Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: The reason behind the Urbanisation is not a liberating force for Dalits
Why in the News?
The Indian cities have failed with the aspirations and expectations of the Dalit liberation movement in urbanization.
View of Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule on Urbanisation:
- Urbanization as an Opportunity for Dalit Liberation: Both Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule saw urbanization as an opportunity for Dalit liberation. They believed that the systems of caste oppression that were prevalent in Indian villages would weaken in cities.
- City Life as Liberating and Liberal: Phule admired city life for its liberal atmosphere and the opportunity it provided him to earn a living. Similarly, Ambedkar saw cities as places where one could become anonymous, breaking free from the constraints of caste-based identities.
- Transition from Caste to Class: Cities offered the potential for individuals to transition from a caste-based order to a class-based order. In cities, one’s status would be determined more by their accumulation of resources or capital rather than their caste background.
|
Why Urbanisation is not a liberating force for Dalits?
- Extension of Caste in City: The logic of purity-pollution extends to the broader urban environment, where Dalits carry the stigma of their ghettoized identity into public spaces. This perpetuates the association of Dalit identity with impurity and reinforces caste-based discrimination.
- Meat as impure by the State: Governments impose Brahminical regulations on public spaces, reinforcing the perception of meat as impure. For example, it includes Regulations on meat shops and bans on meat-based street food in certain areas, often justified by citing religious sentiments.
- Secular and Religious Spaces: The state’s regulations to maintain purity in both secular and religious public spaces, even extending to what pedestrians can visually encounter.
- Poor Sanitation: A large-scale study also found that public services and access to Municipal Infrastructure such as clean drinking water are the worst in Dalit and Muslim ghettos
- Issue of Sacrifice Zone: Research in sacrifice zones regions marked for severe environmental pollution such as landfills shows that such areas are overwhelmingly inhabited by Dalits and Muslims.
- Statistics: A recent report by the ‘Housing and Land Rights Network’ on forced evictions in India also shows that Dalits and Muslims are the most impacted by slum demolition drives.
Suggestive Measures:
- Community Empowerment: Empower Dalit and Muslim communities through grassroots initiatives, community organizations, and advocacy groups.
- Awareness and Sensitization: Conduct awareness campaigns and sensitization programs aimed at challenging caste-based stereotypes and prejudices in urban society.
- Infrastructure Development: Prioritize investment in infrastructure development in Dalit and Muslim ghettos to improve access to basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education.
Conclusion: Urbanization hasn’t fulfilled Dalit liberation hopes. Ambedkar and Phule envisioned cities as liberating, but caste persists. Measures include community empowerment, awareness campaigns, and infrastructure development to combat discrimination and improve living conditions.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Reasons behind the Fertility levels dropping below one in many Asian nations
Why in the News?
Many countries in East and Southeast Asia are in the middle of a population crisis, with fewer births every year and record-low fertility rates.
- In March this year, several hospitals in China stopped offering newborn delivery services due to declining demand.
What is TFR?
Total Fertility Rate is a measure used in demography to represent the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime. |
TFR of Asian countries and India and Comparison with others:
Reasons behind the Fertility levels dropping below one in many Asian nations:
- Family Planning Measures: Countries like South Korea and Singapore have implemented stringent family planning policies, limiting the number of children couples are encouraged to have. For example, South Korea’s slogan in the 1980s, “Even two children per family are too many for our crowded country,” reflects the emphasis on controlling population growth.
- Career Opportunities for Women: With more opportunities for women to pursue careers, there has been a shift in priorities away from having children.
- Declining Marriage Rates: Dropping marriage rates contribute to lower fertility rates, as marriage traditionally correlates with childbearing. As fewer people get married or delay marriage, the window for childbearing narrows.
- Cost of Raising Children: The rising cost of raising a child is cited as a deterrent to having larger families. Financial considerations such as education, healthcare, and housing expenses may dissuade couples from having more children.
- Ideal fertility rate: The ideal fertility rate for a population to remain stable, assuming no immigration or emigration, is 2.1 children per woman. This rate is known as the replacement rate, and it ensures that each generation will replace itself.
Suggestive Measures to maintain an ideal Fertility Rate:
- Supporting Work-Life Balance: Implement policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible work schedules, parental leave, and affordable childcare, to encourage individuals to have children while pursuing their careers.
- Financial Incentives: Offer financial incentives or subsidies for families to alleviate the financial burden of raising children, making it more feasible for individuals to start families.
- Education and Awareness: Provide education and awareness programs on the benefits of having children at a younger age and the importance of family planning to help individuals make informed decisions about their fertility.
- Healthcare Support: Improve healthcare services related to fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth to ensure a safe and supportive environment for individuals considering starting a family.
Conclusion: Declining fertility rates in Asian nations prompt a population crisis due to stringent family planning, women’s career opportunities, declining marriage rates, and high child-raising costs. Need to take measures include work-life balance policies, financial incentives, education, and healthcare improvements to maintain an ideal fertility rate.
Mains PYQ
Q Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the mains cause of population increase in India.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Iran and Israel
Mains level: Middle East countries; Iran and Israel
Why in the news?
Iran has said that its April 12 attacks on Israel were in response to Israeli war jets targeting an Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month, leading to the death of its senior military commanders.
Context:
-
- The Iran-Israel relationship has not always been as fraught as it is today. Iran was one of the first countries in the region to recognise Israel after its formation in 1948. It was only after 1979 that their diplomatic ties ended.
- Iran–Israel Relations: This can be studied through four major phases:
-
- Ambivalent (1947-1953);
- Friendly (1953-1979);
- Worsening (1979-1990);
- Open Hostility (1991-present);
1953 to 1979 Iran–Israel Relations:
- From 1953 to 1979, during the rule of the Pahlavi dynasty in Iran, the relationship between Iran and Israel was relatively friendly.
- Iran recognized Israel as a sovereign state in 1950, making it the second Muslim-majority country to do so after Turkey.
- Despite occasional tensions, Iran and Israel engaged in significant economic, political, and military cooperation during this period. This cooperation extended to various sectors and included joint projects.
- Iran supported Israel during conflicts with Arab nations, indicating a level of alignment in their geopolitical interests.
- One notable joint project between Iran and Israel was the construction of the Trans-Israel oil pipeline, showcasing the depth of their cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere.
Post 1979 Iran–Israel Relations:
- After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran became a religious state, with a significant shift in its foreign policy and worldview.
- Iran, under the new regime, viewed Israel as an occupier of Palestinian land and referred to it as “Little Satan.” This represented a significant departure from the previous regime’s stance.
- Iran, under Ayatollah Khomeini, also labeled the United States as the “Great Satan” and saw both Israel and the US as interfering in the region’s affairs.
- Iran sought to expand its influence in the region, challenging traditional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Israel, both of which were US allies.
- Initially at odds with pan-Arabism championed by leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser, Iran’s relations with Arab countries, such as Egypt, warmed after Nasser died in 1970.
- The signing of an accord between Iran and Iraq in 1975, which included Iran’s agreement to cease support for Kurdish-Iraqi separatists, led to a temporary easing of hostility between the two nations.
- These shifts in Iran’s foreign policy and its improved relations with neighboring countries, as well as Iraq, led to a decrease in Israel’s strategic importance to Iran.
India’s Stance:
- India’s Neutral Stance: India has adopted a neutral stance on the conflict between Iran and Israel, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the region.
- Strategic Partnership with Israel: Despite its neutral stance, India maintains a strategic partnership with Israel, characterized by significant military and economic ties, including a substantial trade volume of around $7.5 billion.
- Cultural and Linguistic Ties with Iran: India also has cultural and linguistic ties with Iran, along with strategic economic interests, such as the Chabahar port project, which connects India to Central Asia through Iran.
- Focus on Citizen Safety: India’s primary focus amidst the escalating conflict is ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, with approximately 10,000 Indian nationals in Iran and an additional 18,000 in Israel.
Conclusion: Iran-Israel ties, once friendly, soured post-1979 due to Iran’s religious revolution. India maintains neutrality, balancing strategic partnerships with both nations while prioritizing citizen safety amid escalating tensions.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Jim Corbett National Park
Mains level: Key points related the judgment
Why in the news?
In its March ruling, the Supreme Court highlighted the corrupt collaboration between politicians, forest officials, and local contractors that led to the illegal felling of 6,000 trees in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
Key points related the judgment
- Shift from Anthropocentrism to Eco-centrism: The Supreme Court emphasized the need for an eco-centric approach rather than anthropocentrism in ecotourism management.
- Ban on Tiger Safaris in Core Areas: : The court disagreed with the 2019 guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) permitting tiger safaris on the lines of a zoo in national parks, The court directed the banning of tiger safaris in core areas of national parks, aiming to minimize environmental damage and disturbance to wildlife habitats.
- Committee Formation for Feasibility Study: A committee was constituted to explore the feasibility of permitting tiger safaris in peripheral areas of national parks across India, indicating a cautious approach towards balancing tourism with conservation goals.
What the court missed
Absence of Well-Defined Methodology: The court’s decision to recover the cost of restoration from errant individuals and officers lacks a well-defined methodology, making it challenging to accurately assess the damage done to the green cover of Jim Corbett.
Suggestive measures
- Need for Ecosystem Services-Based Valuation: In light of growing degradation of biodiversity hotspots and support for revenue-generating eco-tourism, there is a need for a valuation method based on ecosystem services, which includes benefits like food, water, and climate regulation.
- Precedent on Ecosystem Services: The court could have set a precedent by prioritizing ecosystem services over eco-tourism or highlighting the need for a precise law and policy regarding ecosystem services, which play a crucial role in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
- Reference to International Court of Justice (ICJ) Ruling: The reasoning provided by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Costa Rica v. Nicaragua (2018) regarding the compensability of damage to the environment could have been used to better understand methodologies for evaluating environmental damage and loss of ecosystem services
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s ruling on Jim Corbett underscores a shift towards eco-centric ecotourism management, banning tiger safaris in core areas. However, the absence of a clear restoration methodology and the need for ecosystem services-based valuation remain unaddressed, suggesting room for improvement.
Mains PYQ
Q How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (UPSC IAS/2018)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Geroscience, DNA Methylation
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- Dr. Daniel Belsky from Columbia University introduced the concept of “Geroscience” and develops a blood test, termed “gerozyme,” to measure aging pace by studying DNA methylation.
- Various research groups explore drugs like Metformin and Rapamycin to target aging and enhance immunity in the elderly.
What is Geroscience?
- Geroscience refers to the interdisciplinary field focused on understanding the biological mechanisms of ageing and age-related diseases.
- It involves studying various factors, including DNA methylation, enzyme activity (such as the gerozyme), socio-economic influences, and lifestyle interventions like nutrition, exercise, and music therapy.
- It aims to develop strategies, such as drug interventions targeting specific ageing-related processes, to promote healthy ageing and combat age-related conditions like dementia.
What is DNA Methylation?
- DNA Methylation is a process in which methyl groups (CH3) are added to the DNA molecule.
- This modification typically occurs at cytosine bases within the DNA sequence, often in the context of CpG dinucleotides (where cytosine is followed by guanine).
- DNA methylation plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and maintaining genome stability.
- It can affect various cellular processes, including embryonic development, X-chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, and silencing of repetitive DNA elements.
- Aberrant DNA methylation patterns have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders.
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Drug Interventions in Geroscience
- Metformin and TORC1 inhibitors show promise in targeting aging and improving immune response in seniors.
- Research proposes rapamycin’s potential in extending longevity and combating age-related diseases.
Impact of Socio-Economic Factors in Ageing
- Dr. Belsky’s research reveals the influence of socioeconomic status on DNA methylation levels, highlighting the role of disadvantage in ageing.
- Columbia Aging Centre emphasizes the role of a balanced diet in supporting brain health and reducing inflammation.
- Healthline.com advocates for proteins, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich foods to promote healthy ageing, crucial for India’s ageing population.
PYQ:
[2011] At present, scientists can determine the arrangement or relative positions of genes or DNA sequences on a chromosome. How does this knowledge benefit us?
- It is possible to know the pedigree of livestock.
- It is possible to understand the causes of all human diseases.
- It is possible to develop disease-resistant animal breeds.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lachit Borphukan, Ahom Kingdom, Treaty of Yandaboo
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- The Statue of Valour, depicting Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, has become a significant landmark in Meleng-Hollongapar, Jorhat in Assam.
- The 125-foot statue commemorates Lachit Borphukan’s leadership in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.
Ahom Kingdom (1228–1826)
- Establishment: Founded in 1228 in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam by Chaolung Sukapha.
- Duration: Retained sovereignty for 600 years until annexed by British India in 1826 (Treaty of Yandaboo).
- Resistance: Despite facing the Mughal Empire’s power, the Ahom Kingdom remained unconquered.
- Political Structure: Established a new state by supressing the older system of bhuiyans (landlords).
- Labor System: Relied on forced labor known as paiks for state functions.
- Social Organization: Society divided into clans or khels, embracing Hinduism and Assamese language alongside tribal beliefs.
- Cultural Patronage: Supported poets, scholars, and theater; translated Sanskrit texts into local language; composed historical chronicles called buranjis.
- Military Strategy: King served as supreme commander; core army comprised of paiks; mastered guerrilla warfare and surprise attacks.
- Key Forts: Included Chamdhara, Saraighat, and Simlagarh, strategically crucial for defense.
- River Expertise: Mastered construction of boat bridges on the Brahmaputra River.
- Legacy: Ahom Kingdom’s military prowess, cultural patronage, and political organization left a lasting impact on Assam’s history.
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Who was Lachit Borphukan?
- Lachit Borphukan was a legendary military commander from the northeastern region of India, specifically from the state of Assam. Here are some facts related to him:
|
Description |
| Timeline |
1622-1672 |
| Dynasty |
Ahom Dynasty |
| Mughal Threat |
Faced the Mughal Empire’s expansion into Assam |
| Battle of Saraighat |
- Led Ahom forces to victory against the Mughals in 1671;
- Defended Assam against the Aurangzeb’s forces led by Ram Singh.
|
| Leadership |
Known for strategic brilliance and guerrilla tactics |
| Legacy |
Revered as a symbol of Assamese pride and resistance |
| Recognition |
- INS Lachit: Indian Navy’s guided-missile destroyer named in honor;
- Lachit Divas: Celebrated annually on November 24th in Assam;
- Lachit Borphukan Medal: Awarded to the best cadet from the National Defence. Academy (NDA, Pune).
|
PYQ:
[2015] Who among the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?
(a) Amoghavarsha I
(b) Ballala II
(c) Harihara I
(d) Prataparudra II |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mahad (Chavdar Lake) Satyagraha, Annihilation of Caste etc.
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
The Mahad Satyagraha is hailed as the foundational event of the Dalit movement, marking the community’s collective rejection of the caste system and assertion of human rights.
About Mahad Satyagraha
- The Mahad Satyagraha, also known as Chavdar Tale (Lake) Satyagraha, was led by B. R. Ambedkar on 20 March 1927 in Mahad, Raigad District of Maharashtra.
- Its aim was to assert the right of untouchables to use water from a public tank.
- Background:
- Untouchables (Dalits) were segregated in Indian society and banned from using public water bodies and roads used by other Hindu castes.
- In August 1923, the Bombay Legislative Council passed a resolution allowing depressed classes to use government-maintained places, but it faced opposition from savarna Hindus.
- In January 1924, Mahad passed a resolution in its municipal council to enforce the act but failed to implement it due to protests.
- Satyagraha:
- In 1927, Ambedkar launched a satyagraha to assert untouchables’ rights to use water in public places.
- Mahad was chosen for the event due to its support from ‘caste Hindus’.
- Surendranath Tipnis, president of the Mahad municipality, invited Ambedkar to hold a meeting there.
- Ambedkar drank water from the tank, followed by thousands of untouchables.
- He encouraged Dalit women to abandon customs of untouchability and wear saris like high-caste women, which they embraced.
- A riot erupted over rumors of Ambedkar planning to enter a Hindu temple, and the tank was purified with cow-urine and cow-dung.
- Ambedkar planned a second conference in Mahad in December 1927 but faced legal obstacles due to a case filed by caste Hindus.
- On 25 December 1937, the Bombay High Court ruled that untouchables have the right to use water from the tank.
- Legacy:
- On 19 March 1940, Ambedkar arranged a rally in Mahad to commemorate the Satyagraha as “Empowerment Day.”
Back2Basics: Key Initiatives and Movements Led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
| Initiative |
Location |
Objective |
| Temple Entry Movement (1920s-1930s) |
Various Locations |
Advocating for the right of Dalits to enter Hindu temples. |
| Mahad Satyagraha (Chavdar Tale Satyagraha) |
Mahad, Maharashtra |
Asserting the rights of untouchables to use water from a public tank. |
| Kalaram Mandir Movement (1930) |
Nashik, Maharashtra |
Demanding temple entry rights for Dalits at the Kalaram Mandir. |
| Annihilation of Caste (1936) |
– |
Publication of “Annihilation of Caste,” advocating for the abolition of the caste system. |
| Formation of Independent Dalit Political Party (Independent Labour Party) (1936) |
– |
Addressing the political concerns and aspirations of Dalits. |
| Push for Separate Electorate by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1932) |
India |
Advocating for separate electorates for Dalits to ensure their political representation and empowerment. |
| Legal Advocacy (1940s-1950s) |
– |
Drafting of the Hindu Code Bills, contribution to the framing of the Indian Constitution. |
| Conversion to Buddhism (1956) |
Nagpur, Maharashtra |
Symbolizing a rejection of the caste system through mass conversion ceremony to Buddhism. |
PYQ:
[2018] Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?
(a) Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement
(b) Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement
(c) Joining of peasant unrest to India’s National Movement
(d) Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- The recent gathering of major funders and promoters of the carbon offsets market in London raised concerns about the role of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in limiting the market’s growth.
- SBTi’s stringent criteria for net-zero plans have made it a gold standard in emissions accountability, but some argue it hinders the potential of carbon offsets in combating climate change.
What is Carbon Offset?
- A carbon offset broadly refers to a reduction in GHG emissions – or an increase in carbon storage (e.g., through land restoration or the planting of trees) – that is used to compensate for emissions that occur elsewhere.
- A carbon offset credit is a transferrable instrument certified by governments or independent certification bodies to represent an emission reduction of one metric tonne of CO2, or an equivalent amount of other GHGs.
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What is Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)?
- The SBTi is a collaborative effort spearheaded by four international organizations:
- Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP),
- United Nations Global Compact (UNGC),
- World Resources Institute (WRI), and
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
- The SBTi focuses on assisting companies in setting ambitious and scientifically sound greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets.
|
Details |
| Purpose |
To drive ambitious corporate action on climate change by providing a framework for setting science-based targets aligned with the Paris Agreement goals. |
| Launch Year |
2015 |
| Founding Organizations |
- Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP),
- United Nations Global Compact (UNGC),
- World Resources Institute (WRI), and
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
|
| Methodologies |
SBTi offers guidelines and methodologies for companies to set targets that are consistent with the latest climate science and contribute to limiting global warming. |
| Global Reach |
Engages with companies worldwide, collaborating with partners across sectors, regions, and industries to promote adoption of science-based targets. |
| Recognition |
- Recognized as a leading platform for corporate climate action;
- Companies comply to set science-based targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
- Updates and refines its methodologies and verification processes to reflect advances in climate science and best practices in emissions reduction.
|
PYQ:
[2021] The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, Supported by UNEP, had been developed for:
(a) Assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world.
(b) Enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading.
(c) Enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries.
(d) Assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time. |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Index of Industrial Production (IIP), Core Industries etc.
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased by 5.7% in February, up from 3.8% in January, according to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
What is Index of Industrial Production (IIP)?
- IIP as it is commonly called is an index that tracks overall manufacturing activity in different sectors of an economy.
- It is currently calculated using 2011-2012 as the base year.
- It is compiled and published by Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) every month.
- CSO operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Components of IIP:
- Three broad sectors in IIP:
- Manufacturing (77.6%),
- Mining (14.4%)
- Electricity (8%).
- Electricity, crude oil, coal, cement, steel, refinery products, natural gas, and fertilizers are the eight core industries that comprise about 40 per cent of the weight of items included in the IIP.
Basket of products:
There are 6 sub-categories:
- Primary Goods (consisting of mining, electricity, fuels and fertilisers)
- Capital Goods (e.g. machinery items)
- Intermediate Goods (e.g. yarns, chemicals, semi-finished steel items, etc)
- Infrastructure Goods (e.g. paints, cement, cables, bricks and tiles, rail materials, etc)
- Consumer Durables (e.g. garments, telephones, passenger vehicles, etc)
- Consumer Non-durables (e.g. food items, medicines, toiletries, etc)
Who uses IIP data?
- The factory production data (IIP) is used by various government agencies such as the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), private firms and analysts, among others for analytical purposes.
- The data is also used to compile the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the manufacturing sector in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on a quarterly basis.
IIP base year change:
- The base year was changed to 2011-12 from 2004-05 in the year 2017.
- The earlier base years were 1937, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1960, 1970, 1980-81, 1993-94 and 2004-05.
What are the Core Industries in India?
- The main or the key industries constitute the core sectors of an economy.
- In India, there are eight sectors that are considered the core sectors.
- They are electricity, steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilizers.
About Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)
- The monthly Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is a production volume index.
- ICI measures collective and individual performance of production in selected eight core industries: Coal (10%), Crude Oil (8.98%), Natural Gas (6.88%), Refinery Products (28.04%), Fertilizers (2.63%), Steel (17.92%), Cement (5.37%), and Electricity (20.18%).
- Prior to the 2004-05 series six core industries namely Coal, Cement, Finished Steel, Electricity, Crude petroleum and Refinery products constituted the index basket.
- Two more industries i.e. Fertilizer and Natural Gas were added to the index basket in 2004-05 series. The ICI series with base 2011-12 will continue to have eight core industries.
Components covered in these eight industries for compilation of index are as follows:
- Coal – Coal Production excluding Coking coal.
- Crude Oil – Total Crude Oil Production.
- Natural Gas – Total Natural Gas Production.
- Refinery Products – Total Refinery Production (in terms of Crude Throughput).
- Fertilizer – Urea, Ammonium Sulphate (A/S), Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN), Ammonium chloride (A/C), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Complex Grade Fertilizer and Single superphosphate (SSP).
- Steel – Production of Alloy and Non-Alloy Steel only.
- Cement – Production of Large Plants and Mini Plants.
- Electricity – Actual Electricity Generation of Thermal, Nuclear, Hydro, imports from Bhutan.
|
How is IIP different from ICI?
- IIP is compiled and published monthly by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation six weeks after the reference month ends.
- However, ICI is compiled and released by Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), and Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- The Eight Core Industries comprise nearly 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). These are Electricity, steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilisers.
PYQ:
[2015] In the Index of Eight Core Industries, which one of the following is given the highest weight?
(a) Coal Production
(b) Electricity generation
(c) Fertilizer Production
(d) Steel Production |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Rowlatt Act, Hunter Commission
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
On April 13, 1919, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered British troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, leaving a deep scar on India’s collective memory.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
- Background: Protesting the contentious Rowlatt Act
- The act officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919 was passed in 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council.
- It had authorized the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities.
- It also authorized the government to detain such people arrested for up to 2 years without trial.
- It empowered the police to search a place without a warrant. It also placed severe restrictions on the freedom of the press.
- The primary intention of colonial govt. was to repress the growing nationalist movement in the country.
- The British were also afraid of a Ghadarite Revolution in Punjab and the rest of the country.
- The day
- The massacre took place on 13 April 1919 when troops of the British Indian Army (Gurkha and Sikh infantry regiments) under the command of Col. Reginald Dyer fired rifles into a crowd of Indians.
- The civilians had assembled for a peaceful protest to condemn the arrest and deportation of two national leaders, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew.
- Dyer without warning ordered his troops to fire at the unarmed crowd which included children as well.
- The indiscriminate firing went on for about 10 minutes which resulted in the deaths of at least 1000 people and injured more than 1500 people.
- Aftermath
- In protest against the massacre, Rabindranath Tagore gave up his knighthood.
- Gandhiji relinquished his title ‘Kaiser-e-hind’ bestowed on him by the British for his services during the Boer War in South Africa.
- Michael O’Dwyer, the then Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, who had approved the actions of Dyer, was assassinated by Udham Singh in London in 1940 as revenge against the massacre.
- The heroic treatment of Dyer’s heinous act again set a benchmark of colonial arrogance.
Hunter Commission for Inquiry
- In October 1919 the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, ordered the formation of a committee of inquiry into the events in Punjab.
- Referred to as the Disorders Inquiry Committee, it was later more widely known as the Hunter Commission (Not to be confused with Hunter Education Commission).
- The commission inquiry was concluded without any significant conclusion.
- Still, there are long-standing demands in India that Britain should apologize for the massacre.
PYQ:
[2012] The Rowlatt Act aimed at:
(a) Compulsory economic support to war efforts
(b) Imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial
(c) Suppression of the Khilafat Movement
(d) Imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press |
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