TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (31 DECEMBER 2022)

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. REMOTE ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE (RVM)

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE- GS-II-POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has developed a prototype for the Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM) aimed to facilitate voting for domestic migrants across India.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The prototype of the RVM will be demonstrated to political parties on January 16th, and if it is successful, it will allow domestic migrants to vote without having to travel back to their hometowns. The RVM will be a stand-alone system, not connected to the internet, and based on existing electronic voting machines. The goal of the RVM is to increase voter participation and make it easier for domestic migrants to participate in elections.

What are RVMs?

  • The RVM is a multi-constituency electronic voting machine that can handle up to 72 constituencies from a single remote polling booth. It is based on the time-tested M3 (Mark 3) EVMs and will be used to enable voting at remote polling stations for domestic migrants.
  • The ECI has invited all eight recognized national and 57 state political parties to a demonstration of the RVM on January 16th, and has also solicited written views from these parties by January 31st on various related issues, including changes needed in legislation and administrative procedures.

Challenges

  • There are several challenges and considerations that must be addressed in order to successfully implement the RVM system.
  • These include defining domestic migrants, enumerating remote voters, and ensuring the secrecy of voting and the presence of polling agents for voter identification.
  • The Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951, The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, and The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 will also need to be amended to introduce remote voting.
  • Other considerations include the method of remote voting, the familiarity of voters with the RVM technology, and the counting and transmission of votes cast at remote polling stations.

Why do we need RVMs?

  • There is no central database available for migration within India, but analysis of available data suggests that work, marriage, and education are major factors in domestic migration. “Out-migration” is more common among the rural population, and around 85% of internal migration is within states.
  • The ECI has developed the RVM system in order to make it easier for domestic migrants to participate in elections, as many are reluctant to register to vote at their place of work due to frequently changing residences, a lack of social and emotional connections with their area of migration, or a desire to keep their name on the electoral roll of their home or native constituency.

Connect the dots:

  • What is Proxy voting?

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

2. PALEONTOLOGISTS FIND FOSSIL OF 119-MILLION-YEAR-OLD BEAKED BIRD

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE- ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, a  new species of confuciusornithid bird being named Confuciusornis shifan has been identified from a nearly complete skeleton found in northeastern China.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • Confuciusornis shifan lived in what is now China during the Early Cretaceous epoch, some 119 million years ago.
  • The new species belonged to Confuciusornis, a genus of extinct crow-sized beaked birds in the family Confuciusornithidae.
  • Confuciusornis shifan weighed less than 200 grams and was smaller than most other confuciusornithid species.
  • “Confuciusornithidae is a clade of Early Cretaceous pygostylian birds known from the Jehol Biota of East Asia, and represents the earliest known toothless, beaked birds”.
  • “Five genera and eleven species, recovered from the Dabeigou, Yixian and Jiufotang formations, have been described and assigned to this family, though the validity of some species is questionable.”
  • “They are represented by thousands of exceptionally preserved specimens that collectively provide rich information on confuciusornithid morphology, taxonomy, flight ability, growth, diet, and ecology.”

Connect the dots:

  • What is Cretaceous epoch?

3. T.N. GOVERNMENT SETS UP NILGIRI TAHR CONSERVATION PROJECT

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE- ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Tamil Nadu government launched an initiative for the conservation of the Nilgiri Tahr, the State animal, at a cost of ₹25.14 crore.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • Under The Nilgiri Tahr project, the government plans to develop a better understanding of the Nilgiri Tahr population through surveys and radio telemetry studies; reintroduce the Tahrs to their historical habitat; address proximate threats; and increase public awareness of the species. The project is to be implemented from 2022 to 2027.
  • According to the order, there are multiple references to the Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Sangam literature dating back to 2,000 years. The late Mesolithic (10,000-4,000 BC) paintings highlight the significance of the Tahr in folklore, culture and life. It was designated as the State animal in recognition of its ecological and cultural significance.
  • The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 under Schedule 1 protects this ungulate species, which is also listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the sole Caprinae species found in the tropical mountains of southern India. The animal inhabits meadows with steep cliffs at elevations between 300 metres and 2,600 metre above sea level. It is estimated that there are 3,122 Nilgiri Tahrs in the wild. Historically, the Nilgiri Tahr was known to inhabit a large portion of the Western Ghats. But today it remains restricted to a few scattered patches in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It has become locally extinct in around 14% of its traditional shola forest-grassland habitat.

Value Addition:

About Mukurthi National Park:

  • The park was previously known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.
  • It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1990. The total area of the park is about 78.46 Km2. The park is characterized by montane grasslands and shrublands interspersed with sholas in a high altitude area of high rainfall, near-freezing temperatures and high winds.
  • The park is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India’s first International Biosphere Reserve. As part of the Western Ghats, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1 July 2012. The Park is sandwiched between the Mudumalai National Park and the Silent Valley National park.

4. PRALAY MISSILE

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE- SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: In a major boost to the striking capabilities of the Indian armed forces, the defense ministry has recently cleared a proposal to purchase 120 Pralay missiles for the Indian Air Force and Army.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • Pralay is an indigenous short-range ballistic surface-to-surface missile. The missile will be India’s first tactical quasi-ballistic missile and will give the armed forces the capability to hit enemy positions and key installations in actual battlefield areas.
  • Developed by: The solid-fuel, battlefield missile developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is based on Prithvi Defence Vehicle from the Indian ballistic missile programme.
  • Features:
    • Pralay’ is powered with a solid propellant rocket motor and other new technologies. The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics, according to the DRDO.
    • The advanced missile has been developed in a way to be able to defeat interceptor missiles. It has the ability to change its path after covering a certain range mid-air.
    • It is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of about 350 kg to 700 kg, which gives it a deadly punitive capability.
  • Range: The canisterised Pralay missile, has a range of 150-500 kilometres.
  • Ballistic missiles: They are initially powered by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target at high speed. Unlike intercontinental ballistic missiles that exit the Earth’s atmosphere, short-range ballistic missiles stay within it.

REVISION SERIES

5. PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA (PMGKAY)

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE- GS-II-GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS

THE CONTEXT:Recently, the the Union government announced that it would discontinue the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) from January 1, 2023.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • In the wake of economic disruptions caused by the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, the Government in March 2020 had announced the distribution of additional free-of-cost food grains (Rice/Wheat) to about 80 Crore National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries at the scale of 5 Kg per person per month under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY).
  • Phase-I and Phase-II of this scheme were operational from April to June 2020 and July to November 2020 respectively. Phase II of the scheme was operational from May to June 2021. Phase IV of the scheme is currently operational for July-November 2021 months.
  • Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) under the Ministry of Finance is a scheme as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to supply free food grains to migrants and the poor.

Eligibility

  • Families belonging to the Below Poverty Line – Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories will be eligible for the scheme.
  • PHH are to be identified by State Governments/Union Territory Administrations as per criteria evolved by them. AAY families are to be identified by States/UTs as per the criteria prescribed by the Central Government:
  • Households headed by widows or terminally ill persons, or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more with no assured means of subsistence or societal support.
  • All primitive tribal households.
  • Landless agriculture labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen such as potters, tanners, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, slum dwellers, and persons earning their livelihood on daily basis in the informal sector like porters, coolies, rickshaw pullers, hand cart pullers, fruit and flower sellers, snake charmers, rag pickers, cobblers, destitute and other similar categories in both rural and urban areas.
  • All eligible Below Poverty Line families of HIV positive persons.

Connect the dots:

  • National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013



TOPIC : THE PARADOX BETWEEN GROWTH AND POVERTY ERADICATION

THE CONTEXT: The discontentment with growth not being beneficial to all became a highly debated topic in the past few years and the arena of policymaking also focused on reforms in a situation where India achieved higher economic growth but sluggish poverty reduction. Realising the importance of this debate, the government of India also envisioned “inclusive growth” as a strategy to ensure that economic progress is pro-poor and inclusive. This article explains various reasons for poverty in India and how can economic growth be of help in reducing the poverty.

WHAT IS ECONOMIC GROWTH?

Economic growth is an increase in the production of economic goods and services, compared from one period of time to another. It can be measured in nominal or real (adjusted for inflation) terms. Traditionally, aggregate economic growth is measured in terms of gross national product (GNP) or gross domestic product (GDP), although alternative metrics are sometimes used.

Economic growth refers to an increase in aggregate production in an economy. Often, but not necessarily, aggregate gains in production correlate with increased average marginal productivity. That leads to an increase in incomes, inspiring consumers to open up their wallets and buy more, which means a higher material quality of life or standard of living.

INDIA’S GROWTH STORY

India’s economic journey since 1947 has seen its share of ups and downs. Once branded a “third world country”, a term for poor developing nation-states which has now fallen into disuse, India is now among the biggest economies of the world. In 1991, India was a leader of the G-77 (a group of poor countries constantly demanding more concessions to develop). Today India is in the T-20, the top 20 economies that lead the world.

FOOD PRODUCTION

  • Achieving “self-sufficiency” in food grains has been Independent India’s biggest achievement. From receiving food aid in the 1950s and 1960s to becoming a net exporter, India has seen a turnaround in food production. The total food production, which stood at 54.92 million tonnes in 1950, rose to 305.44 million tonnes in 2020-21.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)

  • India’s GDP stood at ₹ 2.7 lakh crore at Independence. 74 years on, it has reached ₹ 135.13 lakh crore. India is now the 6th largest economy in the world and is on its way to becoming the third-largest by 2031, as per Bank of America. An unmissable fact is that there has been a 10- fold increase in the GDP (at constant prices) since the reform process began in 1991.

FOREX

  • India’s forex reserves (In foreign currencies and other assets like gold) stood at a meagre ₹ 1,029 crores in 1950-51. In fact, India’s low forex reserves played a catalytical role in kickstarting the economic reforms. With just $1.2 billion worth of forex reserves in 1991, India just had enough reserves to finance 3 weeks of imports. Three decades since the reform process began, India’s forex reserves now stand at ₹ 46.17 lakh crore – the world’s fifth-largest.

START-UP ECOSYSTEM

  • India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China and the pace of growth is not showing any signs of slowing down.

POVERTY

  • Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Poverty means that the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs can’t be met.
  • According to World Bank, Poverty is pronounced deprivation in well-being and comprises many dimensions. It includes low incomes and the inability to acquire the basic goods and services necessary for survival with dignity. Poverty also encompasses low levels of health and education, poor access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate physical security, lack of voice, and insufficient capacity and opportunity to better one’s life.
  • In India, 21.9% of the population lives below the national poverty line in 2011, however, this estimate of numbers might have increased in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic bringing many into the poverty net and still many poor were pushed deeper into poverty.
  • Also, the Periodic Labour Force Survey for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 shows that the Top 10% earn approximately equal to the bottom 64%. The top 10 accounts for one-third of the incomes earned. While income disparity is not the only trigger to descent into poverty, it boldly outlines the everyday experiences of inequality and inequities.

ABSOLUTE POVERTY

A condition where household income is below a necessary level to maintain basic living standards (food, shelter, housing). This condition makes it possible to compare different countries and also over time. It was first introduced in 1990, the “dollar a day” poverty line measured absolute poverty by the standards of the world’s poorest countries. In October 2015, the World Bank reset it to $1.90 a day.

RELATIVE POVERTY

It is defined from the social perspective that is living standard compared to the economic standards of the population living in its surroundings. Hence it is a measure of income inequality.

Usually, relative poverty is measured as the percentage of the population with income less than some fixed proportion of median income.

CAUSES OF POVERTY IN INDIA

GROWTH FACTOR

  • As development proceeds, the earnings of different groups rise differently.
  • The incomes of the upper-income and middle-income groups rise more rapidly than those of the poor. This happens in the early stages of growth which India is passing at present.
  • The explanation lies in the shift of population from agriculture which is a slow-growing sector to the modern large industrial sector which grows more rapidly.
  • The capital-intensive type of growth leads to the concentration of income in those few hands who supply capital.

PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY

  • India being a mixed economy, has guaranteed the right to private property to its people Accordingly, tangible wealth like land, buildings, automobiles, white goods etc. are owned by a private individual.
  • Inequalities of income have resulted from the ownership of private property in the following manner:

Ø  Inequalities Arising Out of Concentrated Land Ownership and Concentration of Tangible Wealth in the Rural Sector.

Ø  Private Ownership of Industries, Trade and Real Estates.

Ø  Inequalities in Professional Knowledge and Training

PREVALENCE OF THE LAW OF INHERITANCE

  • The prevalence of the law of inheritance perpetuates income inequalities to a significant level.
  • As per this law, the property of the father is usually inherited by his sons and daughters and thus children of the richer class automatically become richer and the children of the poorer class remain poor.

CLASS-BASED DEVELOPMENTS

  • The upper classes were the main beneficiary of the nation’s surging economic development and poverty rates are also significantly lower among the upper caste Hindus rather than in the others classes
  • One-third of Muslim and Hindu scheduled castes and tribes are in poverty compared to 10% of the upper castes Hindu. Altogether, 28% or around 360 million Indians are living in conditions of severe poverty.

OTHER FACTORS

Ø  SOCIAL FACTORS: Apart from economic factors, there are also social factors hindering the eradication of poverty in India. Some of the hindrances in this regard are the laws of inheritance, caste system, certain traditions, etc.

Ø  CLIMATIC FACTORS: Most of India’s poor belong to the states of Bihar, UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, etc. Natural calamities such as frequent floods, disasters, earthquakes and cyclones cause heavy damage to agriculture in these states.

Ø  POVERTY TRAP:

CONSEQUENCES OF POVERTY

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS

  • It is estimated that 300 million Indians live in abject poverty. This is the largest number in the world.
  • India has the highest number of homeless people.
  • Gender inequality leading to violence against women, the burden of unpaid care work, fiscal injustice for women and other marginalised groups. Inequality leads to increased crime and workplace accidents.
  • It stems from class, caste and gender inequalities.

INADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT

  • The gap between the rich and the poor has created “Club States” with Gujarat, Punjab and other rich states forming the richest clubs.
  • Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and other such states being left behind in terms of development.

INEQUALITY MAKES THE FIGHT TO END POVERTY MUCH HARDER

  • Higher income inequality impedes class formation and poverty reduction.
  • Unless growth benefits the poorest people more between now and 2030, the World Bank forecasts that the first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) to eliminate extreme poverty will be missed.
  • Access to social amenities such as decent shelter, clean water, nutrition and food as well as healthcare and education has become difficult for the poor.

Case study

The growth of the middle class plays a significant role in strengthening democratic structures and cultures. But rising income inequality in India is hampering the formation and growth of the middle class. If one were to take an income of $10-$20 per day in 2011 purchasing power parity as an indicator of the middle class, then India has not done as well as Malaysia, Indonesia and China in growing its middle class.

DISPARITIES IN SOCIAL SERVICE

  • The highest-quality medical care is only available to those who have the money to pay for it.
  • The country is a top destination for medical tourism. At the same time, levels of public spending on health are some of the lowest in the world.
  • The poorest Indian states have infant mortality rates higher than those in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The shortage of health specialists in rural areas, the report compares India’s 0.7 doctors per 1,000 people to the UK’s 2.8.
  • The dropping enrolment ratio in government schools, particularly for girls, while private schools see an uptick in admission.

THE ANALYSIS: THE GROWTH – POVERTY PARADOX

  • The surging economic growth has improved the living conditions of its citizens, but these improvements were not uniformly distributed among India’s diverse population. Despite being among the richest countries in the world, India has attracted negative attention in recent years and ranked 66 out of 109 countries in Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021.
  • On the surface, India’s story of growth and its triumph over poverty is enviable. India’s income per capita has increased fourfold in the last two decades, and its absolute poverty – measured on the international poverty line – reduced sharply from 40 per cent in 2000 to 13.4 per cent in 2015 but while India is no longer chronically poor, its growth has not been inclusive. The segment of the population that ‘graduated’ from poverty is largely still vulnerable, with consumption levels very close to the poverty line, and far from becoming a ‘middle class.’
  • Poverty is concentrated more and more in urban areas, as now one-in-three poor is living in urban areas, which was about one-in-eight in the early 1950s. In the post-liberalisation period, urban growth and non-agricultural growth has emerged as major driver of national poverty reduction including rural poverty.
  • Unlike in advanced economies, economic growth and inequality converge in terms of their effects on socio-economic indicators in India i.e. with economic growth the inequality in income and asset distribution also increases; however economic growth helps in reducing the poverty.
  • Manifestation of unequal growth is also growing inequalities:

Growing Rich: During the pandemic, the wealth of Indian billionaires increased from Rs 23.14 lakh crore to Rs 53.16 lakh crore.

ü  India has the third-highest number of billionaires in the world, just behind China and the United States.

ü  There is a 39% increase in the number of billionaires in India in 2021.

Growing Poor: More than 4.6 crore Indians are estimated to have fallen into extreme poverty in 2020. This is nearly half of the global new poor according to the United Nations.

ü  Also, in the same year, the share of the bottom 50% of the population in national wealth was a mere 6%.

  • Unemployment in India has also increased.

CASE STUDY OF TWO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AIMED AT POVERTY REDUCTION

PRADHAN MANTRI GRAM SADAK YOJANA (PMGSY)

  • PMGSY, state-wise allocations are fixed based on pre-determined gaps in road infrastructure. That automatically ensures more money is released and roads get built.
  • PMGSY is less prone to leakage because it is a specific asset-focused programme.

MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME (MGNREGA)

  • MGNREGA is supposed to be demand or need-driven, the reality is that it is being successfully implemented only in better-governed states even with lower levels of poverty.
  • MGNREGA is general dole-based and not amenable to monitoring beyond a point.

MGNREGA may have a role in mitigating immediate rural distress on account of drought and other unforeseen calamities. But programmes like PMGSY provide more effective long-term poverty alleviation solutions, through raising overall productivity and expansion of non-farm employment opportunities.

BHAGWATI – SEN DEBATE

Bhagwati Model:

The idea in the book ” Why Growth Matters: How Economic growth in India reduced Poverty and lessons for other developing countries” is in consonance with Adam Smith’s theory of the invisible hand of the market. It believes that increasing the pie of growth can ultimately lead to an increase in income and consequent development. In other words, it believes in the trickle-down effect.

Amartya’s Sen Model:

The idea is propounded in his book ” An uncertain glory: India and its contradiction”. It proposes an increase in the capacity and capability of people as the prime mover of development. Thus Government needs to invest in public health, infrastructure, education and democratic participation. It fosters the idea of a bottom-up approach. The ability of each individual as a change agent. It is about empowerment.

THE WAY FORWARD: ELIMINATING POVERTY IN INDIA

FIXING MINIMUM WAGE

  • Guarantee each citizen a minimum wage consistent with a minimum standard of living.
  • In India in 1948, the Minimum Wages Act was passed in pursuance of which minimum wages are being fixed for agricultural labour and labour in what is called the ‘sweated trades’. This is a step which will level up the incomes from below.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  • Introduction of a comprehensive social security scheme guaranteeing to each individual a minimum standard of economic welfare.
  • The government includes progressively making school education free; ensuring reduced out-of-pocket expenses on health, and meeting global benchmarks of 6% and 3.5% of GDP on education and public health respectively.
  • Strengthening quality public healthcare, strict enforcement of the Right to Education norms, stopping the commercialisation of education and health, and an increased focus on gender budgeting.

PROMOTION OF LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING

  • The proportion of the labour force in agriculture has come down, but the workers who have left farms have not got jobs in modern factories or offices. Most are stuck in tiny informal enterprises with abysmal productivity levels.
  • If India could somehow reverse this trend and promote labour-intensive manufacturing then inequality could fall.

MORE INCLUSIVE GROWTH

  • The promotion and adoption of an Inclusive Growth Agenda is the only solution to the rising inequality problem. Economic growth which is not inclusive will only exacerbate inequality

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

  • The development of advanced skills among the youth is a prerequisite if India wants to make use of its demographic dividend. The skilling of youth by increasing investment in education is the only way we can reduce inequality. India needs to become a Skill-led economy

PROGRESSIVE TAXATION

  • Higher taxes on the Rich and the luxuries will help reduce income inequalities.
  • Getting the richest one per cent in India to pay just 0.5 per cent extra tax on their wealth could raise enough money enough to increase government spending on the heath by 50 per cent

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

  • The Government may devise and set up some sort of machinery which may provide equal opportunities to all rich and poor in getting employment or getting a start in trade and industry.
  • In other words, something may be done to eliminate the family influence in the matter of choice of a profession. For example, the government may institute a system of liberal stipends and scholarships, so that even the poorest in the land can acquire the highest education and technical skill.

LEARN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

China’s case study

  • Meta’s narrative for China’s economic development is that its leadership combined the drive for growth with the spreading of human capital.
  • As the human capital endowment was relatively equal, most people could share in this growth, which accounts for the relative equality of outcomes in China when compared to India.
  • The greater participation of women in the workforce of China

THE CONCLUSION:

India’s dominant economic growth over the last 30 years continued to pull millions of people out of poverty. Due to the unexpected impact of COVID-19, India experienced a spike in its poverty rate. Moving forward, the elimination of poverty in India over the next decade is within reach in spite of the challenges ahead.Rapid economic growth and the use of technology for social sector programs can help make a significant dent in extreme poverty in the country.




TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (30th DECEMBER 2022)

INDIAN POLITY

1. THE KARNATAKA-MAHARASHTRA BORDER ROW

TAGS:GS-II & III-INTER STATE BORDER DISPUTES

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, unanimously passed a resolution to protect its interests and called the dispute a “closed chapter”. For that the Maharashtra government retaliated by passing a unanimous resolution in its Assembly to legally pursue the inclusion of 865 Marathi-speaking villages from Belagavi, Karwar, Nipani, Bidar, Bhalki and others in Karnataka into the State.

THE EXPLANATION:

What are the claims of the two States?

  • The raging boundary dispute between the two States dates back to the reorganisation of States along linguistic lines. In 1957, unhappy with the demarcation of boundaries, Maharashtra demanded realignment of its border with Karnataka.
  • It invoked Section 21 (2)(b) of the Act, submitting a memorandum to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stating its objection to Marathi-speaking areas being included in Karnataka. It filed a petition in the Supreme Court staking a claim over Belagavi.
  • Karnataka has argued that the inclusion of Belagavi as part of its territory is beyond dispute. It has cited the demarcation done on linguistic lines as per the Act and the 1967 Mahajan Commission Report to substantiate its position.
  • Karnataka has argued for the inclusion of areas in Kolhapur, Sholapur and Sangli districts (falling under Maharashtra) in its territory. From 2006, Karnataka started holding the winter session of the Legislature in Belagavi, building the massive Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in the district headquarters to reassert its claim.

What were the terms of the Mahajan Commission?

  • In 1966, at Maharashtra’s insistence, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi established a one-man commission led by Mehr Chand Mahajan, which recommended that 264 villages be transferred to Maharashtra and that Belagavi (Belgaum) and 247 villages remain with Karnataka.
  • Maharashtra rejected the report, while Karnataka welcomed it. Karnataka argued that either the Mahajan Commission Report should be accepted fully, or the status quo maintained.

Connect the dots: States Reorganisation Act 1956

2. WHAT IS TRIPLE TEST SURVEY?

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE-GS -II-POLITY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Allahabad High Court ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to hold urban local body elections without reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) because the ‘triple test’ requirement for the quota had not been fulfilled, the state set up a commission for this purpose.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The five-member commission will conduct a survey to ensure that the OBCs are provided reservation on the basis of the triple test, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
  • This is the first time that the triple test exercise will be carried out in Uttar Pradesh. Sources said the law department and the urban development department will lay down the guidelines to be adopted for the process.
    a) To set up a dedicated commission to conduct a rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness in local bodies;
    b) To specify the proportion of reservation required in local bodies in light of recommendations of the commission, so as not to fall foul of overbreadth;
    c) To ensure reservation for SCs/STs/OBCs taken together does not exceed an aggregate of 50 per cent of the total seats.
    d) These triple test/conditions were outlined by the Supreme Court in the case of Vikas KishanraoGawali vs. State of Maharashtra and others, decided on March 4, 2021.

Why triple test instead of rapid survey?

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on said that any inquiry or study into the nature and implications of the backwardness with respect to local bodies involves ascertainment of representation in such bodies. The court said such an exercise cannot be confined to counting of heads alone, as is being done through the rapid survey.

SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

3. PROPOSAL TO SHIFT FROM “MINIMUM” TO “LIVING” WAGES

TAGS:GS-II & III- SOCIAL ISSUES-ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Union Labour Ministry is currently mulling to shift from the “minimum wages” to “living wages” in a bid to bring more people from poverty in the country.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is a living wage?

  • The term “living wage” is the theoretical income level that enables an individual or a family to afford adequate shelter, food, healthcare and other basic necessities. It is the minimum income of that helps support a satisfactory standard of living and prevents individuals from falling into poverty.

How is the living wage different from minimum wage?

  • A living wage is defined as the minimum income necessary for workers to meet their basic necessities. It is different from the minimum wage, which is based on labor productivity and skill sets.
  • Minimum wage is the lowest amount of money a laborer can earn as mandated by the law. It does not change based on inflation. It can increase only with the government intervention. This is not true for the living wage.
  • The living wage is determined by the average cost to live comfortably, while the minimum wage is the fixed amount set by the government.
  • The difference between the minimum wage and the living wage can range between 10 and 25 percent based on the cost of living in a specific place.

About India’s decision

  • The Indian government is considering to shift from the minimum wage to the living wage to eliminate poverty in the country. If such a shift happens, it would have significant financial implications for India and the government. It will make Sustainable Development Goal commitments easily achievable.
  • India is planning to receive assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO) to understand what constitutes a living wage since it is highly subjective. The ILO member states, including India, have recently requested the ILO to contribute to the improved understanding of living wages by undertaking a peer-reviewed research on the theoretical concepts and theoretical estimations.

Connect the Dots: ILO

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4. OMEGA CENTAURI

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE- GS-III-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Astronomers and scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), while studying the Omega Centauri found that hot stars and white dwarfs emitted less ultraviolet radiation than expected.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • A team of Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics detected strange hot stars in the Globular clusters using the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) images on AstroSat (India’s first dedicated space observatory, which has been operating since 2015).

What are Globular clusters?

  • Globular clusters are spherical aggregates of several thousand to millions of stars bound by gravity. These systems are thought to have formed early on in the Universe and can serve as perfect astrophysical laboratories for astronomers to understand how stars evolve through various phases.
  • Omega Centauri is a globular cluster in the constellation of Centaurus that was first identified as a non-stellar object by Edmond Halley in 1677.
  • Located at a distance of 17,090 light-years, it is the largest-known globular cluster in the Milky Way at a diameter of roughly 150 light-years.

What is Galaxy?

  • A galaxy is a huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems bound together by gravity.
  • Milky Way, is stuffed with between 100 billion and 400 billion other stars, many of them with planets of their own. The Milky Way got its name from the way it looks from the ground: like a streak of spilt milk across the sky.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

5. GARRARNAWUN BUSH TOMATO

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: A new species of bush tomato, christened Garrarnawun bush tomato (Solanum scalarium), was discovered in Australia recently.

THE EXPLANATION:

About the genus Solanum

  • Genus Solanum has around 1,400 accepted species that are distributed across the world. The species belonging to this genus are found in all continents except Antarctica. It is the most species-rich genus in the Solanaceae family and is among the largest in the angiosperms (flowering plants).
  • The genus includes 3 food crops having high economic value. These are the potato, tomato and eggplant (brinjal).
  • Much of the species belonging to the Solanum are concentrated in circum-Amazonian tropical South America. However, its hotspots are also found in Africa and Australia.
  • This genus is often recognized by its two-chambered superior ovary, fused sepals and petals, 5 stamens, poricidal anthers, and sometimes branched hairs and/or prickles.

About the new species

  • The Garrarnawun bush tomato (Solanum scalarium) is currently found only in one site in world i.e., the Judbarra/Gregory National Park in the Australia’s Northern Territory.
  • It is a perennial pale green shrub that is around 30 cm tall.
  • This species belongs to the taxonomically challenging group called Kimberley dioecious clade in Australia. It is distinguished from other members of this group by its spreading decumbent habit and conspicuously prickly male floral rachis.
  • Its common name recognizes the lookout point in the Judbarra/Gregory National Park. This point is the traditional meeting place of the Wardaman and Nungali-Ngaliwurru peoples, whose lands intersect in this region.
  • This species is currently known from a single population of around 50 to 100 individuals. Hence, scientists are proposing to include in the “data deficit” category of the IUCN Red List.
  • It is found on skeletal pink soil, dissected rocks and exposed sandstone pavements.
  • It is expected to be found in more locations due to the prevalence of a similar and less accessible outcrops in the immediate region.



Day-350 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

[WpProQuiz 395]




TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (29th DECEMBER 2022)

GOVERNANCE- SOCIAL ISSUES

1. INTEGRATED ROAD ACCIDENT DATABASE (IRAD) SYSTEM

TAGS:GS-II- GOVERNANCE- SOCIAL ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) released the Annual report ‘Road accidents in India 2021’

THE EXPLANATION:

  • As per the report, there were 4,12,432 unfortunate incidences of road accidents during 2021 which claimed 1, 53,972 lives and caused injuries to 3, 84,448 persons.
  • This report has been developed by reporting, management, claim processing and analysis of road accident data by using the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) system.

What is iRAD?

  • It is an initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and is funded by World Bank, to improve road safety in the country.
  • This will facilitate road accident data collection by 4 stakeholder departments; Police, Transport, Highways and Health Departments.
  • Through a collection of road accident data from all over the country, a road accident database will be developed. The collected data will be analysed using different data analytics techniques for the identification of accident-prone areas and the causes of the accidents.
  • The analysis output will be represented in appropriate dashboards, access to higher authorities of stakeholder departments and MoRTH. And accordingly, a strategy will be formed for the reduction of the number of road accidents in India and to enhance road safety.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES IN NEWS

2. AMRIT BHARAT STATION SCHEME

TAGS: GS-II-GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS

THE CONTEXT: Ministry of Railways has recently formulated a new policy for modernization of stations named “Amrit Bharat Station” scheme.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • Amrit Bharat Station scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long term vision.
  • The scheme will subsume all previous redevelopment projects where work is yet to begin.
  • The scheme aims at preparation of Master Plans of the Railway stations and implementation of the Master Plan in phases to enhance the facilities including and beyond the Minimum Essential Amenities.
  • However, plans and consequent budgets will only be approved on the basis of factors such as footfall and inputs from stakeholders. Zonal railways have been given the responsibility of selecting stations, which will then be approved by a committee of senior railway officials.
  • The model envisages low-cost redevelopment of stations which can be executed timely.
  • The scheme also aims to relocate redundant/old buildings in a cost efficient manner so that space is released for higher priority passenger related activities and future development may be carried out smoothly.

Facilities Planned under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

  • Provision for Roof Plaza to be created in future
  • Free Wi-Fi, space for 5G mobile towers
  • Smooth access by widening of roads, removal of unwanted structures, properly designed signages, dedicated pedestrian pathways, well planned parking areas, improved lighting etc.
  • High level platforms (760-840 mm) at all stations with a length of 600 metres
  • Special amenities for the disabled

INTERNAL SECURITY

3. ZELIANGRONG UNITED FRONT (ZUF)

TAGS:GS-III- INTERNAL SECURITY

THE CONTEXT: A tripartite agreement was signed by the Indian Government, Manipur Government and an insurgent group called Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF).

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)?

  • The Zeliangrong United Front is an insurgent group that was established in 2011.
  • This Naga insurgent group is actively operating in Manipur, claiming to safeguard the interests of Zeliangrong Naga tribes in Manipur, Assam and Nagaland.
  • Its objective is to create a ‘Zeliangrong’ state within the Indian territory, covering the Zeliangrong Naga tribe’s area in the three northeastern states.
  • The ZUF is listed by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) as one of the 13 active insurgent groups in Manipur.

About the tripartite agreement

  • The ‘Cessation of Operation’ Agreement was signed between the Central Government, Manipur government and the ZUF.
  • Under this agreement, the insurgent group agreed to give up violence and join the democratic process.
  • This peace agreement provides for the rehabilitation and re-settlement of the armed cadres belonging to the ZUF.
  • A joint monitoring group will be set up to oversee the implementation of the agreement.
  • This agreement is a major step towards the government’s aspiration of an insurgency-free Northeast India.

About Zeliangrong people

  • Zeliangrong people are one of the major indigenous Naga communities living in the tri-junction region of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam. The name “Zeliangrong” combines the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei Naga tribes. This tribe belongs to a larger Southern Mongoloid population. Its language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family of languages.

Which are the other key insurgent groups operating in Manipur?

Some of the major insurgent groups operating in the northeastern state of Manipur are Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People’s Liberation Army (PLA), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang (NSCN-K), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), Kuki National Front (KNF), and Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF).

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS- INFRASTRUCTURE

4. MANGDECHHU HYDROELECTRIC POWER PROJECT

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE-GS-III- INFRASTRUCTURE

THE CONTEXT: The 720 Megawatts Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project, which was implemented with the assistance from India, was recently handed over to the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) in Bhutan. With this handing over, the two countries have successfully completed four mega hydroelectric power projects.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project?

  • The 720 MW project Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project was jointly inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering in 2019.
  • The Indian Government provided the financial and technical assistance for the construction of this hydroelectric project.
  • The commissioning of this hydroelectric power project has increased the electrical power generation capacity of Bhutan by 44 per cent and it is currently at 2,326 Mega Watts.
  • The project has generated more than 9,000 million units of energy since the commissioning, bringing down 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
  • This is significant, given that the hydropower sector is expected to contribute to Bhutan’s economic growth and development based on the philosophy of Gross National Happiness.
  • The project had increased the country’s hydropower revenue by 31 per cent in 2020. It exported electricity worth Rs.12.13 billion to India in 2021. This has increased Bhutan’s electricity exports to Rs.24.43 billion.
  • The project received Brunel Medal 2020 from the Institute of Civil Engineers, London. It was recognized for its excellence in civil engineering and its social and environmental credentials.

India-Bhutan hydropower relations

  • The bilateral hydropower cooperation began in 1961 when the Jaldhaka agreement was signed. The Jaldhaka project is situated in West Bengal, with the hydropower generated from the plant being exported to southern Bhutan.
  • Bhutan’s first mega power project – 336 MW Chukha Hydropower Project (CHP) – was fully funded by the Indian Government. The success of this project paved the way several other mega hydropower projects in Bhutan.

REPORTS & INDEXES

5. CITY FINANCE RANKINGS, 2022

TAGS: GS-III-INFRASTRUCTURE- REPORTS & INDEXES

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs launched this City Finance Rankings, 2022 to evaluate, recognize and reward India’s Urban Local Bodies.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The rankings aim to motivate city/state officials and decision-makers, to implement municipal finance reforms.
  • The participating ULBs will be evaluated on 15 indicators across three key municipal finance assessment parameters, namely:
    o Resource Mobilization
    o Expenditure Performance
    o Fiscal Governance.
  • The cities will be ranked at the national level based on their scores under any one of the following four population categories:
    o Above 4 million
    o Between 1-4 million
    o 100K to 1 million
    o Less than 100,000
  • The top 3 cities in each population category will be recognized and rewarded at the national level as well as within each state/state cluster.

Significance of the ranking:

  • City Finance Rankings are an effort to analyse and help the ULBs in identifying areas in their financial performance where they can make further improvements, to be able to deliver quality infrastructure and services to its citizens.
  • The rankings will serve as a constant motivation for city/state officials to continue to implement municipal finance reforms.
  • At a state- and national level, the rankings will highlight the outcomes achieved by municipalities and provide critical insights to key policymakers into the state of finances of urban local bodies.



Ethics Through Current Development (29-12-2022)

  1. A law won’t end marital rape – but it’s needed all the same READ MORE
  2. HUMANITY OUGHT TO REDISCOVER UNITY READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Geography (29-12-2022)

  1. Rapidly warming Arctic linked to extreme cold weather in the US: What a new study says READ MORE      
  2. El Nino is coming; are we ready? READ MORE
  3. Loss of biodiversity and the new Global Biodiversity Framework READ MORE  



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (29-12-2022)

  1. How the New Free Grain Scheme Will End up Increasing Poverty READ MORE
  2. Growth and Equity READ MORE
  3. The importance of affordable healthcare for all and other key lessons from the pandemic READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (29-12-2022)

  1. Drug regulation: Consolidated course correction needed READ MORE
  2. Why the HC verdict on abortion beyond 24 weeks is progressive jurisprudence READ MORE
  3. The Constitution and the idea of India READ MORE



WSDP Bulletin (29-12-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

  1. Inaugurates Sammakka Saralamma Janjati Pujari Sammelan at Bhadrachalam READ MORE  
  2. President of India lays foundation stone for PRASHAD project in Bhadrachalam and UNESCO World Heritage Site at Rudreshwar Temple (Ramappa), Mulugu in Telangana READ MORE
  3. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launches 2 key initiatives to take India’s Urban Rejuvenation journey to next level READ MORE
  4. IT Minister launches G-20 campaigns for online safety, digital innovation READ MORE
  5. ‘Govt’s manufacturing push not yielding results; FDI continues to chase less-complicated services sector’ READ MORE
  6. How are disputes between states resolved in India? READ MORE
  7. India is all set to go for its first waste-to-hydrogen project READ MORE
  8. Power Ministry, DRDO Sign MoU For Early Warning System For Hydro Projects READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

  1. Rapidly warming Arctic linked to extreme cold weather in the US: What a new study says READ MORE      
  2. El Nino is coming; are we ready? READ MORE
  3. Recalling Revolts READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

  1. Drug regulation: Consolidated course correction needed READ MORE
  2. Why the HC verdict on abortion beyond 24 weeks is progressive jurisprudence READ MORE
  3. The Constitution and the idea of India READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

  1. How the New Free Grain Scheme Will End up Increasing Poverty READ MORE
  2. Growth and Equity READ MORE
  3. The importance of affordable healthcare for all and other key lessons from the pandemic READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

  1. Why ethnic tensions are flaring again in northern Kosovo READ MORE
  2. Where China is headed and what it means for India READ MORE
  3. View: India-Australia FTA a big deal for both amid new global trade order READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  1. Trade agreements with Australia, UAE to help boost exports, say export promotion councils READ MORE
  2. Laboured wages: On MGNREGS payments to States READ MORE
  3. Fishing for wealth: With some tweaks, new fisheries scheme can work READ MORE
  4. Gene-based tech can bolster food security READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

  1. Loss of biodiversity and the new Global Biodiversity Framework READ MORE  

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

  1. A law won’t end marital rape – but it’s needed all the same READ MORE
  2. HUMANITY OUGHT TO REDISCOVER UNITY READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

  1. ‘India’s civil services are getting a much-needed upgrade and the steel frame is shedding its status quoism’. Examine the statement with the help of recent initiatives taken by the government in recent times.
  2. Discuss the need for an urban unemployment scheme like MGNREGA to enhance demand-driven work allocation intact.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • No nation was ever ruined by trade.
  • With the emerging axis of a cultural revanchism, a dominant executive and a partial media, the Supreme Court and high courts are going to find themselves more and more in the eye of a storm.
  • A greater engagement with Constitution in our everyday workplaces and social conversations will go a long way in refining our understanding of the Constitution – so that in this upcoming cultural collision, if you will, there is a collective sense of the constitutional idea of India.
  • The idea of India is not the idea of a government or the idea of a high-powered elite. What the commonest of our citizens aspires for as a haven of compassion and opportunity where dignity pervades – that is the idea of India.
  • Suppose the persistence of certain species and their habitats are considered critical. In that case, range shifts will have to be accounted for and spaces that are not currently within Protected Area management will have to be secured ex-ante.
  • The pandemic showed that India’s health system is in tatters. Despite having a doctor-population ratio that exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommendation, the Indian health system is overburdened and overworked.
  • The lack of proper implementation of welfare measures, and the unclear nature of social, economic and health-related decisions help understand the bigger picture of what can go wrong during a crisis.
  • The true development of a community involves a transformation of the state of a human being.
  • It is time to begin afresh and re-instill in ourselves the culture of connecting with each other through purity and love, respecting the laws of nature and be honest to our original values that bring us together.
  • After more than three decades of research, GM mustard, developed by Deepak Pental’s team at Delhi University, is the first food crop approved for environmental release. This technology boosts agriculture will benefit farmers.
  • Laws are an imperfect solution to social problems, but to clearly, loudly and unambiguously say something is not okay, signifies something beyond itself. Some lines must be drawn, even if in the sand.
  • As India debates the latest border clashes with China, Delhi should keep in mind that China has moved to a security over economics mode, making a Chinese compromise less likely.
  • A scheme such as MGNREGS needs to evolve while keeping its core idea of a demand-driven work allocation intact. Treating it as a burden will only hurt genuine beneficiaries.

50-WORD TALK

  • The Election Commission’s decision to start delimitation of Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies in Assam is curious. It’s long overdue but urgency to do it with 2001 census data defies logic. Next assembly election is in 2026 and NRC’s fate remains uncertain. Central government whose request prompted EC must come clear.
  • India’s civil services are getting a much-needed upgrade. Under Modi, training of future officers now includes global inputs and corporate-style, performance-driven governance templates. There is no resistance either. First, the incorporation of lateral entrants brought fresh ideas. Now, the steel frame is shedding its status quoism.

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.



Day-349 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL INDIA

[WpProQuiz 394]




TOPIC: WHY DOES THE GULF MATTER FOR INDIA?

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the ruling party suspended its national spokesperson and expelled its Delhi spokesperson, following comments they had made about Islam and the Prophet. The move came after three countries in the Gulf region had summoned the Indian ambassadors to their nations to register their protest and demanded a public apology from India.It underlines the significance of the Gulf region for India. This article explains in detail the relations between India and the Gulf countries.

WHAT IS THE PERSIAN GULF REGION?

  • The lands around the Persian Gulf are shared by eight countries- Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
  • These countries are major producers of crude oil and natural gas and thereby contribute critically to the global economy and to their own prosperity.
  • The area has approximately two-thirds of the world’s estimated proven oil reserves and one-third of the world’s estimated proven natural gas reserves.
  • This factor has added to their geopolitical significance.
  • A considerable amount of sea trade passes through the Gulf, leading to heavy traffic in the region.

WHY IS THE GULF REGION IMPORTANT FOR INDIA?

India has enjoyed centuries of good relations with countries like Iran, while smaller gas-rich nation Qatar is one of India’s closest allies in the region. India shares good relations with most of the countries in the Gulf. The two most important reasons for the relationship are oil and gas and trade. Two additional reasons are the huge number of Indians who work in the Gulf countries and the remittance they send back home.

FOUR PILLARS OF INDIA-GULF RELATIONS

TRADE RELATIONS

UAE: The UAE was India’s third-largest trading partner in 2021-2022 and second largest for both exports ($28 billion) and imports ($45 billion) when these are counted individually.

  • In terms of total trade volume, the UAE ($72.9 billion) was behind the United States ($1.19 trillion) and China ($1.15 trillion).
  • The UAE accounted for 6.6% of India’s total exports and 7.3% of imports in the last financial year, up 68.4% since the previous year when international trade was impacted by the pandemic.

Saudi Arabia: At a total volume of $42.9 billion in 2021-22, Saudi Arabia was India’s fourth-largest trading partner.

  • While exports were low at $8.76 billion (2.07% of India’s total exports), imports from Saudi Arabia were the fourth largest at $34.1 billion (7%), up 50% from the previous year. Most of it was crude oil.

Iraq: It was India’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2021-22 at $34.3 billion.

Qatar: The total trade was $15 billion, accounting for just 1.4% of India’s total trade, but the country is India’s most important supplier of natural gas.

  • Qatar accounts for 41% of India’s total natural gas imports. The UAE accounts for another 11%.

Oman: For Oman, India was the 3rd largest (after UAE and China) source for its imports and 3rd largest market (after UAE and Saudi Arabia) for its non-oil exports in 2019.

  • Major Indian financial institutions have a presence in Oman. Indian companies have invested in Oman in sectors like iron and steel, cement, fertilisers, textile etc.

OIL IMPORTS

  • The 239 million tonnes of oil petroleum imports were worth USD 77 billion and accounted for nearly one-fifth of the country’s total imports in 2021.
  • The share of Persian Gulf countries in India’s crude imports has remained at around 60% over the last 15 years.
  • In 2021-2022, the largest exporter of oil to India was Iraq, whose share has gone up from 9% in 2009-2010 to 22%.
  • Saudi Arabia has accounted for 17-18% of India’s oil imports for over a decade.
  • Kuwait and UAE remain major oil exporters to India. Iran used to be the second-largest oil exporter to India in 2009-2010; its share went down to less than 1% in 2020-21 due to US sanctions.

INDIAN DIASPORA

  • Counting only the 13.4 million non-resident Indians (NRIs), the Gulf has the largest numbers. The UAE (3.42 million), Saudi Arabia (2.6 million) and Kuwait (1.03 million) together account for over half of all NRIs.

REMITTANCES

  • According to Ministry of External Affairs data, more than 13.46 million Indian citizens work abroad.
  • Counting only the 13.4 million non-resident Indians (NRIs), the Gulf has the largest numbers. The UAE (3.42 million), Saudi Arabia (2.6 million) and Kuwait (1.03 million) together account for over half of all NRIs.
  • In terms of remittances from abroad, India was the largest recipient in 2020 at $83.15 billion, according to World Bank data. This was near twice the remittances to the next highest recipient, Mexico, at $42.9 billion.
  • The largest contributor is the huge Indian diaspora in the Gulf. In a bulletin in November 2018, it’s last on this subject, the Reserve Bank of India said the GCC countries accounted for more than 50% of the total $69 billion in remittances received by India in 2016-17.
  • The UAE accounted for 26.9%, Saudi Arabia for 11.6%, Qatar for 6.4%, Kuwait for 5.5% and Oman for 3%. Beyond the GCC, remittances from the US accounted for 22.9%, second only to the UAE.

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF INDIA-GULF TRADE RELATIONS

EFFORTS BY THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT

SPECIAL FOCUS

  • Since coming to power in 2014, the present Government has kept a special focus on maintaining or enhancing India’s relations with most of the countries in the region.

VISITS TO THE REGION

  • The Indian Prime Minister (PM) has visited the region several times since 2014.
  • He visited the UAE in 2015, 2018 and 2019, and Abu Dhabi’s crown prince came to India in 2017 and 2018.
  • Visits were made to Qatar and Iran in 2016 and Saudi Arabia in 2016 and 2019.
  • In 2018, he went to Jordan, Palestine and Oman, besides UAE, and became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Palestinian territory of Ramallah.
  • He visited Bahrain in 2019.
  • There have been similar reciprocal visits by leaders from these countries during these eight years.
  • Even during the pandemic, Indian and Gulf region leaders maintained regular contact.

HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOUR

  • Palestine, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan have excellent relations with India and Maldives, and Bahrain have bestowed their highest civilian honour on India’s Prime Minister.

GIVING IMPORTANCE TO THEIR RELIGION

  • On his visits, PM visited some of the most popular mosques in those countries, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi in 2015 and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat in 2018.

INDIA’S PRIORITIES IN THE GULF

  • Securing long-term energy supply is of primary importance for India in the region.
  • India is currently the fourth largest energy-consuming country in the world, and it may go up to the third position in the next couple of decades.
  • India’s annual GDP growth at the rate of eight per cent would require further industrial growth, which would demand more energy supply for the country.
  • The growing energy necessity has undoubtedly dictated India’s initiative of building up a ‘strategic energy partnership’ with the region to secure long-term energy supply for the country.
  • The Gulf countries look at India as a fast-growing economy which holds the potential to compete with the major world economies.
  • Realising the trade potential of the Gulf countries, India has entered into a negotiation with the GCC to finalise a Free Trade Agreement.
  • The Gulf countries have huge potential for investing in different sectors in India as FDI for mutual benefit.

THE WAY FORWARD:

  • There is a need to focus on the new and long-term possibilities for economic cooperation with the Gulf countries, which are looking at a future beyond oil.
  • The Gulf states have embarked on massive economic diversification and are investing in a variety of new projects, including renewable energy, higher education, technological innovation, smart cities, and space commerce.
  • With the rise of Khaleeji capitalism, the Gulf countries today deliver economic and security assistance to friendly states, build ports and infrastructure, acquire military bases and broker peace between warring parties and states.
  • The UAE currently chairs the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and has been eager to work with India in developing joint infrastructure projects.
  • India needs to bring scale and depth to its regional initiatives on connectivity and security in the Indian Ocean.
  • Avoiding any such conflicts, there must be a clear synergy between India and the GCC countries, consolidating their traditional areas of cooperation — energy, trade and investment.
  • They need to adopt an integrated and cohesive approach to develop ties in diverse areas — renewables, water conservation, food security, digital technology and skills development.

THE CONCLUSION: The Government and the diplomatic establishment can never underestimate the power of hurt sentiment, religious sensitivities in foreign policy, or the speed of social media. Many have questioned whether the reaction would have been as tough if the Government had taken the controversy and protests more seriously domestically and engaged with the problem much earlier. It was a lesson the US learned in 2012 after protests over a movie on Prophet Muhammad turned violent and led to the terrorist attack on the US embassy in Benghazi in which the US Ambassador was killed. The attacks on Charlie Hebdo and cartoonists in Europe in 2007 were another case in point- clearly, the sensitivities over a religious matter are important- as is protecting freedom of speech and ensuring no violence or harm comes to anyone.




Ethics Through Current Development (28-12-2022)

  1. Happy and content READ MORE
  2. Teachers should play the role of friends, parents READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Geography (28-12-2022)

  1. Massive Decrease in Guwahati’s Forest Cover Since 1976 READ MORE
  2. The Small Island Developing States in IOR: Challenges and opportunities READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (28-12-2022)

  1. How the New Free Grain Scheme Will End up Increasing Poverty READ MORE
  2. Why the Private Sector Is Immune to the Constitutional Goal of Social Justice READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (28-12-2022)

  1. Equipping IAS officers to deal with the manufacturing sector READ MORE
  2. Uniform Civil Code: Reframe the debate READ MORE
  3. Vacancies in district court: 23.3% vacant posts among reasons for case pendency READ MORE
  4. The Media and Democracy India must now cope with a dominant ‘Godi Media’ READ MORE
  5. RTI Act Does Not Need Any Covert Amendment; it Needs Implementation READ MORE



WSDP Bulletin (27-12-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

  1. ECI initiates delimitation of Assembly & Parliamentary Constituencies in the State of Assam as per Section 8A of the RP Act 1950 READ MORE 
  2. Transfer of technology ‘Inactivated low pathogenic avian influenza (H9N2) vaccine for chickens’ developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal READ MORE
  3. India, ADB sign $125 million loan to improve Urban Services in Tamil Nadu READ MORE
  4. Amrit Bharat Station Scheme for Indian Railways READ MORE
  5. India said to plan $2 bn incentive for green hydrogen industry READ MORE
  6. RBI’s revised bank locker rules are to come into effect from the 1st of January READ MORE
  7. Why Antarctica’s emperor penguins could be extinct by 2100 READ MORE
  8. RBI report shows credit growth spurs public lenders’ balance sheets to a 10-year high in the first half of FY23 READ MORE
  9. Governor explores the option of sending university Bill to President READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

  1. Massive Decrease in Guwahati’s Forest Cover Since 1976 READ MORE
  2. The Small Island Developing States in IOR: Challenges and opportunities READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

  1. Equipping IAS officers to deal with the manufacturing sector READ MORE
  2. Uniform Civil Code: Reframe the debate READ MORE
  3. Vacancies in district court: 23.3% vacant posts among reasons for case pendency READ MORE
  4. The Media and Democracy India must now cope with a dominant ‘Godi Media’ READ MORE
  5. RTI Act Does Not Need Any Covert Amendment; it Needs Implementation READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

  1. How the New Free Grain Scheme Will End up Increasing Poverty READ MORE
  2. Why the Private Sector Is Immune to the Constitutional Goal of Social Justice READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

  1. Focus on Africa, the heart of the Global South READ MORE
  2. Accepting the new normal in the Indo-Pacific contestation READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  1. India can be a world leader in the sustainable production of cotton textiles READ MORE
  2. A grassroots approach to pursuing SDGs READ MORE
  3. Challenges ahead. The economy in a sour-sweet spot READ MORE
  4. Leading the global digital economy READ MORE
  5. GM mustard: Need to address economic issues of using the crop READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

  1. Climate action can’t be unidimensional READ MORE  

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  1. Staying prepared: On scaling up the pace of COVID-19 genome sequencing READ MORE

SECURITY

  1. Terror activity drops: Amid challenges, a flicker of hope in J&K READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

  1. Ready for the worst: on government’s better preparedness for cyclones READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

  1. Happy and content READ MORE
  2. Teachers should play the role of friends, parents READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

  1. ‘Social justice movements have increasingly feared that increasing privatisation may lead to a complete decline of opportunities for the historically marginalised caste groups’. In light of the statement, discuss the need for a quota-based reservation system in the private sector.
  2. ‘The starting point of the discussion should not be whether India needs a Uniform Civil Code, but how to ensure every Indian is governed by a gender-just civil code of their choice’. Comment.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • A creative economy is the fuel of magnificence.
  • One of the ‘silences’ in the Constitution is in Article 200, which has been used by some Governors to obfuscate the mandate of democratically elected governments.
  • The Governor only must ensure that an elected government is working within the parameters of the Constitution. It does not mean that the Governor can sit on the Bills indefinitely merely because there is no time limit prescribed for the Governor to decide on the bills.
  • The constitutional silences should not give way for unconstitutional inaction, leaving space for anarchy in the rule of law.
  • With tensions between an aggressive China and an emerging India intensifying, significant changes and challenges will occur in the Indian Ocean and South Asian regions.
  • There is a growing need to discuss the constitutional immunity the private sector has enjoyed, even as it has deepened caste cleavages in India.
  • Social justice movements have increasingly feared that increasing privatisation may lead to a complete decline of opportunities for the historically marginalised caste groups.
  • Health, environmental and ecological issues are subject to evidence-based critical scientific research. But we are concerned about a few broader socio-political and economic issues related to using GM mustard for commercial purposes.
  • The starting point of the discussion should not be whether India needs a UCC but how to ensure every Indian is governed by a gender-just civil code of their choice. Bottom-up.
  • Though there is greater awareness now, much more needs to be done to make SDGs a democratic exercise.

50-WORD TALK

  • Using Tunisha Sharma’s tragic death to wage war on inter-faith relationships is a disservice to India’s women. Troubled relationships aren’t a Hindu-Muslim issue. Like Shraddha Walker, millions of women experience violence from partners and kin of all religions. The answer is empowering women to end abuse—not policing their choices.
  • One consequence of the buffeting that the global economy has been receiving through most of the year, which has affected India, is that the employment picture has somewhat deteriorated. Since the Ukraine war began, the unemployment rate has actually been on a downward trend. But this is because, seeing the poor condition of the job market, many have not offered themselves work.

Things to Remember:

  • For prelims-related news, try to understand the context of the news and relate it with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) the given options.
  • Whenever any international place is in the 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 main 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.



TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (27th DECEMBER 2022)

ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

1. STUDY: ANTARCTICA’S EMPEROR PENGUINS MAY GO EXTINCT BY 2100

GS-III-ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

THE CONTEXT: A new research has found that if necessary conservation efforts are not taken, the populations of up to 97 percent of land-based Antarctic species could decline by the end of this century.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Antarctica’s biodiversity

  • Antarctica has a unique species of plants and animals that can survive the coldest, windiest, highest and driest continent on Earth. These species include 2 flowering plants, hardy moss and lichens, numerous microbes, invertebrates and breeding seabirds like emperor and Adélie penguins.
  • These animals and plants are threatened because of global warming and climate crisis.

What are the key findings of the study?

  • Greater conservation efforts are required for the protection of Antarctic ecosystems, which are threatened because of climate crisis.
  • Climate change is the biggest threat to the plant and animal species living in Antarctica. Addressing global warming is an effective step to secure their future.
  • With the worsening global warming, Antarctica’s ice-free areas are predicted to expand further, causing rapid changes in the natural habitat of animals and plants living there.
  • Humanity’s presence in the region, besides causing environmental pollution, supports the thriving of invasive species.
  • According to the study, under the worst-case scenario, if the current conservation efforts remain the same, the population of 97 percent of Antarctic terrestrial species and breeding seabirds could decline between now and 2100.
  • At the best-case scenario, 37 percent of the species would decline.
  • The most likely scenario would mean a 65 percent decline in the population of the terrestrial species by 2100.
  • Emperor penguins are at the risk of going extinct by 2100 in the worst-case scenario. It is the only species in the study that is facing this fate.
  • Climate change is also threatening the nematode worm Scottnemalindsayae, which lives in extremely dry soils. It is threatened as melting ice is increasing soil moisture.
  • Not all species in Antarctica are facing population decline. Some are expected to benefit initially. These include 2 Antarctic plants, some mosses and the gentoo penguin. Their populations are expected to increase and become more widespread in the event of more liquid water, more ice-free and warmer temperatures.

How can these threats be addressed?

  • An estimated 23 million USD per annum could be enough to implement 10 key strategies to minimise threats faced by Antarctica’s biodiversity. This is relatively small sum that can benefit 84 percent of the terrestrial bird, mammal and plant groups. It is lesser than the cost of reviving the threatened species, which is estimated to be more than 1.2 billion USD per annum.
  • Reducing global warming to not more than 2°C could benefit up to 68 percent of terrestrial species and breeding seabirds. Managing non-native species and diseases and effectively managing and protecting native species can also benefit Antarctica’s biodiversity.
  • They can be achieved by providing special protection for species, and increasing biosecurity to prevent the introduction of non-native species.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2. ANIMATION, VISUAL EFFECTS, GAMING AND COMIC (AVGC) SECTOR

TAGS:GS-III-SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Government has recently said that the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) sector has the potential to provide employment to over 20 lakh people in the coming 10 years. It is expected that the sector will witness 16 to 17 percent growth rate in the next decade.

THE EXPLANATION:

About:

  • The AVGC sector in the country has witnessed an unprecedented growth rate in recent times, with many global players entering the Indian talent pool to avail of offshore delivery of services.
  • India today contributes about 2.5 to 3 billion dollars out of the estimated 260 to 275 billion dollars worldwide in the AVGC market.
  • Task Force recently submitted report on ‘Realising AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics – Extended Reality) Sector Potential in India’ on the 22nd of December, 2022 by the Chairman of the Task Force.

Recommendations:

  • To make India a global content hub and create job opportunities in the AVGC sector, the Task Force has laid emphasis on establishing a National Centre of Excellence for the sector.
  • The Regional Centre of Excellence will be instituted in collaboration with the State Governments to provide access to local industries and to promote local talent and content.
  • It has been recommended by the Task Force to leverage National Education Policy to develop creative thinking with dedicated AVGC course content at school levels to build foundational skills and to create awareness about AVGC as a career choice.
  • It has also been recommended to establish AVGC accelerators and innovation hubs in academic institutions, on the lines of Atal Tinkering Labs.
  • The Task Force has recommended establishing a dedicated production fund for domestic content creation from the country to promote Indian culture and heritage globally.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

3. PROJECT VAANI

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

GS-III GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

THE CONTEXT: Project Vaani will be implemented jointly by the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), ARTPARK (AI and Robotics Technology Park), and Google to gather speech data from across India for the creation of an AI-based language model that can understand diverse Indian languages and dialects.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Project Vaani?

  • Under Project Vaani, diverse languages used across India will be mapped by collecting speech sets of around 1 million people from 773 districts over 3 years.
  • The estimated cost of this project is around 30 to 40 million USD.
  • It is part of the Bengaluru-based IISc and Artpark’s Bhasha AI project that includes RESPIN (Recognizing Speech in Indian languages) and SYSPIN (Synthesizing Speech in Indian languages).
  • The project would involve IISc and Google recording around 1.5 lakh hours of speech, part of which will be transcribed in local scripts.
  • This project uses a district-anchored approach, which involves recording local speeches by randomly selecting over 1,000 people from each district.

What are the objectives of the initiative?

  • One of the main objectives of this project is the development of technologies like automatic speech recognition, speech-to-speech translation and natural language understanding.
  • Its ultimate goal is to deliver a technological solution that can eliminate the linguistic barriers that are currently present in technology and increase accessibility of the technology for a wider range of people.
  • Once this project is fully completed, efforts will be taken to create an artificial intelligence-based language model that can understand diverse languages and dialects used in India.
  • The new model proposed under the Vaani project supports both speech and text translation. This would be a leap from the Multilingual Representations for Indian Languages (MuRIL), which only supports text-based translation. The new model would be trained on speech and text from over 100 Indian languages, which are spoken by over 1 lakh people across India.

What is the current status of the project?

  • Over the past few months, linguistic data from nearly 69 districts have been collected from across India.
  • So far, over 150 hours of data have been collected, covering more than 30 languages from 841 different pin codes in a gender and age-balanced manner.

4. THE NATIONAL MOBILE MONITORING SYSTEM (NMMS)

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE
GS-III GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS-MGNREGA

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the central government has ordered that digitally capturing attendance is now mandatory for all workers employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGREGS) and will be applicable from January 1, 2023.

THE EXPLANATION:

About The National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS):

  • It was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development.
  • The NMMS App permits taking real-time attendance of workers at Mahatma Gandhi NREGS worksites along with geo-tagged photographs.
  • This will increase citizen oversight of the programme besides potentially enabling the processing of payments faster
  • This facilitates them to record their findings online along with time-stamped and go-coordinate tagged photographs for all the schemes of the Department of Rural Development.
  • This would also enable better record keeping of inspections by field and supervisory officials and also facilitate analysis of the findings for better programme implementation.

VALUE ADDITION:

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005

  • The MGNREGA is Indian labour law and social security programme that aims to guarantee the ‘right to work’.
  • It provides a legal right for 100 days of employment in every financial year to at least one member of every rural household whose adult members agree to do unskilled manual work.
  • The Ministry of Rural Development is monitoring the implementation of this scheme.
  • Women were guaranteed one-third of the jobs made available under the MGNREGA.
  • The MGNREGA programme also helps in creating durable assets (such as roads, canals, ponds and wells).
  • Work to be provided within 5 km of workers’ residence and minimum wages are to be paid.
  • Right to get unemployment allowance in case employment is not provided within 15 days of applying.
  • MGNREGA is implemented mainly by gram panchayats. Adult members of rural households submit their details to the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat registers households after making an enquiry and issues a job card. The job card contains the details of the adult member enrolled and his /her photo
  • The involvement of contractors is banned.
  • The Social Audit of MGNREGA works is mandatory, which ensures accountability and transparency.

Significance of MGNREGA

  • The programme is providing economic security and creates rural assets.
  • It also helps in protecting the environment, reducing rural-urban migration and promoting social equity, etc.
  • It focuses on the economic and social empowerment of women.
  • It provides “Green” and “Decent” work.
  • Works under MGNREGA help to address the climate change vulnerability and protect the farmers from such risks and conserve natural resources.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

5.GEOGLYPHS

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE-

THE CONTEXT: Recently, experts and conservationists have raised concerns over the proposed location for a mega oil refinery in Barsu village of Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

About Geoglyphs:
Barsu sites in the Konkan region were added to a tentative list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites and protected by the state archaeology department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

What are geoglyphs?

  • Geoglyphs are a form of prehistoric rock art, created on the surface of laterite plateaus.
  • They are made by removing a part of the rock surface through an incision, picking, carving or abrading.
  • They can be in the form of rock paintings, etchings, cup marks and ring marks.

What is the significance of this prehistoric rock art?

  • Clusters of geoglyphs are spread across the Konkan coastline in Maharashtra and Goa, spanning around 900 km. Porous laterite rock, which lends itself to such carving, is found on a large scale across the entire region.
  • It has more than 1,500 pieces of such art, also called “Katal Shilpa,” spread across 70 sites.
  • This is evidence of the continued existence of human settlements from the Mesolithic (middle Stone Age) to the early historic era.
  • UNESCO’s tentative world heritage list mentions seven sites with petroglyphs in Ratnagiri district — Ukshi, Jambharun, Kasheli, RundeTali, Devihasol, Barsu and Devache Gothane, one in Sindhudurg district –Kudopi village, and nine sites at Phansamal in Goa.
  • The figures depicted in the geoglyphs include humans and animals such as deer, elephant, tiger, monkey, wild boar, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, cattle, pig, rabbit, and monkey.
  • They also include a high number of reptilian and amphibian creatures such as tortoises and alligators, aquatic animals such as sharks and sting rays, and birds like peacocks.



Day-348 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | GEOGRAPHY

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Day-347 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

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Ethics Through Current Development (27-12-2022)

  1. How to improve historical thinking READ MORE
  2. Putting more life into our lives is real life READ MORE
  3. Ego dissolves in love READ MORE
  4. Bliss within reach READ MORE
  5. Educate to awaken the soul READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Geography (27-12-2022)

  1. Introducing geospatial technology in industrial water management READ MORE
  2. Biodiversity deal: Reversing nature’s decline to prevent doom READ MORE  
  3. Mistletoes in a Warming World READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (27-12-2022)

  1. Suicide prevention needs care, nuance READ MORE
  2. Social morality can’t dictate dignity, rights READ MORE