1. AKIRA RANSOMWARE

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNAL SECURITY

THE CONTEXT: The Computer Emergency Response Team of India issued an alert for ransomware dubbed “Akira.”

EXPLANATION:

• The ransomware targets both Windows and Linux devices, steals and encrypts data, forcing victims to pay double ransom for decryption and recovery.
• The group behind the ransomware has already targeted multiple victims, mainly those located in the U.S., and has an active Akira ransomware leak site with information, including their most recent data leaks.

What is the Akira ransomware?

• It is designed to encrypt data, create a ransomware note and delete Windows Shadow Volume copies on affected devices.
• The ransomware gets its name due to its ability to modify filenames of all encrypted files by appending them with the “.akira” extension.
• The ransomware is designed to close processes or shut down Windows services that may keep it from encrypting files on the affected system.
• It uses VPN services, especially when users have not enabled two-factor authentication, to trick users into downloading malicious files.
• Once the ransomware infects a device and steals/encrypts sensitive data, the group behind the attack extorts the victims into paying a ransom, threatening to release the data on their dark web blog if their demands are not met.

How does Akira ransomware work?

• The ransomware deletes the Windows Shadow Volume copies on the affected device.
• These files are instrumental in ensuring that organisations can back up data used in their applications for day-to-day functioning.
• Each victim is given a unique negotiation password to be entered into the threat actor’s Tor site.
• Unlike other ransomware operations, this negotiation site just includes a chat system that the victim can use to communicate with the ransomware gang, a report from The Bleeping Computer shares.

What is Ransomware?

• Ransomware is a type of malware attack in which the attacker locks and encrypts the victim’s data, important files and then demands a payment to unlock and decrypt the data.
• This type of attack takes advantage of human, system, network, and software vulnerabilities to infect the victim’s device, which can be a computer, printer, smartphone, wearable, point-of-sale (POS)terminal, or other endpoint.

How does ransomware infect devices?

• Ransomware is typically spread through spear phishing emails that contain malicious attachments in the form of archived content files.
• Other methods used to infect devices include drive-by-download, a cyber-attack that unintentionally downloads malicious code onto a device, and specially crafted web links in emails, clicking on which downloads malicious code.
• The ransomware reportedly also spreads through insecure Remote Desktop connections.

Ransomware Attack Examples

WannaCry

• WannaCry is an encrypting ransomware that exploits a vulnerability in the Windows SMB protocol and has a self-propagation mechanism that lets it infect other machines.
• WannaCry is packaged as a dropper, a self-contained program that extracts the encryption/decryption application, files containing encryption keys, and the Tor communication program.

Cerber

• Cerber is ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) and is available for use by cybercriminals, who carry out attacks and spread their loot with the malware developer.
• Cerber runs silently while it is encrypting files and may try to prevent antivirus and Windows security features from running to prevent users from restoring the system.

NotPetya and Petya

• Petya is ransomware that infects a machine and encrypts an entire hard drive by accessing the Master File Table (MFT).
• This makes the entire disk inaccessible, although the actual files are not encrypted. Petya was first seen in 2016 and was spread mainly through a fake job application message linking to an infected file stored in Dropbox. It only affected Windows computers.
• Petya requires the user to agree to give it permission to make admin-level changes. After the user agrees, it reboots the computer, and shows a fake system crash screen while it starts encrypting the disk behind the scenes. It then shows the ransom notice.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/what-is-the-akira-ransomware/article67134462.ece

2. PRADHAN MANTRI AWAS YOJANA – URBAN (PMAY-U)

TAG: GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: A total of 75.51 lakh houses have been completed, out of which 71.39 lakh have been occupied till now under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY-U), the Centre’s flagship programme to provide housing to the urban poor.

EXPLANATION:

• Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha that Uttar Pradesh had the largest number of houses completed, and Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh were other high-performing states.
• The release of central assistance is incumbent upon the fulfilment of mandatory compliances by the concerned States and UTs.
• This includes the submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) for central assistance released earlier, commensurate physical progress and Aadhaar seeding of beneficiaries in the Management Information System (MIS).

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Programme

• It is a flagship Mission of the Government, which is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It was launched in 2015.
• The mission aimed to address the urban housing shortage among the economically backward sections, including the slum dwellers, by ensuring a ‘pucca’ house to all eligible urban households by the year 2022.
• The scheme period though, has now been extended up to December 2024 in order to complete all the houses sanctioned without changing the funding pattern and implementation methodology.

Beneficiaries

• The mission seeks to address the housing requirement of urban poor, including slum dwellers.
• Beneficiaries include Economically weaker sections (EWS), low-income groups (LIGs) and Middle Income Groups (MIGs).
• The annual income cap is up to Rs 3 lakh for EWS, Rs 3-6 lakh for LIG and Rs 6 + -18 lakhs for MIG. The EWS category of beneficiaries is eligible for assistance in all four verticals of the Missions, whereas LIG and MIG categories are eligible under only Credit linked subsidy scheme (CLSS) component of the Mission.
• For identification as an EWS or LIG beneficiary under the scheme, an individual loan applicant will submit a self-certificate/ affidavit as proof of income.
• A beneficiary family will comprise a husband, wife, unmarried sons and/or unmarried daughters.
• The beneficiary family should not own a pucca house either in his/her name or in the name of any member of his/her family in any part of India to be eligible to receive central assistance under the mission.
• The ownership of houses is provided in the name of the female member or in a joint name.
• Preference is also given to differently-abled persons, senior citizens, SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, single women, transgender and other weaker & vulnerable sections of society.
• All eligible beneficiaries under all components of the scheme should have an Aadhaar/ Aadhaar Virtual ID which should be integrated with the details of beneficiaries

Scope:

• The Mission covers the entire urban area consisting of Statutory Towns, Notified Planning Areas, Development Authorities, Special Area Development Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities or any such authority under State legislation which is entrusted with the functions of urban planning & regulations.
• The mission will be implemented as Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) except for the component of credit-linked subsidy, which will be implemented as a Central Sector Scheme.

Implementation Methodology

• The Mission will be implemented through four verticals giving options to beneficiaries, ULBs and State Governments. These four verticals are as below.

Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs)

• Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has initiated Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs), a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U).
• This will provide ease of living to urban migrants/ poor in the Industrial Sector as well as in the non-formal urban economy to get access to dignified, affordable rental housing close to their workplace.
• Beneficiaries for ARHCs are urban migrants/ poor from EWS/ LIG categories.
• ARHCs will be a mix of single/double bedroom Dwelling Units and Dormitory of 4/6 beds, including all common facilities, which will be exclusively used for rental housing for a minimum period of 25 years.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliament-proceedings-7551-lakh-houses-completed-under-pmay-u/article67142907.ece

3. CORPORATE DEBT MARKET DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDMDF)

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Union government has approved a scheme providing complete guarantee cover for debt raised by the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF), a backstop facility for investment-grade corporate debt.

EXPLANATION:

• SEBI released guidelines for investment by mutual fund schemes and asset management companies in CDMDF units.

Guarantee Scheme for Corporate Debt (GSCD):

• This scheme aims to provide a safety net for the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF), established under SEBI Regulations, and facilitate investments in corporate debt securities.
• The scheme, managed by the Guarantee Fund for Corporate Debt (GFCD), seeks to stabilize markets and foster investor confidence.
• It operates as a Trust Fund formed by the DEA, Ministry of Finance, and is managed by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd. (NCGTC).

Purpose of the Scheme

• The primary objective of the Guarantee Scheme for Corporate Debt (GSCD) is to offer a 100% guarantee cover against debt raised or to be raised by the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) during market dislocation.
• By providing this safety net, the government aims to instil confidence in investors, thereby stabilizing the corporate debt market and fostering economic growth.
• The guarantee extends to the principal amount, interest accrued, and other bank charges up to a limit of Rs. 30,000 crore.

Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF)

• The CDMDF is a fund wherein the corpus of Rs 3000 crore will be created by contributions from the fixed-income schemes of mutual funds and asset management companies
• The government will provide a guarantee of up to Rs 30,000 crore additionally.
• In times of market dislocation and drying up of liquidity in secondary markets, the CDMDF can buy investment-grade corporate bonds of up to 5-year maturity from the mutual funds to the extent of the enlarged corpus.

Access to the fund

• The respective mutual funds shall have access to sell corporate debt securities during market dislocation, held in the portfolio of contributing schemes, to the CDMDF.
• Access to the fund shall be in proportion to the contribution made to the Fund at a mutual fund level (i.e., in the ratio of total units of CDMDF held by all specified debt schemes of each mutual fund).

Key benefits

• The CDMDF will become a lender of last resort to mutual funds and enable them to meet redemptions in extraordinary times when there is little or no secondary market liquidity in the corporate bond market.
• CDMDF, an alternative investment fund, will act as a backstop for the purchase of investment-grade corporate debt securities.
• It will enhance secondary market liquidity by creating a permanent institutional framework for activation in times of market stress. The fund will be launched by Finance Minister.
• During normal times, CDMDF will deal in low-duration government securities (G-sec), treasury bills, tri-party repo on G-secs, and guaranteed corporate bond repo with a maturity not exceeding seven days.
• Corporate debt securities to be bought by CDMDF during market dislocation include listed money market instruments, for which the long-term rating of issuers will be considered, Sebi said.
• CDMDF will buy only investment-grade securities from secondary markets, listed and having residual maturity of up to five years. 1It will not buy any unlisted, below-investment-grade or defaulted debt securities or securities in respect of which there is a material possibility of default or adverse credit news or views.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/govt-clears-guarantee-scheme-for-corporate-debt-sebi-issues-guidelines-8864175/

4. AMOUNT OF PLASTIC EXCEEDING THE GLOBAL WASTE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY AS PER PLASTIC OVEERSHOOT DAY REPORT 2023.

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Earth saw its first Plastic Overshoot Day on July 28, 2023.

Plastic Overshoot is the point at which the amount of plastic exceeds the global waste management capacity.

EXPLANATION:

• Swiss-based research consultancy Earth Action (EA), published The  Plastic Overshoot Day Report 2023.
• Swiss-based research consultancy Earth Action (EA), pointed out that nearly 68,642,999 tonnes of additional plastic waste will end up in nature this year.
• India is among the 12 countries, along with China, Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Mexico, the United States, Saudia Arabia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, and Kazakhstan, which are responsible for 52 per cent of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste.
• Increased production of plastics will lead to global plastics pollution tripling by 2040.
• The report pointed out that 159 million tonnes of plastics are to be produced globally in 2023, and 43 per cent (68.5 million tonnes) will end up causing pollution.
• Plastic Overshoot Day sheds light on a critical aspect of the world’s plastic consumption: Short-life plastics, encompassing plastic packaging and single-use plastics.
• These categories account for approximately 37 per cent of the total plastic commercialised annually.
• According to the report, three countries (followed by India) with the highest mismanaged waste are Mozambique, Nigeria and Kenya, all belonging to Africa.
• According to Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment  (CSE) report, The Plastic Life Cycle, India recycles 12.3 per cent of its plastic waste and incinerates 20 per cent.
• Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change also suggest India has a cumulative capacity to process 14.2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.
• This includes recycling and incineration, indicating that the country has the capacity to process 71 per cent of all the primary plastic that is produced.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 aim to:

• Increase the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns and stipulate a minimum thickness of 50 microns for plastic sheets.
• Expand the jurisdiction of applicability from the municipal area to rural areas because plastic has reached rural areas also.
• To bring in the responsibilities of producers and generators.
• To introduce a collection of plastic waste management fees through pre-registration of the producers, importers of plastic carry bags/multilayered packaging and vendors selling the same for establishing the waste management system.
• To promote the use of plastic waste for road construction as per Indian Road Congress guidelines or energy recovery, or waste to oil etc., for gainful utilization of waste.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2021 aim to:

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, has notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021.
• It did not override 2016 rules and subsumed its provisions.
• Littered plastic impacts adversely on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
• The rules prohibit identified single-use plastic items which have low utility and high littering potential by 2022.
• The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the following single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st of July 2022: –
• earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, and polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration.
• plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, stirrers.
• In order to stop littering due to lightweight plastic carry bags, the thickness of plastic carry bags has been increased from fifty microns to seventy-five microns and to one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31st of December 2022.
• This will also allow reuse of plastic carry due to increase in thickness.

MITIGATION:

• To mitigate plastic pollution, India must Invest in waste management policies like Extended producer responsibility (EPR).
• Plastics that are not designed for circular use must be phased out.
• India was among the few countries in 2019 to propose a global ban on single-use plastics.
• The idea was later widened, and the world agreed in March 2022 to draw up a global treaty on plastic pollution by 2024.
• The UN Plastic Treaty represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spark global action against plastic pollution.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/india-among-the-12-countries-responsible-for-52-of-the-world-s-mismanaged-plastic-waste-report-90927

5. CELL FREE DNA (cfDNA): A USEFUL TOOL TO UNDERSTAND HUMAN DISEASES.

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The world is increasingly finding cfDNA to be a useful tool to understand human diseases and to use the knowledge to improve diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis.

EXPLANATION:

• In the human body, most of the DNA in a genome is neatly packed inside cells with the help of specific proteins, protecting it from being degraded.
• Some fragments of DNA are ‘released’ from their containers and are present outside the cell in the body fluids.
• These small fragments of nucleic acids are widely known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA).
• Scientists have been aware of degraded fragments of nucleic acids in body fluids since 1948.
• Since genome sequencing technologies started to become more accessible.

CELL FREE DNA (cfDNA)

• cfDNA can be generated and released from a cell in several possible situations:
• When a cell is dying, the nucleic acids become degraded.
• An array of processes modulates the degradation; the amount, size, and source of the cfDNA can vary across a range as well.
• The release of cfDNA could occur together with a variety of processes, including those required for normal development, those related to the development of certain cancers, and those associated with several other diseases.
• One of the initial reports of the levels of cfDNA in diseases came from studies that were taking a closer look at an autoimmune disease: systemic lupus erythematosus – where the body’s own immune system attacks specific cells.

APPLICATIONS OF cfDNA:

 Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing:

• cfDNA has been widely used in screening foetuses for specific chromosomal abnormalities, an application known as non-invasive prenatal testing.
• The application stems from one of the first reports of cfDNA in pregnancies, published in The Lancet in August 1997.
• The availability of affordable genome-sequencing approaches will allow clinicians to sequence cfDNA fragments that correspond to foetal DNA.
• They can then use it to understand specific chromosomal abnormalities that involve changes in the chromosomal copy number.
• Such changes can lead to conditions like Down’s syndrome, which is due to a change in chromosome 21 (there are three copies of chromosome 21 in place of two, so it is also called trisomy 21).
• cfDNA-based technique helps clinicians to screen mothers from a few millilitres of blood obtained after nine or ten weeks of pregnancy to ensure the developing foetus is devoid of such chromosomal abnormalities.
• The test is almost 99% accurate for trisomy 21 or Down’s syndrome and a bit less so for other common trisomies (of chromosomes 13 and 18).
• Earlier screening for such abnormalities would have entailed inserting a fine needle into the body to retrieve the amniotic fluid and cells covering the developing foetus lab, which carried risks to both the foetus and the mother.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancers:

• The application of cfDNA is the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancers.
• Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Centre, Maryland, reported developing a new test they have dubbed ‘Genome-wide Mutational Incidence for Non-Invasive Detection of Cancer’, or ‘GEMINI’.
• They adopted a whole-genome-sequencing approach to cfDNA extracted from patients.
• They examined a type of genetic mutation, when combined with machine-learning approaches, that could provide a way to detect cancer early.
• Using a particular machine-learning model, some genomic data, and data from a computed tomography (CT) scan, the researchers have successfully detected lung cancer, including those with early-stage disease, in more than the 90% of the 89 people they studied.
• They found that combining the new approach with the existing approaches could significantly enhance their ability to detect cancers early.
• The researchers also identified seven individuals who did not have cancer but had a high chance of developing it – and subsequently did so 231 to 1,868 days after the initial test.
• The team’s findings were published in the journal Nature Genetics.

Other Applications:

There are several emerging applications of cfDNA:

1. Understanding of a body rejecting a transplanted organ.
2. Some cfDNA obtained from the donor who is donating the organ called donor-derived cfDNA, dd-cfDNA could provide an early yet accurate estimate of how well the organ is being taken up.
3. This is an attractive proposition because changes in the levels of cfDNA in the blood would precede any biochemical or molecular markers that researchers currently use as a proxy for organ acceptance.
4. cfDNA could send a signal earlier than other markers if something is going to go wrong.
5. cfDNA could be used as a biomarker for neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, neuronal tumours, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and even metabolic disorders like type-2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

In a true sense, cfDNA genomics promises to set us on the path of more effective disease screening and early diagnosis and on course for a healthy world.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/cell-free-dna-cancer-screening-high-risk-pregnancy/article67135117.ece

1. DS-SAR SATELLITE

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently successfully launched the PSLV-C56 carrying Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite and six other satellites.

EXPLANATION:

About DS-SAR satellite:

• The PSLV-C56 carrying DS-SAR satellite, along with six co-passengers, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and successfully placed in the right orbit. This is a PSLV mission for New Space India Limited (NSIL).
• The DS-SAR satellite is developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering.
• It will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore.
• It will also be used for multi-modal and higher responsiveness imagery and geospatial services for their commercial customers.
• It carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This allows the DS-SAR to provide for all-weather day and night coverage and is capable of imaging at 1m resolution at full polarimetry.
• It carried

1. VELOX-AM, a technology demonstration microsatellite
2. ARCADE Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (ARCADE), which is an experimental satellite
3. SCOOB-II, a 3U nanosatellite flying a technology demonstrator payload
4. NuLIoN by NuSpace, an advanced 3U nanosatellite enabling seamless IoT connectivity in both urban and remote locations
5. Galassia-2, a 3U nanosatellite that will be orbiting at low earth orbit
6. ORB-12 STRIDER, which is a satellite developed under an International collaboration.

New Space India Limited (NSIL):

• It is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India and commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• It is responsible for producing, assembling and integrating the launch vehicle with the help of an industry consortium.
• It was established in 2019 under the administrative control of the Department of Space (DoS) and the Company Act 2013.

Objectives:

• The main objective of NSIL is to scale up private sector participation in Indian space programmes.
• Transfer of Small Satellite technology to industry: NSIL will obtain license from DoS/ISRO and sub-license the same to industry
• Manufacture of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in collaboration with private sector
• Production of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) through Indian industry
• Production and marketing of Space-based products and services, including launch and application
• Transfer of technology developed by ISRO Centres and constituent units of DoS
• Marketing of spin-off technologies and products/services, both in India and abroad

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):

• It is the third generation launch vehicle of India. It is the first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
• After its first successful launch in October 1994, PSLV emerged as the reliable and versatile workhorse launch vehicle of India, with 39 consecutively successful missions by June 2017.
• Features:
• It is a four-stage launch vehicle.
• A large solid rocket motor forming the first stage,
• An earth-storable liquid stage is the second stage,
• A high-performance solid rocket motor is the third stage, and
• A liquid stage with engines as the fourth stage.
• The vehicle successfully launched two spacecraft – Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft in 2013

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-launches-pslv-c56-carrying-singapores-ds-sar-and-six-other-satellites/article67137876.ece

2. MAPPING INDIA’S CHIP DESIGN ECOSYSTEM

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: As part of the second phase of the Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme for the domestic semiconductor industry, the Indian government is considering a proposal to pick an equity stake in domestic chip design-making companies.

EXPLANATION:

• The idea behind the scheme is to ensure a stable ecosystem alongside building a few “fabless companies”.
• Fabless companies are entities that design chips but outsource the manufacturing.

Scenario of domestic chip industry:

• India is an important destination for global semiconductor companies primarily because of its highly-skilled talent pool of semiconductor design engineers, who make up about 20% of the world’s workforce as part of global teams or working independently.
• About 2,000 integrated circuits and chips are designed in India every year, with engineers involved in varied aspects of design and verification.
• However, India owns a much smaller portion of the intellectual property (IP) relating to the designs, which are mostly retained by the global companies.
• The DLI scheme for chip designing introduced in December 2021 endeavoured to indigenise innovations.

Challenges:

• There is a lack of venture capitalists in the private sector focused on semiconductors in India
• The cumulative annual revenue of domestic semiconductor design companies is meagre at ₹150 crore.
• There are higher gestation periods which imply design firms are not able to attract potential investors and venture capitalists as software companies have.

DLI scheme:

• The DLI scheme aims to provide financial and infrastructural support to companies setting up fabs or semiconductor-making plants in India.
• It offers fiscal support of up to 50% of the total cost to eligible participants who can set up these fabs in the country.
• It also offers fiscal support of 30% of the capital expenditure to participants for building compound semiconductors, silicon photonics and sensors fabrication plants in India.
• It is expected to facilitate the growth of at least 20 such companies, which can achieve a turnover of more than ₹1500 crore in the coming five years.

Benefits of the scheme:

• The sudden surge in demand of chips and semiconductor components has underpinned the need to establish a robust semiconductor ecosystem in India. Several sectors, including auto, telecom, and medical technology, suffered due to the unexpected surge leading to the scarcity of chips manufactured by only a few countries.
• Schemes like the DLI are crucial to avoid high dependencies on a few countries or companies. The inception of new companies will help in meeting the demand and supply and encourage innovation in India, Sanjay Gupta, Vice President and India Managing Director, NXP India, a semiconductor multinational, said to The Hindu .
• The DLI scheme aims to attract existing and global players as it will support their expenditures related to design software, IP rights, development, testing and deployment.
• It will boost the domestic companies, start-ups, and MSMEs to develop and deploy the semiconductor design. It will also help global investors to choose India as their preferred investment destination, Gupta said to The Hindu .
• The firm reckons that this is a big step to bring India on the world map for semiconductor manufacturing.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/explained-mapping-indias-chip-design-ecosystem/article67136594.ece

3. MINES AND MINERALS (DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Lok Sabha passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks larger participation of the private sector in mineral exploration and production, including lithium.

EXPLANATION:

• Amendments in mining legislation are being brought to make mineral exploration and production more attractive for investors.
• The Bill brings lithium out from the list of restrictive atomic minerals, which require mining grants from the centre, with only government companies given licences.
• The amendment would allow the auction of this critical mineral, used extensively for making batteries for electric vehicles.
• The Centre will have the power to give concessions for these minerals to both public and private mining companies.
• The Bill empowers the central government to exclusively auction mining leases and composite exploration licences for certain critical high-value minerals such as gold, silver, platinum, and copper.
• The Bill also dispenses with cumbersome forest clearances for mine reconnaissance and prospecting operations, making it easier for private firms to participate in exploration of the country’s mineral resources.
• Changes in mining legislation are being brought to make mineral exploration and production more attractive for investors.
• The reform proposals in the legislation include allowing states to grant composite mineral licences without having to get a central nod. This is expected to enable state governments to put up blocks for auction at a faster pace.
• It will also raise and fix mineral-wise maximum area limits for mineral concessions to provide larger and economic mines to investors.
• The proposal on a single exploration licence has been inserted in Bill to promote specialized mineral exploration companies for reconnaissance and prospecting of mineral resources and earn revenue from its discovery after the mine is put to auction.
• At present, the MMDR Act provides for the grant of two types of mineral concessions to private entities through auction, including a mining lease for undertaking mining operations and a composite licence for undertaking prospecting operations followed by mining operations.
• The legislation has also raised and fixed mineral-wise maximum area limits for mineral concessions. Accordingly, for prime minerals such as iron ore, the maximum area for prospecting licence and mining lease has been doubled to 50 sq km and 20 sq km, respectively.
• This would allow private entries to get same land area for mining as was earlier being given to government companies and that also by the state governments itself without any need for central approval.
• The Centre has decided to exclude duties and levies (ex-mine price) such as GST, export duty, royalty, District Mineral Foundation (DMF), and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) while calculating the Average Sale Price (ASP) of minerals.
• This will restrict the charge of royalty over royalty and limit the tax burden on companies and improve realizations for the government in mineral concession auctions.
• The changes on the sale of minerals from captive mines have also been provided to do away with the existing provision where the sale of 50% of minerals can commence only after the need of end use plant is met.

Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act (1957):

• It is an act of the Parliament of India enacted to regulate the mining sector in India.
• This act is applicable to all minerals except minor minerals and atomic minerals.
• It details the process and conditions for acquiring a mining or prospecting licence in India. Mining minor minerals come under the purview of state governments.
• It was amended in 2015 and 2016.

2015 Amendment:

• The amendment was proposed to bring transparency to the allocation of the mining licence process by auctions. The amendment seeks to introduce a system of auctions to allocate mining licenses.
• A fixed percentage of the revenue of any mine will be allocated to the development of the area around it in District Mineral Foundation. The state government will set the rates, and it will be in addition to the royalty.
• Under this, a National Mineral Exploration Trust was set up to explore and promote non-coal minerals.
• The licences have a validity of 50 years, compared to the previous 30 years, with no renewal of licences, only re-auction.
• The bill contains a new license for prospecting-cum-mining, replacing a two-stage process.

2016 Amendment:

• The amendment allows transfer of captive mining leases not granted through auction.
• Transfer of captive mining leases, granted otherwise than through auction, allow mergers and acquisitions of companies.
• It facilitates ease of doing business for companies to improve profitability and decrease costs of the companies dependent on the supply of mineral ore from captive leases.
• The transfer provisions also facilitate banks and financial institutions to liquidate stressed assets where a company or its captive mining lease is mortgaged.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/industry/lok-sabha-passes-mmdr-amendment-bill-allowing-auction-of-lithium-others-to-pvt-sector-11690540478316.html

4. WORLDCOIN: A BIOMETRIC PROJECT

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took to Twitter to formally re-introduce Worldcoin, a project of his that was eclipsed by the popularity of ChatGPT. The Worldcoin venture runs on a simple model: allow your eyes to be scanned in order to prove your human uniqueness.

EXPLANATION:

WORLDCOIN

• Worldcoin is an initiative to create a digital network in which everyone can claim some kind of stake and join the digital economy.
• A Device called “Orb” is used and Worldcoin volunteers are known as ‘Orb operators.’
• It scans a person’s iris pattern to collect their biometric data and help them get a World ID through the World app.
• With the World app, scanned participants can collect a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin [WLD] at regular intervals.
• Transactions with the World ID is possible everywhere.
• The process is called “proof of personhood” and makes sure that people do not sign themselves up multiple times in exchange for crypto.
• Beta version of Worldcoin was introduced in October 2021.
• Altman launched OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT, in December 2022.

WORKING OF WORLDCOIN

• To make the Worldcoin network possible, users need to be willing to scan irises and get their own irises scanned.
• Volunteers sign up to be “Orb operators” and receive basic training and a biometric device with which to scan irises.
• Those who have their irises scanned and collect a World ID can use this to claim the WLD crypto.
• WLD crypto then used for transactions (if possible and legal) or hold on to the asset in the hope that its price might rise.
• However, users can also buy or sell WLD without getting scanned or using the app. In this sense, it resembles a standard digital currency.
• This is based on Ethereum Blockchain Technology.
• The company claimed that India had “proven the effectiveness of biometrics” through its Aadhaar system.
• Worldcoin notes that Aadhaar IDs stopped people from signing up multiple times to benefit from social welfare schemes.

ETHEREUM BLOCKCHAIN.

• A blockchain is a distributed, immutable, and decentralized ledger at its core that consists of a chain of blocks and each block contains a set of data.
• The blocks are linked together using cryptographic techniques and form a chronological chain of information.
• Ethereum has a native coin, Ether, which is the second-largest crypto by market capitalisation.
• Anyone can create a token which runs on the Ethereum blockchain. WLD is one such cryptocurrency.

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

• Blockchain is a shared immutable ledger that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets across a business network.
• A Blockchain is a distributed database, which is shared over a computer network.
• Blockchain stores information electronically in a digital format to make transactions secure.
• Blockchain is a new technology, which is known as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).
• With the help of Blockchain technology, currency as well as anything can be converted into digital format and stored.
• It is an exchange process, which works on data blocks.
• In this, one block is connected to another block. These blocks cannot be hacked.
• Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency which is built based on Block technology.
• Blockchain has since been used in the creation of various cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance applications, non-fungible tokens and smart contracts.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/worldcoin-what-is-sam-altman-biometric-project-how-does-it-work-in-india/article67134353.ece/amp/

5. INDIA AIMS TO REDUCE TUBERCLOSIS (TB) DEATHS BY 90% BY 2025.

TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE; GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: A randomised trial is being carried out in India to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an all-oral, short-course treatment for TB which is coordinated by the Chennai-based National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT).

EXPLANATION:

• The trial, which has enrolled 400 participants in all, began in October 2021 and is underway at eight sites across the country.
• The trial uses just three drugs — bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid (BPaL) — and the treatment lasts only for 26 weeks.
• This is in contrast to eight-nine tablets each day for 18 months in the case of conventional treatment for drug-resistant TB. .
• Target audience is people with pre-XDR TB or treatment intolerant/non-responsive MDR pulmonary TB.
• A person with pre-XDR TB on BPaL regimen will consume over 500 tablets over 26 weeks compared with over 4,300 tablets over 18 months with conventional treatment for drug-resistant TB.
• The more the number of tablets a day and longer the treatment duration the lower will be the treatment adherence, thus resulting in poor outcomes.
• The interim results show a cure rate of over 85% which establishes the superiority of the BPaL short-course therapy, according to scientists conducting the trial.
• The the BPaL regimen, which has been approved by the WHO but yet to be implemented in India, can help India to reduce TB incidence by 80% and TB deaths by 90% by 2025, the targets set by the GoI.

INDIA’S TUBERCLOSIS REPORT 2023

• India continues to be the largest contributor to global TB cases.
• India is targeting to reduce TB incidence by 80% and TB deaths by 90% by 2025.
• National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) is a centrally sponsored programme.
• It is being implemented under the aegis of the National Health Mission (NHM) with resource sharing between the State Governments and the Central Government.
• Despite the devastating impact of pandemic in the country, under the guiding light of National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2017-2025, NTEP shifted gears in 2022 and accelerated its pace towards ending TB by 2025.
• The four key pillars being implemented through strategic interventions under the NSP are DETECT, TREAT, PREVENT and BUILD.
• This led to various achievements by the programme as well as implementation of innovative strategies and interventions for the benefit of patients and the community.

BEDAQUILINE

• Bedaquiline is a member of the diarylquinoline class of drugs.
• It has a unique mechanism of action, targeting the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase enzyme of the TB mycobacteria.
• ATP-synthase is used in the process by which Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb)generates its energy supply.
• It is active against both  tband the drug-resistant TB bacteria that cause Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).
• Laboratory tests and clinical trials have shown it to have strong bactericidal and sterilizing properties.
• Bedaquiline is used in many of the new TB and drug-resistant TB treatment regimens currently in development by TB Alliance.

PRETOMANID

• Pretomanid is a nitroimidazole, a class of novel anti-bacterial agents.
• It has been developed by TB Alliance.
• It is used to treat Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR TB) or treatment-intolerant/non-responsive.
• MDR-TB, in combination with bedaquiline and linezolid, as part of the BPaL regimen.
• Early in pretomanid’s development, it was known as “PA-824.”

 LINEZOLID

• It is member of the oxazolidinone class of drugs.
• Linezolid is active against most Gram-positive bacteria that cause disease, including tuberculosis, streptococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• It was discovered in the 1990s and first approved for use in 2000.
• Linezolid was the first commercially available 1,3-oxazolidinone antibiotic.
• As a protein synthesis inhibitor, it stops the growth of bacteria by disrupting their production of proteins, that is, it is a bacteriostatic agent, not bactericidal.
• Many antibiotics work this way, the exact mechanism of action of linezolid appears to be unique.
• It blocks the initiation of protein production, and Bacterial resistance to linezolid has remained very low.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES TO ELIMINATE TB:

• National TB Control Programme:
• It was started in 1962 with the aim to detect cases earliest and treat them.
• In the district, the programme is implemented through the district Tuberculosis Centre (DTC) and the Primary Health Institutions.
• The District Tuberculosis Programme (DTP) is supported by the state level organization for the coordination and supervision of the programme.
• Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP):
• It was based on the Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) strategy, began as a pilot project in 1993.
• It was launched as a national programme in 1997 but rapid RNTCP expansion began in late 1998.
• The nation-wide coverage was achieved in 2006.
• RNTCP is being implemented with decentralised services of TB diagnosis through 13,000+ designated microscopy centres and free treatment across the nation through 4 lakh DOT centres.
• National Strategic Plan for 2012-17:
• RNTCP’s National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2012-17 was part of the country’s 12th Five-year Plan.
• The theme of the NSP 2012-17 was “Universal Access for quality diagnosis and treatment for all TB patients in the community” with a target of “reaching the unreached”.
• The major focus was early and complete detection of all TB cases in the community, including drug resistant TB and HIV-associated TB.
• The NSP was backed up by GoI’s commitment for substantial increase in the investment for TB control, with a four-fold increase in budgetary allocation.
• National Strategic Plan for 2017- 25 for TB elimination in India:
• It encapsulates the bold and innovative steps required to eliminate TB in India by 2030.
• It is crafted in line with other health sector strategies and global efforts, such as the draft National Health Policy 2015, World Health Organization’s (WHO) End TB Strategy, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN).
• Vision:TB – Free India with zero deaths, disease, and poverty due to tuberculosis.
• Goal: To achieve a rapid decline in burden of TB, morbidity and mortality while working towards elimination of TB in India by 2025.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/tb-over-85-cure-rate-seen-in-modified-bpal-regimen-trial/article67132762.ece/amp/

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