Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (26-07-2023)
Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (26-07-2023)
- A welcome amendment: Sub-registrars have been empowered as well as made responsible for genuine registrations READ MORE
- Why Niti Aayog report must include disability data READ MORE
- Free speech limits~I READ MORE
- Free speech limits~II READ MORE
- Multidimensional Poverty: How Do the Best States in NITI Aayog’s Report Perform? READ MORE
WSDP Bulletin (26-07-2023)
(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)
Prelim and Main
- The ultra-careful quest to find the shape of the electron’s charge READ MORE
- IMF lifts India growth forecast a tad to 6.1% READ MORE
- IMF: India’s rice curbs could spur inflation READ MORE
- President opens tribal arts gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan as she finishes a year in office READ MORE
- Lok Sabha passes contentious Biological Diversity Bill amid din READ MORE
- Non-basmati white rice: IMF ‘encourages’ India to remove export restrictions READ MORE
- What is a no confidence motion? READ MORE
- What a scientist has claimed about finding ‘alien life’, and why his peers are irked READ MORE
Main
GS Paper- 1
- Moon missions offer tough tests – landers, the toughest READ MORE
- Caste has no place in a modern democracy READ MORE
- Opinion: UCC undermines autonomy of Scheduled Tribes READ MORE
GS Paper- 2
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
- A welcome amendment: Sub-registrars have been empowered as well as made responsible for genuine registrations READ MORE
- Why Niti Aayog report must include disability data READ MORE
- Free speech limits~I READ MORE
- Free speech limits~II READ MORE
- Multidimensional Poverty: How Do the Best States in NITI Aayog’s Report Perform? READ MORE
SOCIAL ISSUES
- India’s triumphs over poverty marred by an alarming hunger crisis READ MORE
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
- C Raja Mohan writes: Why India may not be averse to UAE rescuing Pakistan’s economy READ MORE
- India’s Turn to Mini-lateralism in West Asian Context READ MORE
GS Paper- 3
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Drawn from gig workers’ struggles, hewn in Rajasthan READ MORE
- Moving away from the ‘take-make-dispose’ model READ MORE
- Is the external sector resilient? READ MORE
- SDGs are unlikely to be met. What comes next? READ MORE
- Change economic growth strategy to banish poverty faster READ MORE
- Changing hues of migration READ MORE
- Unemployment crisis in India is an invisible epidemic READ MORE
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
- What’s the Biodiversity (Amendment) Bill passed by Lok Sabha & why it is facing criticism READ MORE
- The eco collapse we were warned about has begun READ MORE
DISASTER
- Explained | Himachal floods: a man-made disaster? READ MORE
GS Paper- 4
ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY
- Why Oppenheimer’s moral dilemma is as significant as the atom bomb READ MORE
- A fearless conviction that conquered death READ MORE
- To help girls, focus on oversight, social evils READ MORE
- The pursuit of perfection READ MORE
Questions for the MAIN exam
- Despite India’s consistent efforts in implementing nutrition programmes such as the ICDS, mid-day meals, and Poshan Abhiyaan over the years, malnutrition remains a persistent challenge for the country. How would you justify this statement?
- The powers to promulgate regulations with respect to Union Territories rest with the President, undermining the role of parliament in rule-making. Critically examine.
- Having only one elected Member of Parliament from each Union Territory does not compensate for the absence of local governance. In the light of the statement critically analyse the constitutional justification for Union Territories and their centralised administrative system.
- As India finds common ground with the US in advancing a regional approach for addressing shared development challenges, it has to continue to maintain its independent strategic vision of its extended neighbourhood in West Asia. Comment.
QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS
- The release of atomic power has changed everything except our way of thinking.
- To create jobs for so many people, the country has to boost its annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
- Despite India’s consistent efforts in implementing nutrition programmes such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), mid-day meals, and Poshan Abhiyaan over the years, malnutrition remains a persistent challenge for the country.
- It is essential to critically analyse the constitutional justification for Union Territories and their centralised administrative system.
- The powers to promulgate regulations with respect to Union Territories rest with the President, undermining the role of parliament in rule-making.
- Having only one elected Member of Parliament from each Union Territory does not compensate for the absence of local governance.
- The unelected bureaucratic system is operating with a sense of entitlement, as if they have been given free rein over the archipelagos, disregarding their history, nature, and the local population’s sensibilities.
- The policies of successive governments in recording land rights have broken down customary land governance systems, intensified their marginalisation and created social conflict amongst the tribals.
- As India finds common ground with the US in advancing a regional approach for addressing shared development challenges, it will continue to maintain its independent strategic vision of its extended neighbourhood in West Asia.
- An inclusive policy demands that disability’s impact on poverty be addressed and includes a capabilities approach.
- The conventional growth strategy will take longer to remove poverty. The alternative strategy will do the job faster, provided it can keep inflation at bay.
- Political dispensation has little impact on crime rates, highlighting the need for effective prosecution to combat caste crimes.
- With growing need for a ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ model, India’s G-20 presidency has focused on adopting resource efficiency and moving to a circular economy.
ESSAY TOPIC
- A secure and reliable cyber space is the key to national security.
50-WORD TALK
- Indian Navy gearing up for the maiden trials of India’s indigenously developed ocean-going multirole unmanned surface vessel is a huge step. This project is of extreme strategic interests and a successful completion would open up the Navy to a new paradigm in changing warfare, visible in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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.
TOPIC: THE NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020-WILL IT BE TRANSFORMATIVE?
THE CONTEXT: The Union Cabinet on 29 July, 2020, approved the National Education Policy 2020, aiming at transformational reforms in both school and higher education sectors. This is the first education policy of the 21st century which replaces the thirty-four-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. Built on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability, this policy is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making both school and college education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century needs and aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student.
THE MAIN HIGHLIGHTS
SCHOOL EDUCATION
1. Universalization of Education:It aims for Universalization of Education from pre-school to secondary level with 100 % GER in school education by 2030
2. New 5+3+3+4 formula: New 5+3+3+4 school curriculum with 12 years of schooling and 3 years of Anganwadi/ Pre-schooling
3. Foundational education: Emphasis on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, no rigid separation between academic streams, extracurricular, vocational streams in schools;
4. Vocational Education to start from Class 6 with Internships.
5. Teaching upto at least Grade 5 to be in mother tongue/ regional language
6. Adoption of school complexes
7. Breakfast in the school meal programme
8. 360-degree Holistic Progress Card:Assessment reforms with 360-degree Holistic Progress Card, tracking Student Progress for achieving Learning Outcomes
HIGHER EDUCATION
1. A multidisciplinary system offering choices to students from among a variety of subjects from different disciplines
2. Integrated (undergraduate, postgraduate and research levels) education
3. A four-year undergraduate programme
1. GER in higher education to be raised to 50 % by 2035
2. Promises to provide higher education free to about 50% of the students(with scholarships and fee waivers)
3. National Research Foundation to be established to foster a strong research culture
4. Affiliation System to be phased out in 15 years with graded autonomy to colleges
5. Technology: Increased use of technology with equity; National Educational Technology Forum to be created
6. Facilitates selective entry of high-quality foreign universities
REGULATION AND GOVERNANCE
1. Overhauling of the governance structure in higher education with National Education Commission headed by the Prime Minister as apex body at national level.
2. One regulatory body for the entire sector KNOWN AS the Higher Education Commission of India.
PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
1. New Policy promotes Multilingualism in both schools and HEs; National Institute for Pali, Persian and Prakrit, Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation to be set up
2. The policy also places emphasis on the liberal arts, humanities, and Indian heritage and languages
FINANCES
1. Aims to increase public investment in education to 6% of the GDP from the present over 4%of GDP.
FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS OF EDUCATION POLICY IN INDIA:
NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020: MAJOR TRANSFORMATIONAL REFORMS IN EDUCATION SECTOR
SCHOOL EDUCATION
Early Childhood care and Education
1. This will consist of:
- Guidelines for up to three-year-old children (for parents and teachers), and
- Educational framework for three to eight-year-old children.
2. This would be implemented by improving and expanding the anganwadi system and co-locating anganwadis with primary schools.
3. NCERT will develop a National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCPFECCE) for children up to the age of 8 .
Right to Education Act, 2009
1. It extends the RTE coverage from 6-14 years to 3-18 years by including early childhood education and secondary school education.
The Curriculum Framework
1. It restructures on the basis of 5-3-3-4 design comprising:
- 5years of Foundational Stage (3 years of pre-primary + Class I and II)
- 3 years of Preparatory Stage (Class III, IV and V)
- 3 years of Middle Class (Class VI, VII, VIII)
- Four years of Secondary Stage (Class IX, X, XI, XII)
2. Curriculum should be reduced to its essential core to make space for holistic, discussion based, and analysis-based learning.
Reforms in school curricula and pedagogy
- The school curricula and pedagogy will aim for holistic development of learners by equipping them with the key 21st century skills, reduction in curricular content to enhance essential learning and critical thinking and greater focus on experiential learning.
- Students will have increased flexibility and choice of subjects. There will be no rigid separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extra-curricular activities, between vocational and academic streams.
- Vocational education will start in schools from the 6th grade, and will include internships.
- A new and comprehensive National Curricular Framework for School Education, NCFSE 2020-21, will be developed by the NCERT.
Multilingualism and the power of language
The policy has emphasized mother tongue/local language/regional language as the medium of instruction at least till Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond. Sanskrit to be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option for students, including in the three-language formula.Other classical languages and literatures of India also to be available as options. No language will be imposed on any student. Students to participate in a fun project/activity on ‘The Languages of India’, sometime in Grades 6-8, such as, under the ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ initiative. Several foreign languages will also be offered at the secondary level. Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country, and National and State curriculum materials developed, for use by students with hearing impairment.
Assessment Reforms
360 degree Holistic Progress Card of Child:All students will take school examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 which will be conducted by the appropriate authority. Board exams for Grades 10 and 12 will be continued, but redesigned with holistic development as the aim. A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), will be set up as a standard-setting body .
School Infrastructure
Multiple public schools to be made part of school complexes. A complex will consist of one secondary school (classes nine to twelve) and all the public schools in its neighbourhood that offer education from pre-primary till class eight.
Teacher Management
1. Teachers need to be associated with a particular school complex for at least 5-7 years.
2. Teachers will not be allowed to participate in any non-teaching activities during school hours that could affect their teaching capacities.
3. The existing B.Ed. programme will be replaced by a four-year integrated B.Ed. programme to enrich the quality and content.
4. Teachers will undergo a minimum 50 hours of continuous professional development training every year.
Robust Teacher Recruitment and Career Path
Teachers will be recruited through robust, transparent processes. Promotions will be merit-based, with a mechanism for multi-source periodic performance appraisals and available progression paths to become educational administrators or teacher educators. A common National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) will be developed by the National Council for Teacher Education by 2022, in consultation with NCERT, SCERTs, teachers and expert organizations from across levels and regions.
Regulation of Schools
1. The Department of Education of the State will formulate policy and conduct monitoring and supervision.
Equitable and Inclusive Education
Special emphasis will be given on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups(SEDGs) which include gender, socio-cultural, and geographical identities and disabilities. This includes setting up of Gender Inclusion Fund and also Special Education Zonesfor disadvantaged regions and groups. Every state/district will be encouraged to establish “Bal Bhavans” as a special daytime boarding school, to participate in art-related, career-related, and play-related activities. Free school infrastructure can be used as Samajik Chetna Kendras.
Other features
- National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numerace
- Curriculum to integrate 21stCentury Skills, Mathematical Thinking and Scientific temper
- Education of Gifted Children
- NewNationalCurriculumFrameworkforECE,School,TeachersandAdult Education
- Board Examination will be Low Stakes, Based on Knowledge Application
- Tracking Student Progress for Achieving Learning Outcomes
- National assessment center – PARAKH
- NTA to offer Common Entrance Exam for Admission to HEIs
- National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)
- Book Promotion Policy and Digital Libraries
- Transparent online self-disclosure for public oversight and accountability
HIGHER EDUCATION
Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education
- 50 % Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2035
- Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education -Flexibility of Subjects
- Multiple Entry / Exit
- UGProgram-3or4year
- PGProgram–1or2year
- Integrated 5 year Bachelor’s / Master’s
- M Phil to be discontinued
- Credit Transfer and Academic Bank of Credits
- HEIs : Research Intensive/Teaching Intensive Universities and Autonomous Degree Granting Colleges
- Model Multidisciplinary Education and Research University(MERU) (in or near every District)
Graded Autonomy
- Graded Autonomy : Academic, Administrative & Financial
- Phasing out Affiliation System in 15 years
- National Mission on Mentoring
- Independent Board of Governors (BoG)
National Higher Education Regulatory Authority (NHERA)
Light but tight approach:This independent authority would replace the existing individual regulators in higher education, including professional and vocational education such as AICTE and UGC. Medical and legal fields have been excluded.
- Single Regulator for Higher Education (excluding Legal and Medical)
- On-line Self Disclosure based Transparent System for Approvals in place of ‘Inspections’
- Common Norms for Public and Private HEIs
- Private Philanthropic Partnership
- Fee fixation within Broad Regulatory Framework
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
Currently, NAAC is part of UGC. The policy recommends separating it from UGC and developing it into an independent and autonomous body.
National Research Foundation (NRF)
As the total investment in R&D in India has been declining, the policy recommends establishing a National Research Foundation, an autonomous body, for funding, mentoring and building the capacity for quality research in India.
It will have four major divisions-
◦ Science
◦ Technology
◦ Social Sciences
◦ Arts and Humanities
EDUCATIONAL GOVERNANCE
National Education Commission
This apex body with PM as the head need to be created for dynamically revising the educational vision of the country. It will overlook the function of NHERA, NCERT and NRF.
Renaming of Ministry of HRD
The Ministry of Human Resources and Development must be renamed as the Ministry of Education.
FINANCING EDUCATION
Investment in Education
The draft policy reiterated the long-standing demand of 6% of GDP to be invested in education.
Public Investment
The draft Policy seeks to double the public investment in education from the current 10% of total public expenditure to 20% in the next 10 years.
TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
Technology in education
• Use of Technology in
- Education Planning
- Teaching, Learning & Assessment
- Administration & Management
- Regulation – Self Disclosure & Minimum Human Interface
• Increasing Access for Disadvantaged Groups
• Divyang Friendly Education Software
• e-Content in Regional Languages
• Virtual Labs
• National Educational Technology Forum (NETF)
• Digitally Equipping Schools, Teachers and Students
INDIAN KNOWLEDGE, CULTURE AND VALUES
Indian Knowledge Systems, Languages, Culture and Values
• Focus on Literature & Scientific Vocabulary of Indian Languages
• Language Faculty
• Research on Languages
• Strengthening National Institutes for promotion of Classical Languages & Literature
• Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI)
• Cultural Awareness of our Indian Knowledge Systems
• Promoting Traditional Arts / Lok Vidya
• HEI / School or School Complex to have Artist(s)-in-Residence
Others
- Internationalisation of Education
- Integration of Vocational, Teacher and Professional Education
- Setting up of New Quality HEIs has been made Easier
- Standalone HEIs and Professional Education Institutions will evolve into Multidisciplinary
- Special Education Zone for Disadvantaged Regions
- National Institute for Pali, Persian and Prakrit
- National Educational Technology Forum (NETF)
THE REASONS FOR THIS POLICY BEING CONSIDERED AS TRANSFORMATIVE
Considering education as the “public good”
It considers “education is a public good” and “the public education system is the foundation of a vibrant democratic society”. This make the education policy unique in the context of increasing commercialization of education. It is public education that contributes to the building of nations, their growth — socially, economically, politically, culturally, and technologically — and the building of a humane society.
The bold initiatives
- The policy promotes a holistic education as well as “each student’s holistic development in both academic and non-academic spheres”
- The foundational education with integration of 3-18 years age in place of 6-14 years
Linking with conceptual and foundational learning
Rote memorisation and learning has become part and parcel of the education system, hence, emphasis of the concept-building, research, innovation and integration of vocational education from the class 6 itself.
Linking with the cultural roots
The emphasis of three language and linking with ancient languages and culture is another initiative for indigenizing Indian education as against the westernized leaning
Light but tight regulation
Creating a new regulatory framework by merging the UGC and AICTE with emphasis on self-regulation is a step long overdue as India faces problems of regulatory cholesterol.
Institutional autonomy
Giving academic, administrative and financial autonomy to educations institutions are very essential for raising the educational standards
Some key new initiates
The policy also has many new initiatives which have become essential for enhancing the learning outcome and matching to the needs of 21st century.
THE BACKGROUND OF THE POLICY
The policy also has many new When the present BJP-led government came in power in 2014, it constituted the Subramaniam Panel for education reforms which recommended in May 2016, but the Panel recommendations seem to have not been satisfactory.
The then government constituted the Kasturirangan Committee which recommended in May 2019. The recommendations were put for public comments and review and finally the government almost after a year later approved the draft education policy of the Committee, although all the recommendations have not been accepted.
The approval by the cabinet will largely be also approved by the parliament and it will become a national level policy. It will work as a framework for bringing transformation in the field of education.
THE EVOLUTION OF EDUCATION POLICY IN INDIA
1. University Education Commission (1948-49), also known as Radhakrishnan Committee
Laid down the foundation for University education in India
2. Secondary Education Commission (1952-53)
3. Education Commission (1964-66) also known as Dr. D.S. Kothari Committee
The first policy on education adopted in 1968
4. 42nd Constitutional Amendment,1976-
Education in Concurrent List
5. National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986
The policy which still remained a guide for education in India
6. National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 revised in 1992
Program of Action, 1992
7. The 86th amendment act 2002
Made education as fundamental right under the Article 21A
8. The National Knowledge Commission 2005
The right to education act 2009 which aimed to make achieve the objectives of 86th amendment act
9. Yash Pal Committee 2009
On higher education but no implementation of recommendations
10. T.S.R. Subramaniam Committee Report, May, 2016
No implementation of recommendations
11. Dr. K. Kasturirangan Committee Report, 31 May, 2019
The National Education Policy 2020
THE CRITICISMS OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020
More rhetorical, less realistic
The policy seems to be more transformative in promises and words but less emphasis given on how to achieve them
Foundational education on weak foundation
Relying on anganwadi workers for early childhood education is not based on professional standards. The anganwadi workers are not trained for imparting foundation and conceptual knowledge to children and their resourcefulness is seriously doubted
Poor school infrastructure
Already the school infrastructure is very poor in terms of physical, human and financial. Adopting a new system which demands even greater level of infrastructure will face immense implementation challenges.
Missing link with RTE 2009
The policy doesn’t mention about the objectives under this law and how to overcome its weaknesses.
Commercialization of education
Although it mentions education as public good but it doesn’t have framework how to stop commercialization
Language/culture
It gives more emphasis of language, culture, mother tongue, at early education which may overburden children
Not clear about the three language formula
It says that the mother-tongue or the regional language would be the “preferred” mode of instruction till Class 5, possibly Class 8. It also states that, “wherever possible” these languages will be used in public and private schools. Given the ground realities what does all this entail?
Although the Committee recommended for three-language formula but the policy doesn’t have clear word for its implementation
Some recommendations don’t find place in the policy
- The draft policy promised doubling public expenditure on education to 20% of the total government expenditure, from 10%. The 2020 policy simply reaffirms the commitment to allocation of 6% of GDP.
- A National Education Commission at the national level and a similar one at the State level to be set up. There is no mention of State School Education Regulatory Authorities in the 2020 policy.
The promise of 6% GDP
It has been promised since the Kothari Committee 1964 but still it remains a far-fetched dream in India.
The unitary bias
The policy has unitary bias as education is in concurrent list but states have not been made a strong stakeholder. The establishment of national level policy and institutional framework is disregard to the role of the states. For instance, Andhra Pradesh has been recently promoting English medium education but this policy is giving emphasis to art, culture, Sanskrit and regional medium.
The problems of equity and quality of education to children belonging to vulnerable section of society
The emphasis of mother-tongue/regional medium/Sanskrit, etc in public schools which further affect the children belonging to vulnerable section of society as the children from the rich families will access English-medium education. There is already huge disparity due to this factor which will seriously affect equity in society.
THE WAY FORWARD
The positives of the policy should be welcomed. There are many new and bold initiatives in the policy which are essential for 21st century. However, the efforts should be made to address the challenges in implementation of the policy. There is a now popular saying in India by academicians about improving education system in India, that we don’t need an education policy to improve the system rather the writing on the wall is very clear about what to improve, for instance:
- Infrastructure: physical, human and financial
- Pedagogy: the teaching methodology must change to import concept-based learning
- Academics: the course curriculum should be reviewed at state level time to time on the pattern of NCERT and for higher education the quality of teaching, syllabus and inter-disciplinary approach
- Regulation must be facilitatory and to create a level playing field rather than politically motivated and there must not be regulatory capture
- Non-profit motive: TheCompanies Act 2013 Section 8A makes education as a non-profit sector and the SC has also stated in its judgement like TMA PIE case that profit should be for maintaining efficiency of the institution, hence the same should be ensured by the governments through proper regulation
- PPP: The education sector demands a symbiotic relation between public, private and the third sector including philanthropy, so that, the needed capital and resource can be deployed to reduce the burgeoning demand and the supply gap.
CONCLUSION: The policy is transformative in promise and content. Now it all depends on implementation.The experience of policy implementation in recent times has been much better than that of past and it is expected that in case of this policy also, the implementation will improve. There is need for horizontal and vertical collaboration between union-states and PPP for effective implementation.
Day-465 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS
[WpProQuiz 511]
TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (25th JULY 2023)
1. SILVER COCKSCOMB AND SOLIGA TRIBES
TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: In Karnataka’s Chamarajanagara district, farmers of the Soliga tribe say controlling the weed can cost up to Rs 2,000 per acre (0.4 hectare) per year. Yet they do not consider silver cockscomb a weed.
EXPLANATION:
SILVER COCKSCOMB
- It is also referred to as anne soppu in Karnataka. It is also known as Lagos spinach.
- The plant is known as Celosia argentea in the scientific lexicon, kudu in Marathi and panini keerai in Tamil.
- It is believed to have originated in tropical Africa, according to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK, silver cockscomb grows abundantly in South and Southeast Asia, Latin America and parts of the US and Australia.
- Communities in these regions use it as a wild vegetable, for fodder and in medicine. Exploring and documenting their traditional knowledge may give this weed a makeover of a superfood.
- It is a beautiful but troublesome weed, and if left unchecked, it can spread quickly and suppress the growth of other crops, affecting their yield.
- It also attracts insects, caterpillars, worms and moths that can harm crops.
- It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family, which includes economically important plants like spinach (Spinacia oleracea), beetroot and quinoa.
- However, it is considered as a nutritious leafy green vegetable that grows well even on fallow land and in drought-like conditions by soliga tribes.
- It is a short-lived 50-60 cm-tall plant that bears simple, spirally arranged leaves around the stem with pinkish or silky white flowers.
- Since it grows widely on farmlands across the country, most farmers use the plant as fodder.
Medicinal uses:
- The women of the Soliga tribe collect young shoots of silver cockscomb to prepare a mash called massage, which is eaten just to help lower the body’s heat and reduce stomach burn, which often stems from indigestion.
- Scientists studied the antibacterial activity of silver cockscomb and found that its stem and root extracts provide protection against microbial pathogens.
- Silver cockscomb leaves are high in nutrients such as beta-carotene and folic acids and have “medium” levels of vitamin E, calcium and iron.
- Although it is of the same family as spinach, it does not pose the same risk to kidneys.
- The plant is frequently used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for treating eye diseases and ulcers.
- Researchers reviewed studies available on the plant and found that the seed contains an edible oil that is beneficial for treating conditions such as bloodshot eyes and cataracts.
Soliga tribe:
- It is an ethnic tribe in south India that dwells in Biligirirangana Hills (BR Hills) situated in south-eastern Karnataka, at its border with Tamil Nadu.
- The term “Soliga” literally translates to “children of bamboo”, which reflects the tribe’s relationship with nature and their belief that they, too, have emerged from it.
- They are said to possess vast knowledge about the forests of Western Ghats and biodiversity conservation.
- The Soliga speak Sholga, which belongs to the Dravidian family. Under Indian law, they are recognized as a scheduled tribe.
- The Soliga used to practice shifting cultivation but have more or less given up this practice now. They grow Ragi for subsistence.
2. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (AMENDMENT) BILL
TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, is set to be tabled during the monsoon session of the Parliament.
EXPLANATION:
- The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Parliament in 2021 by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and climate change to amend the Biological Diversity Act of 2002.
- The Bill was moved to a joint committee due to concerns that the amendments favoured industry.
The main aims of the amendment Bills:
- To reduce the burden on wild medicinal plants and encourage their cultivation.
- To encourage the Indian system of medicine.
- To facilitate environmentalists for collaborative research and investments.
- To reduce the need for practitioners and companies making medicinal products for taking permission from the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
- Bill included the term “codified traditional knowledge”, under which the users, including practitioners of Indian systems of medicine, will be exempted from the provisions of approvals for access or sharing benefits.
Benefits of the Bill:
- This bill aims that the benefits from the use of biodiversity should be shared with the community that has conserved it for centuries. Access and benefit sharing remains an important part of this Framework.
- It will fast-track the approval as practitioners of Indian systems of medicine will be exempted from the provisions of approvals for access or sharing benefits.
- Since the time the Biological Diversity (Amendments) Bill was introduced first, the world has set new targets for biodiversity conservation at the 15th Conference of Parties to CBD held in Montreal in December 2022.
Criticism of the Bill:
- There can be cases of misappropriation of resources as it allows domestic companies to use biodiversity without the permission from biodiversity boards. Only ‘foreign-controlled companies’ would need to take permission.
- The Bill did not find favour among activists and legal experts as these amendments do not address the issues that biodiversity conservation in India face.
- The Bill de-criminalises violation and even withdraws the power given to the National Biodiversity Authority to file an FIR against a defaulting party which will encourage defaulters.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002:
- The act was enacted in 2002; it aims at the conservation of biological resources, managing its sustainable use and enabling fair and equitable sharing benefits arising out of the use.
- The act envisaged a three-tier structure to regulate the access to biological resources:
- The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
- The State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs)
- The Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) (at local level)
- The act provides these authorities with special funds and a separate budget in order to carry out any research project dealing with the biological natural resources of the country.
- Under this act, the Central Government, in consultation with the NBA:
- Shall notify threatened species and prohibit or regulate their collection, rehabilitation and conservation
- Designate institutions as repositories for different categories of biological resources
- The act stipulates all offences under it as cognizable and non-bailable.
- Any grievances related to the determination of benefit sharing or order of the National Biodiversity Authority or a State Biodiversity Board under this Act shall be taken to the National Green
Criticism of the Act:
- One of the major criticism is that emphasis is on preventing profit-sharing from the commercial use of biological resources rather than provisions for efficient conservation.
- This legislation does not act as an umbrella and overlooks its possibilities of harmonizing with prior existing legislation.
- It does not lay down guidelines for the assignment of non-monopoly rights nor for assessing contributions made by firms, local communities, or individual inventions.
3. PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA (PMUY)
TAG: GS 2: GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
THE CONTEXT: According to a recent report, after witnessing a rise in the number of subsidised LPG refills in the financial year 2020-21 under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), the trend has shown a decline in FY23.
EXPLANATION
- Out of the 95.9 million PMUY beneficiaries, 11.8 million (about 12%) did not get even a single LPG bottle during the last financial year.
- The report noted that this decrease reflects the stagnant income levels among the beneficiaries. However, it added that some smaller households may not require more than four refills annually.
- The Union government had admitted that the PMUY beneficiaries had not been able to fill cylinders due to high prices of LPG.
- As per Census 2011, there are 315 million domestic LPG consumers in India, covering 105.1% of estimated households.
- To promote the use of LPG, the government has implemented various measures, including subsidies that were extended for a year last March.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
- With the tagline “Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan“, Union Government has launched a social welfare scheme “Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana” (PMUY) in 2016.
- The scheme envisages smoke-free Rural India and aims to benefit five crore families, especially the women living below the poverty line (BPL), by providing concessional LPG connections to the entire nation by 2019.
- It aims to increase the usage of LPG and would help in reducing health disorders, air pollution and deforestation.
- It is being implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
Salient Features
- To provide 5 crore LPG connections to BPL families, with the financial support of Rs 1600.
- Connections will be issued in the name of women beneficiaries.
- EMI facility will also be provided for stove and refill costs.
- It is complementary to Prime Minister’s Give It Up campaign, under which 75 lakh middle-class and lower middle-class households have voluntarily given up their cooking gas subsidy
Objectives
- To promote women’s empowerment
- To provide a healthy cooking fuel
- To prevent hazardous health-related issues among the millions of rural population due to the use of fossil fuel.
Implementation
- The identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the State Governments and the Union Territories.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant should be women above the age of 18 years.
- The applicant must be a rural inhabitant carrying a BPL
- The women applicant should have a savings bank account in any nationalized bank across the country to receive a subsidy amount.
- The applicant’s household should not already own an LPG connection.
Ujjwala 2.0
- The target of releasing 80 million connections was achieved in 2019; therefore, in 2021, Ujjwala 2.0 was launched.
- It aims to provide additional one crore LPG connections to adult women of poor households under PMUY with a budgetary support of Rs. 1600 /connection.
- In addition to existing eligibility criteria, the following facilities have been provided to beneficiaries under Ujjwala 2.0:-
- Online Application facility on newly launched portal pmuy.gov.in
- Acceptance of self-declaration from migrants to declare family composition and address proof.
- Free of cost – first refill and stove.
- e-KYC using Aadhaar authentication
4. LARGE NUMBER OF CASES PENDING AGAINST LEGISLATORS.
TAG: GS 2: POLITY
THE CONTEXT: The amicus curiae appointed by the Supreme Court in Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay vs. Union of India, 2016. Informed the court about the Criminal Cases Pending Against Members of Parliament.
EXPLANATION:
- Criminal cases against Lok Sabha members are 44% (236 out of 542) and 31% against Rajya Sabha members (71 out of 226).
- Criminal cases against State Legislators are 1723 of 3991 (43%).
- He stated this in the 17th report submitted in the case relying on a study done by the Association for Democratic Rights.
- The Supreme Court has been monitoring expeditious disposal of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs since 2016 in a PIL filed by Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
- In his 18th Report, the amicus has also sought for a hearing date to be fixed to consider the constitutional validity of Section 8 of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951 which limits the period of disqualification of a person to contest an election as an MP/MLA only for a period of six years from the date of the release upon conviction, even for a heinous offence.
- The Apex Court had directed that the Presiding officers of the Special Courts involving prosecution of MPs or MLAs, shall not be transferred except with the leave of the Apex Court. But later, order was modified.
SUPREME COURT ROLE IN DECRIMINALISING POLITICS, SOME RECENT STEPS
- The Supreme Court has been monitoring expeditious disposal of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs since 2016.
- Initially 12 Special Courts were constituted.
- Subsequently Special Courts have been established in almost all the districts, where the criminal cases are pending.
- The Supreme Court had directed that the Special Courts shall “fix a calendar for each case to be taken up on day-to-day basis.”
- The Supreme Court had also directed that “Chief Justices of the High Court shall also designate a Special Bench, comprising themselves and their designate, in order to monitor the progress of these trials.”
- Court directed that “keeping in mind public interest involved in the matter and in order to prevent undue delay, we direct that no unnecessary adjournments be granted in these matters.”
AMICUS CURIAE
- An amicus curia is an individual or organization who is not a party to a legal case.
- She is permitted to assist a court by offering information, expertise, or insight that has a bearing on the issues in the case.
- The decision on whether to consider an amicus brief lies within the discretion of the court.
- The phrase is legal Latin and the origin of the term has been dated to 1605–1615.
- The scope of amici curiae is generally found in the cases where broad public interests are involved and concerns regarding civil rights are in question.
5. THE MCA (MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS) EXEMPTS REGIONAL RURAL BANKS (RRBS) FROM CCI’S (COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA) MERGER CONTROL REGIME.
TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY; GS 2: GOVERNANCE
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the MCA has exempted the RRBS from the purview of merger and acquisition regulations of CCI.
EXPLANATION:
- The exemption dispensation from prior scrutiny and approval of Competition Commission of India (CCI) would be available for five years.
- This move would pave the way for merger of RRBs without the prior scrutiny and approval of Competition Commission of India (CCI).
- The merger and acquisition regime of the CCI is directed towards establishing fair competition.
- This exemption will enable smooth consolidation of RRBs which will help in better service delivery with efficiency.
RRBs (REGIONAL RURAL BANKS)
- RRBs are financial institutions which ensure adequate credit for agriculture and other rural sectors. Regional Rural Banks were set up based on the recommendations of the Narasimham Working Group (1975), and after the legislations of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976. The first Regional Rural Bank “Prathama Grameen Bank” was set up on October 2, 1975.
- The equity of a regional rural bank is held by the Central Government, concerned State Government and the Sponsor Bank in the proportion of 50:15:35
- Regional Rural Banks (RRB) are Indian Scheduled Commercial Banks (Government Banks) operating at regional level in different states of India.
- They have been created with a view of serving primarily the rural areas of India with basic banking and financial services.
- However, RRBs may have branches set up for urban operations and their area of operation may include urban area too.
- The area of operation of RRBs is limited to the area as notified by Government of India covering one or more districts in the State. RRBs perform various functions in following heads:
- They Carry out government operations like disbursement of wages of MGNREGA workers, distribution of pension etc.
- They provide Para-Banking facilities like locker facilities, debit and credit cards, mobile banking, internet banking, UPI etc.
CCI (COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA)
- The Competition Act, 2002, as amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007.
- It follows the philosophy of modern competition laws.
- The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring of control and M&A), which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.
- The objectives of the Act are sought to be achieved through the Competition Commission of India, which has been established by the Central Government with effect from 14th October 2003.
- CCI consists of a Chairperson and 6 Members appointed by the Central Government.
- It is the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers, and ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.
- The Commission is also required to give opinion on competition issues on a reference received from a statutory authority established under any law.
- It undertakes competition advocacy, create public awareness and impart training on competition issues.
Ethics Through Current Development (25-07-2023)
Today’s Important Articles for Geography (25-07-2023)
Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (25-07-2023)
Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (25-07-2023)
WSDP Bulletin (25-07-2023)
(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)
Prelim and Main
- ISRO to launch PSLV-C56 carrying Singapore’s new imaging satellite READ MORE
- Centre plans nationwide events under ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign in August READ MORE
- Civil areas of 58 cantonments to be merged with municipalities READ MORE
- Bill introduced in LS to add in Chhattisgarh SC list READ MORE
- House panel expresses concern over slow documentation of antiquities READ MORE
- Kharif sowing turns around to rise 1.2% amid excess rain READ MORE
- ICMR argues for controlled human infection studies READ MORE
- Gig workers welfare Bill passed in Rajasthan READ MORE
- Ethanol+petrol: How to blend more and blend better READ MORE
Main
GS Paper- 1
- Remembering Tilak, the Father of India’s Revolution READ MORE
- What are marine heat waves, which have gripped parts of the world’s oceans this summer? READ MORE
- Monsoon 2023: Two weather phenomena to decide fate of agriculture in Indo-Gangetic belt READ MORE
- Haryana sex ratio: Dip in numbers must trigger robust response READ MORE
- Why Same Sex Marriage Should Not Be Called an Urban, Elitist Demand READ MORE
GS Paper- 2
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
- Never-ending saga: on the legal wrangling between the Centre and the Government of the National Capital Territory READ MORE
- Unplug the internet more judiciously READ MORE
- This was a fit case to deny bail READ MORE
SOCIAL ISSUES
- Unravelling Ayushman Card’s impact on healthcare READ MORE
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
- ASEAN, a persistence with dialogue, on a trodden path READ MORE
- Still incomplete: on India-Sri Lanka ties and their vision READ MORE
- End Manipur violence or forget Acting East READ MORE
GS Paper- 3
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Scrap priority sector lending READ MORE
- Down But Not Out: On the Indian Government’s Semiconductor Fab Ambition READ MORE
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
- Climate, inflation and elections: Extreme weather ahead READ MORE
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- A case for a new pronoun for AI READ MORE
SECURITY
- ‘Eye on Eye’ in the times of cyberwarfare is an eye-opener READ MORE
- Hybridity in Warfare: A Compelling Dimension in Modern Wars READ MORE
DISASTER
- A big step in reducing the risk of disasters READ MORE
- Floods Often Caused By Unplanned Development READ MORE
GS Paper- 4
ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY
- Why Oppenheimer’s moral dilemma is as significant as the atom bomb READ MORE
- A fearless conviction that conquered death READ MORE
- To help girls, focus on oversight, social evils READ MORE
- The pursuit of perfection READ MORE
Questions for the MAIN exam
- Cyber-security has become the foundational layer to all domains of national security and can no longer be ignored, as it impacts national security planners and practitioners across the public policy spectrum. Analyse.
- Low-income levels at the bottom of the pyramid and limited avenues for income growth have meant India is stuck fighting poverty through subsidies and ‘freebies’ rather than with more effective and long-lasting measures. How would you justify this statement?
- How far do you agree with this view that the Priority Sector Lending policy should be scrapped as it has lost its relevance in 21st-century economic policy shift and shrinking the banking policy choice? Justify your view with relevant examples.
QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS
- Opposition brings concord. Out of discord comes the fairest harmony.
- With the rise of China and other regional powers which are as disruptive as the rising ones, inter-state wars seem to be re-emerging as a pre-eminent form of conflict, albeit in a newer form.
- The digital age is shaping the geopolitics and future of warfare, in ways the nuclear weapons shaped deterrence and conflict in the 20th century
- A secure and reliable cyber space is the key to national security. Be it the economy, food, health, energy, infrastructure, banking and financial sectors, all of these domains contribute to the security and well-being of the state.
- Cyber-security has become the foundational layer to all domains of national security can no longer be ignored, as it impacts national security planners and practitioners across the public policy spectrum.
- The security implications of an increasing cyber and technological rivalry between adversarial states are therefore immense. For instance, any disruption in the key information infrastructure or hi-technology related production lines can have severe implications and consequences for national security.
- With increasing budgetary allocations to India’s military modernisation effort, a policy alignment might be necessary to maintain the right balance in the development, production and fielding of required kinetic and non-kinetic war-fighting capabilities.
- The Central and State Governments should make advance arrangements to deal with natural calamities keeping in view such international and national reports.
- Low income levels at the bottom of the pyramid, a frustrating lack of accurate consumption data, and limited avenues for income growth have meant India is stuck fighting poverty through subsidies and ‘freebies’ rather than with more effective and long-lasting measures.
- Rather than making people less poor by increasing income levels, the freebies increasingly will be, to instead help them spend less. This is not a great situation to be in.
- Priority Sector Lending is a legacy of the socialist era. It creates distortion in credit flows, keeps bank officials busy with target fulfillment and is prone to blatant misuse.
- Inclusive and multi-hazard early warning systems are among the most effective means of reducing disaster deaths and economic losses.
ESSAY TOPIC
- A secure and reliable cyber space is the key to national security.
50-WORD TALK
- After a string of cheetah deaths, now radio collars are being blamed and removed from the surviving ones – without robust scientific evidence. This, after claiming they died of natural causes. Translocation is intricate and should have science at its heart. The government appears to be tweaking policy on the go.
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-464 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS
[WpProQuiz 510]
TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (24th JULY 2023)
1. E20 FUEL BY 2025
TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT: India’s aim to cover the entire nation with E20 fuel by 2025.
EXPLANATION:
- India has started the rollout of E20 fuel.
- It aims to cover the entire nation by 2025.
- We must find ways to bridge technology gaps, promote energy security and work on diversifying supply chains.
E20 Fuel
- E20 fuel is a blend of 20% ethanol with petrol.
- It is a move toward cleaner transportation.
- Sales of electric vehicles in India are on the upswing, but most people can’t afford them. As a result, E20 or flex-fuel vehicles provide a wonderful option for cutting down on pollution without breaking the bank.
- India has achieved 10% ethanol blending in petrol by 2021-22.
Ethanol Blending Programme
- This programme is under the ambit of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- The Government has advanced the target of 20% blending of ethanol from 2030 to 2025.
- Ethanol Blending programme has been a key focus area of the Government to achieve Aatmanirbhar in the field of energy.
- Due to the sustained efforts of the Government, Ethanol production capacity has seen six times increase since 2013-14.
- The achievements in the last eight years under Ethanol Blending Program & Biofuels Program have augmented India’s energy security.
India Energy Week (IEW)
- Prime Minister inaugurated India Energy Week (IEW) 2023 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on 6thFeb 2023.
- IEW is aimed to showcase India’s rising prowess as an energy transition powerhouse.
- PM Launched E20 Fuel and Flagged off Green Mobility Rally.
- HPCL and other oil marketing companies are setting up 2G-3G ethanol plants that will facilitate the progress.
- It will help raise a lot of awareness in the Nation towards Green and Sustainable fuels.
Significance in Creating Sustainable Future
- The government of India’s policy push, like the Ethanol Blending Program and National Green Hydrogen Mission, will fuel the Indian economy towards its target of a 5 trillion-dollar economy and realizing Net Zero by 2070.
- It will help raise a lot of awareness in the Nation towards Green and Sustainable fuels.
- It will help in the achievement of the Paris Agreement Goals.
2. MARINE HEAT WAVES
TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY
THE CONTEXT: The world is currently baking under the blazing sun. In April, it reached 21.1 degrees Celsius, breaking the previous record of 21 degrees Celsius in 2016. And since then, ocean temperatures have remained at record-high levels, giving rise to marine heat waves (MHWs) around the globe.
EXPLANATION:
- Sweltering temperatureshave induced extreme heat warnings, wildfires and poor air quality in different regions.
- At present, MHWs have gripped the north-east Pacific, the southern hemisphere in the southern Indian Ocean and the Pacific, the north-east Atlantic, tropical North Atlantic, and the Mediterranean.
- These disastrous consequences are set to become even worse as the world continues to get warmer, making MHWs more intense and longer.
What are marine heat waves?
- A marine heat wave is an extreme weather event.
- It occurs when the surface temperature of a particular region of the sea rises to 3 or 4 degrees Celsius above the average temperature for at least five days.
- MHWs can last for weeks, months or even years, according to the US government’s agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
What is the impact of marine heat waves on ocean life?
- It can be catastrophic for marine life. For instance, MHWs along the Western Australian coast during the summer of 2010 and 2011 caused some “devastating” fish kills over a short period and mainly within a particular area.
- It can lead to coral bleaching as when water gets too warm, they expel the algae known as zooxanthellae, living in their tissues, causing them to turn entirely white.
- Coral bleaching has severe consequences as it reduces the reproductivity of corals and makes them more vulnerable to fatal diseases.
- It also fuels the growth of invasive alien species, which can be destructive to marine food webs.
- It forces species to change their behaviour in a way that puts wildlife at increased risk of harm. For example, it has been linked to whale entanglements in fishing gear, according to a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- They may cause the deaths of several marine species, alter their migration patterns even impact weather patterns.
How do marine heat waves affect humans?
- When storms travel across hot oceans, they gather more water vapour and heat. This results in more powerful winds, heavier rainfall and more flooding when storms reach the land meaning heightened devastation for humans.
- Higher ocean temperatures, which are associated with MHWs, can make storms like hurricanes and tropical cyclones stronger, which can severely affect coastal communities.
- According to NOAA, half a billion people depend on coral reefs for food, income, and protection. So, when MHWs destroy these reefs, humans relying on them also bear the brunt.
3. STAR-C INITIATIVE
TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: Following the Prime Minister’s participation in a summit with Pacific Island countries, India is considering expanding its solar STAR-C initiative to a number of Pacific Island countries.
EXPLANATION:
- India’s efforts will primarily be focused on economic development, connectivity and climate change. The expansion of the STAR-C initiative will form a key part of that outreach. In the Pacific, it currently runs in Tonga.
- The government announced a 12-step action plan for the islands, which included solar power projects. India has also emphasized the importance of working with Pacific Island countries on climate change and renewable energy in recent years.
What is the STAR-C initiative?
- It is an initiative by ISA and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the funding for the project is provided by both India and France.
- Its major objective is to create a strong network of institutional capacities within ISA Member States.
- It aims to enhance quality infrastructure (QI) for the uptake of solar energy products and service markets, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS).
- It aims to boost capacity in developing countries by building solar workforces, standardizing products, setting up infrastructure and bringing greater awareness among policymakers.
- In its initial stages, the focus was on the Economic Community of West African States, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the East African Community.
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- The alliance is also called International Agency for Solar Policy and Application (IASPA).
- It is an alliance of 114 signatory countries, most being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
- The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- The alliance is a treaty-based inter-governmental organization. Countries that do not fall within the Tropics can join the alliance and enjoy all benefits as other members, with the exception of voting rights.
- The initiative was launched at the India Africa Summit and a meeting of member countries ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in November 2015.
- In January 2016, the Indian Prime Minister and the then-French President jointly laid the foundation stone of the ISA Headquarters and inaugurated the interim Secretariat at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram, Haryana.
4. CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME FOR LIVESTOCK SECTOR
TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT: Government launches first-ever credit guarantee scheme for collateral-free loans to livestock MSMEs.
EXPLANATION:
- It has been launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
- The scheme is set up under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) under Prime Minister’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package and aims to facilitate collateral-free credit for MSMEs in the livestock sector.
- A credit guarantee fund trust of Rs 750 crores has been set up for credit guarantee coverage of up to 25 per cent of loans disbursed to MSMEs by eligible banks and other lending institutions.
- The primary aim of the scheme is for the lender to focus on project viability and secure the credit facility only based on the primary security of the assets financed.
- The credit guarantee scheme facilitates access to finance for the un-served and under-served livestock sector.
- Eligible beneficiaries for the availability of financial assistance from lenders are mainly first-generation entrepreneurs and underprivileged sections of society who lack collateral security for supporting their ventures. The aim is to incentivize investments by entrepreneurs, private firms, MSMEs, Farmers’ Producers Organizations (FPOs) and Section 8 companies.
- It aims to establish dairy processing and value addition infrastructure; meat processing and value addition infrastructure; animal feed plants; breed improvement technology and breed multiplication farm; etc.
- A credit guarantee portal has been developed as a rule-based B2B portal and implemented the enrollment of eligible lending institutions under the credit guarantee scheme, issuance/renewal of credit guarantee cover and settlement of claims.
- It will greatly increase the participation of MSMEs engaged in the livestock sector, leading to increased flow of credit to the sector and strengthening the MSMEs to boost the overall rural economy.
Status of the Livestock sector in India:
- Livestock plays an important role in the Indian economy. About 20.5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood.
- Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households.
- Livestock provides livelihood to two-thirds of the rural communities.
- It also provides employment to about 8.8 % of the population in India. India has vast livestock resources. The livestock sector contributes 4.11% of GDP and 25.6% of total Agriculture GDP.
Other initiatives in Livestock Sector:
- National Livestock Mission: It was launched in the financial year 2014-15 and seeks to ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock production systems and capacity building of all stakeholders. The scheme was implemented as a sub-scheme of the White Revolution – Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana in April 2019. It aims for Employment generation through entrepreneurship development in the small ruminant, poultry and piggery sector & Fodder sector.
- Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund: It has been announced under NABARD to ensure that Dairy Cooperatives remain competitive for the sustained benefit of farmers in the Union Budget of 2017-18. Funding is in the form of an interest-bearing loan, which will flow from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) / National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and, in turn to eligible End Borrowers.
5. INDIA CLIMATE ENERGY DASHBOARD (ICED)
TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: Recently, NITI Aayog has released the India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED) 3.0.
EXPLANATION:
- Developed as a user-friendly platform, ICED 3.0 enables users to freely access and analyse datasets using an analytical engine.
- It will facilitate insights and enhance understanding about the energy and climate sectors while identifying the key challenges.
- The portal will draw insights from the available data parameters and hence immensely useful in monitoring the progress of India’s clean energy transition journey.
India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED):
- It is the country’s one-stop platform for near real-time data on the energy sector, climate, and related economic datasets based on government-published sources.
- It contains real-time information on energy, climate, economy and demography of the country, sourced from govt sources.
- It has been set up by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the energy and climate think-tank Vasudha Foundation.
- It is claimed to aid the policymakers, the general public, and energy and climate trackers to track the latest information on these topics, compiled from different ministries.
- The portal offers specialized, customized information sets which can be visualized with the help of maps, graphs and other visual elements.
- This dashboard empowers users with more than 500 parameters, over 2000 infographics, and several interactive visualizations, allowing users to gain a holistic understanding of India’s energy sector holistically.
- It is a user-friendly platform that aims to bring together comprehensive and time series data from 2005 onwards to provide single window access for all datasets on these topics required for their modelling assessments and research.
- It offers insightful analysis of India’s energy, climate, and relevant economy-related aspects
- and further act as a pillar for robust decision-making enabling India’s clean energy transition,
- Besides energy and climate.
- It also offers information on economy and demography for comparative study and its combined analysis along with the energy and climate issues.
Day-463 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | GEOGRAPHY
[WpProQuiz 509]
Ethics Through Current Development (24-07-2023)
Today’s Important Articles for Geography (24-07-2023)
Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (24-07-2023)
Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (24-07-2023)
- Can new data panel improve India’s statistics? READ MORE
- On ED’s power to arrest and seek custody READ MORE
- The politics of the Uniform Civil Code READ MORE
- How to draft a Uniform Civil Code: The first requirements are removing rules that discriminate against women, including those related to marriage and inheritance READ MORE
- Why accountability is so important READ MORE
- Why the recent US Supreme Court judgment on affirmative action is a race to the bottom India should avoid READ MORE
WSDP Bulletin (24-07-2023)
(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)
Prelim and Main
- A muted cheer READ MORE
- Captive-bred vultures take wing in forest expanses READ MORE
- Imphal civil society body COCOMI writes to European Parliament on Manipur READ MORE
- Russia strikes Odesa cathedral, as Putin says Ukraine counteroffensive ‘failed’ READ MORE
- Ethanol+petrol: How to blend more and blend better READ MORE
- G20 energy ministers call for cooperation on nuclear energy & low-emission hydrogen READ MORE
- Fix at source: Bengaluru must rope in bulk generators to decentralise waste management READ MORE
- Why India’s non-Basmati rice export ban could hit global markets hard READ MORE
- Scientists Find Clue to What Makes Multiple Sclerosis Worse READ MORE
Main
GS Paper- 1
- What are marine heat waves, which have gripped parts of the world’s oceans this summer? READ MORE
- Monsoon 2023: Two weather phenomena to decide fate of agriculture in Indo-Gangetic belt READ MORE
- To help girls, focus on oversight, social evils READ MORE
- India’s middle class is expanding, thanks to rapid urbanisation. This will reshape the economy READ MORE
GS Paper- 2
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
- Can new data panel improve India’s statistics? READ MORE
- On ED’s power to arrest and seek custody READ MORE
- The politics of the Uniform Civil Code READ MORE
- How to draft a Uniform Civil Code: The first requirements are removing rules that discriminate against women, including those related to marriage and inheritance READ MORE
- Why accountability is so important READ MORE
- Why the recent US Supreme Court judgment on affirmative action is a race to the bottom India should avoid READ MORE
SOCIAL ISSUES
- Unravelling Ayushman Card’s impact on healthcare READ MORE
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
- Dilemmas of India’s great power ambitions READ MORE
- India-France can be a potent force READ MORE
- Why NATO is enhancing engagement with Indo-Pacific allies READ MORE
GS Paper- 3
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Downhill driving: On India’s overall trend of exports- Shrinking trade volumes pose a risk for this year’s growth hopes READ MORE
- Ashok Gulati, Manish Kumar Prasad write: How not to tame inflation READ MORE
- Indian economy surges ahead despite challenges READ MORE
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
- Deep ecology, not shallow environmentalism needed READ MORE
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- A case for a new pronoun for AI READ MORE
SECURITY
- National cybersecurity strategy should spur digital resilience READ MORE
GS Paper- 4
ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY
Questions for the MAIN exam
- By addressing the barriers to healthcare access and affordability, Ayushman Bharat strives to improve health and reduce health inequalities. Critically examine.
- The first requirement is removing rules that discriminate against women, including those related to marriage and inheritance. In light of the statement, discuss what should be the government approach in implementing Uniform Civil Code?
QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS
- Our Gods of wealth and prosperity like clean spaces, hence all the spring cleaning before a festival.
- What comes with the stream will run with the water.
- Despite the affirmative action policies’ near-constitutional permanence, their ineffectiveness in holistically transforming the lives of its beneficiaries is nothing short of an incredible failure.
- The evolving consciousness of humanity is moving inexorably to the development of a new planetary culture. In an ecological sense, humanity has appeared, in many respects, to be a delinquent species running out of control.
- Land must be made fertile again with the help of trees of mixed species, and the earth once again be clothed in a green mantle of trees. The balance of nature must be restored. Paradise must be regained.”
- Present-day lifestyles of a consumerist society, from the affluent and the middle class to the vast majority of the poor in the world is unsustainable. Far-reaching changes are urgently needed.
- Civilization itself does not arise merely from material progress, but rather is defined by and founded upon the ideals and shared beliefs that weld society together.
- India and France are already working on a trilateral platform with Australia and UAE, and plan to expand the net on most critical areas of maritime cooperation, security, climate change etc to a wider bunch of nations impacted in the region.
- Interpersonal skills are not only valuable for a leader, but they are such values that one uses in everyday life.
- Interpersonal skills are important to live a happy and successful life.
- Interpersonal skills are traits one can rely on when one interacts and communicates with others.
- By addressing the barriers to healthcare access and affordability, Ayushman Bharat strives to improve health and reduce health inequalities.
- Ayushman Card has emerged as a game-changer in India by addressing the barriers to healthcare access and affordability.
- Law enforcement does not take too well name-dropping, arguments or bending the rules towards any authority of power, as they slam the rulebook at anyone caught doing a misdemeanour.
- The resilience and vibrancy shown by Indian economy gives hope and optimism for the global economy which is going through tough times.
- Exploring and harnessing the power of technology without letting it be misused and abused, also becomes important, as it is the technology that is the greatest leveller and empowering element when it comes to governance, financial inclusion and ease of living.
- The trigger for NATO’s engagement with Indo-Pacific allies is the Ukraine crisis and not the Chinese threat to the region.
- India can contain CPI inflation within 6 per cent, provided it uses import policy for food products liberally and well in time.
- Artificial Intelligence requires pronouns to establish an identity that is distinct from that of humans, and it is a right, for ethical and security reasons, to know that a person is indeed dealing with a bot.
- Even though domestic inabilities will continue to moderate New Delhi’s ability to influence the world order, being unwilling to be a ‘global rule shaper’ would be a strategic blunder.
ESSAY TOPIC
- What comes with the stream will run with the water.
50-WORD TALK
- Amid global economic upheavals, the Indian economy has shown much vibrancy, and also optimism for the global economy. Even IMF has just said that the Indian economy will contribute 15% to the overall growth of the world economy. Here, constant progress on Sustainable Development Goals is also very much needed to withstand future challenges.
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.
TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (22nd JULY 2023)
1. HEATWAVES
TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the US scientific and regulatory agency the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the year 2023 witnessed Earth’s hottest June since the record-keeping of global temperatures began 174 years ago.
EXPLANATION:
- According to scientists and experts, a number of factors are fueling the soaring temperatures in different parts of the world.
- At present, heat domes and anticyclones are responsible for the occurrence of heat waves in several parts of the world. Although they don’t occur due to climate change, they have become more intense and longer as a result of soaring global temperatures.
- Also, El Nino conditionsare exacerbating the extreme heat around the world. Essentially a weather pattern that refers to an abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, El Nino is known to “greatly increase the likelihood of breaking temperature records and triggering more extreme heat in many parts of the world and in the ocean.
- While in the USA and Algeria, heat domes are responsible for unleashing heat waves, Europe has suffered due to the arrival of two consecutive anticyclones that originated in Africa.
Anticyclones:
- An anticyclone, also known as a high-pressure system, is essentially an area of high pressure in which the air goes downwards towards the Earth’s surface. As the air sinks, its molecules get compressed, which increases the pressure, making it warmer. This causes dry and hot weather.
- The winds remain calm and gentle during an anticyclone, and there is almost no formation of clouds because here the air sinks rather than rises.
Heat domes:
- A heat dome occurs when an area of high-pressure stays over a region for days and weeks. It traps warm air, just like a lid on a pot, for an extended period.
- The longer that air remains trapped, the more the sun works to heat the air, producing warmer conditions with every passing day. Heat domes, if they last for a long period, may cause deadly heat waves.
2. BHOOMI SAMMAN AWARD
TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE
THE CONTEXT: The President presented the Bhoomi Samman awards to nine state secretaries and 68 district collectors for their achievements in the implementation of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme.
EXPLANATION:
- Bhoomi Samman Awards aims to acknowledge and encourage outstanding performance in the implementation of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).
- Digitisation increases transparency, and this mission of digitising land records will have a positive impact on rural development.
- The awards were given to nine state secretaries and 68 district collectors for achieving saturation of the core components of DILRMP.
- The digitisation process of land records and registration will help mitigate the huge pendency of court cases involving land disputes, cutting down the loss to the country’s economy due to projects being stalled over such litigations.
- It is expected to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of various services and benefits of the programmes of central and state departments related to agriculture and farmer welfare, chemical and fertilizer, public distribution system (PDS) etc.
- It is noted that the Department of Land Resources has achieved 94% digitisation targets pan-India and is aiming for 100% by March 31, 2024.
Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP):
- Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) led to merger of two erstwhile Centrally Sponsored schemes of the Land Reforms (LR) Division
- Computerisation of Land Records (CLR)
- Strengthening of Revenue Administration and Updating of Land Records (SRA&ULR).
- The main aims of DILRMP are to create a system of updated land records, automated and automatic mutation, integration between textual and spatial records, inter-connectivity between revenue and registration
- It aims to replace the present deeds registration and presumptive title system with that of conclusive titling with title guarantee.
- The DILRMP has 3 major components
- Computerization of land record
- Survey/re-survey
- Computerization of Registration.
- Programme implementation: The State Governments/UT Administrations will implement the programme with financial and technical support from the Dept. of Land Resources, Government of India. The district will be taken as the unit of implementation, where all activities under the programme will converge.
- The citizen is expected to benefit from DILRMP in one or more of the following ways;
- Real-time land ownership records will be available to the citizen
- Free accessibility to the records will reduce the interface between the citizen and the Government functionaries, thereby reducing rent-seeking and harassment.
- Public-private partnership (PPP) mode of service delivery will further reduce citizen interface with Govt. machinery, while adding to the convenience
- Abolition of stamp papers and payment of stamp duty and registration fees through banks, etc., will also reduce interface with the Registration machinery
- The single-window service or the web-enabled “anytime-anywhere” access will save the citizen time and effort in obtaining RoRs, etc.
Source:https://www.deccanherald.com/national/president-murmu-presents-bhoomi-samman-awards-1238245.html
3. INDIA-JAPAN SEMICONDUCTOR PACT
TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: India and Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding for developing the semiconductor ecosystem, covering manufacturing and research.
EXPLANATION:
- Japan has become the second Quad partner after the United States to sign an agreement with India for the joint development of the semiconductor ecosystem and maintain the resilience of its global supply chain.
- Both nations will also work together on government-to-government and industry-to-industry collaboration and set up an implementation organisation.
- The agreement is for semiconductor design, talent development, research into equipment, and to increase resilience in the supply chain. It aims semiconductor industry to become a USD 1 trillion industry from USD 650 billion at present.
- Partnership with Japan will also help India to move from assembly and advanced packaging of semiconductors to manufacturing.
- Further, the government might also easily focus on developing the semiconductor ecosystem below the 28-nanometer node as well going forward. In the entire 100% of semiconductor demand, close to 55% of demand is going to come from the larger nodes such as 40 nanometers, 60 nanometers, even 90 nanometers, 28 nanometers.
Japan’s strengths:
- Japan houses companies that are global leaders in the raw form of semiconductor wafers, chemicals and gases, lenses that are used in chip manufacturing equipment, display technologies etc.
- With around 100 semiconductor manufacturing plants, Japan is among the top five countries to have a semiconductor ecosystem.
- Collaboration with Japan for the development of semiconductors will help the government to attract Japanese companies to the Rs 76,000 crore semiconductor incentive scheme, thereby boosting the semiconductor ecosystem in the country.
India’ Strengths:
- Japan sees India as a partner where complementary strengths can be used, adding that India has over 50,000 design engineers.
- Cost competitiveness of manufacturing in India, market and talent base are the key things that will drive Japanese companies to invest in India with regard to the semiconductor and electronic ecosystem.
Semiconductor:
- A semiconductor is a substance that has specific electrical properties that enable it to serve as a foundation for computers and other electronic devices.
- It is typically a solid chemical element or compound that conducts electricity under certain conditions but not others.
- Elemental semiconductors include antimony, arsenic, boron, carbon, germanium, selenium, silicon, sulfur and tellurium. Silicon is the best known of these, forming the basis of most ICs.
- Common semiconductor compounds include gallium arsenide, indium antimonide and the oxides of most metals.
- Types: An N-type semiconductor carries current mainly in the form of negatively charged electrons, similar to the conduction of current in a wire. A P-type semiconductor carries current predominantly as electron deficiencies called holes. A hole has a positive electric charge, equal and opposite to the charge of an electron.
Government initiatives in the semiconductor sector:
- India currently imports all chips, and the market is estimated to touch USD 100 billion by 2025 from USD 24 billion now.
- In 2021, India announced its roughly USD 10 billion-dollar Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemeto encourage semiconductor and display manufacturing in the country.
- In 2021, MeitY also launched the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Schemeto nurture at least 20 domestic companies involved in semiconductor design and facilitate them to achieve a turnover of more than Rs.1500 Crore in the next 5 years.
- Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS): It aims to strengthen the value chain for the manufacturing of electronic products in India. The target segment comprises of the downstream value chain of electronic products, i.e., electronic components, semiconductor/ display fabrication units, ATMP units, specialized sub-assemblies and capital goods for the manufacture of aforesaid goods. The scheme will lead to higher domestic value addition and strengthen the existing ecosystem of ESDM in India.
4. FLYASH IN SUNDARBANS
TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: Barges carrying fly ash from India to Bangladesh through the vulnerable Sundarban islands are triggering erosion in the river banks.
EXPLANATION:
- About 40 barges regularly traverse adjacent to the Indian Sundarbans, taking fly ash from Indian thermal power plants to Bangladesh, where it is used as raw material for cement production.
- Ghoramara Island erosion has been cited as proof by a scientist. It has been alleged the erosion has increased significantly since the barges started travelling close to the inhabited islands of the Sundarbans about a decade ago. These barges are triggering the high erosion in the river banks.
- However, senior officials from both IWAI and Kolkata Port Trust claimed the regular tidal waves and fluctuations, as well as strong winds and sea level rise, damaged river banks.
- A 2019-20 report by IWAI showed fly ash transport accounts for 10 per cent of traffic on all the national waterways.
Flyash and its regulations
- Fly ash is an unwanted unburnt residue of coal combustion in a coal thermal power plant. It is emitted along with flue gases during the burning of coal in a furnace and collected using the electrostatic precipitators.
- Fly ash consists of substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), ferric oxide (Fe2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO).
- Uses: It is primarily known for improving the durability and workability of concrete mixes. It is also a filler in paints, adhesives, and metal and plastic composites. It is commonly used as structural fill for road construction, and fly ash can be used to make bricks, ceramic tiles, plaster, Portland cement, and ready-mix cement.
- Harmful effects: Fly ash contains mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Without proper management, fly ash can pollute waterways, groundwater, drinking water, and air, posing a risk to humans, wildlife, and the environment. Using fly ash in construction materials instead of sending it to the landfill reduces the amount of hazardous waste affecting the environment. Substituting fly ash for a fourth or a third of the cement in concrete also decreases the CO₂ emissions generated by cement production, reducing the overall impact on the environment.
- Government initiatives and regulations:
- A web portal for monitoring fly ash generation and utilisation and a mobile-based application titled “ASHTRACK” has been launched by the Government.
- National Thermal Power Corporation: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) issued an Expression of interest (EOI) call earlier in 2021 for the sale of fly ash. Additionally, NTPC has worked with cement producers all throughout the nation to supply fly ash.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) has placed a strong emphasis on cutting-edge, ecologically friendly building techniques, like the utilization of fly ash bricks.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)has focused on new construction technologies such as using fly ash bricks that are innovative and environmentally friendly.
- Thermal power plants and lignite plants that do not utilise 100 per cent of the fly ash they generate in an “eco-friendly” way will now face penalties under a new set of rules notified by notification from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Sunderbans:
- The Sundarbans mangrove forest is one of the largest such forests in the world (140,000 ha), lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal.
- It is adjacent to the border of India’s Sundarbans World Heritage ,Site inscribed in 1987.
- The Sundarbans is made up of around 100 islands that are almost evenly divided between human habitats and wild islands.
- The site is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes.
- The area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species, such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.
- These have been identified as a climate impact hotspot. The islands are already being eroded due to the rapid rise in sea levels and tidal fluctuations.
Ghoramara island
- Ghoramara Island is an island 92 km south of Kolkata, India, in the Sundarban Delta complex of the Bay of Bengal.
- The island is small, roughly five square kilometres in area, and is quickly disappearing due to erosion and sea level rise.
- In the year 1903, this island was connected with Sagar Island. Now it is located at 18.36 nautical miles away from Haldia dock in the estuary of Hugli.
- Global warming has caused the rivers that pour down from the Himalayas and empty into the Bay of Bengal to swell and shift in recent decades, placing Sundarbans in danger.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
- IWAI is a statutory body which looks after the development & maintenance of national waterways in India.
- The Authority primarily undertakes projects for the development and maintenance of IWT infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
- Its Head Office is in Noida, while regional offices are in Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati and Kochi.
- Functions related to National Waterways include Survey Navigation,Infrastructure and Regulations, Fairway Development, Pilotage and Coordination of IWT with other modes
- The general functions of IWAI include Carrying out hydrographic surveys, Developing consultancy services, Research & Development Classification of waterways and Standards & safety.
5. GAGANYAAN’S SERVICE MODULE PROPULSION SYSTEM
TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
EXPLANATION:
- The service module of Gaganyaan is a regulated bi-propellant-based propulsion system that caters to the requirements of the Orbital Module, performing orbit injection, circularisation, on-orbit control, and de-boost manoeuvring during the ascent phase.
- This test involved five liquid apogee motor (LAM) engines with a thrust of 440 N, and 16 reaction control system (RCS) thrusters with a thrust of 100 N.
- The 440 N thrust LAM engines provide the main propulsive force during the ascending phase, while the RCS thrusters ensure precise altitude correction.
- The hot test of the System Demonstration Model (SDM) emulated the fluid circuit of the Service Module Propulsion System, encompassing the propellant tank feed system, helium pressurisation system, flight-qualified thrusters, and control components.
- With the successful completion of the hot test, the SMPS demonstrated its performance in the full configuration.
- Moving forward, ISRO has scheduled five additional tests to demonstrate both nominal and off-nominal mission scenarios, reinforcing the rigour of testing.
Gaganyaan mission:
- Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3 days mission and bringing them back safely to earth by landing in Indian sea waters.
- The project is accomplished through an optimal strategy by considering in-house expertise, experience of Indian industry, intellectual capabilities of Indian academia & research institutions, along with cutting-edge technologies available with international agencies.
- The pre-requisites for the Gaganyaan mission include the development of many critical technologies, including human-rated launch vehicle for carrying the crew safely to space, a Life Support System to provide earth-like environment to the crew in space, crew emergency escape provision and evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery and rehabilitation of crew.
- Various precursor missions are planned to demonstrate the Technology Preparedness Levels before carrying out the actual Human Space Flight mission.
- These demonstrator missions include Integrated AirDrop Tests (IADT), Pad Abort Tests (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights. Safety and reliability of all systems will be proven in unmanned missions preceding manned missions.
- LVM3 rocket – The well-proven and reliable heavy lift launcher of ISRO is identified as the launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission. It consists of solid stage, liquid stage and cryogenic stage.
- All systems in the LVM3 launch vehicle are re-configured to meet human rating requirements and christened Human Rated LVM3. HLVM3 will be capable of launching the Orbital Module to an intended Low Earth Orbit of 400 km.
- HLVM3 consists of a Crew Escape System (CES) powered by a set of quick-acting, high-burn rate solid motors, which ensures that the Crew Module, along with the crew, is taken to a safe distance in case of any emergency either at the launch pad or during the ascent phase.
- Orbital Module (OM) that will be Orbiting Earth comprises of Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM). OM is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics systems with adequate redundancy considering human safety.
- Crew Module is the habitable space with Earth-like environment in space for the crew. It is of double-walled construction consisting of a pressurized metallic Inner Structure and an unpressurised External Structure with a Thermal Protection System (TPS).
- It houses the crew interfaces, human-centric products, life support system, avionics and deceleration systems. It is also designed for re-entry to ensure the safety of the crew during descent till touchdown.
- The service Module will be used to provide necessary support to CM while in orbit. It is an unpressurized structure containing thermal systems, propulsion systems, power systems, avionics systems and deployment mechanisms.
- Human safety is of paramount importance in the Gaganyaan mission. In order to ensure the same, various new technologies comprising Engineering systems and Human-centric systems are being developed and realised.
- Crew training for Gaganyaan: India has collaborated with Russia for crew training. Astronaut Training Facility established in Bengaluru caters to Classroom training, Physical Fitness training, Simulator training and Flight suit training.
- Training modules cover academic courses, Gaganyaan Flight Systems, Micro-gravity familiarization through Parabolic Flights, Aero-medical training, Recovery & Survival training, mastering of Flight Procedures and training on Crew Training Simulators.
- Aeromedical training, Periodical flying practice and Yoga are also included as part of the training.