| 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: OBCs, NCBC
Mains level: Sub-categorisation of OBCs
Hon’ble Justice Rohini
Central Idea
The Justice G. Rohini-headed Commission for the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBC) caste groups on July 31 submitted its report on the issue to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
This is nearly 6 years after the Union government first assigned the task to it — a task that was initially meant to be finished in 12 weeks.
Who are the OBCs?
The Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are a group of socially and educationally disadvantaged castes in India.
They constitute a significant portion of the population and have been granted 27% reservation in jobs and education under the central government.
To ensure equitable distribution of benefits among all OBC communities, the idea of sub-categorization within the OBCs was proposed.
The Rohini Commission, established in 2017, was tasked with examining this issue.
Understanding Sub-Categorization
Concept: Sub-categorization aims to create sub-groups within the larger OBC community for the purpose of reservation, addressing the issue of some affluent communities securing a major share of the reservation benefits.
Legal Debate: The concept of sub-categorization has also been a subject of legal debate for other reservation categories, such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs).
Establishment of Rohini Commission
Purpose: The Rohini Commission was constituted on October 2, 2017, to examine the extent of inequitable distribution of reservation benefits among different OBC castes or communities.
Terms of Reference: Its primary terms of reference included evaluating the need for sub-categorization, working out a scientific approach for it, and identifying any discrepancies or errors in the Central List of OBCs.
Timeline and Progress
Timeframe: Initially given 12 weeks to submit its report, the Commission has since been granted 10 extensions.
Draft Report: The Commission was ready with a draft report on sub-categorization.
Data Challenges: One of the challenges faced was the lack of data for the population of various OBC communities, making it difficult to compare their representation in jobs and admissions.
Multiple Extensions: The Commission’s report was submitted on the last day of its functioning after it had received up to 14 extensions from the government in the last six years.
Reason for Delays: At first, the government said that the COVID-19 pandemic had slowed down its working. However, after the second wave, the government has been saying that the Commission has been working on finalising its report.
Findings of the Commission
Categorisation of Caste Groups: According to sources, the Commission has suggested breaking the caste groups into broad categories, with the dominant castes (with the most access to benefits) getting the smallest share of the 27% reservation, and the historically crowded-out caste groups getting the largest share of the reservation pie.
Unequal Distribution: The Commission’s analysis of 1.3 lakh central jobs and OBC admissions to central higher education institutions over a few years revealed that 97% of all jobs and educational seats were concentrated among just 25% of sub-castes classified as OBCs.
Dominant Communities: A significant portion of these opportunities (95%) went to only 10 OBC communities.
Underrepresented Groups: Nearly 37% (983) of OBC communities had zero representation in jobs and educational institutions, while 994 OBC sub-castes had a total representation of only 2.68% in recruitment and admissions.
Implications and Future Steps
Census Enumeration: The Commission proposed an all-India survey to estimate the caste-wise population of OBCs, but the government has been silent on this while OBC groups demand the enumeration of OBCs in the Census.
Pending Decision: The report’s recommendations and findings will require careful deliberation by the government before any implementation.
Conclusion
Now that the Commission’s report is with the Social Justice Ministry, the government is expected to hold deliberations on the recommendations contained in it, before thinking about implementing any part of it.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Liability Convention
Mains level: Space Debris Issue
Central Idea
A couple of weeks ago, a large object discovered on the shores of Western Australia has been confirmed to be the debris of an ISRO rocket used for IRNSS constellation.
The incident raises concerns about space debris and its potential impact on Earth and its inhabitants.
Frequency and Risks of Space Junk
Common Occurrences: Incidents of space debris falling back to Earth are not uncommon. Most instances involve relatively small fragments that survive atmospheric friction, typically not making significant news.
Publicized Instances: However, there have been a few highly publicized falls, such as a 25-tonne Chinese rocket chunk falling into the Indian Ocean in May 2021 and the disintegration of the Skylab space station in 1979, with some fragments landing in Western Australia.
How did ISRO debris land in Australia?
Probable Re-entry and Ocean Drift: The debris likely remained unburnt while dropping back into the atmosphere during re-entry and eventually fell into the ocean. Ocean currents may have carried it towards the Australian shores.
Move for disposal: The Australian Space Agency is working with ISRO to determine the next steps, including considering obligations under the United Nations space treaties.
Potential Hazards and Impact
Threat to Life and Property: The threat to life and property from falling space junk cannot be ignored. Even objects falling into oceans can pose risks to marine life and contribute to pollution.
Recorded Incidents: So far, there are no recorded incidents of falling space objects causing significant damage on Earth. Instances of debris falling over land have generally occurred in uninhabited areas.
International Regulations and Liability
Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects: International regulations, such as this Convention, govern issues related to space debris falling back to Earth.
Absolute Liability: The launching country is “absolutely liable” to pay compensation for any damage caused by its space object on Earth or to a flight in the air.
Compensation Provision: In the current case, if the PSLV debris had caused any damage in Australia, India could have been liable to pay compensation, regardless of it falling into the ocean first.
Past Compensation: The Convention has resulted in compensation payment only once when Canada sought damages from the Soviet Union for a satellite with a radioactive substance falling into its uninhabited northern territory in 1978. The Soviet Union paid 3 million Canadian dollars as compensation.
Liability Convention, 1972
What is it? The Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, often referred to as the Liability Convention, is indeed an important international treaty in the field of space law.
Primary Objective: The main purpose of the convention is to provide a legal framework for dealing with liability arising from damage caused by space objects on Earth’s surface or in outer space.
Adoption and Entry into Force: The Liability Convention was adopted on March 29, 1972, and it became effective on September 1, 1972. It is one of the 5 UN treaties that pertain to space law.
Liability of Launching States: The convention holds the launching state (internationally liable for any damage caused by its space objects on Earth’s surface or to aircraft in flight.
Applicability: The convention applies to both governmental and non-governmental entities involved in launching space objects.
Strict Liability: It establishes strict liability for the launching state, meaning that it is held responsible for damages caused by its space object regardless of fault or negligence.
Limitation of Liability: The liability of the launching state is subject to a limitation. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the cap was set at 60 million Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a monetary unit used by the International Monetary Fund.
Liability for Unauthorized Launches: Even if a space object is owned by a private entity or a state that did not authorize the launch, the launching state is still liable unless it can demonstrate that it was not at fault.
Scope of Application: It deals specifically with damage caused by space objects to the Earth’s surface and aircraft in flight. For damage to other space objects or personnel on space objects, liability is governed by the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
ISRO’s Efforts to Mitigate Space Debris
Unique Scientific Experiment: ISRO successfully conducted a dedicated commercial mission, placing seven Singaporean satellites into intended orbits on board a PSLV rocket.
Orbit-lowering Experiment: During this mission, ISRO performed a unique experiment, lowering the fourth stage of the rocket into a 300 km high orbit after placing customer satellites at an altitude of 536 km to mitigate space debris concerns.
Reducing Debris Duration: Thanks to the orbit-lowering experiment, the duration of the stage in space has been significantly reduced to “two months.”
Objectives of the Experiment: The experiment aims to address space debris mitigation problems and preserve valuable orbits for future satellite deployments.
Conclusion
The incident of India’s space debris washing ashore in Australia highlights the importance of managing space debris to ensure the safety of Earth and its inhabitants.
ISRO’s efforts to mitigate space debris through conscious measures demonstrate responsible space exploration practices.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: BharatNet Project
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
The Cabinet has given its approval for an outlay of ₹1.39 lakh crore for the BharatNet project, aimed at providing last-mile connectivity to around 6.4 lakh villages across India.
About BharatNet Project
Objectives: The project aims to connect 6.4 lakh villages, covering all gram panchayats in the country, with last-mile broadband connectivity through optical fiber.
Implementation: Bharat Broadband Network (BBNL), a special purpose vehicle under Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), is responsible for executing the project.
Tie-up with VLEs: BBNL will collaborate with village level entrepreneurs (VLEs) to provide connectivity, following a successful pilot project in four districts and later expanded to 60,000 villages.
Progress So Far: As of now, around 1.94 lakh villages have been connected, and the rest are expected to be covered in the next 2.5 years.
Services details
BharatNet is the world’s largest rural connectivity scheme with an Optical Fibre network.
Gram Panchayat: The scheme aimed to provide 100 Mbps broadband to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.
Households: The main goal is affordable 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps broadband for all households, especially in rural areas.
Key Achievements of the Project
Broadband Connections: The pilot project involved 3,800 entrepreneurs providing 3.51 lakh broadband connections to villages.
Data Consumption: Households in connected villages recorded an average data consumption of 175 gigabytes per month.
Pricing and Speed: The project is based on a 50% revenue share between BBNL and VLEs, offering monthly broadband plans priced from ₹399 to ₹799 with a minimum speed of 30mbps.
Optical Fiber Laid: Currently, there are 37 lakh route kilometers (rkm) of optical fiber cable (OFC) laid in India, with BBNL contributing 7.7 lakh rkm OFC to the network.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Indian Eagle Owl
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
The Indian eagle owl was recently classified species distinct from the Eurasian eagle owl.
Indian Eagle-Owl
The Indian eagle-owl or rock eagle-owl, is a large horned owl species native to hilly and rocky scrub forests in the Indian Subcontinent.
It is splashed with brown and grey, and has a white throat patch with black small stripes.
Conservation Status: Least Concerned (IUCN), Appendix II (CITES)
Key features
Distinct Species: Classified separately from the Eurasian eagle-owl, the Indian eagle-owl stands out with its imposing size, reaching up to two and a half feet in length and six feet in wingspan.
Nocturnal Secrets: Due to its nocturnal nature, limited knowledge is available about the bird, contributing to its aura of mystery.
Menacing Appearance: Prominent ear tufts resembling horns may have evolved to deter predators, giving the bird a threatening appearance.
Threats from Superstitions
In rural India, the bird is considered a bearer of ill omens, and its loud double-hoot calls are linked to superstitions.
Folklore suggests that when trapped and starved, the Indian eagle-owl could speak in a human voice, foretelling the future of its listeners.
Ecological significance
The Indian eagle owl’s diet of rodents, including rats and bandicoots, aligns well with open scrublands and agricultural regions, making it beneficial for farmers.
Owls nesting near agricultural lands have shown higher numbers of healthier owlets due to the abundance of rodents.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Clouded Leopard
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
International Clouded Leopard Day has been celebrated on 4th August since 2018.
Scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have conducted a study on clouded leopards in Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in western Assam.
About Clouded Leopard
The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a wild cat found in dense forests from the foothills of the Himalayas to mainland Southeast Asia and South China.
It has large dusky-grey blotches and irregular spots and stripes on a dark grey or ochreous fur, resembling clouds, hence its name.
It is the first cat that genetically diverged from the common ancestor of the pantherine cats around 9.32 to 4.47 million years ago.
Currently, the clouded leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
It is listed in CITES Appendix I, and protected in most of its range.
Habitat in India
It inhabits dense forests in states such as Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
It is the State animal of Meghalaya (Note: Clouded Leopard National Park is located in Tripura).
Features of Clouded Leopards
The mainland clouded leopard is agile and strong, often compared to the Ice Age sabretooth due to its large canines.
It has rotating rear ankles that enable it to climb down headfirst from trees, distinguishing it from other felines.
The cat has cloud-like spots on its hide, making it easily identifiable.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Perucetus Colossus Whale
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
Scientists have unearthed fossils of an ancient giant whale species named Perucetus colossus in Peru.
With each vertebra weighing over 100 kgs and ribs measuring nearly 5 feet long, this colossal whale poses a potential contender for the title of the heaviest animal to have ever lived.
About Perucetus Colossus Whale
Discovery: Fossils of Perucetus colossus (lived approximately 39 million years ago) were found more than a decade ago in Peru’s Ica desert, a region known for its rich marine fossils.
Enormous Size: The whale’s estimated length was around 66 feet (20 meters), shorter than some blue whales that grow over 100 feet.
Unique Weight: The ancient giant’s dense and heavy bones contributed to its impressive estimated weight, making it a slow swimmer, most likely dwelling in shallow, coastal waters.
Feeding Habits: Without the discovery of the skull, scientists are uncertain about the whale’s diet, speculating it may have scavenged on the seafloor or consumed vast amounts of krill and other marine organisms.
Significance
Heaviest Known Animal: If confirmed, Perucetus colossus could surpass the blue whale’s title as the heaviest known animal, living or extinct.
Evolutionary Significance: The species highlights the capacity of evolution to generate organisms with characteristics beyond human imagination.
Paleontological Mystery: The absence of skull and tooth remains leaves the feeding behavior and ecological role of this ancient giant open to further investigation.
| 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: Minimum age for electors
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended lowering the minimum age for contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to 18 years, aligning it with the minimum age for voting in India.
The Committee believes that young individuals can be responsible political participants, supported by global practices and increasing political consciousness among youth.
Current Minimum Age Requirements
Lok Sabha and Assembly Polls: According to Article 84 of the Indian Constitution and Section 36 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person must be at least 25 years old to contest elections to the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly.
Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council: As per Article 80(4) of the Constitution and Section 43 of the RP Act, 1951, a person must be at least 30 years old to become a member of the Rajya Sabha or the State Legislative Council.
Parliamentary Committee’s View
Evidence from Global Practices: The Committee cited examples from countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, where young individuals have proven to be reliable and responsible political participants.
Youth Representation: It supported lowering the minimum age for candidacy, citing global practices and the increasing political consciousness among young people. It believes that young individuals are more than capable of running for office in the 21st century due to increased education, globalization, and digitalization.
Age Disparity: The Committee expressed concern over the significant age gap between MPs and India’s median age, highlighting the need for greater youth representation.
Diverse Viewpoints: The Committee contends that reducing the minimum age would bring fresh perspectives to policy debates and address the underrepresentation of young voices in the political arena.
Election Commission’s Perspective
Unrealistic Expectations: The EC disagrees with the proposal, stating that expecting 18-year-olds to possess the necessary experience and maturity for parliamentary responsibilities is unrealistic.
Current Age Requirements Appropriate: EC believes that the existing minimum age requirements for voting and contesting elections are appropriate.
Recommended Actions
Delimitation Process: The Committee recommends that the EC collaborates with the legislative department to examine the effects of the delimitation process, especially in challenging terrains. Treating all regions in India as identical may pose risks, and tailored measures should be taken to address this reality.
Common Electoral Rolls: The Committee highlights the benefits of Common Electoral Rolls for State and Lok Sabha polls, which can be created through the collaborative participation of officials serving in both the ECI and State ECs.
Conclusion
The debate on lowering the minimum age for contesting elections continues, with the Parliamentary Standing Committee favouring this move, considering global practices and youth representation.
Further discussions and careful consideration are needed to make an informed decision on this matter.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: FATF
Mains level: Terror financing and Money Laundering
Central Idea
Pakistan’s Senate has approved a bill to establish a central authority to combat money laundering and terror financing by bringing all institutions related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under one command.
What is FATF?
The FATF is an intergovernmental organization established in 1989 to combat money laundering and financial crimes.
Pakistan’s efforts to address money laundering and terror financing led to its inclusion in the FATF grey list in 2018.
However, through comprehensive reforms and strategic measures, Pakistan successfully managed to exit the grey list.
The country’s progress in enhancing laws related to money laundering and terrorism financing played a crucial role in achieving this milestone.
Role of FATF
Global Financial Crimes Combat: FATF develops policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in response to the rise of the global economy and international trade.
Regulatory Recommendations: The organization makes recommendations to combat financial crime, reviews members’ policies and procedures, and promotes the acceptance of anti-money laundering regulations worldwide.
Continuous Updates: To stay ahead of evolving financial crime techniques, FATF updates its recommendations regularly.
Key initiatives: Grey and Black Lists
Grey List: Countries considered safe havens for supporting terror funding and money laundering are placed in the FATF grey list. Inclusion in this list serves as a warning for potential entry into the more severe blacklist.
Black List (Call for Action): The “Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories” (NCCTs) list, commonly known as the black list, identifies countries that are non-compliant with FATF’s recommendations.
Impact of Being on FATF Grey List
Economic Sanctions and Reduced Trade: Countries on the grey list may face economic sanctions and reduced international trade opportunities.
Difficulty in Obtaining Loans: Access to loans from international financial institutions like IMF, World Bank, and ADB may be limited.
International Boycott: The country may face international boycotts affecting its global reputation.
What has Pakistan initiated now?
Establishing the Authority: The bill seeks to create a National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority, which will be led by a chairman appointed by the Prime Minister.
Coordination and Cooperation: The authority will act as a focal point for the FATF and related organizations.
Unified Response: The proposed authority will function as a focal institution, enabling Pakistan to provide a unified response to money laundering and terror financing.
Institutionalization of Entities: The bill seeks to institutionalize different entities, leading to improved efficiency and coordination in dealing with financial threats.
Challenges Addressed
3 Arenas of Difficulty: The bill addresses difficulties related to anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, and targeted financial sanctions faced by Pakistan when on the FATF grey list.
Global Financial System Threats: Money laundering and terror financing were identified as severe threats to the global financial system when Pakistan was placed on the FATF grey list in 2018.
FATF Review and India’s Position
Multifaceted Review: The FATF review assesses 40 parameters related to law, justice, revenue, banking, and insurance, along with nine parameters related to terror financing.
Review Timeframe: The review began early this year and is expected to conclude by the end of 2024, with India being a rare country to have postponed its review due to COVID-19.
Conclusion
The FATF plays a crucial role in combating financial crimes, including money laundering and terror financing.
By taking significant steps to address deficiencies, Pakistan can manage to sustain its goal of exiting the grey list.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: AI applications
Mains level: Applications of AI, Carbon Footprint of AI, It's role in climate change
What’s the news?
The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is experiencing unprecedented growth, largely driven by the excitement surrounding innovative tools like ChatGPT. AI systems are already a big part of our lives, helping governments, industries, and regular people be more efficient and make data-driven decisions. But there are some significant downsides to this technology.
Central idea
As tech giants race to develop more sophisticated AI products, global investment in the AI market has surged to $142.3 billion and is projected to reach nearly $2 trillion by 2030. However, this boom in AI technology comes with a significant carbon footprint, which necessitates urgent action to mitigate its environmental impact.
Applications of AI
Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI-powered NLP technologies have revolutionized human-computer interactions. Virtual assistants, chatbots, language translation, sentiment analysis, and content curation are some of the areas where NLP plays a vital role.
Image and Video Analysis: AI’s capabilities in analyzing images and videos have led to breakthroughs in facial recognition, object detection, autonomous vehicles, and medical imaging.
Recommendation Systems: AI-driven recommendation engines cater to personalized experiences in e-commerce, streaming services, and social media, providing users with tailored product and content suggestions.
Predictive Analytics: AI excels at predictive analytics, enabling businesses to make informed decisions by analyzing historical data to forecast future trends in finance, supply chain management, risk assessment, and weather predictions.
Healthcare and Medicine: AI’s potential in healthcare is immense. From medical diagnostics to drug discovery, patient monitoring, and personalized treatment plans, AI is driving significant advancements in the medical field.
Finance and Trading: AI-driven algorithms are employed in algorithmic trading, fraud detection, credit risk assessment, and financial market analysis, optimizing financial processes.
Autonomous Systems: AI powers autonomous vehicles, drones, and robots for various tasks, transforming transportation, delivery, surveillance, and exploration.
Industrial Automation: AI-driven automation optimizes manufacturing and industrial processes, monitors equipment health, and enhances operational efficiency.
Personalization and Customer Service: AI enables personalized customer experiences, with tailored recommendations, customer support chatbots, and virtual assistants that enhance customer satisfaction.
Environmental Monitoring: AI contributes to environmental monitoring and analysis, including air quality assessment, climate pattern observation, and wildlife conservation efforts.
Education and E-Learning: AI applications facilitate adaptive learning platforms, intelligent tutoring systems, and educational content curation, enhancing personalized learning experiences.
Social Media and Content Moderation: AI plays a role in content moderation on social media platforms, identifying and addressing inappropriate content and detecting fake accounts or malicious activities.
Legal and Compliance: AI assists legal professionals with contract analysis, legal research, and compliance monitoring, streamlining legal work.
Public Safety and Security: AI finds use in surveillance systems, predictive policing, and emergency response systems, bolstering public safety efforts.
The Carbon Footprint of AI
Data Processing and Training: The training phase of AI models requires processing massive amounts of data, often in data centers. This data crunching demands substantial computing power and is energy-intensive, contributing to AI’s carbon footprint.
Global AI Market Value: The global AI market is currently valued at $142.3 billion (€129.6 billion), and it is expected to grow to nearly $2 trillion by 2030.
Carbon Footprint of Data Centers: The entire data center infrastructure and data submission networks account for 2–4% of global CO2 emissions. While this includes various data center operations, AI plays a significant role in contributing to these emissions.
Carbon Emissions from AI Training: In a 2019 study, researchers from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, found that training a common large AI model can emit up to 284,000 kilograms (626,000 pounds) of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is nearly five times the emissions of a car over its lifetime, including the manufacturing process.
AI Application Phase Emissions: The application phase of AI, where the model is used in real-world scenarios, can potentially account for up to 90% of the emissions in the life cycle of an AI.
Addressing AI’s carbon footprint
Energy-Efficient Algorithms: Developing and optimizing energy-efficient AI algorithms and training techniques can help reduce energy consumption during the training phase. By prioritizing efficiency in AI model architectures and algorithms, less computational power is required, leading to lower carbon emissions.
Renewable Energy Adoption: Encouraging data centers and AI infrastructure to transition to renewable energy sources can have a significant impact on AI’s carbon footprint. Utilizing solar, wind, or hydroelectric power to power data centers can help reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
Scaling Down AI Models: Instead of continuously pursuing larger AI models, companies can explore using smaller models and datasets. Smaller AI models require less computational power, leading to lower energy consumption during training and deployment.
Responsible AI Deployment: Prioritizing responsible and energy-efficient AI applications can minimize unnecessary AI usage and optimize AI systems for energy conservation.
Data Center Location Selection: Choosing data center locations in regions powered by renewable energy and with cooler climates can further reduce AI’s carbon footprint. Cooler climates reduce the need for extensive data center cooling, thereby decreasing energy consumption.
Collaboration and Regulation: Collaboration among tech companies, policymakers, and environmental organizations is crucial to establishing industry-wide standards and regulations that promote sustainable AI development. Policymakers can incentivize green practices and set emissions reduction targets for the AI sector.
Conclusion
To build a sustainable AI future, environmental considerations must be integrated into all stages of AI development, from design to deployment. The tech industry and governments must collaborate to strike a balance between technological advancement and ecological responsibility to protect the planet for future generations.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Revised Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Need for Improved Standards, Significance, benefits and challenges and
What’s the news?
The Indian government recently directed all pharmaceutical companies in the country to implement the revised Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to bring their processes in line with global standards.
Central Idea
The improved standards aim to address critical issues, including alleged contamination incidents in India-manufactured products, deficiencies in quality control measures, and a of adherence to global guidelines. By ensuring adherence to the revised GMP, India aims to enhance the quality of medicines available in both domestic and global markets.
About Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
GMP is a set of guidelines and quality management principles that ensure pharmaceutical products, as well as other products in the food and healthcare industries, are consistently produced and controlled to meet quality standards appropriate for their intended use.
GMP covers all aspects of the manufacturing process, including the premises, equipment, personnel, materials, production, quality control, documentation, and storage of finished products.
The Need for Improved Standards
Alignment with Global Standards: Implementing the new GMP norms will align the Indian pharmaceutical industry with global standards, ensuring that the country’s products meet the expectations of international regulators and consumers.
Contamination Incidents: Numerous incidents of contamination in India-manufactured syrups, eye-drops, and eye ointments have been reported in other countries, leading to tragic consequences. These incidents have emphasized the need for stricter quality control measures.
Identified Deficiencies: A risk-based inspection of manufacturing units revealed several deficiencies, such as the lack of testing incoming raw materials, inadequate product quality review, absence of quality failure investigation, infrastructure issues, and the absence of qualified professionals.
Importance of Implementing Revised GMP
Standardized Processes: The improved standards will ensure that pharmaceutical companies follow standardized processes and quality control measures, thus enhancing the quality of medicines manufactured and sold both in India and globally.
Recommendations from Chitan Shivir: The implementation of the revised GMP was one of the suggested measures during a Chitan Shivir following the contamination incidents. The stakeholders also recommended the creation of a country-wide IT platform to promote uniformity in licensing and inspection processes across states.
Benefits of the Revised GMP Implementation
Boosting Regulatory Confidence: Uniform quality standards across the industry will instill confidence in regulators from other countries, potentially reducing the need for repeated inspections.
Improving Domestic Market Quality: The implementation of revised GMP will enhance the quality of medicines supplied within India, benefitting consumers and public health.
Major Changes in the Revised GMP Guidelines
Pharmaceutical Quality System: The new guidelines introduce a pharmaceutical quality system to ensure consistent product quality and a thorough investigation of deviations or defects.
Quality Risk Management: Companies will be required to conduct risk assessments and implement preventive actions to manage quality risks effectively.
Product Quality Review: Regular quality reviews of all products will be mandated to verify the consistency of quality and processes.
Validation of Equipment: Pharmaceutical companies will have to validate equipment to ensure the accuracy and reliability of production processes.
GMP-related Computerized Systems: The guidelines emphasize the use of computerized systems for GMP-related processes to prevent data tampering and unauthorized access.
Additional Product Requirements: The new schedule M lists requirements for biological products, agents with radioactive ingredients, plant-derived products, and investigational products for clinical trials.
Way forward
Urgent Implementation: Pharmaceutical companies must immediately initiate the implementation of the revised Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines. Larger companies have six months, and smaller companies have a year to comply.
Investment in Upgradation: Prioritize investments in facility upgradation, modern equipment, and IT systems to meet the new GMP standards.
Employee Training and Awareness: Conduct extensive training programs for all employees to educate them about the revised GMP guidelines and their importance.
Quality Control Enhancement: Strengthen quality control processes and invest in advanced testing equipment and laboratories to ensure product integrity and safety.
Effective Documentation Systems: Implement robust documentation systems to maintain comprehensive records of manufacturing processes, quality checks, and deviations.
Continuous Monitoring and Auditing: Regularly monitor manufacturing processes and conduct internal audits to assess GMP compliance.
Conclusion
The Indian government’s initiative to implement the revised GMP is a commendable step towards bringing the country’s pharmaceutical industry up to global standards. The successful implementation of these improved standards will undoubtedly elevate India’s status in the global pharmaceutical arena
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sugarcane industry
Mains level: Surplus Sugarcane production, factors behind and concerns
What’s the news?
India’s top sugarcane-growing states rely heavily on groundwater for irrigation, leading to concerns over groundwater depletion.
Central idea
India’s remarkable achievement of becoming the world’s top sugar producer in 2021-2022, surpassing Brazil, brings with it a significant challenge. The overcultivation of sugarcane has resulted in a sugar surplus and high exports, negatively impacting groundwater levels. To safeguard the agricultural sector and protect vital natural resources, addressing groundwater overuse in the sugar industry is of utmost importance.
Factors Behind the Excess Sugar Production
Government Policies and Subsidies: The Indian government’s policies and subsidies play a significant role in encouraging farmers to cultivate sugarcane. The fair and remunerative price (FRP) scheme ensures that sugar mills pay a minimum price to sugarcane farmers, guaranteeing them fair profits for their crop.
Domestic Demand: India’s position as the world’s largest consumer of sugar creates a substantial demand for sugar and its by-products. To meet this demand, farmers increase sugarcane cultivation, leading to excess sugar production.
Export Incentives: The surplus sugar production in India has led to higher exports, and the government offers export subsidies to boost overseas sales.
Impact of Excessive Sugarcane Cultivation on Groundwater
Water Depletion in Groundwater Reservoirs:
Excessive sugarcane cultivation contributes to the depletion of groundwater reserves.
In regions with inadequate rainfall, farmers heavily rely on groundwater from confined aquifers to sustain sugarcane crops.
This over-extraction of groundwater leads to a reduction in groundwater levels, depleting the available water resources.
Groundwater Stress and Drought Concerns:
The extensive use of groundwater for sugarcane cultivation puts immense stress on groundwater reservoirs. In regions already experiencing groundwater stress, the additional demand for water exacerbates the problem.
Moreover, sugarcane cultivation often occurs in areas prone to drought, and excessive water usage further exacerbates the vulnerability of these regions to water scarcity.
Environmental Impacts:
Groundwater depletion due to excessive sugarcane cultivation can have severe environmental consequences.
As groundwater levels decline, it affects the health of ecosystems dependent on groundwater sources, such as wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Reduced flow in rivers and streams can harm aquatic life and disrupt local ecosystems.
Impact on Farmers and Livelihoods: Groundwater depletion directly affects farmers who rely on it for irrigation. As water levels drop, farmers may face difficulties in accessing sufficient water for their crops, leading to reduced yields and economic losses. In areas where sugarcane is the dominant crop, groundwater depletion can impact the livelihoods of farming communities.
Long-Term Sustainability Concerns:
The continued excessive use of groundwater for sugarcane cultivation is not sustainable in the long run.
Depleting groundwater reserves can lead to permanent damage to aquifers and reduce the overall capacity to support agricultural activities in the future.
Solutions to address the problem of excessive sugar production
Crop Diversification: Encourage farmers to diversify their crops and reduce their heavy reliance on sugarcane cultivation. Introducing fair and comprehensive subsidy schemes for a variety of crops can help farmers diversify their cultivation, preventing monocultures and reducing the strain on groundwater resources.
Sustainable Sugarcane Cultivation Practices: Promote environmentally responsible sugarcane cultivation practices that prioritize groundwater conservation. Encouraging the use of drip irrigation, which reduces water consumption by up to 70% compared to flood irrigation, can be made mandatory in sugarcane-growing regions. The government can also offer subsidies to farmers for setting up drip irrigation systems.
Water-Saving and Management Systems: Invest in water-saving and management systems such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and canal irrigation networks. These initiatives can minimize stress on groundwater reservoirs as alternative water sources become available for irrigation.
Groundwater Research and Mapping: Invest in groundwater research and mapping to better understand groundwater availability and distribution. This data can help in devising effective strategies to manage groundwater resources more sustainably.
Review of Export Incentives: Review export incentives and subsidies to ensure they are not leading to excessive sugar production and environmental degradation. Striking a balance between domestic demand and exports will help manage sugar production more efficiently.
Public Awareness and Education: Create public awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the importance of sustainable water management and the impact of excessive sugarcane cultivation on groundwater. Providing training and guidance on adopting water-saving practices can facilitate better resource management.
Government Regulations and Policies: Implement regulations and policies to control groundwater extraction and prevent overexploitation. By enforcing responsible water use, the government can protect groundwater resources and ensure their sustainability.
Conclusion
Balancing sugar production with responsible water management practices is vital for the well-being of farmers, the preservation of natural resources, and the long-term stability of the agricultural sector. By implementing a multi-faceted approach that encourages crop diversification and sustainable cultivation practices, India can pave the way for a greener and more resilient future.
