WSDP Bulletin (11-10-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

Competition Commission of India to host 8th BRICS International Competition Conference during October 11-13, 2023 in New Delhi READ MORE
SC to hear pleas challenging electoral bond scheme on October 31 READ MORE
Net direct tax collections up 21.8% to ₹9.57 lakh crore READ MORE
PCA regime to cover PSU NBFCs from October 2024 READ MORE
IMF raises India growth forecast to 6.3% for FY24 READ MORE
India, Italy sign defence cooperation agreement READ MORE
SC to hear petition challenging electoral bonds: What is the scheme and its criticisms? READ MORE
Dancing frogs of Western Ghats among most threatened amphibians globally READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

Mental disorders 10 times more likely following detention among asylum-seeking children: Report READ MORE
Women want change, society needs change READ MORE
DC Edit | Caste census to address inequity READ MORE
Something changed about cyclone formation in the 1990s | Explained READ MORE
What the hottest September ever reveals about climate change READ MORE
India can reap the demographic dividend – but there’s a deadline READ MORE
Why does Delhi NCR frequently experience earthquakes, what causes seismic activity in region? READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

Caste census: Why the liberal intelligentsia’s opposition is misplaced READ MORE
Stop being vindictive’: SC directive to ED welcome READ MORE
DC Edit | SC’s relook at PMLA provisions welcome READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

Learning for the future READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

BRICS: The mortar of competition in a globalised world READ MORE
‘West is hypocritical’ is now India’s go-to foreign policy response. Delhi not exempt either READ MORE
India and the Israel-Palestine War: Choices, challenges and trade-offs READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The impact of Claudia Goldin’s work READ MORE
Achieving the green energy goal READ MRE
Centre’s push on infra is transforming India READ MORE
West Asia crisis can hit global economy READ MORE
Claudia Goldin’s Nobel is a Wake-up Call for India’s Disjointed Labour Markets READ MORE
DC Edit | RBI keeps its focus on inflation READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Deregulation of biodiversity regime to impact environment READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

We need evidence-based traditional medicine READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

More people moved into high flood zones, exposing larger populations to water disasters: World Bank READ MORE
Sikkim’s Chungthang dam collapse signals the need for dam safety & emissions reduction READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

How the Khalistan movement is interlinked with Punjab’s growing drug problem, gun culture READ MORE
Beyond ‘Black Mirror’s’ fiction – Impact of Generative AI on policing, security READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

Gita unfolds the true essence of sanatan dharma READ MORE
Dealing with failure READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

Why does Delhi NCR frequently experience earthquakes? What causes seismic activity in this region?
There is a need to redefine the relationship between the State and universities for a truly autonomous and thriving academic environment. Comment on the statement in light of recent developments.
While constitutional safeguards and legal protection for Dalits exist, caste-based discrimination has taken on new forms in the modern era. Discuss why the safeguards and legal protection failed to address the issue of discrimination in higher educational institutions?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

A leader who doesn’t hesitate before he sends his nation into battle is not fit to be a leader.
India must carefully weigh the situation, its long-term trajectory, and fall outs and find sensible geopolitical choices and security measures to deal with future challenges.
The growing perception of Canada being a sanctuary for global offenders not only tarnishes its international reputation but also poses a threat to its societal fabric.
It is difficult to fathom how a pause in policy rates or controlling liquidity could bring down food inflation, which was caused mainly because of supply shortages.
Inclusion does not happen on its own in a society beset with inequalities which have a history of thousands of years; it takes deliberate and forceful attempts.
While the apex court puts its imprimatur on the law finding it an effective tool to take on international terror rackets, its use on the ground does not share that confidence.
It may be a paradox that a country which runs per a democratic Constitution and vouches by the rule of law has for all these years let an investigating agency infringe on the fundamental right to liberty of citizens without offering them a reason.
Future-ready education is one that will help students adapt to ever-changing circumstances, prepare them for the drastic fallouts of climate change, teach them the importance of maintaining a balanced ecology and help them to be genuine global citizens.
Generative AI’s impact on military warfare can be both revolutionary and riddled with ethical and legal considerations. It has significant implications for defence strategies, intelligence gathering, and training simulations.
The fall in prices and the strengthening of international financial linkages will allow India to attain a current account surplus.
The United Nations’ report on ageing in India serves as a reminder that the country’s opportunity to reap the demographic dividend is not perpetual.
Russia’s increasing involvement in Africa is about its geopolitics, economics, and intricate security concerns.
Reservation is the most effective form of affirmative action and equity is the first step to equality.

50-WORD TALK

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is complaining about India to a growing list of global leaders from the UK, the UAE, and now Jordan. If Trudeau has concrete evidence of Indian wrong-doing, he should present it. Else, he’ll have to get used to the eye-rolling all whiny children eventually get.
Awarding the Economics Nobel to economic historian Claudia Goldin is entirely appropriate. She’s greatly enhanced our understanding of women’s pay and labour participation, and historical issues therein. That she’s only the third woman to win this Nobel, and the first to do it solo, highlights how vital her research is.

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 (10th OCTOBER 2023)

1. MULTIMODAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Artificial intelligence models have evolved with the passage of time and changed all the dimensions of growth in each and every sector. For the next possible frontier of AI models, ideas are pointing towards multimodal systems.

EXPLANATION:

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI announced on September 25, 2023, that it had enabled its GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 models to study images and analyse them in words.
Its mobile apps will have speech synthesis so that people can have full-fledged conversations with the chatbot.
The Microsoft-backed company had promised multimodality in March, during the release of GPT-4.
A report by “The Information” revealed that Google’s new yet-to-be-released multimodal large language model called Gemini, was already being tested in a bunch of companies.
The report also stated that Google had an easy advantage over competitors in the multimodal world because of its readily available bank of images and videos via its search engine and YouTube.
But OpenAI is moving fast to make inroads.
The company is actively hiring multimodal experts with pay packages up to a hefty $3,70,000 per year.
It is also reportedly working on a new project called Gobi which is expected to be a multimodal AI system from scratch, unlike the GPT models.

WHAT IS MULTIMODAL AI?

Multimodal AI is artificial intelligence that combines multiple types, or modes, of data to create more accurate determinations, draw insightful conclusions or make more precise predictions about real-world problems.
Multimodal AI systems train with and use video, audio, speech, images, text and a range of traditional numerical data sets.
Most importantly, multimodal AI means numerous data types are used in tandem to help AI establish content and better interpret context, something missing in earlier AI.

HOW DOES MULTIMODEL AI WORK?

Multimodal AI systems are trained on large datasets of multimodal data.
This training data allows the system to learn how to combine the different modalities in a way that produces accurate and meaningful outputs.
For e.g. OpenAI’s text-to-image model, DALL.E, upon which ChatGPT’s vision capabilities are based, is a multimodal AI model that was released in 2021.
E is built on another multimodal text-to-image model called CLIP that OpenAI released the same year.
E is underpinned with the same concept that runs other popular AI image generators like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, linking together text and images in the training stage.
The system looks for patterns in visual data that can connect with data of the image descriptions.
GPT’s voice processing capabilities are based on its own open-source speech-to-text translation model, called Whisper, which was released in September last year.
Whisper can recognise speech in audio and translate it into simple language text.

APPLICATIONS OF AI:

Image captioning:
- Multimodal AI can be used to generate text descriptions of images.
- This is useful for applications such as accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, and for improving the accuracy of image search.
Video summarization:
- Multimodal AI can be used to summarize videos into shorter, more concise versions.
- This is useful for applications such as video surveillance and social media.
Machine translation:
- Multimodal AI can be used to improve the quality of machine translation by incorporating information from multiple modalities, such as images, audio, and video.
Medical diagnosis:
- Multimodal AI can be used to help doctors diagnose diseases by combining information from medical images, patient records, and other sources.
Robotics:
- Multimodal AI is essential for robots to be able to interact with the real world in a meaningful way.
- Robots need to be able to perceive their surroundings and respond to stimuli from multiple modalities, such as vision, audio, and touch.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/what-is-multimodal-artificial-intelligence-and-why-is-it-important/article67401139.ece

2. THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT, 1988

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: The Supreme Court will hear a plea challenging Section 17A Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act & 2018 PC Act Amendments on Nov 20, 2023.

EXPLANATION:

The petition was filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation.
The constitutionality of Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been challenged on the ground that it violates fundamental rights guaranteed under the Article 14 (Equality before law) and 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty) of the Indian Constitution.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

Primarily, the challenge is two-fold.
The petition stated that the amendments have rendered the Act almost ineffective by dilluting some of the original provisions, by deleting some of the earlier offences and also by introducing new provision.
- Its effect would protect corrupt officials and exponentially increase level of corruption.
Inter-alia, the petitioner has also assailed Section 12 of the Amendment Act that had introduced Section 17A (1) under the Act.
- It provides that no investigation/inquiry/enquiry can be initiated against any public servant in relation to the offences under the Act without prior approval from the appointing government.
Section 7 of the Amendment Act, 2018 has also been challenged.
This provision substituted sub-section (1) of Section 13 and thereby, deleted old provision under Section 13 (1) (d) (ii) of the Act.
It has been contended that the deletion of Section 13 (i) (d) (ii) of the Act has substantially diluted the scope of the Act and would make it a very weak law.
- Section 13(1)(d)(ii) of the unamended Act made it an offence if a public servant abused his position to obtain for himself or for any other person any valuable thing or pecuniary advantage.
- This was irrespective of whether the public servant obtained or attempted to obtain a bribe/gratification or undue advantage.
- As per the petition: It is the provision of section 13 (1)(d)(ii) that is the very essence of saving the country from the evil of corruption and realization of Preambular ideals on equality and economic justice.
- It is the heart of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Although abuse of position has now been included in the amended section 7 of the Act.
The marginal heading of section 7 states ‘Offence relating to public servant being bribed’.
- It makes clear that abuse of position by a public servant resulting in pecuniary advantage for any Person (including himself), would not by itself constitute an offence under the Act unless the element of bribery is necessarily established.

PREVIOUS SUPREME COURT RULINGS:

The Supreme Court, in Vineet Narain’s case, has already had struck down the validity of a Single Directive issued by the Government which required prior sanction of the designated authority to initiate the investigation against officers of the Government and the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), nationalised banks above a certain level.
The Central Vigilance Commissioner Act, 2003, reinstated this requirement.
However, this directive was again struck down by the Supreme Court in the course of another judgment in 2014 on the basis that it violated the right to equality guaranteed by the Constitution.

THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT, 1988:

It came into force on 9th September, 1988.
It was aimed at making anti-corruption laws more effective by widening their coverage and by strengthening the provisions to make the overall statute more effective.
It incorporates the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1952, and Sec. 161 to 165-A of the Indian Penal Code with certain tweaks in the original provisions.
It has enlarged the scope of the definition such as Public Duty and Public Servant.
It has shifted the burden of proof from the prosecution as mentioned in the CrPC to the accused who is charged with the offense.
The provisions of the Act clearly state that the investigation is to be made by an officer, not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
The Act covers corrupt acts as bribe, misappropriation, obtaining a pecuniary advantage, possessing assets disproportionate to income and the like.

SOURCE: https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-prevention-of-corruption-act-constitutional-validity-centre-for-public-interest-litigation-v-union-of-india-239712?infinitescroll=1

3. NOBEL PRIZE IN ECONOMICS FOR 2023

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Nobel Prize in Economics for 2023 was awarded to Claudia Goldin, a Harvard University professor, for “having advanced our understanding of women’s labour market outcomes”.

EXPLANATION:

Goldin is only the third woman to win this honour.
In 2009, Elinor Ostrom got the award along with Oliver E Williamson, while in 2019, Esther Duflo shared it with Abhijit Banerjee and Michael Kremer.

KEY FINDINGS OF HER RESEARCH:

OLDER DATA GAVE MORE PERSPECTIVE:
- Researchers believed that as the economy grew, so did women’s labour force participation.
- Goldin reached back to older data to reveal that before industrialisation, more women were likely to have been involved in economic activity related to agriculture and various cottage industries.
- With greater industrialisation, work was concentrated in factories, and women found it difficult to leave their homes and travel to work.
- This trend reversed in the early 20th century, with the growth of the services sector.
- Two other factors played a crucial role in women’s access to higher education and employment marriage and the contraceptive pill.

THE LIMITATIONS OF MARRIAGE:
- Goldin’s work found that by the beginning of the 20th century, while around 20 per cent of women were gainfully employed, the share of married women was only five per cent.
- Marriage bars prevented married women from continuing their employment as teachers or office workers.
- Despite an increasing demand for labour, married women were excluded from parts of the labour market.
- This type of legislation peaked during the 1930s’ Great Depression and the years following it but was not the only reason.
- Women’s expectations were based on the experience of their mothers, and thus their educational and professional decisions were not taken with the expectation of having a long, uninterrupted, and fruitful career.

CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS:
- By the end of the 1960s, as easy-to-use contraceptive pills became more popular, women could exercise greater control over childbirth and actually plan careers and motherhood.
- Women also ventured beyond the services sector, studying subjects like law, economics, and medicine.
- Now, women were catching up in terms of education and fields of employment.

PAY GAP AND PARENTHOOD:
- Till the time men and women worked in factories, where the pay depended on the day’s countable output, the pay gap was not too high.
- It became wider when monthly pay contracts came into the picture.
- One factor significantly impacted how men were paid versus women childbirth.
- As women had to shoulder more of the parenting responsibilities once a child was born, they were also punished for this at the work front in terms of a slower rise on the pay scale.

NOBEL PRIZE:

Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been honouring men and women from around the world for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for work in peace.
The prizes consist of a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award.
In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) established the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize.
The prize is based on a donation received by the Nobel Foundation in 1968 from Sveriges Riksbank on the occasion of the bank’s 300th anniversary.
The first prize in economic sciences was awarded to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen in 1969.
The prize in economic sciences is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden, according to the same principles as for the Nobel Prizes that have been awarded since 1901.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/economics-nobel-2023-claudia-goldin-explained-8975198/

4. INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION (IORA)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Sri Lanka is set to take over the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) succeeding Bangladesh during the 23rd Council of Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for October 11, 2023, in Colombo.

EXPLANATION:

The Council of Ministers meeting in Colombo will see the participation of 16 Ministers including those of India, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Iran, Malaysia and South Africa.
Sri Lanka will hold the chairmanship of the association from 2023 to 2025, with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh ceremoniously handing over the chairmanship to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister.
The Ministers will deliberate on ways to cooperate on six priority areas identified by the IORA which are:
- Trade and Investment,
- Maritime Safety and Security,
- Fisheries Management,
- Strengthening Regional Ties,
- Disaster Risk Management and
- Blue Economy.

STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE FOR SRI LANKA:

Navigating Geopolitical Dynamics:
- Sri Lanka often finds itself managing complex strategic interests involving India and China within the Indian Ocean Region, positioning it as a crucial player in the IORA.

Regional Inclusivity:
- Sri Lanka’s active participation in the forum aligns it with neighbouring nations, fostering regional inclusivity and cooperation.
- This engagement extends to countries such as Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan.

INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION (IORA):

It is an inter-governmental organisation which was established on 7 March 1997.
It aims at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 Member States and 11 Dialogue Partners.
The association’s Secretariat is based in Cyber City, Ebene, Mauritius, responsible for managing, coordinating, servicing, and monitoring policy decisions, work programs, and projects adopted by member states.

IORA CHAIR:

The Council of Ministers, on voluntary offer by Member States, elects a Chair of the Association for a period of two years.
If there is no voluntary offer, the Chair is elected on the basis of geographical consideration.
The incoming Chair is the Member State that served as the Vice-Chair of the Association during the term of office of the incumbent Chair.

STRUCTURE:

IORA’s apex body is the Council of Foreign Ministers (COM) which meets annually.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) assumed the role of Chair since November 2019 November 2021, followed by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
A committee of Senior Officials (CSO) meets twice a year to progress IORA’s agenda.
CSO consider recommendations by Working Groups and forums of officials, business and academics to implement policies and projects to improve the lives of people within the Indian Ocean Member States.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-to-take-over-as-chair-of-indian-ocean-rim-association/article67398819.ece

5. COLLAPSE OF CHUNGTHANG DAM

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the abrupt eruption of South Lhonak Lake, led to the collapse of the Chungthang dam situated in northern Sikkim.

EXPLANATION:

The dam’s collapse triggered a staggering surge in water levels, elevating them by an alarming 15-20 metres within the Teesta River.
The resultant flash flood wreaked havoc across numerous districts. On October 9, the death toll was at 74.
Moreover, approximately 100 individuals, encompassing civilians and army personnel, are still reported as missing.
The ongoing scientific investigations over Chungthang dam bursting are trying to unravel the exact cause of the abrupt eruption.

CHUNGTHANG DAM:

The Chungthang dam was a part of the 1,200-megawatt (MW) Teesta Stage III Hydro Electric Project.
It was constructed along the Teesta River and became operational in 2017, primarily for hydroelectric power generation.
The dam stood at 817 metres and had a net head of 778 metres.
This hydroelectric project was established to generate revenue for the Sikkim government.
The project was designed to generate electricity at a scale nearly twelve times greater than the state’s demand, surpassing the typical requirement of approximately 100 MW.
The primary objective was to export surplus power to neighbouring states, including West Bengal.
Chungthang is situated at 1,700 metres above mean sea level and is the confluence point for the Lachen River, originating from South Lhonak Lake and the Lachung River, together forming the Teesta River.

For more information, please refer to the 5^th September 2023 DNA.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/natural-disasters/sikkim-s-chungthang-dam-collapse-signals-the-need-for-dam-safety-emissions-reduction-92192

TOOFAN AL-AQSA JOLTS WEST ASIAN GEOSTRATEGIC ARCHITECTURE

CONTEXT: Recently, the Hamas operation, Toofan Al-Aqsa has escalated violence between Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group, and Israel. In this context it needs to be seen as what impact it can have on West Asian geostrategic architecture.

WHAT CASUSES THE WAR?

Weak government: The current Israel’s ultra nationalist government is seen as inefficient to security challenges. Even before Toofan Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem’s hard-line has led to a surge in violence with over 200 Palestinians and 30 Israelis dead this year.
International backing: Hamas attacks are seen to be backed by countries as Iran and Qatar which are engaging, funding and patronizing several islamist groups including Hamas.
Response to violence at al Aqsa Mosque: Hamas has referred to the attack as a response to military raids of Israel in the West Bank and violence at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

HISTORY OF ISRAEL PALESTINE CONFLICT

In World War I, after the Ottoman Empire fell, Palestine which had a population divided between Arab majority and Jewish minority, went under the control of Britain.
Britain was given the task of creating a Jewish homeland in Palestine by the international community, which led to increased tensions between Arabs and Jews.
The demand for a Jewish homeland emerged as part of an ethno-nationalist movement called Zionism which started in the late 19th century and aimed at creating a homeland for the Jews in Palestine.
In the wake of World War II and the Nazi Holocaust of Jewish people, the demand for a Jewish nation increased and it gained the support of the people.
Many Jews fled Europe to save themselves from persecution, and Palestine saw a sudden influx of Jewish immigrants in the 1920s and 1940s.
As tensions escalated between Arabs and Jews, the resistance to the British regime intensified further.
The United Nations adopted a partition plan in 1947, according to which Palestine was to be divided into separate Jewish and Arab states and Jerusalem was to remain under international administration.
The plan was accepted by the Jewish leadership, however, the Arabs rejected it and it was never implemented.
Immediately after the partition plan was adopted, a war broke out between Arabs and Zionist settlers who were entering Palestine.
The founding of Israel was proclaimed by the Jewish leaders, with the support of the British authorities and the United Nations, in 1948. The war saw intervention by neighbouring Arab countries with military force.
In 1949, the first Arab-Israeli War ended with the victory of Israel and 750,000 Palestinians were reportedly displaced, which they called Al Nakba, or “The Catastrophe”.
The territory was divided into three parts – the Arab West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Jewish Israel. To date, the conflict remains unresolved.

WHAT IS HAMAS?

Hamas is a Palestinian militant group which rules the Gaza Strip. It is designated as a terrorist group by Israel and western world. It is backed by Iran and Turkey with material and financial support.
Its rival party is Fatah which dominates the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and rules in the West Bank.
It aims to replace Israel with an Islamic state. Hamas has fought several wars with Israel since it took power in Gaza in 2007.
It is known for the launch of 19-day Yom Kippur War 50 years ago which led to a regional tectonic shift with Israel accepting a ‘land for peace’ formula at the Camp David Accords six years later.

IMPACT ON WEST ASIAN GEOSTRATEGIC ARCHITECTURE

Can affect Israel domestic policies: As the crisis shows the security challenges faced by the Israeli government, some power shifts are expected. The crisis is also likely to deter the national unity.
Conflict within Palestine: Palestine authority is itself vertically split between the West Bank run by al-Fatah with Israeli occupation in a modus vivendi with Israeli occupation authorities, and Gaza administered by Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel. Al Fatah too has condemned the Hamas over violence which can intensify conflict within Palestine.
Can boost non-state Arab militia: This conflict could potentially revive and further boost the standing of non-state Arab militias, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, al-Houthis, Islamic State, various avatars of al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab.
Delay in rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia: Israel would be unwilling to grant the concessions to the Palestinians sought by Riyadh. This can have profound consequences for regional geopolitics and can cause a delay in the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Regional condemnation: Only Arab neighbour of Gaza is Egypt who does not support Gazan rulers. Also, all the Gulf monarchies, except Qatar, strongly disapprove of Hamas, calling it a political Islamic outfit. Also, though Qatar provides humanitarian assistance but it too has limited its aid due to its relation with USA. Also, Turkey supports Hamas but it itself is facing financial issues. Similarly, Damascus is also not supportive of Hamas despite having reconciled in 2022.
Iran’s stand: Iran has long been a mentor of the Hamas group and has tried to replicate its success in creating a Hezbollah-type proto-state in Gaza to threaten Israel. Also, pro-Iranian regional outfits like al-Houthis could support the Gazans.

IMPACT FOR INDIA:

While India is not directly affected by Toofan Al-Aqsa, it would nevertheless feel some effect.
The regional turbulence could cause collateral damage through an oil price rise, impact our diaspora, and dim the prospects for India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and other I2U2 constructs.
It can also highlight India as a safe, fast-growing economy for foreign investments, largely insulated from the turmoil.

THE WAY FORWARD

Peaceful solution: As revenge only increases violence and lead to severe human and material damage. It is the need of hour to have peaceful solution in the region. The democratization of the Palestinian society through which new credible leadership can be one of the solution.
Revisit of strategy: Despite hi-tech missile defence and Artificial Intelligence Israel failed to avoid such attack. This indicates Israel to revise its strategic doctrines.
Two state solution: The most optimum solution is a “two-state solution” that would establish Palestine as an independent state in Gaza and most of the West Bank, leaving the rest of the land to Israel. Both sides need to make it work in practice.
Global solution: The need of the hour is to treat this conflict of the regional area rather than conflict between two countries. All the stakeholder countries should participate in the negotiations and act on final agreement.

THE CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the current crisis will not last long however, it will add on the existing issue and may remain as an disputed and unresolved issue. In this regard, nations and international organizations along with other stakeholders should find a long lasting peaceful solution.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1 “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (2018)

Q.2 ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leave UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of the US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’.(2019)

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q.1 The recent attack of Hamas on Israel has raised international concern. There is an immediate need for peaceful resolution but that can happen only through talks and not through bloodshed. Discuss the possible solutions in this regard.

Q.2 Discuss the recent Israel Palestine conflict and the impact that it has created in the region and beyond. Also, comment on India’s position on this conflict.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/what-the-attacks-by-hamas-mean-for-israel-and-prime-minister-netanyahu-8973802/

WSDP Bulletin (10-10-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

Harvard professor Claudia Goldin wins Nobel Economics Prize for gender gap research READ MORE
Scientists untangle mystery about the universe’s earliest galaxies READ MORE
Sri Lanka to take over as Chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association READ MORE
Ahead of Bima Vistaar rollout, IRDAI issues guidelines on Bima Vahaks READ MORE
ICMR to set up study to develop solutions to remedy childhood undernutrition READ MORE
What is multimodal artificial intelligence and why is it important? READ MORE
Joint Statement during the State Visit of the President of Tanzania to India and launch of Strategic Partnership between India and Tanzania (8-10 October 2023) READ MORE
Appointment of Manipur HC CJ to be notified soon, Centre tells apex court READ MORE
Unemployment rate drops to 6.6% in urban areas in Q1 READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

Mental health and the floundering informal worker READ MORE
Socio-economic takeaways from Bihar caste survey READ MORE
Does India need a caste census? READ MORE
Extreme weather impact: 20,000 children displaced every day in last 6 years READ MORE
How climate crisis will trigger more water wars in India READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

The state of India’s Scheduled Areas READ MORE
Uncertain timing, Census and delimitation hurdles cast shadow over women’s reservation READ MORE
Law Commission age of consent recommendations threaten to criminalise the young READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

The ‘invisible’ disability of mental illness: Challenges of social security access READ MORE
Fundamental health services for women: Analysing gender disparities READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

The end of the two-state solution: Hamas’s spectacular terrorism will push back Palestinian statehood by a generation READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

With food inflation limited to dal roti, why govt policy may need changes READ MORE
Economics Nobel 2023: How Claudia Goldin shed light on the status of women in the workforce READ MORE
Is RBI heading in the right direction? READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Why India is launching a national framework for climate services Extreme weather impact: 20,000 children displaced every day in last 6 years READ MORE
Natural disasters occur due to our apathy towards environment READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

More people moved into high flood zones, exposing larger populations to water disasters: World Bank READ MORE
Sikkim’s Chungthang dam collapse signals the need for dam safety & emissions reduction READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

Back to square one on theatre commands READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

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Questions for the MAIN exam

Empowering women with the right to a safe and inclusive online environment is a crucial step toward a more equitable and just society in the digital age. Comment.
There is a need to redefine the relationship between the State and universities for a truly autonomous and thriving academic environment. Comment on the statement in light of recent developments.
While constitutional safeguards and legal protection for Dalits exist, caste-based discrimination has taken on new forms in the modern era. Discuss why the safeguards and legal protection are failed to address the issue of discrimination in higher educational institutions?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

Palestine is the cement that holds the Arab world together, or it is the explosive that blows it apart.
The disturbing trends seen in women’s mental health call for immediate gender mainstreaming action in mental health policies.
Policy neglect, uncertain job market, and increased contractualisation are making labourers’ economic condition worse. Inflation is negating purchasing power too.
Wages of informal labourers neither become an election issue nor do they count as a measure of poverty.
]The only way to protect the Indian rupee is through price stability. Assured stability through firmer anti-inflationary measures sends an effective message to overseas investors.
We need to enhance our responsibility and responsiveness towards climate cure and healing; we must investment in climate-pro solutions.
Enhance cooperation for mitigation efforts, and develop sustainable and viable ecosystems for a crisis-free society.
A caste census is deemed discriminatory and opposed by those who seek equal rights for all. Besides, opinions are sharply divided on its impact.
The release of the socio-economic profile of various SRCs can bring back the lost focus on the ‘economic’ aspect of social justice.
The promise of a caste census could influence outcomes in the upcoming assembly elections but not do much for the cause of universal welfarism.
India and South Korea, guided by universal values, should build beyond bilateralism as they refuse to be bystanders amid global disorder.
Law Commission recommendations on age of consent sidestep key question of how to protect the young from sexual abuse, while ensuring they are not punished for consensual sexual activity with peers.
Informal workers, despite their significant contribution to national income, are perennially exposed to economic, physical, and, in turn, mental vulnerabilities.
The only way forward is for a Palestinian leadership that can credibly signal to the Israeli people that it will not use the freedoms it gains from any peace deal to hurt Israel. The prospects for that seem dim.

50-WORD TALK

The shocking failure of Israel’s security services to preempt Hamas’ brutal strikes illustrates the damage caused when elected dictators operate without scrutiny and the perils of emulating Erdogan-style rule. PM Netanyahu’s politics undermined Jerusalem’s military and intelligence leadership. Israel will prevail—but at a price that need not have been paid.
Army signing contracts worth Rs 18,000 crore under emergency procurement and asking it be institutionalised shows how convoluted military procurement has become. It is a shame that Services have to use EP to fill up critical gaps. This piecemeal approach should be stopped and procurement systems decluttered for faster procurement.

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 (9th OCTOBER 2023)

1. THE NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SERVICES

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: India is embarking on a major programme to launch the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS).

EXPLANATION:

It will be Spearheaded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
It envisions to bring a seamless working platform for users of climate information and services, and help decide and mitigate climate risks for key sectors like agriculture, energy, disaster management, etc.

WHAT THE NFCS IS BASED ON?

The NFCS is based on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).
The Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) is a partnership of governments and organisations at a global level, for the production and better usage of climate information and services.
The GFCS aims to facilitate researchers and users of climate information and services to join hands to make informed and actionable decisions for the long-term betterment.
The announcement to establish a GFCS was made during the third World Climate Conference held in Geneva in 2009.
This framework, led by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) in their respective nations, includes active participation of policymakers, investors, vulnerable sectors etc.
The five major components under GFCS are:
- Observations and Monitoring,
- Research, Modelling and Prediction,
- Climate Services Information System,
- User Interface Platform and
- Capacity Building.
At present, the priority sectors where the GFCS focuses upon are agriculture and food security, energy, health, water and disaster risk reduction.

WHAT THE NFCS WILL DO?

In lines with the global framework, the national framework will be based on country-specific weather and stakeholder needs.
Unlike the GFCS, the nodal agency for the formulation and implementation of the national framework in India will be the IMD.
Along with the identified sectors of focus, India could add other relevant sectors like transport, tourism and other emerging sectors from time to time.
Initially, the NFCS will work in bridging functioning gaps between the various agencies who require climate services.
These include the hydrological, power, renewable energy, transport, dams and irrigation, health agencies are central, state and other levels.

WHY THE NFCS IS NEEDED?

The IMD makes daily weather forecasts and season predictions for the winter, summer and the monsoon seasons.
There remain many gap areas across terrains and the seas, wherein no weather data is available.
It results in the lack of long-term (100 years or more) climatological data from the Himalayan regions, the oceans, besides inexistence of radar and satellite-based climatology.
This is one of the major reasons why the IMD could make limited in providing climate predictions.
To have a complete composite of climatological information of all the weather parameters, in order to make climate predictions. There is a need to integrate the weather and climate services.
With NFCS, the Meteorological department aims to strengthen the observational network on land and the seas, improve the data inflow and eventually use it to run weather and climate models for deriving climate predictions.
Suitable to the user’s needs, the climate data and information products will be tailored and help identify agricultural production, health trends, population distribution in high-risk areas etc.
The framework aims to support efforts to prepare for new climate conditions and adapt to their impacts on water supplies, health risks, extreme events, farm productivity etc.

HOW THE NFCS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED?

Switzerland, China, Germany and the United Kingdom have launched the NFCS, since the 2009 declaration of frameworks for climate services.
Countries where the NFCS implementation is in the advanced stages include Benin, Madagascar, Moldova, Niger, and South Africa etc.
With the first workshop organised recently in Pune, India has joined Cuba, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville and Ethiopia, where the NFCS-related national consultation workshops are being planned.
India will be soon releasing the statement of NFCS after consensus received from the key partnering stakeholders.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/national-framework-for-climate-services-nfcs-8972568/

2. ASIATIC WILD DOGS

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: As per a new study, overlapping prey availability or habitat suitability could dictate a positive association between dholes or Asiatic wild dogs and tigers, facilitating co-existence or even cooperative behaviours between the two species of carnivores.

EXPLANATION:

The activity of the Asiatic wild dog in Assam’s Manas National Park showed the highest temporal overlap with the leopard and the lowest with the clouded leopard.

An Asiatic wild dog at Manas National Park, Assam.

FRAGMENTATION OF THE DHOLE POPULATION AS PER THE STUDY:

Operating in packs of 5-10 individual larger groups of more than 30 were observed in 2004.
Dholes were once widespread across southern and eastern Asia.
Factors such as habitat loss, declining prey availability, persecution, disease, and interspecific competition have contributed to the ongoing fragmentation of its populations.
The global population of adult dholes are classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
It is estimated to be between 949 and 2,215 individuals, scattered in localised areas of India and Thailand.
Study findings revealed a surprising positive relationship between dhole habitat use and tiger, rejecting the habitat exclusivity hypothesis.
This unexpected result challenges the assumption of antagonistic interactions between these two species and suggests a more complex ecological dynamic.

DHOLE OR ASIATIC WILD DOG:

Appearance:
- Depending on their habitat, these wild dogs vary in colour from charcoal grey to rust red to sandy beige. They have a long, brushy, fox-like tail that often has a black tip. They usually have a white belly, chest, and feet. Adults have rounded ears and a pointed snout.

Habitat:
- Dholes occupy a wide variety of climates and habitats, such as dense forests, scrub, steppes, and alpine regions.

Geography:
- Dholes are found in Central, South, East and Southeast Asia.

Lifespan:
- Dholes live about 10 years in the wild and up to 16 years in captivity.

Threats:
- The greatest threat to dholes is habitat loss and fragmentation.
- As human activity expands, dholes are losing their places to live, reproduce and feed.
- Not only are dhole at risk, but so is their prey.
- In 2008, there were estimated to be less than 2,500 adult dholes in the wild.
- Other threats include disease and human conflict. These wild dogs can easily catch diseases like distemper and rabies from domestic dogs brought by humans moving into the wild dogs’ habitat.
- Dholes are viewed as dangerous pests in some areas and are trapped and poisoned as a result.

Conservation Status:
- As of 2015, the IUCN has classified the dhole as Endangered on its Red List of Threatened Species.

Conservation Efforts:
- Scientists and conservationists are working to better understand dholes.
- For example, scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Species Survival (CSS) are working to study and save dholes by tracking animals with satellite collars, monitoring human-dhole conflict, and doing community outreach.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/prey-habitat-dictate-dhole-tiger-coexistence-study/article67395637.ece/amp/

3. 52^ND GST COUNCIL MEETING

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The 52nd GST Council met under the Chairpersonship of Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs in New Delhi on 7^th October 2023.

EXPLANATION:

The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Finance, Chief Ministers of Goa and Meghalaya holding finance portfolio.
The GST Council inter-alia made the recommendations relating to changes in GST tax rates, measures for facilitation of trade and measures for streamlining compliances in GST.

RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO GST RATES ON GOODS AND SERVICES:

CHANGES IN GST RATES OF GOODS
- GST rates on “Food preparation of millet flour in powder form, containing at least 70% millets by weight”, falling under HS 1901, with effect from date of notification, have been prescribed as:

1. 0% if sold in other than pre-packaged and labelled form
2. 5% if sold in pre-packaged and labelled form

- Foreign going vessels are liable to pay 5% IGST on the value of the vessel if it converts to coastal run.

OTHER CHANGES RELATING TO GOODS
- GST Council recommended to keep Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) used for manufacture of alcoholic liquor for human consumption outside GST.
- To reduce GST on molasses from 28% to 5%. This step will increase liquidity with mills and enable faster clearance of cane dues to sugarcane farmers.
- A separate tariff HS code has been created at 8 digit level in the Customs Tariff Act to cover rectified spirit for industrial use.

CHANGES IN GST RATES OF SERVICES
- The GST Council has also recommended to exempt services of water supply, public health, sanitation conservancy, solid waste management and slum improvement and upgradation supplied to Governmental Authorities.

OTHER CHANGES RELATING TO SERVICES
- To clarify that job work services for processing of barley into malt attracts GST @ 5% as applicable to “job work in relation to food and food products” and not 18%.
- To clarify that District Mineral Foundations Trusts (DMFT) set up by the State Governments across the country in mineral mining areas are Governmental Authorities.
- Thus eligible for the same exemptions from GST as available to any other Governmental Authority.

MEASURES FOR FACILITATION OF TRADE:

Amnesty Scheme for filing of appeals against demand orders in cases where appeal could not be filed within the allowable time period.
Clarifications regarding taxability of personal guarantee offered by directors to the bank against the credit limits/loans being sanctioned to the company.
Taxability of corporate guarantee provided for related persons including corporate guarantee provided by holding company to its subsidiary company.
Provision for automatic restoration of provisionally attached property after completion of one year.
The Council has recommended to issue a Circular to clarify the place of supply in respect of the supply of services.
Issuance of clarification relating to export of services.

OTHER MEASURES PERTAINING TO LAW AND PROCEDURES:

The Council has recommended amendments in section 110 of the CGST Act, 2017 to provide that:
- an advocate for ten years with substantial experience in litigation under indirect tax laws for the appointment as judicial member;
- the minimum age for eligibility for appointment as President and Member to be 50 years;
- President and Members shall have tenure up to a maximum age of 70 years and 67 years respectively.

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST):

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption.
The GST is paid by consumers, but it is remitted to the government by the businesses selling the goods and services.
The GST (122nd Constitutional Amendment) Bill, 2014 was passed in May 2015.
It was enacted as Constitution (101st Amendment) Act, 2016, with effect from, 16th September, 2016.

GST COUNCIL:

Article 279A – GST Council to be formed by the President to administer & govern GST. It’s Chairman is Union Finance Minister of India with ministers nominated by the state governments as its members.
The council is devised in such a way that the centre will have 1/3rd voting power and the states have 2/3rd.
The decisions are taken by 3/4th majority.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1965431

4. PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA)

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has committed to work with India to expand Travel for LiFE initiative across Asia Pacific region.

EXPLANATION:

India hosted 46th edition of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2023 from Oct 4 to Oct 6 at the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC), Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi.
PATA Mart saw the participation of around 1000 delegates, is one of the major international trade exhibitions catering to the tourism sector.
It serves as a platform for trade interactions between global buyers and sellers.

PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA):

It was founded in 1951.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership-based association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.
By bringing together private and public sector members, PATA facilitates meaningful partnerships to enhance the value, quality and sustainable growth of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.
It serves as a platform for trade interactions between global buyers and sellers.
Besides facilitating trade interactions between Buyer Sellers meet, the PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2023 also included thought provoking knowledge sessions at PATA Forum and youth engagement at PATA Youth Symposium.
Travel for LiFE initiative was showcased by the Ministry across all the events and it generated huge interest from international travel trade community.

LiFE (LIFESTYLE FOR ENVIRONMENT):

Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was formally launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 19th October 2022, in the presence of the UN Secretary General António Guterres, at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.
It is a global mass movement led by India urging individuals and communities to act for protection of the environment against the effects of the climate change.
Ministry of Tourism will set up a PATA desk to strengthen engagement with PATA on Travel for LiFE and other areas of cooperation in tourism sector.
This is the first major international partnership for Travel for Life (TFL) program after its global launch on September 27, 2023, world tourism day.
Ministry of Tourism is already working with UNEP and UNWTO on strengthening the TFL program.
Travel for LiFE embodies the spirit of the Pro Planet People and functions on the basic principles of “Lifestyle of the planet, for the planet and by the planet”.
It aspires to bring large-scale behavioral change amongst tourists and tourism businesses, which will have a significant impact on environment protection while ensuring socio-cultural sustainability.
The Travel for LiFE program has identified an illustrative list of actions that are designed in line with the eight themes of Travel for LiFE
- Save Energy,
- Save Water,
- Say No to Single Use Plastic,
- Reduce Waste,
- Empower Local Businesses and Communities,
- Respect Local Culture and Heritage,
- Consume Local Foods and
- Conserve Nature
Travel for LiFE Program will position India as leader in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism and using tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1965805

5. ATTACK ON ISRAEL

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Israel witnessed the largest attack from the Palestinian enclave and perhaps the worst security crisis in 50 years.

EXPLANATION:

Dozens of Hamas militants, using motorcycles, pickup trucks, boats, paragliders and mid-range rockets, launched a highly coordinated attack.
They infiltrated Israeli cities, hitting military bases and killing and taking hostage soldiers and civilians.
Israeli officials say at least 200 people were killed and hundreds of others injured.
The attacks, reminiscent of the 1973 Yom Kippur holiday attack by Egyptian and Syrian troops, took Israel by surprise.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose right-religious government’s key promise is Israel’s security, has declared war on Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that runs the Gaza strip.

PALESTINE-ISRAEL RELATIONS:

The Palestine-Israel relations have steadily deteriorated in recent years.
Israel has been carrying out military raids in the occupied West Bank almost on a daily basis, besides tightening the screws of the occupation.
At least 200 Palestinians and some 30 Israelis have been killed so far in 2023.
In April 2023, Israeli police raided Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third holiest place of worship, triggering rocket attacks from Gaza, which were followed by Israeli air strikes.
In May 2023, Israel and the Palestine Islamic Jihad, which is based in Gaza, fought a short battle.
In July 2023, Israel carried out a major raid in the West Bank town of Jenin, which has emerged as a hotbed of militancy in the West Bank.
Currently, there is no peace process. Violence is perverse. And anger has been building up among Palestinians against both the Israeli occupiers as well as the Palestinian Authority.
By launching such a massive attack from Gaza (which is controlled by Hamas) and asking “all Arabs of Palestine”, including the Israeli Arab citizens to take up arms against the state of Israel.
- Israeli Arab make up some 20% of the Israel’s population.
Hamas is both trying to cash in on the public anger against occupation and emerge as the sole pole of the Palestinian cause.

DIVISIONS IN ISRAELI SOCIETY:

Israel is also going through a difficult phase.
The country is ruled by its most right-wing government whose key domestic agenda is to overhaul the structures of power so that the elected government would be more powerful than other institutions.
The government has already pushed one part of its ambitious legislative agenda seeking to curtail the powers of the judiciary through Parliament, which triggered massive protests.
Thousands of military reservists had joined the sit-ins and threatened to resign in protest against the Netanyahu government’s judicial overhaul plan.
So, the government’s focus was on its legislative agenda; rights groups are up in arms showing deep divisions in society; and there were resenting voices even within the military.
Hamas might have thought that Israel was at a weak moment internally, which provides an opportunity for it to launch an unprecedented attack from Gaza and trigger more resistance violence in the occupied West Bank.

GEOPOLITICAL ANGLE:

It is unlikely to be a coincidence that the Hamas attack came when Israel and Saudi Arabia are in an advanced stage of normalisation talks.
Recently, Saudi Crown Prince said in an interview that both countries were making progress every day.
If Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the two holiest mosques of Islam and arguably the most influential Arab country, normalises ties with Israel, it would not only reset West Asian geopolitical dynamics but also put Hamas at a further disadvantageous position.
Such a realignment is also not in the interests of Iran (which backs the Islamic Jihad and Hamas) and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which has its own problems with Israel.
Iran and Hezbollah were quick to welcome the Hamas operation, describing it as “heroic”.
As Gaza is set to witness massive Israeli retaliation in the coming days, if not weeks, the prospects for an immediate normalisation deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel would be further complicated.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/why-did-hamas-launch-a-surprise-attack-on-israel-analysis/article67393000.ece/amp/

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (7th OCTOBER 2023)

1. MONEY BILL

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Chief Justice of India orally remarked for the constitution of a seven-judge bench to hear the constitutional issue regarding money bills.

EXPLANATION:

The CJI’s observation about setting up a seven-judge bench came during the hearing challenging set of amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
In July 2022, a three-judge bench had upheld the PMLA and the vast powers of the ED.
However, the bench had left the validity of amendments to the PMLA through the Money Bill route open for a larger Constitution bench to hear.
The Finance Acts passed in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 brought in crucial amendments to the PMLA.
Finance Bills passed during the budget are introduced as money bills under Article 110 of the Constitution.

OTHER CHALLENGES:

AADHAAR CASE:

The first major challenge on whether a bill qualified to be a money bill under the Constitution was in the Aadhaar case.
In a 4:1 majority, the Supreme Court in 2018, had ruled in favour of the government and had cleared the Aadhaar Act as a valid money bill under Article 110 of the Constitution.
Justice Chandrachud in the Aadhaar ruling of 2018, criticised the government for passing the Aadhaar Act as a money Bill.
He had called it a “fraud on the Constitution” and “subterfuge”.

TRIBUNAL REFORM:

In November 2019, in Roger Matthew vs Union of India, the Supreme Court heard the challenge against tweaks in the service conditions of tribunal members which was also introduced as a money bill in the Finance Act, 2017.
While a five-judge bench of the court struck down the law as unconstitutional for interfering with judicial independence, it referred the money bill aspect to a larger constitution bench.
The court also expressed doubts over the correctness of a five-judge Constitution Bench’s 2018 verdict upholding the Aadhaar Act which had been passed as a money Bill.

MONEY BILL:

A money bill is a piece of legislation that deals with the raising of taxes, the appropriation of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India, or the borrowing of money by the government.
Article 110 of Part V the Constitution deals with the Money Bills.
Money bills have special status under the Indian Constitution, as they can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and do not require the Rajya Sabha’s consent.
Money Bill can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President.
If any question arises whether a bill is a money bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is final (Article 110(3)).

Article 110(1) of the Constitution defines a money bill as a bill that contains only the following provisions:

The imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax;
The regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government of India, or the amendment of the law with respect to any financial obligations undertaken or to be undertaken by the Government of India;
The custody of the consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund;
The appropriation of moneys out of the consolidated Fund of India;
The declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India or the increasing of the amount of any such expenditure;
The receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of India or the public account of India or the custody or issue of such money or the audit of the accounts of the Union or of a State; or
Any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in sub clause (a) to (f).

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/sc-challenge-centre-money-bill-key-legislation-8970978/

2. DANDELI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: In recent years, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are impacting the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary ecosystem and the people living around them and dependent on them.

EXPLANATION:

The Dandeli forest in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is known for its forest grasses, birds and cattle herders.

DANDELI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY:

Located in Karnataka, it is the second largest wildlife sanctuary of the state.
It is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
It is known for its lush green forests, grasslands, rivers, and streams.
The sanctuary is home to a variety of plants and animals, including many endangered species, such as the Indian gaur, the tiger, and the Asian elephant.
With more than 300 species of birds nesting amidst the forest, the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is also a bird lover’s paradise.
It is well connected with rail and road networks, which makes it accessible to travellers coming from different corners.

IMPACT ON THE FOREST ECOSYSTEM:

Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are causing a number of changes in the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, including:

Changes in the distribution of plant and animal species:
- Some plants and animals are more tolerant of heat and drought than others.
- As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns become more erratic, some species are shifting their ranges to cooler and wetter areas.
- This is disrupting the food chain and other ecological relationships.
Increased risk of wildfires:
- Wildfires are a natural part of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary ecosystem.
- However, rising temperatures and drought conditions are making wildfires more frequent and severe.
- This is damaging forests and grasslands, and displacing wildlife.
Increased pest and disease outbreaks:
- Pests and diseases thrive in warm and humid conditions.
- Rising temperatures are creating ideal conditions for the spread of pests and diseases, which can damage forests and crops.

IMPACT ON PEOPLE:

The people living around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary are dependent on the forest ecosystem for their livelihoods.
The forest provides them with food, fuel, and income from tourism and other activities.
The changes in the forest ecosystem due to climate change are having a negative impact on the livelihoods of the people living around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.
For example, the decline in forest grasses is making it difficult for cattle herders to feed their animals.
The increased risk of wildfires is destroying homes and crops.
And the increased pest and disease outbreaks are damaging crops and reducing crop yields.

WAY FORWARD:

There are a number of things that can be done to mitigate the impact of climate change on the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and the people living around it. These include:

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the most important thing that can be done to mitigate climate change.
- This can be done by switching to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Protecting and restoring forests:
- Forests play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Protecting and restoring forests can help to mitigate climate change.
- It provides benefits such as improving water quality and reducing soil erosion.
Supporting sustainable livelihoods for people living around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary:
- It is important to support the sustainable livelihoods of the people living around the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.
- This can be done through programs that promote sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, and other activities that do not harm the forest ecosystem.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/climate-crisis-in-forests-dandeli-losing-its-distinctive-grasses-hornbills-to-erratic-weather-92127

3. STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL INTERVENTION (SAI)

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: A new study published in the journal Nature Food has warned about implementing a controversial climate intervention technology called stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI).

EXPLANATION:

It could create inequities in food production, benefitting some and harming others.

STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOL INTERVENTION (SAI):

SAI mimics volcanic eruptions by injecting sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere where it oxidises to form sulphuric acid, which then forms reflective aerosol particles.
For example, Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted in 2001 and injected about 15 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere, which then formed aerosol particles.
It caused a drop in the average global temperature of about 0.6 degrees Celsius over the next 15 months.
It is a proposed strategy to reduce the effects of anthropogenic climate change.
There are many temperature targets that could be chosen for a SAI implementation, which would regionally modify climatically relevant variables such as:
- surface temperature,
- precipitation,
- humidity,
- total solar radiation and
- diffuse radiation.
Higher-latitude nations tend to produce the most calories under unabated climate change.
Midlatitude nations maximize calories under moderate SAI implementation.
Equatorial nations produce the most calories from crops under high levels of SAI.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF SAI FOR FOOD PRODUCTION:

Increased crop yields in high-latitude regions such as Canada and Russia.
Reduced crop losses due to extreme weather events such as droughts and floods
Extended growing seasons in some regions

POTENTIAL RISKS OF SAI FOR FOOD PRODUCTION:

Decreased crop yields in low-latitude regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia.
Changes in rainfall patterns that could disrupt agricultural production.
Depletion of the ozone layer, which could lead to increased UV radiation and damage to crops.

IMPACT OF SAI ON SMALL-SCALE FARMERS:

Small-scale farmers are often more dependent on rain-fed agriculture than large-scale farmers.
This makes them more vulnerable to the changes in rainfall patterns that are expected to occur under SAI.
Small-scale farmers also have fewer resources to invest in irrigation and other technologies that can help to reduce their vulnerability to changes in rainfall patterns.

WAY FORWARD:

The potential impact of SAI on agriculture is a major concern, as it could exacerbate existing inequalities in food production and access.
It is important to consider the needs of vulnerable populations, such as small-scale farmers in developing countries, when making decisions about the deployment of SAI.
It is also important to note that SAI is a temporary solution to the problem of climate change.
It would not address the underlying causes of climate change, such as the burning of fossil fuels.
It is important to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable energy to address the root cause of climate change.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/modelling-study-shows-how-controversial-geoengineering-may-affect-global-food-production-92138

4. COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY (CTBT)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Russian president stated that Russia might revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) to be on level terms with the United States, and not to resume nuclear testing.

WHAT IS CTBT?

The CTBT is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, whether for military or peaceful purposes.
Although it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996, it’s still in the ratification stage, 18 countries are yet to ratify.
While Russia ratified the agreement in 2000, the US is still to do so.
Although India initially participated in negotiating the CTBT, it subsequently walked out of the negotiations and has never signed the treaty.

HOW DID CTBT COME INTO BEING?

Between 1945 and 1996, more than 2,000 nuclear tests were carried out by the United States, Soviet Union, Britain, France and China.
The radioactive fallout from those tests drew criticism from around the globe.
After then, the 1963 Limited Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (LTBT) prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, but underground tests were still permitted.
To tackle the limitations of LTBT, a comprehensive test ban was discussed during the negotiation of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty in 1968. However, no agreement was reached on the issue.
Six years later, the US and Soviet Union agreed to sign the Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT).
A major breakthrough came after the Cold War ended around 1990 and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
As the geopolitical tensions simmered down, the UN took advantage of the situation and adopted the CTBT.
It put a blanket ban on the explosive testing of nuclear weapons, on September 10, 1996, and it opened for signature on September 24, 1996.

DID THE CTBT STOP NUCLEAR TESTING?

Since the CTBT, 10 nuclear tests have taken place.
India conducted two in 1998, Pakistan also two in 1998, and North Korea conducted tests in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 (twice) and 2017, according to the United Nations, Reuters reported.
The United States last tested in 1992, China and France in 1996 and the Soviet Union in 1990.
Russia, which inherited most of the Soviet nuclear arsenal, has never conducted a nuclear test.

WHICH KEY COUNTRIES HAVEN’T RATIFIED CTBT?

Notably, for the treaty to enter into force, it must be signed and ratified by 44 specific nuclear technology holder countries.
China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and the United States are yet to ratify the agreement, according to the UN.
In 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged these countries to ratify CTBT.
- He said, “Given its necessity and readiness, it is both disappointing and frustrating that the Treaty has not yet entered into force.”
- The eight remaining Annex II States ratifications are required for the Treaty’s entry-into-force.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/nuclear-test-ban-treaty-ctbt-8971599/

5. AMPHIBIANS

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, a new study based on the second global amphibian assessment, revealed that climate change posed the greatest threat to the existence of amphibian life.

EXPLANATION:

The assessment evaluated the extinction risk of more than 8,000 amphibian species from all over the world, including 2,286 species evaluated for the first time.
More than 1,000 experts across the globe, including scientists and researchers from Assam-based biodiversity conservation organisation, Aaranyak, and other Indian institutions, contributed their data and expertise.
These data will be published on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY:

Two out of every five amphibians are threatened with extinction.
Between 2004 and 2022, a few critical threats have pushed more than 300 amphibians closer to extinction.
Climate change was the primary threat for 39% of these species.
This number is expected to rise as better data and projections on species’ responses to climate change become available.
- Climate change is especially concerning for amphibians in large part because they are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment.
Climate change is emerging as one of the biggest threats to frogs, salamanders, and caecilians.
As per the study, climate change is already having a significant impact on amphibians, and this impact is expected to worsen in the coming years.

Rhacophorus rhodopus from Assam

Icthyophis garoensis from Meghalaya

FACTORS AFFECTING AMPHIBIANS:

Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to climate change because they are ectotherms, meaning that their body temperature is regulated by the environment.
As temperatures rise, amphibians are more likely to overheat, which can lead to death.
Climate change is disrupting amphibians’ breeding cycles and making it more difficult for them to find food and water.
In addition to climate change, amphibians are also facing a number of other threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species.
However, the study found that climate change is the most serious threat to amphibians, and that it is likely to be the primary driver of amphibian extinctions in the coming decades.
The study’s findings are a stark reminder of the urgent need to take action on climate change.
Amphibians are important members of ecosystems, and their decline could have a significant impact on food security and human health.
It is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate the impacts of climate change on amphibians and other vulnerable species.

AMPHIBIANS:

Amphibians are a class of vertebrates that can live in both water and on land.
They are ectotherms.
Amphibians have a moist, permeable skin that allows them to breathe oxygen and absorb water.
They also have long, sticky tongues that they use to catch prey.
Amphibians go through a process called metamorphosis, which is a transformation from a larva to an adult.
The larvae are typically aquatic and have gills for breathing.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CONSERVE AMPHIBIANS?

Support policies that address climate change and protect biodiversity.
Reduce our own carbon footprint by driving less, using less energy at home, and eating less meat.
Support conservation organizations that are working to protect amphibians and their habitats.
Volunteer your time to help with amphibian surveys and habitat restoration projects.
Educate others about the importance of amphibians and the threats they face.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/two-of-every-five-amphibians-threatened-with-extinction-reveals-study/article67383443.ece

WSDP Bulletin (07-10-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

As per GRAP, Stage-I is to be imposed in the entire NCR when the daily average AQI of Delhi touches/ crosses 201 index value READ MORE
India Re-elected as President of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) for a Third Successive Term READ MORE
REC launches ‘SUGAM REC’, a mobile app for 54EC Bonds Investors READ MORE
Two of every five amphibians threatened with extinction, reveals study READ MORE
Election Commission briefs observers ahead of Assembly polls in five states READ MORE
RBI’s status quo and an indication that rate cuts would have to wait: What’s in store for borrowers, depositors READ MORE
Russia may pull out of CTBT: How the treaty tried — and failed — to stop nuclear testing READ MORE
When can a bill be designated as a ‘money bill’: SC to hear challenge READ MORE
UN launches 10 principles to close Asia-Pacific sustainable finance gap READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

Equality and identity: On the findings of the Bihar caste count READ MORE
Implement women’s reservation now READ MORE
Beyond Politics: Caste Census Is About Deepening India’s Social Justice Paradigm READ MORE
Modelling study shows how controversial geoengineering may affect global food production READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

Age of Consent: Law Panel Report Simply Diagnoses, Doesn’t Solve the Problem READ MORE
In Strong Judgement, SC Comes Down Heavily on ‘Arbitrary Exercise of Power’ by ED READ MORE
Law Commission of India and Uniform Civil Code: Looking Back, Looking Forward READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

Aligning higher education with the United Nations SDGs READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

India-China power play gets new life in Maldives READ MORE
Reading ‘India Way’ in the Neighbourhood First Policy: Moral Exceptionalism or Strategic Pragmatism? READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Revenue riddles: On GST inflows and areas of concern READ MORE
RBI’s Monetary Policy and the art of letting it be READ MORE
Rates to stay elevated for longer READ MORE
Inflation clouds growth dreams READ MORE
De-risking is better than decoupling READ MORE
Factsheet of bad loans in the banking sector READ MORE
GDP Growth: The Gap Between Reality and Rhetoric READ MORE
K-shaped Recovery Dents Growth of Worker Earnings READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Over $9 trillion investments in infrastructure resilience, Net Zero needed by 2050 to mitigate climate impact: CDRI READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Inspiring colours: On the 2023 Chemistry Nobel READ MORE
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 goes to three scientists for quantum dots fundamental to nanotechnology READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

‘Sikkim tells us to be very careful before allowing any new hydropower project in the Himalayas’ READ MORE
Sikkim serves a warning, govts must heed now READ MORE
Deluge of apathy: Sikkim flash flood has claimed several lives after decade-old warnings were conveniently ignored READ MORE
Sikkim Flood Was a Disaster Forecast – But Warnings Were Ignored READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

In Manipur, another internet shutdown, a conflict intensified READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

Can We Teach Someone to Be Ethical? READ MORE
Give us a smile READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

Ethics are moral principles that govern behavior. Comment.
An urgent review of both the impact of climate change and infrastructure development in hilly areas is needed. Comment on the statement in the wake of the Sikkim glacial lake outburst flood.
India’s Neighborhood First Policy is guided by ideas of moral exceptionalism rooted in particular civilizational framings but is not without strategic pragmatism. Critically examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

Anything that you will build on the foundations of caste will crack and will never be a whole.
As India refigures its foreign policy to a region now changed by Armenia’s defeat in Nagorno-Karabakh, it almost certainly will have to seek out other, more stable avenues for its infrastructure ties given the potential of the INSTC project.
India’s Neighborhood First Policy is guided by ideas of moral exceptionalism rooted in particular civilizational framings, but is not without strategic pragmatism.
The growing dependence of female workers on self-employment points to increasing economic distress that forced women to shift from household work to informal employment.
India’s GDP numbers need to be recalculated with a change in methodology. The argument that the discrepancies get evened out is not a strong one.
The eastern Himalayas require special attention in terms of the potential for earthquakes as well as flood disasters. A special effort needs to be mounted to develop hazard scenarios and models as well as land zonation maps that demarcate areas prone to floods and landslides.
Nationality is a feeling of oneness which makes those who are charged with it feel they are kith and kin. It is a feeling of ‘consciousness of kind.
With four decades of experience in political reservation for women in local elections, there’s a compelling case for introducing the bill sooner rather than later.
The Indian banks, especially the public sector banks, are yet to benchmark the criterion for NPA and keep risk in tolerable limits while disbursing loans.
Globalisation has become so strong that complete economic decoupling of a country or region is not feasible. De-risking and realignment is the way forward.
The victory of a pro-China government in the Maldives offers Beijing an opportunity to restore its influence in the Indian Ocean region.
The rise in extreme weather events should prod the government to rehaul its management of all mountain approaches.
We need high-elevation meteorological stations for more accurate weather forecasts. Most of us use remote-sensing methods but we also need to develop our capacity in field glaciology.
Educational institutions have to rethink their approach so that it is in tune with the NEP which will be crucial in realising the 2030 deadline for SDGs.
It is high time that universities adopted sustainability as a mantra and incorporated SDGs into their institutional strategies, both in daily administration and in teaching and research.
It has been realised that higher education cannot work in isolation; rather it must be directly integrated with socio-economic development where each activity and transaction has meaningful and multiple impacts on SDGs.
Every citizen must feel that the universities contribute directly to their well-being and nation-building.

ESSAY TOPIC

India to awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened
What we sow we reap.

50-WORD TALK

In wake of the Sikkim glacial lake outburst flood, an urgent review of both the impact of climate change and infrastructure development in such areas is needed. India alone can’t do anything about global warming. But it’s imperative to assess the viability, risks of dams generating power from glacier runoff.
MK Stalin is right to say that National Medical Commission rules are undermining state rights. Linking MBBS seats with state population means southern states can’t raise seats or open new colleges. It amounts to punishing states that actually delivered quality medical education. Instead, add better colleges elsewhere in the country.
Hiking LPG subsidy for Ujjwala customers by 50% is further backsliding of the government’s proclaimed freebie policy. From making scathing political speeches about opposition’s ‘revdi culture’, PM Modi is himself distributing subsidies with increasing frequency as elections approach. It’s cynical politics that fiscal prudence is being sacrificed for electoral gain.
Nobody’s above the law of the land, including NewsClick. But UAPA, on top of the already draconian PMLA, peremptory seizure of electronic devices, characterises a heavy-handed State. Just allow the law to play out instead. The goal appears to be to silence critics through shock-and-awe while courts watch on ineffectually.

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 (6th OCTOBER 2023)

1. BAN ON THE CULTIVATION OF PUSA-44

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Punjab Chief Minister announced on October 4, 2023 that the state will ban the cultivation of the PUSA-44 paddy variety from next year onwards.

PUSA-44:

PUSA-44 was developed in 1993 by the Delhi-based Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Punjab’s farmers started increasing the area under PUSA-44 by multiplying the seed, after getting a high yield from the crops.
By the end of 2010, it had gained widespread popularity among farmers across the Punjab, covering approximately 70 to 80% of the area under paddy cultivation.
However, the Agriculture Department and Punjab Agricultural University have never promoted it from the beginning and discouraged farmers due to declining groundwater levels.
By 2018, the Punjab government reduced the area under PUSA-44 to 18 per cent of the total area under paddy, but it rebounded to 22 per cent last year.
According to the Agriculture Department, in the previous year, 7.74 lakh hectares (19.12 lakh acres) of paddy were under Pusa-44, out of a total non-Basmati paddy area of 26.61 lakh hectares.

PUSA-44 YIELD AS COMPARED TO OTHER VARIETIES:

PUSA-44 yields nearly 85 to 100 mann (34 to 40 quintals) per acre, while other varieties’ yield average is 28 to 30 quintals per acre.
Many farmers are able to get a yield of 36 to 40 quintals per acre with PUSA-44 if the weather is favourable.
Currently, the Minimum Support Prince (MSP) offered for paddy is Rs 2,205 per quintal, so if it yields farmers 7-10 quintals more than the other varieties, then it will add to their income by Rs 15,000 to 22,000 per acre.

Punjab wants to ban the cultivation of PUSA-44 paddy variety for the following reasons:

It is a water-intensive crop.
- PUSA-44 takes around 152 days to mature, which is about 35 to 40 days more than other varieties.
- This requires 5-6 extra cycles of irrigation, which puts a strain on Punjab’s already depleting groundwater resources.
It produces a lot of stubble.
- PUSA-44 is a long-duration variety, which means that its straw is also longer and more difficult to manage.
- This contributes to the problem of stubble burning in Punjab, which causes severe air pollution in the region during the winter months.
It is susceptible to pests and diseases.
- PUSA-44 is more susceptible to pests and diseases than other varieties, which requires farmers to use more pesticides.
- This can increase the cost of cultivation and reduce the profitability of the crop.
Despite its high yield, PUSA-44 is no longer considered a sustainable crop for Punjab.
- The state government is encouraging farmers to switch to shorter-duration, less water-intensive varieties, such as PR-126.
- These varieties produce less stubble and are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
It contributes to climate change.
- Stubble burning releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contribute to climate change.
- By banning PUSA-44, the Punjab government is hoping to reduce stubble burning and its associated environmental impacts.
It is harmful to human health.
- Air pollution from stubble burning can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and cancer.
- By banning PUSA-44, the Punjab government is hoping to improve the health of its citizens.

WAY FORWARD:

The Punjab government is facing some resistance from farmers who are reluctant to switch to other varieties.
Farmers argue that PUSA-44 gives them a higher yield, which is essential for their livelihood.
However, the government is providing incentives to farmers to switch to other varieties, such as higher subsidies and guaranteed procurement of their produce.
The ban on PUSA-44 is a step in the right direction for Punjab.
It will help to conserve water, reduce stubble burning, and improve the environment and human health.
However, the government needs to ensure that farmers are adequately compensated for switching to other varieties.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/punjab-ban-pusa-44-paddy-explained-8969472/

2. MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE ACT (MGNREGA)

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE, GS:2 SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: According to government data, the demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has surged to its highest in a decade in 2023-2024.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DATA:

The programme is reeling under a severe budget crisis due to the lowest budget assigned during the current financial year.
While nearly 54 million people demanded work in 2023-2024, only 48 million workers could access it.
The scheme has over 150 million registered workers. However, almost 52 million workers lost their job cards in 2022-2023.
Only 40 per cent of the registered workers are eligible for payments under the Aadhar-based payment system (ABPS) mandated by the government.
The Centre, in its 2023-24 fiscal budget, allotted Rs 60,000 crore for the programme against the pre-budget estimates of Rs 89,400 crore.
The allocation of 0.198 per cent of the gross domestic product is the lowest in the history of the programme which started in 2005.
West Bengal, one of the major contributors to the scheme, has witnessed no payment of wages for the past 18 months.

The surge in demand for work under MGNREGS in 2023-2024 is likely due to a number of factors, including:

The ongoing economic slowdown.
- The Indian economy has been slowing down in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation.
- This has led to job losses and reduced incomes in rural areas, which has pushed more people towards MGNREGS for work.
The impact of climate change.
- Climate change is having a significant impact on rural India, with more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events.
- These events can damage crops and livestock, and lead to food insecurity and loss of income.
- This can also push people towards MGNREGS for work.
The high cost of living.
- The cost of living, especially the cost of food and fuel, has been rising steadily in recent years.
- This has made it difficult for many rural households to make ends meet, and has increased their reliance on MGNREGS.
The budget crisis facing MGNREGS is a major concern.
- The government has allocated the lowest budget for MGNREGS in the current financial year since the scheme was launched in 2006.
- This is likely to lead to a shortage of funds and make it difficult to meet the demand for work.

The following are some of the consequences of the budget crisis facing MGNREGS:

Reduced employment opportunities.
- The shortage of funds will likely lead to a reduction in the number of workdays available under MGNREGS.
- This will make it difficult for rural households to earn a decent living.
Increased distress and migration.
- If rural households are unable to find work under MGNREGS, they may be forced to migrate to urban areas in search of work.
- This can lead to social problems such as family separation and urban poverty.
Impact on rural development.
- MGNREGS has played a significant role in rural development in India.
- It has helped to create infrastructure, such as roads, canals, and ponds, and has improved the quality of life in rural areas.
- The budget crisis facing MGNREGS could jeopardize this progress.

MGNREGA:

It is also known as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS), is a legislation enacted on 25th August, 2005.
It provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.
According to the act, the workers should receive work within 15 days of demanding work.
The worker becomes eligible for unemployment allowance if the work is not given.
After receiving and completing work, the worker must get wages within 15 days or compensation for each day of delayed payment.
The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments.
This act was introduced with an aim of improving the purchasing power of the rural people, primarily semi or unskilled work to people living below poverty line in rural India.
It attempts to bridge the gap between the rich and poor in the country.
According to the law roughly one-third of the stipulated work force must be women.
The registered person can submit an application for work in writing (for at least fourteen days of continuous work) either to Panchayat or to Programme Officer.

WAY FORWARD:

The government needs to take urgent steps to address the budget crisis facing MGNREGS.
This could involve increasing the budget for the scheme or finding other sources of funding.
Need to leverage technology to tackle corruption and reduce the issue of late payments through efficient management of resources.
The government should also work to create more employment opportunities in rural areas, so that people are less reliant on MGNREGS.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/lack-of-budget-high-demand-slow-mgnregs-92144

3. NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The recent developments in the South Caucasus region (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) have implications for India, in connectivity and ties with the region.

EXPLANATION:

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh is called one of the “frozen conflicts” of the world.
This conflict erupted on September 19, 2023, when Azerbaijan launched an offensive and within 24 hours, declared victory over the separatist province of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Authorities of the province have said the ethnic Armenian enclave would dissolve on January 1, 2024.

THE CONFLICT OVER THE DECADES OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH:

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a decades-long dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
It is de facto controlled by the self-declared Republic of Artsakh.
The region is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
The conflict has its roots in the early 20th century, when the region was part of the Russian Empire.
After the Russian Revolution, Nagorno-Karabakh was disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In 1921, the Soviet Union awarded the region to Azerbaijan, but granted it an autonomous status.
In the late 1980s, tensions between Armenians and Azerbaijanis in Nagorno-Karabakh increased.
In 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence from Azerbaijan.
This led to a full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which lasted from 1992 to 1994.
The war resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of millions more.
A ceasefire was signed in 1994, but the conflict remained unresolved.
The two sides have negotiated a number of peace agreements over the years, but none of them have been successful.
In 2020, the conflict erupted again. The war lasted for six weeks and resulted in the deaths of thousands of people on both sides.
The war ended with a ceasefire that resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control of most of the territory it had lost in the 1990s war.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a complex and difficult one.
There is no easy solution. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have legitimate claims to the region, and neither side is willing to give up its claims.
The conflict has had a devastating impact on the people of the region. Millions of people have been displaced, and the economy of the region has been severely damaged.
The conflict has also destabilized the region and increased tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan’s neighbors, including Turkey and Russia.
The international community has been unable to resolve the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The United Nations Security Council has passed four resolutions demanding that Armenia withdraw its forces from Nagorno-Karabakh, but Armenia has refused to comply.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a complex and difficult one, and it is likely to remain unresolved for the foreseeable future.

WHAT IS THE STANCE OF INDIA?

India has a neutral stance on the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
India has close ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Importantly, the region is central to its plans of connectivity through the south Caucasus region.
India has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and it has supported the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to mediate a settlement.
India has also provided humanitarian assistance to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
India’s neutral stance on the conflict is in line with its foreign policy of non-alignment.
However, India’s neutral stance on the conflict has been criticized by some who argue that India should support Armenia’s right to self-determination.
Others argue that India should support Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
India is in a difficult position on the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-history-indias-response-8970391/

4. CABLE TELEVISION NETWORKS (REGULATION) ACT, 1995

TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: The punishments specified under Section 16 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 were decriminalized through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provision) Act, 2023.

EXPLANATION:

Recently, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has notified amendments in the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.

WHAT DOES SECTION 16 DEAL WITH?

Section 16 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 dealt with the punishment for contraventions under any of its provisions.
This section had provision for imprisonment which might extend upto 2 years, in case of first instance and 5 years for every subsequent offence.
Punishments specified under Section 16 were re-examined and were decriminalized through the Jan Viswas (Amendment of Provision) Act, 2023.
With an aim to make the Act more business-friendly and to boost the investor confidence in the sector, Section 16 has been decriminalised.
The imprisonment provisions have been now replaced with monetary penalty and other non-monetary measures like Advisory, Warning and Censure.
These measures will be enforced through the “designated officer” defined in the rules notified.
Moreover, Section 16 now introduces an appeal mechanism against the order made by designated officer.
Sections 17 and 18 were omitted for being redundant.

CABLE TELEVISION NETWORKS (REGULATION) ACT, 1995:

The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to regulate the operation of cable television networks in the country.
The Act was passed in the wake of the rapid growth of cable television in India in the early 1990s.
The Act has been amended several times since it was passed.
The most recent amendment was in 2011.
The 2011 amendment introduced a number of new provisions, including a requirement for cable television operators to provide set-top boxes to their subscribers and a requirement for cable television channels to be uplinked only from India.
It has played an important role in regulating the cable television industry in India.
The Act has helped to ensure that the industry is orderly and that consumers are protected from harmful content.

Here are some of the key features of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995:

It requires all cable television operators to register with the government.
It empowers the government to regulate the content that is broadcast on cable television networks.
It establishes a Cable Television Authority of India to oversee the implementation of the Act.
It requires cable television operators to provide set-top boxes to their subscribers.
It requires cable television channels to be uplinked only from India.
The Act has been criticized by some for being too restrictive. However, the government has defended the Act, arguing that it is necessary to protect consumers and to ensure that the cable television industry is orderly.

Some of the benefits of decriminalization of provisions under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 are:

The amendments are likely to encourage compliance with the Act without resorting to harsh punishments and sensitive to minor or unintended contraventions.
The amended provision allows for the use of a range of penalties, which provides flexibility in addressing different types of contraventions.
The amendment in the rules defines a “designated officer” for imposing penalties.
The amended provision explicitly addresses subsequent contraventions and in addition to the provision for higher penalties, includes the provisions for suspension or cancellation of registration.
The inclusion of an appeal mechanism provides individuals or entities the opportunity to challenge penalties or decisions.
This ensures a fair and transparent process and safeguards against potential abuse of power.
The definition of common terms in cable industry like “platform services” and “local cable operator” have been defined in the rules for the first time to bring about uniformity in their usages.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1964677

5. DOMESTIC CARD SCHEME (DCS)

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY, GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Al Etihad Payments (AEP) for Domestic Card Scheme (DCS) Implementation in UAE.

ABOUT THE AGREEMENT:

As per the agreement, NIPL and AEP will work together to build, implement, and operationalize UAE’s national domestic card scheme.
- NIPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- AEP is an indirect subsidiary of the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE).
The DCS will aim to facilitate:
- the growth of e-commerce;
- digital transactions in the UAE;
- bolster financial inclusion;
- support the UAE’s digitization agenda;
- increase alternate payment options;
- reduce the cost of payments;
- enhance the UAE’s competitiveness and
- position as a global payments leader.
The partnership aligns perfectly with NIPL’s mission to offer its knowledge and expertise to assist other countries in establishing their own cost-efficient, and secure payment systems.
The DCS solution is based on the principles of:
- Sovereignty;
- speed to market;
- innovation;
- digitization, and
- strategic independence.
The DCS solution provided by NIPL consists of a RuPay stack and value-added services like fraud monitoring services and analytics.
- RuPay is an indigenous, highly secure, and widely accepted card payment network in India.
- RuPay cards have debit, credit, and prepaid propositions.
- More than 750 Million RuPay cards are in circulation as of date.
- RuPay cards make up more than 60% of total cards issued in India, with every second Indian having a RuPay card now.
- These cards are issued through the entire banking spectrum, including public sector, private, and small banks.
NIPL will also assist AEP in formulating the operating regulations for their domestic card scheme.

DOMESTIC CARD SCHEME (DCS):

It is a payment card system that is operated and managed by a domestic entity.
It is independent of international card networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

DCSs offer a number of benefits, including:

Lower transaction fees:
- DCSs typically charge lower transaction fees than international card networks.
- This is because DCSs do not have to pay royalties to international card networks.
Greater control over the payment system:
- DCSs give domestic governments and central banks greater control over the payment system.
- This can be important for managing the economy and financial stability.
Increased innovation:
- DCSs can foster innovation in the payments industry, as they are not bound by the rules and regulations of international card networks.

Here are some examples of DCSs around the world:

RuPay (India)
UnionPay (China)
MIR (Russia)
Elo (Brazil)
Troy (Turkey)
Interac (Canada)

BENEFITS OF THE DCSs:

DCSs are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a number of advantages over international card networks.
DCSs are also seen as a way to reduce reliance on foreign payment systems and to promote financial sovereignty.
DCSs are typically used for domestic transactions, but they can also be used for international transactions.
For example, RuPay cards can be used in over 100 countries around the world.
DCSs are a growing trend in the payments industry, and they are expected to play an increasingly important role in the future.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1964712

WSDP Bulletin (05-10-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

PM hails landmark of 50 lakh beneficiaries of PMSVANidhi Scheme READ MORE
2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Three share prize for discovery of quantum dots, now used in LEDs READ MORE
National Action Plan for Green Shipping promotes eco-friendly practices: DG of Shipping READ MORE
U.S. keeps distance on Muizzu’s plan to end Indian military presence in Maldives READ MORE
New defence indigenisation list has futuristic weapons, systems READ MORE
In first polls post-370, Kargil hill council elections sees over 78% turnout READ MORE
Glacial lake outburst flood kills 14 in Sikkim, 102 people missing: What is GLOF, and why does it happen? READ MORE
Delhi HC passes ‘dynamic injunction’ against illegal ICC World Cup broadcast: What this means, what was the case READ MORE
Latest Nipah Virus Outbreak reports 33% case fatality rate, all bat samples tested negative: WHO READ MORE
India, Japan launch sustainability fund worth $600 million for low carbon emission projects READ MORE

Main

GS Paper- 1

Hugh and Colleen Gantzer write: Women’s Bill, through our travels READ MORE
Missing in the caste survey READ MORE
Economic and social reform constitute a radical agenda of eradicating caste READ MORE
Cause and Effect | Did an underwater volcanic eruption add to rising temperatures? READ MORE
Monsoon woes READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

Women’s quota, panchayats to Parliament READ MORE
Retribution for the south, accolade for the north READ MORE
Drawing lines in Cauvery waters READ MORE
Court’s Sweeping Powers Under Article 142 Can’t Be Used to Override Substantive Law: SC READ MORE
Age of Consent: Law Panel Report Simply Diagnoses, Doesn’t Solve the Problem READ MORE
“One Nation-One Election” is vital for good governance READ MORE
Dynamics of women’s empowerment in Indian politics READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

Making menstrual health a welfare priority: Insights from three states READ MORE
NEP 2020 centralises education, worsens existing maladies READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

Development partnerships for food security: India in the Indo-Pacific READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Driving mobility to a sustainable future READ MORE
Advancing women’s role in India’s economic progress READ MORE
It is a global recession with economic growth among lowest in four decades READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Keeping tabs on carbon with an accounting system READ MORE
Tackle climate risk firmly to minimise economic losses READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Let there be light: On the 2023 physics Nobel READ MORE
Don’t deprive scientists of funds, incentives READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

As Sikkim Reels From Disastrous Floods, Concerns Over Warning Signs and Enormous Impact READ MORE

INTERNAL SECURITY

Mizoram National Front and the politics of cross-border kinship READ MORE
Why the Five Eyes remain blind to India’s security concerns READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

Is mortality subjective? READ MORE
God and his many forms READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

ONOE would be a great help in substantially minimizing the effects of using polarisation based on socio-economic toxicity to win elections. How far do you agree with this statement? Analyse your viewpoint.
Discuss the issue of climate migrants. Suggest ways to address the challenges related to climate migration.
By collaborating with neighbouring countries, India can serve as a catalyst for positive change and promote food security and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific. Comment.
India’s female workforce participation remains paltry and calls for an urgent review of India’s policies and schemes related to women’s empowerment. Argue.
While legislative representation is a critical aspect, it must be complemented by measures that empower women at the grassroots level. Comment on the statement in the light of the recent Women’s Reservation Act

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

Don’t hit at all if it is honourably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft!
ONOE would be a great help in substantially minimizing the effects of using polarisation based on socio-economic toxicity to win elections.
An election should mark the celebration of a vibrant democracy. It should not degenerate into an exercise maximising polarisation based on socio-economic toxicity. ONOE would be a great help in substantially minimising this adverse impact.
Being a multilateral forum of international economic cooperation, the G20 can serve as a suitable platform for creating a dedicated fund for climate migrants.
By collaborating with neighbouring countries, India can serve as a catalyst for positive change and promote food security and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific.
India’s female workforce participation remains paltry and calls for an urgent review of India’s policies and schemes related to women’s empowerment.
While legislative representation is a critical aspect, it must be complemented by measures that empower women at the grassroots level.
Achieving gender equity and true empowerment requires a deeper understanding of the complexities involved and a commitment to addressing them effectively.
True empowerment necessitates a sociopolitical transformation at the grassroots level, characterised by women’s access to education, equal opportunities, economic independence, and, most importantly, political independence.
Consent is pivotal as it respects individual autonomy, fosters safety, maintains ethical standards, and promotes healthy, respectful relationships.
A good plan of action is being implemented by the Integrated Development Project implemented by the Himachal Forest Department with the assistance of the World Bank. It seeks to improve upstream water management and water productivity of selected gram panchayats.
Resolution of dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu can pave the way for addressing interstate river water conflicts.
The five southern States have effectively controlled their population and should not be penalised through reduced political representation.

ESSAY TOPIC

India to awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened
What we sow we reap.

50-WORD TALK

Canada should have first pursued private diplomatic talks with New Delhi before it decided to go to parliament with Nijjar killing allegations and collect a mohalla-style panchayat of its global allies. The onus of privileging its domestic politics over diplomacy is on Ottawa. Justin Trudeau can’t have it both ways.
The journey to gender equality in India’s workforce is long and challenging. Yet, the potential benefits of women’s economic empowerment are enormous and transformative, both for women and society. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the women workforce in India gets their due.
India can serve as a catalyst for positive change, promoting food security and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific for the benefit of the entire region. Regional cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among nations in the region are vital for developing and implementing effective strategies to overcome these 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 (4th OCTOBER 2023)

1. NOBEL PRIZE 2023 FOR PHYSICS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Nobel Prize 2023 for Physics was awarded to the three scientists Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier for their experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses for the study of electron dynamics in matter.

EXPLANATION:

The laureates have been awarded the Prize for experiments to produce ultra-short pulses of light, with which they can finally see directly into the super-fast world of electrons.
“Attosecond physics gives us the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by electrons.

Why weren’t electrons ‘seen’ before?

Electrons are the negatively charged particles of an atom. They zoom around the denser nucleus.
Before being able to study them directly, scientists understood their properties through averages.
The rapid movement of electrons would seem to blur together in the eyes of a camera that couldn’t lower its exposure time to the order of attoseconds.

How fast is electron dynamics?

The movement of an atom in a molecule can be studied with the very shortest pulses produced by a laser.
These movements and changes in the atoms occur on the order of femtoseconds—a millionth of a billionth of a second.
But electrons are lighter and interact faster, in the attosecond realm. An attosecond if a billionth of a billionth of a second.
All light consists of waves of electric and magnetic energy.
- Each wave has a sinusoidal shape starting from a point, going up to a peak, dipping into a trough, and finally getting back to the same level as the starting point.
By the 1980s, physicists had found ways to produce light pulses whose duration was a few femtoseconds.
The technology used to produce these pulses couldn’t be refined any further, so physicists believed the femtosecond to be the hard lower limit Yet ‘seeing’ electrons required an even shorter flash of light.

What are the applications of attosecond physics?

Materials science: Attosecond pulses can be used to create new materials with unique properties, such as ultrafast conductors and optical switches.
Medical diagnostics: Attosecond pulses can be used to image biological molecules in unprecedented detail, which could lead to new methods for early cancer detection and treatment.
Quantum computing: Attosecond pulses could be used to control qubits, the basic units of information in quantum computers.

NOBEL PRIZES:

Alfred Nobel was an inventor, entrepreneur, scientist and businessman who also wrote poetry and drama.
His varied interests are reflected in the prize he established and which he lay the foundation for in 1895 when he wrote his last will, leaving much of his wealth to the establishment of the prize.
Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been honoring men and women from around the world for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for work in peace.
The prizes consist of a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award.
In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) established the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize.
The prize is based on a donation received by the Nobel Foundation in 1968 from Sveriges Riksbank on the occasion of the bank’s 300th anniversary.
The first prize in economic sciences was awarded to Ragnar Frisch and Jan Tinbergen in 1969.
The prize in economic sciences is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden, according to the same principles as for the Nobel Prizes that have been awarded since 1901.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/2023-nobel-prize-in-physics-seeing-electrons-through-brief-pulses-of-light-explained/article67376832.ece

2. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Armenia’s Parliament voted to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).

EXPLANATION:

Armenia’s decision to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a significant development but it is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the country’s relations with Russia.

BACKGROUND:

Armenia has been a close ally of Russia for decades.
The two countries are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of former Soviet republics.
Russia has also been Armenia’s main supplier of arms and military assistance.
However, Armenia’s relations with Russia have become increasingly strained in recent years.
This is due to a number of factors, including Russia’s role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, its invasion of Ukraine, and its economic decline.

THE ICC WARRANT FOR PUTIN:

In May 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine.
The warrant is based on the ICC’s investigation into alleged atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.

ARMENIA’S DECISION TO JOIN THE ICC:

The ICC ratification by Armenia is mainly motivated by its desire to prepare legal challenges against Azerbaijan. But it also sends a clear message to Moscow.
Armenia’s decision to join the ICC is a signal that the country is distancing itself from Russia.
By joining the ICC, Armenia is committing to upholding international law and prosecuting those who commit serious crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

IMPLICATIONS FOR ARMENIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS:

Armenia’s decision to join the ICC is likely to have a significant impact on Armenia-Russia relations.
Russia has already warned Armenia that its decision to join the ICC is a “hostile step.”
It is possible that Russia could retaliate against Armenia by reducing its economic and military assistance.
However, it is also possible that Armenia’s decision to join the ICC could lead to a closer relationship between Armenia and the West.
The United States and other Western countries have praised Armenia’s decision to join the ICC.
It is possible that these countries could provide Armenia with increased economic and military assistance in the future.

WAY FORWARD:

Armenia’s decision to join the ICC is a significant development with far-reaching implications for the country’s relations with Russia and the West.
It remains to be seen how Russia will respond to Armenia’s decision, but it is clear that Armenia is charting a new course in its foreign policy.

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC):

It is the only permanent international criminal tribunal.
It was created by the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (its founding and governing document), and began functioning on 1 July 2002 when the Statute came into force.
123 nations are States Parties to the Rome Statute and recognize the ICC’s authority; the notable exceptions being the US, China, Russia, and India.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/armenias-parliament-votes-to-join-the-international-criminal-court-straining-ties-with-ally-russia/article67376736.ece/amp/

3. IEA CRITICAL MINERALS AND CLEAN ENERGY SUMMIT

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The International Energy Agency (IEA) hosted the first ever International Summit on critical minerals and their role in clean energy transitions on 28 September 2023 in Paris.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMIT:

The meeting was attended by ministers, industry leaders, investors, international organisations and civil societies from 50 countries, who agreed on six main actions to assure sustainable, long-term and ethical supply chains of vital minerals.
The actions include:
- Advancing the goal of diversified mineral supplies;
- Maximising the potential of technology and recycling;
- Fostering market transparency;
- Improving the accessibility of trustworthy information;
- Establishing incentives for sustainable and responsible production; and
- Stepping up efforts to foster international cooperation.
The summit was built on the ministerial directive issued to the IEA in 2022 to advance its work on:
- vital minerals,
- the constituents of solar panels,
- wind turbines, and
- electric vehicles, among other important clean energy technologies.
Between 2017 and 2022, demand from the energy sector for lithium tripled.
There was a 70 per cent increase in cobalt demand and a rise of 40 per cent in nickel demand too, as per the IEA estimates.
The momentum is expected to continue through 2023 and beyond, the IEA said in its review.

HOW CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITIONS ARE DRIVING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN MINERAL DEMAND?

From 2017 to 2022, demand from the energy sector was the main factor behind a tripling in overall demand for lithium, a 70% jump in demand for cobalt, and a 40% rise in demand for nickel.
Propelled by rising demand and high prices, the market size of key energy transition minerals doubled over the past five years, reaching USD 320 billion in 2022.
This rapid growth is set to continue.
In the IEA’s Announced Pledges Scenario, demand for critical minerals more than doubles by 2030.
In the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, it grows three and a half times to 2030, topping 30 million tonnes.
Given this trajectory, the development of diverse, resilient and sustainable clean energy supply chains for critical minerals is an essential task.

SPECIFIC CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Supply concentration:
- The supply of critical minerals is concentrated in a few countries, which makes the market vulnerable to disruptions.
- For example, China produces more than 80% of the world’s lithium and cobalt.
Environmental and social impacts:
- The mining and processing of critical minerals can be environmentally and socially harmful.
- For example, the mining of lithium can pollute water supplies and the processing of cobalt can expose workers to harmful chemicals.
Demand growth:
- Demand for critical minerals is growing rapidly, driven by the clean energy transition.
- This is putting a strain on the supply of minerals and driving up prices.

OPPORTUNITIES:

New technologies:
- There are a number of new technologies in development that could reduce demand for critical minerals or make mining and processing more sustainable.
- For example, new battery chemistries could reduce the need for cobalt.
Recycling:
- Recycling critical minerals can help to reduce demand for virgin minerals.
- However, recycling rates for critical minerals are currently low.
Collaboration:
- Governments, businesses, investors, and civil society organizations can work together to secure a sustainable supply of critical minerals.
- For example, governments can provide financial support for new mines and processing facilities, businesses can develop new technologies, and investors can invest in sustainable mining projects.
By addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities, the world can secure a sustainable supply of critical minerals for the clean energy transition.

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA):

The IEA was founded in 1974 to ensure the security of oil supplies.
Energy security remains a central part of our mission but today’s IEA has a wider mandate to focus on a full range of energy issues, including climate change and decarbonisation, energy access etc.
The IEA was created in response to the 1973-1974 oil crisis when an oil embargo by major producers pushed prices to historic levels, and exposed the vulnerability of industrialised countries to dependency on oil imports.
The IEA’s founding members were Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Agency’s “open door” policy has since allowed the IEA to deepen its collaboration with 11 new countries through the Association programme: Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, and most recently, Ukraine, which joined in 2022.
This IEA family of member and association countries now represents over 80% of global energy consumption, up from 40% in 2015.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/renewable-energy/iea-summit-on-clean-energy-minerals-actions-for-sustainable-ethical-supply-chains-agreed-upon-92076

4. THE UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES (PREVENTION) ACT (UAPA), 1967

TAG: GS 3: INTERNAL SECURITY, GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been invoked against the news portal NewsClick.

EXPLANATION:

On 3^RD October, the Delhi police has raided the office of the news portal NewsClick and the residence of its editor and other staff.
Some of them have been arrested and charged under UAPA which has resulted into huge concern for press freedom in India.
The main allegation in the FIR against NewsClick is that the news portal allegedly received illegal funding from China routed through the United States.
The FIR has been registered under various Sections of the UAPA.
The other provisions invoked against NewsClick include Section 13 (unlawful activities), 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for terrorist acts), 18 (conspiracy), and 22 (C) (offences by companies, trusts) of the UAPA, along with IPC sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different group) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

PROVISIONS UNDER UAPA:

Among the key provisions invoked is Section 16, which prescribes punishment for terrorist acts.
Section 15 of the UAPA defines “terrorist act”.
- It is punishable with imprisonment for a term of at least five years to life.
- In case the terrorist act results in death, the punishment is death or imprisonment for life.
- This is an offence that describes violent acts that are serious in nature.
The provision describes the terrorist acts as:
- The use of bombs, dynamite or other explosive substances;
- causing death or loss/ damage/ destruction of property;
- disruption of any supplies or services essential to the life of the community in India;
- damage to the monetary stability of India by way of production or smuggling or circulation of high-quality counterfeit Indian paper currency, coin or of any other material.
Section 43D (5) of UAPA places very stringent conditions for obtaining bail.

UAPA:

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been enacted in 1967 that allows the government to designate individuals and organizations as “terrorists” and to detain them without trial for up to 180 days.
The law has been criticized for its vague and overbroad definitions, which allow the government to target anyone it deems to be a threat to national security.
The UAPA has been used to suppress dissent and silence critical voices in India.
The law has been used against journalists, activists, students, and religious minorities. The UAPA has also been used to target political opponents of the government.
The UAPA has been challenged in court on a number of occasions. However, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the constitutionality of the law.

CRITICISMS OF THE UAPA:

The definition of “terrorist” is vague and overbroad, allowing the government to target anyone it deems to be a threat to national security.
The UAPA allows the government to detain people without trial for up to 180 days. This is a serious infringement on the right to liberty.
The UAPA does not provide adequate safeguards for the rights of the accused. For example, it is difficult for accused persons to challenge their detention or to obtain bail.
The UAPA has been used to target journalists, activists, students, and religious minorities. This has had a chilling effect on freedom of speech and expression.
The use of the UAPA against NewsClick is just one example of how the law is being used to suppress dissent and silence critical voices in India.
The UAPA is a serious threat to press freedom and democracy in India. It is important to defend press freedom and to stand up for the right of journalists to report freely and without fear of reprisal.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/what-uapa-sections-have-been-invoked-against-newsclick-8967236/

5. SWACHH BHARAT MISSION

TAG: GS 1: SOCIETY, GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: A departmental working paper by the World Bank on the progress of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) has found that regular toilet use is declining in rural India from 2018-19 onwards.

EXPLANATION:

These findings came amid concerns over the government’s claims that practices such as open defecation and manual scavenging no longer continue in India.
- These findings were solely based on the fact that toilet access had improved after the building of over 100 million toilets.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAPER:

The paper reconciles data from a variety of sources, including the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS), National Sample Surveys (NSS), and National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey (NARSS).
It found out that the largest drop in regular toilet use is most pronounced in states with high Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe socio-economic groups.
States where there has been a sustained decline in regular use of toilets since 2018 were Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh
Whereas seven other States like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal have been seeing an uneven decline in toilet use since 2018.
There are a number of possible explanations for this decline.
- One possibility is that the toilets that were built under the SBM-G are not well-maintained, making them unusable or unsafe.
- Another possibility is that people are not using the toilets because they are inconvenient or uncomfortable.
- It is also possible that people are returning to open defecation because they believe it is more hygienic or because they have been forced to do so by social pressure.
The decline in regular toilet use is a serious concern, as it could undermine the gains that have been made in reducing open defecation in rural India.
Open defecation is a major public health problem, as it can lead to the spread of diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid.

The World Bank paper makes a number of recommendations for addressing the decline in regular toilet use. These recommendations include:

Investing in the maintenance of toilets.
Making toilets more convenient and comfortable to use.
Addressing social norms that discourage the use of toilets.
Providing education and awareness about the importance of using toilets.

STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT:

The government of India has also taken some steps to address the decline in regular toilet use.
For example, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has launched a program to provide subsidies for the repair and maintenance of toilets.
The government has also launched a campaign to promote the use of toilets and to address social norms that discourage it.
It is important to monitor the progress of these efforts and to make sure that they are effective in reversing the decline in regular toilet use.
Open defecation is a major public health problem, and it is essential to ensure that everyone in India has access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities.

SPECIFIC CONCERNS FOR SC/ST HOUSEHOLDS:

The decline in regular toilet use is particularly concerning for SC/ST households, as they are more likely to live in poverty and to have limited access to sanitation facilities.
SC/ST households are also more likely to be socially marginalized, and they may face pressure to return to open defecation.
The government needs to take specific steps to address the needs of SC/ST households in its efforts to reverse the decline in regular toilet use.
These steps could include:
- Providing targeted subsidies for the construction and maintenance of toilets in SC/ST communities.
- Working with community leaders to address social norms that discourage the use of toilets.
- Providing education and awareness about the importance of using toilets in SC/ST languages.

SWACHH BHARAT MISSION:

To accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put the focus on sanitation, the Prime Minister had launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd October 2014.
Under the mission, all villages, Gram Panchayats, Districts, States and Union Territories in India declared themselves “open-defecation free” (ODF) by 2 October 2019, by constructing over 100 million toilets in rural India.
To ensure that the open defecation free behaviours are sustained, no one is left behind, and that solid and liquid waste management facilities are accessible.
The Mission is moving towards the next Phase II of SBMG i.e ODF-Plus.
ODF Plus activities under Phase II of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) will reinforce ODF behaviours and focus on providing interventions for the safe management of solid and liquid waste in villages.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/despite-early-gains-of-swachh-bharat-mission-toilet-use-declining-since-2018-19-world-bank paper/article67376731.ece

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (23rd SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (ASI)

TAG: GS 1: ART AND CULTURE

THE CONTEXT: A Parliamentary panel calls for revising rules of construction around protected ASI monuments.

EXPLANATION:

According to the Parliamentary panel, the regulations imposed by the ASI around the monuments are creating problems for the local community.
Construction and other activities around 100 meters of the monuments are prohibited while those around 300 metres are restricted.
The community finds it difficult to do repair work of their residential spaces due to the same.

Need for revising the rules:
- In some cases, the entire village is within a radius of 300 meters, which makes it difficult for the entire village to carry out repair work of their residential houses.
- The same set of rules apply to both significant and insignificant monuments. For example, the rules above apply identically to the iconic Ajanta and Ellora monuments and Kos Minars, unknown cemeteries and tombs etc.
- It also noted that a quarter of the Centrally Protected Monuments are minor monuments with no national significance. For example, 75 graves of colonial-era soldiers.

Archaeological Survey of India:

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861 , under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.Its headquarters is in New Delhi.
Alexander Cunningham was the first director general of ASI. He is known as the father of Indian Archaeology.
In 1937, K.N. Dikshit became the Director General of the ASI and conducted important excavations in Ahichchhatra. After Independence, N.P. Chakravarti succeeded Sir Mortimer Wheeler as the head of the ASI in 1948.

Powers and functions of ASI:

Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI. Besides, it regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
The prohibited and restricted area provision was introduced in 2010 through an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
It prohibits and regulates all activities like mining and construction around 100 metres and 300 metres.

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/house-panel-calls-for-revising-rules-of-construction-around-protected-asi-monuments/article67335102.ece#:~:text=A%20Parliamentary%20panel%20has%20observed,to%20carry%20out%20necessary%20repair)

2. INDIA-CHINA RELATION

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Sports Minister cancelled his trip after China barred 3 Indian athletes from the Asian Games.

EXPLANATION:

The union sports minister has cancelled his visit to China for the upcoming Asian Games amid an escalating row over entry to athletes.
Reasons for cancelling the visit:
- China denied accreditation and entry to Indian sportspersons in the Asian Games.
- China is discriminating against Indian citizens on the basis of domicile or ethnicity.
- China has issued stapled visas to residents of India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Stapled visas are meant to indicate that China doesn’t recognise India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.
- China claims Arunachal Pradesh as “south Tibet” and announced a list of its own names for locations and geographic features in the strategic border state.

Background:
- China and India have been uneasy neighbours for decades after a war over their disputed Himalayan frontier in 1962. Relations nosedived in 2020 after a border clash in which 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed.
- In December 2022 troops of India and China clashed in Galwan valley.
- Arunachal Pradesh was depicted within China’s borders in a “standard map” released by China in August 2023.
- However, India always denied the claim of China over Arunachal Pradesh and said that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.

About Asian Games:
- The Asian Games is a multi-disciplinary sports event held once every four years. Athletes from all Asian countries are welcomed to participate in this event. The Asian Games is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and is the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympics.
- Guru Dutt Sondhi, a member of the Indian International Olympic Committee, proposed the idea of Asian Games as a sporting event, where all Asian nations can be represented.
- Asian Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from 1951 to 1978. Since 1982, Olympic Council of Asia now regulates the Asian Games.
- The symbol for the Asian Games is the rising sun with interlocking rings. Nine nations have hosted the Asian Games so far and 46 nations have participated in the games. Israel has not taken part in the Asian Games since 1974.

India and Asian Games:
- India is a founder member of Asian Games and also the host of the first Asian Games.
- The first-ever Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951.
- India is one of the seven countries to have participated in all the editions of the Asian Games.
- India along with Japan is the only country to have won at-least one gold medal in every event of Asian Games.

Source:(https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sports-minister-cancels-china-trip-after-indian-athletes-denied-entry-for-asian-games-2439068-2023-09-22)

3. UNCLOS

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Quad members said that all maritime claims should be addressed under UNCLOS.

EXPLANATION:

The foreign ministers of the Quad group reiterated that they are committed to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and also called for adhering to UNCLOS in addressing maritime claims in South and East China seas.
The Quad ministers reaffirmed that “international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the maintenance of peace and security in the maritime domain underpin the development and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific”.

About UNCLOS:

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was adopted in 1982.
It lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources.
It is also referred to as the Law of the Sea. It divides marine areas into five main zones: the High Seas, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Contiguous Zone, Territorial Sea, and Internal Waters.
It is the only international agreement that lays out a foundation for sovereign authority in maritime areas. It gives certain maritime zones various legal statuses.
It serves as the framework for offshore governance among coastal nations and seafarers.
Additionally to zoning the offshore areas of coastal states, it offers detailed instructions on each state’s rights and obligations inside the five concentric zones.
India has been a party to UNCLOS since 1995 and contributed positively to the discussions that led to its adoption in 1982.
The United Nations General Assembly decided, in 2015, to develop an international legally binding instrument under UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, but at present it is not formally adopted by the members.

About QUAD:

QUAD is Known as the ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’ (QSD).
It is an informal strategic forum comprising four nations, namely — United States of America (USA), India, Australia and Japan.
One of the primary objectives of the Quad is to work for a free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
It is considered an alliance of maritime democracies, and the forum is maintained by meetings, semi-regular summits, information exchanges and military drills of all the member countries.
Formation of QUAD:
- Since it was established in 2007, the representatives of the four-member nations have met periodically. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the first to pitch the idea for the formation of Quad in 2007.
- However, It was restarted in 2017 when the first official talks under the Quad took place in the Philippines.

Source:(https://thewire.in/world/quad-says-that-all-maritime-claims-should-be-addressed-under-unclos)

4. PLANKTON BLOOM

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The livelihood of local fishermen who farm mussels in the waters is threatened by an unusually dense plankton bloom that is creating an aquatic “dead zone” at the Chonburi’s coastline, Thailand.

EXPLANATION:

Chonburi’s coasts are famous for their mussel farms, and more than 80% of the almost 300 plots in the area have been affected.
Some areas in the Gulf of Thailand have more than 10 times the normal amount of plankton, turning the water a bright green and killing off marine life.
While the cause of the intense plankton bloom remains unclear, scientists believe pollution and the intense heat caused by climate change are the reason.
A plankton bloom caused thousands of dead fish to wash up along a stretch of beach in Thailand’s southern Chumphon province in the mid of 2023.

WHAT ARE PLANKTON BLOOMS?

A phytoplankton bloom is the development of a level of phytoplankton biomass that is uncharacteristically high for a given water body.
Often, but not always, blooms are formed by a single species.
Phytoplankton are microscopic, unicellular, filamentous, or colonial, photosynthetic microalgae or cyanobacteria that live in water.

Phytoplankton Growth Rate:

Like terrestrial plants, phytoplankton require sunlight and inorganic nutrients to produce new biomass.
Limited supplies of light or nutrients can slow or stop cell division, preventing bloom formation.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are the nutrients most likely to be in short supply relative to demand, and by Liebig’s law of the minimum, are the primary growth-limiting nutrients.
Nitrogen supplies tend to be limited in marine waters, and phosphorus supplies tend to be limited in freshwaters. However, many exceptions to these trends exist.

How does phytoplankton create dead zone?

“Dead zone” is a more common term for hypoxia, which refers to a reduced level of oxygen in the water.
Less oxygen dissolved in the water cause the marine life to either dies, or, if they are mobile such as fish, leave the area.
Habitats that would normally be teeming with life become, essentially, biological deserts.
Hypoxic zones can occur naturally, but scientists are concerned about the areas created or enhanced by human activity.
Blooms of phytoplankton or algae can cause major environmental problems.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when phytoplankton (algae and cyanobacteria) rapidly increase or accumulate, producing harmful conditions that negatively impact people, freshwater and marine ecosystems, and economies.
Certain environmental conditions including high nutrient concentrations from stormwater runoff or wastewater and insufficient mixing of the water column can trigger HABs.

Mitigation Strategies:

Reduce External Nutrient Loading.
Water Column Mixing.
Legacy Nutrient Removal.
Biological and Chemical Controls

Chonburi coastline of Thailand:

Chonburi is a coastal province in eastern Thailand, with a coastline of over 170 kilometers.
The area boasts abundant natural resources, which are highlighted by delightful Beaches, Local traditions, regional delicacies, and fresh Seafood.
It is home to a variety of beaches, including the popular tourist destinations of Pattaya, Jomtien, and Bang Saen.
It is also important for its fishing industry, which supports thousands of local people.
The coastline is home to a variety of mangroves, which provide important habitat for fish and other marine life.
Chonburi’s coastline is also home to a number of cultural and historical attractions, such as the Sanctuary of Truth and the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/extreme-plankton-bloom-creates-marine-dead-zone-off-eastern-thailand/article67333857.ece

5. PTERYGOTRIGLA INTERMEDICA

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of a vibrant orange coloured deep water marine fish Pterygotrigla intermedica from Digha Mohana in West Bengal.

EXPLANATION:

The detailed characteristics of this new fish species were published in Thalassas, an international marine science journal on September 20, 2023.
The species was caught by a local fisher on October 20, 2018, along with other fishes. The researchers collected a total of 24 specimens from the Digha Mohana fishing harbour during their study of by-catch components along the northern part of the east coast of India.
The discovery of Pterygotrigla intermedica is significant because it adds to our knowledge of the diversity of gurnard fishes in India and the world.

PTERYGOTRIGLA INTERMEDICA:

It is commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins, belongs to the family Triglidae.
After thorough examinations, the specimens of this fish were found to be very distinct from other gurnad species in various aspects such as snout length, shape of the internuchal space and size of the cleithral spine.
It is named Pterygotrigla intermedica because of its similar characters to species like Pterygotrigla hemisticta.
It is the fourth species of Pterygotrigla genus reported in India so far and there are a total 178 species of the Triglidae family worldwide.

What are the distinctive features of Pterygotrigla intermedica?

Pterygotrigla intermedica is distinguished from other gurnard species by a number of features, including:
A long opercular spine and a very short cleithral spine
A lateral line
12–13 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch
A large black blotch between the 4th and 6th spines of the first dorsal fin
A distinct pectoral fin with black membranes on the inner surface, a white posterior margin, and three small white spots basally in the fin, with each ray being creamy white.

ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (ZSI):

The ZSI is the apex organization in India for zoological research and studies.
It was established on July 1, 1916, as a Zoological Section of the Indian Museum at Calcutta.
The ZSI has its headquarters in Kolkata and 16 regional centers spread across the country.
It also maintains a National Zoological Collection, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive in Asia.
The ZSI publishes a variety of scientific publications, including journals, books, and monographs and provides training and capacity building in zoological research and management.
The ZSI’s main objectives are to:
- Conduct surveys and explorations to study the faunal diversity of India.
- Identify, classify, and document the faunal species of India.
- Conduct research on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of Indian fauna.
- Maintain and develop national zoological collections.
- Promote public awareness and education about Indian fauna.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/new-fish-species-discovered-in-bengal-s-digha-harbour-91875

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (21st SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Three years have been completed of the Abraham Accords.

EXPLANATION:

About the Abraham Accords:
- The normalization pact between Israel and the UAE is formally known as the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement.
- It was signed in 2020, between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, under the auspices of the U.S. government.
- In December 2020, Morocco joined the process, signing a normalization agreement with Israel.
- The Abraham Accords permitted Muslims from all over the globe to visit Israel’s historic sites and pray at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest mosque in Islam.

Previous Agreements: In more than 25 years, Israel and the Arab States have only ever reached two peace agreements.
- The first Arab nation to reach a peace agreement with Israel was Egypt in 1979.
- In 1994, Jordan signed a peace accord.

Significance:
- The agreements have ushered in a new era of normalization and peace that not only connects governments but also brings people together, despite the differences in their language, religious beliefs, cultures and more.
- Abraham Accords have offered a mere glimpse into the full potential of regional cooperation. For example, the scope of trade between Israel and other West Asian countries increased 74% between 2021 and 2022. Another example is tourism, mostly non-existent in the past, which has skyrocketed.
- The Accords have also had a significant influence on reinforcing Israel’s relations with neighboring countries. For example, the Prosperity Green & Blue agreement between Israel, the UAE, and Jordan determined that a solar field to supply 600 megawatts of electricity to Israel would be established in Jordan.
- The Abraham Accords encourage collaboration and education. In the summer of 2022, BenGurion University welcomed students from Morocco. Bahrain has also embraced the prospects for shared educational activities and signed a number of agreements with Israel to advance student and professor exchanges.
- Normalization has also helped foster increased levels of diplomatic engagement and conflict de-escalation across the Middle East, as seen through an array of bilateral and multilateral initiatives such as the Baghdad summits, the Negev summit and the Israel–Lebanon Maritime Agreement.

Benefits for Indians: The Abraham Accords have also opened up exciting opportunities for India and its thriving business community, which maintains strong relations and active engagement with our nations.
- Regional connectivity of West Asia will help the vibrant Indian diaspora in the Gulf, now they will have the convenience of direct flights between the UAE and Israel, as well as between Israel and Bahrain.
- The Accords have laid the foundation for expanded regional and multinational cooperation, and this has resulted in a flow of economic opportunities reaching India. We have witnessed substantial commercial collaborations between companies from the UAE, Israel, Bahrain, and the U.S., partnering with the Indian private sector.
- A concrete example of this high-level economic cooperation between Indian and west Asian governments is the establishment of the I2U2 Group, formed by Israel, India, the UAE, and the U.S.
- The Abraham Accords made the I2U2 Group possible, and its primary focus will be on joint investments in critical areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security.

Challenges:
- Palestinian matters: Regional leaders have expressed displeasure with the Palestinian leadership’s ‘failure’ to reach a peace deal with Israel or at least their continuous lack of opportunities. Even in September 2023, there is tension going on between Palestinian and Israel over the West bank.
- Iran problem: Tensions with Iran are a critical component of the Israeli–Emirati relationship. Unlike in past years, Iran’s obstructionist role is driving regional states to deepen their engagement. ‘Iran’s destabilizing regional activities is a common denominator for many MENA states that are forging cooperation.
- Geopolitics and the US dimension: The Middle East since the signing of the Abraham Accords is experiencing an important period of transition that offers agency, activism and opportunities. The war in Ukraine has become an added challenge and complication for MENA states. With geopolitical competition accelerating, those states have been trying to navigate a weakened but still influential Russia and US–China polarization.

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/three-years-of-the-abraham-accords/article67327731.ece)

2. THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: A Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud decided to hear a series of petitions challenging the constitutionality of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.The Section 6 A was added to the 1955 Act in the context of the Assam Accord.

EXPLANATION:

About Assam Accord:

Section 6A is a special provision inserted into the 1955 citizenship Act in furtherance of a Memorandum of Settlement called the ‘Assam Accord’ signed on August 15, 1985 by the then Rajiv Gandhi government with the leaders of the Assam Movement to preserve and protect the Assamese culture, heritage, linguistic and social identity.
It is a result of a six-year-long agitation by the All-Assam Students Union to identify and deport illegal immigrants.
Section 6A of Citizenship Act was added in the Constitution by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985, which added the following special provisions as to citizenship of persons covered by the Assam Accord (which related to the foreigners’ issue):
- Individuals of Indian origin who came to Assam before January 1, 1966, subject to some conditions deemed to be Indian citizens.
- Every Individuals of Indian origin who came to Assam on or after January 1, 1966, but before March 25, 1971, from Bangladesh, subject to some condition deemed to be a foreigner and shall have to register himself.
- Such a registered person shall be deemed to be a citizen of India for all purposes as from the date of expiry of a period of ten years from the date of detection as a foreigner. But, in the intervening period of ten years, he shall have the same rights and obligations as a citizen of India, excepting the right to vote.

What are the challenges against Section 6A of Citizenship Act,1955?

It is discriminatory in nature because, it grants citizenship to immigrants and illegal ones.
This special provision was in violation of Article 6 of the Constitution, which fixed the cut-off date for granting citizenship to immigrants.
It provides different cut off dates for regularising illegal migrants who entered Assam.
It is claimed that it is violative of right to equality (Article 14), right to life (Article 21) and minority rights (Article 29) under the Constitution of India.

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/constitution-bench-to-hear-challenge-to-section-6a-of-citizenship-act-on-oct-17/article67325390.ece)

3. GALAXY EVOLUTION.

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: How gravitational instabilities affect evolution of galaxies.

EXPLANATION:

Scientists have compared the star formation rate, gas fraction, and timescale for the growth of gravitational instabilities of nearby galaxies and investigated the stability levels of a sample of 175 galaxies taken from the Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves (SPARC) database.
This comparison helped them to trace the role of dark matter in regulating the stability levels of the galaxies and understand if stars and gas can self-regulate the stability levels.
Scientists have found that spiral galaxies like the Milky Way exhibit a higher median star formation rate, lower stability, lower gas fraction, and a smaller timescale for the growth of gravitational instabilities.
“This indicates that gravitational instabilities in spirals rapidly convert a substantial amount of gas into stars, depleting the gas reservoirs.

Formation of galaxy and Stars:

In the early universe, matter and energy were not even distributed.
These earlier variations in density led to variations in gravitational forces, which brought the stuff together. These served as the foundation on which galaxies were built.
A galaxy has a lot of stars in it. The immense distances between galaxies, estimated in thousands of light-years, are enormous.
Individual galaxies’ sizes range from 80,000 to 150,000 light years.
When hydrogen gas gathers into a massive cloud termed a nebula, a galaxy begins to form. An expanding nebula eventually forms small, localized gas clusters.
As these aggregates keep expanding into denser and denser gaseous masses, stars begin to form.

Spiral galaxies:

Spiral galaxies are twisted collections of stars and gas that often have beautiful shapes and are made up of hot young stars. Most spiral galaxies contain a central bulge surrounded by a flat, rotating disk of stars. The bulge in the center is made up of older, dimmer stars, and is thought to contain a supermassive black hole. Best example of Spiral galaxy is the Milky Way.

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2023-09-21/th_delhi/articleG5QBPC0H8-4317008.ece)

4. CANINE BRUCELLOSIS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Canine brucellosis, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Brucella Canis (B. Canis), is increasingly posing a threat to human health in the UK.

CANINE BRUCELLOSIS:

Canine brucellosis is a contagious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium, Brucella Canis (B. Canis).
This bacterial infection is highly contagious among dogs.
Infected dogs usually develop an infection of the reproductive system, or a sexually transmitted disease.
Different species of Brucella infect sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, and other animals.
Brucella canis was first described in 1966 in the United States, where it caused mass abortions of beagles in a research facility. Since then, it has been reported in many countries around the world, especially where dogs are bred intensively or imported without testing.

SIGNS OF BRUCELLOSIS:

Male dogs infected with brucellosis develop epididymitis, an infection in part of the testicle.
It can manifest in various ways and may include symptoms such as lethargy, fever, swollen lymph nodes, reproductive problems (such as infertility and spontaneous abortion in females), joint pain, and testicular swelling in males.
Female dogs infected with brucellosis develop an infection of the uterus.
Canis will infect the intervertebral discs, eyes, kidneys, heart or brain.

TRANSMISSION:

It primarily affects dogs but can also spread to humans.
The origin of Brucella canis is thought to be zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans.
Brucella canis is primarily transmitted among dogs through direct contact with bodily fluids, such as urine, saliva, and reproductive fluids, from infected individuals.
It can also be spread through contaminated materials, like bedding or equipment.
In humans, transmission typically occurs through contact with infected dogs or their secretions, although this is relatively rare.

SYMPTOMS IN HUMANS:

Human infection with Brucella canis, known as brucellosis, often starts with flu-like symptoms.
These initial symptoms include fever, fatigue, and body aches. These symptoms can be mistaken for common illnesses like the flu, making diagnosis challenging without proper testing.
Joint pain (arthralgia) is a common symptom of brucellosis in humans.
The joints, especially the larger ones like the knees, can become painful and swollen. This can lead to reduced mobility and discomfort.
In more severe cases of brucellosis, the infection can affect various organs in the body resulting in swelling of organs.
Organs commonly involved include the liver and spleen. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), and splenomegaly (enlarged spleen). These symptoms can be indicative of a more advanced stage of the disease.
In rare instances, brucellosis can lead to reproductive complications in women.
This can include miscarriages, stillbirths, or difficulty conceiving. The bacteria can infect the reproductive organs and interfere with fertility.

TREATMENT:

There is no definitive cure for Brucella canis infection in dogs.
Management typically involves controlling the spread of the disease through isolation and quarantine of infected animals.
Infected dogs may be prescribed antibiotics to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of transmission, but complete eradication of the bacterium is challenging.
In humans, it can be treated with a course of antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin.
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a favourable outcome.
Preventative measures, such as avoiding contact with infected animals and practising good hygiene, are crucial in preventing the spread of Brucella canis to humans.

SOURCE: https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/incurable-dog-disease-brucella-canis-infects-humans-in-uk-what-is-it-2438117-2023-09-20

5. KISAN RIN PORTAL AND WINDS PORTAL

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Finance Minister launched Kisan Rin Portal along with Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) manual in Delhi.

KISAN RIN PORTAL:

It is developed in collaboration with multiple government departments, is poised to revolutionize access to credit services under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
The Kisan Rin digital platform will offer a comprehensive view of farmer data, scheme utilization progress, loan disbursement specifics, and interest subvention claims, enhancing integration with banks for more efficient agriculture credit.

Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan: Door to Door KCC Campaign

The event marks the beginning of the “Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyaan,” an ambitious campaign to extend the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme to every farmer across India.
This campaign aims to achieve universal financial inclusion, ensuring that every farmer has unhindered access to credit facilities that drive their agricultural pursuits.
This campaign will play a pivotal role in reaching out to non-KCC account holder PM KISAN beneficiaries and fostering the saturation of KCC Accounts among eligible PM Kisan beneficiary farmers.
Total number of operative KCC Accounts as on March 2023 are 7.35 Crores with total sanctioned limit of Rs. 8.85 lakh crores.
For KCC Ghar Ghar Abhiyaan, NABARD has been identified as the Primary Executing Organization, vested with the responsibility of overall execution and monitoring of the programme.
In this regard, NABARD has taken the initiative to develop a portal to facilitate in monitoring the conduct of saturation drive camps in the field as also processing and issuance of KCCs to all eligible PM Kisan beneficiaries by the respective banks.

WEATHER INFORMATION NETWORK DATA SYSTEMS (WINDS):

The portal was launched in July, 2023 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
It leverages advanced weather data analytics to provide stakeholders with actionable insights on weather for informed decision-making in agriculture.
This comprehensive manual also provides stakeholders with an in-depth understanding of the portal’s functionalities, data interpretation, and effective utilisation, empowering farmers, policymakers, and various agricultural entities to make well-informed choices.
The WINDS initiative is laying emphasis on setting up a strong network of weather stations.
Through this initiative, the target is to establish a wide network of weather stations at the block and gram panchayat level.
This extensive network of weather stations will enable accurate monitoring of weather patterns, effective planning, risk assessment and timely response to meteorological challenges.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/govt-launches-kisan-rin-portal-and-weather-winds-manual-rrb-nirmala-sitharaman-11695139080059.html

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (13th SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. Delay in MGNREGA wages.

TAG: GS 2: Social justice

THE CONTEXT: There are approximately 25,000 MGNREGA workers in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur with their wages pending despite having completed the work assigned to them.

EXPLANATION:

Delays in the disbursement of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme wages in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur have led to severe financial stress, with some being forced to borrow money from private lenders at high interest rates. Some workers say they haven’t been paid for as many as five months, making it difficult to afford two square meals daily.
While a government official in the district admitted that the Rural Development Department in Patna had not received funds from the Centre for some time, leading to delays in the disbursement of the wages under the rural job guarantee scheme, he said the Centre has released the funds and the wages of 93% of the district’s workers have been released.
However, as per MGNREGA Watch, an NGO based in Muzaffarpur, around 25,000 workers in several blocks of the district, including Gaighat, Bochaha and Kurhani, are yet to receive their wages.

ABOUT MGNREGA:

Mahatma Gandhi NREGA was launched in 200 select districts on 2.2.2006 and was extended to 130 additional districts during 2007-08. All the remaining rural areas in the country have been covered under the Act w.e.f. 1.4.2008. Presently, Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is being implemented in all the notified rural areas of the country.

VISION: Mahatma Gandhi NREGA seeks to enhance the livelihood security of the households in rural areas of the country by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

OBJECTIVE:

The objectives of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) are:

Providing at least one hundred days of unskilled manual work in a financial year to every household in rural areas as per demand resulting in creation of productive assets of prescribed quality and durability;
Strengthening the livelihood resource base of the poor;
Proactively ensuring social inclusion; and
Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

The Ministry of Rural Development is the nodal Ministry for the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA. It is responsible for ensuring timely and adequate resource support to the States and to the Central Council. It has to undertake regular review, monitoring and evaluation of processes and outcomes. MORD will support innovations that help in improving processes towards the achievement of the objectives of the Act.

Eligibility Criteria of MNREGA:

The person must be an Indian national. The MGNREGA scheme requires applicants to be at least 18 years old to be eligible for enrollment.
The person needs to be prepared to perform unskilled labor.
The person who wants to enroll in the MGNREGA program must reside in a nearby household.

Problems in Scheme:

Low wage rate: Currently, MGNREGA wage rates of 17 states are less than the corresponding state minimum wages. Various judgements have upheld that the MGNREGA wage rate cannot be less than the minimum agricultural wage rate of the state. The ridiculously low wage rates have resulted in lack of interest among workers in working for MGNREGA schemes, making way for contractors and middle men to take control, locally.
Insufficient budget allocation: MGNREGA’s success at the ground level is subject to proper and uninterrupted fund flow to the states. Thrice in the last year and once this year, funds have dried up in states due to lack of “mother sanctions” from the Central government which hampers the work in peak season. Almost every year, more than 80 per cent of funds get exhausted within the first six months. Thus, the government’s claim of “record allocation” does not hold true in real terms. It has rather decreased as pending liabilities of the last year are also included in the current budget. Moreover, the fund allocation is insufficient to ensure proper implementation on the ground.
Regular payment delays: The Union Ministry of Rural Development considers wages paid once the FTO (Fund Transfer Order) is signed by the second signatory. However, delays take place even in the processing of signed FTOs, for which the Management Information System (MIS) does not calculate compensation.
Too much centralisation weakening local governance: A real-time MIS-based implementation and a centralised payment system has further left the representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions with literally no role in implementation, monitoring and grievance redress of MGNREGA schemes.
Numerous incomplete projects: The MGNREGA-funded projects have taken longer than expected to finish, and project inspections have been inconsistent. Additionally, there is a problem with the MGNREGA’s asset development and work quality.
Fabrication of Job Cards: There are a number of problems associated with fabricating Job Cards, including the availability of Fake Job Cards, the inclusion of Fake Names, Missing Entries, and Delays in Entries.

Way forward:

Better coordination is required between the many government agencies and the system used to distribute and evaluate the work.
There are certain differences in the payouts that also need to be handled. On average, women in the industry make 22.24% less money than males.
Every community must begin public work, and state administrations must see to it that this happens. Workers who arrive at the job site should be given work as soon as possible.
Local authorities must actively engage with quarantined and repatriated migrant workers and assist those who require it in obtaining job cards.
In order to prevent payment delays, gram panchayats must be given sufficient resources, authority, and duties to approve projects, deliver work on demand, and allow salary payments.

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/workers-suffer-penury-with-delay-in-mgnrega-wages/article67301825.ece)

2. Disasters in North Africa

TAG: GS 3: Disaster and disaster management.

THE CONTEXT:

More than 5,300 are feared dead, thousands more are missing as eastern Libya is devastated by floods.
Powerful quake in Morocco kills more than 2,000 people and damages historic buildings in Marrakech.

EXPLANATION:

The death toll in the city of Derna alone has exceeded 5,300.
Storm Daniel, which wrought devastation across the Mediterranean in the past week, killed 15 people in central Greece where it dumped more rain than previously recorded before sweeping across to Libya where over 2,500 died in a huge flood.
Flooding often happens in Libya during the rainy season, but rarely with this much destruction. A key question was how the rains were able to burst through two dams outside Derna – whether because of poor maintenance or sheer volume of rain.

Flood: An overflow of water onto normally dry land. The inundation of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch. Ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell. Flooding is a longer term event than flash flooding: it may last days or weeks.

Flash flood: A flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Flash floods are usually characterized by raging torrents after heavy rains that rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons sweeping everything before them. They can occur within minutes or a few hours of excessive rainfall. They can also occur even if no rain has fallen, for instance after a levee or dam has failed, or after a sudden release of water by a debris or ice jam.

Causes of Flood: Floods are caused by many factors:

Heavy precipitation,
Severe winds over water,
Unusual high tides,
Tsunamis, or
Failure of dams, levels, retention ponds, or other structures that contained the water.

Flood Control: Some of the common techniques used for flood control are installation of rock berms, rock rip-raps, sandbags, maintaining normal slopes with vegetation or application of soil cements on steeper slopes and construction or expansion of drainage channels. Other methods include levees, dikes, dams, retention or detention basins.

Flood management:

Organizations in charge of flood management must routinely do flood mapping.
Pre- and post-monsoon examination of structural measures will enhance the preparation.
Global best practices must be considered as the capacity of the disaster response force is developed.
Urban flooding is a significant problem nowadays. The smart cities program needs to take this danger into account.
The effects of climate change have been largely to blame for the regular flooding. Urgent action must be taken to implement the adoption and mitigation methods.
Geopolitical circumstances shouldn’t be a barrier to cross-border cooperation in the exchange of hydrological data.

Powerful quake in Morocco:

A rare, powerful earthquake struck Morocco in which more than 2,000 people were killed, and the toll was expected to rise.
The magnitude 6.8 quake is the biggest to hit the North African country in 120 years.
The epicenter of the tremor was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, roughly 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech. Al Haouz is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas Mountains.
In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 tremor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir and caused thousands of deaths. That quake prompted changes in construction rules in Morocco, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.
Earthquakes in the magnitude 6 range are more common in the northern part of Morocco near the Mediterranean Sea. . For example, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck in February 2004 and a magnitude 6.3 in January 2016 rocked the region.
Such quakes occur due to the “northward convergence of the African plate with respect to the Eurasian plate along a complex plate boundary.”
As per experts, the “oblique-reverse faulting at shallow depth within the Moroccan High Atlas Mountain range” resulted into the current earthquake.

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow the blocks to move relative to each other, causing earthquakes if the movement occurs rapidly. During a quake, the rock on one side of the fault suddenly slips with respect to the other.
Scientists use the angle of the fault with respect to the surface (known as the dip) and the direction of the slip along the fault to classify faults.

Faults which move along the direction of the dip plane are dip-slip faults, whereas faults which move horizontally are known as strike-slip faults. Oblique-slip faults show characteristics of both dip-slip and strike-slip faults. The term ‘reverse’ refers to a situation where the upper block, above the fault plane, moves up and over the lower block. This type of faulting is common in areas of compression — when one tectonic plate is converging into another.

Here the movement occurs, in two directions. Horizontal movement along the slip plane and vertical movement along the dip plane.

Earthquake: An earthquake in simple words is the shaking of the earth. It is a natural event. It is caused due to release of energy, which generates waves that travel in all directions.

Why does the earth shake?

The release of energy occurs along a fault. A fault is a sharp break in the crustal rocks. Rocks along a fault tend to move in opposite directions. As the overlying rock strata press them, the friction locks them together. However, their tendency to move apart at some point of time overcomes the friction. As a result, the blocks get deformed and eventually, they slide past one another abruptly.
This causes a release of energy, and the energy waves travel in all directions. The point where the energy is released is called the focus of an earthquake, alternatively, it is called the hypocentre. The energy waves travelling in different directions reach the surface. The point on the surface, nearest to the focus, is called epicentre. It is the first one to experience the waves. It is a point directly above the focus.

Earthquake Waves:

All natural earthquakes take place in the lithosphere.Earthquake waves are basically of two types — body waves and surface waves. Body waves are generated due to the release of energy at the focus and move in all directions travelling through the body of the earth. Hence, the name body waves. The body waves interact with the surface rocks and generate new set of waves called surface waves. These waves move along the surface. The velocity of waves changes as they travel through materials with different densities. The denser the material, the higher is the velocity. Their direction also changes as they reflect or refract when coming across materials with different densities.
There are two types of body waves. They are called P and S-waves. P-waves move faster and are the first to arrive at the surface. These are also called ‘primary waves’. The P-waves are similar to sound waves. They travel through gaseous, liquid and solid materials. S-waves arrive at the surface with some time lag. These are called secondary waves.

Earthquake management in india:

Awareness among various stakeholders
Structural mitigation measures
Monitoring and enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes and appropriate town planning.
Proper earthquake response planning
System of decentralized response
Trained manpower to deal with the disaster
Building back better

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/libyan-city-buries-several-people-killed-in-devastating-floods-as-thousands-of-people-reported-missing/article67299175.ece)

Source:(https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/earthquake-in-morocco-kills-several-people-government-reports/article67287719.ece)

3. India and Saudi Arabia build on corridor, strategic ties

TAG: GS 2: International relations

THE CONTEXT: The Prime Minister of India held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, after the conclusion of the G20 Summit.

EXPLANATION:

Days after the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), an ambitious infrastructure project to connect India to Europe via West Asia, was unveiled at the G20 Summit, India and Saudi Arabia signed eight agreements to boost cooperation in a range of areas — from energy to interconnectivity, digitalisation and electronic manufacturing to finance and security.
Modi and MBS — as the Saudi Crown Prince is popularly referred to — co-chaired the first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council which was set up in 2019.
The two sides signed eight agreements, including on upgrading their hydrocarbon energy partnership to a comprehensive energy partnership for renewable, petroleum and strategic reserves.
The two sides also agreed to create a joint task force for US$ 100 billion in Saudi investment, half of which is earmarked for a delayed refinery project along India’s western coast.
India will be connected by railroad under the multinational IMEC that was announced on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The proposed rail and ports plan, with the US, Saudi Arabia, India, European Union, United Arab Emirates as members, is being perceived as a counter to China’s Belt-and-Road Initiative.
The agreements include cooperation between India’s Central Vigilance Commission and Saudi’s anti-corruption unit, between investment entities, small and medium enterprises banks, between the National Archives of the two countries, and on desalination and renewable energy.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of trading in local currencies and expediting the negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council of which Saudi Arabia is a member.
Both sides agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in payment systems, including the acceptance of RuPAY cards in Saudi Arabia for the benefit of the Indian community in general and more particularly the Haj/ Umrah pilgrims.
The importance of trade in the bilateral relationship was recognised. Both sides praised the burgeoning trade ties and noted that bilateral trade has increased to more than US$ 52 billion in 2022-23, marking a growth of more than 23%. Both sides also noted that India is the second largest trade partner of Saudi Arabia, while Saudi Arabia is the fourth largest trade partner of India,”
India thanked Saudi Arabia for taking excellent care of over 2.4 million Indians residing there, extending support for evacuating Indian nationals stranded in Sudan through Jeddah under Operation Kaveri, and for facilitating Indian Haj and Umrah pilgrims.

Source:(https://indianexpress.com/article/india/neet-aspirant-from-jharkhand-kills-self-in-kota-8937706/)

4. NIPAH VIRUS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Kerala government is on high alert after two deaths due to Nipah virus occurred at a private hospital in Kozhikode. The Health Ministry has also directed for an isolation facility to be set up.

NIPAH VIRUS (NiV):

Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus as it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
It can also be transmitted through contaminated food and directly from human-to-human.
The case fatality rate is estimated at 40% to 75%.
This rate can vary by outbreak depending on local capabilities for epidemiological surveillance and clinical management.
In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.
Although Nipah virus has caused only a few known outbreaks in Asia, it infects a wide range of animals and causes severe disease and death in people, making it a public health concern.
Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural host of Nipah virus.
There is no treatment or vaccine available for either people or animals. The primary treatment for humans is supportive care.

WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE NIPAH VIRUS?

The NiV genome consists of a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA of approximately 18.2 kb, encoding six structural proteins:
nucleoprotein (N),
phosphoprotein (P),
matrix protein (M),
fusion protein (F),
attachment glycoprotein (G), and
the large protein or RNA polymerase protein (L).
In addition, the P gene encodes three non-structural proteins by RNA editing (V and W proteins) or an alternative open reading frame (C protein)

Structure of Nipah virus.

PAST OUTBREAKS OF THE VIRUS:

Nipah virus was first recognized in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in, Malaysia. No new outbreaks have been reported in Malaysia since 1999.
It was also recognized in Bangladesh in 2001, and nearly annual outbreaks have occurred in that country since.
The disease has also been identified periodically in eastern India.
Other regions may be at risk for infection, as evidence of the virus has been found in the known natural reservoir (Pteropus bat species) and several other bat species in a number of countries, including Cambodia, Ghana, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Thailand.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/nipah-virus-kerala-signs-symptoms-prevention-8936345/

5. THE PALPIMANUS GODAWAN AND THE PALPIMANUS MALDHOK

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Two new spider species, the Palpimanus Godawan and Palpimanus Maldhok, have been found in the conservation sites of the Rajasthan Desert National Park and Solapur, which is home to the critically endangered bird, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).

THE PALPIMANUS GODAWAN AND THE PALPIMANUS MALDHOK:

Godawan and Maldhok are named in honour of the local name of the GIB.
The spiders are particularly shy, hiding under rocks or in crevices when disturbed.
They are maroon in colour and belongs to the genus Palpimanidae.
They are ground species and have heavier bodies so their ability to disperse as spiders do by ballooning, shooting their web, and traipsing from one place to another is limited.
These two new species owe their continued existence to the protection awarded to the habitats of the GIB.
If the GIB was not there, these areas would not have been protected, and these spiders would not have survived as commented by an arachnologist
They stay confined to an area. More research on these spider species will continue. These discoveries signify that there are new species to be found in these areas, and so they are worth protecting.

Great Indian Bustard:

It is mainly found in the Indian subcontinent, is the flagship grassland species of India.
It is one of the largest flying birds in the world, and India’s heaviest flying bird.
Its population of about 150 in Rajasthan accounts for 95% of its total world population.
They are mainly in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, including the Desert National Park which is the natural habitat of the species.
Grasslands of Kutch in Gujarat which is home to second-largest bustard population in India.
Arid regions of Maharashtra (Solapur), Karnataka (Bellary and Haveri) and Andhra Pradesh (Kurnool)
It is the State bird of Rajasthan.

Conservation status:

IUCN: Critically Endangered.
CITES: Appendix I
The Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972: Schedule I

SOURCE: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/two-new-shy-spider-species-found-named-after-great-indian-bustard-101694459064975.html

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (12th SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. G20 AND TRADE MEASURES

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The G20 members took major trade measures and reiterated their commitment to reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO).

EXPLANATION:

The New Delhi declaration has the trade and investment agenda under the title “unlocking trade for growth”.
G20 Members emphasized the need to avoid discriminatory green economic policies and promote fair competition. The G20 also expressed support for positive outcomes at the WTO’s Thirteenth Ministerial Conference (MC13).
G20 leaders have committed to reforming the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement system, which has been dysfunctional since 2019, leading to protectionism in global trade by 2024.
They affirm that a rule based, non discriminatory, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, sustainable and transparent multilateral trading system with WTO at its core is indispensable.
They agreed to mobilise necessary resources to WTO’s ‘Aid for Trade’ initiative to enable developing countries, notably LDCs to effectively participate in global trade, including through enhances local value creation.
The five outcomes of G20 Trade and Investment of G20 Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting which culminated into Jaipur Call for Action are:

Digitilisation of trade documents
Enhancing information access to MSMEs
Framework to map global value chains
Best practices on mutual recognition agreements for professional services
A standards dialogue

In the declaration, the G20 referred to this Jaipur call for Action for enhancing micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) access to information to promote their integration into international trade.
As per the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, the G20 Generic Framework for Mapping Global Value Chains (GVCs) will help members identify risks and build resilience.
The members said that trade and environment policies should be mutually supportive, consistent with WTO and multilateral environmental agreements.

For more information on WTO refer to 19^th July DNA.

SOURCE: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/g20-delhi-declaration-wto-reform-discouraging-protectionism-mutually-supportive-trade-and-green-policies/articleshow/103537903.cms?from=mdr

2. G20 ON TAX EVASIONS AND CRYPTO AND FOREIGN ASSETS

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: In their joint declaration, the G20 leaders agreed to continue cooperation towards a globally fair, sustainable and modern international tax system appropriate to the needs of the 21st century.

EXPLANATION:

The leaders of G20 met and deliberated upon various socio-economic and geo-political policy decisions including ‘tax’, which is seen as being progressive.
The G20 has reaffirmed its commitment to the swift implementation of the ‘Two-Pillar’ international tax package.
‘Pillar One’ allocates certain portion of the taxing right to market jurisdictions, from residential jurisdictions.
For instance, under ‘Pillar ‘One, India will be able to impose certain portion of income tax on the sales generated in the Indian marketplace by giant e-commerce digital platforms like Amazon, Google, Facebook, ChatGPT etc,. These digital platform otherwise claim non-applicability of any Indian tax liability in the absence of any permanent establishment (PE) of these companies in the country.
‘Pillar Two’ provides for the levy of a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% on big MNCs, whereby any shortfall between such global minimum tax rate and the tax rate in the low tax jurisdiction will have to be paid by such MNCs as a top-up tax.
The big US-based multinational companies (MNCs) such as Apple, Amazon, Google and Facebook have consistently used complex networks of international subsidiaries incorporated in low tax jurisdictions or tax havens with multiple routes to minimise their tax incidences by moving their bases or profits from higher tax jurisdictions to lower tax jurisdictions or tax havens.
One of the major highlights of the joint declaration is the G20’s call for the swift implementation of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and amendments to the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
CARF is developed in light of the rapid growth of the crypto-asset market and for the reporting of tax information on transactions in crypto assets in a standardized manner. It automatically exchange such information with the jurisdictions of residence of taxpayers on an annual basis.
So, now crypto transactions undertaken by Indians on foreign-domiciled crypto exchanges will also come under the purview of automatic exchange of information protocol under CARF, and as such it will no longer be possible to hide such crypto transactions.
Similarly, the amended CRS, requires more tax transparency with respect to financial accounts held abroad, that will make it impossible for Indians not to disclose their foreign bank accounts and assets holdings abroad to the tax authorities.
So, from now, non-disclosure of any crypto transaction, foreign bank account, or real estate holding abroad by an Indian resident to Indian tax authorities may prove to be a very costly affair in terms of regulatory fines and penalties.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/what-g20-decided-on-crypto-and-foreign-assets-11694453267825.html

3. MEGALITH CULTURE

TAG: GS 1: ART AND CULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Ancient terracotta figurines found during archaeological explorations at megalithic dolmen site near Moodbidri.

EXPLANATION:

Unique terracotta figurines in different states of preservation, with bone and iron pieces have been found in recent archaeological explorations conducted in the megalithic dolmen site at Mudu Konaje, near Moodbidri, in Dakshina Kannada.
According to historian these ancient terracotta figurines were datable to 800-700 B.C and provide solid ground for the study of Bhoota cult or Daiva Aradhane of coastal Karnataka.
Cow bovine or Cow goddess had its parallels in Malampuzha megalithic terracotta figurines of Kerala and Egypt.
Of the eight figurines found, there are two cow bovines, one mother goddess, two peacocks, a horse, a hand of a mother goddess, and an unknown object.
The megalithic site at Mudu Konaje is located near Moodbidri. It was the biggest megalithic dolmen site which consisted nine dolmens on the slope of a stone hill.
The terracotta figurines found at Mudu Konaje in a megalithic context are a rare find of India as they were found inside the surface of dolmens.
Under a dolmen, huge stone slabs known as orthostats were erected in clockwise order, which created a square room. This square chamber was closed by an another huge stone slab as a cap stone. Generally, on the Eastern slab, a round or U-shaped entrance known as port-hole was created.
Dolmen is known by different names in South India like Kalmane, Pandavara Mane, Moriyara Mane, Moriyara Betta, Panara Arekallu, Madmal Gunda, Kandi Kone, Kottya, Toonth Kal, Pandavara Kal and so on which reveals its popularity among the common people.

Megalith :

Megalith refer to monuments built of large stones. But all monuments constructed of big stones are not megaliths. The megalithic usually refer to burials made of large stones in graveyards away from the habitation area.
Megaliths are spread across the Indian subcontinent, though the bulk of them are found in peninsular India, concentrated in the states of Maharashtra (mainly in Vidarbha), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Some types of Megalith structures are given below:

Menhir: Menhir is the name used in Western Europe for a single upright stone erected in prehistoric times which is sometimes called a “standing stone”.

Stone circles: A stone circle is a ring of standing stones. They are usually grouped in terms of the shape and size of the stones, the span of their radius, and their population within the local area’s

Dolmen: A Dolmen is a megalithic form created by placing a large capstone on two or more support stones creating a chamber below, sometimes closed in on one or more sides. It is often used as a tomb or burial chamber.

Cist: A Cist is a small stone-built coffin-like box or ossuary used to hold the bodies of the dead. Burials are megalithic forms very similar to dolmens in structure. These type of burials were completely underground. There were single- and multiple-chambered cists.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/ancient-terracotta-figurines-found-during-archaeological-explorations-at-megalithic-dolmen-site-near-moodbidri/article67295586.ece

4. GOLD AND COPPER SULPHIDE HYBRID NANOPARTICLES

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed hybrid nanoparticles, a new approach to potentially detect and kill cancer cells, especially those which form a solid tumour mass as per a study published in ACS Applied Nano Materials.

GOLD AND COPPER SULPHIDE HYBRID NANOPARTICLES:

Scientists have created hybrid nanoparticles made of gold and copper sulphide, which can kill cancer cells using heat, and enable their detection using sound waves.
Copper sulphide nanoparticles have previously received attention for their application in cancer diagnosis.
Gold nanoparticles can be chemically modified to target cancer cells which have shown anticancer effects.
In the current study, the IISc team decided to combine these two into hybrid nanoparticles.
These particles have photothermal, oxidative stress, and photoacoustic properties.

HOW IT WORKS?

When light is shined on these hybrid nanoparticles, they absorb the light and generate heat, which can kill cancer cells.
These nanoparticles also produce singlet oxygen atoms that are toxic for the cancer cells.
Both these mechanisms are needed to kill the cancer cells.

HOW CAN IT HELP OTHER EXISTING TECHNOLOGIES?

Nanoparticles can also help diagnose certain cancers. Existing methods such as standalone CT and MRI scans require trained radiology professionals to decipher the images.
The photoacoustic property of the nanoparticles allows them to absorb light and generate ultrasound waves, which can be used to detect cancer cells with high contrast once the particles reach them.
The ultrasound waves generated from the particles allow for a more accurate image resolution as sound waves scatter less when they pass through tissues compared to light.
Scans created from the generated ultrasound waves can also provide better clarity and can be used to measure the oxygen saturation in the tumour, boosting their detection.
Nanoparticles can integrate with existing systems of detection or treatment.
For example, the nanoparticles can be triggered to produce heat by shining a light on them using an endoscope that is typically used for cancer screening.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/iisc-scientists-develop-novel-approach-to-detect-and-kill-cancer-cells/article67294803.ece

5. DROUGHT

TAG: GS 3: DISASTER MANAGEMENT; GS 3: AGRICULTURE

THE CONTEXT: As per the Drought Early Warning System (DEWS), 30 per cent land area in India was under different degrees of drought in the first week of September 2023, worsening crop failure troubles for farmers and increasing food security concerns.

EXPLANATION:

According to the data by DEWS, 11.5 per cent area was under ‘severe’, ‘extreme’ and ‘exceptional’ dry conditions, while 18.9 per cent was under ‘abnormal’ to ‘moderate’ dry conditions.
DEWS is India’s first real-time drought-monitoring platform run by IIT Gandhinagar’s Water and Climate Lab.
August 2023 was the driest August since 1901.
The country received only about 162 millimetres of rainfall in the month of the August, instead of the expected 255 mm — a deficiency of 36 per cent.
The drought has increased troubles for farmers:
It delayed sowing in June and July because of low rainfall.
Farmers have to face crop failures and a decrease in crop output because of increase in the evapotranspiration rates.

Standardised Soil Moisture Index (SSI):

The Standardised Soil Moisture Index (SSI) showed that many districts are facing extreme stress of which maximum districts lie in the states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
SSI represents soil moisture drought.
SSI is an indication of the water that is available to plants.
Some of the worst affected districts experiencing soil moisture stress are Satara, Raigad, Nashik, and Kohlapur in Maharashtra, West Nimar in Madhya Pradesh, Balangir in Odisha, Korba and Raigarh in Chhattisgarh, Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, Chandauli and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Murshidabad and Hugli in West Bengal, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka, Ernakulam and Thrissur in Kerala.

Standardised soil moisture index (as on September 6, 2023)

The yellow to red colours on the map show the degree of deviations from the historic mean soil moisture.

Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI):

It is used to show meteorological drought, based on rainfall data.
It highlighted a substantial increase in rainfall deficit in the northern, western and central parts of the country in the month of August.

Standardised precipitation index (as on September 6, 2023)

The overall drought condition has been worsening in the last three months.
While 22.1 per cent land area was under drought in June, it increased to 24.4 per cent on August 7, 28.8 per cent on August 30 and 30.4 per cent on September 6, 2023.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/30-of-india-s-land-area-experiencing-different-degrees-of-drought-data-shows-91683

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (11th SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. INDIA – MIDDLE EAST – EUROPE ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (IMEC)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Governments of India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the UAE, France, Germany and Italy to establish the India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

EXPLANATION:

The new project is a part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) – a West-led initiative for funding infrastructure projects across the world, seen as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The IMEC is being envisioned as a network of transport corridors, including railway lines and sea lanes, that is expected to aid economic growth through integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe.

What is the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII)?

The infrastructure plan was first announced in June 2021 during the G7 (or Group of Seven) summit in the UK.
US President had called it the Build Back Better World (B3W) framework. However, it did not register much progress.
In 2022, during the G7 summit in Germany, the PGII was officially launched as a joint initiative to help fund infrastructure projects in developing countries through public and private investments.
The stated purpose of both the PGII and the BRI is to help secure funding for countries to build critical infrastructure such as roads, ports, bridges, communication setups, etc. to enhance global trade and cooperation.

What was the need for an alternative?

China began the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013. It aims to revive the ancient trade routes crossing to and from China–from Rome in Europe to East Asia.
Under this, the Chinese government helped in providing loans for infrastructure projects to various countries, and in many cases, Chinese companies were awarded contracts for carrying out the work. This helped China mark its footprints at a global level.
However, China was criticised in the West and by some other countries for providing unsustainable debts to countries that will be unable to repay them. According to a 2019 World Bank report, among the 43 corridor economies for which detailed data was available, 12 could face a situation where debts were not sustainable, which could lead to public assets being handed over to foreign contractors or China itself.
India, however, opposed the BRI as it included the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which connected Kashgar in China with the Gwadar port in Pakistan via Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

What has been announced so far as part of PGII initiatives?

European Commission (the executive arm of the European Union) chief said the IMEC is a further step in the PGII process that was launched last year during the G20 summit in Bali.
It announced several projects in Indonesia, among other countries, on clean energy, telecommunications, etc.
India was also a part of this meet, where one of the outcomes for funding was investments in its health infrastructure.
The US government’s agency, its International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) would invest over $15 million in India’s health infrastructure, including support for the expansion of a chain of eye clinics for conducting corrective surgery for underserved individuals, and an India-based social enterprise that manufactures safe and affordable women’s hygiene products for underserved women in non-metro areas.
The EU, through its Global Gateway programme, has now said it will “activate 300 billion of investments in critical connectivity projects during the period 2021-2027, half of which is destined for Africa.” Over 90 projects have been identified in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and in the Western Balkans.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/india-europe-economic-corridor-pgii-explained-8933335/

2. GLOBAL BIOFUELS ALLIANCE

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Indian Prime Minister launched the global biofuel alliance on the sidelines of the G 20 summit. It marked a watershed moment in our quest towards sustainability and clean energy.

EXPLANATION:

With an eye on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec)-plus grouping this alliance is being positioned as a global forum to help boost demand and technology transfer for the production of biofuels and enhance trade.
Recently released G20 Leaders’ Declaration said that the member countries “recognize the importance of sustainable biofuels in our zero and low- emission development strategies, and note the setting up of a Global Biofuels Alliance”.
China and oil producers Saudi Arabia and Russia have however decided not to be part of the alliance.

Global Biofuel Alliance:

The Global Biofuel Alliance is an India-led Initiative to develop an alliance of Governments, International organizations, and Industry to facilitate the adoption of biofuels.
The initiative aims to position biofuels as a key to energy transition and contribute to jobs and economic growth.
The Alliance which will help strengthen India’s position globally and will focus on collaboration. It will provide additional opportunities to Indian industries in the form of exporting technology and equipment.
GBA will support worldwide development and deployment of sustainable biofuels by offering capacity-building exercises across the value chain, technical support for national programs and promoting policy lessons-sharing.
It will facilitate mobilizing a virtual marketplace to assist industries, countries, ecosystem players and key stakeholders in mapping demand and supply, as well as connecting technology providers to end users.
It will also facilitate development, adoption and implementation of internationally recognized standards, codes, sustainability principles and regulations to incentivize biofuels adoption and trade

GBA members:

The GBA members include 19 countries and 12 international organizations have so far agreed to join the alliance, including both G20 members and non-member countries.
GBA founding members constitute major producers and consumers of biofuels. USA (52 per cent), Brazil (30 per cent) and India (3 per cent), and contribute about 85 per cent share in production and about 81 per cent in consumption of ethanol.
While the four G20 Invitee countries supporting GBA are Bangladesh, Singapore, Mauritius and the UAE. Similarly, the eight non-G20 countries are Iceland, Kenya, Guyana, Paraguay, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Finland.
International organisations include the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Economic Forum, World LPG Organisation, International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency and World Biogas Association.
The global ethanol market was valued at $99.06 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% by 2032 and surpass $162.12 billion by 2032.

Status of Biofuel energy:

According to estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global biofuel production would need to triple by 2030 to put the world’s energy systems on track toward net zero emissions by 2050.
In its ambitious energy transition journey, India has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2070.
India also has an ambitious biofuel roadmap. The government has advanced its target to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26 from an earlier target of 2030.
The target of petrol supplies with 10% ethanol blending was achieved in June 2022, ahead of the original schedule of November 2022.
Being set up at par with the International Solar Alliance, the biofuel alliance’s focus is on accelerated adoption of biofuels, creating new biofuels, setting globally recognized standards, identifying global best practices, and ensuring industry participation.
The global ethanol market was valued at $99.06 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% by 2032 and surpass $162.12 billion by 2032.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/pm-modi-launches-global-biofuels-alliance-11694267712942.html

3. G20 DECLARATION ON HEALTH

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Recently released G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration mentions three health priorities of India’s G20 presidency.

EXPLANATION:

The G-20 declaration stressed the importance of one health approach where diseases in animals, plants, and humans are tracked by the same mechanism with focus on tackling antimicrobial resistance.
The declaration spoke of strengthening primary healthcare, health workforce, and essential health services to better-than-pre-pandemic levels, ideally within the next two to three years.
In addition to focusing on epidemics such as tuberculosis and AIDS, the G20 recognised the importance of research on long COVID.

The priorities included:

Building resilient systems for health emergency prevention, preparedness, and response.
Strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector with focus on ensuring equitable availability and access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics during a pandemic.
Creating a platform for sharing digital health innovations and solutions to ensure better and universal health coverage, like CoWIN and e-Sanjeevani.

What is this digital health programme?

With the pandemic highlighting the importance of digital health innovation, India committed to develop a platform for sharing scalable solutions under the World Health Organisation (WHO) that can be utilised by its member states.
This culminated in the launch of Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH), with four main pillars

An investment tracker
A repository of existing digital health solutions
Knowledge sharing for implementation and country-specific adaptation of these solutions
An Ask tracker to monitor the needs of different countries

While a $200-million fund proposed by India did not find consensus among countries, several non-profits have committed to the fund.
India has committed to offering its vaccine management platform CoWIN, its tele-medicine platform e-Sanjeevani, and its Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission platform as digital public goods to others.

The Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)

The Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) is a WHO managed network of stakeholders organized to facilitate the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 and other WHO norms and standards for Digital Health System Transformation.
The Initiative will serve as a platform to enable a wide global ecosystem to work collectively to promote country capacity and strengthen international cooperation in digital health.
The Initiative will work to address variability in the quality of digital solutions and emerging technologies related to standards, data privacy, security, and interoperability, etc.
Digital health is a proven accelerator to advance health outcomes and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
The Initiative will strive to help Member States to advance their national digital health transformation by strengthening collaboration among partners and existing networks and amplify current multi-national and regional activities.
The key components of the GIDH will leverage existing evidence, tools and learnings and will be co-created through a transparent and inclusive process. Through this evidence-based and comprehensive co-creation process, GIDH will ultimately aim to:

ALIGN efforts to support of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025;
SUPPORT quality-assured technical assistance to develop and strengthen standards-based and interoperable systems aligned to global best practices, norms, and standards;
FACILITATE the deliberate use of quality assured digital transformation tools that enable governments to manage their digital health transformation journey.

GIDH: a network of networks

As a WHO Managed Network (“Network of Networks”), GIDH will address challenges such as duplication of efforts and “products-focused” digital health transformation through a focus on four foundational pillars:

Country Needs Tracker – facilitating digital health investments to be informed by country priorities;
Country Resource Portal – identifying traditional as well as innovative resource opportunities, and promoting transparency, while reducing the risk of duplication for enabling a standards-based prospective and retrospective analysis of resourcing gaps in digital health.
Transformation Toolbox – advocating for quality-assured tools and resources that strengthen country capacity and autonomy to manage the national digital health transformation.
Convening and Knowledge Exchange – promoting strengthened collaboration and knowledge exchange across global, regional, and national networks in digital health.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-health/g20-declaration-on-health-mention-of-indias-3-priorities-digital-push-8933900/

4. GLOBAL STOCKTAKE

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

CONTEXT: The United Nations’ Global Stocktake, a report that was released just ahead of the G-20 meet, set out the scope of challenges. This stocktake is to serve as a template to guide discussion ahead of the 28th Conference of Parties scheduled in Dubai in November 2023.

THE GLOBAL STOCKTAKE REPORT:

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) released the Global Stocktake synthesis report, which offers the most comprehensive overview of climate action since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015.
The Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktake process is designed to assess the global response to the climate crisis every five years.
It also provides a roadmap for governments moving forward.
It evaluates the world’s progress on slashing greenhouse gas emissions, building resilience to climate impacts, and securing finance and support to address the climate crisis.
The COP28 summit in Dubai, UAE, will center around how countries leverage the findings of the Global Stocktake report to keep the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C alive and address the impacts of climate change.

Key findings of the report:

It lays how far the world is from achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals and emphasize the closing window of opportunity.
It underscores that if we don’t take stronger action before the second Global Stocktake in 2028, we may witness the devastating reality of global temperatures soaring beyond 1.5 degrees C.
The report also illuminates a path forward that governments will need to follow to combat the climate crisis.
It pinpoints key areas where immediate action must happen and provides a roadmap for the systems transformations needed to dramatically reduce emissions, build resilience and safeguard our future.

The Global Stocktake would address climate progress in three key areas:

Mitigation: Evaluating global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F) and ideally 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) and identifying opportunities for additional emissions cuts.
Adaptation: Measuring progress in countries’ abilities to enhance their resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate impacts.
Means of implementation, including finance, technology transfer and capacity building: Assessing progress on aligning financial flows with emissions-reduction goals and climate-resilient development, and providing support to developing nations to address the climate crisis.

The above diagram depicts the Global Stocktake Process.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/stocktaking-the-calamity-the-hindu-editorial-on-climate-crisis-and-the-un-global-stocktake-report/article67292060.ece

5. G20 SUMMIT ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The Group of Twenty (G20) has adopted the G20 New Delhi Leader’s Declaration on September 9, 2023, with consensus on several issues. These include sustainable development goals (SDG), climate finance, energy transitions, using and restoring natural ecosystems, harnessing, and preserving ocean-based economy, plastic pollution, reducing disaster risk and building resilient infrastructure.

NEW DELHI LEADER’S DECLARATION ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS:

GREEN DEVELOPMENT PACT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE:

The countries have committed to urgently accelerate actions to address environmental crises and challenges including climate change.
It reaffirmed the objective of UNFCCC, to tackle climate change by strengthening the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and its temperature goal, reflecting equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.

√ Macroeconomic risks stemming from climate change and transition pathways:

It critically assesses and account for the short, medium and long-term macroeconomic impact of both the physical impact of climate change and transition policies, including on growth, inflation, and unemployment.

√ It committed to implement the G20 High-Level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE).

√ It acknowledged the critical role played by circular economy, extended producer responsibility and resource efficiency in achieving sustainable development.

√ Conserving, Protecting, Sustainably Using and Restoring Ecosystems

It committed to restore by 2030 at least 30% of all degraded ecosystems and scaling up efforts to achieve land degradation neutrality with the following goals:
For the restoration of natural ecosystems, the G20 countries committed to the full and effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and encouraged other countries to do the same.
It supported the ambition to reduce land degradation by 50% by 2040 on a voluntary basis, as committed under the G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI) and note the discussions on the Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap and the Gandhinagar Information Platform.
It called for enhancing global cooperation and sharing of best practices on water, and welcome the deliberations at the UN 2023 Water Conference and G20 Dialogue on Water.

√ Harnessing and Preserving the Ocean-based Economy

It welcomed the Chennai High Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue / Ocean based economy.
The adoption of “the new international legally binding instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine Biological diversity of areas Beyond National Jurisdiction”.

√ It is determined to end plastic pollution and it will also build on the G20 Marine Litter Action Plan as elucidated in the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision.

√ Reducing Disaster Risk and Building Resilient Infrastructure:

It noted the institutionalisation of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group under the presidency of India, which catalysed efforts towards disaster risk reduction.
The document also talks about accelerating progress on early warning and early action through strengthening national and local capacities, innovative financing tools, private sector investments and knowledge sharing.
The members supported the United Nations’ initiatives such as the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in “furtherance of such collaboration and sharing”.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/g20-summit-new-delhi-leaders-declaration-adopted-with-consensus-on-various-environmental-goals-91658

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (9th SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. BILLION-LIGHT-YEAR-WIDE ‘BUBBLE OF GALAXIES’ DISCOVERED

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

CONTEXT: Astronomers have discovered the first “bubble of galaxies,” a huge cosmic structure thought to be a fossilised remnant from just after the Big Bang sitting.

EXPLANATION:

The bubble spans a billion light years, making it 10,000 times wider than the Milky Way galaxy. This giant bubble cannot be seen by the naked eye, is a relatively close 820 million light years away from our home galaxy.
The bubble can be thought of as a spherical shell with a heart. Inside that heart is the Bootes supercluster of galaxies, which is surrounded by a vast void sometimes called “the Great Nothing”.
The shell contains several other galaxy superclusters already known to science, including the massive structure known as the Sloan Great Wall.
It confirms a phenomenon first described in 1970 by US cosmologist and future physics Nobel winner Jim Peebles. He theorised that in the primordial universe then a stew of hot plasma the churning of gravity and radiation created sound waves called baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs). As the sound waves rippled through the plasma, they created bubbles.
Around 380,000 years after the Big Bang the process stopped as the universe cooled down, freezing the shape of the bubbles. The bubbles then grew larger as the universe expanded, similar to other fossilised remnants from the time after the Big Bang.
Astronomers previously detected signals of BAOs in 2005 when looking at data from nearby galaxies. But the newly discovered bubble is the first known single baryon acoustic oscillation, according to the researchers.
The astronomers called the bubble Ho’oleilana meaning “sent murmurs of awakening” taking the name from a Hawaiian creation chant.
It may be the first, but more bubbles could soon be spotted across the universe. Europe’s Euclid space telescope have potential to enable to show some more bubbles and a massive radio telescopes called the Square Kilometre Array, being built in South Africa and Australia, could also offer a new image of galaxies from the viewpoint of the Southern Hemisphere.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/billion-light-year-wide-bubble-of-galaxies-discovered/article67285040.ece

2. AFRICAN UNION JOIN G-20

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

CONTEXT: African Union becomes permanent member of G-20 under India’s presidency.

EXPLANATION:

At the inaugural session of the two-day G-20 Summit in New Delhi, 55-nation African Union is welcomed as the new member of the grouping.
Inclusion of the African bloc will enhance the effectiveness of the G-20 and also strengthen the the voice of the Global South. After the EU, African Union is the second regional bloc to join the G20.
Apart from supporting the inclusion of African Union as a permanent member of G-20, India has also invited Nigeria, Egypt, and Mauritius as part of the ‘Guest Countries’ at the G-20 summit.

What is African Union?

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.
Its headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
The work of the AU is implemented through several principal decision making organs:-

Assembly of Heads of State and Government: It is the highest decision-making body, consisting of the heads of state and government of member countries
Executive Council: It is made up of foreign affairs ministers, handles policy matters and makes recommendations to the Assembly
Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC)
Specialised Technical Committees (STCs)
Peace and Security Council: It is responsible for maintaining peace and security on the continent.
African Union Commission.

The AU structure promotes participation of African citizens and civil society through the Pan-African Parliament and the Economic, Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).

Aims of the AU are:

Achieve greater unity and solidarity between African countries and their the people
Defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States
Accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent
Promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples
Encourage international cooperation
Promote peace, security, and stability on the continent
Promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/g-20-african-union-becomes-permanent-member-under-indias-presidency/article67287988.ece

3. RBI TO DISCONTINUE INCREMENTAL CASH RESERVE RATIO (I-CRR)

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

CONTEXT: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently announced that it would discontinue the incremental cash reserve ratio (I-CRR) in a phased manner.

EXPLANATION:

The RBI announced I-CRR as a temporary measure on August 10, 2023, to absorb excess liquidity from the banking system. The central bank will release the amount which banks have maintained under I-CRR in stages so that system liquidity is not subjected to sudden shocks and money markets function in an orderly manner.
The level of surplus liquidity in the system surged because of the return of Rs 2,000 banknotes to the banking system, RBI’s surplus transfer to the government, pick up in government spending and capital inflows.

When was I-CRR introduced?

On August 10, after announcing the monetary policy, RBI Governor said that banks will have to maintain an I-CRR of 10 per cent on the increase in their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) between May 19, 2023, and July 28, 2023. It came into effect from the fortnight starting August 12.

Why was I-CRR needed?

The daily absorption of liquidity by the RBI in July was Rs 1.8 lakh crore. Excessive liquidity could pose risks to price stability and also to financial stability.
Hence, efficient liquidity management requires continuous assessment of the level of surplus liquidity so that additional measures are taken as and when necessary to impound the element of excess liquidity.

What was the impact of I-CRR on liquidity conditions?

I-CRR measure absorbed above Rs 1 lakh crore of excess liquidity from the banking system.

The banking system’s liquidity turned deficit for the first time in the current fiscal on August 21 after the RBI’s I-CRR mandate.

The tight liquidity condition was also contributed by outflows on account of goods and services tax (GST) and the selling of dollars by the central bank to stem the rupee’s fall.

What is CRR?

The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is the minimum amount of the total deposits which banks have to maintain as cash reserve with the Reserve Bank of India.
It is an essential tool to maintain the health of the banking system. Banks cannot use this amount for lending or for any investment purposes. Currently, CRR stands at 4.5 per cent.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/rbi-discontinue-i-crr-8930573/

4. CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE (CEC)

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

CONTEXT: Experts irked over revised structure of Central Empowered Committee as new notification gives unprecedented powers to central government.

EXPLANATION:

The Central government on September 5 notified the formation of a “permanent” Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The committee on environment issues, which has been ad hoc so far, will now be recognised as a permanent statutory body.
It has been formed on a permanent basis following the SC directions in 2002, which was directed to be constituted at national level for monitoring the apex court orders pertaining to forests and wildlife cases.
However, the new structure announced by the Union government, which omits the non-government members or two members of non-governmental organisations as existed in previous CEC, has irked the experts who alleged the move removes accountability and autonomy of the committee.
With the ultimate decision remaining with the government, there is no independence and can be used as a tool to override decision making power of the states.

Central Empowered Committee (CEC):

The Union Environment Ministry has set up a new Central Empowered Committee (CEC) replacing an ad hoc expert panel with the same name which assisted the Supreme Court in matters of forest and environment issues.
The CEC, initially established by the apex court in 2002, served as a watchdog for issues pertaining to environmental conservation and compliance.
Over the years, the committee has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s environmental policy and governance landscape.
Under the revamped structure, the CEC will comprise a chairperson, a member secretary and three expert members, all selected by the union government.
The chairperson, with a minimum of 25 years of experience in environmental, forestry, or wildlife fields or substantial administrative expertise in government, will serve a maximum term of three years.
The member secretary must hold a rank not lower than deputy inspector general or director in the government and possess at least 12 years of experience in environmental, forestry or wildlife matters. The three expert members, one each from environment, forest, and wildlife sectors, should have a minimum of 20 years of expertise.

Concerns:

Critics have voiced concerns that this change concentrates excessive power within the government. Previously, the CEC comprised members nominated by the environment ministry and two NGOs selected in consultation with the amicus curiae, offering a more balanced approach.
As per the new structure, the committee will include three expert members, who are civil servants appointed by the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Earlier, the expert members constituted non-governmental appointments.
In addition to the revised structure, clause 3 of the notification states the Centre has retained the ultimate decision making authority. As per the notification: “In case any suggestion or recommendation of the Central Empowered Committee, not acceptable to the state or central government, the government shall give reasons in writing for not accepting the same and such decision of the central government shall be final.”

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/experts-irked-over-revised-structure-of-central-empowered-committee-91628

5. HORIZON PROJECT AND COPERNICUS PROGRAMME

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

CONTEXT: Recently, Britain agreed to join the European Union’s flagship Horizon science research programme and its Copernicus earth observation programme.

EXPLANATION:

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for scientific research and innovation with a budget of 95.5 billion euros ($102.3 billion).
It is a 7-year European Union scientific research initiative, successor of the Horizon 2020 programme and the earlier Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development.
The European Commission drafted and approved a plan for Horizon Europe to raise EU science spending levels by 50% over the years 2021–2027.
It has five main missions: Adapting to climate change, making climate neutral cities, combating cancer, and restoring oceans and soil.
Britain’s government said a new automatic clawback mechanism “means the UK will be compensated as UK scientists receive significantly less money than the UK puts into the programme”.

Euratom Research and Training programme

The EU describes the Euratom Research and Training programme as a “complementary funding programme to Horizon Europe” covering nuclear research and innovation, using the same instruments and participation rules.
Britain will not associate with Euratom, as “in line with the preferences of the UK fusion sector, the UK has decided to pursue a domestic fusion energy strategy instead.

Copernicus Programme

Copernicus, previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), is the Earth observation component of the EU’S Space programme.
It gathers data from satellites and other measurement systems to examine the changing climate, shifts in land use, information on oceans and atmospheric conditions such as air quality.
Britain said the association would give its earth observation sector access to data that could help with early flood and fire warnings, and the ability to bid for contracts they had been shut out of for three years.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/horizon-project-which-eu-science-schemes-has-britain-joined/article67284378.ece

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (8th SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. SBI UNVEILS NATION FIRST TRANSIT CARD

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced ‘Nation First Transit Card’ to facilitate seamless and convenient customer commuting experience.

EXPLANATION:

It will ensure easy digital ticketing fare payments in metro, buses, water ferries and parking, through a single card.
Individuals can use this RuPay NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) Prepaid Card for making retail and e-commerce payments
It is powered by RuPay and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) technology and is set to revolutionise commuting experience and is aligned with the nation vision of “One Nation One Card.

One Nation One Card

The idea of NCMC was floated by the Nandan Nilekani committee set up by the Reserve Bank of India.
The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is an automatic fare collection system.
NCMC was launched in India with the tagline of ‘One Nation One Card’ on 4 March 2019.
This service enables passengers from any part of the country to use their NCMC-compliant RuPay debit card for seamless travel.
The same card can also be used for shopping, banking transactions, among others, across the country.

Benefits

This will help in higher digital payments penetration, savings on closed loop card lifecycle management cost and reduced operating cost.
The rich data insights may be used by operators for business intelligence leading to efficient operation.
NCMC Ecosystem will further help government in digitization of low value payments and reduced cost for the entire ecosystem.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/industry/banking/sbi-launches-nation-first-transit-card-for-digital-fare-payments-11694106427642.html

2. ADOPT A HERITAGE 2.0

TAG: GS 1: ART AND CULTURE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched a revamped version of the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ programme along with an Indian Heritage app and an e-permission portal.

EXPLANATION:

‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’, is the upgraded version of ‘Adopt a Heritage’ programme. The programme encourages corporate stakeholders to utilise their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to enhance facilities at historically-important monuments.
The Indian Heritage app provides a comprehensive guide to monuments under ASI’s ambit. It lists historical structures along with pictures, public facilities available on site and geo-tagged locations.
The e-permission portal has been designed to simplify and speed up the process for acquiring approvals for photography, filming, and developmental initiatives concerning heritage monuments, with the goal of expediting the permission-granting process.
The Adopt a Heritage 2.0 has incorporated a host of changes for the partner agencies, clear guidelines for semi-commercial activities and detailed scope of work and amenities required for monuments was proposed in the earlier version.
1,000 additional monuments have also been added to the list for adoption.
Earlier, the corporate partners’ proposed visions and expression of interest would go through two levels of scrutiny via three committees. Corporate partners were also encouraged to adopt smaller monuments or “low visibility sites” along with the monuments they adopted.
In the updated programme, more freedom has been given to companies such as the option to either adopt a monument in whole and develop its tourism infrastructure, or provide a particular amenity such as drinking water facility or cleaning services for one or several sites.
Earlier, there were a lot of restrictions as well on what they could construct on the site and the timings for their work, all of that has been looked into in the new programme.
According to ASI officials, permissible activities have been now clearly stated as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.

Adopt a Heritage

It was initially launched in 2017 under the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the ASI which invited corporate stakeholders to adopt from over 3,000 protected monuments spread across the country,
Only 0.72% of CSR funds go into heritage conservation, and the Adopt a Heritage programme hopes to raise that number further.
This project is envisioned to fulfill the objective of the Government of India to provide an enhanced tourism experience to all travelers.
It aims at ensuring quality & inclusive provision of amenities and facilities across heritage, natural, & tourist sites through active participation of private and public sector organizations and individuals.
These organizations would be known as “Monument Mitras” for their collaboration initiative.

The project plans to entrust development, upgradation and maintenance of amenities and facilities at the heritage, natural & tourist sites to the Monument Mitras, coupled with innovation and technology interventions.
The project began with 93 ASI monuments and has extended to heritage, natural and tourist sites across India.
These sites are classified into various categories based on visibility and footfall. The ‘Monument Mitras’ would take up the sites of varied visibility and footfall as a package, based on their viability.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/asi-launches-revamped-adopt-a-heritage-2-0-programme-8924849/

3. SALEM SAGO

TAG: GS 1: ART AND CULTURE

THE CONTEXT: The Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers Service Industrial Cooperative Society Ltd (popularly called as SAGOSERVE) received Geographical indication tag or GI tag for Salem sago recently.

EXPLANATION:

Sago is derived from raw tapiocas and is in the form of small hard globules or pearls and is pearl white in colour.
Tapioca is a major horticulture crop cultivated on nearly 3 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu, producing 60 lakhs tonnes of the crop.
Sago was produced first in Salem district, which is the main centre for sago production in the country, on a cottage scale basis.
Sago is manufactured from the wet starch powder crushed from tapioca roots. Around 30-35% of starch content is said to be found in the Indian Tapioca root.
The wet starch powder is used for producing sago and the dry powder has been used as a raw material for industrial purposes.

Sago has low calorific value (310 kcal/100g) and its size generally ranges from 2 to 4.5 mm. One kg tapioca sago can be produced from 5kg of tapioca tubers.
Currently over 80% of sago in India is produced in the Salem region and a majority of this is marketed through Sagoserve, while the rest are through direct sales.
Sago is used in various industries, including food, paper, construction, textile, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, mining, and alcohol, among others.

Note: For more information on GI tag, refer to DNA of 2^nd August, 2023.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/watch-salem-sago-gets-gi-tag/article67280886.ece

4. ONE SUN, ONE WORLD, ONE GRID(OSOWOG)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Conference on Transnational Grid Interconnections for One Sun, One World, One Grid held in New Delhi.

EXPLANATION:

The conference was organized by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a ‘Maharatna’ company under Ministry of Power, Govt. of India.
India has already established cross border interconnections with its neighbours and that strengthening of various cross border links is under process.
Also, following the theme of G20 “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” i.e. One-Earth, One-Family and One-Future, India under its G20 presidency highlighted the importance of transnational grid Interconnections in enhancing energy security.
It will foster economic growth, and facilitate universal energy access for all, in affordable, reliable and sustainable manner which will accelerate integration of Renewable Energy towards energy transition, with enhanced resiliency.

About OSOWOG Initiative

The idea for the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative was put forth by the Prime Minister of India at the first assembly of the International Solar Alliance in October 2018. The initiative aims at connecting energy supply across borders.

Vision behind the Initiative

The vision behind the OSOWOG initiative is the mantra that “the sun never sets”.
The rationale behind the sun never sets is that every hour, half the planet is bathed in sunshine, harnessing energy from sun would facilitate generation of clean energy which would be enough to meet the needs of everyone on the earth.
However, this requires transnational exchange of electricity through grid interconnections. These efforts need to be synergized and supplemented by establishing an inter-connected global electricity grid through transnational interconnections.
The OSOWOG initiative aims to connect different regional grids through a common grid that will be used to transfer renewable energy power and, thus, realize the potential of solar energy.

Launch of Green Grid Initiative-OSOWOG:

The Green Greed Initiative-OSOWOG was jointly launched by Prime Minister of India and then, Prime Minister of United Kingdom during the ‘Accelerating Innovation and Clean Technology Deployment’ event at the World Leaders Summit held on 2 November 2021 during COP26.

Benefits

It will make round-the-clock renewable energy much cheaper. It will also reduce the necessity for reserves. It will bring down the cost of electricity for the general population and will help in energy transition.
This will unite the world and ensure energy access to the millions of people who do not have access. Globally, energy transition and energy security, driven by renewable capacity addition are the thrust areas towards sustainability.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1955243

5. ZERO DRAFT OF GLOBAL TREATY TO END PLASTIC POLLUTION

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) released a zero draft of global treaty to end plastic pollution.

EXPLANATION:

It reflects the objective and mandate of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution 5/14.
The resolution (5/14) of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) refer to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)to develop “the instrument,” which is to be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design and disposal.
The text of the draft is prepared by the INC Chair, is guided by the views expressed at the INC’s first and second sessions.

INC- 1 was held in Uruguay’s Punta Del Este. It ended in December 2022. The session implicitly endorsed the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)’s position that plastic pollution is rooted in the material’s lifecycle.
INC- 2 was held in June 2023 in Paris.
INC- 3 which is to be held in Nairobi from November 13-19, 2023.

The text is divided into four parts:

Part I covers the objectives of the instrument and leaves substitutes, as requested at the second session of the committee for elements that members may wish to include.
Part II are broadly structured around the life cycle of plastics and plastic products with the aim of addressing plastic pollution. It aim to collectively promote the sustainable production and consumption of plastics through product design and environmentally sound waste management and circular economy approaches. This is consistent with paragraph 3(b) of the UNEA resolution 5/14.
Part III and Part IV outline different options of measures aimed at collectively addressing the implementation of the instrument. This is consistent with paragraphs 3(c) through (p) of UNEA resolution 5/14.

India’s Efforts In Tackling Plastic Waste

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: It clearly mentions that urban local bodies (ULBs) should ban less than 50 micron thick plastic bags and not allow the usage of recycled plastics for packing food, beverage or any other eatables. It introduced the concept Extended Producer Responsibility to manage plastics in India.
Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022: It banned the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic less than seventy-five microns. The Central Pollution Control Board, along with state pollution bodies, will monitor the ban, identify violations, and impose penalties already prescribed under the Environmental Protection Act.

SOURCE: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/world/zero-draft-of-global-treaty-to-end-plastic-pollution-released-ahead-of-nairobi-meet-91556

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (7th SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. PADMA AWARDS

TAG: GS 1: ART AND CULTURE

THE CONTEXT: The last date for online nominations for the Padma Awards 2024 is 15^th September, 2023. Padma Awards will later be announced on the occasion of Republic Day in 2024.

EXPLANATION:

The Padma Awards nominations and recommendations will be received online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in). Online nominations were opened on 1st May 2023.

About Padma Awars:

The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India. It is instituted in 1954 and these awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year.
The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service).
The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members.
The award seeks to recognize ‘work of distinction’ and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements in various fields where an element of public service is involved.
All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these Awards. Every citizens can make nominations and recommendations, including self nomination.
Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for Padma Awards.

The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
A higher category of Padma award can be conferred on a person only where a period of at least five years has elapsed since conferment of the earlier Padma award. However, in highly deserving cases, a relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee.
The awards are presented by the President of India where the awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
The recipients are also given a small replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/State functions etc.
The names of the awardees are published in the Gazette of India on the day of the presentation ceremony.
The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.
The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.
The Padma Awards has been briefly suspended twice, from July 1977 to January 1980 and from August 1992 to December 1995.

History and Relevance

The Government of India instituted two civilian awards-Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan in 1954.
The latter had three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg. These were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955.

List of Fields:

The award seeks to recognize works of distinction and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines. An illustrative list of the fields is as under:

Art (includes Music, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Cinema, Theatre etc.)
Social work (includes social service, charitable service, contribution in community projects etc.)
Public Affairs (includes Law, Public Life, Politics etc.)
Science & Engineering (includes Space Engineering, Nuclear Science, Information Technology, Research & Development in Science & its allied subjects etc.)
Trade & Industry (includes Banking, Economic Activities, Management, Promotion of Tourism, Business etc.)
Medicine (includes medical research, distinction/specialization in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Sidhha, Allopathy, Naturopathy etc.)
Literature & Education (includes Journalism, Teaching, Book composing, Literature, Poetry, Promotion of education, Promotion of literacy, Education Reforms etc.)
Civil Service (includes distinction/excellence in administration etc. by Government Servants)
Sports (includes popular Sports, Athletics, Adventure, Mountaineering, promotion of sports, Yoga etc.)
Others (fields not covered above and may include propagation of Indian Culture, protection of Human Rights, Wild Life protection/conservation etc.)

SOURCE: https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=Nominations-for-Padma-Awards-2024-open-till-15th-September%2C-2023&id=467349

2. WHITE SAMBAR DEER SPOTTED IN CAUVERY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The presence of a leucistic sambar has been documented in the Sangama range of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary during studies carried out on leopards by researchers.

EXPLANATION:

This is the first time a leucistic sambar deer has been spotted in this forest area. A similar deer was spotted at Bandipur Tiger Reserve earlier in 2014.
This condition is identified as leucistic which is caused due to lack of melanin in body parts. In the condition of albinism, the eyes become pink or red. But in leucistic animals, the eye colour is normal.
This condition can occur naturally from birth due to a phenotype (a trait of any living being) that may have formed from a defect in the animal’s development.

Sambar deer

The sambar (Rusa unicolor) is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia.
It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 2008.
Populations have declined substantially due to severe hunting, local insurgency, and industrial exploitation of habitat.

Habitat

The sambar is distributed in much of South Asia in the slopes of the Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan and India and in mainland Southeast Asia including Burma, Thailand, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo), Taiwan, and South China.
It inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical seasonal forests, subtropical mixed forests with stands of conifers and montane grasslands, broadleaved deciduous and broadleaved evergreen trees, to tropical rainforests.

Behaviour

Sambar are nocturnal species and they often congregate near water, and are good swimmers.
The males live alone for much of the year, and the females live in small herds of up to 16 individuals.
Like most deer, sambar are generally quiet, although all adults can scream or make short, high-pitched sounds when alarmed. However, they commonly communicate by scent marking and foot stamping.

Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

Cauvery wildlife division is spread over three districts, namely, Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Ramanagara.
The wildlife sanctuary was originally notified in 1987 with an area of about 510 Km². Subsequently it was expanded by adding more forest areas in stages, and its present extent is 1,027 Km².
Cauvery wildlife division has two sub-divisions, namely, Hanur and Kanakapura sub-divisions, and consists of seven ranges, namely, Kothnur, Hanur, Cowdally, Gopinatham, Halagur, Sangam and Muggur ranges.
The sanctuary provides a vital link between Bannerghatta National Park in the north and Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve and Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in the south.
The area is drained by three rivers, namely, Cauvery, Arkavathi and Shimsha, along with their numerous rivulets.
The forest is primarily of dry deciduous and scrub types, but a wide range of forest types including moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen, shola, riverine, Hardwickia forest, etc. are encountered at different altitudes.
Important animals found in the sanctuary are tiger, elephant, leopard, bison, wild dog, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, wild boar, common langur, bonnet macaque, giant squirrel, honey badger (ratel), chevrotain, kollegal ground gecko, varieties of reptiles and birds, etc.

SOURCE: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/white-sambar-deer-spotted-at-cauvery-wildlife-sanctuary-2-2676028

3. UPI ENABLED ATM

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Hitachi Payment Services, a subsidiary of Japan’s Hitachi, has introduced a new UPI enabled ATM in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

EXPLANATION:

The launch of the ‘UPI ATM’ will mark a significant milestone in banking services by seamlessly integrating the convenience and security of UPI into traditional ATMs.
This innovative concept is designed to provide quick access to cash even in remote areas of India without the use of debit or credit cards.
These ATMs will allow customers to make cash withdrawals from bank accounts through the UPI apps. Anyone with a registered UPI app will be eligible for UPI ATM transactions. Both Android and iPhone users will be able these ATMs.
These UPI-ATMs are also expected to improve security by eliminating the risk of card smikking by scammers and fraudersters.

Features of UPI-ATM

Compatible with various systems.
Transactions without the need for a physical card.
Transaction limit of up to ₹10,000 per transaction is aligned with existing UPI daily limits and issuer bank’s UPI-ATM transaction limits.
Offers convenience by eliminating the necessity to carry an ATM card for cash withdrawals

How does this work?

The UPI-ATM service, also known as Interoperable Cardless Cash Withdrawal (ICCW), offers a convenient way for customers of participating banks who are using UPI to withdraw cash from any ATM that supports UPI-ATM functionality.
When a customer selects the ‘UPI cash withdrawal’ option at the ATM, they will be prompted to enter the desired withdrawal amount.
Once the amount is entered, a unique and secure dynamic QR code will appear on the ATM screen.
To complete the transaction and obtain cash from the ATM, the customer simply needs to scan this QR code using any UPI app and authorize the transaction with their UPI PIN on their mobile device.

How is it different from cardless cash withdrawals offered by banks?

The current card-less cash withdrawals depend on mobile numbers and OTPs, whereas UPI-ATM functions through QR-based UPI cash withdrawals.
UPI-ATM is available to individuals using UPI who have installed a UPI application on their Android or iOS smartphones.
To conduct transactions, users need to have a UPI application installed on their Android or iOS mobile devices.

National Payments Corporations of India (NPCI)

It is an umbrella organisation launched in 2008 by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
The NPCI, owned by a consortium of banks, is aimed at creating robust payments and settlement systems.
NPCI is promoted by ten major banks, including the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Citibank, Bank of Baroda, and HSBC. In 2016 the shareholding was broad-based to 56 member banks to include more banks representing all sectors.
The regulatory board of the NPCI, headquartered in Mumbai, includes nominees from the RBI along with nominees from ten core promoter banks.
Payment systems that the NPCI can operate include National Financial Switch (NFS), Immediate Payment System (IMPS), Aadhaar-enabled Payments System (AEPS) and National Automated Clearing House (NACH).
NPCI has also launched products including RuPay, Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

SOURCE: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/explained-upi-only-atms-and-how-they-can-help-users/articleshow/103436077.cms

4. HEAT INDEX

TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Iran recorded a scorching heat index of 70 degrees Celsius (°C) in the coastal part of the country.

EXPLANATION:

This is not the first time that Iran is dealing with extreme heat. In July as well, U.S.-based weather observer reported that the Persian Gulf Airport reported a heat index of 66.7 °C.

What is heat index?

Heat index, also known as apparent temperature, is a measure of how the temperature feels to humans. Relative humidity is an important factor that determines heat index, along with air temperature.
Heat index is an important indicator for how atmospheric temperatures and humidity impact populations during heat waves.

Heat index calculation

Hot air can hold more moisture than cold air. Therefore, when temperature rises, the air’s capacity to hold moisture also increases, thus affecting the apparent temperature or heat index.
Dew point, which is the temperature at which gas is transformed into liquid state, is an important factor in the calculation of heat index.
In terms of atmospheric moisture, dew point is the temperature at which air cannot hold any more water vapour, and droplets of water begin to form. In heat index 14 °C is taken as the dew point.
In 2024, India is scheduled to launch its own heat index to quantify the impact of heat on its population and generate impact-based heat wave alerts for specific locations.

Why is it important to measure heat index?

High humidity can lead to heat stress, meaning the body is unable to get rid of excess heat. Humans usually maintain a core temperature in the range of 36.1 to 37.2 °C.
When the body is unable to get rid of excess heat, the heart rate increases due to a rise in core temperature, leading to heat-related exhaustion and rashes, among other symptoms.
This is why a measure of heat index is more useful than just the temperature to gauge the impact of heat on humans.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/explained-what-is-heat-index-and-why-is-it-important-to-measure/article67226405.ece

5. ASEAN AND THE EAST ASIA SUMMIT

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister attended the ASEAN-India and the East Asia summit in Indonesia to discuss the future contours of India’s partnership with the countries in the strategically important region.

EXPLANATION:

The comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the ASEAN has injected new dynamism into the group’s ties with India. Engagement with ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy’.
This year’s theme of ASEAN is ‘’ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth’’.
PM emphasised the importance of establishing “a rule-based post-COVID world order and collective particpation towards human welfare and spoke about “free and open Indo-pacific” and amplifying the voice of the global south.
East Asia Summit forum provides a useful opportunity to deliberate on issues of importance to the region including food and energy security, environment, health, and digital transformation.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

ASEAN is a regional grouping that aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its ten members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The group has played a central role in Asian economic integration, joining negotiations to form the world’s largest free trade agreement and signing six free trade deals with other regional economies.
ASEAN Secretariat is located in Indonesia, Jakarta.
The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the Association are:

(1) to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region (2) to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Fundamental principles

ASEAN Member Countries have adopted the following fundamental principles in their

relations with one another, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast

Asia (TAC):

mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and
national identity of all nations;
the right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference,
subversion or coercion;
non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
renunciation of the threat or use of force; and
effective cooperation among themselves.

Working of the ASEAN:

ASEAN is headed by a chair a position that rotates annually among member states and is assisted by a secretariat based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Important decisions are usually reached through consultation and consensus guided by the principles of noninterference in internal affairs and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

History of ASEAN

It was formed in 1967, by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, who sought to create a common front against the spread of communism.
In 1976, the members signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia which emphasizes mutual respect and noninterference in other countries’ affairs.
Membership doubled by the end of the 1990s. With the addition of Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999), the group started to launch initiatives to boost regional cooperation.
In 2007, the ten members adopted the ASEAN Charter, a constitutional document that provided the grouping with legal status and an institutional framework. The charter enshrines core principles and delineates requirements for membership.
The charter laid out a blueprint for a community made up of three branches: the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN Political-Security Community, and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

East Asia Summit (EAS)

The EAS was established in 2005 as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led initiative.
The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a regional forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Oceanian regions, based on the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism. Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the United States at the Sixth EAS in 2011.
The EAS comprises 18 members: the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and eight dialogue partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States)
The EAS is the only leader-led forum in the Indo-Pacific that brings together all key partners to discuss political, security and economic issues of strategic importance.
Since its establishment, ASEAN has held the central role and leadership in the forum. EAS meetings are held after the annual ASEAN leaders’ meetings, and plays an important role in the regional architecture of Asia-Pacific.
The EAS has six priority areas of cooperation: environment and energy; education; finance; global health issues and pandemic diseases; natural disaster management; and ASEAN connectivity.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-arrives-in-indonesia-to-attend-asean-india-east-asia-summits/article67278949.ece

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (6th SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. SPECIAL SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: The five-day session of Parliament was announced from Sept 18-22 by the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister recently. However, the agenda for the session has not been revealed yet.

EXPLANATION:

Opposition had expressed its dissatisfaction with the government’s apparent lack of transparency regarding the forthcoming special parliamentary session.
They have raised that government should have a debate on the continuing violence in Manipur, price rise, unemployment, Chinese transgressions among others, during the five-day special session of Parliament.

What is Special session of Parliament?

The Constitution does not define a ‘special session’. The term sometimes refers to sessions the government has convened for specific occasions, like commemorating parliamentary or national milestones.
The announcement has led to speculation about the government’s legislative plans for the session.
Usually, a few days before a Parliament session, the government convenes an all-party meeting to share its agenda and build consensus on possible issues for discussion.
However, Article 352 (Proclamation of Emergency) of the Constitution does refer to a “special sitting of the House”.
Parliament added the part relating to the special sitting through the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978.
Its purpose was to add safeguards to the power of proclaiming Emergency in the country. It specifies that if a Proclamation of Emergency is issued and Parliament is not in session, then one-tenth of Lok Sabha MPs can ask the President to convene a special meeting to disapprove the Emergency.
For the two Houses to be in session, the presiding officers should chair their proceedings. The presiding officers can also direct that the proceedings of their respective Houses would be limited and procedural devices like question hour would not be available to MPs during the session.

When does Parliament meet?

India’s Parliament has no fixed calendar of sittings.
The government determines the date and duration of parliamentary sessions.
The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs takes this decision. It currently has ten Ministers, including those for Defence, Home, Finance, Agriculture, Tribal Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting.
The Law Minister and the Minister of State for External Affairs are special invitees to the Committee.
The President is informed about the Committee’s decision, who then summons Members of Parliament to meet for the session.

Constitutional provisions:

The Constitution specifies that six months should not elapse between two parliamentary sessions. The framers of the Constitution borrowed it from the Government of India Act of 1935.
It allowed the British Governor General to call a session of the central legislature at his discretion, requiring that the gap between two sessions should not be more than 12 months. The Constituent Assembly reduced the gap between sessions to six months.

How often do Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha meet?

Before independence, the central assembly met for a little more than 60 days a year. This number increased to 120 days a year in the first 20 years after Independence. Since then, the sitting days of the national legislature have declined.
Between 2002 and 2021, Lok Sabha averaged 67 working days. The situation in state legislatures is much worse. In 2022, 28 state Assemblies met for 21 days on average.
On multiple occasions, the conference of presiding officers has recommended that Parliament should meet for more than 100 days. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution set up in 2000 made a similar recommendation.
Individual MPs have introduced private member Bills that stipulated increased sitting days for Parliament. If the 1955 recommendations of the Lok Sabha committee were accepted, Parliament would be in session for eight months every year.

History of Earlier Parliament Special Sessions:

The first-ever special session of the Parliament was convened on 14 and 15 August in 1947, to mark India’s independence.
During the India-China war in 1962, another special session under the leadership of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to discuss the incursion made by China at length.
On 15 August 1972, a special session was called to mark the 25 years of India’s Independence.
A midnight session was called on 9 August 1992 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the ‘Quit India Movement’.
On 15 August 1997, a midnight session was convened to mark 50-years of India’s independence.
On 30 June 2017, the government called for a joint midnight session of both the houses to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This was the first special session of the Parliament where a bill was discussed. All previous such sessions were convened to commemorate historical events.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/parliament-special-session-24-india-bloc-parties-to-attend-sonia-gandhi-set-to-write-to-pm-modi-11693961560663.html

2. G20 LEADERS’ SUMMIT

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 9-10. Leaders from the most powerful nations in the world will flock to New Delhi for the G20 Heads of State and Government Summit.

EXPLANATION:

The culmination of India’s year-long presidency of the G20, the summit will be concluded with the adoption of a G20 Leaders’ Declaration.
Declaration will state the participating leaders’ commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings.

G20 and its objectives:

The G20, or the Group of Twenty, comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Union.
These members represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
As a forum for international economic cooperation, it plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.

Some of its major objectives are as follows:

Policy coordination between its members in order to achieve global economic stability, sustainable growth
To promote financial regulations that reduce risks and prevent future financial crises; and
To create a new international financial architecture.

Origin of the G20

The Soviet Union fell in 1991, bringing an end to the Cold War. At the same time, vibrant economies were emerging in the Global South, in countries such as Brazil, China and India.
It was in this context that a need for reform emerged in global governance and international institutions.
In 1997, the Asian financial crisis ripped through some of the fastest-growing economies in East Asia. It soon spread to Latin America. It was in the context of this crisis that the G22, G20’s earliest iteration, was set up in 1998.
While initially conceived as a one-time crisis-response meeting, in early 1999, two more meetings were convened including 33 members (G33) to discuss reforms of the global economy and the international financial system.
It was in late 1999 that the G20, with its current composition, was finally founded as an informal forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of its members to meet annually.
The global financial crisis of 2008 forced G20 to its present status. As the world reeled from the greatest economic crisis to hit since the Great Depression, France, which held the EU presidency at the time, argued for an emergency summit meeting to address the crisis.
The G8 (comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US) was not sufficiently influential on its own to stabilise a crisis on this scale. Typically, diplomats would deliberate for months to decide which countries to call, but amid the ongoing crisis, there was simply no time. The G20 was the obvious answer.
The first G20 Leaders’ Summit (the ‘Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy’) was convened in Washington DC in November 2008. In addition to the leaders of its 20 members, the heads of the IMF, the World Bank and the United Nations were invited, along with Spain and the Netherlands. Annual summits have been held ever since.

How does the G20 work?

G20 is an informal grouping and unlike the United Nations (UN), it does not have a permanent secretariat or staff.
Rather, the G20 presidency rotates annually among the members and is responsible for bringing together the G20 agenda, organising its workings and hosting summits.
The presidency is supported by the “troika” previous, current and incoming presidencies. India holds the presidency from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, with the troika comprising Indonesia (the previous presidency), India, and Brazil (the incoming presidency).
The G20 is also informal in another sense while the decisions of the G20 are important, they do not get implemented automatically.
Rather, the G20 is a forum where leaders discuss various issues and make pronouncements, which signals their intentions. Then, they are implemented by relevant nations or international organisations.

How is the G20 presidency determined?

The G20 presidency is rotated among its members who (except the EU) are divided into 5 groups.

Group 1	Group 2	Group 3	Group 4	Group 5
Australia	India	Argentina	France	China
Canada	Russia	Brazil	Germany	Indonesia
Saudi Arabia	South Africa	Mexico	Italy	Japan
USA	Türkiye		UK	South Korea

The presidency rotates from group to group. However, each country within a group is eligible for presidency when it is their group’s turn.
Thus, the countries in the eligible group negotiate among themselves to determine the group’s presidency.

What is the working structure of the G20?

The G20 works in three major tracks two of them are official and one is unofficial. The official tracks are the Finance Track and the Sherpa Track. The unofficial track includes engagement groups or civil society groups.
FINANCE TRACK: It is headed by the finance ministers and central bank governors, who usually meet four times a year, it focuses on fiscal and monetary policy issues such as the global economy, infrastructure, financial regulation, financial inclusion, international financial architecture, and international taxation. It currently has 8 working groups.
SHERPA TRACK: It is established after the inception of G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2008, it is headed by Sherpas, who are the appointed representatives of the member countries’ president/ prime minister. It focuses on socio-economic issues such as agriculture, anti-corruption, climate, digital economy, education, employment, energy, environment, health, tourism, trade, and investment. It currently has 13 working groups.
ENGAGEMENT GROUPS: The unofficial track comprises non-government participants from each member country dealing with a gamut of issues. These groups draft recommendations to the G20 leaders that contribute to the policy-making process. There are 11 Engagement Groups at the moment.

What is the theme of the G20 this year?

This year’s theme is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future”. It is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad.
Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life human, animal, plant, and microorganisms and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.
Further, the website says the theme also spotlights LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), “with its associated, environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, both at the level of individual lifestyles as well as national development, leading to globally transformative actions resulting in a cleaner, greener and bluer future.”

What is the 2023 G20 logo?

The G20 Logo draws inspiration from the vibrant colours of India’s national flag – saffron, white and green, and blue.
It juxtaposes planet Earth with the lotus, India’s national flower that reflects growth amid challenges. The Earth reflects India’s pro-planet approach to life, one in perfect harmony with nature.
The symbol of the lotus in the G20 logo is a representation of hope in this time. Even if the world is in a deep crisis, we can still progress and make the world a better place.
The seven petals of the lotus in the logo are also significant. They represent the seven continents.
The logo is to reflect the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole earth is a family). “The lotus flower symbolises our Puranic heritage, our aastha (belief) and boddhikta (intellectualism).

SOURCE:https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/g20-summit-delhi-8926140/

3. THE TRANSITION OF LOANS FROM FLOATING TO FIXED RATES

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Reserve Bank of India issued a circular that provided borrowers the option to transition from a floating interest-based regime to a fixed interest rate for their loans.

EXPLANATION:

According to RBI, the endeavour was to address borrowers’ grievances pertaining to elongation of loan tenure and/or increase in the EMI amount in the event of an increase in the benchmark interest rate..
The provisions would be extended to existing as well as new loans by the end of the current calendar year.

What exactly has the RBI instructed?

This would be based on a board-approved policy drafted by the lending entity. The policy must also specify the number of times such a switch would be allowing during the tenure.
The lender must also transparently communicate to the borrower all relevant charges alongside service charges or administrative costs associated with the transition.
The responsibility would rest with the lender to communicate clearly, at the time of loan sanction, the impact emanating from the change in regime (floating to fixed), such as the change in EMI and/or tenure of the loan or both.
Additionally, the borrower would now also have the option to choose between enhancement of the EMI or elongation of the tenure or a combination of both.
The instructions would apply to all equated installment-based loans of different periodicities with certain changes based on the nature of the loan.

What is the difference between a fixed and floating interest rate?

Fixed interest rates are those that do not change during the tenure of the loan. On the other hand, floating interest rates are subject to market dynamics and the base rate therefore, the risk differentiation.
Floating interest rates are generally lower than the fixed interest rates. For example, if the floating interest rates for home loans is 10.5%, the fixed interest rate would be 12%.
Lenders argue that even if the floating interest rate were to rise by up to 2.5 percentage points, the borrower would be able to save more money when it is below the fixed rate.
The floating interest rate loans do not draw any prepayment penalty unlike fixed rate loans.
However, the fixed rate-based regime endows a borrower with greater certainty and security. This also helps in better planning and structuring of individual budgets.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/business/the-transition-of-loans-from-floating-to-fixed-rates-explained/article67241615.ece

4. SCRUB TYPHUS

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: As per reports, at least 5 people have succumbed to scrub typhus and more than 700 people have tested positive.

EXPLANATION:

Recently, a bacterial infection has emerged known as scrub typhus which is claiming lives Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

What is scrub typhus?

Scrub typhus is an emerging infectious disease with seasonal flare caused by the bacterium ‘Orientia tsutsugamushi’, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mites found in areas with heavy vegetation.
It is commonly found in the Asia-Pacific region, including India, and is more prominent during rains and in hilly areas.
It is majorly spread in human beings by the bites of infected mites known as chiggers. These mites are usually present in dense forest green environments and tall grasses.
The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.
Additionally, a characteristic feature of scrub typhus is an eschar (a type of necrotic tissue that can develop on severe wounds), a dark, scab-like lesion at the site of the chigger bite.
Without treatment, severe cases can lead to organ dysfunction, including respiratory and renal failure.

Diagnosis and treatment

Scrub typhus is a disease of concern in India because of potential to cause significant morbidity and in some cases, mortality if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
It has overlapping symptoms in monsoon season with malaria, dengue and other febrile illnesses making overt diagnosis and management both challenging and crucial.
Those at risk of scrub typhus include people living in rural or forested areas, being involved in outdoor activities such as farming, camping or hiking in endemic regions, and lack of protective measures.
To prevent scrub typhus, it is important to take preventive measures such as wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, and avoiding areas with dense vegetation.
Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics like doxycycline or azithromycin can effectively treat scrub typhus.

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/scrub-typhus-deaths-india-infectious-disease-symptoms-causes-prevention-treatment-8925299/

5. AEROSOL FORMATION BY BLIZZARDS CONTRIBUTE TO ARCTIC WARMING

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Fine sea salt aerosols produced under blizzardy conditions has been found to contribute to Arctic warming, according to new research published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

EXPLANATION:

The study analysed data collected by the Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC), an international collaboration and a year-long expedition into the Central Arctic from September, 2019 to October, 2020.
Fine sea salt aerosols, which refer to the suspended sea salt particles in the air, are good for forming clouds, trap the heat emitted by Earth and contribute to warming.
According to the study, sea salt aerosols thus produced account for 30 per cent of all the aerosols in the Arctic.
Considering the absence of sunlight in the winter and spring Arctic, these clouds have the capacity to trap surface long-wave radiation, thereby significantly warming the Arctic surface.
In the central Arctic, the coldest winter nights are the clearest, when heat from Earth can escape into space unimpeded.
While the presence of sea salt in the Arctic atmosphere is common because of breaking ocean waves, these particles are large and not abundant.
However, under blizzardy conditions, when snow is blown about by strong winds, the sea salt particles were much finer and abundant.
The study has further revealed that the sea salt aerosols thus produced contributes a more substantial fraction to the total aerosol population in the central Arctic.
Even as ‘Arctic haze’, resulting from pollutants being transported over long distances, has previously been identified as the primary source of aerosols in the Arctic during winter and spring.

The Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC)

It is an international research expedition to study the physical, chemical, and biological processes that coupled the Arctic atmosphere, sea ice, ocean, and ecosystem.
The project has been designed by an international consortium of leading polar research institutions, under the umbrella of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).

India’s initiatives in the Arctic:

India’s engagement with the Arctic began when it signed the Svalbard Treaty in February 1920 in Paris between Norway, the US, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Ireland, and the British overseas Dominions and Sweden concerning Spitsbergen.
The Indian Arctic policy is built on six central pillars: science and research, environmental protection, economic and human development, transportation and connectivity, governance and international cooperation, and national capacity building.
India initiated its Arctic research program in 2007 with a focus on climate change in the region. The objectives included studying teleconnections between Arctic climate and Indian monsoon, to characterize sea ice in the Arctic using satellite data, to estimate the effect on global warming.
India presently has a single station, Himadri established in 2008 by the Minister of Earth Sciences, in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago, where research personnel is usually present for 180 days.
India is one of the five Asian and 13 Observer states to the Arctic council, having obtained the membership in 2013, which was subsequently reaffirmed in 2019.

SOURCE: https://www.deccanherald.com/science/aerosol-formation-by-blizzards-contribute-to-arctic-warming-study-finds-2673437

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (1st SEPTEMBER 2023)

1. THE PARDONING POWER OF PRESIDENT

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: A death-row convict whose mercy petition has been disposed of by the president will have no right to appeal in a court against the decision when the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill (BNSS), 2023 becomes law.

WHAT IS BHARATIYA NAGARIK SURAKSHA SANHITA (BNSS) BILL, 2023?

3 New Bills have been brought up by the parliament to repeal Indian Penal Code, 1860, Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 and Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 will be replaced by the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023.

WHAT DOES BNSS BILL PROPOSES?

Article 72 of the Constitution empowers the president to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of anyone convicted of any offence.
According to section 473, an addition to the BNSS Bill, no appeal shall lie in any court against the order of the president made under Article 72 of the constitution and it shall be final, and any question as to the arriving of the decision by the President shall not be enquired into in any court.
Section 473 of the BNSS Bill also seeks to rule out delays on account of separate pleas filed by multiple death-row convicts in the same case. E.g., In the Nirbhaya case, the four convicts had filed their mercy pleas at separate times, forcing a delay until the last plea was rejected.
It proposes that a jail superintendent shall ensure that every convict, in case there are more than one in a case, submits the mercy plea within 60 days.
If no such petition is received from the other convicts, he shall himself send the names, addresses, copies of the case records and all other details to the Centre or the state government, along with the original mercy petition.
However, no time-limit has been specified for the president for disposing of the mercy petitions.
Section 473 of the BNSS Bill also seeks to give the Union 60 days’ time from the date of receipt of the state government’s comments on the pleas to send its recommendation to the president.
Although there is no deadline for the president to decide on mercy petitions, the Union requests that the president’s decision be conveyed to the state home department and jail superintendent involved within 48 hours of the decision being made.

RULING OF SUPREME COURT:

There have been several instances in the past where death row convicts approached the court at the eleventh hour, seeking a review of the president’s rejection of their mercy petitions.
In Shatrughan Chauhan & Anr vs Union Of India , 1947 case, the Supreme Court has ruled in the past that the exercise of prerogative powers, such as clemency and pardons, by the president or the governor is justiciable and may be challenged on grounds like an “undue and unexplained” delay, solitary confinement etc.
For e.g., 1991 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon in 2015 and the four Nirbhaya case convicts in 2020.

SOURCE: https://m.thewire.in/article/rights/new-bill-proposes-to-make-presidents-call-on-mercy-plea-final-to-reduce-judicial-delays/amp

2. THE INDUS WATERS TREATY (IWT)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Pakistan ‘unilaterally’ initiated arbitration at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) to address the interpretation and application of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in Jan 2023. But today, India and Pakistan must recognise their common interest in the optimum development of the Indus rivers system.

INDUS WATER TREATY:

WHAT IS THE ISSUE OVER IWT?

The Kishanganga and Rattle hydroelectric power projects in Jammu and Kashmir are at the centre of the current conflict between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan has objected, citing treaty violations and potential harm to its water supply, which is against the terms contained in the treaty’s Annexure D.
Pakistan first raised its concerns over the Kishanganga project in 2006 and the Rattle project on the Chenab in 2012. In 2010, the dispute on the Kishanganga project was taken to the Court of Arbitration (CoA).
Pakistan contended that India’s plan is not in line with Article III, Article IV (6) and Paragraph 15(iii) of Annexure D of the IWT.
In 2013, the CoA delivered the final judgment, ruling that the Kishanganga hydroelectric project is a run-of-river dam.
India, under the IWT, can divert water from the river Kishanganga/Neelum for power generation.
India has to maintain a minimum flow of water in the Kishanganga/Neelum river to nine cusecs (cubic metre of water per second).
The two countries reached an amicable resolution on only one out of four issues that were expected to be resolved.
In 2016, Pakistan requested the World Bank to form a CoA:
India requested a neutral expert be appointed to deal with the dispute. At that time, the World Bank paused the works on the Kishanganga and Rattle projects “to allow the two countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements”.

STANCE OF INDIA:

In 2023, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) unanimously rejected India’s objections and confirmed its competence to consider and resolve the disputes raised by Pakistan.
The PCA, based on its interpretation of paragraph 1 of Annexure G and Article IX of, unanimously said that it is competent to “consider and determine the disputes set forth in Pakistan’s Request for Arbitration”.
India said: It cannot be “compelled to recognize or participate in illegal and parallel proceedings not envisaged by the Treaty”.
India has been participating in the neutral expert’s proceedings whose first meeting was held at The Hague on February 27-28.

WAY FORWARD:

Revisiting the Indus Water Treaty will be helpful rather than the Court action. The need is to incorporate equitable and reasonable utilisation and the no harm rule in the IWT.
It requires better ties and enduring trust between India and Pakistan.
There is a remote chance that Pakistan will agree to India’s request to renegotiate to modify parts of the IWT’s clauses because of a wide trust gap between the two nations.
There is a need to involve local stakeholders in any negotiation process between India and Pakistan on shared water issues.
A Joint group comprising technocrats, climate experts, water management professionals, and scientists from both countries can be set up to look at the core of the problem.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/cross-the-boulders-in-the-indus-waters-treaty/article67253004.ece

3. THE GOODS AND SERVICES TAX

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: India’s goods and services tax collections grew 11 per cent to Rs 1.60 lakh crore on an annual basis in August 2023.

EXPLANATION:

The collection from Goods and Services Tax (GST) was Rs 1,43,612 crore in August 2022.
in July 2023, the central and state governments collected ₹1.65 trillion in GST revenue, an improvement of 11 percent from the year-ago period.
Among large state economies, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu reported double-digit revenue growth.
While Delhi witnessed a 25% annual improvement in GST revenue in July at ₹5405 crore.
Uttar Pradesh had reported a 24 percent jump in revenue at ₹8802 crore.
In June 2023, the gross GST revenue collected was ₹1,61,497 crore of which CGST was ₹31,013 crore, SGST was ₹38,292 crore, IGST was ₹80,292 crore and cess is ₹11,900 crore.
GST collections have grown by more than nominal GDP, despite being no increase in tax rates.
This is because of better compliance and improved tax collection efficiency. Tax evasion and avoidance is low.
With the onset of festival season, the increased consumer spending for homes, cars, vacations, and other consumer items may also ensure higher monthly GST collections.

Goods and Services Tax (GST):

It is an indirect tax (not directly paid by customers to the government) that came into effect on July 1, 2017, as a result of the 101st Amendment to the Indian Constitution.
It is imposed on both manufacturers and sellers of goods, as well as suppliers of services.
For tax collection, it is divided into five tax slabs – 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.

GST Council:

It is an apex committee to modify, reconciles or make recommendations to the Union and the States on GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST laws, etc.
Article 279A of the Indian Constitution empowers the President of India to constitute a joint forum of the Centre and States called the GST Council.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/economy/gst-revenues-grow-11-to-about-rs-1-6-lakh-crore-in-august-govt/amp-11693556117569.html

4. Red Sand Boa

TAG: GS 3: Ecology and Environment

Context: A report by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-India has pointed out 172 incidents of seizures of red sand boa (Eryx johnii) between the years 2016-2021. The report, compiled by the Counter Wildlife Trafficking unit of WCS-India, and titled ‘Illegal Trade of Red Sand Boa in India 2016-2021 ‘ collates information from media reports on the seizures.

EXPLANATION:

Red Sand Boa:

The red sand boa is a non-venomous snake found in Iran, Pakistan, and India. It is a primarily reddish-brown and thick-set snake that grows to an average length of 75 cm. Unlike most snakes, the tail is almost as thick as the body and gives the reptile the appearance of being “double-headed”.
The red sand boa is found in dry, semi-desert scrub plains and rocky dry foothills. It is a burrowing snake that spends most of its time underground. It feeds on small mammals, lizards, and birds.
The red sand boa is a popular pet snake in India. However, it is also a highly sought-after species in the illegal wildlife trade. The snake is believed to have medicinal and supernatural properties, and its price can be very high.
The red sand boa is listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The main threats to the snake are habitat loss and illegal trade.
The scientific name of the red sand boa, Eryx johnii, is in honor of the English naturalist John John Smith.
The red sand boa is the largest of the sand boas in the world.
The red sand boa is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/172-incidents-of-seizures-of-red-sand-boa-recorded-from-2016-to-2021-wcs-india-report/article67249299.ece

5. THE LASER-INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY (LIBS)

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard Chandrayaan-3 Rover has made the first-ever in-situ measurements on the elemental composition of the lunar surface near the south pole. These in-situ measurements confirm the presence of Sulphur in the region unambiguously, something that was not feasible by the instruments onboard the orbiters.

EXPLANATION:

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS):

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a rapid, non-destructive analytical technique that uses a laser to ablate a small amount of material from the surface of a sample and then analyzes the light emitted from the resulting plasma. The light emitted from the plasma contains information about the elemental composition of the sample.

LIBS is a scientific technique that analyzes the composition of materials by exposing them to intense laser pulses.
It a high-energy laser pulse is focused onto the surface of a material, such as a rock or soil.
The laser pulse generates an extremely hot and localized plasma.
The collected plasma light is spectrally resolved and detected by detectors such as Charge Coupled Devices.
Preliminary analyses, graphically represented, have unveiled the presence of Aluminum (Al), Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Titanium (Ti) on the lunar surface.
That measurement has revealed the presence of manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). Thorough investigation regarding the presence of Hydrogen is underway.
LIBS payload is developed at the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS)/ISRO, Bengaluru.

THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF A LIBS SYSTEM ARE:

A laser: The laser is used to ablate the sample material. The most common lasers used for LIBS are Nd:YAG lasers, which operate at a wavelength of 1064 nm.
A spectrometer: The spectrometer is used to collect and analyze the light emitted from the plasma.
A detection system: The detection system is used to convert the light signal into an electrical signal that can be processed by a computer.

LIBS can be used to analyze a wide variety of materials, including metals, minerals, rocks, and biological materials. It is a versatile technique that can be used for a variety of applications, including:

Quality control: LIBS can be used to quickly and easily analyze the elemental composition of materials for quality control purposes.
Forensic analysis: LIBS can be used to identify materials and trace the origin of materials.
Environmental monitoring: LIBS can be used to measure the elemental composition of air, water, and soil for environmental monitoring purposes.
Cultural heritage: LIBS can be used to analyze archaeological and cultural heritage objects to learn more about their composition and history.

The advantages of LIBS:

It is a non-destructive technique, meaning that the sample is not damaged during analysis.
It is a rapid technique, with analysis times typically taking a few seconds.
It is a versatile technique, capable of analyzing a wide variety of materials.
It is a sensitive technique, capable of detecting even trace amounts of elements.

Limitations of LIBS:

It can be difficult to obtain accurate results for samples with high concentrations of refractory elements.
The results can be affected by the surface condition of the sample.
The technique can be affected by atmospheric conditions.

Source: https://www.isro.gov.in/LIBSResults.html#:~:text=LIBS%20is%20a%20scientific%20technique,extremely%20hot%20and%20localized%20plasma

https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=LIBS-confirms-presence-of-Sulphur-(S)-on-lunar-surface-through-unambiguous-in-situ-measurements&id=466926

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (31st AUGUST 2023)

1. PM-PRANAM (PM PROGRAMME FOR RESTORATION, AWARENESS, NOURISHMENT AND AMELIORATION OF MOTHER EARTH) SCHEME

TAG: SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES

THE CONTEXT: Union Budget 2023–24 launched the PM-PRANAM to promote the balanced use of chemical and alternative fertilisers, generating awareness of Regenerative Agriculture (RA). In this context, there is debate over whether the scheme will reduce the fertiliser subsidies and boost the Regenerative Agriculture (RA).

EXPLANATION:

Regenerative Agriculture is an outcome-based food production system that nurtures and restores soil health, protects the climate and water resources and biodiversity, and enhances farms’ productivity and profitability.
It is worth noting that the subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers is about ₹2.25-lakh crore for FY 2022-23, which is 39 per cent higher than FY 2021-22’s figure (₹1.62-lakh crore).
The PRANAM scheme may encounter a few challenges amid some opportunities.
Fertiliser consumption shows that nitrogenous fertiliser consumption, especially urea, has not declined from 2012-13 until 2021-22 (P). However, the subsidy bill has increased significantly. So, promoting PRANAM will help the government reduce subsidy bills and fiscal deficits if it picks up.
Nevertheless, the efficacy of alternative fertilisers to enhance crop yield or productivity remains a concern. Thus, a gradual phase-out of subsidies on chemical fertilisers can stimulate alternative or bio-fertiliser adoption.
PRANAM can increase its economies of scale and help the extant distribution network stock alternative fertilisers. However, the margin on bio-fertiliser sales should be worked out to incentivise sales and distribution networks.

PM-PRANAM (PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother earth) SCHEME

The scheme’s goal is to encourage states and union territories to employ alternative fertilizers and balance their chemical fertilizer consumption.
The scheme seeks to minimize the subsidy burden on chemical fertilizers, which is projected to increase by 39% in 2022-2023, from Rs.1.62 lakh crore to Rs.2.25 lakh crore.
It seeks to discourage the use of synthetic or chemical fertilizers and encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
The government will evaluate the utilisation of fertilisers in terms of increase or decrease in overall consumption in a year vis-a-vis consumption over the past three years.
The Integrated Fertilisers Management System (iFMS) is the platform envisaged to track the use of fertilisers.

How will the scheme operate?

The scheme will not have a separate budget and will be subsidized by the savings of existing fertiliser assistance under schemes run by the Department of fertilisers.
The scheme will use savings from subsidies to encourage states to use alternative soil nutrients and keep track of the use of fertilisers.
50% subsidy savings will be given as a grant to the state that saves the money, of which 70% can be used for asset creation related to the technological adoption of alternative fertilisers and alternative fertiliser production units at village, block, and district levels.
The remaining 30% can be utilised for incentivising farmers, panchayats, farmer-producer organisations, and self-help groups that are involved in the reduction of fertiliser use and awareness generation.

How is the scheme beneficial?

The PM PRANAM scheme will accelerate policies that not only enhance agricultural production but also safeguard the environment and health.
According to the government, India’s consumption of fertilisers was about 40 million metric tonnes from April to mid-December 2022, with production of 32 mmt and imports of 12.8 mmt.
The scheme is aimed at reducing the use of chemical fertilisers, especially urea. Excessive exposure to fertilisers affects human health through cancer and diseases caused by DNA damage. Fertilisers also pollute water bodies, leading to algal bloom and affecting aquatic life.
The scheme will promote the use of other nutrients and fertilisers, including natural nutrients. This is expected to improve soil quality in the long run and increase crop yields, apart from preventing environmental damage.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/can-pranam-reduce-fertiliser-subsidy-bill/article67252948.ece

2. US-INDIA RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY ACTION PLATFORM (RETAP)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: In a move towards a greener future, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) came together to introduce the US-India Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP).

EXPLANATION:

During the meeting, the delegations shared information about emerging technology developments in each country, including hydrogen, energy storage, wind, geothermal energy, and clean energy deployment programs among others.
DOE and MNRE intend to enhance RETAP collaboration, including potentially through the creation of a RETAP Steering Committee, joint working groups and collaboration among subject matter experts.
RETAP has been established as a result-oriented, time-bound platform with a keen focus on technology. Its primary objective is to propel the development and deployment of new and emerging renewable technologies.
In its initial phase, RETAP is set to concentrate on green and clean hydrogen, wind energy, long-duration energy storage, and explore prospects in geothermal energy, ocean/tidal energy, and other technologies as they emerge in the future.
The collaboration blueprint for RETAP has been outlined by DOE and MNRE and is guided by five overarching themes:

Research & development
Piloting & testing of innovative technologies
Advanced training & skill development
Policy and planning for advancing renewable energy technologies
Investment, incubation, and outreach programs.

DOE and MNRE intend to enhance RETAP collaboration, including potentially through the creation of a RETAP Steering Committee, joint working groups and collaboration among subject matter experts.
It is intended to advance new and emerging renewable technologies with a view toward deployment and scaling.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1953550

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/us-and-india-join-forces-to-launch-renewable-energy-technology-action-platform-11693408975833.html

3. LAKE TOBA AND UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK

TAG: GS 1 : GEOGRAPHY

THE CONTEXT: Google Doodle celebrates Lake Toba, known as Danau Toba, located on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Lake Toba was designated as UNESCO Global Geopark on August 31, 2020.

EXPLANATION:

Lake Toba

Lake Toba is a large natural lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia, occupying the caldera of a super volcano with a surface elevation of about 900 metres (2,953 ft).
It is the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world and one of the deepest lakes in the world.
Toba Caldera is one of twenty geoparks in Indonesia,and was recognised in July 2020 as one of the UNESCO Global Geoparks. It was formed as a result of a massive volcanic eruption from Toba Caldera thousands of years ago.
The collapse of the volcano’s magma chamber formed the island of Samosir, which is a popular tourist destination and home to various Indigenous ethnic tribes.
In addition to celebrating Lake Toba, it’s essential to acknowledge the Indigenous Batak Toba people, the lake’s native inhabitants.
Their traditional villages, local markets, and distinctive houses attract visitors from around the world. Traditional dances like the Tor-Tor and authentic wood carvings are common in these villages.

UNESCO Global Geoparks

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are:

Managed by a nationally recognised body such as a local authority or Geopark Management Group
Visible to the public in their promotion of geology, sustainable development and education

Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities has become increasingly popular.
At present, there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/google-doodle-celebrates-indonesias-lake-toba-largest-crater-lake-and-unesco-global-geopark-11693446907130.html

4. HOLLONGAPAR GIBBON SANCTUARY

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Experts recommended to reroute the Railway track through the Assam Gibbon Sanctuary.

EXPLANATION:

Primatologists have suggested to reroute a 1.65-km-long railway track that has divided an eastern Assam sanctuary dedicated to the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) into two unequal parts.

Western hoolock gibbons in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.

Hoolock Gibbon:

It is the only ape found in India.
It is one of the 20 species found worldwide inhabiting tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia.
They are found in forested areas of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Southern China.
It is the smallest and fastest of all apes.
They have become endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
The species is listed on Schedule 1 of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972.
It is categorised into Western Hoolock Gibbon and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon.
Western Hoolock Gibbon is listed as Endangered and Eastern Hoolock gibbon as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary:

The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary was formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserve Forest.
It is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in the Jorhat district of Assam.
The upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the Hollong tree, while the Nahar dominates the middle canopy. The lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs.
The sanctuary has a rich biodiversity and is home to the only apes in India, the western Hoolock, as well as the only nocturnal primate found in the northeast Indian states, the Bengal slow loris.
It is home to Stump-tailed macaque, northern pig-tailed macaque, eastern Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, and capped langur etc.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/reroute-railway-track-running-through-assam-gibbon-sanctuary-suggest-scientists/article67247555.ece

5. SUPERMOON AND BLUE MOON

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Supermoon, a very rare event was seen on 31^st august, 2023. It is one of the largest and brightest moons of 2023. It was the second supermoon of August. The first one appeared on August 1.

Explanation:

WHAT IS SUPERMOON?

A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth at the same time the Moon is full.
Its closest point is the perigee, which is an average distance of about 226,000 miles (363,300 kilometers) from Earth.
When a full moon appears at perigee it is slightly brighter and larger than a regular full moon – and that’s where we get a “supermoon.
A supermoon occurs every two and a half years on average.
The supermoon casts 30% more light on Earth compared to the dimmest full moon.

WHAT IS BLUE MOON?

A Blue Moon has nothing to do with the colour of the Moon.
Normally blue moons occurs about every two or three years.
Blue Moon can be described as the second full Moon in any calendar month with two full moons.
As August 2023 ended up with two full moons, so by this definition second moon was blue moon.

Note:

According to NASA: About 25 percent of all full moons are supermoons, but only 3 percent of full moons are blue moons.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/science/news/supermoon-the-largest-and-brightest-moon-of-2023-11693408202630.html

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (28th AUGUST 2023)

1. PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJANA (PMJDY) COMPLETES NINE YEARS

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched to enable financial inclusion, completes nine years on 28 August 2023.

EXPLANATION:

The total number of PMJDY accounts stood at 500 million, up from 147.2 million at the end of March 2015. At the end of March 2023, the total number of PMJDY accounts stood at 486.5 million.
Meanwhile, total deposits in these accounts combined stood at a ₹03 trillion on 16 August, up from ₹15,670 crores at the end of March 2015.
Similarly, the number of Rupay debit cards issued for PMJDY accounts increased to 339.8 million as of 16 August, from 131.5 million at the end of March 2015.
The PMJDY scheme is responsible for providing basic banking facilities to the underprivileged, catalysing the government’s mission for financial inclusion.
According to data from the Ministry of Finance, of the total Jan Dhan accounts, 56% belong to women and 67% accounts have been opened in rural/semi-urban areas.
The PMJDY scheme has been successful in changing the financial landscape of the country and has brought near saturation in bank accounts for adults.
The success of PMJDY lies in the comprehensive nature of the scheme with an attempt to connect the last mile with the formal banking system through technology, collaboration and innovation.
Meanwhile, a total of 6.01 lakh villages have been mapped on the Jan Dhan Darshak mobile application, which provides citizen centric platform for locating banking touch points like bank branches, ATMs, etc.

JAN DHAN YOJANA

The Scheme was announced on 15 August 2014 to provide universal access to banking services. The scheme was launched on 28 August 2014.
The National Mission of Financial Inclusion named as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana seeks to integrate the poorest of the poor with bank accounts.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is the National Mission for Financial Inclusion.
It ensures access to financial services, namely, Banking/ Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner.
The scheme offers multiple advantages to account holders such as a bank account without requirement of minimum balance, free of cost RuPay debit cards with inbuilt accident insurance of ₹2 lakh and overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000.

Salient features of the scheme

All households across the countryboth rural and urban are to be covered under the scheme. Bank accounts will be opened for 15 crore poor persons. The current focus is on opening accounts from “every household to every adult”.
PMJDY accounts are being opened with zero balance.
All bank accounts opened under the scheme are to have an overdraft (OD) facility of Rs 10,000 for Aadhar-linked accounts after satisfactory operation in the account for 6 months. There will not be any conditions attached for OD upto Rs 2,000. Age limit for availing OD facility is 18-65 years.
Issuance of RuPay Debit Card with inbuilt Rs 2 lakh personal accident insurance cover. The increased coverage amount of Rs. 2 lakh is for PMJDY accounts opened after 28.08.2018.
A minimum monthly remuneration of Rs 5,000 to business correspondents who will provide the last link between the account holders and the bank.
PMJDY accounts are eligible for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Bank (MUDRA) scheme.

Jan Dhan Darshak App (JDD App)

JDD App is a mobile application which provides a citizen centric platform for locating banking touch points such as bank branches, ATMs, Banking Correspondents (BCs), Indian Post Payment Banks etc. in the country.
Over 13 lakh banking touchpoints have been mapped on the JDD App. The facilities under Jan Dhan Darshak App could be availed as per the need and convenience of common people.
This app is also being used for identification of villages which are yet to covered by banking outlets within 5 km radius.
These identified villages are allocated to various banks by concerned SLBCs for opening of banking outlets. The efforts have resulted in a significant decrease in number of uncovered villages.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1952793

2. P75 (I) PROGRAMME

TAG: GS 3: SECURITY; SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: A combination of structural inefficiencies, budgetary changes, tendering problems, delays, and institutional ad-hocism have hindered India’s submarine manufacturing ambitions. India must ensure adequate institutional thrust on overcoming impediments and moving ahead with the P75(I) programme for submarine manufacture.

EXPLANATION:

The original P75 proposed the domestic construction of six Scorpène-class conventional diesel-electric submarines by Mazagaon Docks Limited through a transfer of technology collaboration with France’s Naval Group.
The project was supposed to be completed by 2017. However, far from completion, the lead boat of the P75 project, INS Kalvari, was only commissioned in 2017.
Only recently has the country commissioned the fifth submarine out of the proposed six submarines; the final one is expected next year.
The more recent P75(I) programme budgeted at approximately Rs 40,000 crore to build six conventional submarines with state-of-the-art sensors and weapons and, with an air-independent propulsion system (AIP) is also lagging behind schedule.
It is now essential for India to reinvigorate the P75(I) programme and capitalise on the reported bids.
The Navy and the ministry of defence must sort out impractical delivery schedules, stringent technology transfer requirements, detrimental liability clauses, restrictive contractual practices, and penalties that have impeded the programme.

What is Project-75 (I)?

Project-75 (India) or P-75(I), is a military acquisition initiative by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The initiative aims to procure diesel-electric attack submarines with fuel cells and Air-Independent Propulsion System (AIP) for the Indian Navy to build India’s naval strength and develop indigenous submarine-building capabilities.

Difference between Project 75 and Project 75I

Project 75I is a follow-up to Project 75 and improves upon the design and technology of its predecessor.
The conventional diesel-electric submarines such as the Scorpene, under Project 75, come with improved stealth features such as advanced acoustic absorption techniques, low radiated noise levels, long-range guided torpedoes, tube-launched anti-ship missiles, sonars and sensor suites.
The AIP technology will improve on this in Project 75I building six submarines that can stay submerged for up to two weeks. These submarines may even be larger in size compared to the ones under Project 75.

What is Project 75?

Project-75 was conceived in 1997 for the construction of two indigenous Submarines known as Type 1500.
The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the decision-making body of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), which comes under MoD, was contracted to build the submarines in collaboration with Thomson-CSF (TCSF), France, at an estimated cost of Rs. 700 crore.
Project 75 was aimed at building six conventional Scorpene-class attack submarines.
6 Submarine Names List in Project 75

The first submarine under Project 75 was INS Kalvari. It was delivered in 2015 and joined the service in December 2017.
Within only two years, in September 2019, INS Khanderi, the 2nd submarine under Project 75, was deployed.
The third submarine, INS Karanj, was inducted in March 2021.
INS Vela, the fourth submarine under Project 75, joined the fleet in November 2021.
The fifth submarine, INS Vagir, commenced in November 2020 and is anticipated to be appointed by the latter quarter of 2022.
The sixth submarine completed under the project is INS Vagsheer. It is a reincarnation of the first Vagsheer, withdrawn from service in April 1997. The vessel is titled after the name of a fatal deep sea hunter in the Indian Ocean and was launched in April 2022.

Five of these submarines have now been built, with the last one, INS Vaghsheer, being readied to commence sea trials. It will likely be inducted into the Navy by the end of this year.

SOURCE: https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/p75i-programme-indias-rocky-submarine-making-voyage/3224299/

3. THE UN COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW (UNCITRAL)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: India and Iran drop foreign arbitration clause in Chabahar port issue. Both sides have agreed to pursue arbitration under rules framed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) which is favoured by India over other international trade arbitration mechanisms.

EXPLANATION:

In a move aimed at boosting India-Iran commercial relations, Tehran and New Delhi have agreed to drop the clause for arbitration in foreign courts concerning the Chabahar port.
The new move to pursue arbitration under rules framed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law will help firm up longer-term agreement and boost investor confidence in Chabahar.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Both countries reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation including to realise the full potential of Chabahar Port as a connectivity hub.
A longer-term term agreement between India and Iran over Chabahar will ensure greater predictability and boost the confidence of stakeholders in the feasibility of the facility which is located in southeastern coast of Iran.

UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)

The term United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) established in 1966, refers to a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly.
It is the core legal body of the U.N,’s system in the field of international trade law. The official function of UNCITRAL is to modernize and harmonize the rules of international business.
UNCITRAL is headquartered in New York, which is the same location as the U.N.’s headquarters. Annual sessions take place once each year usually in the summer and are held alternatively in New York and at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna.
UNCITRAL aims to formulate modern, fair, and harmonized rules for such commercial transactions. The organization is responsible for helping to facilitate international trade and investment.
Its work includes conventions, model laws, and rules which are acceptable worldwide; legal and legislative guides, and practical recommendations; updated information on case law and enactments of uniform commercial law; technical assistance in law reform projects; and regional and national seminars on uniform commercial law.
Membership of UNCITRAL is determined by the U.N. General Assembly. The original membership comprised 29 member states of the U.N. But this number was expanded to 36 in 1973. Its membership grew again in 2002 to 60 states, and again in 2022 with a total of 70 member states.
Member states are deliberately chosen to be globally representative. The organization aims to include 14 African states, 14 Asian states, eight Eastern European states, 10 Latin American and Caribbean states, 14 Western European states, and others.
It was established in response to the rapid rise of global trade that took place in the 1960s. At the time, national governments recognized the need for harmonized global standards to replace the various national and regional regulations.
The organization is also responsible for coordinating the work of other bodies active in international trade, both within and outside of the UN, to enhance cooperation, consistency, and efficiency while avoiding duplication.

Its mandate covers include:

Dispute resolution
International contract practices
Transport
Insolvency
Electronic commerce
International payments
Secured transactions
Procurement
The sale of goods

CHABAHAR PORT

Chabahar Port is India’s first foreign port project and is considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with Central Asian countries.
The Chabahar port actually contains two separate ports called Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
It is located in South eastern Iran in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan in the Gulf of Oman.  It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the ocean.
The idea is that the port would enable India to bypass Pakistan and access Afghanistan, and ultimately Central Asia.
Moreover, the port could serve as a hub for transit trade between India, Iran, and Afghanistan, and provide an alternative route to the traditional Silk Road that passes through China.
With its strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz and the Indian Ocean, the port offers significant potential.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-and-iran-drop-foreign-court-arbitration-for-chabahar-port/article67234071.ece

4. ADITYA L1 MISSION

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Indian Space & Research Organization (ISRO) is all set to launch the Aditya L1 on 2^nd September 2023 after the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3.

WHAT IS ADITYA L1 MISSION?

Aditya L1 shall be the first space based Indian mission to study the Sun.
The spacecraft shall be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from the Earth.
A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses.
This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and its effect on space weather in real time.
The spacecraft carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors.
Using the special vantage point L1, four payloads directly view the Sun, and the remaining three payloads carry out in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Lagrange point L1.
It will provide important scientific studies of the propagatory effect of solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium.

Layers of the sun

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF ADITYA-L1 MISSION?

The major objectives of Aditya-L1 mission are:

Study of Solar upper atmospheric (chromosphere and corona) dynamics.
Study of chromospheric and coronal heating, physics of the partially ionized plasma, initiation of the coronal mass ejections, and flares.
Observe the in-situ particle and plasma environment providing data for the study of particle dynamics from the Sun.
Physics of solar corona and its heating mechanism.
Diagnostics of the coronal and coronal loops plasma’s temperature, velocity, and density.
Development, dynamics, and origin of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).
Identify the sequence of processes that occur at multiple layers (chromosphere, base, and extended corona) which eventually leads to solar eruptive events.
Magnetic field topology and magnetic field measurements in the solar corona.
Drivers for space weather (origin, composition, and dynamics of solar wind.

ADITYA-L1 PAYLOADS:

The instruments of Aditya-L1 are tuned to observe the solar atmosphere mainly the chromosphere and corona.
In-situ instruments will observe the local environment at L1.
There are total seven payloads on-board with four of them carrying out remote sensing of the Sun and three of them carrying in-situ observation.

Type	Sl. No.	Payload	Capability
Remote Sensing Payloads	1	Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)	Corona/Imaging & Spectroscopy
	2	Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)	Photosphere and Chromosphere Imaging- Narrow & Broadband
	3	Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS)	Soft X-ray spectrometer: Sun-as-a-star observation
	4	High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS)	Hard X-ray spectrometer: Sun-as-a-star observation
In-situ Payloads
	5	Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX)	Solar wind/Particle Analyzer Protons & Heavier Ions with directions
	6	Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA)	Solar wind/Particle Analyzer Electrons & Heavier Ions with directions
	7	Advanced Tri-axial High Resolution Digital Magnetometers	In-situ magnetic field (Bx, By and Bz).

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/after-moon-mission-space-physics-lab-at-vssc-preparing-to-study-the-solar-wind/article67241668.ece

5. XV BRICS SUMMIT

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to become full members of BRICS from 1 January 2024.

EXPLANATION:

The 15th BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 22-24 August 2023.
Its theme was “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”.
Terrorism, multilateral reform, digital economy, trade and food security issues were discussed during the summit.

EXPANSION OF BRICS:

In a landmark decision, members of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in August 2023 declared expansion of the grouping by welcoming six new countries into the fold.
Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to become full members of BRICS from 1 January 2024.
BRICS would be able to have new dynamism and energy in its actions.
Addition of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE is of special significance as the three will represent both flanks of the energy-rich Gulf in the BRICS.
Joining the BRICS is also the first time that Iran and Saudi Arabia took a common diplomatic decision months after they normalised relation in April 2023.

BRICS Nations and prospective countries

Blue colour represent members.

Orange colour represent new members.

Green colour represent Prospective members.

BRICS:

The term “BRIC” was coined by the British Economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
The leaders of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries met for the first time in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the margins of G8 Outreach Summit in July 2006.
In September 2006, the group was formalised as BRIC during the 1st BRIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which met on the sidelines of the General Debate of the UN Assembly in New York City.
After a series of high-level meetings, the 1st BRIC summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia on 16 June 2009.
BRIC group was renamed as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) after South Africa was accepted as a full member at the BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York in September 2010.
South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya, China on 14 April 2011.
BRICS is an important grouping bringing together the major emerging economies from the world, comprising 41% of the world population, having 24% of the world GDP and over 16% share in the world trade.
BRICS countries have been the main engines of global economic growth over the years.
Over a period, BRICS countries have come together to deliberate on important issues under the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial and cultural and people to people exchanges.
The chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S. South Africa is the chair for 2023.
Initiatives of BRICS:

New Development Bank (NDB)
Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)
BRICS Payment System
Customs Agreements
Remote Sensing Satellite
BRICS is planning to launch its own “new currency” system, a major step towards de-dollarization (reducing dependence on the US dollar for trade)

For comprehensive analysis of the BRICS Summit 2023 please watch the editorial discussion class to be held on 5^th September 2023 at 6 PM. Classes available in offline and online (youtube also) mode.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/brics-plus-6-the-outcome-of-the-jo-burg-summit-11693156184114.html

TOP 5 TAKKAR NEWS OF THE DAY (26th AUGUST 2023)

1. INDIA-GREECE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister’s visit to Greece is the first visit by an Indian PM in 40 years. The visit saw the two nations upgrading their relationship to a strategic partnership with focus on expanding political, defence & security cooperation.

EXPLANATION:

The last high-level visit to Greece took place in September 1983 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi travelled to the country.
India and Greece enjoy civilisational ties, which have strengthened in recent years through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments and people-to-people ties.
Discussions during the visit encompassed trade, defence, security, technology, infrastructure, digital payments, shipping, pharma, agriculture, migration, mobility, tourism, skill development, culture, education, and regional and multilateral issues.
They jointly called for respect for international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Highlights of the meeting:

After his arrival at the ancient city, PM laid a wreath at the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Athens. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the Old Royal Palace. It is a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during various wars.
India and Greece agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to the level of strategic partnership and both the countries will collaborate in the field of defence industry.
Both sides also set a target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030 and decided to firm up a migration and mobility partnership pact soon to facilitate skilled migration between the two countries.
Both the countries signed an agreement regarding agricultural production that will also allow for cooperation in research, animal rearing and animal products.
The two also discussed the great importance of establishing direct flights between Greece and India, noting “great opportunities” in the sectors of tourism as well as economic cooperation in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors.
They expressed their intent to expand cooperation across various domains, including defence, shipping, science and technology, cyber space, education, culture, tourism, and agriculture.
They also agreed “that an early finalisation of a Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement (MMPA) would be mutually beneficial, facilitating in particular the free movement of workforce between the two countries.”
Both countries underscored their vision of a “free, open, and rules-based Mediterranean Sea and Indo-Pacific,” emphasising adherence to international law, particularly UNCLOS, while respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation.
Greek Prime Minister described Greece as a “gateway to Europe” for India and extended support for a free trade pact between India and the European Union (EU).

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-hold-talks-with-greek-president-katerina-sakellaropoulou-and-pm-kyriakos-mitsotakis/article67234455.ece

2. PM GATI SHAKTI INITIATIVE

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Network Planning Group (NPG) under the PM Gati Shakti initiative has recommended four infrastructure projects.

EXPLANATION:

Network Planning Group has put forward a recommendation for six infrastructure projects.

The meeting was chaired by the special secretary of the DPIIT logistics division, where various agencies examined and recommended the projects.

The recommended projects include an inter-state transmission system for renewable energy projects in Ladakh, an elevated railway track along Kanpur Anwarganj-Mandhana, a rail bridge across the Ganga, a rail line between Ajmer and Chittaurgarh, 4-laning of Bijni to Mandi section road, and 4-laning of the Belgaum-Hungsund-Raichur road.
The project will improve the roads, which will help the local people by bringing down the travel costs, time, and distance. Also, it will promote tourism and socio economic development along the project road.
The projects aim to provide multimodal connectivity, efficient logistics, and seamless movement of goods and passengers across the country.
The project is essential to provide smooth and faster connectivity to eastern region from northern region and will boost the economic growth in economically backward regions.

PM GATI SHAKTI

The Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan is a huge project worth Rs 100 lakh crore, initiated by the Indian government to transform the country’s infrastructure.
It was announced on the occasion of the 75th Independence day, 2021 aimed at transforming the infrastructure landscape of India. This plan is supposed to lessen the time taken for infrastructure projects and upgrade India’s competitiveness in the market.
The project aims to break the inter-ministerial tangles and silos and foster cooperation and integration in the fasttrack implementation of projects.
The scheme is expected to smooth out the execution of projects across the nation and foster coordination between different ministries engaged with these projects.

Objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti

To reduce logistics costs and improve supply chains, thereby making products manufactured in India more competitive globally.
To attract investment from all over the world for improving the infrastructure of the country.
To address the issue of high logistics and supply chain costs, which account for around 12% of the GDP in India, compared to the global average of 8%.
To reduce the excessive dependence on road transportation and under-utilisation of waterways, air, and rail networks.
To consolidate infrastructure projects in specific corridors and enable better coordination among different ministries, states, and departments.
To facilitate ease of planning and bring down the overall costs of implementation.
To help resolve the issues of interministerial delays, approval delays, and communication gaps between various stakeholders.
To achieve infrastructure-led growth by expediting decision-making and timely completion of infrastructure projects.

Targets of the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti

The national highway network will be extended to expand the limit of roadways and touch the 2 lakh-km mark.
The scheme imagines the making of around 200 new airports, heliports, and water aerodromes to support aviation.
The limit of railways to move cargo will be expanded to around 1,600 tons by FY25.
The transmission network for power will be extended to 454,200 circuit km to easy access.
The scheme intends to increment renewable capacity to 225 GW by FY25 and complete around 17,000 km of gas pipelines.

SOURCE: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-gati-shakti-network-planning-group-recommends-4-infra-projects-11692871966291.html

3. CHANDRAYAAN-3 LAND ON THE NEAR SIDE OF THE MOON

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The controlled descent of the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3 made it one of the closest approaches of a lunar mission to the moon’s South Pole. However like most of the lunar-landing missions before, Vikram too landed on the near side of the moon.

EXPLANATION:

Tlll now, the Chinese Chang’e 4 mission is the only one to have landed on the far side.
This vehicle landed on the Von Karman crater situated within a larger 2,500 km wide crater called the South Pole Aitken basin.

What are the moon’s ‘near’ and ‘far sides’ and ‘dark’ side?

The near side refers to the portion of the moon that is 60% visible to us. It is always the same side that is visible from Earth because the moon takes the same time to rotate about its axis as it does to circle around the Earth.
The ‘new moon’ or when the moon is invisible from Earth is the time when the other ‘far side’ of the moon is bathed in sunlight and continues to receive light for nearly a fortnight.
The ‘dark side’ is thus dark only in the sense that it was mysterious and its various topographical features hidden until the Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 in 1959 photographed it and the Soviet Academy of Sciences released an atlas of these images.
Astronauts aboard the Apollo 8 mission of 1968 were the first humans to see the far side of the moon.

Is the dark side very different from the near side?

The major difference between the two sides is that the near side is relatively smoother and has many more ‘maria’ or large volcanic plains compared to the far side.
On the far side however, there are huge craters, thousands of kilometres wide, which have likely resulted from collisions with asteroids.
The crust on the near side is thinner because of which, over millions of years, the volcanic lava in the lunar crust has flowed more extensively into the thinner side and filled up its craters.
The resulting plains that have thus formed are far more conducive to space missions because they provide a relatively flat terrain for landers and rovers.
Chandrayaan-3 identified an area 2.4 km wide and 4.8 km long that had spots of 150 m spaces that would be conducive to a safe descent.

What’s special about the Chandrayaan-3’s landing?

The Chandrayaan-3 mission, while still on the near side, has managed to land Vikram the closest ever to the lunar South Pole.
The coordinates of Chandrayaan-3 at 69.36 S and 32.34 E make it about 600 km away from the South Pole.
The choice of being as close as possible to the South Pole was to get closer to a “permanently shadowed region” or where no sunlight ever reaches.
This would mean increasing the chances of encountering frozen water-ice along with several “interesting deposits” that can reveal more about the moon and its harvestable resources.
The mission’s guiding purpose was to execute a successful controlled or ‘soft landing’ and the chances of doing that best while being near the South Pole were best served by keeping it in the near side.
Crucially, landing on the far side would have meant no direct, line-of-sight communication with the Earth, necessary for regular near-real-time updates. That is the reason that determined the choice of landing locations.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/explained-why-did-chandrayaan-3-land-on-the-near-side-of-the-moon/article67235632.ece

4. CORALS IN LOW NUTRIENT ZONES

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: A recent study finds out how the Coral Reefs can thrive in parts of the ocean that are low in nutrients.

EXPLANATION:

There was a mystery of corals, which puzzled the scientists for centuries, that how coral reefs thrive despite being in low nutrient regions.
It has inspired the discovery of several important processes that can help to explain this phenomenon. We can now add the missing piece of the puzzle and help to solve the long-running mystery.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY:

Nutrients from the symbionts:
The symbiotic algae living within the corals are very efficient at taking up dissolved inorganic nutrients, like nitrate and phosphate, from the surrounding seawater.
Even in nutrient-poor areas of the ocean, these compounds are present in considerable amounts as excretion products of organisms, such as sponges, that live close by.
Ocean currents can also transport these nutrients to reefs.
The coral host cannot absorb or use nitrate and phosphate directly, so they digest some of their symbiont population to access the nitrogen and phosphorus that these algae absorb from the water.

Symbiont algae from a reef coral viewed under a microscope.

Nutrients from the bird’s excrements:

Corals have the potential to farm and feed on their symbiont algae in the wild too.
The reefs around some of these islands are supplied with substantial amounts of nutrients that come from “guano” – the excrement of seabirds nesting on the islands.
We found out that growth was more than twice as fast on reefs that were supplied with seabird nutrients.
About half of the nitrogen molecules in the tissue of the coral animals from islands with seabirds could be traced back to uptake by the symbiont algae.

Reefs around islands in the Indian Ocean receive additional nutrients if the islands are inhabited by seabirds.

If these factors are unavailable to the corals in low nutrient regions, then population of symbiotic algae will cease to exist.

The coral will undergo bleaching and eventually leading to death.
Bleaching refers to the white appearance of the corals with low symbiont numbers in their tissue.
Corals grew fast in nutrient-rich water despite the absence of food (top in diagram).
Corals in nutrient-depleted water stopped growing and showed a bleached appearance (bottom inn diagram)

What are corals and how do they get food?

They are soft-bodied animals made up of many individual polyps that live together as a colony.
They secrete limestone skeletons that form the foundation of reefs.
The coral polyps acquire nutritious compounds rich in nitrogen and phosphorus by catching prey like zooplankton with their tentacles.
Many coral animals are also dependent on a symbiosis a mutually beneficial relationship with the microscopic algae that live inside their cells.
These photosynthetic algae produce large amounts of carbon-rich compounds, such as sugars, and transfer them to the host coral to generate energy.
However, as most photosynthetic products are deficient in nitrogen and phosphorous, they cannot sustain the growth of the animals.
The question as to why coral reefs thrive in parts of the oceans that are poor in nutrients is known as Darwin’s Paradox of Coral Reefs.

SOURCE: https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/explained-how-do-coral-reefs-thrive-in-parts-of-the-ocean-that-are-low-in-nutrients-2660416

5. STATE OF INDIA’S BIRDS’ REPORT

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The State of India’s Birds 2023, released on August 25, 2023, finds that a few bird species like the Indian peafowl are thriving in India, many species are declining.

EXPLANATION:

The report is based on 30 million observations contributed by 30,000 birdwatchers across the country.
The report highlighted major threats to bird populations across the country.
It listed 178 bird species in the country as being of “High Priority” for immediate conservation action.
These include migratory wetland birds like the Ruddy shelduck, and resident species such as the Indian courser.

Highlights of the State of India’s Birds 2023:

What is the overall decline?

Of the 338 species that had enough data to assess for long-term trends, 60% of the species showed long-term declines.
The trends showed that 204 species have declined in the long term, 98 species declined rapidly, 98 species are stable, and 36 species showed increases.
Of the 359 species analysed for current annual trends, 40% are declining.
The current trends showed that 142 species are declining (of which 64 are in a “rapid decline”), 189 are stable and 28 are increasing.
Birds endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot have rapidly declined in India over the past few decades.
Birds that feed on vertebrates and carrion including raptors (specifically habitat-specialist raptors such as some harriers and the Short-toed snake eagle), and vultures have declined greatly.
As per the report, this could be suggestive of harmful pollutants in their food resources, a decline in prey availability, or both.

What are the increases?

A few generalist bird species such as the national bird – the Indian peafowl, are doing extremely well in the country.
There has been a 150% increase in the abundance of peafowl across the country over the past decades.
The good news of the increase is tempered by a recognition of increased reports of crop damage in different parts of the country, and the negative impacts on snakes and other reptiles.
Therefore, it is important to investigate the impacts of this peafowl boom on both people and ecosystems.
Other species that are doing remarkably well are the Ashy Prinia, the feral Rock pigeon, and the Asian koel.

Indian Peafowl.

Ashy Prinia

Asian Koel Female

Species of high conservation priority:

Out of all 942 species, 178 species are classified as High Priority, 323 as Moderate Priority, and 441 as Low Priority.
The High Priority species include migratory wetland birds like the Ruddy shelduck, resident species such as the Indian courser, endemics such as the Narcondam hornbill and the Nicobar megapode on Nicobar Island.
Of the High Priority species, 90 are classified as globally of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List 2022.
The report recommended that 17 of these would qualify for a different IUCN threat status nationally.
These include the Indian Roller, a grassland and scrub bird which shows a 30% decline in 12 years, and the Northern shoveler, a species of duck that shows a 58% decline in 14 years.

Indian Courser

What are the threats to the birds species?

SOURCE: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/state-of-birds-most-species-show-dip-indian-peafowl-among-those-flourishing-8909776/

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