, and water ways. This allows landlocked Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura to access open water routes through the Chattogram and Mongla ports. Tourism Bangladeshis make up a large portion of tourists in India. Bangladesh accounts for more than 35% of India’s international medical patients and contributes more than 50% of India’s revenue from medical tourism. Concerns in India-Bangladesh relations Unresolved Teesta water sharing issue looms large. Border killings are yet to stop. National Register of Citizens across the whole of India reflects poorly on India-Bangladesh relations. China, in lieu of its cheque-book diplomacy, is well-entrenched in South Asia, including Bangladesh, with which it enjoys significant economic and defence relations. Connecting the dots: China twist in Teesta Challenge INTERNATIONAL/ ECONOMY Topic: GS-2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests Blockage of Suez Canal Context: Global trade has been impacted after a container ship got stuck in the Suez Canal. About Suez Canal Located in Egypt, the artificial sea-level waterway was built between 1859 and 1869 linking the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. It offers the shortest route between the Atlantic Ocean and lands around the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. The canal is one of the busiest waterways in the world, negating the need to navigate around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa and thus cutting distances by up to 7,000 km. Economic Lifeline: The canal continues to be the lifeline for all trade between the West and East as 10 per cent of the global trade passes through it every year. The average 50 ships that pass through it daily carry about $9.5 billion worth of goods, every day. Suez Canal’s Long History The canal has existed in one form or the other since construction started under the reign of Senausret III, Pharao of Egypt (1887-1849 BC). Many kings who ruled later kept improving and expanding this canal. Construction picked up pace around 300 years back as maritime trade between Europe and Asia became crucial for many economies. In the mid-1800s, French diplomat and engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps convinced the Egyptian viceroy Said Pasha to support the canal’s construction. In 1858, the Universal Suez Ship Canal Company was tasked to construct and operate the canal for 99 years, after which rights would be handed to the Egyptian government. Despite facing multiple problems ranging from financial difficulties and attempts by the British and Turks to halt construction, the canal was opened for international navigation in 1869. The French and British held most of the shares in the canal company. The British used their position to sustain their maritime and colonial interests by maintaining a defensive force along the Suez Canal Zone as part of a 1936 treaty. Egypt takes over Suez Canal In 1954, facing pressure from Egyptian nationalists, the two countries signed a seven-year treaty that led to the withdrawal of British troops. In 1956, Egyptian President Abdel Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal to pay for the construction of a dam on the Nile. This led to the Suez Crisis with UK, France and Israel mounting an attack on Egypt. The conflict ended in 1957 after the United Nations got involved and was followed by the first instance of the UN Peacekeeping Forces being deployed anywhere in the world. In 1967, Nasser ordered the peacekeeping forces out of Sinai leading to a new conflict between the two countries. Israelis occupied Sinai and in response, Egypt closed the canal to all shipping. The closure lasted until 1975, when the two countries signed a disengagement accord. The canal was the focal point of the Arab-Israeli War of 1973, with the Arab coalition led by Egypt and Syria. Impact of longest-ever accidental closure of Suez Canal Blocking of all Traffic: On March 23rd, due to weather obstructions a giant container ship, MV Ever Given, en route from China to the Netherlands ended up getting stuck in one of the canal’s narrow stretches, thus blocking all traffic. Stress on Global Supply Chain: Over 200 ships are stuck on both sides of the canal putting stress on global supply chains. Increased Oil Prices: The long-term impacts of this block will depend on how long it lasts, but some countries have already seen a rise in oil prices after the blockage. India- the biggest importer via Suez Canal: India is the top importer of crude oil and products via the Suez Canal, higher than China, South Korea or Singapore. If the issue is not solved early then it will start to have implications on the bigger trade flow and shipping sectors and will begin to affect refining operations on a broader scale India-US relations: For India, though, the main hit could be seen on the import and export of ethane with the US, and the imports of crude from Latin America, the uptake of which was recently increased. The longer the closure, the more disruptive the impact is likely to be. Global Dependence on this narrow waterway: The incident also raises questions about finding solutions to prevent future accidents and reducing the global dependence on this narrow waterway. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”. Q.1 Which of the following is the southernmost tip of Africa? Cape of Good Hope Cape Agulhas Cape Hangklip Cape Point Q.2 Tigray region, often seen in news, belongs to which of the following country? Eritrea Ethiopia Sudan Libya Q.3 Tribal TB initiative was launched recently by which of the following? Ministry of Health Ministry of Tribal Affairs Ministry of Science and technology Ministry of Economy ANSWERS FOR 26th March 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 D 2 A Must Read On Mumbai COVID-19 hospital fire: The Hindu On net zero pledge: Indian Express

Mar 27, 2021 Motivational Articles

[MI-STORIES]MOTIVATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL STORIES - Value of Telling the Truth!

For Previous Story -> CLICK HERE Inspirational Stories: Here is the story for this week from the new series of Inspirational and Motivational stories. One of the oldest known forms of communication is story telling. There is something primordial within us that loves stories and their tremendous impact. In this series, we aim to bring you the best of real-life stories that can inspire and motivate you. Stories always try to teach us something useful. It is one of the best ways of learning from other's mistakes and avoiding our own. Although each story has its own moral, in the comments section you can share your opinion on the moral of the story. If you are able to see something that others might have missed, you can share it for the benefit of all. Apart from just reading these awesome stories, you can also share some of the stories that have inspired you. If we find the story appropriate and useful, we will share it with all. More importantly, read these stories every week without a miss, and stay inspired. So Here is the story for this week - Value of Telling the Truth! “One night four college kids stayed out late, partying and having a good time. They paid no mind to the test they had scheduled for the next day and didn’t study. In the morning, they hatched a plan to get out of taking their test. They covered themselves with grease and dirt and went to the Dean’s office. Once there, they said they had been to a wedding the previous night and on the way back they got a flat tire and had to push the car back to campus. The Dean listened to their tale of woe and thought. He offered them a retest three days later. They thanked him and accepted his offer that time. When the test day arrived, they went to the Dean. The Dean put them all in separate rooms for the test. They were fine with this since they had all studied hard. Then they saw the test. It had 2 questions. 1) Your Name __________ (1 Points) 2) Which tire burst? __________ (99 Points).” What do you think is the moral of the story?

Mar 27, 2021 TLP Mains Answer Writing

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – ESSAY [27th MARCH,2021] – Day 66

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – ESSAY [27th MARCH,2021] – Day 66 We will make sure, in the next 100 days not a single day is wasted and your mains preparation is solidified. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE 1. One nation, one election: Has the time come for it? एक राष्ट्र, एक चुनाव: क्या इसके लिए समय आ गया है? 2. We cannot be mere consumers of good governance, we must be participants; we must be co-creators. हम सुशासन के उपभोक्ता मात्र नहीं हो सकते, हमें सहभागी होना चाहिए; हमें सह-निर्माता होना चाहिए। 3. Good governance requires working toward common ground. It isn't easy. सुशासन के लिए एक सामान उद्देश्य की ओर काम करने की आवश्यकता है। यह आसान नहीं है। 4. Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. शिक्षा जीवन के लिए तैयारी नहीं है; शिक्षा ही जीवन है।

Mar 27, 2021 IASbaba Prelims 60 Day Plan

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan - IAS Prelims Test Series 2021 - ENVIRONMENT, CURRENT AFFAIRS & CSAT [Day 6]

Hello Friends, [embed]https://https://www.youtube.com/embed/x5ldu2jV8N0[/embed] ARCHIVES OF 60 DAYS NOTE: The questions will be posted around 10 AM. The solution will be released around 7 PM Daily. Let us pledge to make it a big game-changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days! Note- Download the OMR Sheet and attempt the questions exactly like UPSC Prelims. After you are done, please post your OMR in the comment section. Once the solution key is released (around 7 PM), cross-check the answers and, comment the marks (you scored) in the same comment thread. This will keep you accountable, responsible and sincere in days to come. You can also take part in the discussion with peers. ENVIRONMENT [DAY 6] - Click Here NOTE- Follow this for Comments Mention- Time Taken after solving the Test After the release of Solution, Edit your Comment to Mention- Correct/Incorrect and Score 2 Marks for Correct/0.66 minus for Incorrect. Importance of self - tracking: We could have provided all of you with login id and passwords to monitor your daily performance in the 60-day program. Instead, a simple and most beautiful way which Disqus provides is profile based commenting! Yes, we have seen the most successful candidates who have taken the maximum benefit from this program monitoring themselves by commenting on their answers in the box given (Disqus comment). And reviewing their performance themselves once in 10 days on the progress meter. DOWNLOAD THE 60 DAYS PLAN 2021 All the Best! IASbaba

Mar 26, 2021 TLP Mains Answer Writing

SYNOPSIS [24th March,2021] Day 63: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [24th March,2021] Day 63: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies) 1. Discuss the government’s key welfare schemes for the tribal population. What are the challenges in their implementation? Examine. Approach Candidates are expected to write about the key welfare schemes for tribals and examine the challenges in their implementation. Introduction After Independence, provisions were made in the Constitution to safeguard tribal interests and promote their developmental and welfare activities through various government schemes. Governmental schemes tried for the uplift and rehabilitation of tribals but faced challenges to achieve their goals and tribal proletarianisation has persisted since independence. Body Key welfare government schemes for tribals – Development of PVTGs: It is for 18 States and a UT for the activities like housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, and animal husbandry. Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through MSP and Development of Value Chain for MFP: The scheme seeks to establish a system to ensure fair monetary returns for their efforts. Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana: The scheme proposes to bring tribal population of the country at par with other social groups and include them in overall progress of the nation. The government aims for holistic development of tribals by plugging in the infrastructural gaps and lags in human development indices. Tribal Handicrafts: TRIFED has setup TribesIndia a chain of showrooms where several categories of handicrafts are being marketed like tribal textiles, tribal jewellery. TRIFED is also working on the capacity building of the tribes. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs): To provide quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas, to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors. Challenges faced by government while implementation of tribal welfare schemes – Social barriers pertain in dealing with tribal social system. Cultural barriers are related to different cultural values which come in the way of adoption of innovation. Poor implementation of programmes is reason for lack of social development among tribes. Another arguments regarding poor development of the tribal populations is built around the issue of the traditional socio-cultural aspects of tribal life. Massive development displacement of tribes. Tribal areas have witnessed the development of industry, mining, infrastructure projects such as hydraulic projects such as dams and irrigation. It has been often loss of livelihood and involuntary migration of tribes. About 40 per cent of those displaced by dam-building belong to the Scheduled Tribes. Scheduled Tribes constitute about eight per cent of the country’s population; they are clearly disproportionately represented in the number of displaced persons. The Provisions of PESA 1996 and FRA 2006, enacted to redress the historical injustice to tribal and forest communities, have been significant initiatives that have changed their legal status. However, policies and practices have been slow to absorb the changed circumstances recognised in the law. Massive push to development agenda with economic liberalisation and the entry of private corporations into tribal areas, has been met with considerable resistance by tribal communities. Of the nine States considered to be seriously affected by LWE, six are States with Scheduled districts. LWE primarily as a national security problem used address militarily. This approach is resulting in the further alienation of tribal communities, widen the trust deficit between the State and the tribal people creates hurdle in implementation. Northeast is often viewed as a singular and homogeneous entity, the region is highly diverse with over 200 tribes and sub-tribes, each of which have their own language, culture and political structures. Therefore DoNER in Northeast faces challenges also conflicts between the State and tribal groups, between different tribes, and between tribes and non-tribal groups hamper relationship between people and administration. High-Level Committee under Virginius Xaxa recommended appropriate interventional measures to improve the same – New micro-agencies need to be created in such pockets to cater to specific tribal groups. Protecting the land and forest rights of tribal communities is equivalent to protecting their livelihoods, life and liberty. The right to preservation of their language, culture and traditions, and to protect themselves against the loss of identity, must be recognised, protected, documented and allowed to thrive as a dynamic living culture. Conclusion Schemes are facing grass roots implementation problems. But it does not mean that these schemes are a failure. Due to such initiatives many tribal communities of India improved their economic, educational, social and cultural status. Due to such scheme mainstreaming and channelization of scheduled tribes took a leap forward. By strengthening of the weaknesses of tribal area schemes the objective of their existence in modern world can be achieved. 2. Do you think reservation in jobs and higher education has resulted in the socio- economic upliftment of backward classes? Critically examine. Approach Student can give a brief background of reservation, provisions in constitution and with the help of some examples ground reality can be showcased. In the way ahead and conclusion thoughts of Dr Ambedkar on the same can be given. Introduction In simple terms, reservation in India is all about reserving access to seats in the government jobs, educational institutions, and even legislatures to certain sections of the population. Also known as affirmative action, the reservation can also be seen as positive discrimination. Reservation in India is a government policy, backed by the Indian Constitution. Body What was the purpose of reservation? Advancement of Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) OR any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens (Eg: OBC) OR economically weaker sections (EWS) – Article 15 (4), Article 15 (5), and Article 15 (6) Adequate representation of any backward class of citizens OR economically weaker sections (EWS) in the services under the State. – Article 16 (4) and Article 16 (6). The objective of providing reservations to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) in services is not only to give jobs to some persons belonging to these communities. It basically aims at empowering them and ensuring their participation in the decision-making process of the State. Besides, the state is also keen to end practices such as untouchability. Scheduled Castes (SC) are given 15% quota in jobs/higher educational institutions while Schedule Tribes (ST) are given 7.5% quota in jobs/higher educational institutions. Reservation for Other Backwards Classes (OBC) was introduced based on the Mandal Commission Report (1991). The quota for OBCs is 27% in government jobs and higher educational institutions. Is reservation still relevant? We live in the 21st century India and the caste system is history for most of us. And since it’s history, then it shouldn’t be found anymore. But Even today, in many villages, teashops serve tea to the oppressed castes (Dalits or Scheduled Castes) in disposable cups and the others in reusable glass tumblers. They have different benches for each caste group. Do those teashops ask for caste certificates? No. They identify someone’s caste based on his appearance. The places where they are born and live are already divided based on caste. Their towns and villages are divided into “agraharas”, the exclusive settlements for Brahmins; “colonies” or “cherish”, the ghettos for the oppressed; and the rest of the area for the other caste Hindus. Even streets are identified with castes. Merely by looking at a pupil’s address, one can guess his or her caste. In several incidents, if Dalits found burning Holika for the Holika Dahan ceremony, they are tonsured and paraded naked in the villages. Also in some parts of India, there have been allegations that Dalit grooms riding horses for wedding ceremonies have been beaten up and ostracised by upper caste people. Discrimination can also exist in access to healthcare and nutrition. A sample survey of Dalits, conducted over several months in Madhya Pradesh and funded by ActionAid in 2014, found that health field workers did not visit 65 percent of Dalit settlements. 47 percent of Dalits were not allowed entry into ration shops; and 64 percent were given fewer grains than non-Dalits. In Haryana state, 49 percent of Dalit children under five years were underweight and malnourished while 80 percent of those in the 6–59 months age group were anaemic in 2015. A sample survey in 2014, conducted by Dalit Adhikar Abhiyan and funded by ActionAid, found that among state schools in Madhya Pradesh, 88 percent discriminated against Dalit children. In 79 percent of the schools studied, Dalit children are forbidden from touching mid-day meals. There have been incidents and allegations of SC and ST teachers and professors being discriminated against and harassed by authorities, upper castes colleagues, and upper caste students in different education institutes of India. Road ahead – We as a nation have travelled few steps towards equality and we have to go miles before we reach our destination. The historical injustices cannot be corrected by one policy measure. It is just an instrument to fast track the process. The ancient Indian psyche is still dominant in 21st century globalised world. According to Dr Ambedkar democracy is just a topsoil on hierarchical Indian society. Conclusion Reservation has resulted in betterment of marginalised classes but the journey is far from over. Policy measures accelerated the affirmative actions but lot needs to be done for the upliftment. Even today in modern India practices like manual scavenging is a blot on our dream of becoming an egalitarian society. For the real upliftment to happen as Dr Ambedkar said, liberty, equality and fraternity should be guiding our path and vision. 3. What are the factors responsible for the prevalence of a lower sex ratio in some of India’s states? What recent measures have been taken to reverse this trend? Discuss. Approach Question has asked you to discuss so it requires an in-depth answer that takes into account all aspects of the debate concerning the topic. You must demonstrate reasoning skills with this type of question, by using evidence to make a case for or against a research topic/argument. Introduction According to the 2018 report on “vital statistics of India based on the Civil Registration System”, Arunachal Pradesh recorded the best sex ratio at birth in the country while Manipur recorded the worst sex ratio at birth. Sex ratio at birth is number of females born per thousand males. It is an important indicator to map the gender gap of a population. Body Factors responsible for the prevalence of a lower sex ratio in some of India’s states – Sex discrimination leading to death, experienced by them from womb to tomb in their life cycles. The distorted gender makeup of the entire population does reflect an adverse child sex ratio. Poor reach among young people for reproductive health education and services as well as poor cultivation of gender equity norms. According to information from the UNPFA, reasons for female infanticide include anti-female bias, as women are often seen as subservient to men, who often employ positions of power. In addition, parents believe they will be better taken care of in their old age by men, as men are perceived as the principal wage earners of the family. Social Practices: Parents of girls are usually expected to pay a dowry, which could be a massive expense, avoided by raising males. Counter Effect of Rise in Income: Contrary to popular perception, in India’s sex ratio at birth declined even as per capita income increased nearly 10 times over the last 65 years, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of government data. Various patriarchal cultural factors contribute to male preference. While for some the onus of dowry makes a girl child a burden for others, the son preference may be related to the tradition of sons performing funeral rites. Sons carry on the family lineage, while daughters, after marriage, are understood to move away to become a member of another family. With most women shifting out to live with the husband’s house, old age care of the parents is usually provided by the son. What recent measures have been taken to reverse this trend – Female education and economic prosperity need to be worked on to help improve the ratio. Rollout campaigns on sensitisation towards women and children, making women safety cells, ensuring the safety of women on public transport systems, making cyber-crime cells are some other initiatives that need to be taken. In view of the complexity of son preference resulting in gender-biased sex selection, government actions need to be supplemented by improving women’s status in the society. Young people involvement in reducing the effect of population momentum and accelerate progress towards reaching a more normal sex-ratio at birth is important. Initiatives like the government’s beti bachao beti padhao Campaign has achieved remarkable success in bringing behavioural change in the society. Such initiatives should be encouraged more. Conclusion India has created several impressive goals to reduce its population growth rates, India and the rest of the world has a long way to go to achieve meaningful population policy which are not only based on quantitative control but qualitative control as well. There is an urgent need to reach young people both for reproductive health education and services as well as to cultivate gender equity norms. This could reduce the effect of population momentum and accelerate progress towards reaching a more normal sex-ratio at birth. India’s population future depends on it. 4. What are the issues with the trade and regulation of bitcoins in India? Do you agree with the proposal of criminalizing bitcoin trade? Approach Question is very straight forward in its approach students are expected to write about the issues with the trade and regulation of bitcoins in India, also in the second part of the question students need to mention about the proposal of criminalising the bitcoin trade. Introduction Bitcoin is a digital currency that was created in January 2009. It follows the ideas set out in a whitepaper by the mysterious and pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto.The identity of the person or persons who created the technology is still a mystery. Bitcoin offers the promise of lower transaction fees than traditional online payment mechanisms and, unlike government-issued currencies, it is operated by a decentralized authority. Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency. There are no physical bitcoins, only balances kept on a public ledger that everyone has transparent access to. All bitcoin transactions are verified by a massive amount of computing power. Bitcoins are not issued or backed by any banks or governments, nor are individual bitcoins valuable as a commodity. Despite it not being legal tender, Bitcoin is very popular and has triggered the launch of hundreds of other cryptocurrencies, collectively referred to as altcoins. Body Issues with trade – Section 26 of the RBI Act states that, ‘every banknote shall be legal tender at any place in India in payment or on account for the amount expressed therein, and shall be guaranteed by the Central Government’. The virtual currency is not guaranteed by the Central Government, so, in order for any virtual currency to be declared legal tender, it will have to be expressly guaranteed by the Central Government. In that case, parties are legally bound to accept it as a mode of payment. So, privately issued cryptocurrencies would not be safe. Security Issue: Instances like Mt Gox bankruptcy highlight some of the key risks associated with crypto exchanges pertaining to the safety and security of cryptocurrencies. Crypto-currencies are prone to cyber frauds, hacking and other network-related issues. Lack of Investor Protection: Due to the anonymous nature of crypto-currency transactions, there is a lack of investor/consumer protection in the form of recourse and quick and orderly access to their own funds/assets. Bitcoin’s value, astronomical even now at about $8,300 but much below January 2018’s stratospheric levels, is based on demand for a fixed supply of Bitcoins in the future it cannot exceed 21 million in number, of which 18 million has already been mined. Cryptos are feared not just for their sheer speculative propensities, but also for their capacity to undermine sovereign currencies (the latter is an exaggerated apprehension). Issues with regulation – Virtual currency is being traded anonymously over the Internet and used for a host of anti-national and illegal activities, from terror funding to illicit trade of arms and drugs and so on. The online use of this currency, was without any border restrictions or geographical constraints, resulting in danger to the integrity and sovereignty of the nation. However, it does not make sense to go overboard and criminalise merely adventurous crypto speculators. There are no official or other data available that point towards misuse of cryptocurrencies for illegal ends. Cryptocurrencies are much more prone to volatility. Cryptocurrencies are digital asset, not usually backed by a physical commodity or currency. This means that their value is completely dependent on faith. Their price follows the laws of supply and demand. In the absence of regulatory oversight, market manipulation can occur, which introduces volatility. This, in turn, discourages institutional investment in the market. Thus, a cryptocurrency may be a worth of a fortune today in the market and be utterly worthless tomorrow. Is criminalising bitcoin trade the only option – Blockchains and cryptocurrencies have the potential to radically transform every industry that relies on contracts and transactions. It can facilitate irrefutable proof of ownership of digital art, or facilitate smart contracts that execute clauses automatically when certain conditions are met. It can improve accounting, banking, insurance, and nearly every other sector. Decentralised finance based on the blockchain is revolutionising how the financial industry works. A new business order, with digital currencies and blockchain technologies as its cornerstones, is emerging. Criminalising or even the use of such language will put off some of the brightest minds from India and leave us behind. Such a blanket prohibition would be disastrous on multiple levels. For one thing, enforcing the law would be even more difficult than under the License Raj. Raids once aimed at seizing dollars and gold bars would face the challenge of locating a password or seed phrase holding millions in Bitcoin. Nor can the government seize or even access the network of computers scattered across the world mining cryptocurrency and maintaining blockchain ledgers. To enforce a ban, authorities would have to develop an intrusive surveillance system that could track all digital and internet activity in the country. Thankfully, India does not have the state capacity to pull that off. More likely, its efforts will only drive the cryptocurrency market underground. The ban would prevent Indians from capitalizing on crypto-asset appreciation, which blockchain evangelist Balaji Srinivasan has called a “trillion-dollar mistake.” India receives the highest inflow of global remittances and using blockchain networks could save Indians billions in transfer fees. Meanwhile, elite Indians with options will flee the country, taking their wealth and innovations with them. Conclusion Instead of criminalizing digital currencies, the government should take a hard look at India’s restrictions on financial transactions and bring them in line with the changing world. Liberalization in 1991 made India a world leader in IT. Opening up even further could place Indians where they belong — at the frontier of fintech innovation, not under suspicion. 5. How is unemployment measured in India? Discuss. What is the recent trend of unemployment in India’s informal sector? Examine. Approach The candidate needs to address the question in two parts where the first part needs to discuss how employment is measured in India while in the second part should examine the recent trend of unemployment in India’s informal sector. Introduction Unemployment occurs when a person who is actively searching for employment is unable to find work. Unemployment is often used as a measure of the health of the economy. The most frequent measure of unemployment is the unemployment rate, which is the number of unemployed people divided by the number of people in the labour force. Body The National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), since its inception in 1950, does the measurement of unemployment in India. Its three different estimates include – Usual status approach with a reference period of 365 days preceding the date of survey. Current weekly status approach with a reference period of seven days preceding the date of survey. Current daily status approach with each day of the seven days preceding date of survey as the reference period. The NSSO defines following three broad Activity Status i) Working (engaged in an economic activity) i.e. ‘Employed’ ii) Seeking or available for work i.e. ‘Unemployed’ iii) Neither seeking nor available for work. All those individuals having a broad activity status as i) or ii) above are classified as being in the Labour Force and those having activity status iii) are classified as outside the Labour Force. Thus labour force constitutes of both employed and unemployed. In other words, Labour force (also called work force) is the total number of people employed or seeking employment in a country or region. One is classified as ‘not in labour force’, if he or she was engaged in relatively longer period in any one of the non-gainful activities. Unemployment rate is the percent of the labour force that is without work. Despite now being the fastest growing large economy in the world, India is still suffering from the damaging effects of policy-induced informality in the workforce from the initial decades after independence. The definition and percentage of unorganised labour in the informal sector are blurry and confusing. The Economic Survey of 2018-19 puts it at almost 93%” of the total workforce as “informal”. But NITI Aayog’s Strategy for New India at 75 puts it at approximately 85% of all workers. It has been realised that lack of reliable statistics on the size, distribution and economic contribution of the sector has been a major constraint in providing a realistic understanding of the significance of the informal sector to the Indian economy, leading to its neglect in development planning. There has been a shift in the pattern of employment in recent years with the process of casualization being stalled and self-employment going up both in rural and urban areas for men as well as women. Indicating a shift towards rise in self-employment over the last eight years in rural areas, the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 shows that the percentage of self-employed in rural India went up across both male and female as against that seen in 2009-10. While the introduction of the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 and The Code on Social Security, 2019 are conducive to the conservation of the rights of unorganized labourers, they have not been very effective. The constant influx of menial migrant labourers also makes the nation susceptible to the expropriation of its workers’ surplus value. The Indian agricultural sector (largest employer of the informal sector) serves as an example of an industry which is tainted by disguised unemployment due to an oversupply of labourers; it employed 55% of the nation’s labour force in 2017 but contributed a meagre 16% to the GDP. COVID-19 induced pandemic has led to an alarming expansion of informal sector, in recent times, has adversely affected employment and income security for the larger majority of the workforce, but governmental initiatives have helped in improving the scale of social welfare / security programme. The International Labour Organization (ILO 2020) report has indicated that as a result of COVID-19, an estimated 400 million informal sector workers are at risk of abject poverty in India. Women are likely to bear the brunt of job losses the most because much of their work is invisible, and they are more likely to work in informal work arrangements. Conclusion At present, the Indian economy is faced with a conundrum of simultaneously securing the future of an ever-increasing labour-force and sustaining high levels of economic growth through the adoption of capital-intensive technology in production. Inaction on these two fronts can have calamitous ramifications; without upskilling the working population and imparting necessary proficiency to young individuals, economic inequality will only rise and the working population with marginal financial stature may submerge into indigence. All these factors clearly necessitate governmental actions to mitigate the situation. TLP HOT Synopsis Day 63 PDF

Mar 26, 2021 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 26th March 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Central Scrutiny Centre (CSC); IEPFA Mobile App Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Economy In news Central Scrutiny Centre (CSC) and Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority’s (IEPFA) Mobile App were launched recently. Ministry: Ministry for Corporate Affairs (MCA) Important value additions Central Scrutiny Centre (CSC) To ensure that the data quality is uncompromised and free from flaws, CSC was launched. CSC will scrutinize certain Straight Through Process (STP) Forms filed by the corporates on the MCA21 registry and flag the companies for more in-depth scrutiny. Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority’s (IEPFA) Mobile App Aim: Achieving the goal of financial literacy, spreading investors’ awareness, education, and protection among investors. It will have the facility of tracking the status and progress of the IEPF claim refund process. It also provides a mechanism for investors and common citizens to report on the suspected fraudulent schemes Launch of Climate Data Service Portal Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Environment In news Climate Data Services Portal of India Meteorological Department (IMD) was inaugurated on World Meteorological Day Ministry: Ministry of Earth Science Key takeaways Developed by: IMD, Pune It has user-friendly platforms for climate data management and supply to the users It complements fully automated climate data management process The major components: Real-Time monitoring of weather observations recorded by IMD Observatories. Encapsulated IMD Metadata Portal, other reports and dashboards Online access to meteorological data through Data Supply Portal. Free download facility for Gridded Temperature and Rainfall Data of India. Climatological Tables, Extremes and Normal. Information on Monsoon Rainfall and Cyclone frequencies. Data analytics and info graphics UNITAR commends India's progress in reducing the premature mortality from NDCs Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – International Relations; Health In news UNITAR has commended India's remarkable progress in reducing the premature mortality from Non-Communicable Diseases. Important value additions United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) It is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations system. Mandate: UNITAR provides training and capacity development activities to assist mainly developing countries with special attention to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other groups and communities who are most vulnerable. Founded in: 1963, following the recommendation of the UN Economic and Social Council to the General Assembly. Governance: Operated as an autonomous body within the United Nations system Headed by: Executive Director Funding: UNITAR is a project-based organization and does not receive any funds from the regular UN budget. It is financed entirely from voluntary contributions. Headquarters: Geneva (Switzerland) Next CJI recommended Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Judiciary In news Present Chief Justice of India has recommended Justice N.V. Ramana, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as the next CJI Key takeaways Justice Ramana is now set to take over as the 48th CJI rom April 24. He will be the CJI till August 26, 2022. Important value additions Appointment of CJI Article 124: Manner of appointing judges to the SC. But there is no specific provision in the Constitution for appointing the Chief Justice. CJI should be the senior most judge of the SC. Law Minister has to seek recommendation of the outgoing CJI for appointment of new CJI at an appropriate time. Article 124(2): Consultation with other Judges to be made In case of doubt about the fitness of the senior-most Judge to hold office of CJI. Law Minister then puts up recommendation to Prime Minister (PM) who will advise the President on appointment. Seniority at the apex court is determined not by age, but by the date a judge was appointed to the SC. If two judges are elevated to the Supreme Court on the same day, (1) the one who was sworn in first as a judge would trump another; (2) if both were sworn in as judges on the same day, the one with more years of high court service would ‘win’ in the seniority stakes; (3) an appointment from the bench would ‘trump’ in seniority an appointee from the bar. Tenure: Once appointed, the CJI remains in office until the age of 65 years. Article 124(4): A SC Judge including CJI can be moved only through a process of impeachment by Parliament Index Monitoring Cell (IMC) Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Policies and interventions In news Recently, Independent journalist P. Sainath struck a dissenting note in the report submitted by the Index Monitoring Cell (IMC). He pointed out that the right to dissent should be the central focus of press freedom. Important value additions Index Monitoring Cell (IMC) Set up by: Information and Broadcasting Ministry Objective: To improve India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index and to evolve an objective yardstick to gauge media freedom. It is a 15-member committee. It has four journalists and government functionaries. Chaired by: Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia, Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau Recommendations of report Decriminalising of defamation. India is one of the few countries in the world to criminalise defamation. Consent of the Press Council of India is a prerequisite before filing an FIR against the media or a publication. Sainath has pointed out that the report failed in its objective to analyse the World Press Freedom Index and India’s performance in it with a view to identify areas of strengths and concern related to press freedom in India. (Mains Focus) WOMEN/ GOVERNANCE Topic: GS-2: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections(women) Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 Background Voluntary Termination: Under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, voluntarily terminating a pregnancy is a criminal offence. Specific Law: The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP), 1971 allows for aborting the pregnancy by medical doctors (with specified specialisation) on certain grounds. Various Conditions for Medical Termination: Under the 1971 MTP Act, a pregnancy can be terminated until 20 weeks after conception, on the advice of two doctors, if it will harm the mother, cause grave injury to her mental or physical health (including rape and failure of birth control measures) or in the case of foetal abnormalities or to save woman’s life. Systemic push towards illegal service providers: If the pregnancy has gone over 20 weeks, then women has to seek legal course to terminate the pregnancy. The slow judicial process is thus pushing her to depend on illegal service providers for termination of unwanted pregnancies Argument for amendments in MTP: Several Writ Petitions have been filed by women seeking permission to abort pregnancies beyond 20-weeks due to foetal abnormalities or rape. It is also argues that with the advancement of medical technology, there is a scope to increase the upper limit for terminating pregnancies Do You Know? A 2015 study by India Journal of Medical Ethics noted that 10-13% of maternal deaths in India are due to unsafe abortions – the third-highest cause of maternal deaths in India. In India, an estimated 15.6 million abortions were performed in 2015. This translates to an abortion rate of 47 per 1,000 women aged 15–49 Currently, slightly fewer than one in four abortions are provided in health facilities. According to a study, about 67% of the countries in the world (which have a federal law regulating pregnancy) require authorisations by at least one health care provider to undergo an abortion. The World Health Organisation does not specify any maximum time limit after which a pregnancy should not be terminated Key Highlights of the Amendment Bill Time Limit for terminating Pregnancy Time since conception Requirement for terminating pregnancy MTP Act , 1971 MTP (Amendment) Bill, 2020 Up to 12 weeks Advice of one doctor Advice of one doctor 12 to 20 weeks Advice of two doctors Advice of one doctor 20 to 24 weeks Not allowed Two doctors for some categories of pregnant women such as rape/incest victims, differently-abled women and minors. More than 24 weeks Not allowed Medical Board in case of substantial foetal abnormality Any time during the pregnancy One doctor, if immediately necessary to save pregnant woman's life Doctor refers to registered medical practitioner with experience/training in gynaecology or obstetrics. Termination due to failure of contraceptive method or device: Under the Act a pregnancy may be terminated up to 20 weeks by a married woman in the case of failure of contraceptive method or device. The Bill allows unmarried women to also terminate a pregnancy for this reason. Medical Boards: All state and union territory governments will constitute a Medical Board. The Board will decide if a pregnancy may be terminated after 24 weeks due to substantial foetal abnormalities. Each Board will have a gynaecologist, paediatrician, radiologist/sonologist, and other members notified by the state government. Privacy A registered medical practitioner may only reveal the details of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated to a person authorised by law. Violation is punishable with imprisonment up to a year, a fine, or both. Merits of the bill Upholds Dignity of Women: The bill fulfils its professed aim of ensuring “dignity, autonomy, confidentiality and justice for women who need to terminate pregnancy” Institutional & Organised Abortion services: The lacunae in the older enactments led to many quacks and unqualified persons running illegal abortion clinics endangering the lives of many women. It is expected that the new amendments will help tackle these issues and bring more abortions into the organised domain, wherein qualified medical practitioners can take decisions and perform safe abortions. Destigmatizing pregnancies outside marriage: The Bill also applies to unmarried women, thus removing a regressive clause of the 1971 Act which said that unmarried women could not ask for an abortion citing contraceptive failure as a reason. The bill replaces “any married woman or her husband” with “any woman or her partner” thereby destigmatizing pregnancies outside marriage. Safeguards Reproductive Rights of women: Allowing unmarried women the right to legally terminate an unwanted pregnancy with a provision to protect her identity will confer reproductive rights to women. Reduces Maternal Mortality Rate: The bill increase women’s access to legal and safe abortion services which in turn will reduce maternal mortality and morbidity caused by unsafe abortions and associated complications Concerns/Criticism Ethical Dilemma: One opinion is that terminating a pregnancy is the choice of the pregnant woman, and a part of her reproductive rights. The other opinion is that the state has an obligation to protect life, and hence should provide for the protection of the foetus. Across the world, countries have set varying conditions and time limits for allowing abortions, based on factors such as foetal viability (the point at which the foetus may survive outside the womb), foetal abnormalities, or risk to the pregnant woman. Beyond 24 weeks The Bill allows for termination of pregnancy after 24 weeks only in cases where a Medical Board diagnoses substantial foetal abnormalities. This implies that for terminating pregnancies due to rape that have crossed the 24-week limit, there is no change in the process: the only recourse is to get permission through a Writ Petition. Time frame for Medical Board’s decision not specified The Bill allows for the termination of pregnancy after 24 weeks based on the opinion of the Medical Board in the case of substantial foetal abnormalities. The Bill does not provide a time frame within which the Medical Board must make its decision. Termination of pregnancies is a time sensitive matter, and delays in decision-making by the Medical Board may result in further complications for the pregnant woman Unclear if transgender persons will be covered Some medical studies have shown that there may be cases where persons who identify as transgender (and not women) can become pregnant even after receiving hormone therapy to transition from female to male, and may require termination services. Since the Act and the Bill only provide for termination of pregnancies in the case of women, it is unclear if transgender persons will be covered under the Bill. Unavailability of qualified medical professionals to terminate pregnancies The All-India Rural Health Statistics (2018-19) indicates there are 1,351 gynaecologists and obstetricians in community health clinics in rural areas across India, and the shortfall is 4,002, i.e., there is a 75% shortage of qualified doctors. The shortage of qualified medical professionals may continue to limit the access of women to safe abortion services. Note that as per the National Health and Family Survey (2015-16), only 53% of abortions are performed by a registered medical doctor and the balance are conducted by a nurse, auxiliary nurse midwife, dai, family member, or self Prejudice against persons with special needs: The special classifications of “serious physical or mental abnormalities” and “substantial foetal abnormalities” also reek of societal prejudices against persons with special needs. Connecting the dots: Reproductive rights of a women vs Rights (if any) of an unborn child INTERNATIONAL/ GOVERNANCE Topic: GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. India – Taiwan Relations Convergence Both countries have increasingly deepened mutual respect underpinned by openness, with democracy and diversity as the key principles for collective growth. The shared faith in freedom, human rights, justice, and rule of law continues to embolden their partnership. Potential for Improving the relationship are: Economic Ties India’s huge market provides Taiwan with investment opportunities. Taiwan’s reputation as the world leader in semiconductor and electronics complements India’s leadership in ITES (Information Technology-Enabled Services). India’s recent strides in the ease of business ranking not only provide Taiwan with lucrative business opportunities but also help it mitigate its over-dependence on one country for investment opportunities. Tourism India and Taiwan need to deepen people-to-people connect. Tourism is the key tool in this exchange. The Buddhist pilgrimage tour needs better connectivity and visibility, in addition to showcasing incredible India’s diversity. This will accelerate the flow of Taiwanese tourists. With the Taiwan Tourism Bureau partnering with Mumbai Metro, Taiwan is trying to raise awareness about the country and increase the inflow of Indian tourists. Healthcare India’s has been in the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. Taiwan’s handling of the pandemic and its support to many other countries underlines the need to deepen healthcare cooperation. India and Taiwan already collaborate in the area of traditional medicine. The time is ripe to expand cooperation in the field of healthcare. Air Pollution Taiwan could be a valuable partner in dealing with this challenge through its bio-friendly technologies. Such methods are applied to convert agricultural waste into value-added and environmentally beneficial renewable energy or biochemicals. This will be a win-win situation as it will help in dealing with air pollution and also enhance farmers’ income. Further, New Delhi and Taipei can also undertake joint research and development initiatives in the field of organic farming. Connecting the dots: China-Taiwan Relationship One Country Two System: It is a constitutional principle of the People's Republic of China describing the governance of Hong Kong and Macau since they became Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of China in 1997 and 1999 respectively. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”. Q.1 Index Monitoring Cell (IMC) was set up by which of the following Ministry? Ministry of Environment Ministry of Finance Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Q.2 Consider the following Statements regarding appointment of Chief Justice of India (CJI): Law Minister has to seek recommendation of the outgoing CJI for appointment of new CJI Indian Constitution lays down complete procedure for appointment of CJI. Which of the above is or are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 25th March 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 C 3 A Must Read On Criticism of Electoral Bonds Scheme: The Hindu On India-Bangladesh Relationship: The Hindu On net zero emissions and economic growth: Indian Express

Mar 26, 2021 PIB

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (PIB) IAS UPSC – 15th March to 20th March – 2021

ARCHIVES GS-1 Development of Nomadic Tribes (Topic: Indian society) To promote the socio-economic development of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities, the Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNCs) has been constituted for a period of three years extendable up to 5 years with following terms of reference:- To formulate and Implement Welfare and Development programme as required, for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities. To identify the locations/areas where these communities are densely populated. To assess and identify gaps in accessing existing programmes and entitlements and to collaborate with Ministries/Implementing agencies to ensure that ongoing programmes meet the special requirements of De-notified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities. To monitor and evaluate the progress of the schemes of Government of India and the States/UTs with reference to De-notified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities. Any other related work as may be assigned by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. In addition, the following schemes are being implemented by the Central Government through State Government/UT Administrations for the DNTs:- Pre and Post Matric Scholarships to DNT Students. Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of Hostels for DNT Boys and Girls. A Committee under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog has taken up the task of identification of DNT communities which are yet to be formally classified. NITI Aayog has assigned the task of ethnographic survey of 62 tribes to the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) to conduct the studies of these communities in different parts of India Rajya Sabha passes The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Topic: Welfare of Women) Enhancing the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women which will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and would include survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women (like differently-abled women, minors) etc. Opinion of only one provider will be required up to 20 weeks of gestation and of two providers for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation. Upper gestation limit not to apply in cases of substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by Medical Board. The composition, functions and other details of Medical Board to be prescribed subsequently in Rules under the Act. Name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed except to a person authorised in any law for the time being in force. The ground of failure of contraceptive has been extended to women and her partner. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is for expanding access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarian or social grounds. The amendments include substitution of certain sub-sections, insertion of certain new clauses under some sections in the existing Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, with a view to increase upper gestation limit for termination of pregnancy under certain conditions and to strengthen access to comprehensive abortion care, under strict conditions, without compromising service and quality of safe abortion. It is a step towards safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefitted by this. Recently several petitions were received by the Courts seeking permission for aborting pregnancies at a gestational age beyond the present permissible limit on grounds of foetal abnormalities or pregnancies due to sexual violence faced by women. The amendments will increase the ambit and access of women to safe abortion services and will ensure dignity, autonomy, confidentiality and justice for women who need to terminate pregnancy. GS-2 ILO report on Indian Workers – Global Wage Report 2020-21: Wages and minimum wages in the time of COVID-19 (Topic: Labour and employment) The Report inter-alia, comments on various issues including on Indian workers having low average wages, longer hours as well as that the workers in Asia and the Pacific enjoyed the highest real wage growth among all regions over the period 2006–19, with India leading the way along with other countries. Further, while comparing average wage, the report has taken into account the National Floor Level Minimum Wage which is Rs.176/- per day. However, actual wages are far higher. If the median of the minimum wages in different states is drawn, it would be Rs.269/- per day in the country. The Code on Wages, 2019 which has been notified on 8th August, 2019 universalises and creates a statutory right of minimum wages for all workers whether in organized or unorganised sector. A new concept of statutory floor wage has also been introduced in the Code on Wages. The Code also provides that the minimum wages are to be ordinarily reviewed and revised by the appropriate Governments in intervals not exceeding five years. Steps taken by the Government to use artificial intelligence for education transformation (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education) The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has recommended introducing contemporary subjects like Artificial Intelligence in curriculum, at relevant stages. The National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) has initiated the process for preparation of a new National Curriculum Framework for School Education in pursuance of the NEP, 2020 during which the possibility of introducing an introductory course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at secondary level would also be explored. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced Artificial Intelligence as a subject in class IX from session 2019-2020 and in Class-XI from session 2020-2021 in their affiliated schools. All AICTE approved institutions have been suggested to offer Artificial Intelligence as an elective in B.Tech. courses and also start B.Tech course in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science to augment the human resource in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. So far as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are concerned, their Acts and Statutes allow them to have their own curriculum, academic & research collaboration with Institutions and Universities across the world. Steps taken by the Government for developing the linkage between educational institutions, Industries and R&D Institutions (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education) Impacting Research Innovation & Technology (IMPRINT): This initiative aims at providing solutions to the most relevant engineering challenges and translating knowledge into viable technology in 10 selected technology domains, viz. Health care, energy, sustainable habitat, nano technology hardware, water resources and river systems, advanced materials, Information and communication technology, manufacturing, security and defense, and environmental science and climate change. It is a pan IITs and IISc Joint Initiative seeking to develop a roadmap for research. During 2018-2019 Rs. 46.30 crore and during 2019-2020 Rs. 47.20 crore has been released. Research Park: Research park at IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Chennai, have been established which provide an interface between entrepreneurship and Industry to establish their R&D units in collaboration with students & faculty members of the IITs. In the year 2020-21 Rs. 144.50 crore has been released. UchhatarAvishkarYojana (UAY): This initiative promotes innovation of a higher order that directly impacts the needs of the Industry and thereby improves the competitive edge of Indian manufacturing. The project envisages collaboration between the academia and industry - within or outside India. In order to provide impetus to vocational education the allocation in 2021-22 for National Apprenticeship Training Scheme has been kept at Rs. 500 crore. Further, UGC has already issued guidelines for Apprenticeship/Internship Embedded Degree Program. US India Artificial Intelligence (USIAI) Initiative launched (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Research, technology in artificial intelligence is being promoted and implemented in the country through a network of 25 technology hubs working as a triple helix set up under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). IUSSTF’s USIAI Initiative focuses on AI cooperation in critical areas that are priorities for both countries. USIAI will serve as a platform to discuss opportunities, challenges, and barriers for bilateral AI R&D collaboration, enable AI innovation, help share ideas for developing an AI workforce, and recommend modes and mechanisms for catalyzing partnerships. The U.S.-India AI Initiative will provide an opportunity for key stakeholder groups to share experiences, identify new R&D areas and opportunities that would benefit from synergistic activities, discuss the emerging AI landscape, and address the challenges of developing an AI workforce. The ambitious flagship initiative, USIAI, leverages IUSSTF’s unique ability to bring together key stakeholders from India and the United States to create synergies that address challenges and opportunities at the interface of science, technology, and society. Over the next year, IUSSTF will conduct a series of roundtables and workshops to gather input from different stakeholder communities and prepare White Papers that identify technical, research, infrastructure, and workforce opportunities and challenges, and domain-specific opportunities for R&D in healthcare, smart cities, materials, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. India-Finland Virtual Summit (Topic: India and other countries) Both leaders noted that the close relations between India and Finland were based on shared values of democracy, rule of law, equality, freedom of speech, and respect for human rights. They reaffirmed their strong commitment to work for multilateralism, a rules-based international order, sustainable development and combating climate change. The two leaders reviewed the ongoing bilateral engagements and expressed their desire to further expand and diversify the relationship across sectors such as trade and investment, innovation, education, emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence, 5G/6G, and quantum computing. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Finland's leading role in clean and green technologies, and noted the potential for Finnish companies to partner India's drive towards sustainable development. In this context, he suggested enhanced cooperation in the areas like renewable and bio-energy, sustainability, edu-tech, pharma and digitization. The leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues, including the India-EU partnership, cooperation in the Arctic region, WTO and UN reforms. Both sides noted the potential for India and Finland to cooperate in undertaking developmental activities in Africa. Prime Minister Modi invited Finland to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The two leaders also discussed the Covid-19 situation including their respective vaccination drives, and emphasized the importance of global efforts for urgent and affordable access to vaccines across all nations. The two leaders looked forward to their forthcoming meetings during the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in Porto and the India-Nordic Summit. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Maldives on Cooperation in Sports and Youth Affairs Bilateral exchange programmes in the field of sports and youth affairs between India and Maldives will help in expanding knowledge and expertise in the area of sports science, sports medicine, coaching techniques, participation in youth festivals and camps which would result in improvement in performance of our sportspersons in international tournaments and strengthening of bilateral relations between India and Maldives. Benefits arising from bilateral cooperation in the field of sports and youth affairs with Maldives would be equally applicable to all sportspersons irrespective or their caste, creed, region, religion and gender. The Sixth India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Women’s Forum meeting (Topic: International forums) The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Trilateral Cooperation Forum is a unique platform which brings together India, Brazil and South Africa, three large democracies and major economies from three different continents. All three partners are developing pluralistic, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious nations. IBSA is committed to inclusive sustainable development, in pursuit of the well-being for their citizens and those from the other developing nations. The principles, norms and values underpinning the IBSA Dialogue Forum are participatory democracy, respect for human rights, the Rule of Law and the strengthening of multilateralism. IBSA lays efforts in the South-South cooperation beyond the conventional areas of exchange of experts and training. During the consultation, the Forum discussed key issues that contribute towards the transformation of women’s lives; by highlighting initiatives, policies and best practices for gender inclusive economy for transformation as well as for elimination of gender based discrimination and violence against women, which in the coming time will help not only in understanding each other’s’ systems and programmes but will also carve a strategic roadmap to promote gender equality agenda for achieving sustainable development goals. The Forum emphasized on the necessity to raise voice on various multilateral fora to highlight the development priorities of the associate countries and emphasized how gender equality makes sound economic sense. The participating countries also lauded the efforts of Government of India in helping out other countries to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic by way of providing vaccines, masks, sanitizers, PPE Kits etc. The third edition of the annual conference of the Coalition for Disaster resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) (Topic: International forums) PM Modi highlighted few key areas that need to be accorded priority: First, CDRI must embody the central promise of the Sustainable Development Goals, that is, "leave no one behind". This means that we have to put the concerns of the most vulnerable nations and communities first. In this regard, the Small Island Developing Nations that are already experiencing the impacts of worsening disasters must have easy access to all the technology, knowledge and assistance that they consider necessary. We must have the capability and support to adapt global solutions to the local context. Second, we must take stock of the performance of some of the key infrastructure sectors - particularly health infrastructure and the digital infrastructure that played a central role during the pandemic. What are the lessons from these sectors? And how can we make them more resilient for the future? At the national and sub-national level we have to invest in capabilities for integrated planning, structural design, availability of modern materials, and a large number of skilled personnel in all infrastructure sectors. There is need for Research and Development in all these areas. Third, in our quest for resilience, no technological system should be considered too basic or too advanced. The CDRI must maximize the demonstration effect of the application of technology.In Gujarat, we built India's first hospital with base isolation techniques. Now base isolators for earthquake safety are manufactured in India itself.In the current context, we have many more opportunities. We must harness the full potential of geo spatial technologies, space-based capabilities, data science, artificial intelligence, material sciences, and combine it with local knowledge to pursue resilience. And finally, the notion of "resilient infrastructure" must become a mass movement galvanizing the energies of not just the experts, and formal institutions but also communities, and particularly the youth. A social demand for resilient infrastructure will go a long way in improving compliance to standards. Investing in public awareness and education is a key aspect of this process. Our education system must enhance the awareness of locally specific hazards and their possible impact on infrastructure. Just as the fight against the pandemic mobilized the energies of the world's seven billion people, our quest for resilience must build on the initiative and imagination of each and every individual on this planet. Coalition for Disaster resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) The CDRI is an international coalition of countries, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and academic institutions that aim to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure. Objective: To promote research and knowledge sharing in the fields of infrastructure risk management, standards, financing, and recovery mechanisms. Launched by: The Indian PM Narendra Modi at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019. (experience in dealing with the aftermath of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake led to this idea) CDRI’s initial focus is on developing disaster-resilience in ecological, social, and economic infrastructure. It aims to achieve substantial changes in member countries’ policy frameworks and future infrastructure investments, along with a major decrease in the economic losses suffered due to disasters. It was organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in partnership with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the UN Development Programme, the World Bank, and the Global Commission on Adaptation. The CDRI is the second major coalition launched by India outside of the UN, the first being the International Solar Alliance. Both of them are seen as India’s attempts to obtain a global leadership role in climate change matters and were termed as part of India’s stronger branding. GS-3 India’s Trade Performance during COVID-19 Period (Topic: Indian Economy) India’s overall (merchandise and services) export was US$ 394.96 billion during 2020-21 (April-January) as compared to US$ 443.24 billion during 2019-20 (April-January), i.e. a negative growth of 10.89%. During 2020-21 (April-January), India’s overall import was US$ 400.84 billion as compared to US$ 514.57 billion during 2019-20 (April-January), i.e. a negative growth of 22.10%. India’s overall trade deficit was US$ 5.88 billion during 2020-21 (April-January) as compared to US$ 71.33 billion in 2019-20 (April-January), with a high reduction of trade deficit of US$ 65.45 billion. In order to increase the production and exports of Pharma, Agriculture, Automobile, and Defence items and to re-energize India’s trade performance, some of the key steps taken are: A comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” to provide an impetus to agricultural exports is under implementation. Product specific Export Promotion Forums (EPF) for eight high potential agri- products i.e. Grapes, Mango, Banana, Onion, Rice, Nutri-Cereals, Pomegranate, Floriculture and Plant material have been created to promote export of identified products in a focused manner. Subsidy is provided under Operation Greens scheme for transportation of fruits and vegetable through Kisan Rail. Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme and Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA) have been launched to promote trade infrastructure and marketing. Assistance to the exporters of agricultural products is made available under the export promotion schemes of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Tobacco Board, Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board and Spices Board. Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for 13 sectors- 3 sectors in March, 2020 and 10 sectors in November, 2020 with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore has been launched to provide a major boost to manufacturing. These sectors are (i) Automobiles and Auto Components, (ii) Pharmaceuticals Drugs, (iii) Specialty Steel, (iv) Telecom & Networking Products, (v) Electronic/Technology Products, (vi) White Goods (ACs and LEDs), (vii) Food Products, (viii) Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles, (ix) High efficiency solar PV modules, and (x) Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery (xi) Medical devices (xii) Large scale electronics manufacturing including mobile phones (xiii) Critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs) /Drug intermediaries and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). Scheme for promotion of Bulk Drug Parks to provide grant-in-aid to 3 Bulk Drug Parks has been launched for creation of Common Infrastructure Facilities (CIF). Export authorisation procedures have been streamlined through introduction of online procedures and portals for promotion of exports of Indian defence products. A scheme for export promotion of Indian Defence Equipment manufactured in India has been rolled out. Subject to strategic considerations, domestically manufactured defence products are promoted through Lines of Credit/Funding; Defence Lines of Credit (LOCs) are extended to sovereign governments to enable buyers in those countries, to import goods and services from India. A new category of capital procurement “Buy (Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured))” has been introduced in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) - 2016 to promote indigenous design and development of defence equipment. The ‘Make’ procedure of capital procurement has been simplified. There is a provision for funding of 90% of development cost by the Government to Indian industry under Make-I category. In addition, there are specific reservations for MSMEs under the ‘Make’ procedure. Separate procedure for ‘Make-II’ category (Industry funded) has been notified under Defence Procurement Procedure 2016 to encourage indigenous development and manufacture of defence equipment. The Government of India has enhanced FDI in Defence Sector up to 74% through the Automatic Route for companies seeking new defence industrial license and up to 100% by Government Route. Foreign Trade Policy (2015-20) has been extended by one year i.e. upto 31-3-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Interest Equalization Scheme on pre and post shipment rupee export credit has also been extended by one year i.e. upto 31-3-2021. A new Scheme, Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP), has been launched. Common Digital Platform for Certificate of Origin has been launched to facilitate trade and increase FTA utilization by exporters. Promoting and diversifying services exports by pursuing specific action plans for the 12 Champion Services Sectors. Promoting districts as export hubs by identifying products with export potential in each district, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products and supporting local exporters/manufacturers to generate employment in the district. Active role of Indian missions abroad towards promoting India’s trade, tourism, technology and investment goals has been enhanced. Steps Taken To Enhance Capacity of Security Forces (Topic: Security) The Government has taken several policy initiatives and reforms to promote indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country and enable development or transfer of technologies in the country. Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2016 has been revised as Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) -2020, which is driven by the tenets of Defence Reforms announced as part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. Opened North & South Defence Industrial corridors to promote setting up of industries supporting defence equipment. Permitted acceptance of “Suo Moto” proposals from industry for undertaking indigenous design & development for items needed for defence services. Formulated the iDEX (Innovation in Defence Excellence) framework to provide an ecosystem for Startups/individual innovators/MSMEs to engage with Ministry of Defence/Academia and other such agencies for manufacture of defence related items. Institutionalised the Technology Development Fund and its processes to facilitate the DRDO to engage with Indian industry for technology development needs. Army Design Bureau (ADB): Indian Army (IA) launched the ADB on 31st August, 2016. The role of the ADB is to act as a facilitator for research & development efforts and procurement of indigenously developed weapons and equipment extensive outreach programme for industry, MSMEs, Startups and Academia across the country for promoting ‘Make in India’. The outreach programmes, apart from generating awareness about the modernization requirements, will help to meet the technology needs of the IA from within the confines of domestic resources and talent Army Technology Board (ATB): The ATB enables indigenous Research and Development efforts in accordance with the operational needs of the IA. Technology Development Fund (TDF): TDF has been launched by the Government to giving impetus to research and development projects beyond the proof of concept stage. It has been provided with a budget of Rs. 100 crores. The Indian Navy in coordination with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is pursuing the indigenous development and acquisition of a Twin Engine Deck Base Fighter (TEDBF). Ministry of Defence has notified a ‘First Positive Indigenisation List’ of 101 items for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timeline indicated against them. This is a big step towards self-reliance in defence. This would offer a great opportunity to the Indian defence industry to manufacture these items using their own design and development capabilities to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces in the coming years. Modernisation, upgradation and sustenance of military equipment and weapons is a continuous process and constant endeavour to equip the Armed Forces with modern weapon systems/ equipment being carried out under various procurement provisions (DAP & DPM). Also in emergencies as in the prevailing situation, special procurement powers to enhance the operational capability are given to Service Headquarters. DRDO has played a major role in the development of state-of-the-art platforms, weapon systems and sensors and upgradation of defence equipment in the country which in turn has enhanced capacity of the Armed Forces to tackle the present security scenario of the country efficiently. New wearable sensors capable of monitoring biomarkers from sweat can obviate necessity of invasive tests for monitoring health (Topic: Science and Technology) Dr. Vinu Mohan A.M., scientist at CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, has introduced a flexible low cost, wearable sensor that can track sweat for monitoring the health and physiological status of the human body. It can obviate the necessity of blood and other invasive tests. The wearable microfluidic sensor, which does not need a clean room, can be used for in situ monitoring of biomarkers such as lactate, Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), and Alkaline/acidic nature (pH) simultaneously from sweat samples. Using the INSPIRE Faculty fellowship, Dr. Vinu is improving upon the sensor to make it stretchable as well so that it can monitor the sweat during exercising and biking. The sensor can analyse biomarkers from human sweat during exercise activities without transfer of signals. The high-throughput sweat sampling ability of the sensor facilitates continuous capture and transport of sweat over the surface of the device resulting in real-time analysis. The flexible sensor can be attached on the irregular skin surface and monitors the dynamic biomarker levels, and are important for clinical diagnosis and personalized point-of-care analysis. Developing microfluidic sensors with rapid sweat sampling and multiplexed electrochemical recognition abilities are extremely important for accurate sweat biomarker analyses and continuous real-time monitoring of health. He is also exploring other reliable biofluids such as saliva and fluid in tissues as they contain abundant chemical markers that could reflect the underlying physiology of the human body. They are also in-parallel focusing on developing wearable energy storage devices as they are essential for powering wearable electrochemical sensors. An all-printed solid-state flexible and stretchable supercapacitor having serpentine-shaped, interdigitated, freestanding interconnects was recently developed and used as energy buffering element for powering a wearable pulse rate sensor. Possible origin of winds from black hole accretion discs probed (Topic: Space) As gas and dust fall toward a black hole, they form a disk around it. As material piles up in the disk, it heats up to temperatures in excess of millions of degrees. A fraction of this infalling matter is ejected in the form of winds. Scientists have tracked the generation of this wind and how it is driven by the disc of diffused swirling materials around the black hole called an accretion disc. Matter flowing out due to the wind should contaminate the environment play a major role in the evolution of the region harbouring these black holes. Therefore how such a process can be triggered need to be ascertained. Though these processes are still at the level of theoretical prediction, consensus has not been reached. By blowing dense gas from the galactic nucleus and by halting inward flows from the galactic halo, the winds play a vital role in shaping the evolution of the black hole host galaxy. Hence the mechanism of generation of these winds and what drives them has intrigued scientists for a long as it helps them explore host galaxies. New technology for High Electron Mobility Transistor will make India self-reliant in power transistor technology (Topic: Science and Technology) Scientists from Bangalore have developed a highly reliable, High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMTs) that is a normally OFF device and can switch currents up to 4A and operates at 600V. This first-ever indigenous HEMT device made from gallium nitride (GaN) is useful in electric cars, locomotives, power transmission and other areas requiring high voltage and high-frequency switching would reduce the cost of importing such stable and efficient transistors required in power electronics. Power electronic systems demand high blocking voltage in OFF-state and high current in ON-state for efficient switching performance. Specific transistors called HEMTs made of aluminium gallium nitride/ gallium nitride (AlGaN/GaN) provides an edge over silicon-based transistors as they allow the systems to operate at very high voltages, switch ON and OFF faster, and occupy less space. Commercially available AlGaN/GaN HEMTs use techniques to keep the transistor in normally OFF state, which affects the stability, performance and reliability of the device. The developed technology is a first of its kind, which uses a type of chemical called ternary oxide (composed of two different metal ions combined in an oxide matrix or Al, Ti and O), which behaves like material having larger positive charge concentration (p-type material). It does away with intrinsic reliability and performance issues of the in-use industrial techniques for e-mode HEMTs, allowing the development of efficient power switching systems. This device will now be taken up for the prototype development and field-testing level (TRL 5). The scientists used aluminium titanium oxide as the gate oxide, where the percentage of aluminium could be controlled during the fabrication process. Since aluminium titanium oxide is stable, it resulted in high reliability of the transistor. The projected overall power device market is set to cross the 18 Billion $ mark by 2020, out of which the market for HEMTs is projected to cross the 5 Billion US$ market. So, GaN HEMTs will acquire a major share of the power device market. With a growing market for electric vehicles in India, such an indigenous development can make India self-reliant for transistor technology. Artificial photosynthesis to provide solutions for carbon capture and conversion (Topic: Science and Technology) Scientists have found a method to mimic nature’s own process of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, namely photosynthesis, to capture excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This artificial photosynthesis (AP) harnesses solar energy and converts the captured carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide (CO), which can be used as a fuel for internal combustion engines. In artificial photosynthesis (AP), scientists are essentially conducting the same fundamental process in natural photosynthesis but with simpler nanostructures. However, there are plenty of hurdles to overcome as a successful catalyst to carry out AP. A team of Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India,designed and fabricated an integrated catalytic system based on a metal-organic framework (MOF-808) comprising of a photosensitizer (molecules which absorb light and transfer the electron from the incident light into another nearby molecule) that can harness solar power and a catalytic centre that can eventually reduce CO2. The scientists have immobilized a photosensitizer, which is a chemical called ruthenium bipyridyl complex ([Ru(bpy)2Cl2]) and a catalytic part which is another chemical called rhenium carbonyl complex ([Re(CO)5Cl]), inside the nanospace of metal-organic framework for artificial photosynthesis. Both these molecular entities stay in close proximity in the confined nano-space of a porous metal-organic framework system resulting in excellent CO2 uptake capability at room temperature. This synthetic strategy empowers efficient solar light-driven photocatalysis. The developed catalyst exhibited excellent visible-light-driven CO2 reduction to CO with more than 99% selectivity. The catalyst also oxidizes water to produce oxygen (O2). The photocatalytic assembly, when assessed for CO2 reduction under direct sunlight in a water medium without any additives, showed superior performance of CO production. Being heterogeneous, the integrated catalytic assembly can be reused for several catalytic cycles without losing its activity. Researcher working on low-cost smart nano devices for detection of disease receives SERB Women Excellence Award (Topic: Science and Technology) Dr. Sonu Gandhi, a Scientist at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad, who has recently developed a smart nanodevice for the detection of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and Japanese encephalitis (JE), has been awarded the prestigious SERB Women Excellence Award. The award instituted by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), recognises and rewards outstanding research achievements of young women scientists in frontier areas of Science and Engineering. The smart nanodevice developed by her group helped in detection of the biomarkers of the diseases using graphene functionalised with amine and conjugated with specific antibodies. The developed sensor offers several key advantages, such as ultra-high sensitivity, ease of operation, and a short response time, that can be easily integrated into a chip for point-of-care testing. The developed sensor exhibited a clear advantage over conventional techniques, and it is highly sensitive. They can improve early diagnosis of the diseases, ensuring prompt, more effective, and less expensive treatment. Her work is based on understanding the mechanism of interaction between nanomaterials and biomolecules on the surface of devices called transducers that receive energy from one system and transmit it for the development of a new generation of biosensors for clinical diagnosis of bacterial and viral disease, veterinary and agricultural applications, food analysis and environmental monitoring. Prelims oriented News Prime Minister of Finland: H.E. Ms. Sanna Marin The second edition of Indo-Uzbekistan Joint Field Training Exercise: EXERCISE DUSTLIK-II World Leprosy Day: 30th January GRAM UJALA in Bihar: A customized program for rural India, based uniquely and innovatively on carbon finance. LEDs will be available for only Rs 10 each for each household, in exchange for working condition old incandescent lamps. Each household will get up to 5 LEDs. India-UK Cancer Research Initiative: To support high quality research to deliver innovative and translatable outputs that accelerate progress against cancer outcomes in both the countries, and which also have the potential to have major global impact. Under the initiative, the core challenges have been identified and seven seed grants have been awarded. The seven seed grants awarded are to work on affordable approaches to improve early diagnosis of symptomatic cancers; affordable screening tools to improve early detection of cancer; risk factors to better understand regional variations in incidence, enabling new approaches to cancer prevention; computational approaches that can reduce the cost of cancer care delivery; affordability of effective cancer treatments; affordable screening tools to improve early detection of cancer; and affordability of effective cancer treatments. SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium: The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) was set up for genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in India. In INSACOG, 10 laboratories were designated in India for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) with the objectives: to ascertain the current status of new variant of SARS COV-2 in the country; to establish a sentinel surveillance for early detection of genomic variants with public health implication; to determine the genomic variants in the unusual events/trends (super spreader events, high mortality/ morbidity trend areas etc). Silk Samagra: An Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry (ISDSI) for the overall development of Silk industry in the Country with an aim & objective to scale up production by improving the quality and productivity and to empower downtrodden, poor & backward families through various activities of sericulture in the country. The raw silk production in the country has shown increasing trend during last five years due to implementation of the "Silk Samagra" scheme and other initiatives of Government. India TB Summit: Accorded high priority to eradicating Tuberculosis in India by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of 2030. The Government of India is committed to scale up access to free diagnosis through rapid molecular tests also providing information on drug resistance, free treatment for all people with TB, with best-quality drugs and regimens, financial and nutritional support to patients, use of digital technologies for notification and adherence and linking with interface non-governmental agencies to strengthen private sector engagement. The National TB Elimination Programme’s ambitious National Strategic Plan (NSP) embraces bold strategies with commensurate resources to rapidly decline TB incidence and mortality. NTEP has instituted many innovations such as contracting of Patient Provider Support Agencies (PPSAs) to enhance engagement with the private sector, strengthening community engagement through TB Forums at the National, State and District levels, and integrating TB services across all levels in the Health System, including the Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness Centres, thereby, making TB an essential part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. The new initiatives taken at sub-national level to strengthen community level engagement and to make it a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care: Through enhanced access to molecular diagnostics by decentralizing CBNAAT and TruNat services, India has enabled earlier detection of drug resistance. Through Active Case Finding, India has reached out to the unreached and vulnerable groups. Sub-national surveillance of TB and disease-free certification has been introduced, wherein States/Districts that have achieved significant reduction in incidence of TB from 2015 baselines were assessed and have been likewise awarded Bronze, Silver, Gold and even TB Free certifications. India has established TB Forums which provide a common platform to govt officials, physicians, civil society and representatives from patient groups to discuss all concerns pertaining to service delivery and patient care. Depth of Himalayan Glaciers: A proposal has been initiated by National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) Ministry of Earth Sciences to estimate thickness of Himalayan glaciers using innovative airborne radar surveys in collaboration with established Indian researchers in India and abroad. A pilot study is proposed in Lahaul-Spiti basin of Himachal Pradesh for customizing the technique and methods in initial phase followed by Airborne radar surveys across representative sub-basins of Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins in the next phase. Different techniques like geophysical techniques and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profiling have been employed for glacier depth assessment by Geological Survey of India (GSI). Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) carries out Research and Development study to estimate thickness of major Himalayan glaciers using remote sensing based methods. DAE plans to rope in private agencies for Nuclear Medicine: A research reactor dedicated to medical isotope production is envisaged to be executed under Public Private Partnership. In this partnership, Government through the Department of Atomic Energy, plans to extend support to the investors for processing and production of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals both for diagnosis and therapy of cancer as well as functional evaluation of organs. Indigenously built Indian Naval Landing Craft Utility L58 Commissioned: at Port Blair Will be deployed in a variety of roles such as Beaching, Search and Rescue, Disaster Relief, Coastal Patrol and Surveillance operations along the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands, Bay of Bengal and in the Indian Ocean. It will augment the Indian Navy’s mobility, reach and flexibility, furthering the Andaman and Nicobar Command’s motto, ‘Victory through Jointness’. Policy on Liquefied Natural Gas: To promote the usage and distribution of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the Government has put LNG imports under Open General Licensing (OGL) category and establishment of LNG infrastructure, including LNG terminals is also under 100% FDI (automatic route). The government is also promoting usage of natural gas in gaseous/liquid (LNG) through expansion of gas infrastructure including City Gas Distribution, gas grid network and development/retro fitment of LNG based vehicles etc. As per American Petroleum Institute report on LNG operations and methodology, a typical LNG-fueled truck will have 90% lower NOx and PM emissions than diesel-fueled truck, 100% lower SOx emission, and 30% lower CO2 emissions. LNG is imported under OGL on mutually agreed terms between buyer and sellers on techno-commercial basis. Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (Har Medh Par Ped) Scheme: Launched in 2016-17 to encourage tree plantation on farm land along with crops/ cropping system to help the farmers get additional income and make their farming systems more climate resilient and adaptive. Under the scheme, assistance to farmers is given through State Govt. for nursery development, boundary plantation and block plantation of prominent tree species to promote, inter-alia, fruits bearing tree borne oilseeds, medicinal & aromatic plants, silk & lac rearing host plants, in addition to timber species, so that farmers get early returns. Manipur emerges as the model state for Van Dhan Vikas Yojana: The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana is a programme for value addition, branding & marketing of Minor Forest Produces by establishing Van Dhan Kendras to facilitate creation of sustainable livelihoods for the forest-based tribes. One major scheme that has contributed to increasing employment and income generation among the tribal population is the Van Dhan tribal start-ups programme, a component of the The ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP’ Scheme. The focus of these initiatives is to make India self-reliant under the Atmanirbhar Abhiyan, with the motto, Go Vocal for Local Go Tribal – Mera Van Mera Dhan Mera Udyam. Manipur, in particular, which has emerged as the Champion state where the Van Dhan programme has emerged as a major source of employment for the local tribals Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojna (PMKMY) Scheme aims to provide social security net for the Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF) by way of pension, as they have minimal or no savings to sustain their livelihood during their old age and to support them in the event of consequent loss of livelihood. Under this scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs.3,000/-per month will be provided to the eligible small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion clauses, on attaining the age of 60 years. The Scheme is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, with entry age of 18 to 40 years. Scheme for Women Farmers: States and other Implementing Agencies to incur atleast 30% expenditure on women farmers. These schemes include Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms, National Food Security Mission, National Mission on Oilseed & Oil Palm, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, Sub-Mission for Seed and Planting Material, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture. The Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development launched a specific scheme namely ‘Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)’, as a subcomponent of DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana — National Rural Livelihoods Mission). This scheme is being implemented since 2011 with the objective to empower women by making systematic investments to enhance their participation and productivity, as also create sustainable livelihoods of rural women. The program is implemented in project mode through State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) as Project Implementing Agencies. DAY-NRLM and its sub-component MKSP is a demand driven programme. Accordingly, based on the demand from State Rural Livelihoods Mission for implementation of MKSP through project mode. In order to familiarize women with the latest techniques in agriculture and allied sectors, trainings are being imparted to women farmers under schemes of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development. PM Atma Nirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana: The main interventions under the scheme to be achieved by FY 25-26 are: Support for 17,788 rural Health and Wellness Centres in in 10 High Focus States Establishing 11,024 urban Health and Wellness Centres in all the States. Setting up of Integrated Public Health Labs in all districts and 3382 Block Public Health Units in11 High Focus states; Establishing Critical Care Hospital Blocks in 602 districts and 12 Central Institutions; Strengthening of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), its 5 regional branches and 20 metropolitan health surveillance units; Expansion of the Integrated Health Information Portal to all States/UTs to connect all public health labs; vii. Operationalisation of 17 new Public Health Units and strengthening of 33 existing Public Health Units at Points of Entry, that is at 32 Airports, 11 Seaports and 7 landcrossings; Setting up of 15 Health Emergency Operation Centres and 2 mobile hospitals; and Setting up of a national institution for One Health, a Regional Research Platform for WHO South East Asia Region, 9 Bio-Safety Level III laboratories and 4 regionalNational Institutes for Virology. The measures under the scheme focus on developing capacities of health systems and institutions across the continuum of care at all levels viz. primary, secondary and tertiary and on preparing health systems in responding effectively to the current and future pandemics/disasters. The PMASBY targets to build an IT enabled disease surveillance system by developing a network of surveillance laboratories at block, district, regional and national levels, in Metropolitan areas & strengthening health units at the Points of Entry, for effectively detecting, investigating, preventing and combating Public Health Emergencies and Disease Outbreaks. Rakhi Garhi Is Being Developed as One of The Five Identified Iconic Archaeological Sites The ancient site of Rakhi-Khas and Rakhi-Shahpur are collectively known as Rakhigarhi, located on the right bank of now dried up Palaeo-channel of Drishadvati. Seven (07) mounds are located here. The site has yielded various stages of Harappan culture and is by far one of the largest Harappan sites in India. The site shows the sequential development of the Indus culture in the now dried up Saraswati basin. For development of the sites and its environs, repairing of boundary wall, pathways, public amenities, solar lights, benches are being provided. Excavation is also proposed at the site to showcase the archaeological remains in a holistic manner. In the union budget of 2020 it was announced that Five iconic archaeological sites located across five states will be developed. One of which is Rakhigarhi located in Hissar district, Haryana. Deep Ocean Mission: The Deep Ocean Mission is proposed as multi-ministerial multi-disciplinary programme with emphasis on development of deep sea technology, exploration of deep sea mineral resources and biodiversity, acquisition of a research vessel for exploration, deep sea observations, and capacity building. Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal agency for implementing the programme. The major objectives proposed under Deep Ocean Mission are as follows: Development of technologies for deep sea mining, underwater vehicles and underwater robotics; Development of ocean climate change advisory services; Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deepsea biodiversity; Deep ocean survey and exploration; Proof of concept studies on energy and freshwater from the ocean; and Establishing advanced marine station for ocean biology National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP): The overall objective of the Project is to undertake suitable structural and non-structural measures to mitigate the effects of cyclones in the coastal states and UTs of India. NDMA under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is implementing the Project in coordination with participating State Governments and the National Institute for Disaster Management (NIDM).The Project has identified 13 cyclone prone States and Union Territories (UTs), with varying levels of vulnerability. The main objective of the NCRMP is to reduce vulnerability of coastal communities to cyclone and other hydro meteorological hazards through; Improved early warning dissemination systems Enhanced capacity of local communities to respond to disasters Improved access to emergency shelter, evacuation, and protection against wind storms, flooding and storm surge in high areas Strengthening DRM capacity at central, state and local levels in order to enable mainstreaming of risk mitigation measures into the overall development agenda Gaganyaan programme envisages sending humans in space Gaganyaan is the human space flight programme under which Indian astronauts will go into space by 2022.This will be done by using its own capabilities. A GSLV-Mk III launch vehicle will lift them to their orbit, which has the necessary payload capability to launch a three-member crew module in low earth orbit. If successful, India would become the fourth nation to conduct a human space flight programme after USSR/Russia, USA and China. It is a ₹10,000-crore Indian human space flight scheduled for 2022. India has signed agreements with Russia and France for cooperation on the Gaganyaan mission. DRDO signed MoUs with ISRO to offer technologies for the mission, including space food, survival kits for crew, radiation protection equipment and parachutes. Schemes of Welfare Measures for Transgender Persons The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has submitted a concept note for scheme of Welfare measures for Transgender Persons. The Ministry has given funds to National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC)for conducting skill development of members of Transgender Community. So far, the corporation has sanctioned skill development training programmes for 330 members of transgender community to 7 Sector Skill Councils and Training Institutes. Funds have been also released to National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) for implementing various welfare programmes like setting up of pilot shelter homes, conducting workshops. A composite scheme is being formulated for the welfare of Transgender Persons for which a concept note has already been submitted.Out of Rs 150.00 lakhs released to NBCFDC, Rs 118.05 lakhs has been used by Corporation, so far, for providing Subsistence Allowance/ration kits to 6,940 persons during Covid period.16 health camps were organised wherein 1,240 transgender persons undertook medical consultation. A COVID helpline was setup for providing counselling to distressed callers from the transgender community during lock-down. NBCFDC also disbursed subsistence allowance of Rs.1500/- per person directly into the account of the 5,711 Transgender Persons left without livelihood due to COVID-19 lockdown. National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) is setting up of 13 pilots of Garima Greh (Shelter Homes) for Transgender Persons. One Garima Greh has already been inaugurated at Vadodara, Gujarat. NISD has also conducted awareness generation programs onDrug Abuse Prevention for Transgender Persons. Early Detection of Drug Problems and Action Taken To Address Them Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements the scheme of National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction under which financial assistance is provided to 'NGOs/VOs for running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (lRCAs), Community based peer Led intervention (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents and Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODIC) and Addiction treatment facilities (ATFs) in Government Hospitals'. The Ministry has launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in 272 identified vulnerable districts with an aim to create awareness about ill effects of substance abuse among the youth, with special focus on higher education institutes, university campuses and schools and reaching out into the community and concerned States/ UTs have been directed to launch their NMBA. Ministry has developed Navchetna Modulesto be followed in the schools for generating awareness among the children, teachers and parents about ill effect of substance abuse under the scheme of NAPDDR. Under Community Based Peer-Led Intervention (CPLI), focus has been placed on vulnerable and at risk children and adolescents in the community. Under the project, children aged between 10 to 18 years, are enrolled as peer educators who would in turn engage children in the community in awareness generation and life skills activities. The Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODICs) provide safe and secure drop-in space for substance users in the community. These centres have the provision of screening, assessment and counselling and thereafter provide referral and linkage to treatment and rehabilitation services for substance dependents. Ministry is taking all measures and actions needed to strengthen the mechanism for demand reduction and control of use of substances. Under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, several awareness generation and sensitization programs are being conducted in the identified 272 districts of the country. To analyse the extent of drug abuse in the country, Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment has conducted the first National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India through the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi during 2018. Alcohol is the most common psychoactive substance used by Indians followed by Cannabis and Opioids. About 16 Crore persons consume alcohol in the Country, 3.10 Crore individuals use cannabis products and 2.26 Crore use opioids. More than 5.70 Crore individuals are affected by harmful or dependent alcohol use and need help for their alcohol use problems, about 25 lakh suffer from cannabis dependence and approximately 77 lakh individuals are estimated to need help for their opioid use problems. National Ayush Mission Under NAM, Grant-in-aid is being provided to State/UT Governments for development and promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) as per their proposed State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs). Objectives To provide cost effective AYUSH Services, with a universal access through upgrading AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries, co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs). To strengthen institutional capacity at the state level through upgrading AYUSH educational institutions, State Government Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) Pharmacies, ASU & H Drug Testing Laboratories and enforcement mechanism. Support cultivation of medicinal plants by adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) so as to provide sustained supply of quality raw-materials and support certification mechanism for quality standards, Good Agricultural/Collection/Storage Practices. Support setting up of clusters through convergence of cultivation, warehousing, value addition, marketing and development of infrastructure for entrepreneurs. National Medicinal Plants Board: Government of India has enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to regulate the access to biological resources and / or associated knowledge for certain activities the user of the biological resources needs to share the benefits in fair and equitable manner with the provider of the biological resources. Ministry of AYUSH is presently implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM). Under ‘Medicinal Plants’ component of the NAM scheme supporting market driven cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants in identified cluster/zones with in selected districts of States and implemented in a mission mode throughout the country. As per the scheme guidelines, the support is provided for: Cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants on farmer’s land. Establishment of nurseries with backward linkages for raising and supply of quality planting material. Post-harvest management with forward linkages. Primary processing, marketing infrastructure etc. Conservation of Ancient Folk Cultures: To protect, preserve & promote various forms of folk art and ancient folk cultures throughout the country including Jharkhand, Bihar and Kerala, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Jharkhand are Faguwa Nritya, Turi Nritya, Faguwa Nritya, Turi Nritya, Paika Nritya, Hodopathy, Tribal dance (Karam Nritya). Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Bihar are Lok Gatha "Reshma Chuharmal" (Begusarai), Lok Gatha "Bihula Bishari" (Purnia), Lok Gatha "Naradi" (Begusarai), Bidesia Lok Natya (Bhojpur region), Godana Painting (Madhubani), Lok Natya "Hirni-Birni" (Magadh region), Panwaria, Domkach & Sohar Khilona folk dance (All regions of Bihar State), Domkach folk dance (All regions of Bihar State), Jharni & Jhinjhia folk dance (Mithilanchal Area), Bidesia (Bhojpur Area), Bihar Ke Paramparik Natya (All regions of Bihar State), Drupad Dhamar, Godna Geet, Sikki Kala, Tikuli Art and Madhubani Painting. Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Kerala are Poorakali, Malayankettu & Kannerpattu (Kannur), Daffumuttu (Malabar), Kanyarkali (Thrissur) and Arabanaumuttu (Kozhikode) Demise of Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair: A Kathakali maestro State: Originating from Kerala, Kathakali is one of the eight classical dances of India Kathakali is a blend of dance, music and acting and dramatizes stories, which are mostly adapted from the Indian epics. The dance-drama of Kerala, Kathakali which originated in the 17th century, literally means story-play. Kathakali is practiced by only male dancers, and showcases stories of two epics Ramayana and Mahabarata. Aharya: Make-up is suited to character like Krishna and Rama wear special crowns decorated with peacock feathers. Todayam: It is a devotional number performed where one or two characters invoke the blessings of the gods Sopana sangeet: It is said to be the ritual singing of the Ashtapadis on the flight of steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum. Costumes: Unlike other dance forms, the use of elaborate makeup and costumes are central to Kathakali. They used to differentiate between different characters in story telling such as a Noble, a Royalty, an evil etc. Facial expressions: While most other dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Odissi focus on hand gestures and body postures, a Kathakali dancer emphasizes on their facial expressions instead to depict various emotions. Here body movements are specifically controlled. Music: Heavy use of drums to create an overwhelming and loud environment to showcase the conflict between good and evil. Most other dance forms such Kathak or Kuchipudi are accompanied by soothing music. The face of a Kathakali dancer: Logo of Kerala tourism Namami Gange Aims at providing comprehensive and sustainable solutions for a cleaner ecosystem along the stretch of 97 towns and 4,465 villages on the Ganga stem. Namami Gange is being implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterparts—State Programme Management Groups. The project covers eight states and seeks to fully connect all 1,632 Gram Panchayats along the Ganga to a sanitation system by 2022. About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) It is the implementation wing of the National Ganga Council. It was established in the year 2011 as a registered society. It is under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It has a two-tier management structure. It comprises of Governing Council and Executive Committee. Objectives To ensure effective control of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga by adopting a river basin approach. To maintain minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development.

Mar 26, 2021 TLP Mains Answer Writing

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 4 Questions [26th March,2021] – Day 65

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1- ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies 4 Questions [26th March 2020] – Day 65 We will make sure, in the next 100 days not a single day is wasted and your mains preparation is solidified. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. We are giving 5 Mains Questions on a daily basis so that every student can actively participate and keep your preparation focused. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. Why is it important to have a value driven bureaucracy? Explain. मूल्य संचालित नौकरशाही का होना क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है? स्पष्ट कीजिए। 2. In a law driven administration, what role does ethics play? Illustrate. एक कानून संचालित प्रशासन में, नैतिकता क्या भूमिका निभाती है? चित्रण करें। 3. Examine the factors that create avenues for corruption in the civil service? Can regulations alone tackle the challenge of corruption? Critically examine. उन कारकों की जांच करें जो सिविल सेवा में भ्रष्टाचार के रास्ते बनाते हैं? क्या अकेले नियमों के दम पर भ्रष्टाचार की चुनौती से निपट सकते हैं? समालोचनात्मक जांच करें। 4. In your opinion what should be the key values for a bureaucracy? Substantiate your views. आपकी राय में नौकरशाही के लिए प्रमुख मूल्य क्या होना चाहिए? अपने विचारों की पुष्टि करें। 5. Has there been a decline in the overall integrity and values of bureaucracy in India? Critically comment. क्या भारत में नौकरशाही की समग्र अखंडता और मूल्यों में गिरावट आई है? समालोचनात्मक टिप्पणी करें। P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm everyday. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each others answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best :)

Mar 26, 2021 IASbaba Prelims 60 Day Plan

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan - IAS Prelims Test Series 2021 - SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, CURRENT AFFAIRS & CSAT [Day 5]

Hello Friends, [embed]https://https://www.youtube.com/embed/x5ldu2jV8N0[/embed] ARCHIVES OF 60 DAYS The 60 Days Training has finally begun:) The questions will be posted around 10 AM. The solution will be released around 7 PM Daily. Before any competition, there is a preparatory phase. That phase involves a lot of sessions on strengths and weaknesses. Throughout the preparatory phase, the athletes train in a gradual manner. In the last phase, just before the actual competition, the training is done so as to sharpen their skills. This training requires complete focus and dedication. In this phase, the athletes do not try anything new or train in a new fashion rather focus on the sharpening of skills, focusing on strength and precision. Similarly, the upcoming 60 days, is like the last phase (training session), just before the actual competition. Here, the focus should be on sharpening the concepts, consolidating the knowledge base and solidifying the learning with loads and loads of revision. You will come across many distractions in between in the name of sources and resources (exclusive and inclusive), beware of them. Be alert and objective in selecting your companions in this preparation. Trust your effort and revise more than falling prey to multiple resources and doing nothing in the end. Everything that seems attractive is not productive. You should always go for productivity. Let us pledge to make it a big game-changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days! Note- Download the OMR Sheet and attempt the questions exactly like UPSC Prelims. After you are done, please post your OMR in the comment section. Once the solution key is released (around 7 PM), cross-check the answers and, comment the marks (you scored) in the same comment thread. This will keep you accountable, responsible and sincere in days to come. You can also take part in the discussion with peers. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY [DAY 5] - Click Here NOTE- Follow this for Comments Mention- Time Taken after solving the Test After the release of Solution, Edit your Comment to Mention- Correct/Incorrect and Score 2 Marks for Correct/0.66 minus for Incorrect. What IMPACT can the ‘60 Day’ have on the final results? We will explain by taking a small example. Imagine you are sitting in the examination hall, appearing in Prelims Paper I. You have attempted 70 questions already but still unsure about a few. Then you stumble upon a question that was asked in 60 Day (and believe us, it has happened to hundreds of students countless times). You choose the right answer and submit your paper hoping for the best! Eventually, you go on to clear Mains as well as Personality Test and secure a good rank as well. When the cut off gets announced by UPSC, you realize that you have scored just one mark more than the cut off! Yes, that one mark can change your life (and it has done so to many of our students in the past). Now, imagine the kind of impact 60 to 80 marks can have! Isn’t that so fascinating to imagine? One’s level of preparedness is always different for different subjects. Even within a subject, one’s comfort level may vary with topics. For example, one might be more comfortable in solving questions of Polity than Economics and within Polity also, one might be at ease with questions on fundamental rights than Parliament. The level of comfort and ease that one has with a subject/ topic gets manifested in the examination. However, there is no conscious effort by aspirants to micro analyze these aspects. Now, coming to the second aspect i.e. the mistakes that one commits in answering MCQs, it can be said that there are mainly four reasons behind incorrect responses in the OMR sheet. They are: Lack of information Lack of analytical ability Silly mistakes Excessive risk-taking Let’s analyze them one by one: Lack of information: You simply don’t know the information. You are clueless and that’s why you don’t attempt the question. For example, you may have never come across a regime called the ‘Wassenaar Agreement’ during your preparation and you can’t do much about it. The lack of information is pardonable and rectifiable. You can read more and gather more information. That is within your reach. Lack of analytical ability: You know the concept but the question is a twisted one and you are not able to apply the concept. For example, in a question asking you to identify the climate type of a region based on certain given parameters like precipitation, temperature, and air density, you might find it difficult to mark the correct option even if you are aware of all the options given in the question! That is clearly a lack of application and you can overcome it by developing a habit of framing questions in your mind while you study any topic. Silly mistakes: This habit is unpardonable. You know the concept, you become happy, you misread the question, you mark the incorrect answer and you are out of the race! Such mistakes reveal your hurriedness while answering the question. A simple mistake of reading ‘chose the incorrect option’ as ‘chose the correct option’ can destroy your chances. It means that you need to have patience and focus while attempting the paper. Excessive risk-taking: You are confused between the options and just in order to increase your attempts, you make wild guesses and try your luck only to repent eventually. Risk-taking is an art and one must be very careful while doing the guesswork in confusing questions. If you are not lucky enough, it can spoil your chances. You will realize that these problems will have different meanings for different people. For example, one might find a lack of information as the main culprit in answering wrong the questions on Culture while in Polity, lack of analytical ability is usually the culprit. The point here is that you must analyse your preparation on these yardsticks by applying them on different subjects/ topics. If one is having a headache, he/ she can’t have the same medicine for fever. Isn’t it. This is where our revamped '60 Day’ comes into the picture. It will give you an opportunity to micro analyze your preparation and perform better in the examination. Now, we present you the following scales (with weightage of each scale given in the bracket) to micro analyze your preparation on a daily basis and that too subject/ topic wise: Micro Analysis Matrix Number of questions not attempted or attempted wrongly Due to lack of information Due to the inability to apply the concept Due to silly mistake Due to excessive risk-taking Total Number (N) Weightage of scale (s) 1 2 3 4 NA N x S Scale 1: Information meter (1) Scale 2: Analysis meter (2) Scale 3: Anxiety meter (3) Scale 4: Risk meter (4) Suppose on Day 1, questions have been framed from Polity on the topic of Constitutional History. There are 15 questions and you are able to answer 12 out of which 7 are correct and 5 are incorrect. It means you have scored roughly 11.33 out of 30. Now you have to fill on a daily basis, the following matrix to micro analyze your preparation: Example: Suppose, the filled up matrix gets reflected in the following fashion: Micro Analysis Matrix- Day 1/ Polity/ Constitutional History Number of questions not attempted or attempted wrongly Due to lack of information Due to the inability to apply the concept Due to silly mistake Due to excessive risk-taking Total Number (N) 3 1 2 2 8 Weightage of scale (s) 1 2 3 4 NA N x S 3 2 6 8 19 Based on the total value in this matrix, you have to aim for the following measures on the scale: Information meter < 4 Course Correction: If you are scoring above 4, it means that there are serious gaps in your information base in the particular subject/ topic. Please refer to a standard textbook before it’s too late. Analysis meter < 4 Course Correction: If you are scoring above 4, you need to explore all possible questions in your mind while reading the topic. You should frame questions for your friends and try to trick them by twisting the questions. Anxiety meter < 3 Course Correction: A score above 3 indicates that you are either too excited or too callous to even read the question. You need to calm down and read the question twice, particularly those questions in which you feel too confident. Risk meter < 8 Course Correction: You need to curb your risk-taking instincts. Make an only intelligent guess and don’t leave your chance on fate. Don’t let the previous year’s cut off impact your mind. Total N x S score < 20 Moreover, IASbaba will give a cut-off figure along with the solutions each day. If your total marks exceed that cut off along with your total N x S score lying below 20, you are on the right track and just need to keep the momentum going. This exercise will hardly take 5 minutes of your daily time but it might do wonders for you as you will be able to gauge your strengths and limitations better. Finally, it is up to you to take advantage of this framework. We are sure of only one thing- if you follow this program, assess yourself on the basis of the given framework and keep improving your weaker areas, success will be yours. We are providing you with the right platform, the right guidance, and the right competition. Do you have the right motivation to make full use of this initiative? We think you have. Come, be a part of this initiative and take the first step towards SUCCESS! Importance of self - tracking: We could have provided all of you with login id and passwords to monitor your daily performance in the 60-day program. Instead, a simple and most beautiful way which Disqus provides is profile based commenting! Yes, we have seen the most successful candidates who have taken the maximum benefit from this program monitoring themselves by commenting on their answers in the box given (Disqus comment). And reviewing their performance themselves once in 10 days on the progress meter. DOWNLOAD THE 60 DAYS PLAN 2021 All the Best! IASbaba

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