Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Fiscal Deficit, Capital Expenditure
Mains level: NA
In the news
- Capital Expenditure Decline: In January, the Centre’s capital expenditure saw a significant decline of 40.5%, totaling ₹47,600 crore compared to ₹80,000 crore in the previous year.
- Fiscal Deficit Widening: By the end of January, the fiscal deficit reached 64% of the revised estimates for 2023-24. Despite challenges in expenditure, the government seems poised to meet the revised deficit target of 5.8% of GDP for the year.
What is Fiscal Deficit?
- Definition: Fiscal deficit is the excess of total disbursements from the Consolidated Fund of India over total receipts, excluding debt repayment, within a financial year.
- Formula: Fiscal Deficit = Total expenditure of the government (capital and revenue expenditure) – Total income of the government (Revenue receipts + recovery of loans + other receipts).
Government Income
- Revenue receipts: This includes tax revenues collected by the government from various sources such as income tax, corporate tax, and indirect taxes like GST.
- Capital receipts: This encompasses borrowings, disinvestments, and other sources of income.
- Tax revenues: Income from GST and other taxes.
- Non-tax revenues: Including interest receipts, dividends and profits, external grants, and receipts from union territories.
- Other non-tax revenues: Revenue from fiscal, social, and economic services.
Government Expenditure
- Revenue Expenditure: Spending on day-to-day operations including salaries, subsidies, and interest payments.
- Capital Expenditure: Investment in infrastructure, acquisition of assets, and long-term projects.
- Interest Payments: Amount paid by the government as interest on its borrowings.
- Grants-in-aid for the creation of capital assets: Funds provided for the creation of capital assets such as roads, bridges, and public buildings.
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Reasons behind Fiscal Deficit
[1] Fall in Income
- Lower tax collection: Economic slowdown, tax evasion, and GST implementation issues.
- Impact of economic sectors shut during the pandemic: Closure of economic activities leading to decreased tax revenues.
- Government’s missed disinvestment targets: Failure to achieve disinvestment targets resulting in lower capital receipts.
[2] Rise in Expenditure
- Factors contributing to high inflation: High inflation rates increasing import and borrowing costs.
- Importance of social infrastructure investment: Emphasis on social infrastructure for inclusive growth and employment.
- External market volatilities affecting Indian expenditure: Dependency on imports exposing India to external market fluctuations.
- Unproductive expenditures like subsidies: Essential but unproductive expenditures adding to fiscal pressure.
[3] Rise in Borrowings
- Need for market borrowing for policy implementations: Borrowing for policy measures such as bank recapitalization, farm loan waivers, and UDAY.
Implications of Fiscal Deficit
- Vicious circle of borrowing and repayment: Continuous borrowing to repay loans leading to a debt trap.
- Inflation: Increased borrowing leading to higher interest rates and inflation.
- Reduced private sector borrowing: Government borrowing reducing borrowing opportunities for the private sector.
- Discouragement of private investment: Inflation and limited financing discouraging private investment.
- Risk of credit rating downgrade: High borrowing increasing the risk of credit rating downgrade.
- Limits Revenue Spending: Rising fiscal deficit affecting government allowances like dearness allowance and dearness relief.
- Foreign Dependence: Borrowing from foreign sources increasing dependence and exposure to external fiscal policies.
Measures for Control: FRBM Act, 2003
- The FRBM Act aims to instil fiscal discipline and ensure inter-generational equity in fiscal management, promoting long-term macro-economic stability.
- Targets:
- Limit fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by March 31, 2009.
- Completely eliminate revenue deficit.
- Reduce liabilities to 50% of estimated GDP by 2011.
- Prohibit direct borrowing from RBI to monetize the deficit.
- Escape Clause: Section 4(2) of the Act allows the Centre to exceed annual fiscal deficit targets under specific circumstances, such as national security, calamity, agricultural collapse, or structural reforms.
- Review Committee: In May 2016, a committee under NK Singh was formed to review the FRBM Act. Recommendations included targeting a fiscal deficit of 3% of GDP until March 31, 2020, reducing it to 2.8% in 2020-21, and further to 2.5% by 2023.
- Current Targets:
- The latest provisions of the FRBM Act mandate limiting fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by March 31, 2021.
- Central government debt should not exceed 40% of GDP by 2024-25, among other stipulations.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Social behaviours of elephant, Project Elephant
Mains level: NA
In the news
- A recent study aims to delve into the peri-mortem and post-mortem strategies of Asian elephants, offering insights into their behavior in shared human spaces amid environmental changes.
- The study area covered fragmented forests, tea estates, agricultural lands, and military establishments in the vicinity of the Gorumara Wildlife Division and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
Elephants in India
|
Details |
| Population Estimate |
India hosts the largest population of wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), with around 29,964 individuals,
Approximately 60% of the global population (2017 census). |
| Leading States |
Karnataka holds the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and Kerala. |
| Conservation Status |
IUCN Red List: Endangered.
CMS: Appendix I.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I,
CITES: Appendix I. |
| Conservation Initiatives |
Project Elephant launched in 1992, covering 23 states across India.
Contributed to the increase in wild elephant population from around 25,000 in 1992 to about 30,000 in 2021.
Establishment of Elephant Reserves. Total 33 in numbers covering approximately 80,777 Sq.km. |
Recent findings
- Peri-Mortem Strategies: Asian elephants were found to carry carcasses by trunks and legs before burying them in a ‘legs upright’ position.
- Herding Behavior: Elephant herds exhibit avoidance behavior, choosing parallel routes to bypass paths where calf carcasses were buried.
- Burial Locations: Calves were buried in irrigation drains of tea estates, indicating a preference for specific locations.
- Herding Dynamics: The unique positioning of carcasses suggests careful handling by herd members, highlighting their care and affection toward deceased calves.
- Space Constraints: Prioritizing the burial of the head before the feet indicates strategic decision-making in situations of spatial limitations.
Environmental Context and Elephant Behavior
- Impact of Environmental Changes: Rapid environmental transformations and habitat destruction push elephants to explore human-dominated areas, resulting in the emergence of novel behaviors.
- Limited Documentation: While similar behaviors are documented in African contexts, elephant calf burial in the Asian context remains largely undocumented.
General Social Behaviour of Elephants
Elephants exhibit a wide range of social behaviors that highlight their complex and intelligent nature.
- Matrilineal Social Structure: Elephants live in multi-tiered societies, starting with family units consisting of related females and their calves. These family units form bonds with other families, creating clans and sub-populations. The herds are led by a senior matriarch who makes decisions on movement and resources.
- Communication: Elephants communicate through various calls, gestures, and physical contact. They have a sophisticated communication system involving over sixty different calls, including trumpets and rumbles that convey information across long distances.
- Empathy and Mourning: Elephants display empathy by comforting distressed companions through physical contact and vocal sounds. They have been observed mourning their dead, showing behaviors akin to mourning seen in humans.
- Cooperative Behavior: Elephant herds cooperate in raising their young, with adolescent females assisting in caring for calves. They also engage in cooperative actions like adopting an infant tormented by predators or helping wounded elephants by stopping bleeding and providing support.
- Individual Personalities: Elephants have distinct personalities that influence their interactions within the group. Some elephants show strong leadership qualities, while others are more introverted. These individual traits impact how they interact with other elephants.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:
Q. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:
- The leader of an elephant group is a female.
- The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
- An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
- Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Post your responses here.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Mains level: GST Collection
In the news
- India’s GST revenues saw a robust growth of 12.54% in February, exceeding ₹1.68 lakh crore.
- This marked the fourth-highest monthly collection since GST’s inception.
Why discuss this?
- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in India has been a pivotal component of the country’s tax structure since its implementation in July 2017.
- Analyzing the trends and performance of GST revenues offers insights into the economic health and growth trajectory of the nation.
Gross Revenues Overview
- Yearly Comparison: The fiscal year 2023-24 witnessed a noteworthy increase, reaching ₹18.4 lakh crore, indicating an 11.7% rise from the previous year.
- Yearly Uptick: This year’s growth stands as the third highest since the implementation of GST.
- Domestic Transactions: Revenues from domestic transactions surged by 13.9%.
- Imported Goods: Revenue from goods imports also saw a notable increase, rising by 8.5%.
State-wise Breakdown
- Overall Collection Analysis: After accounting for refunds, February’s GST collection amounted to ₹1.51 lakh crore, indicating a substantial 13.6% growth from the previous year.
- State Variability: States exhibited diverse performances, with some experiencing declines while others exceeded national growth averages.
- Declining Revenues: Five states witnessed contractions, with Mizoram and Manipur showing significant decreases.
- Outperforming States: Twelve states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and Maharashtra, surpassed the national average growth rate.
Compensation Cess Details
- Components of GST Intake: February’s gross GST intake included CGST, SGST, and IGST, amounting to ₹84,098 crore.
- Cess Collections: Compensation cess collections amounted to ₹12,839 crore, with additional revenue from imported goods.
- Revenue Distribution: The Central government allocated substantial sums to CGST and SGST from IGST collections.
- Revenue Allocation: After regular distributions, CGST received ₹73,641 crore, while SGST received ₹75,569 crore.
About Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Definition: GST is an indirect tax that has replaced many indirect taxes in India such as excise duty, VAT, services tax, etc.
- Legislation: The GST Act was passed in Parliament on 29th March 2017 and came into effect on 1st July 2017. It is a single domestic indirect tax law for the entire country.
- Tax Structure: It is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based tax that is levied on every value addition.
- Taxation Points: Under the GST regime, the tax is levied at every point of sale. In the case of intra-state sales, Central GST and State GST are charged. All the inter-state sales are chargeable to the Integrated GST.
Components of GST
- CGST: It is the tax collected by the Central Government on an intra-state sale (e.g., a transaction happening within Maharashtra).
- SGST: It is the tax collected by the state government on an intra-state sale (e.g., a transaction happening within Maharashtra).
- IGST: It is a tax collected by the Central Government for an inter-state sale (e.g., Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu).
Advantages of GST
- GST has mainly removed the cascading effect on the sale of goods and services.
- Removal of the cascading effect has impacted the cost of goods.
- Since the GST regime eliminates the tax on tax, the cost of goods decreases.
- Also, GST is mainly technologically driven.
- All the activities like registration, return filing, application for refund and response to notice needs to be done online on the GST portal, which accelerates the processes.
Issues with GST
- High operational cost.
- GST has given rise to complexity for many business owners across the nation.
- GST has received criticism for being called a ‘Disability Tax’ as it now taxes articles such as braille paper, wheelchairs, hearing aid etc.
- Fuels are not under GST, which goes against the ideals of the unification of commodities.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2015:
Q. All revenues received by the Union. Government by way of taxes and other receipts for the conduct of Government business are credited to the:
(a) Contingency Fund of India
(b) Public Account
(c) Consolidated Fund of India
(d) Deposits and Advances Fund
Post your responses here.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UNEA-6, Membership of UNEA
Mains level: NA
In the news
- The Sixth Assembly session of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEA-6) was convened at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
- It focussed on the pivotal role of multilateralism in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Abut United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)
|
Details |
| Purpose |
Highest-level decision-making body on environmental matters within the United Nations system. |
| Establishment |
Established in 2012 during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). |
| Frequency |
Typically convenes every two years in Nairobi, Kenya. |
| Membership |
Consists of all 193 UN Member States and representatives from observer countries and organizations. |
| Decision-Making |
Adopts resolutions and decisions on global environmental issues. |
UNEA-6: Theme and Focus
- Theme: Effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
- Focus: Planning the role of multilateralism in shaping global environmental policy to combat the pressing challenges facing our planet.
Key Outcomes
[A] Environmental Multilateralism
- High-Level Dialogues: UNEA-6 dedicated a day to discussing cooperation and convergence with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), emphasizing effective implementation at both national and global levels.
- Importance: MEAs play a critical role in addressing specific environmental issues at national, regional, and global levels, providing essential frameworks for international environmental governance.
[B] Energy Transition to Renewable Sources
- Rapid Adoption of Renewable Energy: The session emphasized the need for three times the current renewable energy capacity by 2030 to foster a nature and people-positive planet.
- Global Standards Development: Efforts are underway to establish globally acceptable standards for renewable energy, ensuring environmental sustainability and responsible sourcing of minerals.
[C] Plastic Pollution
- Call for Action: Discussions centered on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, aiming to introduce strong reuse provisions and harmonize definitions of reuse and circularity.
- Current Scenario: More than half of global plastic production comprises single-use plastics, with significant leakage into the environment.
[D] Role of Nature-Based Solutions
- Potential: Nature-based solutions, including reforestation and land restoration, offer promising avenues to combat the climate crisis and restore biodiversity.
- Financial Constraints: Despite their potential, nature-based solutions receive only a fraction of the required funding, highlighting the need for increased investment and innovative financing mechanisms.
Conclusion
- As UNEA-6 unfolds, stakeholders worldwide are poised to collaborate and drive actionable solutions to safeguard our planet for future generations.
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Why in the News?
Recently, the former SC judge A.M. Khanwilkar has been appointed as Lokpal chairperson.
More details on the news:
- The Lokpal has been working without its regular Chief after Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose completed his term on May 27, 2022. Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a judicial member of the Lokpal, is currently the acting chairperson.
- Former High Court judges Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav and Ritu Raj Awasthi have been appointed as judicial members of the Lokpal.
About Lokpal:
- The Lokpal is established up under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 to investigate corruption allegations against public functionaries.
- Former Supreme Court Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose assumed office as the first Lokpal chairperson in March 2019.
- India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The establishment of Lokpal reflects the government’s commitment to clean and responsive governance by combating corruption.
Composition of Lokpal:
- The Lokpal consists of a chairperson and eight members – four judicial and four non-judicial.
- Appointed by the President of India for a 5-year term or until they reach 70 years of age, whichever comes first.
- Appointment Process: The President appoints the Chairperson and Members based on recommendations from a Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of the People, Leader of Opposition in the House of the People, Chief Justice of India or a nominated Supreme Court Judge, and an eminent jurist nominated by the President.
Lokpal’s Jurisdiction:
- The Lokpal investigates corruption allegations against current or former Prime Ministers, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and officials in Groups A, B, C, and D of the Union Government.
- It extends to chairpersons, members, officers, and directors of entities established by an Act of Parliament or funded by the Union or State government.
- The jurisdiction includes societies, trusts, or bodies receiving foreign contributions exceeding ₹10 lakh (approximately US$14,300 as of 2019)
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Why in the News?
Recently, there have been significant updates made to the guidelines for the Regulatory Sandbox (RS) scheme by the RBI.
What is the Regulatory Sandbox (RS) scheme?
- Regulatory Sandbox (RS) scheme involves live testing of new financial products or services in a controlled regulatory environment with potential relaxations for testing purposes.
- It allows regulators, innovators, financial service providers, and customers to test new financial innovations, collecting evidence on benefits and risks.
- It facilitates the development of innovation-friendly regulations, enabling the delivery of low-cost financial products.
- It enables Dynamic Regulatory Environments that adapt to emerging technologies
What is the objective behind this decision of RBI?
- Through this decision, RBI aims to encourage responsible innovation in financial services and ensure compliance with digital personal data protection norms.
- This new adopted framework will enable on-tap proposals, replacing the previous structure where RBI presented the challenges to a cohort of technology firms and required them to devise solutions within a specified time frame.
- Secondly, through this decision, the central bank (RBI) remains committed to supporting innovation and technology in the financial sector.
- For example, recenty, the Paytm Payments Bank, due to its failure to comply with RBI norms, stifled innovation.
Key Highlights of the RBI’s Updated guidelines on Regulatory Sandbox scheme:
- Framework Alignment with Digital Personal Data Protection Act: The updated framework requires sandbox entities to ensure compliance with provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
- Diverse Range of Target Applicants: The target applicants for entry to the RS are fintech companies, including startups, banks, financial institutions, any other company, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and partnership firms, partnering with or providing support to financial services businesses.
- Digital Personal Data Protection Norms Compliance: Under the updated guidelines, participating entities will have to comply with digital personal data protection norms.
- Origins of Regulatory Sandbox Framework: The RBI had issued the ‘Enabling Framework for Regulatory Sandbox’ in August 2019, after wide ranging consultations with stakeholders.
What is the Significance of Regulatory Sandbox?
- Learning by doing: RS provides empirical evidence on benefits and risks of emerging technologies, enabling regulators to make informed decisions.
- Testing viability: RS allows testing of product’s viability without large-scale roll-out, enabling modifications before broader market launch.
- Financial inclusion: RS can improve pace of innovation and technology absorption, leading to financial inclusion and improved financial reach.
- Evidence-based decision-making: RS reduces dependence on industry consultations for regulatory decision-making.
- Better outcomes for consumers: RS leads to increased range of products, reduced costs, and improved access to financial services.
What are the challenges along with Regulatory Sandbox scheme?
- Flexibility and time: Innovators may face constraints in the sandbox process, but time-bound stages can mitigate this.
- Bespoke authorizations: Transparent handling of applications and clear decision-making principles can address risks associated with discretionary judgments.
- Legal waivers: The RBI or its RS does not provide legal waivers.
- Regulatory approvals: Successful experiments in the sandbox may still require regulatory approvals for wider application.
- Legal issues: Transparency and clear criteria in the RS framework can mitigate legal issues like consumer losses, ensuring clarity on liability for risks.
Conclusion: The RBI’s updated Regulatory Sandbox guidelines promote responsible financial innovation. Addressing time constraints and ensuring transparent post-sandbox approvals are vital for fostering a conducive environment for ongoing advancements in the financial sector.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Rare Diseases Definition
Mains level: Burden of Rare Diseases and Policy Interventions
In the news
What are Rare Diseases?
- Global Perspective: Rare diseases are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as often debilitating lifelong diseases or disorders with a prevalence of 1 or less, per 1,000 population.
- National Context: While India lacks a standardized definition, the Organisation of Rare Diseases – India suggests defining a disease as rare if it affects 1 in 5,000 people or less.
Rare Diseases: Key Facts and Figures
- India issued its first National Policy on Rare Diseases in March 2021, offering comprehensive strategies for prevention and management.
- Less than 5% of rare diseases have therapies available in India, yet they affect nearly 1/5th of the population.
- The Union Government allocated ₹50 lakh per patient for rare diseases treatment, but only approximately 49% of the allocated funds have been utilized.
- There are approximately 7,000-8,000 rare diseases in India, with new diseases continually being identified and reported.
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National Policy on Rare Diseases, 2021: Highlights
- Comprehensive Approach: This Policy offers a holistic framework encompassing prevention, management, and treatment strategies tailored to the unique needs of patients.
- Financial Support: Recognizing the financial burden on patients, the policy aims to lower the exorbitant costs of treatment through targeted interventions and support mechanisms.
- Research Focus: Emphasizing indigenous research, the policy lays the foundation for bolstering research initiatives in the field of rare diseases, fostering innovation and discovery.
Other Initiatives in India
- National Hospital-Based Registry: A pivotal component of the policy, the establishment of a national registry of rare diseases promises to provide invaluable epidemiological data, informing targeted interventions and resource allocation.
- Early Screening and Prevention: The creation of Nidan Kendras aims to enhance early detection and prevention efforts, crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing disease burden.
- Capacity Building: Strengthening secondary and tertiary health facilities at Centres of Excellence underscores the commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
Challenges and Imperatives
- Defining Rare Diseases: Despite significant progress, India lacks a standardized definition of rare diseases, necessitating clarity to guide policy and resource allocation effectively.
- Funding Utilization: Concerns arise over the underutilization of allocated funds, highlighting the urgency to streamline resource allocation and enhance accountability mechanisms.
- Patient Advocacy: Rare diseases patient advocacy groups play a pivotal role in advocating for timely access to treatment and sustainable funding support, urging policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritize patient-centric initiatives.
Way Forward
- Sustainable Funding: Ensuring sustainable funding support for rare diseases treatment is paramount to safeguarding patient well-being and fostering equitable access to care.
- National Registry Implementation: Accelerating the establishment of a hospital-based national registry is imperative to harness the power of data-driven decision-making and advance rare diseases research.
- Multidisciplinary Care: The creation of comprehensive care centers, coupled with initiatives to support caregivers, represents a crucial step towards enhancing patient outcomes and fostering a supportive healthcare ecosystem.
Conclusion
- As India commemorates World Rare Diseases Day, it stands at a pivotal juncture in its journey towards rare diseases care and advocacy.
- By embracing a collaborative and patient-centric approach, India can surmount existing challenges, paving the way for a future where every individual affected by a rare disease receives the care and support they deserve.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2014:
Consider the following diseases
- Diphtheria
- Chickenpox
- Smallpox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Post your responses here.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Cross-Voting in Rajya Sabha
Mains level: Exceptions to the Anti-Defection Laws
In the news
- Recent Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka have been marred by instances of cross-voting, prompting concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.
Why discuss this?
- Understanding the legal framework governing Rajya Sabha elections and the implications of cross-voting is crucial in addressing these concerns and upholding democratic principles.
Rajya Sabha Elections and Cross-Voting
- Constitutional Provision: Article 80 of the Constitution mandates the indirect election of Rajya Sabha representatives by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies.
- Historical Context: Rajya Sabha elections were traditionally uncontested until 1998, when cross-voting in Maharashtra marked a departure from this trend.
Explained: Rajya Sabha Election Process
Legal Provisions and Precedents
- Open Ballot System: An amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 in 2003 introduced open ballot voting for Rajya Sabha elections, aimed at curbing cross-voting.
- Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law): Introduced in 1985, this Schedule disqualifies legislators who voluntarily give up party membership or vote against party instructions. However, it does not apply to Rajya Sabha elections.
- Court Rulings: The Supreme Court, in cases such as Kuldip Nayar versus Union of India (2006), upheld the open ballot system while clarifying that voting against party candidates in Rajya Sabha elections does not invoke disqualification under the Tenth Schedule.
Current Challenges and Legal Remedies
- Cross-Voting Impact: Instances of cross-voting undermine the democratic process and erode electoral integrity.
- Judicial Intervention: The Supreme Court may initiate suo moto proceedings or review existing judgments to address the issue of cross-voting.
- Disqualification Criteria: Voting against party lines in Rajya Sabha elections may be considered voluntary defection, warranting disqualification under the Tenth Schedule.
Way Forward
- Upholding the Intent: Instances of cross-voting undermine the transparency aimed at by the open ballot system, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing mechanisms.
- Judicial Intervention: The Supreme Court’s commitment to safeguarding democracy provides hope for addressing cross-voting issues through suo moto Public Interest Litigation or appeals against disqualification rulings.
- Revisiting Precedents: There is scope for the court to reinterpret its previous rulings in light of evolving circumstances, potentially aligning the consequences of cross-voting with the principles of the Tenth Schedule.
- Deterrent Measures: Clarifying that cross-voting may constitute grounds for disqualification under the Tenth Schedule could serve as a deterrent against future instances.
Conclusion
- Upholding the principles of free and fair elections requires addressing the challenge of cross-voting in Rajya Sabha elections.
- Judicial intervention and enforcement of existing laws are essential to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and preserving democratic norms.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:
Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in
(a) the matter of creating new All India Services
(b) amending the Constitution
(c) the removal of the government
(d) making cut motions
Post your responses here.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Indian Leopard
Mains level: Read the attached story
In the news
- The Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, released the report on the Status of Leopards in India at New Delhi.
About Indian Leopard
- The Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent.
- These are the smallest of the big cats.
- They are known for their ability to adapt to a variety of habitats.
- They are strong and agile predators that can climb trees and drag their prey up for safety.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
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About the Fifth Cycle of Leopards Estimation
- The fifth cycle leopard population estimation was conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in collaboration with State Forest Departments.
- It covered 18 States of India, and focused on about 70% of the animals’ expected habitat.
- The estimation focused on forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering major tiger conservation landscapes. Non-forested and high Himalayan regions were excluded.
- A comprehensive foot survey spanning 6,41,449 km and camera traps at 32,803 locations resulted in 85,488 photo-captures of leopards, providing valuable insights into their distribution and abundance.
Key Findings
- Population Estimate: India’s leopard population is estimated at 13,874 individuals, signifying stability compared to the 2018 estimate. Notably, this estimation covers 70% of leopard habitat, excluding areas like the Himalayas and semi-arid regions.
- Regional Trends: While Central India witnesses a stable or slightly growing population, regions like the Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains experience a decline. Overall, there’s a 1.08% per annum growth in sampled areas.
- State-wise Distribution: Madhya Pradesh houses the largest population of leopards in the country – 3907 (2018: 3421), followed by Maharashtra (2022: 1985; 2018: 1,690), Karnataka (2022: 1,879 ; 2018: 1,783) and Tamil Nadu (2022: 1,070; 2018: 868).
- Habitats: Tiger Reserves or sites with highest leopard population are, Nagarajunasagar Srisailam (AP), followed by Panna (MP), and Satpura (AP).
- Declining Trends: While Uttarakhand reported a 22% decline in the big cat numbers — reportedly due to poaching and man-animal conflict, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal saw a collective 150% rise to 349 animals.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2012
Q. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
(d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
Post your response here.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Mains level: Hydrogen as a clean fuel
In the news
- Prime Minister has unveiled India’s maiden indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry, a groundbreaking achievement in the country’s maritime sector.
About Harit Nauka Initiative
- In January 2024, the Shipping Ministry unveiled the guidelines for inland vessels.
- As per the guidelines, all states have to make efforts to use green fuels for 50 per cent of inland waterways-based passenger fleets in the next one decade, and 100 per cent by 2045.
- This is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as per the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
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Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry: Key Features
- Design: The 24-meter-long catamaran ferry accommodates up to 50 passengers in its air-conditioned area, constructed with high-quality fiberglass reinforced plastic.
- Manufacture: Manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the vessel will revolutionize water transportation and contribute to India’s green mobility initiatives.
- Propulsion: Powered by a 50-kW Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell and Lithium-Ion Phosphate batteries, the vessel operates with zero emissions and minimal noise, offering enhanced energy efficiency.
- Energy Source: Hydrogen fuel, stored in five cylinders onboard, fuels the vessel’s propulsion system, supplemented by a 3-kW solar panel for additional energy generation.
Operational Mechanism
- Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The vessel utilizes hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity by harnessing the chemical energy of hydrogen, emitting only pure water as a byproduct.
- Continuous Operation: Unlike conventional batteries, hydrogen fuel cells do not require recharging, ensuring continuous operation with uninterrupted fuel and oxygen supply.
Indigenous Development
- Collaborative Effort: Cochin Shipyard Limited spearheaded the vessel’s construction, incorporating indigenous hydrogen fuel cell systems developed by KPIT Technologies and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Labs.
- Early Mover Advantage: India’s pioneering hydrogen fuel cell ferry underscores the nation’s commitment to green technology and positions it as a frontrunner in maritime sustainability.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Roen Olmi Mushroom
Mains level: NA
In the news
- Researchers in Goa have successfully synthesized gold nanoparticles from a wild mushroom species known as Roen Olmi, which is widely consumed as a delicacy in the coastal state.
About Roen Olmi Mushroom
- Species: Roen Olmi belongs to the Termitomyces species and is found growing on termite hills.
- Local Name: Locally known as “roen olmi” in Goa, it is a popular edible wild mushroom enjoyed by the locals, especially during the monsoon season.
- Habitat: Endemic to the Western Ghats, Roen Olmi mushrooms thrive in the thick forest cover and high humidity prevalent in the region.
- Ecological Significance: These mushrooms play a crucial role in forest and grassland ecosystems by converting 50% of dead plant material into nutrient-rich soil. They also possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
- Cultural and Medicinal Value: Roen Olmi mushrooms are valued not only for their nutritional attributes but also for their ethno-medicinal significance in indigenous communities across Asia and Africa.
Implications and Future Directions
- Economic Impact: The breakthrough has significant economic implications, especially in the biomedical and biotechnological sectors, where the demand for gold nanoparticles is expected to rise.
- Environmental Sustainability: Unlike conventional methods that employ toxic chemical agents, the use of Roen Olmi mushrooms offers an eco-friendly approach to mass-producing gold nanoparticles.
- Local Community Benefits: The researchers advocate for the conservation and sustainable use of this valuable resource, emphasizing the importance of sharing benefits with the local community in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2021
In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil?
- Fern
- Lichen
- Moss
- Mushroom
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Post your responses here.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Agalega Island
Mains level: Read the attached story
In the news
- PM Modi in collaboration with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth, inaugurated a series of projects on Mauritius’ Agalega Island.
Agalega Island: A Strategic Location
- Agaléga are two outer islands of Mauritius located in the Indian Ocean, about 1,000 kilometers north of Mauritius island.
- The islands have a total area of 2,600 ha (6,400 acres).
- Notable settlements include Vingt Cinq on the North Island and Sainte Rita on the South Island, serving as primary hubs for residents and economic activities.
Significance of New Airstrip and the Base
- India’s Strategic Presence: The inauguration of a new airstrip and jetty underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its influence in the southwestern Indian Ocean, aligning with its broader strategic objectives.
- Economic Impetus: Agalega Island’s strategic location facilitates trade and connectivity in the Indian Ocean region, enhancing economic opportunities for Mauritius and neighboring countries.
- Trade Security: With a significant portion of India’s trade traversing the Indian Ocean, the development of infrastructure on Agalega Island contributes to safeguarding trade routes and ensuring maritime security.
Benefits for Mauritius
- Developmental support: Historically a slave plantation, North Agalega Island reflects the legacy of colonial exploitation, with its main town, Vingt Cinq, evoking the brutality of slavery.
- Strategic boost: India’s development initiatives aim to ameliorate conditions for the island’s inhabitants, alongside bolstering Mauritian Defence Force operations.
India’s Strategic Imperative
- Counterbalancing Chinese Influence: India’s developmental endeavors on Agalega Island serve as a proactive measure to counter China’s expanding ‘String of Pearls’ strategy, safeguarding its regional interests and sovereignty.
- Enhanced Security Infrastructure: By upgrading security infrastructure, including facilities for surveillance and monitoring, Mauritius strengthens its security apparatus, contributing to overall regional stability and resilience.
- Regional Cooperation: The projects on Agalega Island are aligned with India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy initiative, aimed at fostering regional development and security cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim countries.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Context Windows
Mains level: Recent breakthrough in AI
In the news
- In conversations with AI chatbots like ChatGPT, the text the AI can “see” or “read” at any given moment is determined by its context window.
- The context window, measured in tokens, defines the amount of conversation the AI can process and respond to during a chat session.
What are Context Windows?
- Tokens: Basic units of data processed by AI models, tokens represent words, parts of words, or characters.
- Tokenisation: The process of converting text into vectors (format suitable) for input into machine learning models.
- Example: For English text, one token is roughly equivalent to four characters. Thus, a context window of 32,000 tokens translates to around 128,000 characters.
Importance of Context Windows
- Recall and Understanding: Context windows enable AI models to recall information from earlier in the conversation and understand contextual nuances.
- Generating Responses: They help AI models generate responses that are contextually relevant and human-like in nature.
Functioning of Context Windows
- Sliding Window Approach: Context windows work by sliding a window over the input text, focusing on one word at a time.
- Scope of Information: The size of the context window determines the scope of contextual information assimilated by the AI system.
Context Window Sizes
- Advancements: Recent AI models like GPT-4 Turbo and Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro boast context window sizes of up to 128K tokens and 1 million tokens, respectively.
- Benefits: Larger context windows allow models to reference more information, maintain coherence in longer passages, and generate contextually rich responses.
Challenges and Considerations
- Computational Power: Larger context windows require significant computational power during training and inference, leading to higher hardware costs and energy consumption.
- Repetition and Contradiction: AI models with large context windows may encounter issues such as repeating or contradicting themselves.
- Accessibility: The high resource requirements of large context windows may limit access to advanced AI capabilities to large corporations with substantial infrastructure investments.
Conclusion
- Context windows play a vital role in enabling AI chatbots to engage in meaningful conversations by recalling context and generating relevant responses.
- While larger context windows offer benefits in terms of performance and response quality, they also pose challenges related to computational resources and environmental sustainability.
- Balancing these factors is essential for the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Melanochlamys Droupadi
Mains level: NA
In the news
- The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) announced the discovery of a new marine species, Melanochlamys droupadi, named after the esteemed President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
About Melanochlamys Droupadi
- Geographical Origin: Melanochlamys droupadi was first sighted off the shores of Digha in West Bengal and Udaipur in Odisha, marking its exclusive habitat.
- Distinctive Features: Characterized by its short, blunt cylindrical body and smooth dorsal surface adorned with two unequal shields, this species showcases unique anatomical traits.
- Morphological Identification: The species was meticulously examined for morphological, anatomical, and molecular characteristics, confirming its taxonomic classification within the Melanochlamys genus.
- Physical Attributes: It is a small invertebrate reaching up to 7 mm in length, exhibits a brownish-black hue with a striking ruby red spot.
- Biological nature: It is hermaphroditic (possessing both male and female reproductive organs, structures, and tissue) and predominantly inhabits intertidal zones along sandy beaches.
Habitat and Reproduction
- Ecological Niche: The species is typically found in the intertidal zone, leaving distinctive crawl marks along sandy beaches.
- Reproductive Cycle: Reproduction occurs primarily between November and January, marking a critical phase in the species’ life cycle.
Distribution and Taxonomy
- Indo-Pacific Realm: While species of the Melanochlamys genus are predominantly found in temperate regions of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, Melanochlamys droupadi stands out as a truly tropical species.
- Research Insights: A study conducted by ZSI researchers sheds light on the species’ behavior, highlighting its unique ability to secrete transparent mucus, forming a protective sheath against sand grains.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Mains level: NA
In the news
- The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, has approved the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India.
About the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
- Objective: The IBCA aims to spearhead efforts towards the protection and conservation of the 7 major big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
- Funding: The Government of India has pledged an initial support of Rs. 150 crore for the first five years. Additionally, the alliance will explore contributions from bilateral and multilateral agencies, financial institutions, and donor agencies to augment its corpus.
- Membership: Membership to the alliance will be open to 96 “range” countries, which are nations containing the natural habitat of the seven big cats.
- Activities: The alliance’s activities will include advocacy, partnership building, knowledge dissemination through an e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism promotion, and financial resource mobilization.
Governance Structure
- Composition: The governance structure of IBCA includes a General Assembly comprising all member countries, a Council of elected member countries, and a Secretariat.
- Appointment: The General Assembly appoints the Secretary General of IBCA upon the recommendation of the Council.
- Framework: The alliance’s governance framework, drafted on the lines of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), will be finalised by the International Steering Committee (ISC).
India’s Role in Big Cat Conservation
- Big Cat Diversity: India is home to five of the seven major big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah.
- Conservation Efforts: India has undertaken significant conservation efforts, as reflected in the increase in tiger and lion populations. For instance, India now hosts about 70% of the world’s tiger population, and the Asiatic lion population in Gir National Park has shown steady growth.
- Cheetah Reintroduction: Cheetahs, once extinct in India since 1952, have been reintroduced into the wild. Eight cheetahs were imported from Namibia and released into the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in November 2022.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Mains level: acknowledging waste pickers' crucial role in plastic recycling is imperative for sustainable waste management
Why is it in news?
- On March 1, International Waste Pickers Day, waste pickers across the world will pay homage to fellow pickers who were murdered in Colombia in 1992.
Who are informal waste pickers?
- The International Labour Organization defines the informal sector in waste management as ‘individuals or small and micro-enterprises that intervene in waste management without being registered and without being formally charged with providing waste management services’
Background:
- Informal waste pickers, often overlooked and marginalized, play a crucial but unseen role in India’s waste management systems. They are vital yet often forgotten members of the waste value chain ecosystem, deserving recognition and understanding.
- These workers are the primary collectors of recyclable waste, playing a critical role in waste management and resource efficiency by collecting, sorting, trading and sometimes even reinserting discarded waste back into the economy.
- Yet, they face systemic marginalisation due to non-recognition, non-representation, and exclusion from social security schemes and legal protection frameworks.
What data shows?
- While reliable estimates of informal waste pickers are difficult to come by, the Centre for Science and Environment reported that the informal waste economy employs about 5%–2% of the urban population globally.
- Many are women, children and the elderly, who are often disabled, are the poorest of the urban poor, and face violence and sexual harassment often. The Periodic Labour Force Survey 2017-18 indicates that there are nearly 1.5 million waste pickers within India’s urban workforce, with half a million being women.
Challenges Faced by Waste Pickers
- Work Conditions: Waste pickers labor for 8 to 10 hours daily, collecting 60 kg to 90 kg of waste, often without safety equipment, exposing themselves to hazards.
- Health Issues: They suffer from dermatological and respiratory problems, alongside regular injuries, due to their hazardous work conditions.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Low income, irregular work, and harassment exacerbate their precarious livelihoods, compounded by their subordinate position in the caste hierarchy.
Impact of Private Sector Participation in waste collection
- Exclusion: Private sector involvement in waste management alienates waste pickers, depriving them of their rights and exacerbating their vulnerability.
- Marginalization: As noted by the Alliance of Indian Waste Pickers (AIW) 2023 report, Private actors employ expensive machinery, marginalizing informal waste pickers by offering competitive rates to waste generators, forcing them into hazardous scavenging activities.
- Loss of Rights: Private players and municipal authorities often cordon off dump sites, further limiting waste pickers’ access and exacerbating their vulnerability.
Importance of Waste Pickers in Plastic Management
- Global Contribution: Waste pickers globally collect and recover up to 60% of all plastic waste, contributing significantly to its recycling efforts, as highlighted in the 2022 World Economic Forum report.
- Underappreciated Role: Despite their crucial contribution to sustainable recycling, waste pickers’ work is undervalued, and they struggle to earn a decent livelihood.
- Quantitative Impact: Reports by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Pew state that informal waste pickers collected 27 million metric tonnes of plastic waste in 2016 alone, representing 59% of all plastic material collected for recycling, thereby preventing it from ending up in landfills or oceans.
- Relevance in India’s Context: In India, where per capita plastic waste generation is rising, waste pickers’ role becomes even more critical, especially considering that the country is among the top 12 responsible for 52% of the world’s mismanaged waste, as per a recent CPCB report.
- Harnessing Traditional Knowledge: Waste pickers possess traditional knowledge about waste handling, which could significantly enhance the effectiveness of the EPR system if integrated properly.
- Rethinking EPR Norms: In light of this, there is a need to reconsider the formulation of EPR norms to ensure the inclusion and empowerment of millions of informal waste pickers within the new legal framework.
Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- Objective: EPR aims to enhance plastic waste management by transferring the responsibility of waste management from municipal authorities to commercial waste producers.
- Promises of EPR: EPR holds the potential for social inclusion for waste pickers and other informal grassroots actors by promoting accountability among commercial waste producers.
Analysis of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines
- Stakeholder Identification: The EPR guidelines in India recognize various stakeholders, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), producers, brand owners, industry, industry associations, civil society organizations, and citizens.
- Uncertainty Regarding Inclusion: It remains unclear whether these stakeholders include informal waste pickers or their representing organizations, raising questions about the extent of their involvement in the EPR framework.
- Discrepancies with Solid Waste Management Rules 2016: While the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 mandate the inclusion of waste pickers in municipal solid waste management systems, informal waste pickers are evidently missing in the prioritization within the EPR guidelines.
- Omission in EPR Guidelines 2022: The EPR Guidelines 2022, published by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, have blatantly ignored the role of informal waste pickers in waste management and recycling, further exacerbating their exclusion from the formal waste management framework.
Challenges in Implementation
- Redirection of Waste: Despite its promises, EPR often redirects waste away from the informal sector, posing a threat of large-scale displacement for informal waste pickers.
- Concerns Raised by WIEGO: Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) have noted the potential negative impacts of EPR on informal waste pickers, highlighting the need for careful consideration and mitigation of such effects.
In conclusion, acknowledging waste pickers’ crucial role in plastic recycling is imperative for sustainable waste management. Efforts should focus on integrating them into formal systems like the Extended Producer Responsibility mechanism while addressing their socio-economic vulnerabilities for a more equitable and environmentally sound future.
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