Syllabus

• Prelims –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: The Seventh India-EU Cyber Dialogue was held recently.

About Seventh India-EU Cyber Dialogue:-

• Date: 05 October 2023.
• Venue: Brussels, Belgium.
• In the context of the vibrant Strategic Partnership between India and the EU, the two sides expressed appreciation for the Cyber Dialogue mechanism.
• Objective: to provide a platform to discuss a wide range of issues related to cyberspace.
• Both sides exchanged views on cyber policies, strategies, and areas of mutual interest.
• They discussed cyber cooperation in multilateral fora, including at the United Nations, and in regional settings, including at OSCE, ARF, and G20.
• They also discussed cooperation in promoting capacity building in cyberspace and combating the criminal use of ICTs.

About India-EU Relations:-

• The EU is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
• The union and EU citizenship were established when the Maastricht Treaty came into force in 1993.
• India was one of the first countries to establish relations with the European Economic Community in the 1960s.
• The retreat of the U.S. from global leadership has provided opportunities for EU-India cooperation. 

Political Cooperation:-

• 2000: The first India-EU Summit was held in 2000 which marked a watershed in the development of the relationship.
• 2004: The relationship was upgraded to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ during the 5th India-EU Summit held in 2004.
• 2018: the EU’s strategy on India entitled “A Partnership for Sustainable Modernization and Rules-based Global Order” was issued by the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Trade:-

• India is an important trade and investment partner for the EU. (India-EU: Trade talks)
• It is the second-largest destination for Indian exports after the United States.
• India’s bilateral trade with the EU amounted to USD 116.36 billion in 2021-22.
• Despite the global disruptions, bilateral trade achieved impressive annual growth of 43.5% in 2021-22.
• The trade agreement with the EU would help India further expand and diversify its exports of goods and services, including securing the value chains.

Defense & Security:-

• EU and India have instituted several mechanisms for greater cooperation on pressing security challenges like counterterrorism, maritime security, and nuclear non-proliferation.
• Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region in New Delhi (IFC-IOR) has recently been linked up with the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) established by the EU Naval Force (NAVFOR).

Climate Change:-

• EU and India also underline their highest political commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC. (EU’s Sustainability Push on India)
• The India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership was agreed at the 2016 Summit.
• EU and India also cooperate closely on the Clean Ganga initiative.

Research and Development:-

• The India-EU Science & Technology Steering Committee meets annually to review scientific cooperation.
• Both have official mechanisms in fields such as Digital Communications, 5G technology, Biotechnology, artificial intelligence, etc.
• ISRO has had a long-standing cooperation with the European Union, since the 1970s.
• It has contributed to the EU’s satellite navigation system Galileo.

Challenges:-

• Deadlock over BTIA: The negotiations for a Broad-based Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) were held between 2007 to 2013 but have remained dormant/suspended since then.
• EU primarily remains a trade bloc: This has resulted in a lack of substantive agreements on matters such as regional security and connectivity.
• China’s influence: The EU has a high dependence on the Chinese market.
  • It is a major partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Ukrainian war: EU expects India to criticize Russia.

MUST READ: India-EU ties

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to India’s projects on connectivity, consider the following statements: (2023)

1. The East-West Corridor under the Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat.
2. A Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar.
3. Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2023)

Statement-I:

Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the Trade and Technology Council’.

Statement-II:

The USA and the EU claim that through this, they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONS

Context: The Armenian parliament recently, voted to join the International Criminal Court.

Background:-

• The move is likely to further strain Armenia’s deteriorating relation with its ally Russia, which last month called Armenia’s push to join the ICC an “unfriendly step.”

About Armenia:-

IMAGE SOURCE: operationworld.org

• Continent: Asia.
• Capital: Yerevan.
• Armenia is a landlocked country.
• It is located toward the end of the southern Caucasus Mountains.
• Bordering countries: Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (a disputed territory), Turkey, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (an exclave of Azerbaijan), Georgia, and Iran.

About International Criminal Court:-

• Establishment: 2002.
• HQ: Hague, Netherlands.
• Official languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international organization and international tribunal.
• The Court’s founding treaty, called the Rome Statute.
• India is not a party to the Rome Statute along with US and China.
• It is the world’s first permanent international criminal court.
• ​The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community.

ICC’s Jurisdiction:-

It grants the ICC jurisdiction over four main crimes.

• First: the crime of genocide.
• It is characterized by the specific intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group by killing its members or by other means: causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group.
• Second: the ICC can prosecute crimes against humanity. (Rohingya & ICC)
• These are serious violations committed as part of a large-scale attack against any civilian population.
• Third: war crimes are grave breaches of the Geneva conventions in the context of armed conflict.
• Fourth: includes crime falling within the ICC’s jurisdiction is the crime of aggression.
• It is the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, integrity, or independence of another State.
• The definition of this crime was adopted by amending the Rome Statute at the first Review Conference of the Statute in Kampala, Uganda, in 2010.

Limitations of ICC:-

• ICC does not have its own police force or enforcement body, it relies on cooperation with countries worldwide for support.
• There are insufficient checks and balances on the authority of the ICC prosecutor and judges.
• ICC has been accused of being a tool of Western imperialism and biased in favour of powerful countries against weak states.

MUST READ: International Court of Justice

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182 are related to (2018)

1. Child labour
2. Adaptation of agriculture practices to global climate change
3. Regulation of food prices and food security
4. Gender parity in the workplace

Q.2) In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the ‘Additional Protocol’ with the ‘International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’? (2018)

1. Civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
2. The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of the IAEA
3. The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
4. The country automatically becomes a member of the NSG

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Recent studies show that Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is losing its distinctive grasses & and hornbills to erratic weather.

Background:-

• Rising temperature, and changing rainfall patterns may have affected the growth of plants essential to the native ecosystem.

About Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary:-

IMAGE SOURCE: traveltriangle.com

• Location: Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka.
• Area: 16 square kilometers.
• The Dandeli sanctuary covers part of the rich forests of the Uttara Kannada District.
• It lies on the banks of the river Kali.
  • The Kali River or Kaali Nadi is a river flowing through Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state in India.
  • The river rises near Kushavali, a small village in Uttar Kannada district.
  • Mouth: Arabian Sea.
  • The Kali exits at Supa Dam near Kurandi then flows east towards Dandeli.
• In the jungles of Dandeli, one can spot several animals as well as birds including many endangered species.
• The government declared the Dandeli forest, a National Wildlife Sanctuary in 1956.
• This sanctuary is the second-largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka.
• Along with its adjoining Anshi National Park, Dandeli is an abode of 40 tigers.
• Cultural attractions: Kavala caves, Magod Falls, Molangi Falls, Syntheri Rock, Shivaji Fort.
• Flora: Eucalyptus, Tectona grandis, Grevillea robusta, T. bellerica, Adina cordifolia, Mitragyna parviflora, Acacia etc.
• Fauna: Malabar Giant Squirrel or Ratufa Indica, Barking Deer, Gaur, Indian Pangolin, tigers, flycatchers, woodpeckers, etc.

MUST READ: Wildlife Protection

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin? (2020)

1. Nagarhole National Park
2. Papikonda National Park
3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q.2) Recently, there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to one of the following sites (2017)

1. Corbett National Park
2. Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Sariska National Park

Syllabus

• Prelims –DEFENSE

Context: The 11th edition of the Exercise SAMPRITI, began recently.

About SAMPRITI-XI:-

• Date: October 3, 2023.
• Venue: Umroi, Meghalaya, India.
• SAMPRITI, was initiated in 2009.
• Objective: to boost interoperability, share tactical expertise, and promote best practices between the Indian and Bangladeshi armies.
• It is an annual joint military exercise, between India and Bangladesh.
• This exercise, alternates between the two nations.
• It highlights the strong bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries. (Maitri Diwas)
• SAMPRITI-XI is scheduled for a duration of 14 days.
• It will involve approximately 350 personnel from both India and Bangladesh.
• Focus: enhancing cooperation and interoperability while conducting Sub-Conventional Operations as per Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
• It consists of a Command Post Exercise (CPX), a Field Training Exercise (FTX), and a Validation Exercise.

MUST READ: Maitri Setu between India and Bangladesh

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: (2023)

1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government.
2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in the maintenance of internal security.
3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/ coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some states.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q.2) Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries? (2019)

1. Japan
2. Russia
3. The United Kingdom
4. The United States of America

Context: Recently, the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund has unveiled a $600 m India-Japan Fund.

Background:-

• The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund has entered into a collaboration with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to unveil a $600 million India-Japan Fund.

About National Investment and Infrastructure Fund:-

• Establishment: 2015.
• Objective: to maximize economic impact, especially by infrastructure investment in commercially viable projects.
• NIIF is India’s first sovereign wealth fund set up by the government of India.
• It is a fund manager that invests in infrastructure and related sectors in India.
• The Indian government has a 49% stake in NIIF with the rest held by foreign and domestic investors.
• NIIF currently manages three funds each with its distinctive investment mandate.
• The funds are registered as Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• It has been incorporated as a company under the Companies Act, 2013, duly authorized to act as investment manager of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.

Governance:-

• NIIF has a Governing Council, which is chaired by the Hon’ble Finance Minister of India.
• It comprises of eminent members from corporates, investments, and policy sectors.
• The Governing Council meets annually and provides guidance on the overall strategy of NIIF.

Functions:-

• Fund raising through suitable instruments including off-shore credit enhanced bonds, and attracting anchor investors to participate as partners in NIIF.
• Servicing of the investors of NIIF.
• Considering and approving candidate companies/institutions/ projects (including state entities) for investments and periodic monitoring of investments.
• Investing in the corpus created by Asset Management Companies (AMCs) for investing in private equity.
• Preparing a shelf of infrastructure projects and providing advisory services.

MUST READ: Approved

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements. (2022)

1. An increase in the Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) indicates the appreciation of the rupee.
2. An increase in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) indicates an improvement in trade competitiveness.
3. An increasing trend in domestic inflation relative to inflation in other countries is likely to cause an increasing divergence between NEER and REER.

Which of the above statements is correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company.
3. Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Recent studies show that Nanoparticles from vehicle fumes in Delhi can cause acute illness.

Key Highlights of the study:-

• The study analyzed nanoparticles (10 to 1090 nanometers in diameter) in Delhi in 2021, over two periods — from April to June, and October to November.
• Nanoparticles in Delhi’s air, a major chunk of which comes from vehicular emissions.
• It can potentially be transported from the respiratory system to other parts of the human body, creating more chronic and acute illnesses.
• These “very small particles” may come from natural sources or from human activities.
• In urban road environments, nanoparticles come mainly from the combustion process in automobiles.
• In urban environments, ultrafine particles of 1 to 100 nanometers can contribute up to 90% to the total particle number concentration.
• Meteorology and other factors can also influence the concentration of these particles.
• With the rise in relative humidity, coagulation of these particles results in their concentration becoming high.
• The high concentrations of these pollutants are found during peak morning and evening hours due to vehicular emissions. (AIR POLLUTION)

About Nanoparticles:-

• The nanoparticles are small particles which have a range between 1 to 100 nanometers in size
• They are naturally occurring substances.
• These materials can be fashioned as the by-products of combustion reactions.
• These are not visible to the eyes.
• They can have different types of physical and chemical properties.

Properties:-

• There are three major physical properties of nanoparticles, and all are interrelated:-
• They are highly mobile in the free state.
• They have enormous specific surface areas.
• They may exhibit what are known as quantum effects.

Applications:-

• Nanoparticles are used in
• Nanoparticles are also used in different types of environmental preservation processes.
• They are widely used in cosmetic industries.
• The use of nanoparticles in sports industries is quite important.
• The use of nanomaterials among other industries for the manufacturing of the towels and mats used by sportspeople.
• Developers use Nano-titanium dioxide to promote the self-cleaning process of the surfaces of plastic garden chairs.
• Photovoltaics (PV) are the types of nanoparticles that can control the size, shape, and material of the nanoparticle.
  • These nanoparticles allow engineers to design different types of solar thermal products.

MUST READ: Cordy gold nanoparticles

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, consider the following statements:(2023)

1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
2. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
3. Biofilters increase phosphorus as a nutrient for fish in water.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q.2) Consider the following statements (2022)

1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
3. Nanoparticles of the same commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 2
4. 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Context: Heavy rains that led to a landslide in Uttarakhand last week brought back the significance of implementing the Sendai Framework.

About Sendai Framework:-

• Adopted:2015.
• Adopted in Sendai, Japan.
• Duration: 2015-2030.
• The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted at the Third UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan.
• It applies to the risk of small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and slow-onset disasters caused by natural or man-made hazards, as well as related environmental, technological, and biological hazards and risks.
• It is the outcome of stakeholder consultations initiated in March 2012 and inter-governmental negotiations from July 2014 to March 2015, supported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction at the request of the UN General Assembly.
• It is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement that recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk.
• It aims for the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, and health.

Historical Background:-

• The Sendai Framework is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.
• The HFA was conceived to give further impetus to the global work under the International Framework for Action for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction of 1989, and the Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World: Guidelines for Natural Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Mitigation and its Plan of Action, adopted in 1994 and the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction of 1999.

Four Priority Areas:-

• Understanding Disaster Risk: To promote the collection, analysis, and management.
• Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk: To carry out an assessment of the technical, financial, and administrative disaster risk management capacity.
• Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience: To allocate the necessary resources.
• Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction: To establish community centers for the promotion of public awareness and the stockpiling of necessary materials.

The Seven Global Targets:-

To support the assessment of global progress in achieving the outcome and goal of the present Framework, seven global targets:-

• Target 1 to reduce mortality: The first target aims to substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030, with an aim to lower the average per 100,000 global mortality rate in the decade 2020-2030 compared to the period 2005-2015.
• Target 2 to reduce the number of affected people: The second target aims to reduce the number of affected people globally by 2030, with a target to lower the average global figure per 100,000 in the decade 2020 -2030 compared to the period 2005-2015.
• Target 3 to reduce direct disaster economic loss: It aims to reduce loss in global gross domestic product (GDP) due to disaster by 2030.
• Target 4 to substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services: This includes reducing damage to health and educational facilities through developing their resilience by 2030.
• Target 5 to spread disaster risk efforts: It envisages substantially increasing the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.
• Target 6 to increase cooperation and support: It aims to enhance international cooperation with developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of this Framework by 2030.
• Target 7 to increase accessibility: It aims to substantially increase the availability and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by 2030. (National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA))

MUST READ: Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements: (2020)

1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.
2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.
3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C less than that of the surroundings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2019)

1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of the Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3 (Economy)

Context: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation was recently constituted citing financial irregularities in the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank of Kerala.

About Cooperative Societies:

• According to the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), cooperatives are people-centred enterprises jointly owned and democratically controlled by and for their members to realise their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations.
• The Union Ministry of Cooperation was formed in 2021, its mandate was looked after by the Ministry of Agriculture before.

Constitutional provisions related to cooperatives:

• The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act 2011 established the right to form cooperative societies as a fundamental right under Article 19.
• It included a new Directive Principle of State Policy on the Promotion of Cooperative Societies under Article 43-B.
• It added a new Part IX-B to the Constitution titled “The Co-operative Societies” from articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT.
• It authorizes the Parliament to establish relevant laws in the case of multi-state cooperative societies (MSCS) and state legislatures in the case of other cooperative societies.

Status of cooperatives in India:

• Currently, there are about 10 lakh cooperatives, of which 1.05 lakh are financial cooperatives.
• Among the financial co-operatives, rural co-operatives have a three-tier system with around 1.02 lakh primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS);
  • 351 District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs),
  • 34 State Cooperative Banks (SCBs),
  • 616 rural cooperatives for long-term lending.
• India has 1,514 primary urban cooperative banks (UCBs), of which, 52 are scheduled and the rest unscheduled, some are multi-State UCBs.

Advantages of cooperative societies:

• Easy establishment: Any ten members who have acquired the majority can form a cooperative society with few legal formalities.
• Transparency and Equality: A cooperative society is based on the principle of ‘one man, one vote‘.
  • All members have equal rights in handling the internal affairs.
  • The surplus generated by these societies is dispensed equally among the members.
• Support agriculture and allied activities: Cooperative societies have supported the government’s effort to improve agricultural production.
  • They act as a bridge between the government and farmers.
  • For example, the government disburses High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds and fertilizers via Cooperatives.
• Social Benefits: Cooperative societies have played a significant role in modulating social customs and controlling irrelevant expenses.
  • The profits reaped by the cooperatives can be used for facilitating fundamental amenities of the society.
• Limited Liability: The member’s liability in a cooperative society is confined to the extent of their capital contribution.
• Access to Credit: Cooperative societies have helped in reducing the influencing of private money lenders in rural areas.
  • Cooperatives facilitate credit at the nominal interest rate.

Challenges associated with cooperative sector in India:

• No accountability and transparency: The government gave too many benefits to cooperatives, but then there was no further accountability which led to these cooperatives becoming more and more lethargic.
  • Besides as there was no competition, they became more and more costly they were not at all efficient and the worst part was that the government allowed them to function like this and pass on the burden of costs to consumers.
• Vested interest of some people: A lot of times people who are in position in control of cooperatives are actually people who have joined cooperatives for personal gains.
• Lack of coordination: Generally what happens in cooperatives is that different cooperatives at different level don’t coordinate this makes the work of cooperatives difficult.
• The Internal free rider problem: New members who provide very little capital enjoy the same benefits as long-standing or founding members who have major investments in the cooperative
  • New members get a “free ride” on the investments and other efforts of existing members, thereby diluting the returns to existing members.
• No balanced growth: The cooperatives in northeast areas and in areas like West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa are not as well developed as the ones in Maharashtra and the ones in Gujarat.
• Political Interference: Frequent political interference is the ruining administration of the sector.
  • This is the biggest problem faced by Sugar cooperatives in Maharashtra.
• Mismanagement: A hugely large membership turns out to be mismanaged unless some secure methods are employed to manage such co-operatives.
  • In the elections to the governing bodies, money became such a powerful tool that the top posts of chairman and vice-chairman usually went to the richest farmers who manipulated the organization for their benefits.
• Lack of awareness and restricted coverage: People are not well informed about the objectives of the Movement, rules and regulations of co-operative institutions.
  • Most of these societies are confined to a few members and their operations extended to only one or two villages.

Way Forward:

Co-operatives have great potential to rejuvenate growth, formalise the economy, and reduce inequality besides improving the standard of living of the poor in the rural areas. Provision of adequate financial and technical assistance can enable them to address rural challenges and contribute to India’s growth story. The government has to fix responsibility for the scam and ensure that the culprits are brought to book regardless of their political affiliation.

Source:    TH

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 1 (Geography) and GS 3 (Disaster management)

Context: Flash floods occurred in north Sikkim after the South Lhonak Lake burst due to incessant rains.

• For years, numerous studies highlighted the lake’s rapidly growing size and marked it as susceptible to glacial lake outburst flood.

About Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF):

• A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a type of catastrophic flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails, releasing a large volume of water.
• This type of flood is typically caused by rapid melting of glaciers or the buildup of water in the lake due to heavy precipitation or the inflow of meltwater.
• In February 2021, Chamoli district in Uttarakhand witnessed flash floods which are suspected to have been caused by GLOFs.

Source:  HT

Causes behind GLOFs:

• Structural failure: When glaciers start to melt, they can create glacial lakes. The water in these lakes can put pressure on the natural dam that holds the water in, causing it to fail.
• Earthquakes: Earthquakes can cause sudden changes in the shape and stability of a glacial lake and its dam, leading to a GLOF.
• Climate change: Rising temperatures and increased rainfall can lead to more meltwater and therefore more glacial lakes, as well as increase the risk of GLOFs.
• Human activities: Human activities, such as construction or mining, can cause changes in the area around a glacial lake that can lead to a GLOF.

Impact:

• GLOF has the potential to catastrophically threaten people’s lives, livelihoods and regional infrastructure.

Old Study Warned About Threat of Lake Bursting in Sikkim:

• A study by an international team of researchers had warned two year ago that the South Lhonak lake in Sikkim may burst in the future and significantly impact the downstream region.
• The 2021 study, published in the journal Geomorphology, highlighted that South Lhonak Lake had witnessed a significant growth in the past decades due to glacial retreat, thereby increasing its chances of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF).

Key measures to tackle GLOF:

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to tackle Glacial Bursts: Some of the key measures recommended by the NDMA include:
• Risk assessment: Conducting regular assessments of the risk posed by GLOFs in order to identify vulnerable areas and communities, and to prioritize areas for intervention.
• Early warning systems: Establishing early warning systems that can detect potential GLOFs and provide timely alerts to communities and authorities.
• Disaster management plans: Developing and implementing disaster management plans that outline the measures to be taken in the event of a GLOF, including evacuation plans, rescue and relief operations, and post-disaster rehabilitation.
• Capacity building: Building the capacity of local communities, authorities, and emergency responders to respond to GLOFs and other natural disasters, through training and awareness programs.
• Risk reduction measures: Implementing risk reduction measures, such as glacial lake stabilization to mitigate the risk posed by GLOFs.

Way Forward:

The series of disasters that occurred in Sikkim after the triggering of GLOF of South Lhonak Lake again proves that cascading hazards are becoming frequent due to climate change and human activities. It also reinforced that Himalayan regions are more susceptible to such disasters.

Addressing these disasters requires an “integrated disaster management approach” that considers the connection between hazards and specific incidents to formulate effective risk-mitigation plans.

Source: Indian Express

Q1) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only o
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2) Consider the following statements

Statement-I:

The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund is India’s first sovereign wealth fund set up by the government of India in 2017.

Statement-II:

The Indian government has a 49% stake in NIIF with the rest held by foreign and domestic investors.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Q3) With reference to the International Criminal Court, consider the following statements:

1. Japanese is one of its official languages.
2. ICC’s jurisdiction includes the crime of aggression.
3. India is a party to the Rome Statute.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. 3 only

Mains Practice Questions

Q.1) What constraints and challenges do cooperative institutions face in India? how do they contribute to the socio-economic development of the country? (250 words)

Q.2) What do you mean by the term glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF)? Explains the reasons and impacts of GLOF with recent examples.  (250 words)

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  5th October 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – c