The context: Recently, the National Report of the 2nd phase of the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) was released. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a large-scale, multi-round survey conducted on a representative sample of households throughout India. The following article would analyse the survey and highlight its findings from the UPSC perspective.

HISTORY OF NFHS

The main objective of each successive round of the NFHS has been to provide high-quality data on health and family welfare and emerging issues in this area.

NFHS-1:

The NFHS-1 was conducted in 1992-93.

NFHS-2:

The NFHS-2 was conducted in 1998-99 in all 26 states of India.

The project was funded by the USAID, with additional support from UNICEF.

The NFHS-3: carried out in 2005-2006

NFHS-3 funding was provided by the USAID, the Department for International Development (UK), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Government of India.

The NFHS-4: Conducted in 2014-2015

In addition to the 29 states, NFHS-4 included all six union territories for the first time and provided estimates of most indicators at the district level for all 640 districts in the country as per the 2011 census.

NFHS-5: KEY IMPROVEMENTS FROM PREVIOUS VERSIONS

The NFHS-4 survey covered a range of health-related issues, including fertility, infant and child mortality, maternal and child health, perinatal mortality, adolescent reproductive health, high-risk sexual behaviour, safe injections, tuberculosis, and malaria, non-communicable diseases, domestic violence, HIV knowledge, and attitudes toward people living with HIV. The NFHS-5 has made certain improvements over the earlier versions.

ASPECT/CONTEXT

EXPLANATION

SCOPE OF NFHS-5

• NFHS-5 has expanded in respect of the earlier round of the survey (NFHS-4) by adding new dimensions:

o   NFHS-5 includes some new topics, such as preschool education, disability, access to a toilet facility, death registration, bathing practices during menstruation, and methods and reasons for abortion.

o   Also, NFHS-5 has additional components of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and an expanded age range for measuring hypertension and diabetes among all aged 15 years and above.

TRACKING SDGS

• NFHS-5 provides information on important indicators which are helpful in tracking the progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.

TRACKING SOCIAL STATUS

• The NFHS-5 report also provides data on socioeconomic and other background characteristics; useful for policy formulation and effective programme implementation.

INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICIES

• Besides providing evidence for the effectiveness of ongoing programmes, the data from NFHS-5 help in identifying the need for new programmes with an area-specific focus and identifying groups that are most in need of essential services.

NFHS-5: KEY FINDINGS

DIMENSION

FINDING

USE OF FAMILY PLANNING METHODS 

• Use of family planning methods increased; most states reduce their fertility rate, below the target of 2.1
• All states (except Mizoram) have seen an increase in the use of family planning methods. Goa (42%-point) and Bihar (32%-point) have seen the highest increase in the use of family planning methods.

FERTILITY RATES

• Consequently, most states have seen a decrease in the total fertility rate (TFR). Bihar’s TFR has declined from 3.4 (in NFHS-4) to 3. All other media and large states in the survey (i.e., population above 1 crore) have a TFR below the replacement level rate of 2.1.

SEX RATIO AT BIRTH

• The sex ratio at birth for children born in the last five years is below 950 for seven (of the 17) states. The sex ratio at birth is the number of female children born per 1,000 male children born. In three states, the ratio is below 900 (Goa: 838, Himachal Pradesh: 875, and Telangana: 894).
• The ratio has declined in seven states. The most notable decline was in Goa (from 966 to 838), and Kerala (from 1,047 to 951). Only Tripura has a sex ratio at birth above 1,000 (i.e., more females born than males).

INSTITUTIONAL BIRTHS

• In 7 states, more than 90% of the births in the last five years were institutional births. In Kerala, nearly 100% of the births were institutional births. Only 46% of the births in Nagaland were institutional births.
• The average out-of-pocket expenditure on delivery in a public health facility increased in 8 of the 17 states. Note that in West Bengal, the average expenditure on deliveries declined by Rs 5,236 per delivery (66% of the cost in 2015-16), and the proportion of institutional births increased from 75% to 92%.

INFANT MORTALITY RATE & NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS OF CHILDREN

• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has declined across states; however, malnourishment among children is increasing. IMR has marginally declined in nearly all states. Assam has seen one of the largest drops in IMR, from 48 deaths (per 1,000 live births) to 32 deaths. IMR remains high in Bihar (47 deaths per 1,000 live births).
• However, the nutritional status of children below 5 years of age is worsening. Stunting or chronic malnutrition (i.e., low height with respect to age) has increased in 11 of the 17 states.
• The proportion of severely wasted children has increased in 13 of the 17 states.   Wasting or acute malnutrition refers to low weight with respect to height. Children who are stunted or wasted are more vulnerable to diseases and illness.
• The proportion of children who are underweight (low weight with respect to age) has increased in 11 of the 17 states. In Bihar and Gujarat, 40% or more of the children under the age of five years are underweight.

ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY, IMPROVED SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

• The proportion of households with electricity and improved drinking water source has increased across all states. Households with improved sanitation facilities have also increased across all states. 99% of households in Kerala have an improved sanitation facility, while only 49% of households have it in Bihar.
• Similarly, the proportion of households using clean fuel for cooking has also increased across nearly all states. Telangana has seen a nearly 25%-point increase in access to improved sanitation facilities and clean cooking fuel as compared to NFHS-4.

DISTRIBUTION OF INTERNET ACCESS

• More women using mobile phones across all states; however, many of them do not have access to the internet
• The proportion of women who have a mobile phone has increased across all states.   However, only about 50% of women own and use a mobile phone in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, and West Bengal.
• The Survey also measured the proportion of men and women (15-49 years of age) who have ever used the internet. Across all states, the proportion of men who have used the internet was higher than women, with the difference being higher than 25%-point in states such as Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Tripura, less than 25% of women have used the internet.

ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL HYGIENE

• The use of hygienic methods of protection during the menstrual period has increased across states
• The Survey measured the proportion of women (15-24 years) who are using hygienic methods of protection during their menstrual period. This has increased across almost all states. The largest increase was seen in Bihar and West Bengal (28%-point). However, it still remains low in Bihar (59%), Assam and Gujarat (66%).

NFHS: AN OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS

FINDING

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Contraceptive use:

Only 50.7 percent of women in the lowest wealth quintile used modern contraceptives, compared to 58.7 percent of women in the highest quintile.

• While the data shows that the knowledge of contraceptives is pretty much universal (99 percent of married men and women in both rural and urban India knew of them), only a little over 50 percent of the currently married population opts for contraceptives.
• Their usage is also determined by employment status and income level.

The onus of family planning:

37.9 per cent of married women between the ages of 15 to 49 underwent female sterilisation. This is nearly 2 percent more than in 2015-16.

• The onus of family planning still heavily leans on women, and far from modern contraceptives easing the burden of female sterilisation, the practice has only gone up.
• There isn’t much difference in this as far as rural and urban sphere are concerned.

Low fertility rates:

The trends in fertility of residence (TFR) are down across communities, however, the fall in TFR among Muslims has been the sharpest at 2.36 children per woman as compared to 2.62 kids per woman in 2015-16.

• The numbers are lower, yet vary across caveats of religious groups, communities, and states.
• The decline continues the downward trend in India’s fertility rate over the last few decades.

Anaemia remains a major concern:

57 percent of all women aged 15-49 years were found to be anaemic, whereas 25 percent of men in the same age group have anaemia.

• While there has been a 4 percent rise in anaemia in women compared to 2015-16, there has been a 3 percent rise among men.
• India has not been effectively able to tackle the burden of anaemia and remains a concern across age groups, sexes and social strata. The government will have to prioritize a more aggressive approach to tackle this issue going forth.

Obesity is on the rise:

24 percent of women and 22.9 percent of men were found to be overweight or obese (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2), which is 4 percent higher than in 2015-16.

• While obesity seems to have gone up in both men and women, fewer people in the same age groups are underweight as compared to 2015-16.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Considering the huge population size and profound demographic diversity in the country, context-specific policy and programmes will be needed for states, passing through different stages of the demographic transition. There must be a more focused approach towards aspects like eliminating anaemia and providing easy access to contraceptives.
• There has to be an accelerated coverage of national programmes such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, Ujjawala Scheme, PMMVY (Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana), and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao mission.
• Lower TFR usually comes with economic development and greater education, particularly those policies that pave the way for women’s education and employment. States like Kerala have recorded declining TFR due to this, and thus, it becomes a role model for states like Bihar which hasn’t fared well as compared to its southern counterparts.

THE CONCLUSION: While there is much to celebrate in the NFHS-5 data, especially the fact that the Total Fertility Rate has come down to 2.0, our focus should now be to reach the unreached. We must do more for the marginalized sections of society, who may be underprivileged on the basis of class, identity or geography.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Discuss a few significant findings of the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) in the context of health and inclusivity of women in India.
2. “While there is much to celebrate in the NFHS-5 data, we must do more for the marginalized sections of the society, who may be underprivileged on the basis of class, identity or geography.” Examine critically in the context of the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey.

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. INDIA-BANGLA TRADE, NOW SET FOR CEPA BOOST

THE CONTEXT: During the recent visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister, and the Indian Prime Minister said India and Bangladesh will soon commence negotiations on a Bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
THE EXPLANATION:
Galloping trade
• In 2021-22, Bangladesh has emerged as the largest trade partner for India in South Asia and the fourth largest destination for Indian exports worldwide. Exports to Bangladesh grew more than 66 per cent from $9.69 billion in FY 2020-21 to $16.15 billion in FY 2021-22.
• India is Bangladesh’s second biggest trade partner, and its largest export market in Asia. Despite Covid-19 related disruptions, bilateral trade grew at an unprecedented rate of almost 44 per cent from $10.78 billion in 2020-21 to $18.13 billion in 2021-22.
• India’s main exports to Bangladesh are raw cotton, non-retail pure cotton yarn, and electricity, and its main imports from the country are pure vegetable oils, non-knit men’s suits, and textile scraps.

CEPA objectives
• While informal talks on CEPA have been happening since 2018, officials said that the pandemic has brought urgency. Chinese investments in Bangladesh were an initial trigger for India, but New Delhi and Dhaka want to step up the pace following the economic shock faced by the two economies.
• The CEPA is likely to focus on trade in goods, services, and investment, with a key objective being the reduction of the trade gap between the two countries. As Bangladesh prepares to graduate into a developing nation by 2026 — after which it may no longer qualify for trade benefits that it currently enjoys as a least-developed country — it is keen to clinch the CEPA in a year.
• The CEPA had figured prominently during the last commerce secretary-level meeting in New Delhi in March this year (2022).

Existing frameworks
The current institutional frameworks for trade and investment include:
• During the visit of Prime Minister to Bangladesh in June 2015, the bilateral trade agreement between the two countries was renewed for a period of five years with a provision for auto renewal.
• Under the provisions of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), Bangladesh extends preferential tariffs to Indian exports of products outside the ‘sensitive list’ of 993 items. In 2011, India announced duty-free, quota-free access to Bangladesh for all tariff lines except tobacco and alcohol.
• An Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investments has been in force since 2011. Joint Interpretative Notes to the agreement were signed during the visit of the Indian Finance Minister to Bangladesh in October 2017.
• To facilitate trade and transit through inland waterways, a Protocol on Inland Waterways Trade and Transit (PIWTT) has been in place since 1972. The PIWTT too was renewed for a period of five years with a provision for auto renewal during Indian Prime Minister visit to Bangladesh in 2015. The protocol allows the movement of goods by barges/ vessels on eight routes between points in India and Bangladesh, as well as between points in India through Bangladesh.
• Direct sea movement of containerized/ bulk/ dry cargo began after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Coastal Shipping in June 2015. This has reduced the shipping time between India and Bangladesh from 30-40 days to 7-10 days, and has the potential to emerge as an economical mode of transportation for business communities on both sides.

THE HEALTH ISSUES-COVID CORNER

2. INDIA GETS FIRST COVID-19 NASAL VACCINE

THE CONTEXT: India’s first intra-nasal vaccine – delivered through the nose instead of a shot in the arm – has received approval from the country’s apex drug regulator for emergency use in adults.
THE EXPLANATION:
The vaccine, which has been developed by Bharat Biotech with technology in-licensed from Washington University-St Louis, has been approved for primary immunisation, meaning it can be given to the unimmunised to protect against Covid-19.

NO NEED FOR NEEDLES
• With the vaccine being delivered through a nasal spray, it will do away with the need for needles and syringes currently required for all the Covid-19 vaccines available. It will also reduce dependence on personnel trained to give shots.

TRIALS FOR BOOSTER
• The company found the vaccine to be “safe, well-tolerated, and immunogenic” when compared to its own Covaxin in a phase III trial of nearly 3,100 participants across 14 sites in India. The company has also conducted a trial with 875 participants to see whether the vaccine may be used as a booster in those who have received Covaxin or Covishield as their primary vaccine.

WHY NASAL SPRAY CAN BE EFFECTIVE
• As the vaccine is given nasally, it triggers an immune response in the mucosal membrane. According to experts, “Being an intranasal vaccine, BBV154 may produce local antibodies in the upper respiratory tract which may provide the potential to reduce infection and transmission.”

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

3. ISRO TESTS INFLATABLE AERODYNAMIC DECELERATOR

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully tested the Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD) technology that can aid in cost-effective recovery of spent rocket stages and land payloads safely on other planets.
THE EXPLANATION:
Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD)
• The Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator has been designed and developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC).
• The IAD technology has been tested from the sounding rocket Rohini-300 (RH300 Mk II). Rohini sounding rockets are regularly used by scientists from India and abroad for flight demonstrations.
• At launch, the IAD was folded inside the ‘payload bay’ and as it reached an altitude of about 84 km, the IAD was opened and inflated into the payload portion of the rocket. Due to which the velocity of the payload was affected and the speed of the rocket decreased.
• The IAD has huge potential in variety of space applications like recovery of spent stages of rocket, for landing payloads on to Mars or Venus and in making space habitat for human space flight missions.
• IAD can prove to be a game changer for many future space missions. With this technique, the speed of the rocket can also be slowed down, so that scientists will be able to control the speed of the rocket.
ISRO
ISRO is the space agency under the Department of Space of Government of India. It was formed in 1969. ISRO replaced its predecessor, INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research) which was established in 1962.

VALUE ADDITION:
Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL)
• ACL was established in 1992 as a Marketing arm of ISRO for promotion and commercial exploitation of space products, technical consultancy services and transfer of technologies developed by ISRO.
• It is a Mini ratna company.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) (established in Mar 2019)
• NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise of Government of India and Commercial Arm of ISRO. For almost a decade, ISRO has been planning to hand the production over to public and private industries and itself focus on its core job of space R&D.
• It was incorporated for commercially utilising research and development activities carried out by ISRO with an authorised share capital of Rs 100 crore and initial paid up capital of Rs 10 crore.
• It is the 2nd commercial entity and a new business arm of Department of Space (Bengaluru) to promote Indian space commerce.
• It is under the administrative control of Department of Space (DOS) and the Company Act 2013.
• The main objective of NSIL is to scale up industry participation in Indian space programmes.
Objectives
• Transfer of Small Satellite technology to industry: NSIL will obtain license from DOS/ISRO and sub-license the same to Industry
• Manufacture of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in collaboration with Private Sector
• Production of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) through Indian Industry
• Production and marketing of Space based products and services, including launch and application
• Transfer of technology developed by ISRO Centres and constituent units of DOS
• Marketing of spin-off technologies and products/services, both in India and abroad.
• It would also be tasked to “commercially exploit the R&D work done by ISRO centres and DoS constituents”.

4. NASA – EYES ON THE SOLAR SYSTEM TOOL

THE CONTEXT: Recently NASA has updated its 3D visualization ‘Eyes on the Solar System’ tool. This new and improved system now makes interplanetary travel easier and more interactive than before.
THE EXPLANATION:
OBJECTIVES:
1. This latest edition of “Eyes on the Solar System” lets you scroll through rich interactive journeys. For example, you can enjoy Voyager’s grand tour of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
2. It took more than two years for the Visualization Technology Application and Development team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech to develop the system.
3. This update offers better controls, better navigation, and tons of new opportunities to learn about our own Earth, the Solar System, asteroids, and more.
4. This unique 3D instrument allows real-time 3D data visualization of the past, present and future of the Solar System.
5. The instrument allows multiple visualizations from all satellites on Earth in real time for air temperature, carbon-dioxide, sea wall, soil moisture, ozone, and more.
6. This amazing tool allows you to explore exoplanets in 3D, the search can be filtered by planet type which includes ‘Gas Giants, Terrestrial and even ‘Super Earth’ type planets.
7. This instrument highlights stars and allows the detection of exoplanets around them. One can see the “habitable zone” around the star and if an exoplanet is in that zone.

THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN NEWS

5. PM SCHOOLS FOR RISING INDIA (PM-SHRI) YOJANA

THE CONTEXT: On the occasion of National Teachers’ Day, Prime Minister announced a new initiative – PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India).
THE EXPLANATION:
• It is a new centrally sponsored scheme and will showcase the components of the National Education Policy, 2020.
• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme is one where the cost of implementation is likely to be split in the 60:40 ratio among the Union government and the states/Union Territories.
• In Northeastern states, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and UTs without legislatures, the Centre’s contribution can go up to 90 per cent.
• For instance, the mid-day meal scheme (PM Poshan) or the PM Awas Yojana.
• Under it, as many as 14,500 schools across states and Union Territories will be redeveloped to reflect the key features of the NEP, 2020.
• The NEP envisages a curricular structure and teaching style divided into various stages – foundational, preparatory, middle and secondary.
• PM SHRI schools will be an upgrade of existing schools run by the Centre, states, UTs and local bodies. The PM SHRI schools can either be KVs, JNVs, state government schools or even those run by municipal corporations.
Significance
• The aim of these schools will not only be qualitative teaching, learning and cognitive development but also to create holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills.
• These schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure including labs, smart classrooms & other modern skills.
• The pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based, inquiry-driven, and discovery-oriented.

What are the key features of NEP in school education?
The NEP envisages a curricular structure and teaching style divided into various stages – foundational, preparatory, middle and secondary.
The Foundational years (pre-school and grades I, II) will involve play-based learning.
At the Preparatory level (III-V), light textbooks are to be introduced along with some formal classroom teaching.
Subject teachers are to be introduced at the middle level (VI-VIII). The Secondary stage (IX-XII) will be multidisciplinary in nature with no hard separation between arts and sciences or other disciplines.

THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

6. ONE WORD A DAY – ONDC

THE CONTEXT: According to Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, called for the integration of One District One Product (ODOP) initiative with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
THE EXPLANATION:
Earlier, US firm Microsoft has become the first big tech company to join the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a government-backed project which is aimed at enabling small merchants and mom-and-pop stores in parts of the country to access processes and technologies that are typically deployed by large e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart.

What is Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)?
• It is an initiative aimed at promoting open networks for all aspects of exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks. ONDC is to be based on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of any specific platform. It is being developed as a counter to the current duopoly in the Indian e-commerce market which is largely dictated by Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart.
• In May this year (2022), the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) went live with a test run of ONDC in cities like Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhopal, and Shillong where it plans to onboard 150 sellers.

How does ONDC work?
• The ONDC platform lies in the middle of the interfaces hosting the buyers and the sellers. So far, the buyer side interface is being hosted by Paytm, whereas the seller side interface is being hosted by other players like GoFrugal, etc.
• When a buyer searches for an item on the Paytm app, from where ONDC has gone live, the app will connect to the ONDC platform, which will connect it to seller side interfaces that will list all the companies from where you can buy the particular item.
• On ONDC, there will be several other backend partners such as logistics service providers, enterprise resource planners, e-commerce store hosting service providers, etc.

What is ODOP?
According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry
• One District One Product (ODOP) is an initiative which is seen as a transformational step forward towards realizing the true potential of a district, fuel economic growth and generate employment and rural entrepreneurship, taking us to the goal of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
• One District One Product (ODOP) initiative is operationally merged with ‘Districts as Export Hub’ initiative being implemented by DGFT, Department of Commerce, with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as a major stakeholder.

7. MASCOT & ANTHEM FOR 36TH NATIONAL GAMES

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Union Home Minister unveiled the anthem and mascot of the 36th National Games in Ahmedabad.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The 36th National Game 2022 will be held in Gujarat.
• It is scheduled to be held from September 27, 2022 to October 10, 2022.
• It will be held across 6 cities of Gujarat, in which all the 28 states and 8 Union Territories will participate.
• In all, 36 sports will be hosted, in line with the tagline “Sports for Unity”.
• This year, Yogasana and Mallakhamb have been added to the list of games. Thus, it will promote indigenous sports in India.
• Inaugural function will be held at the Narendra Modi stadium.
• An estimated 7,000 athletes from 28 states and eight union territories are expected to participate in 36 disciplines, which comprise most of the traditional Olympic sports.
Venue for the National Games:
The National Games 2022 will be held across 6 cities in Gujarat, viz., Gandhinagar, Surat, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Bhavnagar.
Mascot
The mascot is named Savaj which in Gujarati means cub. The mascot represents India’s cultural heritage, while also giving a glimpse of the rapidly growing India, which is set to become a world leader again.
Theme
The theme of the national anthem is Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Last Edition of the National Games:
Last edition of the National Games was organised in 2015, in Kerala. 2022 edition of the National Games will be held after a gap of seven years.

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3. Online hatred for a drop: Arshdeep a victim of Pakistani trolls, Indian bigots READ MORE
4. Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of India’s common national consciousness READ MORE

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(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

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3. India’s first nasal vaccine for Covid-19 gets DCGI nod for emergency use READ MORE
4. Russia’s VTB Launches Transfers In Chinese Yuan Bypassing SWIFT READ MORE
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7. Ensure pastoralists covered under government schemes: Centre to states READ MORE
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Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

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GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. We require Indianisation to enrich Indian Constitutionalism READ MORE
2. Is India an ‘electoral democracy’? READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. An IPS officer writes: How to deal with mental health challenges in the uniformed forces READ MORE  
2. A Barefoot journey to lifelong live learning READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India-Bangla trade, now set for CEPA boost READ MORE
2. Trial by fire: Liz Truss will have to deliver results quicklyas the U.K. faces crises on different fronts READ MORE
3. ‘Tackling radicalism is an important current challenge in India-Bangladesh relations’ READ MORE
4. How Sheikh Hasina’s breaking the Chinese wall, creating new links between India — and India READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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2. Revdi culture debate: Why we need freebies in India READ MORE
3. For a stronger economy: We need economic reforms beyond liberalization READ MORE
4. Climate change risks may hurt global economy READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

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3. India has reason to celebrate the increase in its Ramsar sites, but it is not enough to conserve its existing wetlands READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. How Can We Reform the STEM Tenure System for the 21st Century? READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Use international law to bolster national security READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Bengaluru today … Waterlogged plush areas of India’s tech capital are another grim warning to all cities READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

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4. Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of India’s common national consciousness READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘It is essential for elections using electronic means to adhere to standard democratic principles. Only then can elections be free and fair, engendering confidence in election outcomes and democratic process’. Comment on the statement.
2. The wealth of wisdom of ancient India seems to have been overshadowed by the hegemony of the West in the form of the tradition of ‘Orientalism’. Examine the statement with the help of relevant examples.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Reform is for people with government connections, and revolution is for the people.
• India’s elections are neither free nor fair, so India cannot really be called an “electoral democracy.” It is but natural that international agencies and watchdogs describe India as a part-free nation with its democratic process “on a path of steep decline” that could turn the country into an “electoral autocracy.”
• It is essential for elections to use electronic means to adhere to standard democratic principles. Elections can only be free and fair, engendering confidence in election outcomes and the democratic process.
• The wealth of wisdom of ancient India seems to have been overshadowed by the hegemony of the West in the form of the tradition of ‘Orientalism’. The West’s obsession with the East through ‘Orientalism’ seems to be one of the causes that impeded studies on the growth of constitutionalism in India.
• Climate change at the current pace can bring in unmitigated disaster, as the global economy could shrink sharply
• India should use international law as a weapon for national security, also known as lawfare, to pressure Pakistan to comply with its international trade treaty obligations.
• Multi-disciplinary orientation, socially responsible research and location-specific innovation are key to enhancing rural livelihoods.

50-WORD TALK

• Liz Truss has become Prime Minister as the United Kingdom confronts a once-in-a-generation crisis. Truss gambling with massive tax-cuts will re-energise the economy. But her plan risks growing the fiscal deficit, and forcing brutal cuts to public services. As she toasts victory, Truss knows she’s been handed a poisoned chalice.
• CM MK Stalin’s demand to make Tamil the official language of Madras High Court can adversely affect efficiency of the judicial system. Legal profession has no geographical boundaries. Judges, lawyers may not be familiar with all Indian languages. It would become difficult to deliver justice without using a common language.

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.) 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.

[WpProQuiz 326]

THE CONTEXT: The Indian PM attended the inaugural leaders’ meeting of a new alliance called I2U2 made up of Israel, India, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States in July 2022. In this article, we will analyse this new organisation and its various implications from the UPSC perspective.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT I2U2

WHAT IS I2U2?

• I2U2, often known as the “West Asian Quad,” is an acronym representing India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
• When Indian External Affairs Minister Visited Israel in October 2021, the foreign ministers of the four nations met.
• At that time, the organisation was known as the “International Forum for Economic Cooperation.”
• The countries have said there is no military angle to their cooperation and are pushing a constructive agenda focused on the economy, especially infrastructure projects.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF I2U2?

• The I2U2’s aim is to discuss “common areas of mutual interest, to strengthen the economic partnership in trade and investment in their respective regions and beyond.”
• I2U2  aims to encourage joint investments in six mutually identified areas such as:

• • water,
  • energy,
  • transportation,
  • space,
  • health, and
  • food security.

• It intends to mobilise private sector capital and expertise to help:
• modernise the infrastructure,
• low carbon development pathways for the industries,
• improve public health, and
• the development of critical emerging and green technologies.

THE OUTCOMES OF THE I2U2 SUMMIT

The UAE has launched a two-billion-dollar investment in a series of Integrated Food Parks across India. These parks will use cutting-edge climate-smart technologies to prevent food waste and spoilage, save fresh water, and use renewable energy sources. India will supply suitable acreage for the project and would help farmers integrate into the food parks. The private sectors of the United States and Israel will be invited to contribute their expertise and new solutions to the project’s overall sustainability. These investments will aid in increasing crop yields and combating food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East.The I2U2 also announced that it would advance a hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat consisting of 300 megawatts (M.W.) of wind and solar capacity complemented by a battery energy storage system.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR THE COUNTRIES FROM I2U2?

FOR USA

• The I2U2 will enable Washington to expand and restore partnerships that suffered during the Donald Trump regime and also reframe relationships in the Middle East.

FOR INDIA

• India will benefit from backing the I2U2 as it allows New Delhi to play a greater global role and deepen ties with the Middle East, an area it views significantly because of its energy and economic interests and a large diaspora presence. (Read Ahead)

FOR UAE

• The bloc presents the UAE with an opportunity to get an edge in the Persian Gulf — the maritime route that sees most of Asia’s oil passing through.

FOR ISRAEL

• For Israel, the I2U2 is a chance to improve ties with the Arab world. Israel will look to New Delhi’s assistance in bridging differences between Israel and other Arab countries and resolving problems that have made the region volatile for decades.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF I2U2

BRIDGE ACROSS THE RELIGIONS

• By highlighting their shared commitment to pluralism and cooperation across faiths, I2U2 could become a venue for cooperation on a variety of other initiatives.
• An I2U2 that advances pluralism across its member states could also encourage the practice of related values — including protections for minority, religious and human rights — within them as well.

BROADER VISION FOR WORLD ORDER

• In addition, the shift would offer the Biden administration a means to broaden its vision of world order from one that is primarily defined by “democracy versus authoritarianism” to one that considers other important features of national identity and helps to build different sorts of bridges with strategic but undemocratic partners like the UAE.

BALANCING ACT FOR UAE

• The UAE is working to become one of the most globally connected players in the region.
• One of the pillars of this strategy is to pivot to Asia. But in contrast to the U.S. pivot to Asia aiming at confronting China, the UAE considers China one of its main partners in achieving this objective.
• I2U2 is also one of the ways the UAE is balancing its relations with its two main Asian partners: China and India.

HOW IS INDIA GOING TO BE BENEFITED FROM THE I2U2?

CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY MOBILISATION

• India sees clear and tangible benefits from the I2U2, starting with the group’s first two announcements: a $2 billion investment and technological assistance for agricultural initiatives in two Indian states, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh; and support for a hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat.
• Indian companies are keen to participate in this project and contribute to India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. Such projects have the potential to make India a global hub for alternate supply chains in the renewable energy sector.
• I2U2 thus offers a model and platform for sustained mobilisation of capital from the UAE that is supported by Israeli and American technologies and championed by Washington.

DIPLOMATIC PLATFORM FOR NORMALISING TIES

• Given India’s close ties to both Israel and the UAE, New Delhi sees the I2U2 as a diplomatic tool for accelerating, deepening, and ensuring the ongoing normalisation of relations between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi.
• Israel provides key military technologies to India, but previous generations of Indian officials downplayed those defence links, partly for internal political reasons and partly to appease their Arab neighbours.

STRATEGIC AUTONOMY MAINTENANCE

• I2U2 offers India an opportunity to cooperate with the United States on its own terms: not as a junior associate or a formal ally, but as a self-confident and “strategically autonomous” partner.
• I2U2’s emphasis on voluntary economic initiatives rather than binding multilateral trade deals (like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) that India has repeatedly rejected is also attractive.
• In this respect, I2U2 resembles Washington’s new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which India has also joined.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL RISKS AREAS FOR THE GROUP?

The UAE and India are focused on pursuing economic cooperation through I2U2, and it seems that the United States and Israel are willing to go along with this approach. However, it is not clear whether any of them will introduce geopolitical objectives to I2U2 in the future. This would be problematic as the countries in the group have conflicting positions on how to deal with China, Russia and Iran, which may affect the future of the group and its prospects of success. The UAE, in particular, will strive to avoid this risk. Israel’s ambassador to India stressed that the group is “not against anyone,” adding that “it’s for our people and for making the world a better place,” an important message that was not echoed widely enough.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• The Jerusalem Declaration signed during the Biden visit to the Middle East reflects the strength of Israeli relations with the United States. I2U2 is also a demonstration of the extent to which the United States is committed to advancing Israel’s integration in the region. This can help the movement towards greater peace and progress in the region.
• Although the cooperation among I2U2 members represents key areas in the 21st-century global economy, the group needs to avoid entering into geopolitical issues that could derail its principal objective.
• I2U2 can expand by advancing cooperation in new areas in the future or by pursuing cooperation with other partners in both the Middle East and South Asia.
• The leaders also reaffirmed their support for the Abraham Accords and other peace and normalisation arrangements with Israel, and this can be a way of addressing the crucial  Palestinian question in the long term.
• The criticism of the agreement on food park by the farmers’ union in India that it will bring big corporates into the Indian agriculture sector, which will reduce farmers into a peasant, needs to be taken in the right spirit by the Indian government and the farmers’ need to be taken into confidence.
• India ought to take the opportunities provided by the I2U2 to mobilise technology and capital into crucial developmental areas without creating a perception that it is moving away from the principled stand of a two-state solution.

THE CONCLUSION: I2U2 has enormous potential, and its composition affords numerous chances for win-win cooperation. The United States has tremendous capabilities in every possible area; India has massive human resources and talents; Israel has advanced technology in a number of vital disciplines; and the UAE is developing creative policies, luring start-ups, and is willing to commit large money. However, the weight of its sustainability will fall mostly on the UAE and Israel — the key beneficiaries — to keep the interest of the U.S. and India and justify its continuation.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What is I2U2? Critically analyse its objectives.
2. How far do you agree with the view that the entry into the geopolitical arena by the I2U2 can pose risks to its principal objective?
3. The I2U2 sets the stage for a new and dynamic phase in India’s relations with the Middle East. Comment.

THE POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. THE SEAT BELTS, HEAD RESTRAINTS AND SAFETY REGULATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The recent death of Cyrus P. Mistry, former Chairman of Tata Sons, in a car crash in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on September 4 has turned the focus on whether compulsory use of seat belts in cars — including by passengers in the rear seat — can save lives during such accidents.
THE EXPLANATION:
HOW IS A SEAT BELT A LIFE SAVER?
• In a car crash, particularly at moderate to high speeds, the driver or passenger who has no seat belt continues to move forward at the speed of the vehicle, until some object stops the occupant. This could be the steering wheel, dashboard or windscreen for those in front, and the front seat, dashboard or windscreen for those in the rear.
• Without an airbag, and no seat belt restraint, a severe crash leads to the occupant of the rear seat striking the seat in front with such force that “it is sufficient for the seat mountings and seat structures to fail”.
• The seat belt performs many functions, notably slowing the occupant at the same rate as the vehicle, distributing the physical force in a crash across the stronger parts of the body such as the pelvis and chest, preventing collisions with objects within the vehicle and sudden ejection. Newer technologies to “pretension” the belt, sense sudden pull forces and apply only as much force as is necessary to safely hit the airbags. Absence of seat belts could lead to rear seat occupants colliding with internal objects in the car, or even being ejected through the front windscreen during the collision.

What role do head restraints play?
• Head restraints, which are found either as adjustable models or molded into the seats, prevent a whiplash injury. This type of injury occurs mostly when the vehicle is struck from behind, leading to sudden extreme movement of the neck backwards and then forwards. It could also happen vice versa in other circumstances. The injury involves the muscles, vertebral discs, nerves and tendons of the neck, says Johns Hopkins Medicine, and is manifested as neck stiffness, pain, numbness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision and sleeplessness among others.
• The head restraint built into the seat must be properly placed and aligned with the neck, to prevent the injury in a vehicle accident. A study done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the U.S. estimated that claims for neck injuries were lower by 11% when the seats and restraints were rated good by it, compared to those rated poor. The ratings system has resulted in newer models, since 2015, almost fully getting a good rating.

Mechanisms to prevent death in a car accident?
• The three-point seat belt is a low-cost restraint system that prevents occupants of a vehicle from being thrown forward in a crash.
• Seat belt: slows the occupant at the same rate as the vehicle, distributing the physical force in a crash across the stronger parts of the body such as the pelvis and chest.
• The Road Transport Ministry said that during 2017, a shocking 26,896 people lost their lives due to the non-use of seat belts with 16,876 of them being passengers.
• Seat Belt+ Airbag: Even if the vehicle is fitted with an airbag, the force at which an unrestrained occupant strikes the airbag can cause serious injuries. So, the seatbelt works in tandem with the airbag.
• The air-bag deployment reduced mortality by 63% (IIT Delhi Study)
• Head restraints, which are found either as adjustable models or moulded into the seats, prevent a whiplash injury (sudden backwards and forward movement of head-on collision).

Status (as per the latest NCRB data)
• Deaths in road accidents up by 17%
• In 2021, 1.55 lakh people died in accidents on Indian roads, up from 21.33 lakh in 2020
• A maximum number of cases were reported in Tamil Nadu.
• Reasons: Speeding accounted for over half of all deaths, while dangerous and careless driving caused over 42000 deaths.

India’s regulation:
• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a draft notification providing for three-point seat belts to be provided in all vehicles (up to 8-seater vehicles)
• The Amended Motor Vehicles Act of 2019 requires the occupants of a passenger vehicle to wear a seat belt for driver and passenger or else there’s a fine.
• Evidently, although cars are equipped with seat belts, the enforcement for rear seat occupants is virtually absent in India.

POINTS TO REMEMBER: BRASILIA DECLARATION is related to Road Safety.

2. THE PREVENTIVE DETENTIONS ROSE IN 2021

THE CONTEXT: According to statistics released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Preventive detentions in 2021 saw a rise by over 23.7% compared with the year before, with over 1.1 lakh people being placed under preventive detention.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Of these, 483 were detentions under the National Security Act, of which almost half (241) were either in custody or still detained as of 2021-end. Over 24,500 people placed under preventive detention were either in custody or still detained as of 2021-end — the highest since 2017 when the NCRB started recording this data.
• In 2017, the NCRB’s Crime in India report found that 67,084 persons had been detained as a preventive measure that year. Of these, 48,815 were released between one and six months of their detention and 18,269 were either in custody or still in preventive detention as of the end of the year.

• The number of persons placed under detention has been increasing since 2017 — to over 98,700 in 2018 and over 1.06 lakh in 2019 — before dipping to 89,405 in 2020. Data pertaining to 2021 showed that 1,10,683 persons were placed under preventive detention last year, of which 24,525 were either in custody or still detained as of the end of the year and the rest were let go within one to six months.
• While the number of persons placed under preventive detention has seen an increase in 2021, the NCRB data showed that the number of people arrested in such a manner under the National Security Act had dipped significantly compared with the year before.
• Preventive detentions under the NSA increased to 741 in 2020. This number dropped to 483 in 2021.

Use of provision
• Among other laws under which the NCRB has recorded data on preventive detentions are the Goonda Act (State and Central) (29,306), Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 (1,331), and a category classified as “Other Detention Acts”, under which most of the detentions were registered (79,514). Since 2017, the highest number of persons to be placed under preventive detention has consistently been under the “Other Detention Acts” category.
• According to Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the police are empowered to make preventive arrests if they believe they must do so to prevent the commission of “any cognizable offence”. This detention can be extended beyond 24 hours if required “under any other provisions of this Code or of any other law”.

VALUE ADDITION:
About NCRB:
• In 1986 (based on recommendations of the Tandon Committee, MHA Taskforce and National Police Commission (1977))
• It acts under the Ministry of Home Affairs and functions as a repository of information on crime and criminals so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators.
• NCRB looks after CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) and Central Finger Print Bureau
• It released reports: Crimes in India, Prison Statistics in India and Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India.

THE HEALTH ISSUES

3. WHO-UNICEF REPORT ON PROGRESS ON WASH IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

THE CONTEXT: Recently WHO and UNICEF released a report titled “Progress on Wash in Health Care Facilities 2000-2021”.
THE EXPLANATION:
• According to this report, while the world is battling the threat of diseases like the Covid-19 epidemic and monkeypox, on the other hand 51 percent of the world’s health centres are providing basic facilities. There is no facility like water, soap, sanitizer.
• According to this report, 385 crore people are dependent on health centres due to lack of basic facilities, where there are no facilities like water, soap, sanitizer, while 688 crore people are dependent on such health centres where there is no cleanliness and hygiene. There is no connected infrastructure available.
• Talking about the availability of water, about 170 million people in the world are still dependent on water scarce health facilities. At the same time, out of these, 857 crore people are such, who are not used at all in health centres.
• The situation is worst in sub-Saharan Africa, where only 52 percent have access to health facilities, compared to 90 percent in East and Southeast Asia. On the other hand, if we talk about the most backward countries, then this figure is only 47 percent.
VALUE ADDITION:
About UNICEF
• UNICEF is also known as “United Nations Children’s Fund”. It is a United Nations agency, which is responsible to provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children across the world. It is among the most widespread and recognizable social welfare organizations of the world. It is present in 192 countries and territories.
Activities of UNICEF
Main activities of UNICEF include:
1. To provide immunizations and disease prevention
2. To administer treatment for children and mothers with HIV
3. To enhance childhood and maternal nutrition
4. To improve sanitation, promote education, and provide emergency relief in response to disasters.

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4. LADAKH NIGHT SKY SANCTUARY

THE CONTEXT: In a unique and first of its kind initiative, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has decided to set up India’s first Night Sky Sanctuary in Ladakh.
THE EXPLANATION:
Located at: Hanle in Ladakh as a part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
To be Developed by: Ladakh administration will work with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council(LAHDC) and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) for developing this reserve.
Significance: The reserve will boost Astro tourism in India and will be one of the world’s highest-located sites for optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes.
What is Dark Sky Reserve?
• A Dark Sky Reserve is a designation given to a place that has policies in place to ensure that a tract of land or region has minimal artificial light interference.
• The International Dark Sky Association is a U.S.-based non-profit that designates places as International Dark Sky Places, Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves depending on the criteria they meet. Several such reserves exist around the world but none so far in India.
Why was Hanle chosen for setting up Dark Sky Reserve?
Hanle is best suited for the project as it is located in Ladakh’s cold desert region with clear sky and dry weather conditions throughout the year and away from human disturbance.
Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
• Located in the Changthang Plateau in the Leh district of Ladakh, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular sanctuaries in the Ladakh region. With its picturesque landscape, this sanctuary has a huge variety of flora and fauna.
• Spread over an area of about 4000 sq km, this sanctuary also houses the highest lake on earth, Lake Tso Moriri. It is considered to be the second largest nature reserve after Northeast Greenland National Park. The sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 14,000–19000 feet.
• Korzok village is located near Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, which is considered to be the highest village in the world. The main attraction of this village is the Korzok Monastery. Other places around Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary are Pangong Tso Lake, Tso Kar Lake, Khardung La Pass and Shanti Stupa.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

5. NGT FINES WEST BENGAL FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT FAILURE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed environmental compensation of Rs 3,500 crore on West Bengal for failing to manage solid and liquid waste.
THE EXPLANATION:
• In the budget of the financial year 2022-23, the West Bengal government had made a provision to spend about Rs 12818 crore on matters related to urban development and municipalities. But the state government did not do any special work in this direction.
• According to the NGT, urban areas of West Bengal generate 2758 million sewage per day while the treatment capacity through 44 sewage treatment plants is only 1505.85 MLD. Therefore, only 1268 MLD of sewage is treated and 1490 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
• The West Bengal government will have to deposit this 3500 crore fine within two months. At the same time, the National Green Tribunal said that if such violations of environmental matters continue, then more fines will be imposed.
VALUE ADDITION:
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
• NGT was established on October 18, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010. It was established for effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to conservation of forests, environmental protection and conservation of other natural resources besides enforcement of any legal right related to environment. This Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under “Code of Civil Procedure, 1908”. It is guided by principles of natural justice.
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
• It is an Act of the Parliament that lead to the creation of a special tribunal for handling the expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental issues. It was inspired from constitutional provision of Article 21.
Function of the Tribunal
• The Tribunal is having a dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters. Thus, it provides speedy environmental justice and help in reducing the burden of higher courts. It is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals within 6 months.

THE SECURITY AFFAIRS

6. THE BSF DRONE TEAR SMOKE LAUNCHER

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Tear Smoke Unit of the Border Security Force (BSF) has developed an indigenous drone Tear Smoke Launcher. This launcher will be used to control the crowd and to release tear gas shells during riots and unrest.
THE EXPLANATION:
• It can be used to launch shells from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones and will be a potential force multiplier for security forces operating in the law and order management sector.”
• In this, tear gas shells can be fired within a radius of 250-300 meters through drones. A drone can be loaded with 2 to 6 tear gas shells and dropped on the target area.
• Most security certifications have also been obtained for the use of this technology. This drone technology will soon be handed over to all police departments and armed police forces.
Tear Smoke Unit (TSU)
The tear gas unit at the Border Security Force (BSF) Academy was set up in 1976. Earlier, tear gas shells were imported into the country from abroad. In 46 years, this unit has made India self-reliant in this sector by increasing the capacity of manufacturing tear gas material in the country by 12 times.
About Border Security Force (BSF)
It is one of 7 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India. It was raised in wake of 1965 War on 1 December 1965.
It is country’s largest border guarding force with a present strength of about 2.5 lakh personnel. Being a primary border defence organisation of India, it is tasked to secure two of India’s most important and sensitive fronts with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

1. Let’s celebrate interdependence day READ MORE
2. Be sensitive to life, not ego READ MORE

1. Sri Lanka’s devastating fuel shortage has put its wildlife at risk READ MORE
2. Loss and damage: 2022 Pakistan floods heighten need for climate reparations READ MORE
3. Want To Win the Climate Fight? Tackle Inequality, Among Others. READ MORE

1. Public health need not be led by doctors alone: It is a separate profession requiring a specific set of competencies READ MORE
2. Funding public education: The idea that higher education could be funded fully by students or their parents is grossly misplaced READ MORE
3. Learning standards READ MORE
4. Overcoming Hiring Bias: Substantive Equality in Employment for Muslim Women Needed READ MORE

1. A matter of trust: The Governor must end the uncertainty over the unseating of Hemant Soren READ MORE
2. Four years after landmark LGBT verdict: The march to full citizenship READ MORE
3. AIFF ban: Lack of coherent policy marks Indian sports governance READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Explained | The ban on conversion therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community READ MORE
2. Liz Truss to take over as U.K.’s next Prime Minister
3. India’s services activity rebounds in August, hiring at over 14-year high READ MORE
4. Ladakh to have India’s first ‘Dark Sky Reserve’ to promote astronomy tourism READ MORE
5. Quake of 6.8-magnitude kills over 46 in China, leaves trail of destruction READ MORE
6. PM Modi announces PM-SHRI scheme to develop 14,500 schools across the country READ MORE
7. Do away with forest clearance to explore mining activities: Mines ministry to MoEF&CC READ MORE
8. As the Fish Move Away, the New Zealand Māori Face an Uncertain Future READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Overcoming Hiring Bias: Substantive Equality in Employment for Muslim Women Needed READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. A matter of trust: The Governor must end the uncertainty over the unseating of Hemant Soren READ MORE
2. Four years after landmark LGBT verdict: The march to full citizenship READ MORE
3. AIFF ban: Lack of coherent policy marks Indian sports governance READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Public health need not be led by doctors alone: It is a separate profession requiring a specific set of competencies READ MORE
2. Funding public education: The idea that higher education could be funded fully by students or their parents is grossly misplaced READ MORE
3. Learning standards READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. The difficult path to India-Pakistan peace: The failure to manage the domestic audience in Pakistan is a recurrent trope that has overwhelmed peace attempts READ MORE  
2. Oil prices & war profiteering: US wants to impose price cap on Russian oil in innovative weaponisation of curbs READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Should charges be levied on digital transactions? READ MORE
2. India and US must build a high-trust ecosystem READ MORE
3. Exports down, imports up: How India can solve its agricultural trade paradox READ MORE
4. The undeserving must not get food subsidy READ MORE
5. Dangerous divergence: Growing regional inequality must be addressed READ MORE
6. Shaping our digital future READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Sri Lanka’s devastating fuel shortage has put its wildlife at risk READ MORE
2. Loss and damage: 2022 Pakistan floods heighten need for climate reparations READ MORE
3. Want To Win the Climate Fight? Tackle Inequality, Among Others. READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Drones can play a critical role in smart farm era READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. The floods in Pakistan highlight the imminent need for friendlier relations with our neighbour READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Let’s celebrate interdependence day READ MORE
2. Be sensitive to life, not ego READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘Sports governance needs concrete reforms based on well-designed and actionable policies’. Comment on the statement in light of recent developments.
2. How far do you agree with this view that government should focus on public spending to build up human capital rather than consumption subsidies to address the issue of inequality? Justify your view with the help of suitable examples.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them.
• Sports governance needs concrete reforms based on well-designed and actionable policies.
• Sports are no longer looked at as the abode of the useless; they are now being approached with a lot of seriousness across the world. Thus, the State must establish a mechanism to adapt to the increased aspirations of the public and its sportspersons.
• The most significant driver of digital transformation is business research and its development and adoption of frontier technologies.
• Internal migration acts as a safety valve and equalises labour and human capital allocation returns across regions.
• Drones can bring in quantitative and qualitative changes in agriculture, though cost still remains a deterrence.
• Drones can deliver substantial value to farmers. But it is high time to look at a larger collaboration among all stakeholders to derive maximum benefits out of its usage to take Indian agriculture to a higher altitude.
• Financial burden to implement the national food security law has clearly become a major burden for the Government.
• If we are not ready to put our talent and economic weight toward free enterprise and free people, the rules of the 21st-century economy will be written by regimes inimical to both.
• India has made commendable progress in the digital space, particularly in the retail segment of the payment and settlement system, following several initiatives by the RBI and the government.
• A Governor has no reason to try to tilt the scales in favour of or against any political party, through acts of omission or commission.

5O-WORD TALK

• CM MK Stalin’s demand to make Tamil the official language of the Madras High Court can adversely affect the efficiency of the judicial system. The legal profession has no geographical boundaries. Judges, and lawyers may not be familiar with all Indian languages. It would become difficult to deliver justice without using a common language.
• Liz Truss has become Prime Minister as the United Kingdom confronts a once-in-a-generation crisis. Truss gambling with massive tax cuts will re-energise the economy. But her plan risks growing the fiscal deficit and forcing brutal cuts to public services. As she toasts victory, Truss knows she’s been handed a poisoned chalice.

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.

[WpProQuiz 325]

THE CONTEXT: In June 2022 the Government of India came up with the Agnipath Scheme for the armed forces of the country with a view to make these leaner forces without compromising their combat abilities. Voices from various segments of the society have also iterated their concurrence with the idea and even demanded a similar kind of scheme with regard to the civil services especially the All India Services (AIS).This article analyses this debate from the UPSC perspective.

THE ISSUE: Rapid changes are taking place around the world in terms of economy, urbanisation, climate change, pandemic, technological advancements (shock), and increased emphasis on local awareness and identity etc. The response time to adapt to such changes is much shorter now than it used to be. As instruments of public service, civil servants have to be ready to manage such changes. On the one hand, the perception is that they are wedded to the status-quoist approach and resist change while on the other hand, we see various examples where the civil servants have taken initiatives to bring the desired change in the positive direction. But such one-off incidents is not sufficient and we need to comprehensively remould our services to make them performance oriented without losing the welfarist side of the services.

WHAT AILS THE CIVIL SERVICES?

INDIAN BUREAUCRACY IS ALLEGED TO BE STATUS QUOIST

• As instruments of public service, civil servants have to be ready for change. The common experience, however, is that they resist changes as they are wedded to their privileges and prospects and thereby, have become ends in themselves

o   For example, the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution have brought about major changes. Rural and urban local governments have been enabled to become institutions of self-government.

However, the intended vision has not been achieved, due to the reluctance on the part of the civil servants to accept the changes in control and accountability as well as the altered roles and responsibilities.

RULE-BOOK BUREAUCRACY

• By the rule book bureaucracy, it meant mainly following the rules and laws of the book without taking care of the actual needs of the people.
• Due to rule book bureaucracy, some civil servants have developed the attitude of’ bureaucratic behaviour’, which evokes issues like red-tapism, the complication of procedures, and the mal-adapted responses of ‘bureaucratic’ organisations to the needs of the people.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE

• Civil servants at the regional level work in coordination with the political representative. They both are required to serve the common people by bringing development, welfare, well-being and peace to society.
• The political representative for the sake of fulfilling the populist demand influences the functioning of administrative officials. Hence, an administrative official has to adhere to the will of the political master.
• This interference sometimes leads to issues like corruption, and arbitrary transfers of honest civil servants. Also, this led to substantial inefficiency where the vital positions are not held by the best officers and ultimately this can lead to institutional decline.

STRUCTURAL ISSUES

Civil services have been facing many structural issues

• Generalist officers: Civil Service is conceived primarily to deliver the core functions of the state such as maintenance of law and order and implementation of government orders.
• However, with changing needs with the advent of globalisation, and economic reforms, the role of the state has changed. Therefore, there are new challenges due to technological evolution (for example cyber security). Thus, there is a higher demand (of specialist officers) for domain knowledge at the policy level.
• Ensuring transparency and accountability along with participatory and representative decision-making are some issues that need to be addressed.
• There are instances of lack of employment opportunities in some public services, while there are many vacancies in others.

COMPETING NOT COLLABORATING

• Contrary to public perception, most AIS officers do not collaborate as professionals. They are often competing with each other, questioning almost everything that the other AIS officer brings to them. This is indeed strange, but that is how it is. This has led to enormous delays, and decision-making has suffered. Moreover, an AIS officer rarely sticks his neck out to defend a junior colleague.
• Quite a few are protecting their backsides and looking at a post-retirement job in the government. The AIS could have evolved as a group with a distinctive ethos wherein the constituents understood and helped each other. But it has not happened.

HYBRID ROLE IDENTITY

• In recent years the notion of identity has given rise to a rich debate in nearly every share of life. The focus has been, for instance, on the desire of individuals to conform to shared norms in society, the cognitive aspects of norms or the sense of belonging.
• In such a case, a bureaucrat is a part of (sometimes large) organizations and he gets accustomed and exposed to certain perceptions and preferences of the organization. Hence, he acts not only as a rational actor on his own account but also as an en-cultured actor, whose perception of a supposed “good policy” is deeply influenced by the social context that he is part.

STEPS TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE

RECRUITMENT

• Rationalization and harmonization of services: The existing 60 plus separate civil services at the central and state level needs to be reduced through rationalization and harmonization of services. [Recruits should be placed in a central talent pool, which would then allocate candidates by matching their competencies and the job description of the post. Concomitantly, the number of exams for civil services should ideally be brought down to one with all India ranking. States may also be encouraged to use this pool for recruitments.]
• Encourage lateral entry: Inducting specialists at higher levels of government will provide much-needed expertise.
• Outsource service delivery: Efforts need to be made to outsource service delivery to reduce dependence on the administrative machinery. Research is needed to identify possible services to be outsourced; various PPP models should be explored to determine the best possible mode of outsourcing.

TRAINING

• Training is the critical component of human resource development. The current systems of training for civil services do not adequately reflect changes in the socio-economic scenario and the emerging new challenges.  The reform agenda should comprise mandatory training for all civil servants at the induction stage combined with mid-career training imparting them with the required domain knowledge.
• There is also a need to inculcate ethical underpinning in the civil servants by implementing the Code of Ethics.
• Mid-career exams/skill assessments might be undertaken to evaluate and decide on future postings.
• Monitoring and overseeing mechanisms shall also be revitalised reaping the knowledge and experience of various institutes, the corporate sector, civil society etc.

EVALUATION

• Institute goal setting and tracking: There is an inherent need to set key responsibility/focus areas and progressively reduce discretionary aspects to evaluate civil servants.
• Institute the online Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window (SPARROW) template in all central and state cadres. [The online portal was introduced for the Indian Administrative Service Officers in 2011. Through this portal, the IAS officers could record their performance appraisals on time and without delay. Now it has been extended to Group B and C officers also. Most recently in June 2022, the newly merged Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) also announced to adopt a comprehensive online system for its employees to file annual performance appraisal reports.]
• Compulsory retirement for underperforming officers: Develop benchmarks to assess the performance of officers and compulsorily retire those deemed unable to meet the benchmarks.
• Incentivization: Review existing schemes and introduce new schemes of incentives for extraordinary performance.

E-INITIATIVES

• Robust Vigilant Mechanism: Strengthen institutional mechanisms for prevention and detection of corruption. Thus, there is a need to review existing vigilance mechanisms.
• There is a need to strengthen the implementation of a Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMs).
• Implementation of e-Office: Implementation of e-Office may be expedited in all ministries/ departments; all states/UTs may also be encouraged to adopt it.
• Prompt delivery of services: Every department should seek to simplify their processes to cut administrative delays and ensure participatory feedback mechanisms for efficient service delivery.

REFORMS IN THE RECENT PAST TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF CIVIL SERVICES

REFORM

BENEFITS

LATERAL ENTRY

• Lateral recruitment is aimed at achieving the objective of bringing in fresh talent into the system, which will create new energy to the system.
• The Second Administrative Reforms Commission too had recommended lateral entry at senior positions.
• Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers have little expertise in subjects like civil aviation, defence, coal, shipping, etc., as the states where the IAS officers spend most of their early career do not deal with these subjects. Lateral entry will make the Indian administration also match the global standards.
• The US has a system of lateral entry, where about 4000 new officers are appointed as “political appointees” with the inauguration of a new president, allowing incoming presidents to work on their agenda more effectively. India had rejected the USA model – adopting the British model of lifetime ‘neutral’ civil service where civil servants remain politically neutral and formulate technically sound policies according to the will of the political executive within the framework of the constitution.
• Lateral entry opens a small window to get the best from the American and British systems and puts pressure on the system to reform and perform.

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR CIVIL SERVICE CAPACITY BUILDING  – MISSION KARMAYOGI

• It is aimed at better service delivery to the public “governance, performance, and accountability”. lt promises a shift from rules to roles, silos to coordination, interdisciplinary movements, and a continuous capacity-building exercise.
• The focus of the reform is the creation of a ‘citizen-centric civil service’ capable of creating and delivering services conducive to economic growth and public welfare.
• It aims for learning resources from the best institutions and practices from across the world while retaining Indian sensibilities and culture.
• The mid-career training will now be available to all government staff instead of the top officers alone, and their profile and assessment will be continuous.
• If there is a need for some special appointment, then authorities can do so by looking at the profile of the officers with the help of technology instead of depending on perceptions.
• Accordingly, Mission Karmayogi shifts the focus from “Rule-based training to Role-based training”. Greater thrust has been laid on behavioural change.

THE PRESENT DEBATE OF THE AGNIVEER TYPE OF SCHEME FOR ALL INDIA SERVICES

WHY AGNIPATH LIKE SCHEME FOR AIS

• There is a huge sense of dissatisfaction over the performance of the civil services, particularly AIS. For example, the people are generally dissatisfied with the performance of the police and there are credible complaints about its brutality, third-degree methods and extra-judicial killings.
• It has been noticed that once an officer is selected for the AIS, he/she develops a smug attitude that his/her career for the next 30/35 years is now secure. Therefore, there is a lack of pressure to perform, an incentive to innovate, and a desire to excel.
• Senior officers of the IAS and IPS have gone to the Supreme Court for reforms in the civil services and the police.
• The judiciary has, from time to time, given directions for reforms but these have not been implemented in letter and spirit.
• In the last few decades, the AIS have grown in size and have become very, very top-heavy. There are a number of officers who are holding top positions but have very little work to do. Therefore, they are frustrated and look for politicians to get a top posts in the bureaucratic mainstream.

WHAT SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND

• The law-and-order problems have become far more complex and people are not happy with the police. But, still, abolition of police or rather an infusion of trained civilians in the police force is not an option as it might result in lawlessness and chaos. Thus, it is imperative to not only just increase the efficiency of trained police personnel but also increase their strength.
• The AIS have rendered excellent services to the country despite the severe constraints under which the officers function.
• To cope with the increasing responsibilities, there has been a steady expansion of civil services. More training and reorientation in the service approach is more needed than to have Agniveer kind of entrants.
• Government activities today cover a much wider spectrum. Now the welfare schemes are being undertaken on a massive scale. To cope with the increasing responsibilities, there has been a steady expansion of the civil services and reducing the strength in not going to be much useful, we need both the strength and quality of service personnel.

PROPOSED STRUCTURE OF AGNIPATH IN AIS

• Strict review of the performance of AIS officers: The objective of the reviews should be to weed out 25 per cent of officers at the first stage (after 15 years of service), 10 per cent of officers at the second stage (after 25 years of service) and 5 per cent of officers at the third stage (after 30 years of service)
• Reason for Weeding out: Weeding out should be for
• poor performance,
• charges of corruption,
• any other misconduct of a serious nature, or
• For being physically unfit.
• Impartial Screening: Screening at each stage will have to be very rigorous and the mechanism to do so must be impartial. It will have to be doubly ensured that the officers are not victimised for political reasons.
• The officers may be given copper/silver/golden handshakes at the three stages.

Benefits of this scheme for AIS

• The periodic trimming of services would ensure that officers become performance-oriented, and acquire new skills and a flair for innovation in administration. The complacency and smugness would disappear in a majority of cases.
• The bureaucratic top would become lighter leading to efficiency and better coordination.

OTHER SUGGESTED REFORMS

1.  The paper, titled “The Indian Administrative Service Meets Big Data” in 2016 recommended: (South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

• Data: The DoPT should use data on civil servants’ abilities, education, and training when placing officers early in their careers. As officers gain experience, performance metrics can inform key decisions about promotion and allocation.
• Lateral Exit: officers deemed unfit for further service at certain career benchmarks are compulsorily retired through a transparent and uniform system of performance review.

2. Sarkaria Commission recommended:

• Generalists should yield place to greater specialization in areas of public administration.
• The minimum period of deputation under union government should be laid down
• Set up Advisory council for Personnel Administration: for regular consultation between Union and state on AIS management.

3. 2nd ARC recommendations:

• A system of two intensive reviews one at 14 years of service and the other at 20 years. And for a new appointment, the period of employment shall be for 20 years
• It has identified 12 domains for specialization: general administration, urban development, etc.
• Establish National institutes of Public Administration and graduates from it and other selected universities will be eligible to appear for the Civil service examination.
• It can create a large pool of aspiring civil servants as well as enable serving bureaucrats to attain a deep knowledge of the country’s political economy, increased domain expertise, and improved managerial skills
• The age of entry for general candidates is 21-25 years and a maximum of three attempts.

4. Hota committee has recommended:

• Fixed tenure of at least 3 years for an officer of higher civil service along with annual performance targets.
• A civil service board for all decisions regarding transfer posting and promotions

5.  Supreme court in 2013(TSR Subramanian case): All actions must be taken on basis of written communication as oral directives undermine the credibility of the order

6.  A Parliamentary panel has recommended the deputation of IAS and IPS officers in the private sector to bring in domain expertise and competition.

THE ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUE

Present day training/learning landscape for AIS is diverse and fragmented with inconsistencies in training priorities by various training institutions with a multiplicity of training curricula, leading civil servants to think departmentally and in silos. Due to this, there is a lack of a shared understanding of India’s national developmental aspirations and needs. While courses are offered in patches for civil servants, there’s an absolute lack of a life-long learning environment. There is a need to view training and learning as a continuous process. As the Indian economy grows it will get more complex to govern. Also, there is increasing use of complex technologies in governance and public service delivery. Therefore, governance capacities and technical competencies of government employees will have to be enhanced proportionately. Starting with lateral entry to Mission Karmyogi to now much talked about Agniveer kind of scheme for AIS is a welcome step in the right direction but the tagged complexities and concerns with each of the initiatives must be addressed to keep the relevance of the schemes intact.

THE CONCLUSION: Capacity augmentation of Civil Servants plays a vital role in rendering a wide variety of services, implementing welfare programs, and performing core governance functions. A transformational change in Civil Service Capacity is proposed to be affected by organically linking the transformation of work culture, strengthening public institutions, and adopting modern technology to build civil service capacity with the overall aim of ensuring efficient delivery of services to citizens. The future of the country cannot be progressive without a reformed bureaucracy. Civil servants are uniquely positioned to play a role in lifting more than 170 million out of poverty into prosperity and the new suggested Agniveer kind of scheme might help in bringing the much-needed behavioural change in the serving officers and foster a sense of responsible service in the aspiring ones.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. An Agnipath scheme for the AIS will help to remove complacency and inefficiency in bureaucracy. Comment
2. It has been noticed that once an officer is selected for the AIS, he develops a smug attitude. How can the proposed Agniveer kind of reforms for AIS can help in bringing behavioural changes in the serving officers?

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. INDIA BECOMES WORLD’S FIFTH-LARGEST ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, India has overtaken the UK to become the fifth largest economy in the world. India is now behind the US, China, Japan and Germany in terms of economy.
THE EXPLANATION:
• According to figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India passed the United Kingdom (UK) to become the fifth-largest economy in the world in the last quarter of 2021. India’s economy currently ranks just four nations ahead of it in terms of size in dollars. The United States, China, Japan, and Germany are the only nations with economies larger than India’s. The UK is currently in sixth place, just behind India.
• The report highlighted that in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, India’s GDP (PPP) is $ 10.51 trillion, exceeding that of Japan and Germany. Due to India’s high population, India’s GDP per capita is $ 2,170 (for comparison, the US is $ 62,794).
• India’s real GDP growth, however, it said is expected to weaken for the third straight year from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent.
• The report observed that India’s economic liberalisation began in the early 1990s and included industrial deregulation, reduced controls on foreign trade and investment, and privatisation of state-owned enterprises. These measures have helped India accelerate economic growth.
• India’s service sector is the fast-growing sector in the world accounting for 60 per cent of the economy and 28 per of employment, the report said, adding that manufacturing and agriculture are two other significant sectors of the economy.
• The US-based World Population Review is an independent organisation without any political affiliations.

What is PPP?
• Purchasing power parity (PPP) is a popular metric used by macroeconomic analysts.
• It compares economic productivity and standards of living between countries.
• In some countries adjust their gross domestic product (GDP) figures to reflect PPP.

Way ahead:
• The pace of the economic recovery will be indistinguishably linked to the development of the Covid-19 pandemic, both domestically and internationally.
• As the manufacturer of the majority of the world’s vaccines and with a 42-year-old vaccination programme (Universal Immunisation Programme) that targets 55 million people each year, India is better placed than many other developing countries to roll out the vaccines successfully and efficiently next year.
• In the medium to long term, reforms such as the 2016 demonetisation and more recently the controversial efforts to liberalise the agricultural sector can deliver economic benefits.
• However, with the majority of the Indian workforce employed in the agricultural sector, the reform process requires a delicate and gradual approach that balances the need for longer-term efficiency gains with the need to support incomes in the short-term.
• The infrastructure bottlenecks that exist in India mean that investment in this area has the potential to unlock significant productivity gains.
• Therefore, the outlook for the economy going forwards will be closely related to the government’s approach to infrastructure spending.

2. IMF $2.9BN DEAL TO AID SRI LANKA

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has come forward to help Sri Lanka, which is facing a historic economic crisis. The IMF has announced a loan of $ 2.9 billion to Sri Lanka.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The aid aims to restore macroeconomic stability and creditworthiness in Sri Lanka as well as protect financial stability.
• The IMF and Sri Lankan authorities have agreed on a 48-month loan under the Extended Funds Facility (EFF) of about $2.9 billion to help stabilise the economy and boost growth.
• The agreement between Sri Lanka and the IMF is only preliminary, and has to be approved by the IMF management and its executive board. It will also go through only if Sri Lankan authorities carry out previously agreed measures which include additional funding from multilateral partners and debt relief from Sri Lankan lenders to help ensure debt affordability and bridge the financial gap.
• Starting with one of the lowest revenue levels in the world, this loan program will implement major tax reforms. These reforms include making personal income tax more progressive and expanding the tax base for corporate income tax and VAT.
VALUE ADDITION:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• IMF is an international financial institution. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The institution comprises of 190 countries. It is working to foster global monetary cooperation, facilitate international trade, secure financial stability, promote sustainable economic growth, promote high employment and reduce poverty worldwide.
• It was created in 1944 but started working formally on December 27, 1945. It came into existence with 29 member countries.

Why was IMF created?
• The IMF was originally created as a part of the Bretton Woods system in 1944. During the Great Depression, countries raised the barriers to trade in order to improve their failing economies.
• This resulted into devaluation of national currencies and decline in world trade. Breakdown in international monetary cooperation created a need for oversight. Thus, representatives of 45 governments met at the Bretton Woods Conference, in the United States, to discuss a framework for an international economic cooperation and to rebuild Europe.

3. ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN BATTERY STANDARDS

THE CONTEXT: In April 2022, the cases of fire in electric two-wheelers of manufacturers such as Ola Electric, Okinawa Autotech and PureEV were reported. Following which the government constituted an expert committee under the chairmanship of Tata Narasimha Rao (Director, ARC, Hyderabad) to probe it.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The committee submitted its recommendation to the government recently. These new safety standards will come into effect from 1 October 2022. Ministry has also sought comments and suggestions from all stakeholders within a period of thirty days.
• These new rules will be applicable to electric two-, three- and four-wheelers, passenger and goods vehicles. These modifications included specific requirements for L-class motor vehicles with electric power trains (engines) and requirements for M-class and N-class motor vehicles for electric power trains.
• Whereas, L class motor vehicles are those which have less than four wheels, whereas M category vehicles are those which have at least four wheels and are used for transporting passengers.
• These modifications include additional safety requirements relating to thermal diffusion due to fire from the battery cell, on-board charger, the design of the battery pack, and internal cell short circuits.
Mandatory to include ‘Safety Fuse’
• In this new amendment it has been made mandatory to include ‘Safety Fuse’. This will blow the battery off the powertrain and immediately disconnect it in case of excessive heat generation or high current outflow.
EVs will now also have four additional sensors
• These sensors will help to quickly identify the problem if there is a problem with the battery system. These sensors will show an error on the console of the vehicle which will alert the driver to take necessary corrective or remedial measures.
Distance between two battery cells is compulsory
• It is also said to increase the distance between two battery cells used in electric vehicle batteries. It is recommended by the panel to help release heat in the event of thermal runaway in rechargeable energy storage systems (RESS) and to help detach cells.
Auto cut-off feature for charger
• Electric vehicle chargers will be redesigned to include a charge voltage cut-off as well as a time-based charge cut-off function. This will help prevent overcharging the RES.
Audio-visual alerts for drivers
• The EVs will have to be equipped with audio-visual alerts for early detection of thermal events or gases in case of thermal runaway of the cell.

THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN NEWS

4. SCHEME FOR ‘PROMOTION OF BULK DRUG PARKS’

THE CONTEXT: The Department of Pharmaceuticals has recently given ‘in-principle’ approval to the proposals to set up bulk drug parks in three states- Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh under the scheme of “Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks”. This is a major initiative to support bulk drug manufacturing in the country.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Under this scheme, proposals for construction of bulk drug parks were received from 13 states. Out of which Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have been selected.
• The financial assistance for the proposed bulk drug parks in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh will be 70 per cent of the project cost of the shared infrastructure.
• At the same time, being a hill state, the financial assistance for Himachal Pradesh will be 90 percent of the total project cost. The maximum assistance for wholesale drug parks under this scheme will be limited to Rs 1,000 crore.
About the Parks
These parks will be set up on 1402.44 acres in Haroli tehsil of Una district of Himachal Pradesh, 2015.02 acres in Jambusar tehsil of Bharuch district of Gujarat and 2000.45 acres at KP Puram and Kodhaha in Thondangi mandal of East Godavari district.
Project Benefits
• The bulk drug parks to be developed under this scheme will provide common infrastructure facilities at one place, thereby creating a strong ecosystem for bulk drug manufacturing in the country and will also bring down the manufacturing cost significantly.
• The scheme is expected to gain a foothold in the global market by encouraging domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs and providing easy access to standard testing and infrastructure to reduce import dependence.
• The scheme will help the industry to meet environmental standards at low cost through innovative methods of common waste management system and to reap the benefits arising out of the optimization of resources and economies of scale.

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

5. DEPLOYING 5G IN A WORLD BUILT ON 4G TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: According to Statista data, the total number of smartphone users in the world has nearly doubled from 3.7 billion in 2016 to 6.6 billion in 2022.Since 4G’s inception in the early 2010s, the number of smartphone users have grown significantly.
THE EXPLANATION:
• A 5G-based connected future is upon us. That means deploying services in a world filled with 4G compatible devices. So, telecom operators have two options. They can either build a non-standalone (NSA) or a standalone architecture.
• Since the dawn of mobile communication in the early 1980s, companies and consumers have been adapting to new ways of sending and receiving information. The first-generation technology of this era let people make and receive phones calls through their mobile handheld devices while the second and third generations added text and multi-media messaging, as well as email services to cell phones. The emergence of 4G in the early part of the past decade changed the mobile-telephone landscape. This paradigmatic shift let users stream and download videos at speeds three times greater than 3G. The Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard-based generation had two important characteristics it apart from its predecessors.

What is 5G technology?
• 5G is a fifth-generation wireless communication technology that has very high reliability, spectrum bands and speed which is around 10 plus Gbps (20 times that of 4G).
• It is based on the IEEE 802.11ac standard of broadband connectivity. But a formal standard has not been set yet.
• The final standard for 5G will be established by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Different Bands of 5G
5G primarily operates across three bands: low, mid, and high-frequency spectrums, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
• Low Band Spectrum: The maximum speed of Internet and data exchange is limited to 100 Mbps in terms of coverage and speed (Megabits per second). This means that telecom companies can use and install it for commercial cellphone users who may not have specific demands for very high-speed Internet. However, the low band spectrum may not be optimal for specialised needs of the industry.
• Mid-Band Spectrum: It has faster speeds than the low-band spectrum, but it has restrictions in terms of coverage area and signal penetration. This band could be utilised by industries and specialised production units to create captive networks that can be tailored to their specific demands.
• High Band Spectrum: It has the fastest speed of all three bands, but its coverage and signal penetration intensity are severely limited. This band significantly improves future 5G technology applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies, although it has significant infrastructure requirements.
Advantages/Applications of 5G technology
• With very high speed, 5G allows access to high-bandwidth multimedia such as HD videos, movies and games which can be downloaded in seconds.
• It enables high-speed data services that have industrial applications.
• It supports critical applications like financial transactions and healthcare.
• It will help incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our daily lives. It will enable cloud systems to stream software updates, music and navigation data to driverless cars seamlessly. It will also facilitate vehicle-vehicle communications in order to keep a safe distance from each other = fewer car accidents + less traffic congestion.

Disadvantages of 5G technology
• Technology is still in progress and research on its viability is going on.
• The speed on such scale (10,000 Mbps) is difficult to achieve considering the incompetent technological support in most parts of the world.
• Many of the old devices would not support 5G. Therefore all of them need to be replaced with new ones.
• Developing infrastructure for 5G is expensive.

India’s Initiatives
• Bharatnet project was launched in 2017 for providing digital infrastructure on a non-discriminatory basis by affordable broadband connectivity for all households. The objective is to facilitate the delivery of e-health, e-governance, e-banking, e-education, Internet and other services to rural areas.
• National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) aims at bringing a broadband revolution in rural areas. Its objective is to connect all the Gram Panchayats in the country with 100 Mbps connectivity. As we have seen earlier, fibre provides strong backhaul, thus facilitates the adoption of 5G.
• High-level forum to develop 5G roadmap – Recently, the Department of Telecommunications set up a high-level forum to evaluate roadmaps and create a strategy to adopt 5G in the country by 2020.
• Waivers for Private telecoms -The government also announced a subsidy of Rs 3,600 crore to private telecom players such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, and Reliance Jio to establish Wi-Fi in rural areas as part of the second phase of the BharatNet project.

THE SECURITY AFFAIRS

6. TEJAS MARK-2 PROJECT

THE CONTEXT: Recently the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the project to develop a more capable and powerful version of the indigenous aircraft LCA Mark 2 multirole fighter jet.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The Tejas Mark-2 is described as a 4.5-generation machine, which will not only have 70 per cent indigenization (as opposed to the Mark IA’s 62 per cent), but will incorporate more advanced technologies to be manufactured in India. Tejas is a single-engine and highly maneuverable multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft manufactured by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The jet will be fitted with the more powerful GE-414 engine, which will give it a longer combat range and more weapon-carrying capability than the existing Tejas Mark-1 (GE-404 engine).
• Also, the look of Tejas Mark-2 is of the 21st century. Next to the wings, a canard resembling those of contemporary fighters such as the Rafale, Eurofighter or Sukhoi-30MKI has been added.
• Apart from the weapon payload and engine, the interiors of the Tejas Mark-2 will be rearranged, to make it more accessible and maintenance-friendly.
• The fighter jet will be developed at a cost of over Rs 6,500 crore, in addition to the Rs 2,500 crore approved earlier.

Why is Tejas Mark-2 important?
• The approval of Tejas Mark-2 is a big relief for the Indian Air Force. The IAF currently has 30 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42, which is insufficient at a time when the country is facing threats from both China and Pakistan.
• The LCA Mark-2 fighter jets will replace the Jaguar and Mirage 2000 fighters when they are phased out after 10 years. The new Tejas is a very formidable aircraft which will surely add more strength to the IAF list.

THE DATA POINT

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2. Intuition is wisdom at its purest READ MORE
3. To all education READ MORE
4. FESTIVITY, MOURNING ARE COMPLIENTARY READ MORE

1. Next steps on carbon: Govt must move fast on emission trading READ MORE
2. Pakistan’s Devastating Floods Show the Climate Crisis Is Also a Debt Crisis READ MORE
3. The new plan to develop the National Capital Region is a blow to the conservation of the Aravalis READ MORE

1. Why deaths by suicide are rising worldwide READ MORE
2. Coercion as conversion: Sexual orientation and gender identitiesdo not require medical intervention READ MORE
3. Train horror: All-pervasive sexual violence a sign of depravity READ MORE

1. Justice rendered, but only incompletely: In the Teesta Setalvad case, the lack of clear judicial answers to the top court’s compelling questions are conspicuous READ MORE
2. Rethinking anonymity READ MORE
3. Explainer: How ‘zero FIRs’ have become the latest battleground between state police forces READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

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3. ‘Dark sky reserve’ to come up in Ladakh READ MORE
4. Assam logged highest number of sedition cases in last 8 years: NCRB READ MORE
5. Ramon Magsaysay of Philippines, and his stance on communism READ MORE
6. India’s wind energy sector struggles despite SECI’s oversubscribed bids READ MORE
7. Chileans reject proposed constitution promising rights to nature, indigenous people READ MORE
8. India’s first bulk drugs park to be set up in Gujarat’s Bharuch READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Why deaths by suicide are rising worldwide READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Justice rendered, but only incompletely: In the Teesta Setalvad case, the lack of clear judicial answers to the top court’s compelling questions are conspicuous READ MORE
2. Rethinking anonymity READ MORE
3. Explainer: How ‘zero FIRs’ have become the latest battleground between state police forces READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Coercion as conversion: Sexual orientation and gender identitiesdo not require medical intervention READ MORE
2. Train horror: All-pervasive sexual violence a sign of depravity READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. A lot is at stake for India-Bangladesh ties: While they have deepened ties, the Hasina and Modi governments have failed to resolve long-standing issues READ MORE  
2. India and Australia, from divergence to convergence: The fifth round of the bilateral Track 1.5 dialogue will set the pace for Canberra’s deepening relationship with New Delhi READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Explained | Why is there divergence in inflation across States? READ MORE
2. Precision farming needs to be promoted to get more output with less exploitation of natural resources READ MORE
3. Rural entrepreneurship replaces digital divide READ MORE
4. Indian military can’t be a silent spectator to global semiconductor boom. See US, China READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Next steps on carbon: Govt must move fast on emission trading READ MORE
2. Pakistan’s Devastating Floods Show the Climate Crisis Is Also a Debt Crisis READ MORE
3. The new plan to develop the National Capital Region is a blow to the conservation of the Aravalis READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Deploying 5G in a world built on 4G technology READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Why are an increasing number of teachers failing to establish a bond with students? READ MORE
2. Intuition is wisdom at its purest READ MORE
3. To all education READ MORE
4. FESTIVITY, MOURNING ARE COMPLIENTARY READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. Universal public food distribution is now an essential requirement. It is essential to combat hunger and ensure basic nutrition without excluding some of the most needy and vulnerable people. Comment.
2. India’s ongoing transformation and resilience displayed during the COVID-19 crisis are not only driven by the digital revolution and empowerment tapping into rural entrepreneurs but will also continue to be key drivers for India’s journey to become a developed nation. Examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• This city is what it is because our citizens are what they are.
• Within India, however strong the current pulls in the opposite direction, there is still tremendous progressive energy and desire for change towards a more just economy and a more inclusive yet diverse society.
• A low-cost, tech-intensive and transparent monitoring, reporting and verification scheme will have to be developed by the regulator. There is a lot to be done in this space.
• India must leverage its tech know-how to develop cutting-edge methods of determining whether promises of emission reduction are actually being kept by market participants.
• Common Services Centres are playing key role in transforming the countryside with improving ease of doing business.
• India’s ongoing transformation and resilience displayed during the COVID-19 crisis are not only driven by the digital revolution and empowerment tapping into rural entrepreneurs but will also continue to be key drivers for India’s journey to become a developed nation.
• In India, we have the culture of free power, free water, almost 80 to 90 per cent subsidy on urea, and so on. One critical factor that is needed is the political economy of policies.
• There is thus a compelling need for law reform to revise the age of consent and prevent the criminalisation of older adolescents engaging in factually consensual and non-exploitative acts.
• In Bangladesh, there is a prevailing perception that India’s goodwill towards the country is aligned to one particular political ideology or school of thought as opposed to Bangladeshi society at large.

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.