1. Coastline of Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram may be under water by 2050 READ MORE
2. India headed for ‘large deficient’ rainfall to ‘no rain’ in pre-monsoon period READ MORE

1. Grand illusion of inclusive growth READ MORE
2. Selective demolitions bring no glory to the nation READ MORE

1. State of the state: When govts intervene in matters of personal and religious choice, social peace & livelihoods suffer READ MORE
2. CUET: Suitable for admissions or a half-baked policy? READ MORE
3. Foreign academic tie-ups: Ease of rules a step forward for higher education READ MORE
4. Speculation without data: Poverty estimates need govt surveys to resume READ MORE
5. Pegasus is seducing, but good intelligence isn’t just tech. India needs more than software READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. When the stars came out READ MORE
2. Sixth Scorpène submarine Vagsheer launched into water in Mumbai READ MORE
3. OIL commissions India’s first pure green hydrogen plant in Assam READ MORE
4. India to introduce special visa category for Ayush treatment READ MORE
5. Explained: Life and legend of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who stood up to the Mughals READ MORE
6. India, Finland to establish Virtual Network Centre on Quantum Computing READ MORE
7. Climate change triggering global collapse in insect numbers: Stressed farmland shows 63% decline — new research READ MORE
8. New research detects pre-eruption warning signals at Whakaari White Island and other active volcanoes READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Grand illusion of inclusive growth READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. State of the state: When govts intervene in matters of personal and religious choice, social peace & livelihoods suffer READ MORE
2. CUET: Suitable for admissions or a half-baked policy? READ MORE
3. Foreign academic tie-ups: Ease of rules a step forward for higher education READ MORE
4. Speculation without data: Poverty estimates need govt surveys to resume READ MORE
5. Pegasus is seducing, but good intelligence isn’t just tech. India needs more than software READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. UGC’s two degree decision and social justice READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. Significant Deal: The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with Australia sets an excellent example of how bilateral trade deals READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Give priority to tilting trains than K-Rail, says expert READ MORE
2. Freebies are a passport to fiscal disaster READ MORE
3. Ukraine, virus threaten economic recovery READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 

1. Coastline of Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram may be under water by 2050 READ MORE
2. India headed for ‘large deficient’ rainfall to ‘no rain’ in pre-monsoon period READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. The Guru who taught us to fear none, scare none READ MORE
2. Selective demolitions bring no glory to the nation READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘The culture of freebies could prove expensive for the economy, life quality and social cohesion in the long run’. Comment.
2. ‘Unless the institutional barriers at the ground level are removed, the life chances of the poor will not improve and there can be no inclusive growth’. In the light of the statement, discuss how these barriers can be removed so that an inclusive growth can be achieved?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The success of the manipulation depends on the level of conviction and force of the denial.
• India is a Union of states. It is not a confederation of states. It is not a question of holding together but of coming together.
• The issue of intergenerational equity leads to greater social inequalities because of expenditure priorities being distorted away from growth-enhancing items.
• There is no harm in being sometimes wrong — especially if one is promptly found out.
• Measuring aptitude and selecting students for higher education require deep deliberation. Systematic reforms in schooling, higher education and assessment paradigms would be needed in the long term.
• Instead of focusing on introducing periodical revisions, the emphasis should be on launching administrative reforms in GST, which will achieve goals, such as reducing disputes and increasing resources for the government.
• Initiatives such as the PLI scheme and the emphasis on using only trusted supply chains for the tech sector demonstrate the globalisation-oriented attitude of the government.
• True inclusive growth can happen not with distribution of free ration but by attacking social and economic discrimination that hinder our youth’s progress.
• Unless the barriers at the ground level are removed, the life chances of the poor will not improve and there can be no inclusive growth.
• Until authoritative, transparent and professional government data is once again the order of the day, any claims about poverty reduction will remain pure speculation.

50-WORD TALK

• UGC’s reforms to allow dual, joint degrees and easier collaboration with foreign universities increase options and opportunities to students in a cramped education system. Focus on learning, skilling and enjoying it should not be lost in the bargain though. Degrees should showcase knowledge and employability, not become trophies to collect.
• BJP-controlled Delhi civic body’s selective demolition drive in riot-hit Jahangirpuri was malicious, unlawful and aimed at more communal polarisation. For a party that takes credit for regularising Delhi’s 1,700 illegal colonies, BJP’s stand on Jahangirpuri demolition is rich. Bulldozer power is a terrible advertisement for democracy and rule of law.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

WORLD GEOGRAPHY: MINERAL RESOURCES

1. WHY RISE IN NICKEL PRICE DUE TO RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR CASTS A SHADOW ON THE SHIFT FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO EVS

THE CONTEXT: Between Western sanctions, a big bunch of export bans from Russia, and wildly fluctuating prices as a result of all the uncertainty, the Ukraine-Russia conflict has wreaked havoc on the global market for nickel — a key metal for industrial, military, construction, and transport goods.

THE EXPLANATION:

Nickel also happens to be essential raw material for rechargeable batteries, which are used in electric vehicles (EVs), sparking worries about the hoped-for move away from fossil fuels. Surging input prices, it is feared, could hinder ambitious EV-manufacturing plans.

• Russia accounts for about 11 per cent of the global supply of nickel ore, and 20 percent of the world’s top-grade or Class 1 nickel.
• Indonesia has about a third of the world’s nickel ores and is the biggest producer of the metal. In 2020, it produced 0.76 million tonnes of nickel, which is about a third of the global production followed by the Philippines (0.32 million tonnes) and Russia (0.28 million tonnes).
• But, a vast majority of Indonesia’s output comprises lower quality Class 2 nickel (NPI), which it exports to China for manufacturing stainless steel.
• In terms of Class 1 nickel, the McKinsey’s report cited earlier noted, Indonesia produced only 6.8 per cent compared to Russia’s 21.1 percent (in 2019).
• Part of the reason why EV manufacturers have been so dependent on Russia was that after 2012, when China started using NPI for stainless steel, the steel prices came down drastically. This incentivised producers like Indonesia to produce more and more of Class 2 nickel.

• According to projections by the intergovernmental organisation International Energy Agency (IEA), the “global EV stock across all transport modes (excluding two/three-wheelers) expands from over 11 million in 2020 to almost 145 million vehicles by 2030” — this represents an annual average growth rate of nearly 30 percent, with EVs estimated to account for about 7 percent of road vehicles by the start of the next decade.
• In this scenario, Indonesia has sensed the opportunity to channel some of its big nickel ores to the EV industry.
• While Indonesia is richer in a laterite called limonite — a good source for Class 2 nickel production — and does not have such abundant reserves of sulphur ores that are ideal for producing Class 1 nickel, it is devising workarounds to this issue.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY, AND CLIMATE CHANGE

2. INDIA’S FIRST PURE GREEN HYDROGEN PLANT COMMISSIONED IN ASSAM

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Oil India Limited (OIL) has commissioned India’s first Green Hydrogen Plant in Assam.

THE EXPLANATION:

• It is the first significant step towards Green Hydrogen Economy in India with the commissioning of India’s First 99.999% pure Green Hydrogen pilot plant, with an installed capacity of 10 kg per day at its Jorhat Pump Station in Assam.
• The plant is expected to increase its production of green hydrogen from 10kg from 30 kg per day in future.
• The plant also the first in India to use Anion Exchange Membrane Technology (AEM).
• In AEM technology the water is split into hydrogen and oxygen with an application of electric current, using a porous anion exchange membrane.

OTHER TYPES OF HYDROGEN

• Black hydrogen is produced by use of fossil fuel.
• Pink hydrogen is produced through electrolysis but using energy from nuclear power sources.
• Brown hydrogen is produced using coal where the emissions are released to the air.
• Grey hydrogen is produced from natural gas where the associated emissions are released to the air.
• Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas, where the emissions are captured using carbon capture and storage.

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

3. ISRO, IISC RESEARCHERS DEVELOP A WAY TO MAKE BRICKS FROM MARTIAN SOIL

THE CONTEXT: Researchers from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a way to make bricks from Martian soil with the help of bacteria and urea.

THE EXPLANATION:

• These ‘space bricks’ can be used to construct building-like structures on Mars that could facilitate human settlement on the red planet.
• The team first made the slurry by mixing Martian soil with guar gum, a bacterium called Sporosarcina pasteurii, urea and nickel chloride (NiCl 2). “This slurry can be poured into moulds of any desired shape, and over a few days the bacteria convert the urea into crystals of calcium carbonate. These crystals, along with biopolymers secreted by the microbes, act as cement holding the soil particles together”.
• This method ensures that the bricks are less porous, which was a problem with other methods used to make Martian bricks. “The bacteria seep deep into the pore spaces, using their own proteins to bind the particles together, decreasing porosity and leading to stronger bricks”.
• Another challenge was the composition of Martian soil, which has a lot of iron that causes toxicity to organisms.

According to the sources, the team has also developed a lab-on-a-chip device that aims to measure bacterial activity in micro-gravity conditions. “The device is being developed keeping in mind our intention to perform experiments in micro-gravity conditions in the near future”.

With ISRO’s help, the team plans to send such devices into space, so that they can study the effect of low gravity on the bacterial growth.

4. LAUNCH OF SIXTH SCORPENE SUBMARINE ‘VAGSHEER’

THE CONTEXT: The sixth and last submarine of the Indian Navy’s Kalvari class submarines of Project 75 has been launched at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).

THE EXPLANATION:

• The first of the Project – 75 submarines was commissioned into the Navy in December 2017 and presently four submarines of this Project are in commission in the Indian Navy.
• The fifth submarine is progressing with the Sea Trials and is likely to be delivered this year. The sixth submarine will now commence setting to work of various equipment and their harbour trials. The crew will thereafter sail the submarine for the rigorous Sea Acceptance Trials after which the submarine would be delivered to the Indian Navy by late 2023.

VALUE ADDITION:

• VAGSHEER: Named after the sandfish, a deadly deep water sea predator of the Indian Ocean, the first submarine ‘Vagsheer’ was commissioned in December 1974. It was decommissioned in April 1997.
• The Scorpene-class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines, featuring diesel propulsion and air-dependent propulsion.
• The submarine has four sub-types – CM-2000 conventional diesel-electric version, the AM-2000 air-independent propulsion derivative, the downsized CA-2000 coastal submarine and the enlarged S-BR for the Brazilian navy.
• The submarine can undertake several types of missions – anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance.
• It has superior stealth features, including advanced acoustic absorption techniques, low radiated noise levels, a hydro-dynamically optimised shape, and the ability to launch crippling attacks using guided weapons. The features also give the submarine invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines.

PROJECT 75

• Project-75 (P-75) was conceptualised by former Prime Minister I K Gujral and faced many hurdles. The main objective of Project – 75 was to acquire 24 submarines. The project was approved by the Ministry of Defence in 1997.

History of Project – 75

• In 1998, India started negotiating with DCN. DCN is Direction des Constructions, a French defence contractor. India negotiated four Scorpene class submarines with DCN. Of these two were to be built in Mazagon Dock Limited.

Project – 75 upgraded after Kargil War

• After Kargil war in 1999, the Indian Government approved a 30-year submarine plan. The Project – 75 was brought under this new plan. Under the new plan, two parallel production lines of the submarines were called for. One was under the already running Project – 75 and the other was under Project – 75I (Project – 75 India).

Construction of Six Submarines

• In 2005, under Project – 75, India signed a transfer of technology contract with the French. Under this contract six submarines were to be constructed at the Mazagon Dock Limited. These submarines were to be delivered by 2012. The Scorpene class submarine was selected because of its capability to fire anti-ship missiles and air-independent propulsion.

Delivery of the submarines:

• INS Kalvari was the first submarine delivered under Project – 75. It was delivered in 2015.
• INS Khanderi was the second submarine. It was commissioned in 2019.
• INS Karanj was the third submarine. It was commissioned in March 2021.
• INS Vela was the fourth submarine. It was commissioned in November 2021.
• INS Vagir is the fifth submarine.
• INS Vasgheer is the sixth submarine.

5. INDIA & FINLAND DISCUSS POSSIBLE AREAS OF COOPERATION IN QUANTUM COMPUTING FOR THE VIRTUAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (COE)

THE CONTEXT: Delegates from India and Finland discussed possible areas of co-operation in quantum computing and a road map for the collaborative virtual Centre of Excellence (CoE) that has been planned to be set up.

THE EXPLANATION:

• According to the DST, “the two countries are trying to get academic and industrial partners which can help develop quantum science and technology for the betterment of humankind in particular and the planet in general. India and Finland committed towards global excellence in this field to achieve the best possible technologies in the shortest possible time.

VALUE ADDITION:

What is Quantum Computing?

Quantum Computing is the area of study focused on creating computer technology based on the principles of quantum theory which describes the nature and behaviour of matter and energy on the quantum (atomic and subatomic) level.

Why Quantum Computing?

Development of a quantum computer would mark a major leap forward in computing capability far greater than that of a modern-day supercomputer as the quantum computer has the enormous processing power and it can perform tasks using all possible permutations simultaneously = the performance gains are enormous.

For instance, to sort a billion numbers, a quantum computer would only need 3.5 million fewer steps than a conventional machine.

The following are the major advantages of Quantum Computers.

• Faster: It can perform any task faster as compared to a classical computer. Because atoms move faster in a quantum computer than a classical computer.
• Accurate: It’s highest level accuracy makes it suitable for national security and big data handling.
• Energy-efficient: It wastes less energy while working = it is cost-effective after implementation.

THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES IN NEWS

6. INDIA POST PAYMENTS BANK LAUNCHES ‘FINCLUVATION’

THE CONTEXT: On the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of Indian Independence & ongoing Azadi ka Amrit Mahotasav, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), a 100% government owned entity under Department of Posts (DoP) announced the launch of Fincluvation– a joint initiative to collaborate with Fintech Startup community to co-create and innovate solutions for financial inclusion.

THE EXPLANATION:

• “Fincluvation will be a permanent platform of IPPB to co-create inclusive financial solutions with participating start-ups. It invites startups to Participate, Ideate, Develop and Market intuitive and tailored products and services that can be taken to the customers. Startups are encouraged to develop solutions aligned with any of the following tracks-
• Creditization – Develop Innovative & Inclusive credit products aligned with the use cases of target customers and take them to their doorsteps through Postal network.
• Digitization – Bring convenience through convergence of traditional services with Digital Payment Technologies such as making the traditional Money Order service as Interoperable Banking service.
• Any Market-led solutions that can help solve any other problem relevant to IPPB and/or DoP in serving the target customers.
• Intersection of technology with financial services coupled with traditional distribution networks is opening up new set of business opportunities. Conventional model of technology procurement led product creation by banks often lacks value in user experience leaving huge gap between customer expectations and service delivery. Traditional technology firms fail to meet these expectations with a deficit of ownership in product creation.
• Fincluvation mentors will work closely with the startups to tweak products to the customer needs and align the go-to-market strategies with operating models of IPPB and DoP.

About India Post Payments Bank

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by Government of India.
• The bank has been set up with the vision to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India. The fundamental mandate of IPPB is to remove barriers for the unbanked and under-banked and reach the last mile leveraging a network comprising 160,000 post offices (145,000 in rural areas) and 400,000 postal employees. IPPB’s reach and its operating model is built on the key pillars of India Stack – enabling Paperless, Cashless and Presence-less banking in a simple and secure manner at the customers’ doorstep, through a CBS-integrated smartphone and biometric device.
• Leveraging frugal innovation and with a high focus on ease of banking for the masses, IPPB delivers simple and affordable banking solutions through intuitive interfaces available in 13 languages. IPPB is committed to provide a fillip to a less cash economy and contribute to the vision of Digital India.

THE DATA SHEET

DEFENCE MANUFACTURING

• The 65.5 percentage of the capital acquisition budget of the financial year 2021-22, utilised for making procurements from domestic sources, according to the Defence Ministry. The Ministry added that they had earmarked 64% of the capital acquisition budget for domestic industry and were able to ‘overachieve’ this target.
• In May 2020, the government announced increasing the foreign direct investments limit from 49% to 74% under the automatic route in the defence sector.

CLIMATE EMERGENCY: A GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

THE PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Q. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1. Kanpur – Nana Saheb
   2. Lucknow – Khan Bahadur Khan
   3. Bareilly – Begum Hazrat Mahal
   4. Bihar – Kunwar Singh

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 and 4 only

d) 1 and 4 only

ANSWER FOR 20TH APRIL 2022

Answer: B

Explanation:

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights.
• It represent the world’s commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• UN General Assembly established Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in December 1993.
• This was just a few months after the World Conference on Human Rights adopted the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action.
• The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations.
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is accountable to the Secretary-General and is responsible for all the activities of OHCHR, as well as for its administration.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations and approved by the General Assembly, with due regard to geographical rotation for a fixed term of four years with a possibility of on renewal for another fixed term of four years.

[WpProQuiz 207]

CIVIL SERVICES DAY

THE CONTEXT: National Civil Services Day is observed on April 21 every year. On National Civil Services day, the officers of central and state governments are awarded by the Prime Minister of India for their extraordinary services in the field of public administration.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICES DAY

• On April 21, 1947, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the Home Member of Parliament, inaugurated the All-India Services. Then, the previous Indian Civil Services under British India were changed to All India Services subject to complete Indian control.
• He gave a powerful speech at the All-India Administrative Service Training School at Metcalfe House, Delhi. In his speech he referred to civil servants as the ‘steel frame of India’.

WHO IS THE FATHER OF CIVIL SERVICES IN INDIA?

• The present civil services of India are mainly based on the pattern of the former Indian Civil Service of British India. Warren Hastings laid the foundation of civil service and Charles Cornwallis reformed, modernised, and rationalised it. Hence, Charles Cornwallis is known as ‘the father of civil service in India’.

WHICH IS THE HIGHEST POST IN CIVIL SERVICES?

• The highest-ranking civil servant is the Cabinet Secretary.

FIRST CELEBRATION OF CIVIL SERVICES DAY IN INDIA

• The first celebration of Civil Services Day was held on April 21, 2006, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. On this day, the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence has been conferred to Public Administration to various officers to celebrate their work.

NATIONAL CIVIL SERVICES DAY AWARD

• On National Civil Services day, the ‘Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration’ is awarded. Many districts across the country participate in this award program.
• The award function is organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public grievances and the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

IMPORTANCE OF CIVIL SERVICES

• The civil service system is the backbone of the administrative machinery of the country. It is the permanent executive branch of the Republic of India.
• The policies and schemes are made by the government. The civil servants are the administrators.
• The civil servants are responsible for implementing all the government policies and schemes successfully up to the root level.
• It consists of (IAS) Indian Administrative Services, (IPS) Indian Police Services, (IFS) Indian Foreign Services, along with central Group A and Group B Services.

THE CONTEXT: The first United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) was held in September 2021 to find solutions and catalyze momentum to transform the way the world produces, consumes, and thinks about food and help address the rising hunger issues. The transformation of the food system is also considered essential in achieving the sustainable development agenda 2030 as 11 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) out of 17 are directly related to the food system. In this context, it is imperative to learn from the success of India. This article talks about the success of food security in India and how the developing world can learn from India.

WHAT IS A FOOD SYSTEM?

It is a framework that includes every aspect of feeding and nourishing people: from growing, harvesting, and processing to packaging, transporting, marketing, and consuming food. To be sustainable, a food system must provide enough nutritious food for all without compromising on feeding future generations.

WHAT IS FOOD SECURITY?

Food security, as defined by the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security, means that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

Food security is the combination of the following three elements:

FOOD AVAILABILITY: Food must be available in sufficient quantities and on a consistent basis. It considers stock and production in a given area and the capacity to bring in food from elsewhere, through trade or aid.

FOOD ACCESSIBILITY: People must be able to regularly acquire adequate quantities of food, through purchase, home production, barter, gifts, borrowing, or food aid.

FOOD UTILIZATION: Consumed food must have a positive nutritional impact on people. It entails cooking, storage and hygiene practices, individual health, water and sanitation, feeding and sharing practices within the household.

REASONS FOR FOOD INSECURITY

CLIMATE CHANGE: Higher temperatures and unreliable rainfall make farming difficult. Climate change not only impacts crops but also livestock, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture, and can cause grave social and economic consequences in the form of reduced incomes, eroded livelihoods, trade disruption, and adverse health impacts.

CONFLICT: Food can be used as a weapon, with enemies cutting off food supplies in order to gain ground. Crops can also be destroyed during the conflict.

LACK OF ACCESS TO REMOTE AREAS: For the tribal communities, habitation in remote difficult terrains and the practice of subsistence farming have led to significant economic backwardness.

UNMONITORED NUTRITION PROGRAMMES: 

• Although a number of programmes with improving nutrition as their main component are planned in the country these are not properly implemented.
• Lack of coherent food and nutrition policies along with the absence of intersectoral coordination between various ministries.Inadequate distribution of food through public distribution mechanisms (PDS i.e. Public Distribution System).

SOCIAL ISSUES:

• An increase in rural-to-urban migration, a large proportion of informal workforce resulting in unplanned growth of slums which lack the basic health and hygiene facilities, insufficient housing, and increased food insecurity.
• Overpopulation, poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality.
• Deserving beneficiaries of the subsidy are excluded on the basis of non-ownership of below poverty line (BPL) status, as the criterion for identifying a household as BPL is arbitrary and varies from state to state.

CORRUPTION: Diverting the grains to the open market to get a better margin, selling poor quality grains at ration shops, and irregular opening of the shops add to the issue of food insecurity.

BIOFUELS: The growth of the biofuel market has reduced the land used for growing food crops.

CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY

CLIMATE CHANGE AND UNSUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: Climate change and unsustainable use of land and water resources are the most formidable challenges food systems face today. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has set the alarm bells ringing, highlighting the urgency to act now. Dietary diversity, nutrition, and related health outcomes are another area of concern as a focus on rice and wheat have created nutritional challenges of their own.

PREVALENCE OF UNDERNOURISHMENT: It is ironic that despite being a net exporter and food surplus country at the aggregate level, India has a 50% higher prevalence of undernutrition compared to the world average. The high prevalence of undernutrition in the country does not seem to be due to food shortages or the low availability of food. The Government of India and the States are seriously concerned about this paradoxical situation of being a food surplus and at the same time, having 15% of the population undernourished. They are trying to address other possible reasons for low nutrition through several nutritional interventions. As announced recently, the supply of fortified rice in PDS and Poshan Abhiyan is the two steps among many to address the challenge of undernutrition and malnutrition.

REDUCING FOOD WASTAGE: Reducing food wastage or loss of food is a mammoth challenge and is linked to the efficiency of the food supply chain.

FOOD SECURITY IN INDIA

• Food security concerns can be traced back to the experience of the Bengal Famine in 1943 during British colonial rule, during which about 2 million to 3 million people perished due to starvation
• Since independence, an initial rush to industrialize while ignoring agriculture, two successive droughts in the mid-1960s, and dependence on food aid from the United States exposed India’s vulnerability to several shocks in the food security
• The country went through a Green Revolution in the late 1960s and early 1970s, enabling it to overcome productivity stagnation and significantly improve food grain production. Despite its success, the Green Revolution is often criticized for being focused on only two cereals, wheat and rice; being confined to a few resources abundant regions in the north-western and southern parts of the country that benefited mostly rich farmers; and putting too much stress on the ecology of these regions, especially soil and water.

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION

TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN CROP PRODUCE: It resulted in a grain output of 131 million tonnes in the year 1978-79 and established India as one of the world’s biggest agricultural producers. The crop area under high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice grew considerably during the Green Revolution.

REDUCED IMPORT OF FOOD-GRAINS: India became self-sufficient in food grains and had sufficient stock in the central pool, even, at times; India was in a position to export food grains. The per capita net availability of food grains has also increased.

BENEFITS TO THE FARMERS: The introduction of the Green Revolution helped the farmers in raising their level of income. Farmers plowed back their surplus income for improving agricultural productivity. The big farmers with more than 10 hectares of land particularly benefited from this revolution by investing large amounts of money in various inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers, machines, etc. It also promoted capitalist farming.

INDUSTRIAL GROWTH: The Revolution brought about large-scale farm mechanization which created a demand for different types of machines like tractors, harvesters, threshers, combines, diesel engines, electric motors, pumping sets, etc. Besides, demand for chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, weedicides, etc. also increased considerably. Several agricultural products were also used as raw materials in various industries known as agro-based industries.

RURAL EMPLOYMENT: There was an appreciable increase in the demand for the labour force due to multiple cropping and the use of fertilizers. The Green Revolution created plenty of jobs not only for agricultural workers but also for industrial workers by creating related facilities such as factories and hydroelectric power stations.

• The Green Revolution was followed by the White Revolution, which was initiated by Operation Flood during the 1970s and 1980s. This national initiative has revolutionized liquid milk production and marketing in India, making it the largest producer of milk.
• Over the years the country saw many revolutions such as Yellow Revolution for Oilseeds, Silver Revolution for Eggs, and Pink Revolution for Meat production, taking the country one step ahead in ensuring food security.
• In the recent past, the government has adopted an integrated policy framework to facilitate agriculture productivity which;
• Focuses mainly on rationale distribution of cultivable land, improving the size of the farms, and providing security to the tenant cultivators apart from providing the farmers with improved technology for cultivation and improved inputs like irrigation facilities, availability of better quality seeds, fertilizers, and credits at lower interest rates.
• Aeroponics and hydroponics systems allow plants to be grown without soil. Plants were grown in this way taking in water and nutrients efficiently. These methods are used in the areas of poor soil quality and areas prone to soil erosion.
• Adoption of crops and techniques with lower water requirements, such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method of rice production, contributes to resilience by enabling equal or better yields to be achieved with less water withdrawal.
• Crop diversification: Higher profitability and stability in production highlight the importance of crop diversification, e.g. legumes alternative to rice and wheat. The growing of non-cereal crops such as oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, etc needs to be encouraged.
• Strategies for better food storage are also implemented.

INDIA IS A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

LESSONS FROM INDIA’S TRYST WITH FOOD INSECURITY: The long journey from chronic food shortage to surplus food producer offers several interesting lessons for other developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the area of land reforms, public investments, institutional infrastructure, new regulatory systems, public support, and intervention in Agri markets and prices and Agri research and extension.

DIVERSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURE: The period between 1991 and 2015, saw the diversification of agriculture beyond field crops and brought greater focus on the horticulture, dairy, animal husbandry, and fishery sectors. The learnings also encompassed elements of nutritional health, food safety and standards, sustainability, deployment of space technology, and the like.

EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD: One of India’s greatest contributions to equity in food is its National Food Security Act 2013 which anchors the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the Mid-Day meals (MDM), and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Today, India’s food safety nets collectively reach over a billion people.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Food safety nets and inclusion are linked with public procurement and buffer stock policy. This was visible during the global food crises 2008-2012 and more recently during the COVID-19 pandemic fallout, whereby vulnerable and marginalised families in India continued to be buffered against the food crisis by its robust TPDS and buffer stock of food grains.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

National Food Security Mission

• Increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals (Maize and Barley), and Nutri-Cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified districts of the country;
• Restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level;
• Enhancing farm-level economy (i.e. farm profits) to restore confidence amongst the farmers.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

• Introduced with an aim to provide support to the agricultural sector in achieving 4% annual agriculture growth. RKVY scheme was launched in the year 2007 and was later rebranded as Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RAFTAAR).

Integrated Schemes on Oilseeds, Pulses, Palm oil, and Maize (ISOPOM)

• During the Tenth and Eleventh Plan, Government of India provided support for oil palm cultivation under the Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm, and Maize.

eNAM: To promote uniformity in agriculture marketing by streamlining procedures across the integrated markets, removing information asymmetry between buyers and sellers, and promoting real-time price discovery based on actual demand and supply.

• The government has also taken significant steps to combat under- and malnutrition over the past two decades, through mid-day meals at schools.
• Anganwadi systems provide rations to pregnant and lactating mothers.
• Subsidised grain for those living below the poverty line through a public distribution system.
• Food fortification etc.

AVAILABILITY:

• AGRI REVOLUTIONS SUCH AS THE GREEN AND YELLOW REVOLUTION.
• BUILDING CAPACITY FOR STOCK THAT MIGHT BE UTILISED AT TIMES OF CRISIS.

ACCESSIBILITY:

• PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND RATION SHOPS
• TARGETED PDS AND MID DAY MEALS
• THE NATIONAL MATERNITY BENEFIT SCHEME
• THE NATIONAL FAMILY BENEFIT SCHEME

AFFORDABILITY:

• PROVIDING SUBSIDIES ON FOOD GRAINS AND GAS CYLINDERS FOR MARGINALISED SECTIONS OF SOCIETY.
• MORE PRODUCTION AND AVAILABILITY OF FOOD GRAINS WILL ALSO RESULT IN EASY AFFORDABILITY.

THE WAY FORWARD

• Sustainable Approaches: We must collaborate to invest, innovate, and create lasting solutions in sustainable agriculture contributing to equitable livelihood, food security, and nutrition which requires reimagining the food system towards the goal of balancing growth and sustainability, mitigating climate change, ensuring healthy, safe, quality, and affordable food, maintaining biodiversity, improving resilience, and offering an attractive income and work environment to smallholders and youth.
• Crop Diversification: Diversification of cropping patterns towards millets, pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture is needed for more equal distribution of water, and sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Institutional Changes in Agri-Sector: Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) should help get better prices for inputs and outputs for smallholders. E-Choupal is an example of technology benefiting small farmers.
• Women’s empowerment is important, particularly for raising incomes and nutrition. Women’s cooperatives and groups like Kudumbashree in Kerala would be helpful.
• Sustainable Food Systems: Estimates show that the food sector emits around 30% of the world’s greenhouse gases. Sustainability has to be achieved in production, value chains, and consumption.
• Non-Agriculture Sector: The role of non-agriculture is equally important for sustainable food systems. Labour-intensive manufacturing and services can reduce pressure on agriculture as income from agriculture are not sufficient for smallholders and informal workers. Strengthening Rural Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and food processing is part of the solution.

THE CONCLUSION: Food security of a nation is ensured if all of its citizens have enough nutritious food available, all persons have the capacity to buy food of acceptable quality and there is no barrier to access to food. The right to food is a well-established principle of international human rights law. It has evolved to include an obligation for state parties to respect, protect, and fulfill their citizens’ right to food security. Developing Nations need to adopt a policy that brings together diverse issues such as inequality, food diversity, indigenous rights, and environmental justice to ensure sustainable food security.

Over the coming decades, a changing climate, growing global population, rising food prices, and environmental stressors will have significant yet uncertain impacts on food security. Adaptation strategies and policy responses to global change, including options for handling water allocation, land use patterns, food trade, post-harvest food processing, and food prices and safety are urgently needed. Food security includes analysis of cash transfers, promotion of sustainable agricultural technologies, building resilience to shocks, and managing trade-offs in food security, such as balancing the nutritional benefits of meat against the ecological costs of its production.

“Until the day we have a medical vaccine, food is the best vaccine against chaos.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres in 2020

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS:

1. “Since independence India has traveled a long road to food security, still much needs to be done to ascertain nutritional security.” Elaborate.
2. “With an alarming escalation in global hunger unfolding, reaching the goal of an equitable livelihood is a necessity.” Elaborate.
3. “Food is peace”, highlighted the importance of addressing hunger to prevent conflicts and create stability.
4. “Given the rapidly growing population, resource constraints, and climate change concerns, it is imperative for developing countries to learn from India to make food security a core policy priority.” Elaborate

THE GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

1. UNDERSTANDING THE ADDITIONAL AIRBAGS MANDATE FOR VEHICLES

THE CONTEXT: The government of India has proposed the installation of six airbags in all passenger vehicles to enhance safety for vehicle occupants.

THE EXPLANATION:

What does the proposal say? 

• The general statutory rules (GSR) notification states that all vehicles in the M1 category manufactured after October 1, 2022 must come fitted with two side torso air bags in the front row at the outboard seating positions.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways explained that it would be deployed to the seats or on the sides at the stipulated position inside the vehicle. It added that the deployment of the inflatable airbag in the mentioned position would help mitigate injuries in the torso region or ejection of the occupant from the vehicle.
• Further, the notification asks for deploying curtain or tube air bags to cushion the entire outboard sides of the vehicle. In the event of a rollover or a crash, this would help mitigate head injury. The notification informs the requirement for such airbags would be verified in compliance to AIS-099 standards that deals with protection of occupants in a vehicle in the event of a lateral collision.

What are the previous legislation on air bags?

• The Ministry had previously mandated deployment of airbags for the passenger on the front seat of the vehicle, next to the driver, for vehicles manufactured after April 1 2021. However, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline for its implementation was extended to December 31, 2021.
• “This has been mandated as an important safety feature, and is also based on suggestions of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety”.

Will the move ensure safety in case of a collision?

• According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal air bags saved 50,457 lives between 1987 and 2017 — enough to fill a major league baseball stadium. It added airbags to prevent the passenger’s upper body or head from hitting the vehicle’s interior during a crash. The transport regulatory body says passengers must also ensure fastening their seat belts on roads.
• According to the Road and Transport Minister stated in the recently-concluded parliamentary session that 8,598 lives in 2020 could have been saved in head-on collision with the use of airbags. “Similarly, side collisions cost 14,271 lives and 31% of those or 4,424 lives could have been saved with the use of side airbags”.

2. TIE-UP BETWEEN INDIAN, FOREIGN VARSITIES SIMPLIFIED

THE CONTEXT: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has simplified the procedure for an Indian higher educational institution to offer programmes in collaboration with foreign universities by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with each other directly if they meet certain eligibility criteria

THE EXPLANATION:

• In its 557th meeting recently, the UGC decided that an Indian higher education institution that has a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading of 3.01 or above, or is among the top 1,000 QS World University or Times Higher Education rankings, or is among the top 100 universities under National Institution Ranking Framework, will be able to tie-up with a foreign education institution which too features among the top 1,000 QS or Times Higher Education rankings.
• The previous regulations, known as the University Grants Commission (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2016, which will now stand repealed, required two institutions to tie-up with each other after obtaining the UGC’s approval.

What was the earlier regulations?

• “The earlier regulations were too strict and there were too many bottlenecks. This simplified regulations will increase the scale at which students could benefit from such collaborations between Indian and foreign higher education institutions.
• Under the 2016 regulations, a foreign and Indian college or university could partner with each other to offer only “twinning” and “joint degree” programmes where Indian students received a degree only from an Indian institute along with a certificate from the foreign institute. But now, they can offer a third type of programme, that is, a “dual degree” programme, where both the institutes will issue a degree. Under a twinning programme, a student can get up to 30% credit utilisation of the total course from a foreign university, whereas under a joint and dual degree programme, he or she can get more than 30% of the total credits.
• These collaborations will be permitted only for the conventional mode of learning and not for distance or online learning.

3. WHO GLOBAL CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AT JAMNAGAR, GUJARAT

THE CONTEXT: The World Health Organization launched its Global Centre for Traditional Medicine at a site in India aimed at unlocking its potential by blending ancient practices with modern science.

THE EXPLANATION:

• WHO global centre of traditional medicine is a major milestone for entire South East Asian Countries. This was acknowledged by Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan through recorded video message telecasted at the ceremony.
• On this occasion, WHO President said, “Traditional medicines products are abound globally and the centre will go a long way in bringing the promise of the traditional medicine to fruition. The New Centre will focus on data, innovation and sustainability and will optimize the use of traditional medicine. He also noted that the WHO global centre for traditional medicine is a truly global project. Through this centre India will be able to take its knowledge of traditional medicine to the world and similarly world will come to India.

• Traditional medicine is a key pillar of health care delivery systems and plays a crucial role in maintaining good health and well-being not only in India but across the world. In recent year, traditional medicine therapies have also seen a major transformation as usage of artificial intelligence, technological innovations have made it more accessible to masses. GCTM will aim to integrate the benefits of traditional medicine with the achievements of modern science and create a comprehensive health strategy.

4. ‘STAR RATING’ FOR PACKAGED FOOD UNLIKELY TO HELP, SAY EXPERTS

THE CONTEXT: The “health star rating” system that the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to adopt in order to help consumers reduce their intake of unhealthy foods has been opposed by close to a dozen consumer and health advocacy groups.

 THE EXPLANATION:

What is the Health Star Rating System?

• In February,2022 the FSSAI decided to adopt the “health-star rating system”, which gives a product 1/2 a star to 5 stars, in its draft regulations for front of package labelling (FOPL).
• The HSR format ranks a packaged food item based on salt, sugar, and fat content and the rating will be printed on the front of the package.
• The underlying premise of the HSR is that positive ingredients such as fruits and nuts can offset negative nutrients such as calories, saturated fat, total sugar, sodium to calculate the number of stars ascribed to a product.
• The decision was based on the recommendations of a study by the IIM-Ahmedabad the regulator had commissioned in September 2021.
• In the same meeting, the regulator decided that FOPL implementation could be made voluntary for a period of four years.

What is FoPL?

• In India, packaged food has had back-of-package (BOP) nutrient information in detail but no FoPL.
• Counter to this, FoPL can nudge people towards healthy consumption of packaged food.
• It can also influence purchasing habits.
• The study endorsed the HSR format, which speaks about the proportions of salt, sugar, and fat in food that is most suited for consumers.
• Countries such as the UK, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Hungary, and Australia have implemented FoPL systems.

What warranted the HSR rating in India?

• Visual bluff: A lot of Indian consumers do not read the information available at the back of the packaged food item.
• Burden of NCDs: Also, India has a huge burden of non-communicable diseases that contributes to around 5.87 million (60%) of all deaths in a year.
• Healthy dietary choices: HSR will encourage people to make healthy choices and could bring a transformational change in the society.
• Supreme Court order: A PIL seeking direction to the government to frame guidelines on HSR and impact assessment for food items and beverages was filed in the Supreme Court in June 2021.

Which category of food item will have HSR?

• All packaged food items or processed food will have the HSR label.
• These will include chips, biscuits, namkeen, sweets and chocolates, meat nuggets, and cookies.
• However, milk and its products such as chhnna and ghee are EXEMPTED as per the FSSAI draft notified in 2019.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

5. SCIENTISTS DISCOVER NEW EEL SPECIES FROM KERALA, BENGAL

THE CONTEXT: A group of Indian scientists have discovered a new species of eel from among specimens collected from the Kalamukku and Digha Mohana fishing harbours in Kerala and West Bengal respectively.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The newly discovered eel belongs to the Congrid eels group and has been named Ariosoma indicum. The term Indicum means that it was found in India.
• The scientists had collected 12 specimens from Kalamukku and seven specimens from Digha Mohana in 2020 for studies.
• Scientists from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR), confirmed Ariosoma indicumas a new species after two years of through research, taxonomic studies and molecular analysis.
• NBFGR is working on India’s fish genetic resources for intellectual property protection and sustainable utilisation.
• The total length of the new species is 362 millimetres. The eel has the following features according to the paper:
• A greenish-brown body, with faint dark bands on the dorsal portion of the head
• Minute dark pigmentation patches on the extremities of the lower jaw
• Bicoloured pectoral fin
• A short wedge-shaped pointed vomerine teeth patch, with three or four rows in the anterior portion
• Ariosoma indicumis possibly distributed along the Indian coast, including the coastal waters of Kerala and West Bengal. The Ariosoma genus has seven species, including the newly identified eel that have been documented in Indian waters. Globally, there are 223 species in the genus.
• Most of these eels have landed as by-catch in trawl landings, he added. Most eel groups possess less economic value and sampling of these groups has been rare in Indian waters, Mohapatra noted.
• “The new eel species is not listed as ‘Threatened’ or ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS: INFRASTRUCTURE

6. INDIA TO GET WORLD’S HIGHEST TUNNEL AT SHINKU LA PASS CONNECTING HIMACHAL PRADESH TO LADAKH

THE CONTEXT: According to the Border Roads Organisation will start the construction of the tunnel connecting Himachal Pradesh to Zanskar Valley in Ladakh by July 2022.

THE EXPLANATION:

• TheBorder Road Organisation will construct the world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La Pass at 16,580 feet to connect Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh.
• It also noted, while opening Himachal to Zanskar Road at Shinku La Pass, where over half a dozen vehicles crosses the Shinku La Pass from Zanskar side towards Manali.
• At present, one has to travel 101 km from Manali to Darcha on Leh road and thereafter, take a turn from Darcha towards Shinku La Pass and enter Zanskar valley.

Value Addition:

Zanskar Valley:

• The Chadar Trek, also known as the Frozen River Trek, is only accessible during the winter months in Zanskar.
• Zanskar is recognised for its hazardous terrain for adventure seekers, with treks like the Padum-Darcha Trek, Lugnak Trail Trek, and Zanskar-Sham Valley Trek among the options.

Shinku La:

• Shinku-La Tunnel, also known as Shinkula Tunnel or Shingo-La Tunnel, is a planned motorable tunnel linking Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Valley and Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley in Northern India.

VALUE ADDTION:

ABOUT BORDER ROAD ORGANISATION

• The Border Road Organization is an infrastructure building organization working under the Ministry of Defence.
• It develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.
• It was conceptualized by Pt Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India. Formed in 1960, the BRO is engaged in developing means of communication in border areas.
• The organization primarily meets the defense requirement towards infrastructure development of remote Border areas of North &North East states.
• The infrastructure development includes Roads, Bridges, Highways, Airports, Tunnels, Buildings and other structures.
• Apart from the strategic / defense requirement, the roads also cater for the socio-economic development of the nation. Border Roads Organization has contributed a lot to the socio-economic development of the North East region.

THE COVID CORNER

7. PLASMA-BASED GREEN DISINFECTANTS CAN LIMIT SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES LIKE COVID 19

THE CONTEXT: Researchers have developed a plasma-based disinfectant generated with the help of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) which could act as a green decontaminant for COVID 19.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The COVID 19 pandemic had brought forth the urgent need for decontaminants that can limit the spread of infectious diseases through contact. However, most decontaminants consisted of chemicals which are hazardous for the environment. This encouraged researchers to work towards greener alternatives.
• A team of scientists from the Life Sciences and Physical Sciences divisions from the Institute of the Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, Guwahati, Assam has demonstrated that the plasma generated by cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) has the potential to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which binds to human ACE2 receptor for inducing viral infection and subsequent Covid-19.
• Plasma, the fourth state of matter which makes up most of the universe when produced in controlled conditions in the lab and are termed as Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP). The scientists passed plasma forming gases such as Helium, Argon, and Air through a high voltage electric field which led to the formation of a stable plasma with a mixture of ions, and electrons emitting a pink glow of CAP inside the reaction chamber.
• This research recently published in the international journal of the RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) Advances shows that short-lived highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) generated in the plasma led to complete deactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein occurs within 2 min of CAP treatment. The RT-PCR analysis has also established that CAP can deactivate the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
• The researchers showed that the CAP, a plasma-based disinfection method is a better alternative to environmentally hazardous chemical-based decontamination methods. “The cold atmospheric plasma is environmentally safe since, during the entire decontamination process by plasma treatment, no chemical waste is produced.
• They also, noted that the disinfection method could further be extended for various bacterial or fungal infections.

THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

8. GURU TEGH BAHADUR’S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY FETE AT RED FORT

THE CONTEXT: According to Union Culture Ministry, Prime Minister will address the nation from Red Fort on April 21, 2022 to mark the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Ministry officials said the Red Fort was chosen as the venue for two reasons.
• “First, it was the place from where Mughal ruler Aurangzeb gave orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675.
• Second, the ramparts of Red Fort is from where the PM addresses the nation on Independence Day, so it’s an ideal place to reach out to the people with a message of interfaith peace”.

Value Addition:

• Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 – 1675) was the ninth of ten Sikh Gurus and the leader of Sikhs from 1665 until his beheading in 1675.

• He was born in Amritsar, Punjab, India in 1621 and was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh guru.

• His 115 hymns are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the main text of Sikhism.
• He was originally named Tyag Mal but was later renamed Tegh Bahadur after his gallantry and bravery in the wars against the Mughal forces.
• He built the city of Anandpur Sahib.
• Sikh holy premises Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi mark the places of execution and cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur respectively.
• He started community water wells and langars (community kitchen for the poor and hungry).
• In 1668 in Assam, he was able to preach a treaty between the King of Ahom and Raja Ram Singh of Amber who was sent there by Aurangzeb.
• In 1672, he visited Kashmir where he saw the persecution of non-Muslims.
• The Guru attracted huge numbers of devotees and followers. This is said to have distressed the Mughal Emperor. It is also said that the Guru’s promise of protection to the persecuted Kashmiri Pandits also led to his being summoned to Delhi by the Emperor. While the Sikh faith was gathering strength, Aurangzeb was following a policy of religious discrimination and persecution in many places. Tegh Bahadur was brought before the Emperor when he reached Delhi.
• On 24 November 1675, the Guru was publicly beheaded on the orders of Aurangzeb for refusing to accept the authority of Mughal Emperor, at Chandni Chowk in Delhi. Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib was built in 1783 at the place where he was beheaded.
• His young son Gobind, who was only nine when his father was killed, became the tenth and the last Sikh Guru. The effect of his father’s cruel murder must have been profound on him. Guru Gobind Singh went on to become the founder of the Khalsa and challenged the authority of the Mughals.

THE PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Q. Consider the following statements about the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:

1. 1. The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations.
   2. The High Commissioner for Human Rights is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
   3. High Commissioner for Human Rights is accountable to the UN General Assembly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

ANSWER FOR 19TH APRIL 2022

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Char Chinar, also sometimes called Char Chinari, is an island in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is located on the Lakut Dal (Small Dal) known as Ropa Lank (Silver Island).
• The second Chinar Island, known as Sone Lank (Gold Island), is located on the Bod Dal (Big Dal).
• It is a large, deciduous tree known for its longevity and spreading crown.

1. Demolition drives violate international law: The bulldozing of houses in M.P. was to impose collective punishment on the alleged rioters READ MORE
2. An honest reckoning: On simmering dispute between India and WHO about COVID deaths READ MORE
3. The challenge of regulating online gaming READ MORE

1. Caste inequalities within socio-religious groups: Evidence from Uttar Pradesh READ MORE
2. Infirm childhood: The Gadchiroli experiment must be replicated across India to counter child malnutrition READ MORE

1. Before We Can Manage E-Waste, We Must Reduce Waste. This Is Why. READ MORE
2. Emissions reduction: Address market failure READ MORE
3. Climate and Us | Two draft green clearance notifications that should worry us READ MORE
4. Responding to climate change: India needs institutions to address concerns READ MORE
5. Only 10% Chance of Limiting Global Warming Under 1.5 Degrees READ MORE

1. Ramzan, the month of fasting and forgiveness READ MORE
2. Opinion: India must address its lack of ethics READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. ‘India could meet Sri Lanka fate if freebie culture persists’ READ MORE
2. Demolition drives violate international law READ MORE
3. Mahinda moots clipping presidential powers; one killed in police firing READ MORE
4. Why rise in nickel price due to Russia-Ukraine war casts shadow on shift from fossil fuels to EVs READ MORE
5. Scientists discover new eel species from Kerala, Bengal READ MORE
6. India to get world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La Pass connecting Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh READ MORE
7. RBI ‘State of the economy’ report: ‘Global policy tightening may precipitate rocketing inflation’ READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Caste inequalities within socio-religious groups: Evidence from Uttar Pradesh READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Demolition drives violate international law: The bulldozing of houses in M.P. was to impose collective punishment on the alleged rioters READ MORE
2. An honest reckoning: On simmering dispute between India and WHO about COVID deaths READ MORE
3. The challenge of regulating online gaming READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Infirm childhood: The Gadchiroli experiment must be replicated across India to counter child malnutrition READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India-UK partnership is like the Modi-Johnson relationship. Underrated in geopolitics READ MORE
2. West-Led Globalisation May End, New One Might Have Eastern Face READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. High inflationary trends: Need to lower dependence on fossil fuels READ MORE
2. Why India shouldn’t get carried away by wheat, rice export bonanza due to Ukraine war READ MORE
3. A new pandemic has struck the world: Food inflation READ MORE
4. Global Implications of Covid-19 and the Economic War on Russia READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 

1. Before We Can Manage E-Waste, We Must Reduce Waste. This Is Why. READ MORE
2. Emissions reduction: Address market failure READ MORE
3. Climate and Us | Two draft green clearance notifications that should worry us READ MORE
4. Responding to climate change: India needs institutions to address concerns READ MORE
5. Only 10% Chance of Limiting Global Warming Under 1.5 Degrees READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Towards a peaceful, stable Northeast READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Ramzan, the month of fasting and forgiveness READ MORE
2. Opinion: India must address its lack of ethics READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that the culture of party whip is making executive less accountable, and laws are passing with inadequate scrutiny? Justify your view.
2. ‘Rising inflation in India not only foretells greater misery for the beleaguered middle and lower middle classes, but it also threatens to impede the economic revival in the country’. Justify the statement.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity will lead us to peace.
• As the custodian of India’s constitutional order, it is high time that the judiciary acted and imposed necessary checks on the unbridled exercise of power by the executive.
• Courts should use international law to counter the nationalist-populist discourse.
• Healthy tax revenues and disinvestment proceeds will allow the government to absorb the risks related to increased spending this year.
• The efforts by the Union government to make the northeastern region the main pillar of the Act East policy have been useful in bringing a sense of political stability that is very crucial for optimal economic development and capacity enhancement in the region.
• Our Parliament must reflect the changing aspirations, restlessness and ambition of the new India, driving accountability and not suborning itself to the executive — it should be a true centre of inquiry.
• RISING inflation in India not only foretells greater misery for the beleaguered middle and lower middle classes, it also threatens to impede the economic revival in the country.
• Modi govt must assess food inflation and the domestic requirement of wheat and rice in a war-ravaged year. Data on procurement doesn’t look good.
• As US widens its net to sanction more and more countries, these countries seek to build up trade mechanisms that are not reliant upon Western institutions anymore.
• Developing countries will have to cooperate closely, combat the economic and public health consequences of the pandemic, and tackle the fallout of the economic war on Russia together.
• The appetite in many parts of the world has already increased for an alternative to Western-shaped globalisation, but this does not necessarily mean deglobalisation. It could mean a globalisation platform that no longer has its epicentre located in Washington or Brussels.

50-WORD TALK

• Supreme Court’s decisions to expand the definition of ‘vulnerable witness’ to include civil and juvenile justice cases is important judicial reform. Witnesses are crucial to justice delivery and their sensitive engagement. A safe and secure court environment can help improve the quality of deposition and the outcome of a trial.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

THE CONTEXT: The fifth summit of the now 25-year-old Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) hosted by Sri Lanka, was held in March 2022 in a hybrid fashion. India’s Prime Minister, who attended the summit virtually, called for unity and cooperation in the region as it faces economic and health challenges. PM also announced the adoption of the organisation’s institutional architecture- the BIMSTEC charter. This article analyses this development in detail.

DETAIL OF THE SUMMIT

• The summit’s theme “Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” captures the main current priorities of member states and the efforts by BIMSTEC to develop cooperation activities that support member states’ programmes to deal with the economic and development consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The main outcome of the summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to and dependent upon the Bay of Bengal.
• The summit saw considerable progress being achieved in the BIMSTEC connectivity agenda with adopting the ‘Master Plan for Transport Connectivity’ by Leaders, which lays out a guidance framework for connectivity-related activities in the region in the future.
• The Prime Minister underscored the importance of enhanced BIMSTEC regional connectivity, cooperation, and security, made several suggestions, and called upon fellow leaders to strive to transform the Bay of Bengal into a Bridge of Connectivity, Prosperity, and Security among the BIMSTEC-member countries.
• Three BIMSTEC agreements were signed during the summit
• BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
• BIMSTEC Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in the field of Diplomatic Training.
• Memorandum of Association on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility.

BIMSTEC: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE GROUPING:

• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a multilateral regional organisation established to accelerate shared growth and cooperation between littoral and adjacent countries in the Bay Bengal region.
• It has a total of seven member countries- five from South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and two from Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand.
• It was founded as BIST-EC, in June 1997, with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration, with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand as members. It became BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation) with the entry of Myanmar in late 1997, And eventually, it was named in its current form when Nepal and Bhutan became members in 2004.

THE AIM:

• The aim of setting up the regional grouping was not to create a new region for cooperation but to revive the connectivity and common interests of the Bay of Bengal region members.
• According to the official website of BIMSTEC, “the regional group constitutes a bridge between South and Southeast Asia and represents a reinforcement of relations among these countries.”
• BIMSTEC is different from other regional groupings such as SAARC or ASEAN because it is a sector-driven organisation.

WHAT IS THE WORKING MECHANISM OF BIMSTEC?:

• Until the current summit, BIMSTEC did not have a formal document or organisational architecture, which was adopted this time in the form of the BIMSTEC Charter.
• It did have a working mechanism for policy-making and operational goals. Policymaking would be done through two types of meetings: Summits, which are supposed to be held every two years; and ministerial meetings of Foreign and Commerce Ministers of member countries for deciding on trade and economic affairs, to be held once every year. An operational meeting of senior officials to monitor the activities of the grouping is also supposed to be held twice a year.
• Since its inception, BIMSTEC’s policymaking meetings have not been held as per plan. Just five summits, including the current one, have been held in 25 years.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BIMSTEC?:

• The BIMSTEC region hosts 22% of the world population or 1.68 billion people; the member states have a combined GDP of US$3.697 trillion/per year.

IMPORATNCE OF BIMSTEC FOR INDIA

LOOK EAST POLICY:

• It should be seen in the context of India’s heightened interest and commitment to its “Act East” policy.
• Without a strong outreach to BIMSTEC member states, India’s attempts at achieving its Act East policy goals will lack momentum.

SECURITY:

• It could also be seen as aligning with India’s larger goal to gain trade and security prominence in the Indian Ocean region and to cater to the concept of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ region, a major focus of Quad countries.

AN ALTERNATIVE TO SAARC:

• The idea of BIMSTEC also gained prominence after the 2016 Uri attack when India was able to get SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations on its side to boycott the organisations’ summit, which was to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan.
• The progress of SAARC has stalled over the years due to Indo-Pak relations and what experts call Pakistan’s obstructionist approach to the organisation.
• BIMSTEC emerged as an alternative platform for cooperation.

CHINA’S INFLUENCE IN THE REGION:

• China’s influence and presence in India’s neighbourhood have grown enormously on account of BRI initiatives.
• Debt burdens have forced India’s neighbours to hand over assets to China.
• India will be hoping that its economic engagement with the Bay of Bengal littoral states will restrict Chinese influence in these countries.

REGIONAL COOPERATION:

• BIMSTEC has gained popularity among South Asian countries as a platform for regional cooperation.
• The organisation is a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
• BIMSTEC’s major strength is that it includes two influential regional powers: Thailand and India.
• The region has countries with the fastest-growing economies in the world.

FUTURE PERSPECTIVEs:

• India is likely to find that focusing its diplomatic energies on BIMSTEC member states could be rewarding.
• Relationships among BIMSTEC members are generally cordial, unlike the strained India-Pakistan relationship.
• BIMSTEC is not without its share of problems. India will need to convince other BIMSTEC members that its new outreach to them is not a “rebound relationship,” a short-term one to thumb its nose at Pakistan.
• BIMSTEC suffers from a lack of human and financial resources. India needs to allocate more resources to its BIMSTEC budget and should take an informal leadership role to provide BIMSTEC with momentum.

STRATEGIC SHIFT FROM SAARC TO BIMSTEC

THE URI ATTACK AND BOYCOTT OF THE SAARC SUMMIT:

• In September 2016 India saw a deadly attack on the army camp in Uri.
• After that attack, India expressed its inability to participate in the Islamabad SAARC summit due to “prevailing circumstances” and stepped up diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.
• Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan followed India’s decision to stay away from the November summit to be held in Islamabad.
• India and other countries cited “cross-border terrorist attacks in the region” as a reason for boycotting the summit.

SHIFT FROM SAARC TO BIMSTEC:

• India invited the BIMSTEC leaders to the BRICS summit at Goa in 2016.
• In doing so it sent out the message that if SAARC wasn’t ready to deliver, India had BIMSTEC to turn to. After that, The Indian prime minister engaged BIMSTEC leaders in bilateral meetings.
• Since 2016 there has been no movement forward on resuming the SAARC summit.
• India is regularly attending the BIMSTEC summit and it had emerged as an alternative regional platform where five SAARC (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) countries could gather and discuss sub-regional cooperation.
• India chose BIMSTEC over any other regional grouping indicative of India’s importance to the Bay of Bengal region.
• BIMSTEC=SAARC- (Pakistan, Maldives, and Afghanistan) +(Thailand and Myanmar)

WHY IS INDIA’S STRATEGIC FOCUS SHIFTING FROM SAARC TO BIMSTEC?

Apart from the terror issue, there are many other issues which are responsible for India’s strategic shift from SAARC to BIMSTEC. These are

FAILURE OF SAARC:

• SAARC has come under serious scrutiny in the last few years.
• From its very inception, member countries treated it with suspicion and mistrust.
• Even after three decades of its existence, SAARC’s performance has been less than satisfactory, and its role in strengthening regional cooperation is being questioned.
• In the 30 years of its history, annual SAARC summits have been postponed 11 times for political reasons, either bilateral or internal.
• Numerous agreements and institutional mechanisms established under SAARC have not been adequately implemented.

PAKISTAN’S NON-COOPERATION:

• Pakistan’s non-cooperation has stalled some major initiatives under SAARC.
• At the 18th SAARC summit in Kathmandu in 2014, initiatives such as the SAARC–Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA), could not be signed.
• The SAARC satellite project that India proposed was abandoned following an objection from Pakistan in 2016.
• 19th summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2016 was suspended for an indefinite period, as member countries declined to participate.
• While cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan is a major concern for India, Pakistan has failed to address these concerns.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA IN BIMSTEC

BRIDGE BETWEEN SOUTH ASIA AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA:

• Nearly 1.5 billion people live along its coastline.
• 25% of the world’s traded goods across the Bay of Bengal every year.
• 80% of Chinese, 90% of South Korea’s, and Japan’s energy imports pass through the Bay of Bengal.

MARKET:

• The seven countries (apart from India) have a combined GDP of approximately US$ 2.7 trillion with 5.5% economic growth.

RESOURCES:

• the Bay of Bengal is the world’s largest bay, it is also rich in untapped natural resources, with some of the world’s largest fishing stocks, reserves of gas, and other sea bed minerals.

GEOSTRATEGIC:

• BIMSTEC community gives tacit recognition to India as a major power in Indo-Pacific by facilitating India to take a leading position.

ROLE IN INDO-PACIFIC:

• the Bay of Bengal acts as a funnel to the Strait of Malacca linking the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is a major maritime choke-up point for China, Japan, and most East and Southeast Asian states.

DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL STATES:

• One-quarter of its population lives in states bordering the Bay of Bengal. Their growth and development are increasingly seen to hinge on the degree of connectivity with the Southeast Asian markets.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR INDIA IN BIMSTEC?

LACK OF HUMAN AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES:

• BIMSTEC suffers from a lack of human and financial resources.
• India needs to allocate more resources to its BIMSTEC budget and should take an informal leadership role to provide BIMSTEC with momentum.
• India is currently the largest contributor to the BIMSTEC secretariat budget.

SUPREMACY:

• India would have to counter the impression that BIMSTEC is an India-dominated bloc; in that context, India can follow the Gujral doctrine that intends to chalk out the effect of transactionary motive in bilateral relations.

CONNECTIVITY:

• Connectivity is a major issue among BIMSTEC nations.
• North-Eastern states are important in deepening connectivity among BIMSTEC nations, but the Siliguri corridor (chicken neck) provides a very narrow passage for movement and obstructs connectivity.
• The underdevelopment of North Eastern states in terms of infrastructure and connectivity will also be a major hurdle.

REGIONAL INSTABILITY:

• Regional instability in the form of the Rohingya crisis and other intra and interstate issues can hamper the efficient and effective functioning of the grouping.

THE LACK OF CRITICAL SUPPORT:

• Strong and clear political commitment, adequate financial resources, full engagement of business and industry, and optimal involvement of civil society has been the principal constraint in BIMSTEC.

BCIM:

• The formation of another sub-regional initiative, the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Forum, with the proactive membership of China, has created more doubts about the exclusive potential of BIMSTEC.

BIMSTEC VS SAARC: WHICH IS MORE SUITABLE FOR INDIA?

If India wants to prove itself as a regional power, as the largest country in South Asia, India cannot escape its responsibilities under SAARC. The following points explain the differences between SAARC and BIMSTEC. In the end, it can be seen that none of them can substitute for each other. Rather they can complement each other’s roles.

THE WAY FORWARD

• India can’t afford to remain isolated in the light of recent forays by China in South Asia that India exerts as its own sphere of influence. By facilitating trade and economy through BIMSTEC, India can integrate the economies of surrounding countries. For e.g., India can integrate the BIG-B initiative of Bangladesh with its own SAGARMALA project
• To build this as a sustainable platform, India should also focus on maintaining consistency in the frequency of the summits to ensure regularity in decision making;
• It should also fund it more to improve the capacity of the secretariat, both in terms of manpower and funding. In the short term, since India lacks the resources, India should use its clout to derive funds from JICA, World Bank, or ADB.
• Ensuring tangible results/benefits, which will add to the motivation of the countries to concentrate on BIMSTEC
• To prevent this platform fall apart like SAARC, India needs to give teeth to it. This can be done by empowering BIMSTEC to be a platform for dispute resolution among member 24 countries. This will require debates and discussions among the BIMSTEC countries to reach a consensus. India should also go ahead of its reservations on certain issues that neighboring countries opine as big brotherly nature to improve their confidence.

THE Conclusion: Recent summit is a good opportunity for India and other BIMSTEC countries to develop a strong regional group to promote peace, stability, and trade. For India, it is an important platform to counter China in the South Asia region. Apart from it, with the help of BIMSTEC countries, India can develop an effective regional group for trade like ASEAN.

Questions:

1. Discuss the opportunities and challenges for India in the BIMSTEC grouping.
2. How far do you agree with this view that as being the largest country in the South Asia region, India should lead the region in world politics, and for that India should try for the revival of SAARC? Analyse your view.
3. ‘BIMSTEC is an opportunity for India for its Act East Policy, but it cannot be an alternative of SAARC’. Critically Examine.

THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. ADIVASIS, DALITS, MUSLIMS HAVE LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN HIGHER-CASTE HINDUS, STUDY REVEALS

THE CONTEXT: The study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), in March 2022, is authored by experts affiliated with the Research Institute for Compassionate Economics, a non-profit organisation focused on health and well-being in India.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT:

• The report highlighted the impact of discrimination and social exclusion on health disparities. Adivasis have a life-expectancy over four years lower, Dalits more than three years lower and Muslims almost a year lower than that of upper-caste Hindus, according to the study.
• The relatively smaller gap between life expectancy of Muslims and higher-caste Hindus is largely due to lower exposure to open defecation among Muslim children, lower rates of cervical cancers among Muslim women, lower consumption of alcohol and fewer suicide.
• The difference in life expectancy of Dalits and Adivasis in comparison to higher-caste Hindus is “comparable to the Black-White gap in the US in absolute magnitude”.
• The study assessed data from India’s Annual Health Survey, 2010-2011, focusing on nine states — Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand — representing 48.5 per cent of India’s population.
• The impact of social exclusion as a result of one’s religion, caste or indigenous group on health and access to healthcare is an under explored topic in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
• Also, the report noted, “Patterns of disparities may be distinct in LMICs because population health is poorer, social safety nets are less robust, health care is less accessible and mortality risk-factors differ”. Thus, bridging the gap is essential.
• Life expectancy of upper-caste Hindus in the nine states was higher than the all-India life expectancy in 2010. Moreover, the same indicator for Adivasis and Dalits “are lower than those observed for all of India in 1996-2000, more than ten years before the survey.”
• The study also found a marginal difference in life expectancy based on sex. Life expectancy of Adivasi men was five years lower and of Adivasi women four years lower than higher-caste Hindus, the data showed. There was no difference in life expectancy between Dalit women and men.
• Among the nine states, Assam recorded the highest life expectancy for the Adivasi population, while Madhya Pradesh recorded the lowest, said the report. “The Dalit population recorded the highest life expectancy in Jharkhand and the lowest in Uttar Pradesh. For the Muslim population,  life expectancy was the highest in Rajasthan and lowest in Uttar Pradesh.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

2. NEW SHRIMP SPECIES DISCOVERED OFF LAKSHADWEEP

THE CONTEXT: Scientists from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), focused on documentation of aquatic genetic resources with special attention on fish and shell fish resources, have discovered a new species of shrimp, which has been named Actinimeneskoyas.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The species was collected at a depth of 1.0–2.0 m from the coral atoll of Agatti Island.
• This new species has been named ‘Koyas’ to honour the local community on the Lakshadweep islands as Koyas form an important ethnic community on the islands, who have made a significant contribution to the development and preservation of the heritage of the society.
• The newly discovered species is closely related to some other shrimp species in morphological traits. The new species is easily distinguished from the other species by the structural variation in the fourth sternal plate with a median notch.
• NBFGR has been conducting many exploratory surveys off the Lakshadweep islands with special focus on fish and shrimp species. The studies have revealed great diversity of symbiotic communities, which mostly comprise colourful and undescribed shrimp species.

Recent Findings:

• Recently, NBFGR scientists had discovered new shrimp species – Periclimenellaagattii (2019) named after the Agatti island and Arabianensis (2020) named after the Arabian Sea.
• NBFGR sources said reef-associated living fauna in these regions were important components of the marine biodiversity, which is home to a great variety of underwater habitats.

Value Addition:

• Lakshadweep is a tropical archipelago of 36 atolls and coral reefs in the Laccadive Sea, 280 km to 480 km off the coast of Kerala. 11 are inhabited.
• But currently, there are 35 islands, as the Parali 1 island submerged in water due to sea erosion.
• Lakshadweep means “one lakh islands” in Malayalam, the official as well as the widely spoken native language in the territory. Fishing is the most important industry.
• The islands form the smallest union territory of India and their total surface area is just 32 km square.
• Kavaratti serves as the capital of the Union Territory and the region comes under the jurisdiction of Kerala High Court. It is a uni-district Union Territory.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

3.WHOLESALE PRICE INFLATION ACCELERATED TO 14.55% IN MARCH 2022

THE CONTEXT: According to the government data, the India’s annual wholesale price-based inflation accelerated to a record 14.55% in March from the previous month’s 13.11% in the wake of higher fuel prices.

THE EXPLANATION:

• According to data released by the Commerce Ministry, the country’s inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) accelerated to 13.11% in February as compared to the 12.96% increase in January 2022. WPI was 4.83% in February 2021. High WPI inflation is seen as a precursor to higher consumer prices as producers pass on rising costs to their customers.
• According to the Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the high inflation this March was attributed ‘primarily to rise in prices of crude petroleum and natural gas, mineral oils, basic metals, etc. owing to disruption in global supply chain caused by Russia-Ukraine conflict’.
• Manufactured products inflation moved up from 9.84% to 10.71%. However, the month-on-month change in the index for manufactured goods was sharper at 2.31%.

About Wholesale Price Index (WPI):

• Measures inflation at the first stage of the transaction, i.e. wholesale prices.
• Compiled by the Office of Economic Advisor, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• The Wholesale Price Index measures inflation on a year-on-year basis.
• It consists of 3 major groups as below:

4. RBI ‘STATE OF THE ECONOMY’ REPORT

THE CONTEXT: According to the RBI’s monthly ‘State of the Economy’ report, war in Ukraine continues to vex the global supply chain and inflate prices of goods and commodities, the Indian economy is not expected to remain immune from the negative global conditions

THE EXPLANATION:

• India is facing high inflation, widening trade deficit and foreign portfolio investment outflow, the central bank added. These conditions are expected to hamper growth and lead to ‘rocketing inflation’.
• “Emerging market economies are bracing up to contend with swift shifts in risk sentiments and tightening of global financial conditions that could produce real economy consequences which may thwart incipient recoveries or even precipitate rocketing inflation and economic downturns.
• Prices of crude oil prices rocketed to a 14-year high of $133 per barrel in the first week of March 2022, prices of base metals such as nickel, palladium and aluminium, for which Russia is a key exporter, have surged and prices of food items such as edible oil and cereals have also been pinched hard in last two months, following the war. The impact has been felt across the board impacting countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, India and Russia.
• The RBI said global growth outlook has also been cut due to ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe. Even if the war ends, the imposed sanctions on Russia and the supply chain disruptions will last through this year (2022). This has resulted in organizations like the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to cut global GDP by 1 per cent.
• It also noted that “India faces these challenges with improving fundamentals and strong buffers. Going forward, spurring private investment remains a key thrust area for sustaining growth on a durable basis.

THE INTERNAL SECURITY

5. MEGHALAYA TRIBAL COUNCIL OPPOSES BORDER DEAL WITH ASSAM

THE CONTEXT: A tribal council in Meghalaya has joined the list of individuals and organisations in opposing the State government’s deal with Assam to resolve a 50-year-old boundary dispute.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The Assam and Meghalaya governments had on March 29, 2022, finalized the pact to divide 36.79 sq. km of disputed areas. The two governments had taken up six of 12 disputed sectors in the first phase of discussions.
• The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) claimed that the dispute areas belong to private parties and the Meghalaya government has neither the authority nor the right to hand them over to Assam.
• The KHADC is one of three tribal councils in Meghalaya created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Each of them functions as a government within a specified territory.
• Apart from the KHADC, some traditional institutions such as Hima (a Khasi state) and villagers not keen on being tagged with Assam have threatened to go to court if the Meghalaya government cannot review the boundary deal.
• The Meghalaya government has said agreement, based on a list of disputed sectors submitted to Assam in 2011, cannot be revisited. The deal remains to be ratified by Parliament and the Assemblies of the two States concerned before the boundary is redrawn.
• The residents of two border villages –Malchapara and Salbari– have said they will not give up without a fight. They fear they will lose the tribal rights if they are separated from Meghalaya.

Value Addition:

Border Disputes among states

Assam-Mizoram:

• Mizoram borders Assam’s Barak Valley, and both border Bangladesh. The boundary between the two states, which runs 165 km today, has a history dating back to the time when Mizoram was a district of Assam and known as Lushai Hills. Boundary demarcations in 1875 and 1933, particularly the second one, are at the heart of the dispute.
• The 1875 demarcation, notified on August 20 that year, derived from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act, 1873. It differentiated Lushai Hills from the plains of Cacharin Assam’s Barak Valley. This was done in consultation with Mizo chiefs, and it became the basis for the Inner Line Reserve Forest demarcation in the Gazette.

Assam-Arunachal Pradesh

• The boundary issue between Assam and Arunachal is as ancient as the reign of the Ahom Kings who ruled Assam till the British annexed Assam in 1826. Encroachments by residents across the 804-km border that Assam shares with Arunachal Pradesh have led to rising tensions occasionally. A suit has been pending in Supreme Court since 1989 on the issue. Border Roads Organisation has marked Kim in Arunachal Pradesh as part of Assam by mistake.

Assam-Nagaland

• Assam and Nagaland share a 434-km border and the disputes relate to 66000 Sq Km of land mostly along the Sivasagar district of Assam. The two states have been disputing their shared border ever since Nagaland was carved out of Assam’s Naga Hills district. While Assam wants the status quo and sticks to the border decision taken on December 1, 1963, Nagaland demands all Naga territories be transferred to the state. Claiming that all Naga territories belong to them, Nagaland wants restoration of land-based on a 16-point agreement of 1960, which led to the creation of the state.

Assam-Meghalaya

• Meghalaya shares its internal border only with Assam and there are disputes along the 733 km border at 12 places. The border row between both States started with the formation of states under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. As per the Act, Blocks I and II of the Mikir Hills—presently, the Karbi Anglong district—were granted to Assam. Meghalaya claims that both these blocks were part of the erstwhile United Khasi and Jaintia Hills when it was created in 1835.

THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

6. THE NUBIAN CIVILIZATION

THE CONTEXT: Recently, archaeologist excavated a circular mounds of rocks dot the desert landscape at the archaeological site of Tombos in northern Sudan. They reveal tumuli – the underground burial tombs used at least as far back as 2500 B.C. by ancient inhabitants who called this region Kush or Nubia.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The remains of the ancient inhabitants of Tombos reveal information about their physical activity, as well as infection and nutrition. Conditions such as heart disease, cancer and the effects of hard labor all leave marks on the human body that provide insights into the epidemiology of disease in the past.

Value Addition:

• Nubia is a region along the Nile River located in the northern Sudan and southern Egypt. It was one of the earliest civilizations of ancient Northeastern Africa, with a history that can be traced from at least 2000 BCE and was home to one of the African empires.
• Before the 4th century, and throughout classical antiquity, Nubia was known as Kush, or, in Classical Greek usage, included under the name Ethiopia (Aithiopia). With the disintegration of the New Kingdom around 1070 BCE, Kush became an independent kingdom centered at Napata in modern central Sudan.

THE PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Q. The Char Chinari Island is sometimes recently seen in the news?

1. The iconic island Char Chinari in the middle of the Wular Lake.
2. It is a large, deciduous tree known for its longevity and spreading crown.
3. It is a coral island found in Lakshadweep.
4. It is a disputed island between India and Bangladesh.

ANSWER FOR 18TH APRIL 2022

Answer: B

Explanation:

1. Palamau Tiger reserve – Jharkhand
2. Valmiki Tiger Reserve – Bihar
3. Satkoshi Tiger Reserve – Odisha

1. Affection, Disaffection READ MORE
2. Recognise the Divine Within READ MORE
3. Why fight with life, learn to flow with it READ MORE
4. Doing Ethnography in Conflict Zones: Ethics and Empathy READ MORE

1. A normal monsoon is crucial this year READ MORE
2. Climate Change Is Bad – But It Doesn’t Deserve All the Blame READ MORE
3. Why is the number of heatwave days rising in India? Scientists blame climate change READ MORE

1. Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims have lower life expectancy than higher-caste Hindus, study reveals READ MORE
2. Why fight with life, learn to flow with it READ MORE

1. Pendency begins here: Centre defies the prescribed timelines for judges’ appointments, SC collegium also falters READ MORE
2. How the IAS has fared well in service to the nation READ MORE
3. On bail, the Supreme Court sets a precedent READ MORE
4. Law to identify criminals needs safeguards READ MORE
5. Bulldozing the Idea of Democracy READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Meghalaya tribal council opposes border deal with Assam, says govt. needs its consent for handover READ MORE
2. Wholesale price inflation accelerated to 14.55% in March READ MORE
3. Archaeological Find Along the Nile Opens Window to the Nubian Civilisation READ MORE
4. Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims have lower life expectancy than higher-caste Hindus, study reveals READ MORE
5. Exemption for ‘strategic’ highways, mining extensions: How govt’s reshaping environmental clearance READ MORE
6. New shrimp species discovered off Lakshadweep READ MORE
7. War to cut global growth, boosts financing target: World Bank READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. A normal monsoon is crucial this year READ MORE
2. Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims have lower life expectancy than higher-caste Hindus, study reveals READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Pendency begins here: Centre defies the prescribed timelines for judges’ appointments, SC collegium also falters READ MORE
2. How the IAS has fared well in service to the nation READ MORE
3. On bail, the Supreme Court sets a precedent READ MORE
4. Law to identify criminals needs safeguards READ MORE
5. Bulldozing the Idea of Democracy READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Does increasing female representation in school management improve school quality? READ MORE
2. Delivering comprehensive primary healthcare READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. A new shine to old ties READ MORE
2. The true strength of Asean lies in regional cooperation READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Sri Lankan lessons for India: India must step up domestic production from oilseeds to renewable energy and defence equipment READ MORE
2. Global call to ensure food security READ MORE
3. Structural changes: GST system needs careful interventions READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 

1. Climate Change Is Bad – But It Doesn’t Deserve All the Blame READ MORE
2. Why is the number of heatwave days rising in India? Scientists blame climate change READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Affection, Disaffection READ MORE
2. Recognise the Divine Within READ MORE
3. Why fight with life, learn to flow with it READ MORE
4. Doing Ethnography in Conflict Zones: Ethics and Empathy READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Discuss the causes of the Sri Lankan economic crisis. What can India learn from this crisis?
2. ‘The relationship between India and Britain needs a new paradigm in the present situation’. In the light of the statement, discuss the factors for helping to enrich India- Britain relations.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
• The central bank must note that a Central Bank Digital Currency can only be a fiat currency and not crypto.
• As for India it must learn from its neighbour’s misfortunes and step-up domestic production across sectors, from oilseeds to renewable energy and defence equipment.
• Having walked out of Europe, Britain needs all the partners it can find, and a rising India is naturally among the top political and economic priorities.
• Tussling between the Supreme Court collegium and the central government seems to have become the key feature of the judicial appointment process.
• Issues related to the service’s constraints and functioning need redressal to restore its public image
• Good practices must go hand in hand with expanded biometrics collection rather than following as an afterthought.
• Wars do not settle major dilemmas of humanity. The ideas of nonalignment and peace have answers to children who want to eat and to learn, to play and to dream.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

50-WORD TALK

• The fresh rise in India’s Covid infections should be watched closely but not trigger panic. The increase is attributed to behaviour changes after restrictions were lifted and rates of hospitalisation and serious illness are low. This is another reminder for masking in crowded places, 100% full vaccination and encouraging boosters.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.