DOMR | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Population & Associated Issues

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Not much

Mains level: Need for and issues with Caste Census

A continuous and unabated push towards including caste in the forthcoming census enumeration has finally ended with the Union government position into the Supreme Court.
The Centre had decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste-wise population other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Must read:

Complex count: On caste census

Existing issue: Delay in the Census itself

That a decadal exercise has faced discontinuation with the pandemic is damaging enough, which will require reconstruction for the year 2021.
We are also not sure how the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, who could not conduct the census on time, will be able to add any other additional questions including enumeration of caste.
The Election Commission did its job in conducting elections during Covid-19 but not the Census Commissioner.

Why caste cannot be included at this hour?

In the midst of an uncertain environment, conducting a census is unavoidable since it is not an overnight exercise.
Imposing the collection of caste information may dilute the exercise at the very least and send wrong signals regarding its purpose.

Why we should let the Census go its way?

There need to be sincere efforts towards putting systems in place in context to the Census.

(a) Population Enumeration

There is a need conduct the population enumeration at the earliest and providing an update of India’s population dynamics in comparable terms to be read against the past.
The absence of population enumeration and its discontinuation can have implications for gauging the evolving changes as well as its prospects.

(b) Age-sex composition

Census offer some tentative clues towards the age-sex composition of the population under varying sets of assumptions.
Besides, it offers more detailed information — on households, assets, marital status, education, migration etc since the last census of 2011.
Moreover it would provide accurate data about India’s large chunk of population which is ageing.

(c) Impact of the Pandemic

A decade of rapid fertility declines and rising mobility needs serious assessment in terms of its impact on the population dynamics.
In the absence of any clue regarding population, together with a pandemic with its devastating course of fatalities, the need for a population enumeration is all the more urgent.
Estimated and projected numbers can serve as approximations to the extent of the assumptions being realistic and accurate.

(d) Planning for the next FYP

A 14th five-year plan being in the offing makes it a crucial year to have the real numbers towards making the planning exercise effective.
Preparing our human capital of quality and adaptability to the emerging labour market is the need of the hour, and at the same time.

Impediments created by including Caste

An attribute like caste being obtained in a census exercise makes matters complex on multiple grounds such as:

Caste within Caste: Given the differences in caste hierarchies across various regions of the country, a comparative reading along with generating a common hierarchy may be a challenge.
Caste over occupation linked predicaments: Further, caste linked deprivation or adversity may not be as common as occupation linked predicaments, which become easier to compare across states/regions.
Anonymity and bias: An intimate and personalised attribute like caste may have its differential exposition between urban and rural residents. Urban residents’ need for anonymity can always bias the reporting on caste.
Identity crisis: Above all, recognition and adherence to caste identity is to a large extent shaped by progressive ideals, cosmopolitanism and education, which has its own regional divide in the country between the north and the south.

Other concerns

Accuracy of reporting: With such complexities associated with divulging caste identity, one cannot be sure of its accuracy in reporting on the one hand and the possible bias linked to other attributes on the other.
Existing status-quo: The attributes obtained in the census like age, sex, residence, occupation and religion in themselves have not received adequate exploration to add to the understanding of differential population dynamics.
Non-intervention: Considering caste with its wide-ranging count as another fresh attribute may not be of worth as neither will it offer sensible outcome differences nor facilitate identification for intervention.

Way forward

The census enumeration should be a priority and the proposed digital enumeration should become more effective in generating required data of quality and accuracy.
The upcoming census is certain to reveal interesting realities of population dynamics that go beyond the narrow and regressive outlook of the caste count to help gauge the transformation in human capital.

Conclusion

In fact, attributes like caste and religion that are not modifiable should be less important compared to modifiable attributes like education, occupation and other endowment linked attributes.
Hence, the moral lies in rising above ascribed attributes in defining outcomes to that of achieved ones.
Such an approach has a dual advantage of gauging distribution across attributes as well as their response to outcomes.

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Swachh Bharat Mission

2nd phase of SBM-U and AMRUT Mission

Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: SBM, AMRUT

Mains level: NA

The PM has launched the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation.

What are the missions?

[A] Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0

The Mission will focus on ensuring complete access to sanitation facilities to serve additional populations migrating from rural to urban areas in search of employment and better opportunities over the next 5 years.

Complete liquid waste management in cities in less than 1 lakh population to ensure that all wastewater is safely contained, collected, transported, and treated so that no wastewater pollutes our water bodies.
Source segregation- Under Sustainable Solid Waste Management, greater emphasis will be on source segregation.
Material Recovery Facilities and waste processing facilities will be set up, with a focus on phasing out single-use plastic.
Construction & demolition waste processing facilities will be set up.
Mechanical sweepers deployed in National Clean Air Programme cities and in cities with more than 5 lakh population.
Remediation of all legacy dumpsites will be another key component of the Mission.

[B] AMRUT 2.0

Water management: It will build upon the progress of AMRUT to address water needs, rejuvenate water bodies, better manage aquifers, reuse treated wastewater, thereby promoting circular economy of water.
Water supply: It would provide100% coverage of water supply to all households in around 4,700 ULBs.
Sewerage: It will provide 100% coverage of sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities.
Rejuvenation of water bodies and urban aquifer management: It will be undertaken to augment sustainable fresh water supply.
Recycle and reuse of treated wastewater: It is expected to cater to 20% of total water needs of the cities and 40% of industrial demand.
Pey Jal Survekshan: It will be conducted in cities to ascertain equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater and mapping of water bodies.

Back2Basics:

All about the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

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Goods and Services Tax (GST)

GST collections hit 5-month high

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Revenue receipts

Mains level: GST

India’s gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues crossed ₹1.17 lakh crore in September, hitting a five-month high.

Take a look towards the share of GST in government earnings for the previous fiscal:

UPSC can ask about the majority component of the Revenue Receipts of the govt. See how Corporate tax is nearing the GST revenues.

Do you think it will surpass GST revenue when the economy is fully recovered?

What is the news?

September’s revenues were 23% higher than a year ago and 27.3% more than collections in the pre-pandemic month of September 2019.
Revenues from import of goods were 30% higher while indirect tax collected on domestic transactions, including the import of services, were 20% higher in September, compared to the same month in 2020.
Among the major States, GST revenues grew 29% in Karnataka, 28% in Gujarat, followed by 22% in Maharashtra and 21% each in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana recorded a 25% surge in revenues, while Odisha saw a sharper 40% rise.

Significance

This clearly indicates that the economy is recovering at a fast pace.
Coupled with economic growth, anti-evasion activities, especially action against fake billers have also been contributing to the enhanced GST collections.
It is expected that the positive trend in the revenues will continue and the second half of the year will post higher revenues.

Issues underlying

Though GST revenues are picking up pace after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, revenue buoyancy under GST is being seen as a concern.
This is especially after the legally mandated compensation to states for revenue shortfall from the GST implementation comes to an end in June 2022.

Back2Basics: Goods and Services Tax

The GST is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption.
It was launched into operation on the midnight of 1st July 2017.
It subsumed almost all domestic indirect taxes (petroleum, alcoholic beverages, and stamp duty are the major exceptions) under one head.
The GST is paid by consumers, but it is remitted to the government by the businesses selling the goods and services.
GST is levied at four rates viz. 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. The schedule or list of items that would fall under these multiple slabs is worked out by the GST council.

Types

The GST to be levied by the Centre is called Central GST (CGST) and that to be levied by the States is called State GST (SGST).
Import of goods or services would be treated as inter-state supplies and would be subject to Integrated Goods & Services Tax (IGST) in addition to the applicable customs duties.

The GST Council

It is a constitutional body (Article 279A) for making recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to GST.
The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States.
It is considered as a federal body where both the centre and the states get due representation.

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Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

What is Computer Tomography?

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Computer Tomography (CT) and its working

Mains level: NA

The first computed tomography image – a CT scan – of the human brain was made 50 years ago, on Oct. 1, 1971.

A few months back, almost all of us have heard about the High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan being conducted on our relatives for diagnosing the damage of lungs caused due to the Wuhan Virus.

About Computer Tomography (CT)

A CT scan is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to get detailed images of the body noninvasively for diagnostic purposes.
The multiple X-ray measurements taken from different angles are then processed on a computer using reconstruction algorithms to produce tomographic (cross-sectional) images (virtual “slices”) of a body.

How does it work?

They use a narrow X-ray beam that circles around one part of your body. This provides a series of images from many different angles.
A computer uses this information to create a cross-sectional picture. Like one piece in a loaf of bread, this two-dimensional (2D) scan shows a “slice” of the inside of your body.
This process is repeated to produce a number of slices.
The computer stacks these scans one on top of the other to create a detailed image of your organs, bones, or blood vessels.
For example, a surgeon may use this type of scan to look at all sides of a tumor to prepare for an operation.

Its development

Since its development in the 1970s, CT has proven to be a versatile imaging technique.
While CT is most prominently used in diagnostic medicine, it also may be used to form images of non-living objects.
The 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to South African-American physicist Allan M. Cormack and British electrical engineer Godfrey N. Hounsfield “for the development of computer-assisted tomography”.

Threats

CT scans use X-rays, which produce ionizing radiation.
Such radiation may damage your DNA and lead to cancer.
The risk increases with every CT scan we get.
Ionizing radiation may be more harmful in children.

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New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

Species in news: Adi Cascade

Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Adi cascade

Mains level: NA

Making of check dams on streams and removal of boulders may wipe out the local population of Adi cascade frogs (Amolops adicola), a recently discovered species in Arunachal Pradesh, scientists claimed.

About Adi cascade

The species was discovered while revisiting a century-old Adi expedition in 2018 and named after the land of the Adi tribe where the frogs dwell, particularly post-monsoon.
The call of the frog is quite unique with continuous notes almost like a cricket.
They are delivered at very short intervals, not long call groups — giving an impression of being continuous: A typical call lasts 485.2 milliseconds.
The species is predominantly found in open riverine landscapes and human-inhabited rural areas.
Males were mostly observed on tree saplings, fern fronds, and banana plants in and around the cultivated land.
Locally known as Juri (stream) Tatik (frog) — is considered a local delicacy.

What are Cascade Frogs?

The nomenclature ‘cascade frogs’ draws on their preference for small waterfalls.
Cascade frogs, in general, depend on the flow of water.
Both adults and tadpoles of Adi cascade frogs, the species in question, are particularly adapted to fast flowing sections of stream.

Rich biodiversity of Arunachal

Arunachal, a biodiversity hotspot, is home to many endemics, endangered and threatened species as well as to indigenous people who depend on its biological resources.
The Forest Survey of India in 2019 estimated that Arunachal had 66,688 sq km of forests — 79.6 per cent of the state’s area.
Global Forest Watch, however, estimated the forests cover at 74 per cent of its total land area.

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Electoral Reforms In India

political parties in India

| Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure,Representation Of People's Act

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Representation of the People Act, 1951

Mains level: Paper 2- Making political parties constitutional in India

Context

Making them constitutional will ensure in-party democracy, make them transparent, and de-communalise them.

Significance of political parties in democracy

A political party is an organised group of citizens who hold common views on governance and act as a political unit that seeks to obtain control of government with a view to further the agenda and policy they profess.
Political parties maintain a continuous connection between the people and those who represent them either in government or in the opposition.
Political parties in India are extra-constitutional, but they are the breathing air of the political system.

U.S. and U.K. model

No constitutional status: The American Constitution does not presume the existence of political parties.
In Britain too, political parties are still unknown to the law.
Political parties in developed nations maintain high levels of internal democracy.
In the U.K., the Conservative Party has the National Conservative Convention as its top body.
It has a Central Council and an Executive Committee.
The Central Council elects its President, a Chairman and Vice Chairmen at its annual meeting.
It also elects an Executive Committee which meets once a month.
In the U.S., both the Democratic and the Republican Party have the National Committee as their top decision-making body.
The National Committee plays an important role in the presidential election and agenda-setting.

Issues with Indian model

No constitutional status: The Indian Constitution is the one of the longest Constitutions in the world.
It is astonishing that such a meticulous Constitution overlooked political parties, the vital players in the political system, for constitutional regulation.
Section 29A(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 is the only major statutory provision dealing with political parties in India.
Most of the parties are openly caste- or religious-based.
Their finances are dubious and opaque.
Almost all the parties — the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, the Indian Union Muslim League, etc. — are family fiefdoms.
There are no periodical in-party elections in Indian parties except in a few like the CPI(M).

Should India follow the German model?

The Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany (1949) gives constitutional status to political parties.
Article 21 of the Basic Law deals with their status, rights, duties and functions.
It provides: Political parties shall participate in the formation of the political will of the people.
Under it, parties must publicly account for their assets and for the sources and use of their funds.
It also provides that parties that seek to undermine or abolish the free democratic basic order or to endanger the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany shall be unconstitutional.
Constitution also provides that details shall be regulated by federal laws.
The German model of constitutionalising political parties is more desirable for India than the U.S. and the U.K. models.

Consider the question “Do you agree with the view that making political parties constitutional will help deal with the many ills political parties in India suffer from? Suggest the alternative model.”

Conclusion

It is high time to constitutionalise political parties to ensure in-party democracy, to impart transparency in their finances, and to de-communalise them.

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GI(Geographical Indicator) Tags

GI ecosystem

op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Intellectual Property Rights

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Geographical Indication, WTO, TRIPS

Mains level: Economic potential of GI Tagged products

This editorial discusses various economic and socio-cultural benefits offered by the Geographical Indication (GI) Tagging.

What is Geographical Indication?

A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
GI is granted for a term of 10 years in India. As of today, more than 300 GI tags has been allocated so far in India (*Wikipedia).

Why must we promote GI?

Several studies show that the patents and copyright protection of products under GIs result in higher economic gains, fostering quality production and better distribution of profits.

Lost in history: Most GI are either assigned to the dusty pages of history books or left to rural artisans to propagate and preserve.
Source of income: Today, with the emphasis on climate change and sustainability, these products can be ready revenue generators.
Demand in e-com market: A modern distribution system exists in India’s robust global e-commerce backbone which will propel the nascent GI industry onto the national and world stage.

Need for govt support

GI products need the support of governments.
The Europeans are masters at it, as seen by products such as Brie cheese and sparkling wine from Champagne. The EU has an $87 billion GI economy.
China has also done very well by GI, strengthening e-commerce in rural areas and actively promoting agricultural special product brands in lesser developed areas.

Role of GI in China’s rise

A 2017 UNCTAD report on inclusive growth and e-commerce deems China’s e-commerce-driven growth as inclusive.
That means China has successfully empowered micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to compete with large companies on the same stage, with no geographic boundaries.
Likewise, despite a globally depressed market for wines, the produce from the Ningxia region of China saw exports surge 46.4 per cent in 2020, benefitting 211 wineries in Ningxia.
The output value of GI producers in China totalled $92.771 billion as of 2020.

Socio-cultural benefits offered by GI

GI protection has wider positive benefits, especially for local communities.
In particular, it encourages the preservation of biodiversity, local know-how and natural resources. And this is where India can do well.
Multiple benefits flows from a strong GI ecosystem, which can be a wellspring of economic and soft power.
It will automatically resolve the three fraught India issues of poor pay for talent, low female participation in the labour force, and urban migration.

How can GI induce economic transformation?

(1) Promotes Entrepreneurship and ‘Passion Economy’

It will convert talent into entrepreneurship with gig workers, and create a “passion” economy, that is, a new way for individuals to monetise their skills and scale their businesses exponentially.
It removes the hurdles associated with freelance work to earn a regular income from a source other than an employer.

(2) Employment generation

The labour-intensive nature of GI offers the best solution to boosting the employment-to-population ratio in India.
India presently has an abysmal 43 per cent compared with the 55 per cent global average.

(3) Women Empowerment

GI production mostly involves artisanal work-from-home culture.
Monetising this artisanal work done at home will increase India’s low female labour force participation rate, which at 21 per cent in 2019 was half the 47 per cent global average.

(4) Prevents migration

The hyper-localised nature of GI offers solutions to reverse urban migration and conserve India’s ancient crafts, culture and food.

(5) MSME Promotion

A rejuvenation of MSMEs, which account for 31 per cent of India’s GDP and 45 per cent of exports, will follow.
An estimated 55.80 million MSMEs employ close to 130 million people; of this, 14 per cent are women-led enterprises and 59.5 per cent are rural.

(6) GI Tourism

Another revenue-earner, GI tourism, is typically a by-product of a strong GI ecosystem.

Hurdles in GIs progress

(1) Credit Facilities and Capacity Building

Since GI businesses are micro, it is necessary to address the challenges of capacity-building, formal or easy access to credit.
There is a need for forming marketing linkages, research and development, product innovation and competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

(2) Issue of Intermediaries

With the shift to digital platforms, the distribution margins of these gate keepers or mandi agents must be competitive.
They often act as countervailing agents by getting into similar businesses or product lines which will erode GI producer incomes.

(3) Ensuring smoother transition

As seen from the experience of the new farm laws, this will be a task for the central and state governments; they must ensure the transition without breaking down too many existing linkages.

Way forward

Control: Guardrails like regular audits and consultations with the GI producers must be mandated.
Cooperative management: Pulling it together will be local GI cooperative bodies or associations which can be nationally managed by a GI board.
Ministerial support: The Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Ministry of Commerce department should be tasked with developing this new sector.
Digital literacy: Finally, a required skill for GI producers is digital literacy. This should be a priority agenda item for NGOs and stakeholders like the DPIIT.

Conclusion

It is an opportunity for India to redefine the future of work using automation, technology and artificial intelligence while simultaneously enhancing and adorning the country’s talented local work force.
The Indian GI economy can be a platform for India to showcase to the world a model for ethical capitalism, social entrepreneurship, de-urbanisation, and bringing women to the workforce, on the back of a robust digital system.
It recalls and attributes of multi-cultural ethos, authenticity, and ethnic diversity are potential turbochargers for the country’s economy.
It encompasses the concept of trusteeship, as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi and more recently, by our PM at the UN. It is truly Made in India.

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Monsoon Updates

Various terms related to Indian Monsoon

| Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Indian monsoon

Mains level: Economic dependency on Monsoon

The monsoon is likely to begin withdrawing from the mainland from October 6, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Let us learn all terminologies related to Monsoon.

What is Monsoon?

Indian monsoon, the most prominent of the world’s monsoon systems, which primarily affects India and its surrounding water bodies.
It blows from the northeast during cooler months and reverses direction to blow from the southwest during the warmest months of the year.

Onset of Monsoon

This process brings large amounts of rainfall to the region during June and July.
As the high-sun season (that is, the Northern Hemisphere summer) moves northward during April, India becomes particularly prone to rapid heating because the highlands to the north protect it from any incursions of cold air.
There are three distinct areas of relative upper tropospheric warmth—namely, (1) above the southern Bay of Bengal, (2) above the Plateau of Tibet, and (3) across the trunks of the various peninsulas that are relatively dry during this time.
These three areas combine to form a vast heat-source region.
In contrast, a heat sink appears over the southern Indian Ocean as the relatively cloud-free air cools by emitting long-wavelength radiation.
Monsoon winds at the surface blow from heat sink to heat source.

Peak period

The position of the easterly jet controls the location of monsoonal rains, which occur ahead and to the left of the strongest winds and also behind them and to the right.
The surface flow, however, is a strong, south-westerly, humid, and unstable wind that brings humidifies of more than 80 percent and heavy squally showers that are the “burst” of the monsoon.
The overall pattern of the advance follows a frontal alignment, but local episodes may differ considerably.

Key areas

Most spectacular clouds and rain occur against the Western Ghats in India, where the early monsoonal airstream piles up against the steep slopes, then recedes, and piles up again to a greater height.
Each time it pushes thicker clouds upward until wind and clouds roll over the barrier and, after a few brief spells of absorption by the dry inland air, cascade toward the interior.
Various factors, especially topography, combine to make up a complex regional pattern.

Break in Monsoon

During the south-west monsoon period after having rains for a few days, if rain fails to occur for one or more weeks, it is known as break in the monsoon.
These dry spells are quite common during the rainy season.
In northern India rains are likely to fail if the rain-bearing storms are not very frequent along the monsoon trough or the ITCZ over this region.
Over the west coast the dry spells are associated with days when winds blow parallel to the coast.

Withdrawal of Monsoon

By August the intensity and duration of sunshine have decreased, temperatures begin to fall, and the surge of south-westerly air diminishes spasmodically almost to a standstill in the northwest.
In September, dry, cool, northerly air begins to circle the west side of the highlands and spread over north-western India.
The easterly jet weakens, and the upper tropospheric easterlies move much farther south.
Because the moist southwesterlies at lower levels are much weaker and variable, they are soon pushed back.
The rainfall becomes extremely variable over most of the region, but showers are still frequent in the south-eastern areas and over the Bay of Bengal.
By early October, variable winds are very frequent everywhere.

Winter rains

At the end of the month, the entire Indian region is covered by northerly air and the winter monsoon takes shape.
The surface flow is deflected by the Coriolis force and becomes a north-easterly flow.
Tropical depressions and cyclones are important contributing factors.
Most of India thus begins a sunny, dry, and dusty season.
Conversely, the western slopes of the Karakoram Range and Himalayas are then reached by the midlatitude frontal depressions that come from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
The winter rains they receive, moderate as they are, place them clearly outside the monsoonal realm.

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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Australia

India, Australia to conclude free trade pact by end 2022

| International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Various types of trade agreements

Mains level: Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

India and Australia have agreed to conclude a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2022.

What is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

A FTA is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and exports among them.
Under a free trade policy, goods and services can be bought and sold across international borders with little or no government tariffs, quotas, subsidies, or prohibitions to inhibit their exchange.
The concept of free trade is the opposite of trade protectionism or economic isolationism.

Key benefits offered by FTA

Reduction or elimination of tariffs on qualified: For example, a country that normally charges a tariff of 12% of the value of the incoming product will rationalize or eliminate that tariff.
Intellectual Property Protection: Protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in the FTA partner country is upheld.
Product Standards: FTA enhances the ability for domestic exporters to participate in the development of product standards in the FTA partner country.
Fair treatment for investors: FTA provides treatment as favourably as the FTA partner country gives equal treatment for investments from the partner country.
Elimination of monopolies: With FTAs, global monopolies are eliminated due to increased competition.

How many FTAs does India have?

India has signed it’s first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka in 1998.
Likewise, India had FTAs with: Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Singapore, ASEAN, Japan and Malaysia.
India has signed Preferential Trade Agreements such as:

Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) with Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea, and Sri Lanka
Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP)
India – MERCOSUR PTA etc. with South American countries

Back2Basics: Types of Trade Agreements

(1) Free Trade Agreement – discussed above

(2) Preferential Trade Agreement

In this type of agreement, two or more partners give preferential right of entry to certain products.
This is done by reducing duties on an agreed number of tariff lines.
Here a positive list is maintained i.e. the list of the products on which the two partners have agreed to provide preferential access.
Tariff may even be reduced to zero for some products even in a PTA.
India signed a PTA with Afghanistan.

(3) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Partnership agreement or cooperation agreement are more comprehensive than an FTA.
CECA/CEPA also looks into the regulatory aspect of trade and encompasses and agreement covering the regulatory issues.
CECA has the widest coverage. CEPA covers negotiation on the trade in services and investment, and other areas of economic partnership.
It may even consider negotiation on areas such as trade facilitation and customs cooperation, competition, and IPR.
India has signed CEPAs with South Korea and Japan.

(4) Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement

CECA generally cover negotiation on trade tariff and Tariff rate quotas (TRQs) rates only.
It is not as comprehensive as CEPA.
India has signed CECA with Malaysia.

(5) Framework Agreement

Framework agreement primarily defines the scope and provisions of orientation of the potential agreement between the trading partners.
It provides for some new area of discussions and set the period for future liberalisation.
India has previously signed framework agreements with the ASEAN, Japan etc.

(6) Early Harvest Scheme

An Early Harvest Scheme (EHS) is a precursor to an FTA/CECA/CEPA between two trading partners. For example, early harvest scheme of RCEP has been rolled out.
At this stage, the negotiating countries identify certain products for tariff liberalization pending the conclusion of actual FTA negotiations.
An Early Harvest Scheme is thus a step towards enhanced engagement and confidence building.

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Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

India’s Current Account Balance sees a spike

| Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: External sector of India, BoP, BoT

Mains level: NA

India’s current account balance saw a far lower surplus of $6.5 billion (0.9% of GDP) in the first quarter compared with a surplus of $19.1 billion (3.7% of GDP) a year earlier.

What is External Sector?

The external sector is the portion of a country’s economy that interacts with the economies of other countries.
In the goods market, the external sector involves exports and imports.
In the financial market it involves capital flows.

Various terminologies related:

[A] Balance of Payment (BoP)

BoP is the difference between all money flowing into the country in a particular period of time (e.g., a quarter or a year) and the outflow of money to the rest of the world.
These financial transactions are made by individuals, firms and government bodies to compare receipts and payments arising out of trade of goods and services.
It consists of two components: the current account and the capital account.
The current account reflects a country’s net income, while the capital account reflects the net change in ownership of national assets.

(1) Current Account

Current account of BoP consists of all transactions relating to goods, services and income, it is functionally classified into merchandise and
Current account deficit is the situation where payments on the country are more than the payments into the country.
In current account surplus, there is a net inward payment into the country on the current.

(2) Capital Account

The capital account records the net flow of investment transaction into an economy.
Investments (FDI and FII) and borrowings (ECB) are part of the capital account.

[B] Balance of Trade

Trade “balance” of a country shows the difference between what it earns from its exports and what it pays for its imports.
If this number is in negative – that is, the total value of goods imported by a country is more than the total value of goods exported by that country – then it is referred to as a “trade deficit”.
If India has a trade deficit with China then China would necessarily have a “trade surplus” with India.

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Skilling India – Skill India Mission,PMKVY, NSDC, etc.

[pib] DigiSaksham Initiative

PIB | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Digi-Saksham

Mains level: Various initiaitves for Skilling India

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched DigiSaksham Initiative.

DigiSaksham

It is joint initiative with Microsoft India is an extension of the Government’s ongoing programs to support the youth from rural and semi-urban areas.
Through DigiSaksham initiative, free of cost training in digital skills including basic skills as well as advance computing, will be provided to more than 3 lakh youths in the first year.
The Jobseekers can access the training through National Career Service (NCS) Portal.
DigiSaksham will be implemented in the field by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme India (AKRSP-I).

Training offered

Under the initiative, there will be basically three types of training viz. Digital Skills – Self paced learning, VILT mode training (Virtual Instructor led) and ILT mode training (Instructor led).
The ILT training which is in person training would be conducted at the Model Career Centres (MCCs) and National Career Service Centres (NCSC) for SCs/STs across the country.
Students will be able to access training in areas like Java Script, Data Visualisation, Advance Excel, Power Bi, HTML, Programming languages, software development fundamentals, Introduction to coding etc.

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Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

Places in news: Weddell Sea

Places in news | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Weddel Sea, Mapping of Southern Ocean

Mains level: NA

India has extended support for protecting the Antarctic environment and for co-sponsoring the proposal of the European Union for designating East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

About Weddell Sea

The Weddell Sea is part of the Southern Ocean and contains the Weddell Gyre.
Its land boundaries are defined by the bay formed from the coasts of Coats Land and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Much of the southern part of the sea is covered by a permanent, massive ice shelf field, the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf.
The sea is contained within the two overlapping Antarctic territorial claims of Argentine Antarctica, the British Antarctic Territory, and also resides partially within the Antarctic Chilean Territory.

Major ice shelves

Various ice shelves, including the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, fringe the Weddell sea.
Some of the ice shelves on the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula, which formerly covered roughly 10,000 square kilometres of the Weddell Sea, had completely disappeared by 2002.
The Weddell Sea has been deemed by scientists to have the clearest water of any sea.

India’s support for the Antarctic

India supports sustainability in protecting the Antarctic environment.
The proposed MPAs are essential to regulate illegal unreported and unregulated fishing.
India had urged the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) member countries to ensure Antarctic conservation.
India remains associated with the formulation, adaptation and implementation mechanisms of these MPAs in future.

What is CCAMLR?

CCAMLR is an international treaty to manage Antarctic fisheries to preserve species diversity and stability of the entire Antarctic marine ecosystem.
CCAMLR came into force in April 1982.
India has been a permanent member of the CCAMLR since 1986.
Work pertaining to the CCAMLR is coordinated in India by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through its attached office, the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) in Kochi, Kerala.

Back2Basics: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

An MPA is a marine protected area that provides protection for all or part of its natural resources.
Certain activities within an MPA are limited or prohibited to meet specific conservation, habitat protection, ecosystem monitoring, or fisheries management objectives.
MPAs can be conserved for a number of reasons including economic resources, biodiversity conservation, and species protection.
They are created by delineating zones with permitted and non-permitted uses within that zone.

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Financial Inclusion in India and Its Challenges

What gives rise to the rural debt trap?

| Economics | Mains Paper 3: Inclusive Growth & Issues,Indian Economy

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Incidence of Indebtedness (IOI)

Mains level: Paper 3- Challenges in access to credit

Context

The AIDIS report published this month reveals that non-institutional sources have a strong presence in the rural credit market, notwithstanding the high costs involved in borrowing from them.

Highlights of AIDIS

The All-India Debt and Investment Surveys (AIDIS) is carried out by the National Statistical Office.
AIDIS is among the most important nationally representative data sources on the rural credit market in India.
According to the latest report, the average debt per household in rural India is Rs 59,748, nearly half the average debt per household in urban India.
IOI: As per the latest AIDIS report, the incidence of indebtedness (IOI) is 35 per cent in rural India — 17.8 per cent of rural households are indebted to institutional credit agencies, 10.2 per cent to non-institutional agencies and 7 per cent to both.
Dependence on institutional source: The share of debt from institutional credit agencies in total outstanding debt in rural India is 66 per cent as compared to 87 per cent in urban India.
Dependence on institutional sources is often seen as a positive development, signifying broadening financial inclusion, while reliance on non-institutional sources denotes vulnerability and backwardness.
Purpose: Institutional credit is taken mainly for farm business and housing in rural India.
A significant portion of debt from non-institutional sources is used for other household expenditures.
Socio-economic inequality: The data indicates that better-off households have greater access to formal-sector credit and use it for more income-generating purposes.
Access to institutional credit is largely determined by the ability of households to furnish assets as collateral.
The report shows that the top 10 per cent of asset-owning households have borrowed 80 per cent of their total debt from institutional sources, whereas those in the bottom 50 per cent borrowed around 53 per cent of total debt from non-institutional sources.
Debt-trap: the Debt-Asset Ratio (DAR) of the bottom 10 per cent asset-owning households in rural India is 39, much higher than the DAR of 2.6 estimated for the top 10 per cent households.
This, coupled with higher borrowing from non-institutional sources, acts as a debt trap for households with fewer assets.

Way forward

Inadequate access to affordable credit lies at the heart of the rural distress
The credit policy needs to be revamped to accommodate the consumption needs of the rural poor and to find alternatives for collateral to bring the rural households within the network of institutional finance.

Conclusion

The solution to the problem of lack of access to credit in rural areas lies in policy changes.

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RTI – CIC, RTI Backlog, etc.

PM-CARES

op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Various funds mentioned in the newscard

Mains level: Right to Information Act and its limitations

We all know that the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund doesn’t come under the ambit of Right to Information (RTI). This oped seeks to discuss certain aspects of this issue.

Present context

In a recent affidavit, the Delhi High Court was informed that the PM CARES Fund is not a Government of India fund and that the amount collected by it does not go to the Consolidated Fund of India is strange.
This petition is seeking the PM-CARES fund to be declared as the “State” under Article 12 of the Constitution.

Intriguing facts about PM-CARES fund

PM CARES has been created not by law, not by notification, but by the mere creation of a webpage, and set up last year in March to raise funds for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The page lists its structure, functions and duties in an arbitrary manner. The official appeals for funds are made under the national emblem.
The most significant lie of this sworn statement is that the Government has no control over the Fund.

What is the case?

The PM-CARES Fund was not subject to CAG audit since the Supreme Court regarded it as a public charitable trust.
It is not under public scrutiny. Also contributions to it were 100% tax-free.
It is accused that there was statutory fund already in existence under the Disaster Management Act of 2005 to receive contributions to finance the fight against a calamity.

What is RTI?

RTI is an act of the parliament which sets out the rules and procedures regarding citizens’ right to information.
It replaced the former Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
Under the provisions of RTI Act, any citizen of India may request information from a “public authority” (a body of Government or “instrumentality of State”) which is required to reply expeditiously or within 30.
In case of the matter involving a petitioner’s life and liberty, the information has to be provided within 48 hours.

About PM CARES Fund

The PM CARES Fund was created on 28 March 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
The fund will be used for combat, containment and relief efforts against the coronavirus outbreak and similar pandemic like situations in the future.
The PM is the chairman of the trust. Members will include the defence, home and finance ministers.
The fund will also enable micro-donations. The minimum donation accepted is ₹10 (14¢ US).

The other funds

(1) National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)

The statutorily constituted NDRF was established under the Disaster Management (DM) Act of 2005.
The NDRF is mandated to be accountable, and answerable under the RTI Act, being a public authority, and auditable by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

(2) Disaster Response Fund

The DM Act also provided for a Disaster Response Fund — state and district level funds (besides the national level).
It also collects and uses the donations at the local level, with mandatory transparency and audit provisions.

(3) Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund

There is the PMNRF operative since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru. It was established with public contributions to assist displaced persons from Pakistan.
The resources are now utilised primarily to render immediate relief to families of those killed in natural calamities and to the victims of the major accidents and riots.
However, it has the President of India and the Leader of Opposition also as trustees.

Issues over PM-CARES Fund

No defined purpose: It is deliberately ignored while a new, controversial, unanswerable, and ‘non-accountable vehicle is created; its character is not spelt out till today.
Non-accountable: The government seems to consider statutory provisions for enquiry and information seeking to be embarrassing obstacles.
Centralization of donations: It centralises the collection of donations and its utility, which is not only against the federal character but also practically inconvenient. The issue is seeming, the trusteeship of the fund.

Questions and gaps

Law/statute: The PM CARES Fund was neither created by the Constitution of India nor by any statute.
Authority: If that is the case, under what authority does it use the designation of the Prime Minister, designated symbols of the nation, the tricolour and the official (gov.in) website of the PMO, and grant tax concessions through an ordinance.
Collection and dispensation: The amount received by the Fund does not go to the Consolidated Fund of India. If it goes to the CFI, it could have been audited by the CAG.
Uncontrolled: The This Trust is neither intended to be or is in fact owned, controlled or substantially financed by any instrumentality of the any govt even being chaired by the PM.

Issue over tax benefits

Income tax: An ordinance was promulgated to amend Income Tax Act, 1961 and declare that the donations to the PM CARES Fund “would qualify for 80G benefits for 100% exemption”.
CSR Funds: It will also qualify to be counted as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013.
Foreign donations: It has also got exemption under the FCRA [Foreign Contribution Regulation Act] and a separate account for receiving foreign donations has been opened.

What can be inferred from all these?

The Centre now considers it as another obstacle and has created a new trust with the Prime Minister and his Ministers only.
The manner in which the PM CARES Fund was set up — with its acronym created to publicise the point that the PM cares for people — shows a bypassing of the statutory obligations of a public authority.

Query and response: Again ironical

After initial denials, the Government has conceded it to be a public charitable trust, but still maintains that it is not a ‘public authority’.
The point is that the PMO operates the Fund, but says it cannot supply any information about the PM CARES Fund because it is not a public authority.

Severe interpretations: Is it an Office of Profit?

If the PM CARES Fund is unconnected with the Government, then the Fund could become an office of profit.
And that could disqualify him and the three Ministers from holding those constitutional offices.

Conclusion

In order to uphold transparency, the PM CARES Fund should be declared as a Public Authority under the RTI Act, and all RTI queries answered truthfully.
The fund should be designated as a “public authority” under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act.

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Food Procurement and Distribution – PDS & NFSA, Shanta Kumar Committee, FCI restructuring, Buffer stock, etc.

PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme

Schemes | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: PM POSHAN Scheme

Mains level: Mid-day meal scheme

The existing Mid-Day Meal scheme, which provides hot meals to students, has been renamed as the National Scheme for PM Poshan Shakti Nirman.

Key propositions in the PM POSHAN Scheme

Supplementary nutrition: The new scheme has a provision for supplementary nutrition for children in aspirational districts and those with high prevalence of anaemia.
States to decide diet: It essentially does away with the restriction on the part of the Centre to provide funds only for wheat, rice, pulses and vegetables. Currently, if a state decides to add any component like milk or eggs to the menu, the Centre does not bear the additional cost. Now that restriction has been lifted.
Nutri-gardens: They will be developed in schools to give children “firsthand experience with nature and gardening”.
Women and FPOs: To promote vocal for local, women self-help groups and farmer producer organisations will be encouraged to provide a fillip to locally grown traditional food items.
Social Audit: The scheme also plans “inspection” by students of colleges and universities for ground-level execution.
Tithi-Bhojan: Communities would also be encouraged to provide the children food at festivals etc, while cooking festivals to encourage local cuisines are also envisaged.
DBTs to school: In other procedural changes meant to promote transparency and reduce leakages, States will be asked to do direct benefit cash transfers of cooking costs to individual school accounts, and honorarium amounts to the bank accounts of cooks and helpers.
Holistic nutrition: The rebranded scheme aims to focus on “holistic nutrition” goals. Use of locally grown traditional foods will be encouraged, along with school nutrition gardens.

About the Mid-Day Meal Scheme

The Midday Meal Scheme is a school meal program designed to better the nutritional standing of school-age children nationwide.
It was launched in the year 1995.
It supplies free lunches on working days for children in primary and upper primary classes in:

Government, government aided, local body schools
Education Guarantee Scheme, and alternate innovative education centres,
Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and
National Child Labour Project schools run by the ministry of labour

The Scheme has a legal backing under the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Objective:

To enhance the enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improve nutritional levels among school going children studying in Classes I to VIII

History of the scheme

In 1925, a Mid Day Meal Programme was introduced for disadvantaged children in Madras Municipal Corporation.
By the mid-1980s three States viz. Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the UT of Pondicherry had universalized a same scheme with their own resources for children studying at the primary stage.
In 2001, the Supreme Court asked all state governments to begin this programme in their schools within 6 months.

Calorie approach

Primary (1-5) and upper primary (6-8) schoolchildren are currently entitled to 100 grams and 150 grams of food grains per working day each.
The calorific value of a mid-day meal at various stages has been fixed at a minimum:

Calories Intake	Primary	Upper Primary
Energy	450 calories	700 calories
Protein	12 grams	20 grams

Impact created by the Scheme

The MDM Scheme has many potential benefits: attracting children from disadvantaged sections (especially girls, Dalits and Adivasis) to school, improving regularity, nutritional benefits, socialisation benefits and benefits to women are some that have been highlighted.
Apart from nutrition, this scheme has been miraculous. Mothers who first used to interrupt their work to feed their children at home, now no longer need to do so.

Issues with the Scheme

Discrimination: Caste-based discrimination continues to occur in the serving of food, though the government seems unwilling to acknowledge this.
Leakages: The scheme has been subjected to leakages similar to the Public Distribution System.
Unhealthy and unhygienic: There have been cases of eating pesticide-contaminated mid-day meals leading to food poisoning.

Try this PYQ:

Which of the following can be said to be essentially the parts of Inclusive Governance?

Permitting the Non-Banking Financial Companies to do banking

Establishing effective District Planning Committees in all the districts

Increasing government spending on public health

Strengthening the Mid-day Meal Scheme

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Post your answers.

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Right To Privacy

Contentious Clauses in Data Protection Bill

| Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Data privacy

Mains level: Contentious Clauses in Data Protection Bill

The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Data Protection has found a middle ground on certain contentious clauses. Many panellists had objected to the clause, saying that it made the entire Act infructuous.

What is the issue?

The Data Protection Law has some clauses in the name of “sovereignty”, “friendly relations with foreign states” and “security of the state”.
These clauses allow any agency under the Union government exemption from all or any provisions of the law.
The legislation gives powers to the Central government to suspend all or any of the provisions of the Act for government agencies.

Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019

The PDP Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology in 2019.
The Bill seeks to provide for protection of personal data of individuals, and establishes a Data Protection Authority for the same.

Here are the key features:

Applicability

The Bill governs the processing of personal data by: (i) government, (ii) companies incorporated in India and (iii) foreign companies dealing with personal data of individuals in India.
Personal data is data which pertains to characteristics, traits or attributes of identity, which can be used to identify an individual.
The Bill categorises certain personal data as sensitive personal data.
This includes financial data, biometric data, caste, religious or political beliefs, or any other category of data specified by the government, in consultation with the Authority and the concerned sectoral regulator.

Data fiduciary and his obligations

A data fiduciary is an entity or individual who decides the means and purpose of processing personal data. Such processing will be subject to certain purpose, collection and storage limitations.
For instance, personal data can be processed only for specific, clear and lawful purpose.
Additionally, all data fiduciaries must undertake certain transparency and accountability measures such as: (i) implementing security safeguards (such as data encryption and preventing misuse of data), and (ii) instituting grievance redressal mechanisms to address complaints of individuals.
They must also institute mechanisms for age verification and parental consent when processing sensitive personal data of children.

Rights of the individual

The Bill sets out certain rights of the individual (or data principal). These include the right to:

Obtain confirmation from the fiduciary on whether their personal data has been processed
Seek correction of inaccurate, incomplete, or out-of-date personal data
Have personal data transferred to any other data fiduciary in certain circumstances and
Restrict continuing disclosure of their personal data by a fiduciary, if it is no longer necessary or consent is withdrawn

Grounds for processing personal data

The Bill allows the processing of data by fiduciaries only if consent is provided by the individual. However, in certain circumstances, personal data can be processed without consent.
These include: (i) if required by the State for providing benefits to the individual, (ii) legal proceedings, (iii) to respond to a medical emergency.

Social media intermediaries

The Bill defines these to include intermediaries which enable online interaction between users and allow for sharing of information.
All such intermediaries which have users above a notified threshold, and whose actions can impact electoral democracy or public order, have certain obligations, which include providing a voluntary user verification mechanism for users in India.

Data Protection Authority

The Bill sets up a Data Protection Authority which may: (i) take steps to protect interests of individuals, (ii) prevent misuse of personal data, and (iii) ensure compliance with the Bill.
It will consist of a chairperson and six members, with at least 10 years’ expertise in the field of data protection and information technology.
Orders of the Authority can be appealed to an Appellate Tribunal. Appeals from the Tribunal will go to the Supreme Court.

Transfer of data outside India

Sensitive personal data may be transferred outside India for processing if explicitly consented to by the individual, and subject to certain additional conditions.
However, such sensitive personal data should continue to be stored in India.
Certain personal data notified as critical personal data by the government can only be processed in India.

Exemptions:

The central government can exempt any of its agencies from the provisions of the Act:

In interest of security of state, public order, sovereignty and integrity of India and friendly relations with foreign states
For preventing incitement to commission of any cognisable offence (i.e. arrest without warrant) relating to the above matters

Processing of personal data is also exempted from provisions of the Bill for certain other purposes such as: (i) prevention, investigation, or prosecution of any offence, or (ii) personal, domestic, or (iii) journalistic purposes.
However, such processing must be for a specific, clear and lawful purpose, with certain security safeguards.

Sharing of non-personal data with government:

The central government may direct data fiduciaries to provide it with any:

Non-personal data and
Anonymised personal data for better targeting of services.

Amendments to other laws

The Bill amends the Information Technology Act, 2000 to delete the provisions related to compensation payable by companies for failure to protect personal data.

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Air Pollution

Probe shows use of toxic material in firecrackers: Supreme Court

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Air pollutants in crackers, Green Crackers

Mains level: Air pollution due to firecrackers

The Supreme Court has said a preliminary enquiry by the CBI into the firecracker industry, including in Tamil Nadu, revealed rampant violation of its ban on use of toxic ingredients like Barium and its salts.

Air Pollution created by firecrackers

Firing crackers increase the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air.
After firing, the fine dust particles get settled on the surrounding surfaces which are packed with chemicals like copper, zinc, sodium, lead, magnesium, cadmium and pollutants like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.
These invisible yet harmful particles affect the environment and in turn, put our health at stake.

Harmful elements used

Copper: Irritates the respiratory tract.
Cadmium: Leads to anemia by reducing the capacity of blood to carry oxygen.
Zinc: Can cause metal fume fever and induces vomiting.
Lead: Harms the nervous system.
Magnesium: Metal fume fever is caused by Magnesium fumes.
Sodium: It is a highly reactive element and caused burns when it is combined with moisture.

Why is the issue in news now?

Ans. Barium content

A chemical analysis of the samples of finished and semi-finished firecrackers and raw materials taken from the manufacturers showed Barium content.
The court stated that loose quantities of Barium were purchased from the market.
Also, firecracker covers did not show the manufacture or expiry dates.

Issues with Barium

Barium nitrate, which emits green flames when a cracker is lit, is a metal oxide that increases both air and noise pollution.
There is is no clarity on whether barium nitrate can actually be used or not.

Alternatives: Green Crackers

The new CSIR-NEERI formulation for green crackers has NO barium nitrate — one of the key ingredients of traditional firecrackers.
These crackers have been named “safe water releaser (SWAS)”, “safe minimal aluminium (SAFAL)” and “safe thermite cracker (STAR)”.
The three crackers release water vapour or air as a dust suppressant and diluent for gaseous emissions.
These products can only be manufactured by those who have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with CSIR-NEERI.
The green crackers are sold with a unique logo on the box, and will also have a QR code with production and emission details.

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US policy wise : Visa, Free Trade and WTO

What is H-1B Visa?

Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Indian Diaspora

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Various visas mentioned

Mains level: NA

The need for H-1B visas will continue to exist till the ‘talent challenge’ is tackled globally, even though the information technology industry has successfully adopted the work-from-home model amid pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Various US Visa Programs

1) H-1B visa

What is it: The H-1B visa category covers individuals who “work in a speciality occupation, engage in cooperative research and development projects administered by the US Department of Defense or are fashion models that have national or international acclaim and recognition.”

Who’s covered: The H-1B is most well known as a visa for skilled tech workers, but other industries, like health care and the media, also use these visas.

2) H-2B visa

What it is: According to USCIS, the H-2B program allows US employers or agents “to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs.”

Who’s covered: They generally apply to seasonal workers in industries like landscaping, forestry, hospitality and construction.

3) J-1 visa

What it is: The J-1 visa is an exchange visitor visa for individuals approved to participate in work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs in the United States.

Who’s covered: The impacted people include interns, trainees, teachers, camp counsellors, au pairs and participants in summer work travel programs.

4) L-1 visa

What it is: The L1 Visa is reserved for managerial or executive professionals transferring to the US from within the same company, or a subsidiary of it. The L1 Visa can also be used for a foreign company opening up US operations.

Who’s covered: Within the L1 Visa, there are two subsidiary types of visas

L1A visa for managers and executives.
L1B visa for those with specialized knowledge.

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Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

Antimalarial drug resistance in India

Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Malaria and it vaccines

Mains level: Non-communicable diseases burden on India

In recent years there is increasing evidence for the failure of artemisinin-based combination therapy for falciparum malaria either alone or with partner drugs.

What is Malaria?

Malaria is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito if the mosquito itself is infected with a malarial parasite.
There are five kinds of malarial parasites — Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax (the commonest ones), Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium knowlesi.
Therefore, to say that someone has contracted the Plasmodium ovale type of malaria means that the person has been infected by that particular parasite.

Burden of Malaria in India

In 2018, the National Vector-borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) estimated that approximately 5 lakh people suffered from malaria.
63% of the cases were of Plasmodium falciparum.
The recent World Malaria Report 2020 said cases in India dropped from about 20 million in 2000 to about 5.6 million in 2019.

Treatment of Malaria

Malaria is treated with prescription drugs to kill the parasite. Chloroquine is the preferred treatment for any parasite that is sensitive to the drug.
In most malaria-endemic countries including India, Artemisinin-based antimalarial drugs are the first-line choice for malaria treatment.
This is especially against Plasmodium falciparum parasite which is responsible for almost all malaria-related deaths in the world.

Why in news now?

There are reports of artemisinin resistance in East Africa and is a matter of great concern as this is the only drug that has saved several lives across the globe.
In India, after the failure of chloroquine to treat P. falciparum malaria successfully, artemisinin-based combination therapy was initially introduced in 2008.
Currently, several combinations of artemisinin derivatives are registered in India.

Artemisinin-based combination therapy failure in India

In 2019, a report from Eastern India indicated the presence of two mutations in P. falciparum cases treated with artemisinin that linked to its presence of resistance.
Again in 2021, artemisinin-based combination therapy failure was reported from Central India where the partner drug SP showed triple mutations with artemisinin wild type.
This means the failure of artemisinin-based combination therapy may not be solely linked to artemisinin. Here it is needed to change the partner drug as has been done in NE states in 2013.

History of drug resistance

In the 1950s chloroquine resistance came to light.
Both chloroquine and pyrimethamine resistance originated from Southeast Asia following their migration to India and then on to Africa with disastrous consequences.
Similarly, artemisinin resistance developed from the six Southeast Asian countries and migrated to other continents, as is reported in India and Africa.
It would not be out of context that artemisinin is following the same path as has been seen with chloroquine.
Now, the time has come to carry out Molecular Malaria Surveillance to find out the drug-resistant variants so that corrective measures can be undertaken in time to avert any consequences.
Some experts even advocate using triple artemisinin-based combination therapies where the partner drug is less effective.

Try this PYQ:

Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria.

Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine?

(a) Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium

(b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection

(c) Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria

(d) Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host

Post your answers here.

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Renewable Energy – Wind, Tidal, Geothermal, etc.

[pib] Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism

PIB | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: REC Mechanism

Mains level: Renewable Energy in India

Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy has given his assent to amendments in the existing Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mechanism.

What are RECs?

Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) is a policy instrument to catalyze the development of renewable energy.
It is a market-based mechanism that will help the states meet their regulatory requirements (such as Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs)) by overcoming the geographical constraints on existing renewable potential in different states.

REC Mechanism

REC mechanism is a market-based instrument to promote renewable energy and facilitate compliance of renewable purchase obligations (RPO).
It is aimed at addressing the mismatch between availability of RE resources in state and the requirement of the obligated entities to meet the RPO.
1 REC is treated as equivalent to 1 MWh.

How many types of RECs are there?

There are two categories of RECs, viz., solar RECs and non-solar RECs.

Solar RECs are issued to eligible entities for generation of electricity based on solar as renewable energy source.
Non-solar RECs are issued to eligible entities for generation of electricity based on renewable energy sources other than solar.

Sources of revenue under REC mechanism

Revenue for a RE generator under REC scheme includes revenue from the sale of electricity component of RE generation and the revenue from the sale of environmental attributes in the form of RECs.

What are the proposed changes?

The salient features of changes proposed in revamped REC mechanism are:

Validity of REC would be perpetual i.e., till it is sold.
Floor and forbearance prices are not required to be specified.
The RE generator who are eligible for REC, will be eligible for issuance of RECs for the period of PPA as per the prevailing guidelines.
The existing RE projects that are eligible for REC would continue to get RECs for 25 years.
A technology multiplier can be introduced for promotion of new and high priced RE technologies, which can be allocated in various baskets specific to technologies depending on maturity.
RECs can be issued to obligated entities (including DISCOMs and open access consumers) which purchase RE Power beyond their RPO compliance notified by the Central Government.
No REC to be issued to the beneficiary of subsidies/concessions or waiver of any other charges.
Allowing traders and bilateral transactions in REC mechanism.

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