Posts

AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Vector borne diseases: Awareness and Cure

Vector borne diseases: Awareness and Cure ARCHIVES Search 23rd July, 2019 Public Speak here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General studies 2 and 3 Public Health issues Science and technology: medical research In News: With the monsoon setting in after delay of a fortnight from the expected date, there has been a spurt in vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, which could be life-threatening in some cases and entails huge expenses for treatment. Vector borne diseases (VBDs) form a major part of the communicable diseases in India. Ignorance and impoverished conditions of people contribute in creating source and spread of vector borne diseases and hinder disease control strategy. Slums are more vulnerable to vector borne diseases because of poor environmental condition, standard of living, poverty and ignorance of the people. What are Vectors: Living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans (ticks, flies, sandflies, fleas, triatomine bugs and some freshwater aquatic snails) India is endemic for six major vector-borne diseases (VBD) namely malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis and visceral leishmaniasis. India ranks very high in the list of countries with a serious malaria burden. In 2018, 3,99,134 cases of malaria and 85 deaths due to the disease were reported in the country, according to data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Six states — Odisha (40%), Chhattisgarh (20%), Jharkhand (20%), Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram (5-7%) — bear the brunt of malaria in India. These states, along with the tribal areas of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, account for 90% of India’s malaria burden. Methods for controlling mosquito breeding Release of larvivorous fish — such as gambusia fish which feed on larvae — into water bodies Indoor residual spraying (IRS) Use of insecticide treated bed nets Ensuring that water does not stagnate anywhere Disease management Detecting the diseases in early stages and providing treatment Strengthening referral services Preparedness for the epidemic Case Study: Odisha From 4,36,850 malaria cases reported in 2015, Odisha had 66,301 cases reported in 2018, an 85-per cent reduction, giving the eastern coastal state the honour of reporting the highest reduction in malaria cases across the country, according to data from the Health Ministry’s National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. Surveying the period between March 2015 and March 2019, this year’s Economic Survey also stated that “malaria cases improved significantly…after implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)” – Odisha brought about the highest reduction in malaria cases among children below five years but also notes that “major focus of SBM has been on making villages Open Defecation Free (ODF)”. How it was achieved The state government relies on a three-step project to keep malaria in check, executed by 47,147 ASHAs trained in diagnosing and monitoring malaria treatment. In the Early Detection and Complete Treatment (EDCT), an ASHA tests any fever case for malaria — so that treatment begins early and the parasite is killed before mosquitoes spread it. Odisha also runs a programme called DAMAN — Duragama Anchala Re Malaria Nirakaran (or controlling malaria in remote locations) — as part of which mass screenings are organised twice a year at ‘malaria camps’ in these areas: in April-June, and September-October. Under DAMAN, the entire population of these areas undergoes a malaria test, irrespective of whether one has fever or malaria symptoms. Indoor residual spray method is used, in which a residual insecticide is applied to inner walls and ceilings of houses so that malaria vectors come in contact with the insecticide. Third, the state government has distributed nearly 1.1 crore long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) to combat malaria exposure during sleep. ASHA workers go door-to-door to explain nuances of the net’s use. Flip side of success: While successful test helps an ASHA get Rs 75, just testing, and achieving a negative result, fetches her only Rs 15 per case. As negative cases rise, malaria supervisors in Odisha worry whether the lower pay will demotivate ASHAs to work with equal fervour — or, worse, whether false cases will be reported to game the payment structure. Nine ASHAs in different low-endemic districts admitted that as negative tests keep increasing, the associated lower payment is a disincentive for them to continue testing each case of fever for potential malaria. The new malaria vaccine The vaccine (in Malawi) has taken three decades to come to fruition, and is the first one ever against a disease that kills 4,35,000 people a year, most of them children. India ranks high in the list of countries worst affected by the mosquito-borne disease. The vaccine has been developed by GSK — the company is donating about 10 million doses of the product for the pilot. It was created in 1987 by GSK, and was subsequently developed with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2014, the vaccine cleared phase III clinical trials which certified that it was both effective and safe for use in humans. According to a description from PATH’s Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), “RTS,S aims to trigger the immune system to defend against the first stages of malaria when the Plasmodium falciparum parasite enters the human host’s bloodstream through a mosquito bite and infects liver cells. The vaccine is designed to prevent the parasite from infecting the liver, where it can mature, multiply, re-enter the bloodstream, and infect red blood cells, which can lead to disease symptoms”. PATH is an international nonprofit team of innovators which advises and partners with public institutions, businesses, grassroots groups, and investors to tackle the world’s toughest global health problems, including malaria. MVI works with various stakeholders towards the development of a malaria vaccine. In Phase 3 trials conducted in Africa between 2009 and 2014, children received four doses of RTS,S. The vaccine prevented four in 10 cases of clinical malaria; three in 10 cases of severe malaria; and six in 10 cases of severe malaria anaemia, the most common reason children die from malaria. There were reductions in overall hospital admissions and the need for blood transfusions. The Way Forward Synergy: In high-burden regions, there is a need for Government’s ASHA or community health workers, who are equipped with rapid diagnostic kits, to quickly test and facilitate treatment.  Negating drug resistance: The above is important to ensure that medicines are given only to those who need it. Resistance to a drug develops when people are treated randomly or when those taking the drug do not complete its full course. Tackling under-reporting: data about people being treated in private hospitals may not be getting captured. If the Government mandated that the private sector report its malaria cases to them (as is with TB), that would be “powerful”. Proactive surveillance system: There is a need to keep looking as to where the first cases emerge from and report them immediately. All clinics and hospitals, both government and private, should be able to inform the authorities immediately, when there are suspected cases of dengue or chikungunya. Rapid response emergency vector control: With a focus on eradicating breeding places, prompt action should be taken to spray and fog suspected breeding grounds. An awareness campaign to ensure that patients seek early hospitalization during an epidemic: When dengue and chikungunya cases start appearing, people need to be aware of what they should do at the first signs, such as seeking treatment from proper hospitals with facilities for blood tests. Health personnel training: Health personnel should be given continuous training in the management and monitoring of dengue patients. There is a greater need to tailoring strategies not just State by State but in some cases district by district to end the disease. It is also high time that a collective demand for timely provision of amenities is made at the community level and a sense of shared responsibility by the citizenry to ensure that the gains from government’s efforts to reduce the incidence of vector-borne diseases bear fruit. Note: Why is malaria such a major global public health challenge? Malaria is a potentially life-threatening parasitic disease caused by the parasites Plasmodium viviax (P.vivax), Plasmodium falciparum (P.falciparum), Plasmodium malariae (P.malariae), and Plasmodium ovale (P.ovale), transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria, according to the WHO, remains one of the world’s leading killers, claiming the life of one child every two minutes. Most of these deaths are in Africa, where more than 2,50,000 children die from the disease every year. Children under the age of 5 are at greatest risk from its life-threatening complications. Rift Valley fever: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute, fever-causing viral disease most commonly observed in domesticated animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels), with the ability to infect and cause illness in humans. ‘MERA India’ to eliminate malaria by 2030: By The Indian Council of Medical Research – – a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control – in order to prioritise, plan and scale up research to eliminate the disease from India by 2030. It aims to harness and reinforce research in coordinated and combinatorial ways in order to achieve a tangible impact on malaria elimination. The National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program (NVBDCP) of India has developed a comprehensive framework to achieve the overarching vision of “Malaria free India by 2030”. New paper-based test kit for Malaria Detection: A group of researchers from IIT Guwahati has developed a simple detection method that uses an instrument when in the lab or a piece of chromatographic paper when in the field. Paper Test Kit for Malaria The kit can be used to detect Plasmodium parasite, which causes malaria and also specifically detect Plasmodium falciparum, a notorious species. Using an ordinary syringe fitted with a small magnet, magnetic beads and few chemicals inside, the researchers were able to specifically capture the antigen released by the parasites in the blood of malaria patients. As the blood has many interfering agents, the kit used magnetic bead–tethered aptamers (two small DNA molecules), which capture only the specific antigens and separate these from the blood serum to perform the reaction. This kit also has high stability in hot and humid conditions. Working mechanism When the captured antigens interact with specific substrates inside the syringe, the blue dye turns pink. The dye is then adsorbed over a modified chromatographic paper. The formation of pink colour on the paper is a direct indication of the presence of parasites in the blood serum. The intensity of the colour increases when the concentration of antigen is high. The intensity of the colour change is measured using a spectrophotometer. This gives a quantitative measurement and can detect very low level of the antigen in blood. Connecting the Dots: Diseases like Dengue and Chikungunya claim many lives every year. The panic generated and the scale of response thereon give these diseases the essential characteristics of a disaster. Discuss. Also examine the areas that require immediate attention to address such medical disasters. National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is an umbrella programme for prevention and control of vector borne diseases. Vector borne diseases that are being targeted are: Malaria Dengue Lymphatic Filariasis Kala-azar Which of the above options is/are correct? 1, 2 and 3 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 3 and 4 only All the above Figure out:  Is scrub typhus a vector borne disease? Is it possible for a patient to have Dengue and Chikungunya together? How does a patient suffer when he has Dengue? Why do our bodies require platelets and blood plasma? List of herbal remedies/plants useful to cure dengue? What’s the %ge of GDP kept for funding on health initiatives? Solution of qn 2: d. All of the above

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th July 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Geographical-Indication Tag (GI Tag) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS- III - Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources. In News After West Bengal(2017), Odisha gets GI tag for its version of Rasgulla The GI tag for the same product to both the neighbouring states recognizes the two distinct varieties of Rasgullas in taste and texture Do you know? A GI is a distinctive sign used to differentiate goods on the basis of its unique characteristics A GI tag helps in the branding and marketing of a local product It attracts penalties if copied by anybody outside that geographical region.GI enjoys legal protection under GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 While Bengalis claim the sweet was invented by Nobin Chandra Das (Birth: 1845) at his residence in Kolkata, Odias cite the tradition dating back to 12th century of rasgulla being offered at the Puri Jagannath Temple Tiger census Part of: Mains GS III- Conservation of Environment In News Tiger count rises by 33% in India with 2,967 tigers in the wild (2014 census-2226) However, the rise is uneven across states. MP had the highest rise of 218 tigers, reaching an estimated 526, while Chhattisgarh saw drastic fall in its count from 46 to 19 No tigers were found in Buxa (West Bengal), Dampa (Mizoram) and Palamau (Jharkhand), reserves that had very low numbers in earlier assessments Poaching(accounting for 24% of Tiger mortality), lack of protection and management measures, pressure on forests for expansion of human settlements are some of the hurdles in Tiger conservation Do You know? Tiger Census of India is considered to be the world’s largest wildlife survey, covering 381,000 sq. km India along with 12 other tiger range countries had committed to doubling the population of tigers in their respective countries by 2022, as part of the WWF programme Tx2 India completed its Tx2 target 4 years earlier India with 50 tiger reserves in 18 states has over 80% of the global tiger population which stands at 3,159 International Tiger Day is celebrated on 29 July annually to raise awareness about Tiger conservation National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Part of: Mains GS II- Mechanism for protection of vulnerable sections of society In News NCM has refused to entertain a plea to declare Hindus a “minority community” in those States where they do not form a majority of the population. NCM has no power/jurisdiction to declare new minority communities, such powers lie with the Central government. NCM instead works to ensure the progress and development of minorities and protect their religious, cultural and educational rights. Supreme Court in its judgement in the Bal Patil Vs Union of India case of 1999 had said that NCM’s role was to maintain the unity and integrity of India by eliminating the need for identifying communities as majority and minority Do you know? According to 2011 Census, Hindus are in monitory in eight states — Lakshadweep (2.5%), Mizoram (2.75%), Nagaland (8.75%), Meghalaya (11.53%), J&K (28.44%), Arunachal Pradesh (29%), Manipur (31.39%), and Punjab (38.40%). Constitution of India doesn't define the word 'Minority' but has used the word minorities considering two attributes religion or language of a person The Union Government set up NCM under the NCM Act, 1992 (Statutory body) Six religious communities, viz; Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains(6) have been notified in Gazette of India as minority communities all over India Economic Census Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS III- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources In News The government started off the 7th Economic Census (EC) from Tripura. It will be launched in other states and UT in August and September EC is the complete count of all establishments/units located within the geographical boundaries of India Agriculture is not covered in Economic Census It is being conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Program implementation (MoSPI) MoSPI has partnered with Common Service Centres, CSC e-Governance Service India Ltd(SPV of Ministry of Electronics & IT) as the implementing agency for EC The data will be collected through door to door survey of each household and commercial establishment under the provisions of Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Do You know? Six Economic Censuses have been conducted till date: 1977,1980,1990,1998,2005 and 2013 The EC is the only source of information on the significantly large unorganized sector in the economy As per the last EC conducted in 2013, there were 58.5 million establishments employing around 131 million workers (MAINS FOCUS) ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY TOPIC: General Studies 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Tiger census Context The four-year tiger census report, Status of Tigers in India, 2018, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, shows numbers of the big cat have increased across all landscapes. The total count has risen to 2,967 from 2,226 in 2014 — an increase of 741 individuals (aged more than one year), or 33%, in four years. Concerns: More than 80% of the world’s wild tigers are in India, and it’s crucial to keep track of their numbers More about tiger conservation: Why is a tiger census needed? The tiger sits at the peak of the food chain, and its conservation is important to ensure the well-being of the forest ecosystem. The tiger estimation exercise includes habitat assessment and prey estimation. The numbers reflect the success or failure of conservation efforts. This is an especially important indicator in a fast-growing economy like India where the pressures of development often run counter to the demands of conservation. How the tiger census was carried out? The census was carried out in four phases. Phases 1 and 2 It covered forest beats, generally spread over 15 sq km each, by Forest Departments, to collect signs of tiger presence like scat and pugmarks. Enumerators walked paths called line transects to estimate the abundance of prey. This was followed by sampling of plots along the transects to assess habitat characteristics, human impact, and prey dung density. Phase 3 The information was plotted on the forest map prepared with remote-sensing and GIS application. Sample areas were divided in 2-sq-km parcels, and trap cameras were laid in these grids. Phase 4 Data were extrapolated to areas where cameras could not be deployed. Which states/regions have done bad? Only one of the 20 tiger-bearing states has seen a fall in numbers — Chhattisgarh, where the census counted 19 tigers, significantly fewer than the 46 of 2014. The report has cited law and order as the reason — large parts of the state are hit by the Maoist insurgency. Greater conservation efforts are needed in the “critically vulnerable” Northeast hills and Odisha. No tiger has been found in the Buxa, Palamau and Dampa reserves. Which states have done good? The biggest increase has been in Madhya Pradesh — a massive 218 individuals (71%) from 308 in 2014 to 526. In Maharashtra, the number has gone up from 190 to 312 (64%), and In Karnataka, from 406 to 524 (118, or 29%). Uttarakhand has gained over 100 tigers (340 to 442; 30%) Madhya Pradesh's Pench sanctuary and Kerala’s Periyar sanctuary emerged as the best managed tiger reserves in the country. Why Pench sanctuary was considered best for tiger reserves? Pench was a well-managed reserve because it had a season-wise biodiversity plan as well as flying squads and tactical patrolling for managing security. There were regular meetings with local communities and funds collected from tourism were largely making it to the authorities for conservation purposes. India’s five tiger landscapes : Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains, Central Indian Landscape and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, North-East Hills and Brahmaputra Plains, The Sundarbans. Why the tiger population has been increased? Due to increased vigilance and conservation efforts by the Forest Department. The rehabilitation of villages outside core areas in many parts of the country has led to the availability of more inviolate space for tigers. organised poaching rackets have been all but crushed According to Nitin Desai of Wildlife Protection Society of India, there has been no organised poaching by traditional gangs in Central Indian landscapes since 2013. The increased protection has encouraged the tiger to breed. Also, because estimation exercises have become increasingly more accurate over the years App developed to estimate tiger population: Wildlife officials used mobile application M-STrIPES (Monitoring System For Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) to estimate the big cat population The M-STrIPES, the application used by forest guards, is GPS-enabled and helps to capture data relating to tiger sightings, deaths, wildlife crime and ecological observations while patrolling. This mobile app records the track a forest official walks and geotags the sightings of tigers and even other animals or signs which helps in the estimation The other software used for tiger estimation was Spatially Explicit Capture Recapture (SECR) and Extract Compare, which helps differentiate between the stripes of tigers as each has a different pattern. Key notes: Project Tiger Aims at conserving India’s national animal i.e. Tiger. Launched in 1973 The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy. The core areas have the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary, whereas the buffer or peripheral areas are a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a multiple use area. The Project Tiger aims to foster an exclusive tiger agenda in the core areas of tiger reserves, with an inclusive people oriented agenda in the buffer. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change providing central assistance to the tiger States for tiger conservation in designated tiger reserves. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Ministry, with an overarching supervisory / coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The All India tiger estimation is carried out once in every four years. Action and initiatives were taken by the government for Tiger conservation The government of India has taken several steps which includes legal steps, administrative steps and financial steps to ensure and promote Tiger conservation in India. 1. Legal initiatives The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was amended in 2006 to provide enabling provisions and constituting National Tiger conservation authority. Also, tiger and other endangered species crime control bureau were created through this amendment. The punishments for cases of offences related to the Tiger Reserves and its core area was increased. 2. Administrative Actions The government has taken steps for preventing poaching activities which includes a special strategy for monsoon patrolling etc. Under the chairmanship of respective Chief Ministers, state-level steering committees have been established along with the establishment of the Tiger Conservation Foundation. A special Tiger Protection Force was created by the Union budget 2008. 3. Financial initiatives The Government of India is providing financial and technical Support to the state Governments under the centrally sponsored schemes such as Project Tiger, and integrated development of wildlife habitats etc. Conclusion: Tigers are terminal consumers in the ecological food pyramid, and their conservation results in the conservation of all trophic levels in an ecosystem We have to create a healthy balance between sustainability and development. Connecting the dots: Discuss the challenges for the conservation of Tiger and suggest the measures to conserve the tigers? INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 International Relations Bilateral, regional & global groupings & agreements involving India &/or affecting India’s interests Regional Comprehensive Economic partnership (RCEP) and India Context Australia is leading diplomats from various countries involved in the negotiations for the 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement to convince India to commit to the deal by the end of the year. Concerns: Serious concerns, including worries over the flooding of the market with Chinese goods The lack of access for Indian services in the RCEP countries What is RCEP? The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed mega-regional Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between 16 Asia-Pacific countries. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was established in order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties’ participation in economic development of the region. It was established by the leaders of 16 participating countries on November 12, 2012 at Phnom Penh summit. The RCEP will include all the nations with which the ASEAN has trade deals — New Zealand, Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely People’s Republic of China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). The Partnership will account for nearly 45 % of the global population with a combined gross domestic product of $21.3 trillion How RCEP benefits India? It is expected to provide market access for India’s goods and services exports and encourage greater investments and technology into India. It would also facilitate India’s MSMEs to effectively integrate into the regional value and supply chains. On the other hand, India is not a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) which is a grouping of twenty-one countries in the Asia Pacific region with an aim to deepen and strengthen economic and technological cooperation amongst APEC member countries. The RCEP negotiation includes: trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement, e-commerce, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other issues. India has consistently focused on services trade norms, such as those allowing the free movement of trained professionals across national boundaries. This would effectively allow Indian professionals — such as chartered accountants, teachers and nurses — to practice in other RCEP nations without the need for bilateral mutual recognition agreements. Since India has an abundance of trained labor that is interested in migrating while sending remittances back home, this is a prime focus area for the country. What are the hurdles where the India got stuck? The talks have seen little movement since partner nations have been unwilling to concede on crucial issues under planning since 2012. The crucial issues of goods, services including easier movement of professionals and, investment are also the areas of negotiation. The main bone of contention is market access for foreign goods and reduction of import duties on them. This is the discussion area where India is gravely cautious since manufacturing powerhouse China is part of the arrangement. India fears the RCEP pact will allow China to push its products at lower prices and finally capture the market. At present, India’s import barriers remain high to Chinese products. The $63 billion trade deficit with China remains a burning political issue for the government and security concerns have also arisen over Chinese conglomerates dictating market trends in sectors such as telecommunication. On the other hand, richer nations like Australia and New Zealand have remained adamant on issues such as seeking more leeway in selling specific products such as dairy and fruits in India. India has also moved slowly on investment norms, especially dispute settlement guidelines. The Australian High Commissioner to India : It was the industry’s responsibility to use the FTAs well. Australia is leading diplomats from various countries to convince India to commit to the deal by the end of the year. Indian negotiators like any good negotiators can get the best deal in their own country’s interests. But the second part is that industry has to use the access that they gain from the agreement to extend their reach Conclusion: Despite the challenges to be faced by industry, the government is keen to be part of the pact as once implemented the RCEP could be the largest free trade zone in the world as member countries account for 25 per cent of global GDP, 30 per cent of global trade, 26 per cent of global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and 45 per cent of the total population. Connecting the dots: Discuss the gains of India from joining RCEP negotiation table and what are the challenges to India? How RCEP is important for India? Discuss. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Consider the following statements National Commission of Minorities is a Constitutional Body National Commission of Minorities declares whether a Community is minority or not Article-29 and 30 in Constitution has defined the meaning of Minority Which of the above statements are incorrect? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.2) Consider the following statements about Economic Census It is being conducted for first time in country to ascertain the size of informal sector Ministry of Statistics & Program implementation is conducting this Census All Farm and non-farm activities are considered in this census Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements National Tiger Conservation authority is a statutory body headed by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dampa Tiger reserve is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ  A straightforward lesson on resolution The Hindu Raja Mandala: Great game in Africa Indian Express Change without reform Indian Express Understanding Articles 370, 35A Indian Express Access Denied Indian Express International Seabed Authority must strike a balance between technology, conservation Financial Express

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 37

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 37 Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Red Mud’ It is a waste product of refining bauxite en route to alumina. It is highly acidic in nature causing environmental hazards. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) ‘Shahab-3’, is a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile by Iran North Korea Syria Afghanistan Q.3) ‘Dracaena cambodiana’, a plant which yields a bright red resin was discovered in  Assam Andaman and Nicobar Islands Kerala Himachal Pradesh Q.4) ‘Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary’, is located in Tamil Nadu Kerala Maharashtra Andhra Pradesh Q.5) ________________ is the first species to be officially declared threatened due to deep-sea mining. Sea Pangolin Vaquita Humpback Whale Narwhal To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th July 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) RCEP negotiations Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS- II – International Relations In News: Australia is leading a negotiation team of RCEP countries so as to convince India to commit to the deal (Free Trade Agreement) by this year end. About RCEP: Regional Comprehensive Cooperation agreement – is a proposed free trade agreement between 10 members of ASEAN and its five FTA partners (China, India, Australia, Japan, New Zealand) RCEP negotiation was formally launched in 2012, whose member states together account for 3.4 billion people and approximately 40% of world’s GDP. Do you know? Members of Indian Industry are resisting RCEP due to following concerns  Flooding of the market with Chinese goods impacting domestic manufacturers Lack of access to Indian services in the RCEP countries (Services is India’s strong area and has huge potential to tap into RCEP market) Cyber security - Agent Smith Part of: Mains GS III- Challenges to internal security through communication networks In News: Agent Smith is the latest malware to creep into android phones. This malware can replace apps on android phones with malicious versions without the user’s knowledge. As of now Agent Smith is only infiltrating mobile phones with the intention of throwing up advertisements (sudden rise) for other apps. However, once the malware has control over a cell phone, it can do anything, including stealing banking details or other sensitive data, liable to its misuse. It is estimated to have already impacted 25 million devices, Indian constituting nearly 60% of them. Users are thus advised against downloading third party apps and keep their operating system updated. Railway reforms Part of: Mains GS III- Infrastructure: Railways In News Government is contemplating to start import of complete train sets from foreign suppliers if they agreed to establish the coach manufacturing facility in India. Railways would evolve standard eligibility criteria for propulsion systems as was done by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs that operates the Metro Railway. Do You Know? Centre plans to corporatize production units of Indian railways like - Integral Coach Factory in Chennai (Largest such facility in the world) , Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli, and Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala. Corporatization is the process of transforming government assets into corporations. In this case, the production units of Indian Railways will be converted into government-owned company Advantages of corporatization: Managerial autonomy, superior operational efficiency, attract investments, bring in start-of-the-art technology and export capability Opposition to Corporatization: Opposition by trade unions due to increased vulnerability of their jobs, considered as first step of privatization which would increase cost for consumers Himalayan conclave at Mussorie Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS II-  issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure In News Himalayan states gathered together and made the following demands to the centre A separate Union ministry to deal with problems endemic to them A green bonus in recognition of their contribution to environment conservation. Rationale behind such demands Most of the country’s rivers originate in the Himalayan states and thus they have to play significant role in water conservation efforts Also large part of their land fell into eco-sensitive zones where developmental activities are severely restricted A green bonus is thus needed to compensation for their disadvantages Do You Know? 11 Himalayan states of India are - Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakahand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagalaland, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed in May 2019 so as to holistically resolve water crisis Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) to be started from September 2019 is a time-bound, mission-mode water conservation campaign. JSA will focus on five aspects –  Water conservation and rainwater harvesting Renovation of traditional and other water bodies Reuse of water and recharging of structures watershed development, and Intensive afforestation Hurdles in Colistin ban Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS III-  Economics of animal-rearing.  In News Kerala is gearing to implement the Union Ministry’s ban on Colistin and its formulations, for food producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements. However, the actual implementation of the ban is fraught with challenges due to lack of any control on the imports of Colistin from China Do you know? Colistin is a valuable, last-resort antibiotic that saves lives in critical care units.  Off-late there has been rise in patients who have exhibited resistance to this drug (ineffective against pathogens) Colistin is highly misused in poultry industry as a growth promoter which is one of reason for increasing antibiotic resistance in India The poultry market in increasing in India due to poultry integration, a kind of contract farming wherein integrators supply chicks, feed, veterinary aid, medication and other  inputs to farmers and then buy back the birds after five weeks. (MAINS FOCUS) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TOPIC: General Studies 3 Awareness in the fields of IT Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Ban or regulate crypto currency? Context An inter-ministerial committee (IMC) that was set up to assess the viability of virtual currencies has recommended that India should ban private crypto currencies such as Bitcoin.  Concerns: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government doesn’t consider them legal tender.  The Reserve Bank of India has repeatedly warned the public of the risks associated with dealing with cryptocurrencies.  There have been cases of consumers being defrauded, including in India. What are virtual currencies? A virtual currency is a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded and functions as a medium of exchange, and/ or a unit of account, and/or  a store of value,  But, unlike fiat currency like the rupee, it is not legal tender and does not have the backing of a government. A cryptocurrency is a subset of virtual currencies, and is decentralised, and protected by cryptography. There are block chains which are online registers and through these online registers, people can actually buy these currencies and mine the currencies and use them as instrument of exchange. There are about 9-10 crypto currencies in the world right now.  Bitcoins is the largest cryptocurrency in the world because they are computer generated currencies and the codes are completely secret, so nobody masters it. Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, Ethereum, PPcoin, Dogecoin, Coinye, Namecoin etc. are some of the examples of cryptocurrencies. Important terms related to cryptocurrency: Distributed Ledger Technologies DLT refers to technologies that involve the use of independent computers (also referred to as nodes) to record, share, and synchronise transactions in their respective electronic ledgers. All virtual currencies use DLT. Blockchain technology It is a specific kind of DLT that came to prominence after Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency that used it, became popular. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin use codes to encrypt transactions and stack them up in blocks, creating Blockchains.  It is the use of codes that differentiates cryptocurrencies from other virtual currencies Transactions A transfer of funds between two digital wallets is called a transaction. That transaction gets submitted to a public ledger and awaits confirmation. Mining In simple terms, mining is the process of confirming transactions and adding them to a public ledger. In order to add a transaction to the ledger, the “miner” must solve an increasingly-complex computational problem (like a mathematical puzzle). Benefits of cryptocurrencies Ownership: Cryptocurrencies hold the promise of making it easier to transfer funds directly between two parties in a transaction, without the need for a trusted third party such as a bank or credit card company Low transaction fee: Fund transfers are done with minimal processing fees, allowing users to avoid the steep fees charged by most banks and financial institutions for wire transfers. Identity Protection: Paying with credit/debit cards requires submitting sensitive banking information that could be stolen or compromised. Cryptocurrency can be sent directly to a recipient without any information other than total amount you want to send. Risk-free for sellers: Payments using Cryptocurrency can’t be reversed, which means merchants don’t have to worry about stopped payments. The blockchain makes it difficult for you to be defrauded. Demerits of Cryptocurrency Accessibility: Since cryptocurrency mining and transactions can only happen on network, illiterate people will find it difficult to understand the working mechanism. Also rural areas that do not have access to internet will not be able to perform cryptocurrency transactions. Threat of hacking: using bitcoins, providing a data structure for this ledger that is exposed to a limited threat from hackers and can be copied across all computers running Bitcoin software Volatility: Cryptocurrency exchange rates can vary greatly, which means the amount you pay or receive one day could be wildly different next day. What is the IMC’s view on DLT and cryptocurrencies? The first thing to understand is that the IMC recognises the potential of DLT and Blockchain.  The IMC accepts that internationally, the application of DLT is being explored in the areas of trade finance, mortgage loan applications, digital identity management or KYC requirements, cross-border fund transfers and clearing and settlement systems.  To that extent, it recommends the Department of Economic Affairs (within the Finance Ministry) to take necessary measures to facilitate the use of DLT in the entire financial field after identifying its uses.  The IMC also recommends that regulators — RBI, SEBI, IRDA, PFRDA, and IBBI — explore evolving appropriate regulations for development of DLT in their respective areas. The IMC’s view is that it “would be advisable to have an open mind regarding the introduction of an official digital currency in India”.  It noted that the RBI Act has the enabling provisions to permit the central government to approve a “Central Bank Digital Currency” (CBDC) as legal tender in India. Second, scaling up such a currency system over a large population would require crippling levels of energy resources. Currencies such as Bitcoin require humongous processing power.  According to a report by the Bank of International Settlement, Bitcoin processing already uses as much energy as is used by Switzerland; it called this an environmental disaster. Third, the IMC is worried that if private cryptocurrencies are allowed to function as legal tender, the RBI would lose control over the monetary policy and financial stability, as it would not be able to keep a tab on the money supply in the economy Fourth, the anonymity of private digital currencies make them vulnerable to money laundering and use in terrorist financing activities while making law enforcement difficult. Fifth, there is no grievance redressal mechanism in such a system, as all transactions are irreversible. The inter-ministerial committee believes it is, going so far as to draft a law that mandates a fine and imprisonment of up to 10 years for the offences of mining, generating, holding, selling, dealing in, transferring, disposing of, or issuing cryptocurrencies. Conclusion: An outright ban on cryptocurrency may not be a good idea. If new currency is popular, it would be wise to take note of it, accept the advent of technology, recognize the rise in popularity of cryptocurrency and then introduce safeguard, measures and regulatory structure by which people do not feel that they should have something to fall back on. The government will see opportunities for revenues as large number of people have made gains through cryptocurrency. Connecting the dots: Cryptocurrencies are bound to fail as a medium of exchange for its speculative nature and digital existence. Comment. What are crytpocurrencies ? what are the risks associated with crytptocurrency?Discuss India’s stand on cryptocurrencies. SECURITY/BORDER MANAGEMENT TOPIC: General Studies 3 Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. Security challenges and their management in border areas Army’s first Integrated Battle Groups Context: The new concept of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) which the Army plans to create as part of overall force transformation is close to implementation, More about Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs): IBGs are brigade-sized, agile, self-sufficient combat formations, which can swiftly launch strikes against adversary in case of hostilities. IBG would be tailor-made based on Threat, Terrain and Task and resources will be allotted based on the three T s. The IBGs will also be defensive and offensive.  While the offensive IBGs would quickly mobilise and make thrust into enemy territory for strikes Defensive IBGs would hold ground at vulnerable points or where enemy action is expected. The concept of IBGs has already been test-bedded by 9 Corps.  They will be able to mobilise within 12-48 hrs based on the location They need to be light so they will be low on logistics, A command is the largest static formation of the Army spread across a defined geography, a corps is the largest mobile formation. Typically each corps has about three brigades.  The idea is to reorganise them into IBGs which are brigade-sized units but have all the essential elements like infantry, armoured, artillery and air defence embedded together based on the three Ts An IBG operating in a desert needs to be constituted differently from an IBG operating in the mountains. Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat has initiated four major studies to undertake overall transformation of the force. Aim: The aim is holistic integration to enhance the operational and functional efficiency, optimise budget expenditure, facilitate force modernisation and address aspirations. Restructuring of Army Headquarters Force restructuring which includes creation of Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) The cadre review of officers and  Review of the terms and conditions of Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks Conclusion The overall transformation will also see a reduction in the size of the 1.3 million Army After the Parliament attack, the Indian military undertook massive mobilisation but the formations which were deep inside took weeks to mobilise losing the element of surprise. IBG Groups to be structured by end of next month Connecting the dots: What in your opinion should be the selection principle in critical organisations like defence? Critically evaluate. Do you think that the Integrated battle groups serves the purpose in overall transformation of the force. Critically analyse. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Which of the following countries are part to RCEP negotiations Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct? China USA  Japan Singapore South Korea Select the correct answer from the codes given below 1,2 and 3 only 1,2,3 and 4 only 1,3,4 and 5 only 1,3 and 4 only Q.2) Agent Smith recently seen in news is related to which of the following? Espionage Humanoid robot Mobile malware AI application for Crime reporting Q.3) Which of the following statements is/are correct? Integral Coach Factory in Chennai is the largest coach making facility in the world Metro Railway comes under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Select the correct answer from the codes given below 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Arrange the following cities from South to North? Chennai Rae Bareli Varanasi Kapurthala Patiala Select the correct answer from the codes given below 1-2-3-4-5 1-3-2-4-5 1-3-2-5-4 1-2-3-5-4 Q.5) Which of the following statements is/are correct? Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed by merging Ministry of Water resources, River development and Ganga rejuvenation and Ministry of Drinking water and sanitation Water is under the concurrent list of Indian Constitution Select the correct answer from the codes given below 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ Sexism in Parliament The Hindu Governing India through fiscal math The Hindu Respecting reproductive choice The Hindu The digital identification parade Indian Express In Good Faith: The Divine Patriarchy Indian Express

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 36

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 36 Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements India has been allotted a site of 75,000 sq. km. in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the UN International Sea Bed Authority for exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN). India has an Exclusive Economic zone spread over 2.2 Million sq.kms Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following about O-SMART scheme: It is a mission to promote millet cultivation ‘as we move towards climate-smart agriculture in the wake of frequent droughts’. The scheme is being piloted by the Union earth sciences ministry. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Which of the following best describes the term ‘Gig Economy’ which is sometimes seen in the news? It is an economy with high prevalence of failing start ups It is characterized by prevalence of short term contracts and freelance work It is characterized by export oriented manufacturing It is characterized by high prevalence of permanent jobs in organized sector Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘International Seabed Authority (ISA)’ It is an organization established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Polymetallic nodules’ They are rock concretions on the sea bottom formed of concentric layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core They are only found in the central Pacific Ocean Select the corrects statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – Data & Privacy: How Safe Are Apps?

Data & Privacy: How Safe Are Apps? Archives TOPIC: General studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections In News: Faceapp, an image-editing app has caught the imagination of everyone from New York to Sydney; from Brussels to Chennai and beyond. There are millions of people, including several in India, who are transforming their current photo, using the apps age filter to see what they will look like when they are old. And these people are also sharing these photos on social media. The problem, however, is that just with any other app that uses personal data such as a photo, there are privacy concerns around FaceApp.  Privacy Concerns A number of people have raised concerns, including a US senator who wants the app investigated by the FBI for possible data misuse.  The primary issue seems to be a clause in the terms and conditions of FaceApp. This clause says users give FaceApp "a perpetual, irrevocable, nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, fully-paid, transferable sub-licensable license" to use photos they upload. Similar fears were raised when the trend of #10yearchallenge went viral on Facebook in January this year. In this people uploaded their photos from 10 years earlier to show how they changed. Especially since FaceApp do not require users to log and 99 per cent don’t (as per data by FaceApp), there is no way to relate which photo belongs to whom. In short, there is no way to identify a person. So this can be classified as anonymised data used for training machine learning algorithms, but of very limited use otherwise. What is more worrying is that the app uploads pictures to the cloud rather than storing locally, which according to the company helps with the performance and traffic. FaceApp said in a statement that “most” images are deleted from their servers within 48 hours of upload, though there is no clarity on whether photos are deleted from the AWS and Google Cloud that the company uses as well. However, there are other apps that do the same to overcome the lack of processing power in certain devices. The looming question of data privacy More and more people and organisations are online, leaving digital footprints every step of the way. Taken together, this data trail is a much sought-after commodity, monetised by businesses. It can also prove to be destructive in the wrong hands. Individuals, organisations and the government scramble to safeguard personal data and privacy in the age of the internet. Cases: Case 1: The issue of privacy breach came to light once again when Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari stated in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha on July 10 that the government had given 87 private companies and 32 government entities access to the ministry’s Vahan (vehicle registration) and Sarathi (driving licence) database for a sum of ₹65 crore. Case 2: Early in March this year, cybersecurity researcher Bob Diachenko from Germany discovered that over 12.5 million Indian women’s medical records were available online without a password. Despite being alerted, the ministry of health and family welfare took its time to get CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team), the country’s nodal agency for cybersecurity, to fix the issue. Details related to ultrasound scans, pregnancy complications and abortions, among others, were on view for three whole weeks, in a major breach of privacy and doctor-patient confidentiality. Case 3: In June 2018, 2.5 lakh students’ names, phone numbers and roll numbers for NEET, the medical college entrance exam, were available for sale online. Aadhaar-related leaks are frequently reported in India, with cooking gas supplier Indane alone blamed for outing millions of numbers through two different leaks. How does the breach of data affect the ordinary citizen?  Outed bank details can lead to financial fraud Mark sheets can trigger cyber-bullying Private information can be the basis for blackmail or other criminal activities Private data out in the open can also spark psychological problems.  Being the target of focused advertising can be a menace. Companies can use a person’s data, such as search history, for instance, to know more about the person, and thereby target him or her with customised ads. What should consumers be aware of? Google recently admitted that its employees were listening to the ambient data collected by the Google Home personal assistant device, purportedly to help improve the AI, or artificial intelligence, software used by them. Since this data is collected without the user’s knowledge, it raises security and surveillance concerns. Criminals can, for instance, potentially hack security cameras to break into homes and offices. Even more terrifyingly, hackers can take control of your unsecured devices and deny you access by taking down portions of the internet through what is known as DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks. When downloading any new app, users get permission-dialogue boxes, requesting for access to media and document libraries, your camera and microphone. Read carefully and take a stance on what permissions you may or may not be granting. Some apps end up linking up with apps which are in turn linked with banking apps, so be mindful. One shouldn’t use social media accounts to link-up with any third-party apps. For example, if you use Facebook to log into an app such as FaceApp, they may be able to gain access to device details, or even behaviour patterns. Any data you voluntarily or involuntarily supply can then be used by the app (maliciously or otherwise) or sold as data. There needs to be a framework for privacy and data protection and access to data; where it is stored is not important. Even the EU GDPR does not mandate localisation. Framework with enforcement is the need of the day. It is time to look at consumption patterns when it comes to technology, switch to safer alternatives, practise self-control and avoid over-sharing. While technology makes almost every aspect of one’s life more convenient, that comfort comes at a price. If you aren’t paying for a product, or an app in this case, you’re probably the product being sold. Note:  Srikrishna Committee made recommendations to the government for the data protection bill. An important judgement in 2017 in the context of data privacy is the Supreme Court of India’s recognition of privacy as a fundamental right. Must Read: Assessment: Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee recommendations   Essay Topics:  FaceApp was a test. We didn't pass. Information and data are the new oil of the 21st century. Connecting the Dots: A law cannot fix what is broken in technology – Comment. Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cybercrimes. The justice B.N Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating the protection of personal data in cyberspace? Data protection is one of the key elements for a robust cyber policy. Analyse.

AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Government’s Initiatives for a Robust Fishery Sector

Government’s initiatives for a robust fishery sector ARCHIVES Search 10th July, 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx        TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population – Fishermen communities General studies 3  Issues related to Fisheries Sector In News: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a new scheme to promote processing in fishery sector and allocated an estimated Rs 3,737 crore for the newly carved out Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.  Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying The new ministry was formed in order to promote the allied farm sector that has huge potential to help achieve the government's target of doubling farmers' income by 2022.  Creating a separate department for fisheries in the Union government is a significant step. Fisheries are the primary source of livelihood for several communities.  A concentrated effort by an independent department could help the government achieve its objective of doubling farmers’ income, provided its policies address the challenge of sustainability. Of the total budget allocated to the new ministry, Rs 2,932.25 crore is estimated to be spent on various schemes to promote animal husbandry and dairying, while Rs 804.75 crore for fisheries sector in the current fiscal. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)  Will be established under the Department of Fisheries for a robust fisheries management framework  Will address critical gaps in the value chain, including infrastructure, modernisation, traceability, production, productivity, post-harvest management, and quality control  India and Fishery India is the world’s second-largest fish producer with exports worth more than Rs 47,000 crore. Fisheries are the country’s single-largest agriculture export, with a growth rate of 6 to 10 per cent in the past five years. Its significance is underscored by the fact that the growth rate of the farm sector in the same period is around 2.5 per cent. The 'fisheries and aquaculture sector' is recognized as the sunshine sector in Indian agriculture. It stimulates growth of number of subsidiary industries and is the source of livelihood for a large section of economically backward population, especially fishermen, of the country. It helps in increasing food supply, generating adequate employment opportunities and raising nutritional level. It has a huge export potential and is a big source of foreign exchange earnings for the country. Fishery is basically a State subject and the primary responsibility for its development mainly rests with the State Governments. The Challenge However, like in rest of the world, India’s fisheries sector faces the challenge of sustainability. The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture reports note that nearly 90 per cent of the global marine fish stocks have either been fully-exploited, or over-fished or depleted to an extent that recovery may not be biologically possible. In order to meet the ever-increasing demand for animal protein, global fish production should touch 196 million tonnes by 2025 — it currently stands at 171 million tonnes. But India has the potential to bridge this gap provided it concentrates on aquaculture — fish farming. The country has a comparative advantage in this respect. It has a marine fisher population of 3.5 million; 10.5 million people are engaged in inland fishery and fish farming. However, the productivity in both sectors is low — in terms of per fisher, per boat and per farm. In Norway, a fisherman/farmer catches/produces 250 kg per day while the Indian average is four to five kg. However, the performance of this sector in India is impressive when one compares it with the average growth of the fisheries sector all over the world.  Neel Kranti (Blue Revolution) plan to triple the country’s earning from fish exports; aims at increasing fish production by 50 per cent to 15.2 million tons and triple the export earnings through the same to Rs 1 lakh crore by year 2020.  The scheme adopted a two-pronged approach: Sustainable capture fishery to harness marine and inland water resources and expanding the horizon of fish farming through increased coverage, enhanced productivity, species diversification and better market returns. A new Blue Revolution is an achievable target. But if the lessons from the first Blue Revolution between 1987 and 1997 are not learnt then the new Blue Revolution can become counterproductive. The Blue Revolution 2.0 will succeed only if its growth revolves around sustainable forms of aquaculture. The Way Forward India’s aquaculture sector, however, has the potential to upstage China and, in the process, create greater employment opportunities, increase the volume of exports, strengthen the rural economy and contribute substantially to the country’s GDP. But, to raise its game, India will need fresh strategies or rather a 2030 Master Plan for this important sector – Lay special thrust on increasing productivity in inland fisheries along with full utilisation of the country’s deep sea fishing potential.  It is true that China has the innate advantage of more than twice the coastal line of India and has larger areas of inland water resources and reservoirs. But, that should not deter India because it has one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) areas of over 2 million sq km compared to China’s 0.88 million sq km. The development of EEZ calls for new systems and large-scale deployment of offshore aquaculture activities of high value species.  Ocean ranching is one area which will yield rich social dividends, without damaging the ecosystem. India also needs a single uniform national data on marine fisheries because authentic data truly reflect ground realities which in turn help in efficient planning for the future.’ Leveraging tech China has already brought in 5G technology to its offshore aquaculture activities to increase output and promote tourism. A few dedicated satellites for the management of fisheries is required. Further, stringent laws and their enforcement ensuring habitat protection should be part of the 2030 Master Plan, as also a quality policy protecting the names of specific species uniquely linked to the country’s geography using geographical indication (GI). India’s approach to inland fisheries too needs a dynamic policy shift to align with the 2030 Master Plan because the sector continues to suffer from under-utilisation and poor yield stemming from traditional fish culture practices.  For better utilisation of our coastal, brackish and inland resources, India needs to create broodstock banks for the diversification of cultivable species. It also needs to introduce cost-effective open-pond re-circulatory system and integrated multi-tropic, multi-species farming. Biosecurity, aquamimicry and biofloc are other innovative aquaculture practices which can be put into use to achieve higher yields at reduced cost. Farm upgradation and automation using AI/IOT, instrumentation, sensors, underwater telemetry and other cyber-physical systems of production are important for the industry. The country should also look at the cultivation of macro and microalgae since it requires limited space. Growing at 10 times the rate of terrestrial plants, algae matures quickly and results in a comparatively higher yield. Additionally, the nutritional value of algae supports its potential use as a main ingredient in feeds. This will take away the dependence on fish meal for production of animal feeds. Increased area of cultivation and yield is one thing while product marketing is another. Achieving the former would be of no use if the products are not market-ready. It is here we need to factor in processing and value addition. Currently, India does value addition only to a negligible 10 per cent of the total catch while the rest is sold as a commodity, susceptible to the exploitation of the primary producers by the middlemen. Role of logistics Food processing and marketing cannot become complete in the absence of logistics. A robust logistics support requires complementary infrastructural facilities like cold chain and storage facilities to handle peak harvests.  Creation of cold chains can help reduce spoilage losses which are currently at 30-35 per cent. Marketing infrastructure and cloud-based market intelligence should also be put in place. India should also take the lead in empowering the discernible fish fans across the world by allowing them to trace the back history of the fish it cultivates as to how they were grown, what they were fed with and the methods by which they were caught and processed. It means a quality certification authenticating globally accepted good management practices involving the twin elements of sustainability and traceability both for the marine and inland sectors. Sustainability being the pivot of 2030 Master Plan, there should also be efforts to integrate aquaculture and agriculture to boost farmers’ income.  Conclusion: The Economic Survey 2018-19 has called for "greater emphasis" on allied sectors with a major focus on dairy, poultry, fisheries and rearing of small ruminants in order to transform the rural economy. Bringing allied sector such as fisheries in focus can help the development of fishing communities and fisheries as an occupation.  India exported fish worth ₹45,000 crore in 2017-18 and has the potential to scale up this figure to ₹4,50,000 crore. Also the world’s appetite for fish and fish-related products is growing steadily and the $232-billion industry is expanding at a rate of 6 per cent annually. But, the country needs a definite roadmap, a clutter-free direction, and loads of fresh ideas to navigate its way to reach the goal of the new Blue Revolution. Note: Marine capture fishery comprises largely of small fishermen who operate traditional boats — either non-motorised vessels or boats with a basic outboard motor. These vessels cannot operate beyond near shore waters. High value species such as tuna cannot be caught by fishermen who use these vessels. This means that while the near-shore coastal waters are highly overfished, the high value fish stock proliferates in the deep seas. New National Policy on Marine Fisheries The new policy provides guidance for promoting ‘Blue Growth Initiative’ which focus on ushering ‘Blue Revolution’. The policy talks of introducing deep-sea fishing vessels and assisting fishing communities to convert their vessels and gears for the waters beyond. The policy envisages intensive fish farming through increased stocking of seed, better feed quality and diversification of species. Innovative practices such as re-circulatory aquaculture system aim to realise the goal of more crop per drop. The government has invested in hatcheries to meet the ever-increasing demand for good quality fish seed. Productivity of freshwater fish farms and productivity of brackish water coastal aquaculture has gone up. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund The investment of Rs 3,000 crore in the Blue Revolution is being supplemented through the Rs 7,523-crore Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund. This will meet the capital investment requirement of this sector. Challenges and issues facing the fisheries development  Lack of accurate data on assessment of fishery resources and their potential in terms of fish production Slow development of sustainable technologies for fin and shell fish culture Low yield optimisation Harvest and post-harvest operations Landing and berthing facilities for fishing vessels Welfare of fishermen Connecting the Dots: Fishing and fishermen communities are closely aligned with farming and are crucial to rural India. Examine. Examine the bottlenecks associated with the current Fisheries Sector in India. Also suggest ways to address them. What is Blue Revolution? Examine why the creation of a separate Fisheries Department is significant.

IAS UPSC Current Affairs Magazine JUNE 2019

IAS UPSC Current Affairs Magazine JUNE 2019 ARCHIVES Hello Friends, This is the 49th edition of IASbaba’s Current Affairs Monthly Magazine. Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination is an important factor in this preparation. An effort towards making your Current Affairs for IAS UPSC Preparation qualitative. We hope you make the best use of it! This edition covers all important current affairs issues that were in news for the month of JUNE 2019 DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE- CLICK HERE

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Most important life lessons - Growth – Inspirational Educative Articles

Most important life lessons - Growth: Entire life is a learning process and yet there will always be a few learnings that can be categorized as universal and absolutely necessary. Of all the things that we can learn from life, what are some of the most important of all? Life is a very personal experience. It might sound clichéd, but it is a fact; a fact very few people fully understand and acknowledge. When we study life as ‘the life’, there is very little we can learn from it, but when we study life as ‘my life’ the learning is never ending. Let us step away from all the fixed ideas and concepts of life and try and understand life from an individual’s point of view; that is the only point of view that matters, everything else is simply conceptual with very little significance. The first lesson of life is ‘growth’. As far as the individual is concerned, nothing defines life better than the word ‘growth’. The single biggest driving force of an individual is growth; if you are not growing, you are not living. Growing has to be the single biggest priority of life. Growing has to be foundation of life. What growth are we talking about here? Is it just physical growth, financial growth? No. We have to grow in every way possible in order to live life to the fullest; we have to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and of course financially. When growth is the foundation of life, the way we approach our life changes completely; our attitude towards life changes. Instead of looking at life as reaching to some destination, we will accept that changing and growing is an integral part of life. We are not here to reach somewhere, we are here to grow. If we have to grow, then we need to keep learning. If growing is central to life, then learning becomes the most important aspect of life. This is where people get truly separated. Those who look at life as some kind of destination will get tired of learning and those who look at life as a continuous process of growing, value learning more than anything else and will continue to learn for the rest of their lives. This makes a huge difference. When faced with difficulties and challenges, nothing comes to our rescue like the right attitude. The ultimate right approach towards life is looking at it as a continuous learning process. From inside out, from the point of view of the individual, from your point of view, life is simply a process of growing. We will look at other lessons of life next week…. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Meditation Farm and IASBABA.”

Important Articles

IASbaba's POLITICAL SCIENCE and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (PSIR) OPTIONAL CLASSES to Start from 5th August 2019 (Monday)

IASbaba's POLITICAL SCIENCE and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (PSIR) OPTIONAL CLASSES to Start from 5th August 2019 (Monday) POLITICAL SCIENCE and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (PSIR) OPTIONAL  Thank you for the overwhelming response we received for the Orientation Session which was held on 6th July, 2019. Choosing optional for Civil services mains exam is extremely crucial job. If you have decided that POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS is the subject for you, you have taken the right decision…!!!! The classes will be taken by Mr. Rahul Saigaonker, a topper himself in Political Science in UPSC 2016, MTech from NITK Surathkal, (MA Pol Sci). He has keen interest in 21st century Public policy issues and has 5 years of teaching experience. PSIR is undoubtedly a good subject to choose as an optional. We have few things to reinforce your faith in your decision. You may like to read the following points that will strengthen your conviction about PSIR: PSIR is highly relevant and interesting subject with reference to a career in civil services. PSIR is also a high scoring subject in UPSC mains. PSIR has huge overlap with GS syllabus. For instance, Paper I part B of PSIR totally overlaps with Indian polity and governance. Paper II of PSIR will help one in preparing for IR for general studies. Various political thinkers we study in PSIR will help immensely in ethics paper also. PSIR will greatly help in developing better perspectives for Essay paper and Personality test.   FEATURES OF THE PROGRAMME: Special focus on coverage of contemporary theories and commentaries especially in Paper-1 Part-A and Paper-2 Part-A. Weekly Tests and dedicated focus on answer writing. Discussion of previous year UPSC question papers. Optional Test Series including 10 Tests (6 Sectional & 4 Mock). To Download the Schedule (Tentative) -> CLICK HERE OUR APPROACH: This course has been specially designed for those who are interested in opting Political Science as optional. (No need of prior academic background of the subject). We will provide comprehensive study material as class lecture notes and there will, also be printed notes of basic material of the subject. The course will put exclusive focus on understanding basic notions and theories in PSIR clearly. Our classes will help students, in connecting and correlating different concepts and theories which is extremely necessary in UPSC mains. There will be extraordinary attention on answer writing with continuous feedback and improvement. There will be weekly One on One discussion with mentor. The focus will be on bringing conceptual clarity and answer writing especially for first time aspirants so that they can compete with experienced candidates on equal footing in Mains 2020.   Please Note that, The OPTIONAL Programme will include Test Series and One-One Mentorship!! Duration of the Class: August 2019 to December 2019  (4.5-5 MONTHS) Timings: Classes will be held on WEEKDAYS ONLY.  It will be held 5 day's a week (Monday to Friday) from 2.30 pm-5 pm VENUE: PSIR Optional Classes will be held in Chandra Layout Centre. No. 1443/1444, Above Carzspa, 80 Ft. Main Road, Ganapathi Circle, Chandra Layout, Bengaluru- 560040   MODE OF ADMISSION : PAYMENT LINK -> CLICK HERE (Fees = 28,000 + Tax(18%) = 33,040 Rs) Your payment confirms your admission! Once the payment is done, you can take the print copy of online payment and come to centre along with 2 passport sized photographs, Aadhar card or 10th standard marks card and fill the application form. (OR) You can directly come to the office and make the payment and confirm your admission.   OFFICE ADDRESS : Admission can be done at 2 Centres ! Vijayanagar Centre: 1737/ 37, MRCR Layout, Vijayanagar Service Road, Vijaynagar, Bengaluru-5660040 Landmark: Vijayanagar Metro station or Above Apple Showroom Chandra Layout Centre: No. 1443/1444, Above Carzspa, 80 Ft. Main Road, Ganapathi Circle, Chandra Layout, Bengaluru- 560040 FOR QUERIES: You can also reach us on Email: offline@iasbaba.com Contact No.: 9035077800/8861246222 (10 AM to 5.30 PM)   Thank You IASbaba