Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Online Gaming, GST
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Supreme Court has issued an interim stay on the Karnataka High Court’s ruling that online games, such as rummy, should not be taxed as ‘betting’ and ‘gambling’ under the Central Goods and Services (GST) Act, 2017.
- This decision follows the Union Cabinet’s approval to increase the GST rate for online games from 18% to 28%.
- The interim stay aligns online skill games played for stakes with online gambling for taxation purposes.
Why discuss this?
- The GST department had issued a show-cause notice to a company for dues worth Rs 21,000 crore, which was quashed by the Karnataka High Court.
- The Karnataka HC had ruled that online rummy is a game of skill and should not be taxed as gambling.
Taxing Online Games
- Karnataka High Court Ruling: The Karnataka HC had determined that online rummy is substantially a game of skill, not chance, and should not be considered gambling. This ruling was based on the Goods and Services Act, which taxes games of skill at 19% and games of chance at 28%.
- GST Department’s Notice: The GST department had issued a notice to GamesKraft under Section 74(5) of the CGST Act, demanding a substantial sum to be deposited along with interest and penalty by September 16, 2022. This notice was challenged in the Karnataka HC and led to an interim stay.
- Show-Cause Notice: Following the interim stay, the GST department issued a show-cause notice under Section 74(1) of the CGST Act to GamesKraft and its founders, CEOs, and CFOs. This notice sought an explanation regarding the tax evasion and penalties.
- Distinction between Skill and Chance: The Karnataka HC emphasized the distinction between games of skill and games of chance, citing relevant legal precedents. It noted that the question of whether a game of skill could still be classified as gambling remained to be seen.
Key takeaways
- The Supreme Court’s interim stay temporarily taxes online skill games played for stakes on par with online gambling.
- The Karnataka High Court’s ruling that online rummy is a game of skill and not gambling has been challenged by the GST department.
- Legal distinctions between games of skill and games of chance remain a subject of debate and legal scrutiny in India’s taxation system.
Prospects of online gaming
- State List Subject: The state legislators are, vide Entry No. 34 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule, given exclusive power to make laws relating to betting and gambling.
- Distinction in laws: Most Indian states regulate gaming on the basis of a distinction in law between ‘games of skill’ and ‘games of chance’.
- Classification of the dominant element: As such, a ‘dominant element’ test is utilized to determine whether chance or skill is the dominating element in determining the result of the game.
- Linked economic activity: Staking money or property on the outcome of a ‘game of chance’ is prohibited and subjects the guilty parties to criminal sanctions.
- ‘Game of Skill’ debate: Placing any stakes on the outcome of a ‘game of skill’ is not illegal per se and may be permissible. It is important to note that the Supreme Court recognized that no game is purely a ‘game of skill’ and almost all games have an element of chance.
Conclusion
- This case reflects the need for a nuanced approach in crafting tax policies that adapt to the evolving landscape of online entertainment and gaming.
- Further legal proceedings will likely shed more light on the classification of such games and their tax implications.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: New Delhi Declaration
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- At the G20 Summit in New Delhi, leaders from member countries reached a consensus and adopted the New Delhi Declaration.
- This declaration outlines significant commitments and agreements on various global issues.
Here are the key points from the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration:
[1] War in Ukraine
- Peaceful Resolution: The G20 countries emphasize the importance of peace and call on all states to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The declaration expresses deep concern about the human suffering and adverse impacts of wars and conflicts worldwide, specifically addressing the war in Ukraine.
- UN Charter Principles: It emphasizes that all states must act in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter, refraining from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition.
- Nuclear Disarmament: The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is deemed inadmissible.
[2] Countering Terrorism and Money Laundering
- Condemnation of Terrorism: The G20 condemns terrorism in all its forms, including those rooted in xenophobia, racism, and intolerance or carried out in the name of religion.
- Holistic Approach: A holistic approach based on international law is advocated to effectively counter terrorism, with an emphasis on strengthening international cooperation to deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations, and financial support.
- Illicit Trafficking: Concerns about illicit trafficking and diversion of small arms and light weapons are addressed, with an emphasis on international cooperation among states to combat these phenomena.
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF): The G20 leaders commit to supporting the resource needs of the FATF and FATF Style Regional Bodies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
[3] Economy & Climate
- Sustainable Growth: G20 leaders call for strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth in response to the uneven recovery from the pandemic.
- Climate Action: Trillions of dollars will be required for countries to meet their climate goals and invest in clean energy technologies.
- Reforming Financial Institutions: Reforms of international financial institutions are urged, along with efforts to manage debt vulnerabilities in low and middle-income countries.
- Crypto Asset Taxation: The exchange of tax-relevant information on crypto assets is set to begin by 2027.
- Energy Transition: The declaration calls for accelerated efforts to phase down unabated coal power and eliminate inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
- Financial Stability: Emphasis is placed on the need for well-calibrated monetary, fiscal, financial, and structural policies to promote growth, reduce inequalities, and maintain macroeconomic and financial stability.
[4] Global Growth
- Policy Coordination: The G20 leaders reiterate the need for well-calibrated monetary, fiscal, financial, and structural policies to promote growth, reduce inequalities, and maintain macroeconomic and financial stability.
- Central Banks Commitment: They also stress that central banks remain committed to achieving price stability in line with their respective mandates.
- Financial Stability Board (FSB): Initiatives by the FSB, Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs), and jurisdictions to examine lessons from recent banking turbulence are welcomed.
[5] Multilateral Development Banks
- Enhancing MDBs: G20 leaders emphasize the importance of delivering better, bigger, and more effective multilateral development banks (MDBs).
- Leveraging Private Capital: Financial institutions are encouraged to leverage private capital through innovative financing models and partnerships for maximum development impact.
- Capital Adequacy Frameworks (CAFs): The roadmap for implementing the recommendations of the G20 Independent Review of MDBs CAFs is endorsed.
[6] Cross-border Payments
- Payment Improvements: The G20 reaffirms its commitment to achieving global targets for faster, cheaper, and more transparent cross-border payments by 2027.
- CBDC Discussion: Discussions on the potential macro-financial implications of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are welcomed, especially concerning cross-border payments and the international monetary and financial system.
[7] Education
- Digital Education: The G20 recognizes the importance of investing in human capital development and supporting digital technologies to bridge educational divides.
- Scientific Collaboration: The promotion of open, equitable, and secure scientific collaboration and mobility of students, scholars, researchers, and scientists is encouraged.
- Inclusive Education: Emphasis is placed on inclusive, equitable, high-quality education and skills training, with foundational learning as a primary building block.
[8] Agriculture
- Trade Facilitation: Rising commodity prices contributing to cost of living pressures are addressed.
- Rules-Based Trade: The G20 leaders commit to facilitating open, fair, predictable, and rules-based trade in agriculture, food, and fertilizers, in line with relevant WTO rules.
- Food Security: Support for developing countries’ efforts to address food security challenges is emphasized, aligning with the G20 Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023.
[9] Religion
- Religious Tolerance: The G20 strongly condemns acts of religious hatred against individuals, religious symbols, and holy books.
- Cultural Diversity: Emphasis is placed on promoting respect for religious and cultural diversity, dialogue, and tolerance.
- Rights Interdependence: The interdependence of freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion or expression, peaceful assembly, and freedom of association is recognized as a means to combat intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief.
[10] Corruption
- Zero Tolerance: The G20 reaffirms its commitment to zero tolerance for corruption.
- International Cooperation: Strengthening international cooperation and information sharing for combating corruption is urged.
- Asset Recovery: The joint Declaration also called for strengthening asset recovery mechanisms for combating corruption.
Conclusion
- In essence, the New Delhi Declaration serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of G20 member countries in addressing global challenges and striving for a more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable world.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Climate crisis, Frequent and severe extreme weather events and Solutions
What’s the news?
- In 2023, the rise in disasters is not an anomaly; it’s a disturbing trend. Headlines have been dominated by a relentless wave of bad news: severe flooding in China, devastating wildfires in Europe and Hawaii, and July marking the hottest month ever recorded.
Central idea
- The world is standing at a precarious crossroads, where the challenges we face are multiplying faster than our ability to mitigate them. The aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with a complex web of crises encompassing war, debt, and food insecurity, have placed our collective resilience to the test. All of this unfolds against the ever-looming backdrop of the climate crisis, which drives increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events.
Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Communities
- Debt crisis: A majority of the 50 countries most vulnerable to climate change also grapple with severe debt issues. India, already one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, is acutely experiencing this new reality.
- Extreme weather events: In 2022, disasters or extreme weather events battered the country nearly every day, with this year’s severe monsoon causing widespread loss of livelihoods and lives.
Solutions Within Reach
- SDG: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continue to serve as our most comprehensive blueprint for achieving peace and prosperity.
- Paris Agreement: Additionally, commitments made in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C offer a clear path forward.
- Sendai Framework: The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction provides a global framework to reduce disaster risks, although progress in its implementation has been slow.
- Accelerating Resilience Building: One valuable lesson we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of systemic disaster risk reduction, resilience, and adaptation. The crisis has not only exposed our vulnerability to risks but has also catalyzed innovative approaches, such as digital technologies and modeling. India’s proactive efforts in disaster risk reduction, including state-level disaster management plans and early warning systems, have demonstrated tangible results in reducing mortality from extreme weather events.
- Financial Reforms for Disaster Preparedness: India’s 15th Finance Commission has introduced significant reforms for disaster risk financing, allocating substantial resources for preparedness, response, recovery, and capacity development. On the international stage, India is championing disaster resilience and sustainability through initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the deployment of its National Disaster Response Force.
The Transformations We Need
- Early detection system: Disaster risk reduction must be integrated at all levels of our societies. This includes how we build, invest, and live. One highly cost-effective method is the establishment of early warning systems for all, with India’s support for this endeavor being noteworthy. Such systems can significantly reduce the damage caused by impending disasters. However, it is crucial to recognize that over a third of the world’s population, primarily in the least developed countries and Small Island Developing States, lacks access to these life-saving systems.
- The Path to a Global Multi-Risk Warning System: Our ultimate goal should be a global multi-risk warning system that covers all types of hazards, be they biological, tectonic, or technological. Improving global data capabilities is essential for better prediction and response to the risks we face. India’s leadership in knowledge sharing, joint data infrastructure, and risk analysis through its G-20 presidency deserves commendation.
- Leaving No One Behind: We must strengthen international cooperation in disaster prevention, response, and recovery, particularly for countries in the Global South. No one should be left behind in our collective efforts to mitigate the impacts of disasters.
Conclusion
- The recent G-20 summit and the outcomes of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group offer a unique opportunity to shape a future where we are equipped to withstand disaster risk. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres wisely noted, Extreme weather events will happen. But they do not need to become deadly disasters. Together, through decisive action and unwavering commitment, we can forge a more resilient and sustainable world for generations to come.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Central idea
- The G20 summit attracted attention as it started with a clear consensus to invite the African Union (AU) as its member. India’s initiative to include African Union in G20 was unanimously accepted. This was a unique reordering of the global high table.
India’s efforts for inclusion of the African Union
- India’s big bet: Of the AU’s 55 members, 54 are in the United Nations. Only one African country, South Africa, has been an original member of the G20. No presidency has ever risked amending the membership for fear of competing rivalries.
- Global platform for Africa: It has been India’s case that not only must the G20 reflect the priorities of the Global South but must also include those who are underrepresented, particularly from Africa.
- Inviting major African countries: The AU has double the number of countries as the EU. The AU has been invited to G20 meetings, and some presidencies have held African outreach events in a manner of telling them what is good for them. It is India that has actually taken the initiative of talking with them rather than at them.
Importance of AU
- Africa as the road to the global south: India aspires to bring the global south to the center of the G20 agenda. The elevation of the AU is courageous; no presidency has attempted to alter the composition for fear of claims from other regional organizations.
- Branding itself using Africa: The AU fits in with the rebranding of the G20 that India undertook. This is India’s harambee (Swahili word for co-operation) factor—the spirit of developmental cooperation in action.
- AU as a voiceless block: The AU is the largest of regional institutions and the one with a limited voice in most international fora, despite having 54 votes in the United Nations General Assembly.
- Partner for India at the High Table: The prospects of Africa getting a permanent seat in the UN Security Council remain distant. What India has achieved, as always, is to provide Africa with a voice at the high table.
India’s engagement with Arican Nations
- Nigeria: Inviting Nigeria, particularly at this stage, recognizes it as the largest economy in Africa and a consistent friend of India. This is Nigeria’s biggest outing since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected. Nigeria was qualified to be in the BRICS but perhaps did not pursue it hard enough. Nigeria participated with great enthusiasm, with a number of ministers accompanying their president in advance of the G20 Summit.
- Egypt: Egypt is another African powerhouse, representing North Africa. It is also the current chair of AU-NEPAD, which is a permanent invitee to the G20. Egypt is a recent strategic partner of India. India backed it to join the BRICs. Egypt brings balance to the presence of South Africa and Nigeria.
- Mauritius: Mauritius is a close friend of India due to its PIO population, its regular engagement with India, and its strategic location in the Indian Ocean.
- Comoros: Comoros is another Indian Ocean country representing Eastern Africa. With their participation, India ensured two of the four African countries in the Indian Ocean and most of the regions of Africa were represented, making the G20 better balanced.
Conclusion
- The African Union is hot bed for great power rivalry between India and China. Even if India cannot match the deep pockets of Chinese investments in Africa, India has shown that it can deliver on the African Interest at global platform.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: carbon footprint and factors responsible
Mains level: India's digital carbon footprint, concerns, Government intervention and industry initiatives,
What’s the news?
- The UN Environment Programme’s Emissions Gap Report for 2022 highlights a sobering reality: India’s carbon emissions policy, as of 2022, falls short of significantly reducing the national carbon footprint.
Central idea
- India, as one of the world’s major contributors to global warming, is facing a concerning trend with the highest growth rate in carbon emissions. Recent years have witnessed a significant increase in electronic device usage, which has given rise to a pressing issue: the digital carbon footprint. To effectively combat this issue, it is imperative to adopt a multipronged approach.
What is meant by carbon footprint?
- A carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2 and other carbon compounds, that are emitted into the atmosphere as a result of human activities, particularly the consumption of goods and services, energy production, transportation, and various industrial processes.
What is meant by digital carbon footprint?
- A digital carbon footprint refers to the environmental impact associated with the use of digital technologies, including electronic devices, software applications, and data centers.
Digital Carbon Footprint: A Growing Concern
- Hardware Production: The production of hardware devices like laptops, smartphones, and microprocessors is a significant contributor to the digital carbon footprint. The machines used in manufacturing these devices emit substantial amounts of carbon dioxide during the process.
- Energy Consumption During Device Use: Electronic devices require electricity for their operation. If the electricity used comes from non-renewable sources, such as coal or natural gas, the emissions generated during each device’s use add to its digital carbon footprint.
- Smartphone Charging Emissions: Research conducted in 2021 revealed that global smartphone charging alone releases more than 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually.
- Data Centers:
- The software used on electronic devices is typically stored and maintained in large data centers. These data centers demand a constant and intensive supply of electricity to operate efficiently and prevent system failures.
- According to a 2022 report by the International Energy Agency, data centers contribute significantly to global electricity use, accounting for approximately 1–1.5 percent, which is equivalent to the combined electricity consumption of Germany and Japan.
- Data Center Cooling Systems: In addition to the energy consumed for computing operations, data storage facilities require additional electricity to power massive cooling systems. These systems ensure that the servers and storage devices in data centers operate optimally, contributing further to the digital carbon footprint.
- Digital Software Usage:
- Every action in the life cycle of digital entities, whether it’s hardware or software, consumes energy and thereby contributes to the carbon footprint.
- For instance, a seemingly simple action like conducting a Google search results in the creation of 0.2 grams of carbon dioxide emissions.
- Given the scale of online searches, this adds up to a substantial daily contribution, with Google’s operations, cloud services, and devices emitting over 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2020.
- Corporate Efforts and Carbon Reduction:
- Companies like Apple are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint by improving energy efficiency, adopting low-carbon design principles, and striving for carbon neutrality in their operations and supply chains.
- Apple, for example, has reduced its carbon emissions by 40 percent between 2015 and 2022 and aims to achieve a 100 percent carbon-neutral supply chain and products by 2030.
- Global Emission Reduction Goals: Despite commendable efforts by individual organizations, such initiatives alone may not be sufficient to meet the ambitious global emission reduction targets set by agreements like the Paris Agreement, which seeks to reduce emissions by 45 percent by 2030.
Government Intervention and Legislation
- Global Goals and Emission Reductions: Government intervention is a crucial factor in achieving global climate goals. Some nations have implemented legislated emission reduction targets, which play a pivotal role in driving the efforts of technology organizations.
- Inspiration from the United States: For instance, Apple’s initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint draw inspiration from the United States’ National Climate Task Force. This federal task force is dedicated to achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, providing a clear mandate and incentive for companies to align with emission reduction goals.
- Legislation in the Netherlands: Similarly, the Netherlands has enacted climate legislation, including a target of achieving a 49 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
- International Policies: Various other countries, including Denmark and the United Kingdom, have implemented policies and acts addressing carbon footprint reduction. These initiatives underline the global commitment to mitigating climate change and push technology companies to align their practices accordingly.
- Indian Power Savings Guide: In India, the Ministry of Power’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has established the Power Savings Guide. This initiative specifically targets technology emissions and includes an energy efficiency label for electronic devices.
- Eco-Labels and Certifications: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) offer the Energy Star program, which certifies energy-efficient products. These certifications, known as eco-labels, are part of a broader solution called ‘green computing,’ aimed at reducing the digital carbon footprint.
Way forward: Green computing
- Energy Efficiency Focus: Green Computing is dedicated to enhancing the energy efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of computer systems. This approach aims to lower the digital carbon footprint associated with both hardware and software production and consumption.
- Electricity Source Significance: A critical aspect of reducing the digital carbon footprint is the source of electricity used to power electronic devices. Initiatives aimed at increasing the proportion of renewable energy in a nation’s electricity supply are vital for emissions reduction.
- India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): India, through initiatives like the NAPCC, emphasizes the importance of transitioning to renewable electricity sources to mitigate the carbon footprint attributed to energy consumption.
- Private Sector Initiatives: Private sector players are also actively involved in green computing developments. For instance, Apple’s iOS 16.1 features Clean Energy Charging, a provision that assesses the carbon emissions of the local energy grid and charges the iPhone when the electricity source is greener. This innovation is currently available in the United States as of July 2023.
- Green Software Foundation (GSF): The GSF plays a significant role in the field of green computing. It offers research, tools, and code for building applications with lower carbon footprints. Moreover, it provides frameworks for applications that can adapt their behavior based on the availability of clean, low-carbon electricity sources.
- Government Support: Governmental support for initiatives like GSF is essential, as these organizations provide information tools to enable sustainable software and hardware production.
- Eco-Labels and Certifications: Eco-labels like Energy Star and BEE offer valuable information to developers and users, helping them reduce their digital carbon footprint. Additionally, the private sector has made notable progress with initiatives like the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and TCO Certified, which focus on both hardware and software sustainability.
- Integration of Eco-Labels: Governments have the opportunity to support these eco-label initiatives or integrate them with their own labeling systems. This integration can provide consumers with comprehensive and accurate information about the environmental footprints of electronic devices.
- Improving Data Center Efficiency: Data centers, known for their high carbon footprints, require attention. Collaborating with initiatives like The Green Grid (TGG), which offer tools and expertise to enhance data center energy efficiency, can be instrumental in reducing their environmental impact.
Conclusion
- India’s digital carbon footprint is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. Government intervention, industry initiatives, and public awareness are crucial components of the solution. By acknowledging the extent of the issue and framing policies to address it, significant progress can be made in reducing India’s carbon emissions and contributing to global climate goals.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: neurotechnology applications
Mains level: neurotechnology, neurowarfare, ethical concerns and considerations
What’s the news?
- The rapid growth of neurotechnology, driven by advances in neuroscience and technology, has given rise to a field with immense potential and profound ethical implications.
Central Idea
- Neurotechnology encompasses various aspects, from Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) to neuroimaging and neurostimulation. As this field expands, it poses challenges to human privacy, autonomy, and dignity. In this context, the need for ethical guidelines and governance becomes paramount.
What is neurotechnology?
- Neurotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that combines neuroscience, engineering, and technology to study, interact with, and manipulate the human nervous system, particularly the brain and its functions.
- It involves the development and application of various techniques, tools, and devices to better understand and interface with the brain and nervous system.
What is neurowarfare?
- Neurowarfare, also known as neurotechnology warfare, refers to the use of advanced neurotechnological tools, techniques, and agents in military operations and conflicts.
- It represents the convergence of neuroscience, neurotechnology, and warfare strategies, with the aim of gaining a tactical or strategic advantage on the battlefield or in intelligence operations.
- Neurowarfare explores the manipulation of the human nervous system, particularly the brain, for various purposes, both offensive and defensive.
The ethics of neurotechnology
- Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs): BCIs offer direct communication between the brain and external devices, while BMIs integrate neural signals with machines for various applications, including prosthetics and exoskeletons. Ethical concerns arise regarding privacy, autonomy, and mental influence.
- Neuroimaging and Neurostimulation: Neuroimaging provides access to neurological data, while neurostimulation modulates neural activity for therapeutic purposes. The potential for behavioral changes and privacy invasion necessitates regulation.
- Gathering and Use of Neurological Data: The absence of guidelines for gathering, studying, and using neurological data requires immediate attention, especially in light of private sector developments such as Neuralink’s brain implant chip.
|
The Case of Neuralink
- Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, recently unveiled an upgraded brain implant chip approved for human trials.
- This chip boasts capabilities to potentially alter memories and treat conditions like hearing loss, blindness, paralysis, and depression.
- This development serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive regulations, especially when such technology is being explored within the private sector.
|
Neurowarfare: The Emerging Threat
- Neurotechnological Agents: Advances in synthetic biology open doors to neurotechnological agents that can impact neurological abilities. This includes neuropharmacological agents like amphetamines and neurotechnological devices.
- Dual-Use Nature: Neurotechnology can have dual-use applications, both civilian and military. Neurowarfare refers to its use in military operations, potentially enhancing soldiers’ cognitive abilities or disrupting the cognitive functions of adversaries.
- Case Study: Havana Syndrome: The mysterious Havana Syndrome experienced by US intelligence personnel raises concerns about directed energy weapons and intentional attacks. Similar cases have been reported in Guangzhou, China.
Ethical Concerns in Neurowarfare
- Informed Consent and Privacy: Ethical use of neurotechnology in warfare requires informed consent for soldiers and civilians. Oversight and restrictions on using such innovations for harm are essential.
- Psychological Harm: Studying the psychological impact of neurotechnology weapons is imperative to establishing limits on their deployment.
- Protection of Non-Combatants: Civilians must be shielded from neurotechnology applications, ensuring their privacy, consent, and protection from manipulation.
Importance of International Cooperation and Responsible Governance
- International Cooperation: Organizations like the OECD and UNESCO have initiated ethical guidelines for neurotechnology. However, global governance must extend to neurowarfare, with disarmament forums incorporating ethical oversight and transparency.
- Accountability: State actors should be held accountable through reporting systems, ensuring responsible research and the use of neurotechnology in warfare.
Conclusion
- Neurotechnology holds immense potential for human advancement but also raises profound ethical challenges in the context of neurowarfare. Striking a balance between technological progress and ethical considerations is crucial to safeguarding human rights and global security in the age of neurotechnology.
Must read:
Implantable Brain-Computer Interface
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nation First Transit Card
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- State Bank of India (SBI) unveiled the ‘Nation First Transit Card’ for seamless and convenient digital fare payments.
- The card is designed to enhance the commuting experience by facilitating digital ticketing across various modes of transport and parking, all within one card.
Nation First Transit Card
- Aims to streamline customer commuting and digital fare payments for metro, buses, water ferries, and parking through a single card.
- Provides versatility by enabling retail and e-commerce payments.
- Powered by RuPay and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) technology.
Key Facts about the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)
- Launched on March 4, 2019.
- Enables SBI customers to use their Debit Cards as travel cards for metro rail and buses in enabled locations.
- The concept originated from the Nandan Nilekani committee, established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- An initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in India, promoting cashless transactions and a unified payment platform for commuters.
- Offers a unified contactless transport solution via the RuPay platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- Functions as an automatic fare collection system, transforming smartphones into interoperable transport cards for metro, bus, and suburban railway services.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (I-CRR)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the phased discontinuation of the Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (I-CRR) on September 8, 2023.
- This measure aimed to absorb surplus liquidity created by factors such as the return of Rs 2,000 notes to the banking system.
RBI’s Decision
- RBI conducted a review and decided to discontinue I-CRR in stages.
- The central bank aims to release the impounded amounts gradually to avoid sudden shocks to the system’s liquidity, ensuring orderly money market functioning.
Understanding Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)
- CRR is a fundamental concept before delving into Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (ICRR).
- Banks are mandated to maintain a certain portion of their deposits and specific liabilities in liquid cash with the RBI.
- CRR serves as a crucial tool in the RBI’s arsenal for managing liquidity in the economy and acts as a safety net during times of banking stress.
- Currently, banks are required to uphold 4.5% of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities as CRR with the RBI.
Introduction to ICRR
- I-CRR was introduced on August 10, 2023, as a temporary measure by RBI to absorb surplus liquidity.
- Banks were required to maintain an I-CRR of 10% on the increase in their Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) between May 19, 2023, and July 28, 2023.
- It came into effect from the fortnight starting August 12, 2023.
- The RBI has the authority to implement an additional measure called Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (ICRR), in addition to the standard CRR.
- ICRR is employed during periods characterized by excess liquidity in the financial system.
- Essentially, ICRR mandates that banks park even more liquid cash with the RBI than what is required under CRR.
- This serves as a means to further manage and control liquidity in the banking system.
Reason for I-CRR
- Excessive liquidity emerged due to factors like the return of Rs 2,000 banknotes, RBI’s surplus transfer to the government, increased government spending, and capital inflows.
- The daily liquidity absorption by RBI in July reached Rs 1.8 lakh crore.
- Managing surplus liquidity was necessary to maintain price and financial stability.
Impact on Liquidity Conditions
- I-CRR was expected to absorb over Rs 1 lakh crore of excess liquidity from the banking system.
- It temporarily shifted the banking system’s liquidity from surplus to deficit on August 21.
- Factors like GST outflows and central bank selling of dollars contributed to tight liquidity.
- However, liquidity conditions reverted to surplus from August 24.
- On September 8, RBI absorbed Rs 76,047 crore of surplus liquidity from the system.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Natraja
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- In New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, a grand 27-foot Nataraja statue, the world’s tallest depiction of Lord Shiva in his dancing form, awaits the arrival of G20 leaders.
- Craftsmen behind the statue trace their lineage 34 generations back to the Cholas.
The Nataraja Masterpiece
- Crafted from an eight-metal alloy (ashtadhatu) by skilled artisans from Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu.
- Weighing approximately 18 tonnes, it was transported across the country on a 36-wheel trailer.
- The statue’s design draws inspiration from three revered Nataraja idols:
-
- Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.
- Uma Maheswarar Temple in Konerirajapuram.
- Brihadeeswara (Big) Temple in Thanjavur (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
The Cholas and Nataraja
- All three temples that inspired the Bharat Mandapam Nataraja statue were originally constructed by the Cholas.
- During the 9th-11th centuries AD, the Cholas ruled much of peninsular India and were known for their patronage of art and culture.
- Chola art and architecture flourished during their territorial expansion.
Significance: Shiva as the Lord of Dance
- Lord Shiva’s portrayal as Nataraja evolved from the Vedic deity Rudra.
- Shiva is a complex deity, embodying both destructive and protective aspects.
- Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, symbolizes Shiva’s role as both the destroyer and protector.
- He is known to have invented numerous dances, ranging from calm to fierce and orgiastic.
Iconography of Nataraja
- Nataraja is often depicted within a flaming aureole or halo, representing the circle of the world.
- He has long dreadlocks, signifying the energy of his dance, and four arms.
- In his upper right hand, he holds a damru (hand drum), in the upper left, agni (fire).
- A dwarf-like figure beneath his foot symbolizes illusion.
- Nataraja’s front right hand makes the ‘abhayamudra’ (gesture to allay fear), and he points to his raised feet with his front left hand.
- Despite its complex symbolism, Nataraja typically wears a serene smile, signifying the duality of life and death.
The Lost Wax Method
- The 27-foot Bharat Mandapam Nataraja statue was created using the traditional ‘lost-wax’ casting method, indigenous to the Chola era.
- This method dates back at least 6,000 years.
- It involves creating a wax model, covering it with a special soil paste, heating it to remove the wax, leaving behind a hollow mould, which is then filled with molten metal.
- This technique was mastered by the Cholas and is considered a pinnacle of metallurgical artistry.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Read the attached story
Mains level: Reforestation measures for India
Central Idea
- India’s extensive history of tree planting spanning over two centuries offers valuable lessons on the consequences of various approaches to restoring forests.
Plantations in Colonial-Era India
- British Influence: From the mid-18th century, the East India Company and later, the British Crown, held sway over India’s affairs. During this period, British authorities directed their attention to India’s forests to meet their substantial timber needs for railway sleepers and shipbuilding.
- Indian Forest Act of 1865: To secure a steady supply of high-yield timber trees like teak, sal, and deodar, the British enacted the Indian Forest Act of 1865. This act placed many forests under state ownership and curtailed local communities’ rights to harvest beyond grass and bamboo, even restricting cattle grazing. In response, some Indian communities resorted to burning down forests.
- Proliferation of Teak Monocultures: Teak, well-suited to India’s hot and humid climate and prized for its durable timber, spread aggressively. This led to the transformation of pristine grasslands and open scrub forests into teak monocultures, displacing native hardwood trees like sal.
- Introduction of Exotic Trees: Exotic species like eucalyptus, pines from Europe and North America, and acacia trees from Australia were introduced for timber, fodder, and fuel. The introduction of wattle in 1861 in the Nilgiris district of the Western Ghats marked the beginning of its invasion of this ecologically significant region.
- Ecosystem Transformations: These introduced species, especially wattle and pine, began to displace native vegetation, impacting the ecology and livelihoods of local communities. The loss of native oak and sal trees, essential for various purposes, further exacerbated these challenges.
Importance of Studying Past Tree Plantation Efforts
- Regeneration Strategies: Historical strategies for natural forest regeneration have reduced carbon emissions, boosted biodiversity, and created livelihood opportunities.
- Global Tree Cover Initiatives: Past efforts also highlight the need to differentiate between reforestation for timber production and carbon offsetting. The latter often involves planting fast-growing trees to generate timber and certify carbon credits for emission offsets.
- Sustainable Practices: Planting trees on farms and barren lands to provide firewood and timber eased the pressure on natural forests and aided their recovery.
- Unintended Consequences: The introduction of exotic species without thorough research can lead to invasive species and dispossess local communities of their land and resources.
Current Restoration Efforts in India
- Indian Commitment: India has pledged to restore around 21 million hectares of forest by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge, a global initiative aiming to restore degraded and deforested landscapes.
- Focus on Single Species Plantations: To achieve the National Forest Policy target of a 33% forest cover, India has focused on planting single species like eucalyptus or bamboo, which grow quickly and increase tree cover.
Impact on People and Environment
- Concerns for Indigenous People: Afforestation in grassland ecosystems, naturally low in tree cover, may harm rural and indigenous communities. The Forest Rights Act of 2006 empowers village assemblies to manage traditional forest areas.
- Risk of Invasive Species: The continued planting of exotic trees risks the emergence of new invasive species, similar to the wattle invasion two centuries ago.
Case Studies
- Community-Led Restoration: Gram Sabhas in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra have restored degraded forests, managing them sustainably as a source of tendu leaves used to wrap bidis (Indian tobacco).
- Invasive Species Control: Communities in Kachchh, Gujarat, restored grasslands by removing the invasive Gando Bawal tree introduced by British foresters in the late 19th century.
Future Considerations
- Holistic Approach: Policies should encourage both natural forest regeneration and plantations for timber and fuel while assessing their impact on people and ecosystems.
- Local Implications: Assess the impact of afforestation on forest rights, local livelihoods, biodiversity, and carbon storage. Scale up successful restoration practices by communities.
- Reviving Ecosystems: Policymakers should prioritize the revival of ecosystems with a limited number of tree species, emphasizing environmental benefits over forest canopy extent.
Conclusion
- India’s historical journey in tree planting offers valuable insights into the complexities and consequences of reforestation efforts.
- By learning from the past, India can develop more sustainable and inclusive strategies for restoring its forests, addressing the needs of both the environment and its diverse communities.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) analysis
What’s the news?
- The government recently introduced three key penal bills in a bid to reform the justice system.
Central idea
- In August, the central government introduced three significant bills in Parliament – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya (BS) Bill, 2023 – aiming to replace the long-standing Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, and Indian Evidence Act, 1872. These changes warrant a careful examination of their potential impact on law enforcement agencies
Key changes in The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
- Formalizing FIR Registration:
- The BNSS introduces a provision that mandates the registration of cognizable offenses at any police station, regardless of the location where the offense occurred.
- This move, commonly known as recording FIR at Zero, promises easier access for complainants and streamlines the registration process.
- Preliminary Inquiry Dilemma:
- An added provision allows for a preliminary inquiry in cases involving cognizable offenses punishable with more than three but less than seven years of imprisonment.
- This differs from the Supreme Court’s stance in Lalita Kumari versus Govt. of Uttar Pradesh (2013), which emphasized immediate FIR registration.
- In cases of offenses punishable with less than three years of imprisonment, the BNSS permits arrests only with the prior permission of the Deputy Superintendent of Police for individuals over 60 or infirm.
- The BNSS permits handcuffing in specific instances like terrorism, murder, rape, acid attacks, or offenses against the state.
- However, the enabling section retains the requirement that restraints should only be used as necessary to prevent escape.
- Hence, the Supreme Court’s guidelines on handcuffing continue to apply.
At the Scene of the Crime
- Forensic Evidence Collection: The BNSS mandates a forensic expert’s visit to the crime scene and the collection of forensic evidence for offenses punishable with over seven years of imprisonment.
- Use of Audio-Video Means:
- The BNSS encourages the use of audio-video recording in investigations, including searches.
- While the recommended use of smartphones has limitations, progress is underway, following the Supreme Court’s directive in Shafhi Mohammad vs. The State Of Himachal Pradesh (2018).
- Two-Finger Test: Despite the Supreme Court’s ban on the two-finger test in rape cases (Lillu @ Rajesh & Anr vs State Of Haryana, 2013), the BNSS fails to explicitly include this prohibition.
- Disclosure of Rape Victim’s Identity: The provision authorizing the disclosure of a minor victim’s identity to their next of kin may be redundant, given the existing Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act.
Duration of Police Custody
- The BNSS extends the period of police custody beyond the 15-day limit outlined in the CrPC.
- However, this extension can only occur after the initial 40 or 60 days, depending on the offense’s severity, with the accused still eligible for default bail.
- Suspicious Deaths and Statements: While the BNSS broadens the scope of judicial inquiries into suspicious deaths, it relaxes the mandatory recording of statements of women and males under 15 or above 60 at their residence based on their willingness.
- Inquest Enhancements: The BNSS could enhance the inquest process by including provisions for the videography and photography of post-mortems, especially in cases of custodial deaths or deaths in confrontations with authorities.
Potential Impact
- Streamlined FIR Registration: The formalized recording FIR at Zero practice may lead to quicker and more efficient FIR registration. Law enforcement agencies could experience reduced paperwork and administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on investigations promptly.
- Reduced Case Backlog: The provision for preliminary inquiries, while introducing a variation from previous practices, has the potential to reduce the backlog of cases. By addressing non-prima facie cases early or facilitating compromises, law enforcement agencies may clear cases more efficiently.
- Improved Evidence Collection: Mandating forensic expert visits and forensic evidence collection for serious offenses can enhance the quality of evidence presented in court. Law enforcement agencies may see stronger cases and higher conviction rates.
- Enhanced Accountability: Encouraging the use of audio-video means in investigations increases transparency and accountability. Law enforcement agencies may benefit from clearer evidence documentation and reduced allegations of misconduct.
- Modernization through Technology: Embracing audio-video recording and other modern technologies can help law enforcement agencies adapt to contemporary investigative practices. This could lead to more effective and efficient investigations.
Concerns and Challenges
- Arrest Protocol: The BNSS retains all existing provisions of the CrPC regarding arrests, failing to incorporate the Supreme Court’s ruling in Arnesh Kumar versus State of Bihar (2014), which stresses the need for justifiable reasons for arrest and recording them formally.
- Variation in Practice: The introduction of preliminary inquiries may lead to variations in how law enforcement agencies handle cases. Inconsistent practices could pose challenges for standardization and training.
- Resource Allocation: Implementing forensic evidence collection may require additional resources, including forensic experts and equipment. Law enforcement agencies may need adequate funding and training to meet these demands.
- Misuse of Powers: Concerns about potential misuse of provisions, such as handcuffing, need to be addressed through proper training and oversight to ensure responsible use of authority.
- Compliance with Supreme Court Directives: The absence of an explicit ban on the two-finger test in rape cases may raise concerns about compliance with Supreme Court directives. Law enforcement agencies should ensure alignment with established legal standards.
- Privacy and Victim Protection: Authorizing the disclosure of a minor rape victim’s identity to their next of kin requires sensitivity and strict adherence to privacy and protection provisions. Law enforcement agencies should handle such information with care.
Way forward
- Review Preliminary Inquiry Provision: Reevaluate the provision allowing preliminary inquiries to ensure it aligns intelligently with other cognizable cases and stands up to constitutional scrutiny.
- Implement Arrest Justification: Include the Supreme Court’s Arnesh Kumar vs. State of Bihar (2014) judgment to make it mandatory for police officers to justify arrests with reasons supported by justifiable material.
- Enhance Forensic Infrastructure: Commit to providing sufficient resources for developing forensic infrastructure, including technology and manpower, to strengthen evidence collection and analysis.
- Modernize Investigation Techniques: Develop facilities for videography and photography of crime scenes during investigations at the police station level, embracing modern technology for evidence documentation.
- Ban Two-Finger Test: Explicitly include the ban on the two-finger test in rape cases to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives and protect the dignity and privacy of survivors.
- Comprehensive Police Reformation: Recognize the need for comprehensive police reformation, addressing challenges such as understaffing, poor mobility, insufficient training infrastructure, and inadequate housing facilities, to ensure a more effective and accountable law enforcement system.
Conclusion
- While some proposed changes in the BNSS demonstrate progress, they do not qualify as groundbreaking or radical. It is crucial to remember that police stations face numerous challenges, including understaffing, limited resources, inadequate training infrastructure, and poor housing facilities. To bring about true reform, a comprehensive approach to police reformation, rather than merely tweaking legal provisions, is necessary.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dark patterns advertising
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Indian government has invited public feedback on draft guidelines aimed at preventing and regulating “dark patterns” on the internet, particularly within e-commerce platforms.
- These guidelines target deceptive tactics such as false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription traps, and other manipulative practices.
Understanding Dark Patterns
- The draft guidelines define dark patterns as deceptive design practices that utilize user interface and user experience interactions on any platform.
- These practices are designed to mislead or trick users into actions they did not initially intend or want to take.
- Dark patterns undermine consumer autonomy, decision-making, and choice, potentially constituting misleading advertising, unfair trade practices, or violations of consumer rights.
Types of Dark Patterns
- “False urgency” involves falsely conveying or implying a sense of urgency to users.
- “Basket sneaking” entails adding additional items to a user’s cart during the checkout process without their consent.
- “Confirm shaming” uses phrases, videos, audio, or other means to evoke fear, shame, ridicule, or guilt in users.
- “Forced action” compels users to take actions that necessitate purchasing additional goods.
- “Subscription trap” makes it nearly impossible or overly complex for users to cancel paid subscriptions.
- “Interface interference” manipulates the user interface for deceptive purposes.
- “Bait and switch” advertises a specific outcome based on user actions.
- “Drip pricing” conceals elements of prices until later in the transaction.
- “Disguised advertisement” and “nagging” are also defined in the guidelines.
Scope of Application
- The Ministry states that these guidelines will apply to all individuals and online platforms, including sellers and advertisers.
Challenges in Enforcement
- Legal experts appreciate the introduction of the draft guidelines but raises concerns about enforcement.
- They highlight the challenge of conclusively proving whether certain practices qualify as dark patterns.
- Famous is the example of the “false category” and the difficulty regulators may face in determining if claims like “only 2 rooms remaining – book now!” are genuinely accurate or misleading due to a lack of context.
- Some categories of dark patterns, such as e-retail sites adding items to users’ carts without their consent, are seen as easier to regulate, while others like “disguised advertisements” may require further clarification.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lab-Grown Human Embryos
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Scientists have successfully developed a “human embryo” in a laboratory without using traditional egg or sperm cells.
- The model was constructed using a combination of stem cells, which possess the ability to differentiate into various cell types, resulting in a structure resembling an early human embryo.
Creating Human Embryo artificially
- This model is considered one of the most comprehensive representations of a 14-day-old human embryo.
- Multiple research teams worldwide have been working on similar embryo-like models, with approximately six such models published in the current year.
- While none fully replicate early embryo development processes, they collectively contribute to scientific understanding.
Challenges in Creating the Model
- Researchers in Israel utilized stem cells and chemical components, but only a small fraction spontaneously assembled into different cell types.
- Approximately 1% of the mixture exhibited this spontaneous assembly, making the process inefficient.
Importance of Embryo Models and Research
- Ethical constraints prevent direct research on early embryo development after implantation in the uterus.
- Understanding early stages of embryo development is crucial as most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period.
- Such research aids in the comprehension of genetic and hereditary diseases.
- Insights into why some embryos develop normally and implant successfully can enhance in vitro fertilization success rates.
Potential of Embryo-Like Models
- These models enable the study of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences on embryo development.
- They facilitate the investigation of genetic defects and the development of potential genetic therapies.
Limits of Lab-Grown Embryos
- Lab-grown embryos are solely for studying the early stages of foetal development.
- Implantation attempts are prohibited, and these models are typically destroyed after 14 days.
- Originating from a UK committee proposal in 1979, the 14-day limit aligns with natural embryo implantation completion.
- Beyond this point, embryos begin exhibiting characteristics of individuality and cannot split into twins.
- The ethical considerations shift as embryos progress from a clump of cells to entities with individual potential, often marked by the Primitive Streak.
Insights from Embryo Models
- Models like the one developed in Israel shed light on DNA duplication errors and chromosome imbalances.
- These errors are now understood to occur earlier in the development process, during ongoing DNA duplication.
- Such models aid in identifying the roles of various genes in fetal development, enabling gene manipulation for research purposes.
Conclusion
- Lab-grown human embryo models represent a significant scientific achievement.
- They provide a unique window into early embryo development and the understanding of genetic and developmental processes.
- While not suitable for reproduction, these models hold promise for advancing genetic and medical research.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Assets worth over $12 billion have been attached since 2014 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
- Additionally, assets exceeding $1.8 billion have been recovered in the past four years under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA), 2018.
About the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018
- The FEOA is a significant legal instrument designed to address the issue of economic offenders who flee the country to evade criminal prosecution or refuse to return to face charges.
- This act empowers authorities to confiscate the ill-gotten gains of these individuals and bar them from filing or defending civil claims, among other provisions.
Key Provisions of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act:
(1) Definition of Fugitive Economic Offender:
- A “fugitive economic offender” is an individual against whom an arrest warrant has been issued for committing an offense listed in the Act, and the value of the offense is at least Rs. 100 crore.
- Offenses listed in the act include counterfeiting government stamps or currency, cheque dishonor, money laundering, and transactions defrauding creditors.
(2) Declaration of a FEO:
- After considering an application, a special court (designated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002) may declare an individual as a fugitive economic offender.
- The court may confiscate properties that are proceeds of crime, benami properties, or any other property, whether in India or abroad.
- Upon confiscation, all rights and titles of the property vest in the central government, free from encumbrances.
- The central government may appoint an administrator to manage and dispose of these properties.
(3) Bar on Filing or Defending Civil Claims:
- The Act allows any civil court or tribunal to prohibit a declared fugitive economic offender from filing or defending any civil claim.
- Furthermore, any company or limited liability partnership where such an individual is a majority shareholder, promoter, or a key managerial person may also be barred from filing or defending civil claims.
- Authorities may provisionally attach properties of an accused while the application is pending before the Special Court.
(4) Powers:
- The authorities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, will exercise powers conferred upon them by the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.
- These powers are akin to those of a civil court and include the search of persons in possession of records or proceeds of crime, the search of premises upon belief that a person is a fugitive economic offender, and the seizure of documents.
Other laws related to FEOs
- The existing laws under which such fugitive economic offenders are tried include:
- Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act (RDDBFI),
- Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, (SARFESI) and
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- In the rapidly evolving landscape of the fintech sector, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor has called upon fintech entities to establish Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs).
What is an SRO (Self-Regulatory Organization)?
- An SRO is a non-governmental entity entrusted with the task of formulating and enforcing rules and standards governing the behaviour of participants within a specific industry.
- The primary objective of an SRO is to safeguard consumer interests, uphold ethical practices, promote equality, and nurture professionalism within the industry.
- Typically, SROs collaborate with all industry stakeholders to establish and administer regulations.
Key Characteristics of an SRO
- Impartial Governance: SROs maintain impartial mechanisms to oversee self-regulatory processes, ensuring that industry members operate within a disciplined framework and accept penalties when necessary.
- Beyond Industry Interests: SROs extend their concerns beyond the narrow interests of the industry itself. They aim to protect not only industry players but also workers, customers, and other participants in the ecosystem.
- Supplement to Existing Regulations: While SROs formulate regulations, standards, and mechanisms for dispute resolution and enforcement, they do not replace applicable laws or government regulations. Instead, they complement existing legal frameworks.
Functions of an SRO
- Communication Channel: SROs serve as intermediaries between their members and regulatory authorities like the RBI, facilitating two-way communication.
- Establishment of Standards: SROs work to establish minimum benchmarks and industry standards, fostering professionalism and healthy market behavior among their members.
- Training and Awareness: SROs provide training to their members’ staff and conduct awareness programs to promote industry best practices.
- Grievance Redressal: They establish uniform grievance redressal and dispute management frameworks to resolve issues within the industry.
Why is an SRO Necessary?
- As the fintech sector continues to evolve, SROs can play a pivotal role in ensuring the industry’s responsible growth and maintaining ethical standards.
- They address critical issues such as market integrity, conduct, data privacy, cybersecurity, and risk management.
- SROs contribute to building trust among consumers, investors, and regulators.
RBI’s Expectations from Fintech Players
- The Reserve Bank of India expects fintech companies to:
- Evolve industry best practices and privacy/data protection norms in compliance with local laws.
- Set standards to prevent mis-selling and promote ethical business practices.
- Ensure transparency in pricing.
- RBI Governor has encouraged fintechs to establish an SRO voluntarily.
Benefits of an SRO
- Industry Expertise: SROs possess deep industry knowledge, making them valuable contributors to industry discussions and educational initiatives.
- Standardized Conduct: SROs promote a standardized code of conduct that encourages ethical business practices, ultimately boosting confidence in the industry.
- Watchdog Role: SROs act as watchdogs, preventing unprofessional and unethical practices within the industry.
Conclusion
- In the dynamic fintech sector, Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) emerge as indispensable entities.
- Their role in shaping industry behaviour, promoting ethical conduct, and safeguarding consumer interests cannot be overstated.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: African Union, G20
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- Negotiators confirm the African Union (AU) will join the G-20, mirroring the European Union (EU) as a regional body within the group.
- India views this development as a significant achievement for the Indian Presidency in advancing the Global South’s interests in the G-20.
Landmark Diplomatic Shift in G20
- The AU’s potential entry into the G-20 signals a significant diplomatic shift, expanding the group’s representation and influence.
- China and Russia, despite differences on other issues, back the AU’s membership, highlighting the broader global dynamics at play.
What is the African Union?
- The African Union (AU) is an intergovernmental organization in Africa.
- It was established in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
- It consists of 55 member states in Africa.
- Its primary objectives include promoting unity, cooperation, and development across the continent.
- It aims to address social, political, and economic challenges faced by African nations.
- It promotes peace, security, and stability in Africa.
History of India-Africa Relations
(1) Ancient Period:
- Ancient trade links: Indian merchants traded with the African coast for valuable goods like palm oil, gold, spices, and ivory.
- Maritime trade network: Trade routes expanded from Egypt to northern Somalia, Punt, Sudan, and Axum, enhancing economic and cultural ties.
(2) Medieval Era:
- Indian presence in East Africa: Gujarati and Saurashtrian merchants played a significant role in Africa’s east coast trade, using Indian systems of weights, measures, and currency.
- Development of internal links: Indian trade contributed to the development of internal connections within Africa, even before European involvement.
(3) Colonial Period:
- Impact of European colonialism: Indian presence in Africa changed under European colonial powers.
- Anti-apartheid struggle: Mahatma Gandhi’s involvement in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa laid the foundation for India’s solidarity with Africa.
- Advocacy against apartheid: India actively raised the issue of apartheid in international forums like the UN, NAM, and Commonwealth.
(4) Post-Colonial Period:
- Continuation of Afro-Asian solidarity: India’s approach to Africa has been guided by the vision of commerce in ideas and services rather than raw materials.
- Phases of engagement: From Nehru’s focus on Afro-Asian solidarity to phases of neglect and re-engagement, India’s Africa policy evolved.
Present Status of Ties
- Institutionalization of relations: The India-Africa Forum Summit serves as the framework for India-Africa relations under South-South Cooperation.
- Expanded diplomatic presence: India announced the opening of embassies in 18 African countries, strengthening diplomatic ties.
- Economic engagement: Bilateral trade between India and Africa has grown significantly, with India becoming Africa’s third-largest trade partner.
- Investment and development cooperation: Indian investments in Africa have increased, with the country being the seventh-largest investor in the region.
- Lines of Credit (LoC): India’s concessional LoCs support development projects in Africa, with 182 projects sanctioned, amounting to US$10.5 billion.
- Bilateral cooperation: Collaboration includes areas such as solar energy, climate change, information technology, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and military training.
- Soft power projection: India’s ITEC program offers scholarships to African students, and the Indian diaspora contributes to cultural exchange.
Significance of Africa
(1) Geostrategic Importance:
- Proximity to India: Africa’s Horn region is critical for India’s security due to emerging threats like radicalism, piracy, and organized crime.
(2) Economic Significance:
- Diversifying energy sources: Africa can help India diversify its energy sources, aligning with the Integrated Energy Policy.
- Rich resources: Africa possesses valuable minerals, metals, and abundant agricultural land, addressing India’s need for food security and resources.
- Market and investment opportunities: Africa provides a space for Indian investments and trade expansion, fostering economic cooperation.
(3) Geopolitical Considerations:
- Support for UNSC seat: Africa’s support is crucial for India’s aspiration to gain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
- Projection of soft and hard power: India showcases its soft and hard power in Africa, contributing to its global influence.
- Peacekeeping and capacity building: India actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations and supports capacity building in African countries, strengthening bilateral ties.
Various Challenges
- Declining trade and investment: Bilateral trade and Indian investments in Africa have witnessed fluctuations, demanding efforts to enhance economic ties.
- Short-term focus: LoCs have primarily funded small-scale projects, lacking a broader development perspective.
- Competition from other powers: India faces competition from other countries like China, Brazil, and Russia, engaging Africa in various sectors.
- Lack of synchronization: Development instruments like LoCs, grants, and capacity-building initiatives operate independently, lacking coordination.
- Instances of racial attacks: Incidents of violence against African students in India pose challenges to people-to-people connections.
Chinese Challenge in Africa
- China’s extensive investments in Africa have significantly impacted the region across infrastructure, finance, natural resources, and maritime interests.
- Access to resources, untapped markets, and support for the “One China Policy” drive China’s engagement.
Strategies for India
- Develop a focused Africa strategy: India should formulate a comprehensive strategy for the next decade, identifying key areas of cooperation.
- Focus on capacity building: Investing in human capital is crucial for sustainable development in Africa.
- Collaborate with civil society organizations and diaspora: Indian organizations and the diaspora can play a vital role in implementing development projects at lower costs.
- Ensure timely project completion: Efforts should be made to expedite LoC projects, learning from countries with better implementation records.
Steps taken so far
- Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program: India’s ITEC program provides technical assistance to African countries, with around 50% of ITEC slots reserved for Africa.
- Asia-Africa Growth Corridor: The AAGC, a cooperation agreement between India, Japan, and African countries, aims for inclusive development.
- Pan African e-Network: The PAeN facilitates tele-education and telemedicine in Africa, contributing to technological advancement.
- Maritime cooperation: India’s collaboration with African nations in the maritime domain, exemplified by joint exercises, promotes regional security.
- Peacekeeping operations: India actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, supporting African counter-terrorism efforts and capacity building.
- Duty-free tariff preferential scheme: India’s scheme benefits African nations, and the India-Africa Forum Summit plays a vital role in strengthening ties.
- India Africa Defence Ministers conclave: Initiatives like this enhance defence cooperation and bilateral relations.
Way Forward
- Enhance mutual engagement: Organize the pending fourth India-Africa Forum Summit to further strengthen the relationship.
- Allocate fresh financial resources: Allocate new resources for grants and concessional loans, prioritizing economic relations.
- Focus on emerging sectors: Develop collaborations in health, space, and digital technologies to give a 21st-century dimension to the partnership.
- Continued support in peacekeeping: Sustain India’s contributions to peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and capacity building in Africa.
- Improve experiences of Africans in India: Ensure the safety and well-being of Africans studying or working in India, promoting people-to-people connections.
- Promote development-friendly private investments: Align development cooperation with commercial interests to support mutually beneficial projects.
- Strengthen international cooperation: Collaborate with international allies to address the China challenge in Africa, emphasizing partnership-based approaches.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Jobless growth, subsidies and safety nets
What’s the news?
- India’s impressive economic growth numbers have not translated into a commensurate increase in employment opportunities.
Central idea
- Despite India’s impressive economic growth numbers, employment has not seen a commensurate increase. With five states heading to the polls at the end of the year, political parties are making various promises to address concerns about rising essential commodity prices. However, the question arises: Are these promises merely distractions from the systemic issue of jobless growth?
Promises vs. Solutions: Are Electoral Promises Diverting Attention from Jobless Growth?
- Unemployment’s Stark Reality: India’s economic growth stands in stark contrast to the persistent issue of unemployment, particularly among educated youth.
- Varied Electoral Promises: Political parties have introduced a range of electoral promises, including measures like providing cheaper gas cylinders and farm loan waivers. These promises often vary in their impact and effectiveness.
- State-specific Examples: In states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, where unemployment is a significant concern, electoral promises such as the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) may not effectively address the broader issue.
Agriculture’s Predicament: Can Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Non-Remunerative Prices be Effectively Addressed?
- Critical Supply Chain Resilience: The agriculture sector, India’s largest employer, grapples with issues like supply chain vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can be exacerbated by factors such as climate change.
- Transforming Agricultural Output: To tackle the challenge of non-remunerative prices for produce, technological interventions aimed at converting agricultural output into higher-value products are proposed as long-term solutions.
- Palliatives Amidst Inflation Concerns: In some states like Chhattisgarh, promises like providing ₹1,500 a month for women in distress are seen as addressing purchasing power issues. However, concerns about potential inflation due to such measures must be taken into account.
Fiscal Responsibility and Unemployment: Is There a Correlation?
- The Paradox of Fiscal Responsibility: States like Haryana, which strictly adhere to fiscal responsibility guidelines, continue to face high unemployment rates. This paradox highlights the complex relationship between populist policies and fiscal distress.
- Emphasis on Revenue Mobilization: To effectively implement populist policies, a focus on revenue mobilization efforts is crucial. It’s necessary to ensure that such policies do not strain state finances in the long run.
Do subsidies and safety nets take focus away from generating jobs?
- Immediate Relief vs. Long-term Employment:
- Subsidies and safety nets offer immediate relief to vulnerable sections of the population, addressing issues like distress and purchasing power.
- However, there is a concern that an overemphasis on such measures may shift focus away from the more significant task of generating sustainable employment opportunities.
- Balancing the need for immediate relief with the long-term goal of job creation is a complex challenge.
- While subsidies and safety nets serve a critical purpose, they must be complemented with policies and strategies that promote job generation, particularly in sectors that can absorb the workforce effectively.
- Policy Design and Implementation:
- Effective policymaking should aim to strike a balance between providing immediate support and fostering job growth.
- It is essential to design policies that not only address the distress of vulnerable populations but also contribute to sustainable economic development by generating employment opportunities.
Rethinking Economic Growth: Beyond GDP and Toward Employment
- Shifting the Focus from GDP: A Shift away from the Traditional Obsession with GDP Growth It emphasizes that economic growth should be intertwined with employment generation to make a meaningful impact on the lives of citizens.
- Exploring New Avenues: Rather than investing heavily in high-tech industries like semiconductor manufacturing, the article suggests exploring sectors such as mining for the energy transition. Mining can create local jobs, particularly benefiting marginalized communities and addressing unemployment.
Conclusion
- Addressing jobless growth in India requires a nuanced approach. While populist promises serve as palliatives in the absence of structural solutions, the focus should shift towards inclusive growth, technological interventions, and employment-centric policies that tackle supply chain vulnerabilities and promote sustainable economic development.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Heat index, heat stress, heat waves etc.
Mains level: Climate change and soaring temperatures, impacts and measures
What’s the news?
- In August, the coastal regions of Iran bore witness to an astonishing and potentially life-threatening event: a scorching heat index of 70 degrees Celsius (°C). Public holidays were declared on August 2 and 3 due to what was described as unprecedented heat.
Central idea
- The alarming incidents of rising heat temperatures are not isolated; Iran had already grappled with extreme heat earlier in the year when the Persian Gulf Airport recorded a heat index of 66.7°C. The dire consequences of such soaring temperatures demand our attention and action.
What is the heat index?
- The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature or feels-like temperature, is a measure of how hot it feels to the human body when relative humidity is factored in along with the actual air temperature.
- In essence, it quantifies the discomfort or perceived warmth caused by the combination of high temperatures and high humidity.
How is the heat index calculated?
- Dr. Robert Steadman’s Formula: Dr. Robert Steadman, a professor at Colorado State University, developed a complex formula in 1979 to calculate the heat index. This formula considers various parameters, including air temperature and relative humidity.
- Parameters in the Formula: The formula takes into account the following parameters:
- Air temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit).
- Relative humidity (expressed as a decimal, e.g., 50% RH becomes 0.50).
- Coefficients specific to the formula (c1, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6, c7, c8, and c9).
- Nonlinear Relationship: The formula is complex because it accounts for the nonlinear relationship between temperature, humidity, and how humans perceive heat.
- Global Variations: Different countries may have their own variations of heat index calculations, but Dr. Steadman’s formula is widely recognized and used as a standard reference.
Significance of measuring the heat index
- Accurate Perception of Heat: The heat index provides a more accurate representation of how hot it feels to the human body compared to the actual air temperature. It factors in relative humidity, which significantly affects human comfort in hot conditions.
- Health Impact Assessment: Measuring the heat index is crucial for assessing the potential health risks associated with hot weather. It helps identify conditions that may lead to heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
- Preventing Heat Stress: High humidity levels, considered in the heat index, can lead to heat stress. Monitoring the heat index assists in recognizing situations where heat stress is more likely to occur, prompting individuals to take the necessary precautions.
- Issuing Public Warnings: Weather agencies and authorities use the heat index to issue heat advisories and warnings to the public. These warnings inform people about the heightened risks associated with high heat index values, encouraging them to take protective measures.
- Workplace Safety: Measuring the heat index is vital for ensuring workplace safety, particularly in industries involving outdoor work or non-air-conditioned environments. It enables employers and workers to implement safety measures to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries.
- Emergency Preparedness: Emergency response and preparedness agencies rely on heat index information to anticipate and respond to heat-related emergencies. This includes managing heat-related illnesses and addressing the increased demand for cooling during heatwaves.
- Adapting to Climate Change: With the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves associated with climate change, monitoring the heat index becomes essential. It assists in adapting to changing climate conditions and developing strategies to mitigate heat-related risks.
- Heat Stress: High humidity can lead to heat stress, where the body struggles to dissipate excess heat. The typical human core temperature range is 36.1 to 37.2°C. When the body can’t effectively shed surplus heat, the core temperature rises, potentially causing symptoms such as heat exhaustion, rashes, and an elevated heart rate.
- Reduced Cooling: In high humidity, the body’s natural cooling mechanism, which relies on sweating and evaporation, becomes less effective. The saturated air makes it challenging for sweat to evaporate, hindering the body’s ability to lose excess heat. This results in discomfort and a heightened risk of heat-related illnesses.
- Perceived Temperature: High humidity can make the air feel significantly hotter than the actual air temperature. This increase in perceived temperature, often reflected in the heat index, contributes to a sense of extreme heat and discomfort.
- Dehydration Risk: To compensate for reduced evaporative cooling in high humidity, individuals may sweat profusely. This increased sweating can raise the risk of dehydration if fluid losses are not replenished adequately.
- Respiratory Discomfort: Humid air can pose challenges for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma. The added moisture in the air may make breathing more difficult, worsening respiratory symptoms.
- Sleep Disturbances: High humidity can disrupt sleep patterns, as sleeping in a warm and muggy environment can be uncomfortable. Restlessness and difficulties falling or staying asleep may occur in such conditions.
- Impact on Physical Activities: High humidity can hinder physical performance and work productivity. People may find it more challenging to engage in physical activities or perform tasks in hot and humid conditions.
Facts for Prelims: Heat-related Terminologies in News
- Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the body’s temperature regulation system fails, and the body temperature rises to dangerous levels, usually above 104°F (40°C). It can lead to organ damage and even death if not treated promptly.
- Heat cramps: Heat cramps are painful muscle contractions that can occur during physical activity in hot weather.
- Heat wave: A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which can be accompanied by high humidity levels. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) defines a heat wave as when the daily maximum temperature of more than five consecutive days exceeds the average maximum temperature by 5°C, and the normal minimum temperature is also exceeded.
- Heat index: It is the measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to actual air temperature. The higher the heat index, the hotter it feels.
- Thermal stress: It is the stress on the human body caused by high temperatures, humidity, and solar radiation.
- Urban Heat Island: It refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities like transportation, industrialization, and construction.
- Wet bulb globe temperature: It is a measure of heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.
- Diurnal temperature range: It is the difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures in a 24-hour period. A low diurnal temperature range indicates high humidity and poor air quality.
|
Way forward: Measures to adapt
- Recognize the Danger: Acknowledge that a heat index value of 67°C or higher can be extremely dangerous for both humans and animals, especially with direct and prolonged exposure.
- Invest in Early Warning Systems: Develop and invest in early warning systems that provide timely alerts and advisories about extreme heat events. This helps individuals and communities prepare for and respond to heatwaves effectively.
- Adjust Work Timings: Consider making changes to work schedules to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. This can reduce heat exposure and the risk of heat-related illnesses.
- Find Sustainable Cooling Solutions: Identify and implement sustainable cooling solutions, such as the use of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cooling technologies. Ensuring access to air conditioning and promoting better building designs for heat resilience are also important.
- Promote Public Awareness and Education: Raise public awareness about the risks associated with extreme heat, and educate individuals and communities about heat safety measures. Knowledge empowers people to take proactive steps to protect themselves during heatwaves.
Conclusion
- As we confront rising heat index values across the globe, our ability to adapt and mitigate the effects of extreme heat on human health and well-being becomes paramount. Proactive measures, informed by a comprehensive understanding of the heat index, are essential to safeguarding lives and ensuring a sustainable future in the face of escalating climate challenges.
Must read:
Heat domes, anticyclones and climate change: What’s causing heat waves across the world?
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kuiper Belt
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- Two Japanese astronomers have uncovered potential evidence of an “Earth-like planet” within our solar system.
- This mysterious planet is believed to have resided in the Kuiper Belt, a circumstellar disk beyond Neptune’s orbit that consists of outer solar system objects.
- The Kuiper Belt, like the planets, orbits the Sun.
What is the Kuiper Belt?
- The Kuiper Belt, also known as the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt, is a flat ring of small icy bodies orbiting the Sun beyond Neptune’s orbit.
- Gerard Kuiper, a Dutch-American astronomer, first hypothesized its existence in the 1950s.
- This belt contains millions of icy objects, collectively referred to as Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) or trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs).
- It is considered a remnant from the early history of our solar system.
- The Kuiper Belt is thought to be the source of many short-period comets that orbit the Sun in less than 20 years.
- It primarily consists of small icy bodies, including dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets.
- Pluto, once classified as the ninth planet, is one of the most well-known objects in the Kuiper Belt but was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006, partly due to its location within this belt.
The Astronomers’ Findings
- The Japanese researchers suggest that if this new planet exists, it would be 1.5 to 3 times the size of Earth.
- The discovery challenges previous theories of a distant “Planet Nine” and posits the possibility of a planet closer to us, within the Kuiper Belt.
- The astronomers predict the existence of an Earth-like planet and several trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) on unique orbits that could serve as observational signatures of this potential planet’s perturbations.
- They estimate that this planet could be situated between 200 and 500 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, tilted about 30 degrees. For reference, Pluto is 39 AU from Earth.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced a range of groundbreaking features on the popular Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform.
Hello! UPI: Voice-Enabled UPI Payments
- Hello! UPI, a remarkable addition, facilitates voice-enabled UPI payments in Hindi and English.
- Users can make UPI payments through voice commands via apps, telecom calls, and IoT devices.
- Future plans include expanding this feature to support several regional languages, further enhancing accessibility.
Credit Line on UPI: Streamlined Access to Credit
- The RBI Governor introduced Credit Line on UPI, an initiative aimed at promoting financial inclusion and innovation.
- This offering allows users to access pre-sanctioned credit from banks via UPI, simplifying the credit acquisition process.
- Features include interest-free credit periods, defined charges, and seamless customer engagement channels.
- The goal is to expedite the credit access process, driving economic growth and digital banking efficiency.
UPI LITE X: Offline Money Transfers
- UPI LITE X introduces offline money transfers, enabling users to send and receive funds even without internet connectivity.
- This feature empowers transactions in areas with poor network coverage.
- UPI LITE payments are known for their speed and efficiency, making them a preferred choice for users.
UPI Tap & Pay: Convenience Redefined
- UPI Tap & Pay offers a new way to complete payments at merchant locations.
- In addition to traditional scan-and-pay, users can now tap Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled QR codes.
- This feature enhances convenience, making transactions swift and effortless.
Conversational Payments: AI-Enabled Transactions
- Conversational UPI Payments and Conversational Bill Payments represent a paradigm shift in human-machine interaction.
- These AI-enabled transactions aim to deepen the adoption of digital payments across India.
- Users can make voice-enabled UPI payments through UPI Apps, telecom calls, and IoT devices in Hindi, English, and regional languages.
- NPCI has collaborated with AI4Bharat at IIT Madras to develop language models for Hindi and English payments.
BillPay Connect: Simplified Bill Payments
- BillPay Connect introduces a nationalized number for bill payments across India.
- Customers can conveniently fetch and pay bills through messaging apps with a simple ‘Hi.’
- Even users without smartphones or immediate data access can pay bills via a missed call, followed by a verification call.
- Voice Assisted Bill Payments via smart home devices offer added convenience and instant confirmation.
- This innovation enhances security and reassurance for both customers and collection centers.
Conclusion
- These pioneering features unveiled by NPCI mark a significant leap in India’s digital payment landscape.
- They not only enhance accessibility but also redefine convenience, making digital transactions more user-friendly.
- With innovative offerings like voice-enabled payments and streamlined credit access, NPCI continues to play a pivotal role in India’s technological advancement.
- The journey towards a digitally empowered India takes a giant stride forward with these game-changing UPI features.
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
Attend Now