Day-332 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
[WpProQuiz 377]
[WpProQuiz 377]
THE CONTEXT: The central and state governments are faced with an acute challenge of raising revenues. The Governments need to come up with newer ways of managing its cash flows without burdening the common man.In this context, the monetisation of assets is a viable option.
In 2012, to erase India’s metropolitan problems and open up enormous revenue, monetising of excess government land from port trusts, railways and public sector undertakings was suggested by a government team led by Vijay Kelkar. This fiscal solidification plan was also advised by the SK Roongta Committee formed by the Planning Commission.
Monetisation of land is slowly gaining currency as stakeholders are warming up to the idea of unlocking the tremendous benefits of leasing of land.
Asset or land monetization is basically a business transaction that converts a dead/idle asset or land into an income generating one. This is basically done through leasing of land to private individuals or commercial undertakings. Land monetisation enables the retention of land ownership while realising market rent (if the revision of rent is periodic and on agreed principles).
For example, Railways owns a great deal of land in india. Most of them are lying idle, giving no incomes to it. Now, if Railways gives them to private commercial ventures on a lease basis, this is called monetization of land assets.
The purpose of land monetization is to unshackle the value of investment in lands which have not produced proper returns.
Benefits:
Steps:
In India, idle lands are owned by various ministries and departments of central government as well as state government. They are also lying with enterprises of central government and state government.
The defence and railway ministries are the chief landlords of central government. The ministry of defence has approximately 18 lakh acres, of which around 1.5 lakh acres are inside 62 cantonments and about 16.5 lakh acres outside their boundaries. The railway ministry possesses approximately 11.8 lakh acres, of which around 10.54 lakh acres are under operational handling and about 1.26 lakh acres are not in use. 13 major port trusts have 100,000 hectares of land, the International Airports Authority of India has 20,400 hectares of (additional) land.
Hurdles:
WAY FORWARD:
CONCLUSION:
All these measures can be taken only when land owning agencies first locate, identify and clear infringements of land. A proper land record must be maintained by them before they take a plunge. If properly implemented then monetisation of land can be a game changer for Government revenues.
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
SOCIAL ISSUES
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
INTERNAL SECURITY
ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY
QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS
ESSAY TOPIC
50-WORD TALK
Things to Remember:
[WpProQuiz 376]
THE CONTEXT: The government has extended the ambit of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to 10 more sectors to promote domestic manufacturing. These sectors are pharmaceuticals, automobiles and auto components, telecom and networking products, advanced chemistry cell batteries, textile, food products, solar modules, white goods, and specialty steel.
The PLI scheme across these 10 key specific sectors will make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investment in the areas of core competency and cutting-edge technology; ensure efficiencies; create economies of scale; enhance exports and make India an integral part of the global supply chain.
Endowed with a potential of multiple benefits, the PLI scheme can be boon for turning the fortune of manufacturing sector in India.
India’s initial brush of PLI was on 1st of April,2020 when the government launched the scheme worth Rs 50,000 crore for large scale electronics manufacturing (in particular, mobile phones), medical devices and pharmaceutical ingredients. Now, the scheme has been extended for ten more sectors of the economy.
Apart from incentivising foreign companies to set up shop, the scheme aims to encourage local manufacturing units to set up or expand manufacturing units. This scheme provides incentives on incremental sales to existing and new units.
Following the launch of PLI scheme for electronic manufacturing (in particular, mobile phones), medical devices and pharmaceutical ingredients, there has been now a positive response from global manufacturing giants.
They have been submitting their applications to set-up their plants in India. This is expected to boost production, export and foreign investment creating jobs in manufacturing sector of the economy. Since incentives would be provided on incremental sales, a boost is R& D and capacity creation is also expected.
An extension of the scheme to 10 more sectors of the economy is expected to change the manufacturing landscape in India. A brief summary of these industrial along with their potential has been presented as below:
There are certain marked features of the PLI scheme that should make it effective in implementation and predictable in results.
CONCERNS:
WORD OF CAUTIONS:
CONCLUSION:
The PLI scheme focuses on incentivising firms to grow fast. Some of these incentives are meant to help industries where India already has a comparative advantage, like auto components; others for industries where India has the potential to become a world leader, like food; and most importantly, the PLI scheme is for sectors where India has an uncomfortable dependence on Chinese imports.
The PLI scheme reflects the government’s intent to improve the prospects of domestic manufacturing in India. It has elements of incentivising firms to grow big and increase investments and become part of the global supply chain. This is a welcome change from the kind of support that has been given in the past to MSMEs, which have incentivised them to remain small.
Traditionally, we have tried to attract investors with investment subsidies like giving land at concessional rates and subsidy on plant and machinery cost at a fixed percentage of say 15 per cent to 20 per cent of price. Thereafter, if the unit does not properly run, the subsidy goes waste. The PLI scheme is result-oriented. The cash incentives will be paid only if the manufacturers make the goods. It is a better alternative from the Government’s view point.
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Jama Masjid in Delhi prohibited the entry of single women or women in groups inside the mosque premises. The authorities reasoned that some women fail to respect the sanctity of the place of worship, making videos there.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is the Islamic law on women’s entry?
Have there been similar bans before?
What is the legal issue?
THE CONTEXT: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that mpox is currently the preferred name for monkeypox.
THE EXPLANATION:
Why was monkeypox renamed?
Who is responsible for naming diseases?
About ICTV
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, set up in 1966, is responsible for authorizing and organizing taxonomic classification of and the nomenclature of viruses. It was previously known as the International Committee on Nomenclature of Viruses (ICNV). The members of this organization are known as expert virologists. The ICTV has developed a systematic method to name, describe and classify every virus affecting living organisms.
VALUE ADDITION:
ABOUT MONKEYPOX:
Symptoms of monkeypox:
THE CONTEXT: Researchers from IISER-Thiruvananthapuram and IIT-Indore have jointly developed an artificial light-harvesting system that will help capture solar energy.
THE EXPLANATION:
About the artificial light-harvesting system
Why is the new artificial light-harvesting system significant?
THE CONTEXT: Chennai-based space tech startup Agnikul Cosmos recently opened India’s first private launchpad and mission control centre at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
THE EXPLANATION:
About the facility
What is Agnibaan rocket?
THE CONTEXT: Indian Navy’s third Survey Vehicle ‘Ikshak’ has been launched in Chennai which is being built by GRSE and L&T. This is the third of the third of the four Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project, being built by GRSE and L&T for Indian Navy.
THE EXPLANATION:
The ship has been named ‘Ikshak’ which means ‘Guide’. The ship has been named to signify the contribution of the Survey ships towards facilitating safe passage for Mariners at Sea.
About Ikshak
About the SVL project
What are the uses of the survey vessel?
The SVL is capable of carrying four Survey Motor Boats and an integral helicopter. It can undertake full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports and navigation channels. This vessel will be deployed for collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for civil and defence applications. It is also capable of providing limited defence and serving as a hospital ship during the times of emergencies.
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Mauna Loa, world’s largest volcano, erupted for the first time in 38 years.
THE EXPLANATION:
Q1. Consider the following statements about iNCOVACC vaccine:
1. It was developed by Bharat Biotech company in partnership with Washington University.
2. It requires sub-zero temperatures for storage and distribution.
3. Its development was partly funded by Government of India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
Explanation:
[WpProQuiz 375]
THE CONTEXT: on January 10th 2020, the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated. This ordinance could result in a paradigm shift in the coal mining sector.
REMOVAL OF RESTRICTION ON END-USE OF COAL
ELIGIBILITY FOR AUCTION OF COAL AND LIGNITE BLOCKS
(i) A government company or its joint venture for own consumption, sale or any other specified purpose; and
(ii) A company that has been awarded a power project on the basis of a competitive bid for tariff.
COMPOSITE LICENSE FOR PROSPECTING AND MINING
NON-EXCLUSIVE RECONNAISSANCE PERMIT HOLDERS TO GET OTHER LICENSES
TRANSFER OF STATUTORY CLEARANCES TO NEW BIDDERS
REALLOCATION AFTER TERMINATION OF THE ALLOCATIONS
PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
(i) the allocation has been done by the central government, and
(ii) the mining block has been reserved by the central or state governments to conserve a mineral.
ADVANCE ACTION FOR AUCTION
OTHER GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS TO BOOST MINING
WAY FORWARD
CONCLUSION: The amendments are a welcome step towards liberalization of the mining sector and attracting the much needed foreign investment. The liberalized policy will allow global players to look for investment opportunities which in turn will allow the country to leverage their technical capabilities for effective utilisation of natural resources for the benefit of people at large.
FEATURES:
THE CONTEXT: A Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India recently issued notices to the Centre and the Attorney General of India, seeking their response to two petitions filed by gay couples to allow solemnisation of same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act, (SMA) 1954.
THE EXPLANATION:
About Special Marriage Act, (SMA) 1954:
Applicability:
Conditions for marriage:
What is the government’s stand?
What about other countries?
THE CONTEXT: Recently, cybersecurity experts note that apps that let users connect smartphones or laptops to wireless earplugs can record conversations, and are vulnerable to hacks.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is bluebugging?
How does bluebugging hack devices?
THE CONTEXT: Recently, a SARAS 3, a radio telescope designed and built at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) here, has provided clues to the nature of the universe’s first stars and galaxies.
THE EXPLANATION:
Deeper insight
About SARAS 3
THE CONTEXT: In efforts to boost international air traffic, the civil aviation ministry has allowed Indian airlines to take wide-body planes on wet lease for up to one year. According to sources, that the rules had been relaxed, allowing the wet leasing for a year as opposed to the six months permitted so far.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is wet and dry leasing?
THE CONTEXT: The Austra Hind 22 exercise commenced recently in Rajasthan. It is being held after the 26th edition of the quadrilateral maritime drill Exercise Malabar was concluded off the coast of Japan in early November 2022.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is Austra Hind 22?
What is the objective of this exercise?
About Dogra Regiment
The Dogra Regiment is the Indian Army’s infantry regiment. Its origins can be traced back to the 17th Dogra Regiment of the British Indian Army. It obtained its present name after it was transferred to the Indian Army. This regiment has taken part in all conflicts that occurred after the Indian independence.
Q1. Consider the following statements:
1. Sharavati river is tributary of Cauvery River.
2. Jog falls are formed by this river in Karnataka.
3. Linganamakki dam is built across this river in Tamil Nadu.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 only
d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: C
Explanation:
[WpProQuiz 374]
THE CONTEXT: The government will soon come out with a policy on strategic sectors and simultaneously kick into motion a process of complete privatisation for companies in the non-strategic sectors such as BPCL, Air India, Container Corporation of India, and Shipping Corporation of India.
In a big step towards privatisation of many state-owned firms, the Modi government has identified 18 strategic sectors, including banking, insurance, steel, fertiliser, petroleum and defence equipment, where it will retain only a limited presence. If implemented in its entirety, it will mean the government is completely exiting non-strategic sectors through privatisation or strategic disinvestment. Even in strategic sectors, there will be a maximum of four public sector units and a minimum of one unit operating.
This is the first time since 1956 that the government has said it will not have state-owned companies in the non-strategic sector — and that the number in the strategic sectors too, would be reduced.
Banking, insurance, defence, and energy are likely to be part of the strategic sector list.
What are Strategic and Non-strategic Sectors of India?
According to this, the Strategic sector PSUs are:
Banking, insurance, defence, and energy are likely to be part of the strategic sector list. All other PSUs apart from the strategic sectors fall under Non-strategic Sector including Power Discoms.
Details of the new PSU Policy
Announcing the Atmanirbhar Bharat economic support package in May, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that the proposed policy would notify the list of strategic sectors requiring the presence of at least one state-owned company along with the private sector.
This is expected to be a long-term process rather than a one-time move on the privatisation of companies. After inter-ministerial consultations to finalise strategic sectors, the policy will be put up before approval of the Union Cabinet.
The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) functioning under the finance ministry, which moved a cabinet proposal in July on ‘Redefining Public Sector Participation in Commercial Sector Enterprise’, has classified 18 strategic sectors into three broad segments — mining and exploration, manufacturing, processing and generation, and the services sector.
The biggest fallout is expected to be on sectors like banking, where a large number of state-owned banks operate. Even after the merger of 10 state-owned banks into four last year, and the mergers in 2017 and 2018, there are still 12 state-owned banks in India.
Private investors can prove to be a game-changer
Mix of further mergers of banks and privatisation likely
Where the policy will not apply
But why not disinvest, rather than privatize?
Benefits of privatisation
Arguments against Privatisation
Private Sector is Inefficient too
Financial burden in future
Infrastructures may not grow in Abundance
Public interest
Problem of regulating private monopolies
Peripheral Social Responsibility
Danger of Employment Loss
Alternatives to privatisation (With past examples)
A firesale privatisation, as is prescribed by free market evangelists, is an also less efficient method of value maximization, besides being completely impractical in India’s political economy. Neither disinvestment nor the few outright privatisations that have taken place seem to have really maximised value for the key shareholder — the taxpayer of India.
The case for privatisation is trickierand the trick lies likely elsewhere – in control. Within the Indian landscape, there are examples, albeit few, where significant (or even majority) government ownership has not prevented the company from creating enormous value for shareholders. Since Independence, while most government-funded enterprises were set up as public sector undertakings, mostly under enabling legislations, there were other models explored too.
WAY FORWARD: Given the stupendous success of all three examples quoted above – all four are market leaders in their respective business lines and have created enormous amount of wealth not only for their private shareholders but also for the Indian taxpayer (who directly and/or indirectly owns significant parts of these companies).
While there would be several reasons for the success, a key common thread running across all the four cases is one of management control. The respective management teams (and/or minority stakeholders with domain expertise) were given full flexibility to run the enterprises on commercial lines.
CONCLUSION: In a country like India, Privatization in today’s concept is seen as a means of increasing output, improving quality, reducing unit costs, curbing public spending and raising cash to reduce public debt. However, privatisation takes a number of forms and has been approached in various ways with both pros and cons. Disadvantages of privatization should be balanced with proper rules and regulations. Privatisation must be accompanied by competition in the post-privatised scenario. In order to improve the performance of inefficient units, the creation of a competitive market environment is absolutely essential. Moreover, Privatisation of Public sector enterprises is a viable option only in case of ‘value subtracting enterprises’ but the process must not be in haste, just for the sake of meeting the disinvestment targets set by the Finance Ministry.
[WpProQuiz 373]
THE CONTEXT: The government has set its sights on an aggressive plan to sell its equity holdings in State-owned enterprises from which it hopes to rake in Rs 1.75 trillion. In order to so, the govt has significantly widened the scope of its privatization plan by unveiling a new policy for strategic disinvestment of public sector enterprises that will provide a clear roadmap for disinvestment in all non-strategic and strategic sectors.
Fulfilling the governments’ commitment under the AtmaNirbhar Package of coming up with a policy of strategic disinvestment of public sector enterprises, with following feature
Non-strategic sector
The policy of government on the 18 strategic sectors Other sectors
18 strategic sectors under 3 different classificatory types are
Policy regarding PSU by the govt
With the increase of supply of PSU stocks and the constrained investor appetite had started affecting the prices. The trade-off between the political objective to privatize and revenue maximization was witnessed the most in this period. Resultantly, the government resort to Strategic Sales.
However, in departure from past govt is also disinvesting profit making venture with a rationale that disinvestment of profit-making enterprises by public offering of shares is desirable as it leads to dispersed shareholding and avoids concentration of economic power.
However, in case of bank , an amalgamation policy was followed which reduced the number of national bank from 28 to 12 by merging various bank .
Overall approach
Since 2014, Modi government’s strategic disinvestment approach was to sell minority stakes in public companies to raise revenue, while retaining management control. During the 2014-2019 period, the government raised Rs. 2,79,622 crore from the disinvestment of public sector enterprises (PSEs), compared to Rs 1,07,833 crore collected during 2004-14. However, this has changed now. Recently, five companies were up for 100 per cent disinvestment, including three large profitable companies such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), the Container Corporation of India and the Shipping Corporation.
Historical antecedents: Industrial Policy in India
[ Trivia : first Industrial Policy Statement of 1948 was a restatement of the 1945 categorization as adopted by the interim government.]
Industrial Policy Statement – 1948
Industries were divided into four broad categories
Industrial Policy Resolution – 1956
Despite the demarcation of industries into separate categories, the Resolution was flexible enough to allow the required adjustments and modifications in the national interest.
Industrial Policy Measures in the 1960s and 1970s
The industrial licensing policy of 1970 confined the role of large business houses and foreign companies to the core, heavy and export oriented sectors.
Industrial Policy Statement – 1980
The industrial Policy Statement of 1980 placed accent on promotion of competition in the domestic market, technological up-gradation and modernization of industries
A number of measures were initiated towards technological and managerial modernization to improve productivity, quality and to reduce cost of production. The public sector was freed from a number of constraints and was provided with greater autonomy. There was some progress in the process of deregulation during the 1980s. In 1988, all industries, excepting 26 industries specified in the negative list, were exempted from licensing. The exemption was, however, subject to investment and locational limitations. The automotive industry, cement, cotton spinning, food processing and polyester filament yarn industries witnessed modernization and expanded scales of production during the 1980s.
Phases of Disinvestment Policy in India
Phase 1 91 to 99
Disinvestment was mainly through Sale of Minority Shareholding in CPSEs. Mostly, the auction method was adopted for the sale of minority shareholding, though Global Depository Receipts issues have been resorted to as well in the last two years of that phase. There were no Strategic Sales in this period. Ideological focus was on gradual privatization.
Further the focus was also on modernization of PSUs, in order to increase their ‘efficiency’ while protecting the interests of employees. But, the main aim was to mitigate fiscal deficits of the government. It never focused on revenue maximization.
However with Rangarajan Committee a shift from public offerings to strategic / trade sales was witnessed in the field of core and non-core.
Phase 2 99 to 03
The ambit of disinvestment was widened the most during the second phase. Targets higher than ever before were set, a Department of Disinvestment was constituted on 10th December, 1999 and later a full-fledged ministry was set up, an aggressive disinvestment policy was pursued and the government exited several PSUs completely.
Consequently, with higher supply of PSUs’ shares in still-developing market, prices of equity sold were low, subsequently destroying the value of PSUs, resulting in government failure to achieve the disinvestment targets.
Phase 3 03 to 009
The government adopted the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) and following are the aspects of the programme that related to the public sector5:
There were no targets fixed and the total receipts. Disinvestment was majorly done through the Offer for Sale or Sale route . It was in this phase that the National Investment Fund (NIF) was constituted. All the proceeds from disinvestment of central PSUs were transferred into this fund and 75% of the annual collections of the fund had to be invested in social sectors. The management of it was assigned to public sector mutual funds.
Phase 5 09-14
The disinvestment process restarted with full vigor but the government didn’t resort to the Strategic Sale route. In most years, the sale of minority shares was done through offer for sale.
How not to disinvest?
A model is followed in India , which neither qualifies as disinvestment nor privatisation. In such transaction—where one PSU is buying out another take place. This result in a transfer of resources already with the public sector to the government and did not lead to any change in the stake of the public sector or government in disinvested PSUs. It can be seen as merely money making exercise merely money-making measures.(ONGC-LIC, HPCL-ONGC)
Further, government is not exiting completely in many of the PSU thus creating contrived confusion in the policy framework( Air India )
Is privatization of bank panacea for success
Looking at the larger interest
whether privatisation is the only option for PSUs
PSU models in different countries
PSUs exist virtually everywhere. In, Asia where PSUs have played an important role in shaping the economy. According to OECD report ,PSUs pull plenty of economic might —
All the above example shows that privatization is not the only panacea for bringing efficiency, improving productivity , and building productive assets.
Reshaping the PSU buy other countries
Three former planned economies have set up centralized holding entities — SASAC in China in 2003, SCIC in Vietnam in 2007 and Druk Holdings and Investments in Bhutan. In 2006, the Philippines pioneered the development of an PSU governance scorecard which has become an important tool for pushing PSU reforms. Since 2004, Malaysia has rolled out a comprehensive ‘transformation programme” to overhaul its PSUs.
An incorporated holding company Temasek to better manage its assets on a commercial basis was launched in Singapore . This allowed its Ministry of Finance to focus on policymaking. At inception, Temasek’s initial portfolio was of S$354 million, spanning 35 companies. Thereafter began the process of restructuring SOEs. Some were corporatized and privatized, others were allowed to go for big global expansions.
THE CHINA EXAMPLE:
In 2003, a holding company, the State-Owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission (SASAC) was created to manage the SoEs. The agency, which controls nearly 100 of the largest SOEs, lies “at the heart of China’s industrial deep state
WAY FORWARD: WHAT INDIA CAN LEARN?
Negative bids :
MOU models :
CONCLUSION:
While experience of other countries is available to India by way of guidance, it would have to evolve its own techniques, best suited to its level of development. The historic, cultural, and institutional context influences the way in which and the pace at which privatization is implemented. Where market economy is not fully developed, ways would have to be found to safeguard the interests of consumers and investors, which would ensure a fuller play to the wealth-creating role of the entrepreneurs.
THE CONTEXT: On this day 73 years ago, the Constitution of India was adopted, coming into effect on January 26, 1950. Since 2015, the day has been observed as Constitution Day, or ‘Samvidhan Diwas’.
THE EXPLANATION:
Few Interesting facts:
FAQs:
Who decorated the original version of the Constitution?
Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose and artists from Shantiniketan.
Who was the calligrapher of the Constitution?
Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
THE CONTEXT: India has decided to send a utility helicopter unit to the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Bangladesh and Pakistan will each send an armed helicopter unit to this operation.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is MINUSMA?
What are the challenges faced by the mission?
What is India’s role in MINUSMA?
THE CONTEXT: The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) recently released the World Intellectual Property Indicators 2022.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is the World Intellectual Property Indicators?
The World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) is an authoritative report that provides an overview of activities in areas of patents, utility models, trademarks, industrial designs, microorganisms, plant variety protection, geographical indications and creative economy. It is released every year by WIPO. The WIPI 2022 compiled the data from around 150 national and regional intellectual property offices across the globe.
What are the key findings of the World Intellectual Property Indicators 2022?
THE CONTEXT: Russia recently launched a nuclear-powered icebreaker named Yakutia at Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. It is the fourth icebreaker to be developed under Project 22220.
THE EXPLANATION:
About Project 22220
What is North Sea Route?
THE CONTEXT: ISRO successfully made the 200th consecutive launch of the multipurpose sounding rocket RH200 from Thiruvananthapuram’s Thumba coast.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is RH200?
What is a sounding rocket?
About India’s sounding rockets
Currently, the RH-200, RH-300-Mk-II and RH-560-Mk-III are operational. They can carry payloads ranging from 8 to 100 kg and an apogee range of 80 to 475 km.
Q1. Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
THE CONTEXT: Recently, Russian President virtually presided over the launch and flag raising ceremony of two nuclear-powered icebreakers at St. Petersburg and said such icebreakers were of “strategic importance”. As climate change opens up the Arctic giving access to new routes and resources, there is a race by adjoining countries to build up their militaries and Russia has a clear lead over them.
THE EXPLANATION:
Why are the Russian icebreakers significant?
Why are countries racing towards the Arctic?
Where does India stand with respect to the Arctic?
VALUE ADDITION:
ARCTIC COUNCIL:
THE CONTEXT: The Australian Parliament recently approved the free trade agreement with India. In India, such agreements require approval from the Union Cabinet.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is AI-ECTA?
Why is AI-ECTA significant?
VALUE ADDITION:
PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE
IFC-IOR: The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram is an Indian initiative to boost maritime security and response through the exchange of information related to the ships in the Indian Ocean Region.
Strategic Dialogue In June 2020, Australia and India decided to upgrade their Secretaries 2+2 dialogue (Defence and Foreign Affairs) to the Ministerial level.
Exercise Malabar: Australia participated in the MALABAR naval exercise in October 2020, joining India, the United States, and Japan.
AUSINDEX: Engagement between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy has advanced significantly through the key bilateral exercise, AUSINDEX.
Pitch Black: For the first time, the Indian Air Force participated in Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin in 2018.
THE CONTEXT: India’s proposal to increase the protection of Leith’s softshell turtle was approved at the 19th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 19) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which is being held in Panama City from November 14 to 25.
THE EXPLANATION:
About Leith’s Softshell Turtle
What are the other key outcomes of COP19 of CITES?
THE CONTEXT: The on-going conflict between Bangladeshi security forces and the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) triggered an influx of refugees from the Kuki-Chin community to the Indian state of Mizoram.
THE EXPLANATION:
Who is Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA)?
About the current conflict in Bangladesh
Refugee Situation in Mizoram
THE CONTEXT: The FSSAI recently released a new draft of Genetically Modified (GM) Food regulations for public consultation. This comes at a time when the issue concerning the genetically modified (GM) mustard is under the spotlight.
THE EXPLANATION:
About the new draft regulations:
What does the draft regulations propose?
THE CONTEXT: India wins the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Vice Presidency and Strategic Management Board (SMB) Chair for the 2023-25 term.
THE EXPLANATION:
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC):
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Q1. Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
THE CONTEXT: Recently, a new study projects that climate change will significantly impact El Niño-La Niña weather patterns approximately by 2030 — a decade before what was earlier predicted. This is bound to result in further global climate disruptions.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is the El Niño phenomenon?
What is La Niña?
What were the study’s findings?
What is the effect on India’s monsoons?
THE CONTEXT: The Centre has proposed to overhaul The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, introducing 61 amendments in the law, which includes three years’ imprisonment for committing “gruesome cruelty” including “bestiality” with animals.
THE EXPLANATION:
A draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022, prepared by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, has been opened for public comments. Once the draft is final, the Bill could be brought either in the Winter Session or the Budget Session of Parliament.
What are the main changes proposed in the law?
About Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
THE CONTEXT: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare unveiled the National Suicide Prevention Strategy — the first-of-its-kind policy formulated by the government to prevent suicides as a public health priority.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy?
National Suicide Prevention Strategy: Objectives
Implementation mechanism
Suicides in India: What’s the current scenario?
Ongoing suicide prevention initiatives in India
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) floated a consultation paper proposing measures to effectively tackle market rumours. It reviewed disclosure requirements for material events and information under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
THE EXPLANATION:
What was the need for review?
What disclosures are being proposed?
Are timelines being revised?
THE CONTEXT: The recent killing of six people in Assam police firing comes ahead of the second phase of talks between the two states to resolve their boundary dispute, and there are concerns its shadow will loom large over the negotiations.
THE EXPLANATION:
The incident comes ahead of the second phase of talks scheduled for this month-end (November 2022) between the two states to resolve their boundary dispute, and there are concerns its shadow will loom large over the negotiations.
What is the border dispute?
CONNECT THE DOT: In March 2022,the Assam and Meghalaya state Government signed an agreement to resolve their five-decade-old border dispute in six of the 12 locations.
History Behind Border Demarcation
Major Point of Contention
What is the Next Step?
THE CONTEXT: In a significant development in the Tibetan Buddhist circles, the Nyingma sect has identified a boy from Spiti in Himachal Pradesh as the reincarnation of the late Taklung Setrung Rinpoche, a scholar known for his knowledge of Tibetan Tantric school.
THE EXPLANATION:
“The Nyingma sect is the oldest of all Buddhist sects, and Taklung Setrung Rinpoche was a profound scholar renowned for his expertise in Tibetan Tantric school.
What are the 4 sects of Tibetan Buddhism?
The four schools of Tibetan Buddhism are Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug or Gelugpa.
Q1. Consider the following statements about Global Hunger Index:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
THE CONTEXT: The new currency driving governance today is data. Whether it is the debate on the hunger index or the arguments regarding the caste census, data is at the centre of these controversies: how it is collected, interpreted, and constructed into an index is being vociferously debated by everyone, including those who have only a rudimentary understanding of data. The pandemic management that relies heavily on numbers in terms of testing, vaccinating or tracking recoveries and deaths has only heightened this fascination with data.
Evidence from randomised evaluations can yield insights and conclusions into questions at the heart of controversial policy debates. Since the past decade or so, evidence-based policy-making has gained traction, with some governments and NGOs having institutionalised processes for rigorously evaluating innovations and incorporating evidence into decision-making.
CASE STUDY:
IMPACT OF THE STUDY:
IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
Cases that highlight the value of EBP in developing nations: one where evidence-based policies transformed lives and the other where the lack of an evidence-based response has caused widespread death.
EXAMPLES OF EVIDENCE POLICY MAKING IN INDIA
THE WAY FORWARD:
THE CONCLUSION: The EBP has the potential for high impact change that India shouldn’t ignore. Thereby, systemic institutionalisation of EBP is the way forward in eradicating poverty and improving economic performance, education, health care, and social assistance for millions of people. But, if governance decisions are to be data-centric, there is a need to ensure a decentralised, robust, reliable database system. Data-based governance requires not just validated and scientific data but also requires the policymakers to use it wisely by contextualising it to ensure equality and equity.
THE CONTEXT: Days after a Delhi court agreed to a narco test, the Delhi Police approached a court to conduct a polygraph test on Aaftab Poonawala, suspected of killing his partner Shraddha Walkar, to help investigators find the missing weapon and other evidence in the murder case.
THE EXPLANATION:
How Polygraph tests work?
Are such tests accurate?
So, are the results of these tests admissible as evidence?
THE CONTEXT: According to RBI data obtained by the under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Banks wrote off more than Rs 10 lakh crore in loans over the last five years.
THE EXPLANATION:
According to the RBI reply, while public sector banks reported the lion’s share of write-offs at Rs 734,738 crore, private sector banks were not far behind in bringing down their non-performing assets (NPAs). Private banks accounted for 27.28 per cent of the total banking sector write-offs over the last five years.
What is a loan write-off?
Writing off a loan essentially means it will no longer be counted as an asset. By writing off loans, a bank can reduce the level of non-performing assets (NPAs) on its books. An additional benefit is that the amount so written off reduces the bank’s tax liability.
Why do banks resort to write-offs?
What is the amount written off by private banks?
Who is at the forefront of write-offs?
How much did PSU banks write off?
THE CONTEXT: The Tamil Nadu Government issued a notification declaring Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district the first biodiversity heritage site in the State.
THE EXPLANATION:
Conserving biodiversity and preserving heritage
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the fourth edition of Indo Pacific Regional Dialogue will be held in Delhi. IPRD is an apex level international annual conference of Indian Navy.
THE EXPLANATION:
About IPRD 2022
VALUE ADDITION:
What is National Maritime Foundation (NMF)?
THE CONTEXT: An Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Multi-stakeholder Partnership Platform (MSPP) was set up on November 18 this year to mark the start of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW).
THE EXPLANATION:
What is Antimicrobial Resistance Multi-stakeholder Partnership Platform?
The Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Multi-stakeholder Partnership Platform (MSPP) was launched jointly by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health.
The purpose of this newly established platform is to:
What is antimicrobial resistance?
About World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW)
THE CONTEXT: US treasury secretary who was in New Delhi recently, said the US will pursue the ‘friend-shoring’ approach with trusted allies like India.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is the term meant by?
The term, a cousin of “reshoring” and “onshoring” and a sibling to “nearshoring,” is shorthand for the practice of relocating supply chains to countries where the risk of disruption from political chaos is low.
Q. Consider the following statements about Election Commission:
1. Indian Constitution provides for establishment of Election Commission as multi-member body.
2. CEC and ECs have equal powers and equal salary, allowances which are similar to a judge of a High Court.
3. Constitution has debarred CEC and ECs from any further appointment by government after their retirement.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) All of them
Answer: D
Explanation: