From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to Sri Lankan Tamils
Why in the news?
Over 45% of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu’s rehabilitation camps were born in India, per a recent interim report by a State government panel.
Causes of Tamilian Displacement
Ethnocentric Violence: The primary cause of displacement was the ethnocentric violence in Sri Lanka, particularly against the Tamil population. The violence led to significant loss of life and property, forcing Tamils to flee for their safety.
Proximity and Linguistic Commonality: Many Tamils chose India, particularly Tamil Nadu, due to its geographical proximity and the shared Tamil language, making it a more accessible and familiar refuge.
Government Initiatives
Provision of Basic Amenities: Refugees receive free housing, electricity, water, and monthly food rations. Additionally, they get a monthly cash dole.
Educational Support: Access to government schools is provided, along with a monthly stipend of ₹1,000 for those pursuing higher education. One-time educational support includes ₹12,000 for arts and science students and ₹50,000 for engineering students.
Welfare Schemes: Refugees are eligible for various welfare schemes available to the people of Tamil Nadu, including the women’s rights scheme providing ₹1,000 per month.
New Housing: Recently, the Government of Tamil Nadu has constructed new homes for about 5,000 Sri Lankan Tamils.
Renaming Camps: In an effort to destigmatise, the refugee camps were renamed as Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation Camps in a government order dated October 28, 2021.
Bringing Back Dignity
Educational Achievements: The welfare schemes have led to 100% school enrollment and over 4,500 graduates from the camps.
Breaking Caste Barriers: As refugees, Sri Lankan Tamils are categorized under the Refugee category, which has helped in break free from caste barriers.
Government Recognition: The renaming of refugee camps to Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation Camps is a step towards restoring the dignity of the displaced population.
Advocacy and Support: Continuous advocacy by organizations like OfERR, support from donors, and political parties have facilitated the patronage extended by the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Government of India.
Potential for Future Contribution: The transformation of refugees into resource persons capable of contributing to nation-building when they return to Sri Lanka.
Current Challenges
Legal Limitations: Indian laws currently do not permit local integration by granting citizenship to Sri Lankan refugees.
Economic and Health Crises: The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka have slowed down the process of refugees returning to their homeland.
Uncertain Future: Despite the improvements in their living conditions and dignity, Sri Lankan Tamils in India continue to live with uncertainty about their long-term future.
Way forward:
Amend Legal Frameworks: Advocate for amendments in Indian laws to allow for local integration and citizenship for long-term refugees, providing them with a secure legal status and equal rights.
Strengthen Economic Opportunities: Develop targeted economic empowerment programs, including vocational training and employment initiatives, to enhance self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on state support, ensuring a sustainable livelihood for the refugees.
Mains PYQ:
Q ‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (UPSC IAS/2022)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Rohingya and Tibetan issue
Why in the news?
International attention is urgently needed to address the worsening mental health crisis among Rohingya refugees in India.
About Rohingya Sufferings
Trauma and Mental Health: Rohingya refugees in Delhi experience severe trauma, including anxiety, dissociative episodes, and depression, often due to past experiences in Myanmar and ongoing re-traumatization from living conditions and violence in India.
Living Conditions: Rohingya refugees live in shanty-like huts prone to accidental and intentionally set fires, leading to constant fear and re-traumatization.
Discrimination and Legal Status: Officially labelled as “illegal immigrants,” Rohingya refugees face severe discrimination in India. They are denied full access to education, healthcare, legal services, and formal employment opportunities.
Detention and Deportation: Fear of arbitrary detention and deportation is widespread, despite many having UNHCR refugee cards. At least 500 Rohingya, including women and children, are detained in centres across India without criminal charges, some for decades.
Civil Society and Funding: Civil society organizations working with Rohingya refugees face funding challenges due to cancelled FCRA licenses. Many support programs have shut down or reduced operations, leaving few UNHCR-supported organizations to cautiously continue their work.
About unsolved Tibetan issue
The Tibetan issue in India is a complex and contentious topic with historical, cultural, and political implications.
Historical Background
Pre-20th Century: Tibet recognized itself as an autonomous nation under Chinese protection, while China claimed formal incorporation into its borders during the Yuan Dynasty.
20th Century: The relationship between Tibet and China became increasingly strained, culminating in the 1950 Chinese invasion of Tibet and the subsequent annexation of the region.
Ongoing Challenges
Tibetan Independence Movement: The Tibetan independence movement continues to push for greater autonomy and recognition of Tibet as a sovereign nation.
Chinese Censorship and Suppression: The Chinese government maintains strict control over information and suppresses any dissent or opposition to its rule in Tibet.
Current Situation
Declining Refugee Numbers: Over the last seven years, the Tibetan refugee community in India has dropped by 44 percent, from around 150,000 in 2011 to 85,000, according to Indian government data.
Economic Uncertainty: Many Tibetans face economic uncertainty due to limited job opportunities and restrictions on property ownership and bank credit.
Lack of Recognition: Tibetans are not officially recognized as refugees in India, instead being designated as “foreigners” under Indian law.
No National Refugee Law: India has no national refugee law, and its policies are not in accordance with international standards.
Way forward:
Implement National Refugee Law: Advocate for the establishment of a comprehensive national refugee law in India that aligns with international standards, ensuring legal recognition, protection, and access to basic rights and services for all refugees, including Rohingya and Tibetans.
Enhance Mental Health Support: Develop and fund specialized mental health programs for refugees, focusing on trauma-informed care. This includes training local healthcare providers, increasing access to mental health services, and creating safe spaces for refugees to receive consistent psychological support.
Mains PYQ:
Q Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face persecution or human right violation”. Examine the statement with reference to the ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with an open society. (UPSC IAS/2021)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Data related to Low snow persistence
Mains level: Role of climate change in low levels of snowmelt this year
Why in the news?
In 2024, the Hindu Kush Himalaya snow update from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reported that the Ganga River basin, India’s largest, experienced its lowest recorded snow persistence.
What does the report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development highlight?
Record Low Snow Persistence: The Ganga River basin, along with the Brahmaputra and Indus basins, reached record low snow persistence in 2024.
Significant Declines: The Ganga basin recorded its lowest snow persistence in 22 years, 17% below the long-term historical average. The Brahmaputra basin was 14.6% below normal, and the Indus basin fell 23.3% below normal.
Broader Impacts: Similar low snow persistence was recorded in the Amu Darya and Helmand river basins, significantly below normal levels.
How important is snow persistence?
Water Supply: Snow persistence, the fraction of time snow is on the ground, is crucial as its melt provides significant water to streams and ecosystems.
Runoff Contribution: Snowmelt contributes 23% of the runoff to the HKH region’s 12 major river basins, supporting nearly one-fourth of the world’s population.
Regional Significance: The HKH mountains, known as the “water towers of Asia,” are vital for 10 major river systems, including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus, which are essential freshwater sources for millions.
How much of a role does climate change play in river basins receiving low levels of snowmelt this year?
Weak Western Disturbances: Lower persistence in 2024 was primarily due to weak Western disturbances, which are low-pressure systems bringing rain and snow to the HKH region.
Global Warming Effects: Climate change and global warming destabilize weather patterns, exacerbating prolonged La Niña–El Niño conditions, and influencing the arrival and intensity of western disturbances.
High Sea-Surface Temperatures: Persistently high sea-surface temperatures in the regions where western disturbances originate disrupt their formation, leading to reduced snowfall.
Changed the weather system: The pattern of high temperatures and altered weather systems explains both the record low snow persistence in 2024 and similar historical records.
Way forward:
Integrated Water Management: Develop comprehensive water management plans that incorporate predictions of reduced snowmelt. This includes optimising reservoir operations, prioritising water allocation, and implementing efficient irrigation practices to mitigate water scarcity risks.
Transboundary Collaboration: Foster regional cooperation among countries sharing river basins affected by declining snow persistence. Develop joint strategies for sustainable water management, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation. This includes sharing hydrological data, coordinating emergency responses, and implementing mutual benefit agreements.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Strengthen efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions at local, national, and international levels. Promote renewable energy sources and sustainable practices to curb global warming, thereby stabilising weather patterns crucial for snowfall.
Mains PYQ:
Q Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (15) (UPSC IAS/2017)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Legalisation of same-sex marriage in Asian countries
Why in the News?
On Tuesday, June 18, the Marriage Equality Billwas approved by the Thai Senate, the upper house of Thailand’s National Assembly, with overwhelming support.
What does the Bill entail?
Gender-Neutral Language: The bill replaces gender-specific terms such as “husbands” and “wives” in Thai marriage laws with gender-neutral terms like “spouse” and “person”. This change allows any two individuals, regardless of their gender, to marry each other.
Equal Rights: Same-sex couples will have the same rights as heterosexual couples in various legal and practical aspects, including:
Adoption rights: Same-sex couples can adopt children.
Inheritance rights: They are entitled to inherit property from their spouses.
Tax benefits: They will receive similar tax benefits as heterosexual married couples.
Legal decision-making: They can make legal decisions on behalf of their spouses, such as consenting to medical treatment.
Recognition and Protection: The bill ensures that same-sex marriages are legally recognised and protected, providing stability and legal security to LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand.
Public Support: The bill’s passage reflects growing societal acceptance and support for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand. Public opinion has been largely positive, with significant cross-party support in the Thai Senate and lower house of the National Assembly.
What about other Asian countries?
Criminalization: Many Asian countries, beyond those mentioned (Thailand, Taiwan, Nepal), still criminalize same-sex sexual activity. This includes countries like Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, where laws derived from colonial-era penal codes often penalize homosexuality with imprisonment or fines.
Lack of Legal Recognition: Most Asian nations do not legally recognizesame-sex marriages or partnerships.
Even in countries where same-sex relations are not explicitly criminalized, there is often no legal framework for marriage or civil unions for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Legal Battles: In countries like India, legal battles continue as activists seek to overturn discriminatory laws and secure legal recognition for same-sex relationships, including marriage.
International Pressure: International human rights organizations and diplomatic efforts sometimes exert pressure on Asian governments to improve LGBTQ+ rights. However, progress is often slow and faces strong domestic resistance.
Note: Currently, same-sex marriage is legal in 36 countries (not including Thailand) globally, according to LGBTQ+ rights advocacy Human Rights Campaign.
Way forward:
Legal Challenges and Reform: Support ongoing legal challenges in courts across Asia to overturn discriminatory laws and promote legal recognition of same-sex relationships. This includes advocating for legislative reforms that protect LGBTQ+ rights, including the recognition of same-sex marriages or civil unions.
International Pressure and Diplomacy: Encourage international human rights bodies, governments, and diplomatic missions to engage with Asian countries diplomatically, urging them to uphold international human rights standards, including LGBTQ+ rights.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Nalanda Mahavihara, University
Why in the News?
The Prime Minister has inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University, an international institution located near the ancient ruins of Nalanda in Rajgir, Bihar.
Revival of Nalanda University
The idea to revive Nalanda University was proposed by former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in 2006, leading to the passing of the Nalanda University Bill in 2010.
The university’s revival was operationally launched in 2014 from a temporary location.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee laid the foundation stone for the permanent campus in 2016, with construction starting in 2017 and culminating in today’s inauguration.
The Parliament established the university following decisions from the second East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2007 and the fourth EAS in 2009.
International Collaboration and Courses
Nalanda University has participation from 17 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, and others, which have signed MoUs to support the university.
It offers 137 scholarships to international students, sponsored by the ASEAN-India Fund, BIMSTEC, and Bhutan’s Ministry of External Affairs.
The university provides postgraduate and doctoral research courses, as well as short-term certificate courses.
Historical Background
Nalanda University was established in the 5th century CE in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar) and was the world’s first residential university.
Establishment and Patronage:
The Gupta dynasty, under Emperor Kumaragupta I, established Nalanda University in 427 AD, promoting it as a premier center for Buddhist scholarship.
It received substantial endowments from monarchs like King Harsha and rulers of the Pala Empire, enhancing its stature and influence across Asia.
Countries: It attracted scholars from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.
Subjects taught included medicine, Ayurveda, Buddhism, mathematics, grammar, astronomy, and Indian philosophy.
The university thrived under the patronage of the Pala dynasty during the 8th and 9th centuries CE and made significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy.
Aryabhatta, a pioneer of Indian mathematics and the inventor of zero, was one of the esteemed educators at Nalanda.
Admission and Academic Rigor
Admission to Nalanda was highly competitive, akin to today’s top institutions like IIT, IIM, or Ivy League schools.
Students underwent rigorous interviews and were mentored by scholars and Buddhist masters like Dharmapala and Silabhadra.
The university’s library, known as ‘Dharma Gunj’ or the ‘Mountain of Truth,’ contained 9 million handwritten palm-leaf manuscripts, making it the richest repository of Buddhist knowledge.
Destruction and Rediscovery
In the 1190s, Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turko-Afghan military general, destroyed Nalanda University by arson, which burned for three months and destroyed invaluable Buddhist manuscripts.
Some surviving manuscripts are preserved in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Yarlung Museum in Tibet.
The university was rediscovered in 1812 by Scottish surveyor Francis Buchanan-Hamilton and officially identified in 1861 by Sir Alexander Cunningham.
Scholarly Influence
Nalanda’s intellectual legacy includes contributions from scholars like Nagarjuna, known for his foundational work in the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism, and his disciple Aryadeva.
Dharmapala’s commentaries further enriched Buddhist philosophy.
These scholars’ insights into metaphysics and epistemology extended Nalanda’s influence, shaping religious and philosophical thought across Asia and inspiring subsequent generations of thinkers.
Foreign Travellers Account of Nalanda University
Visit Period
Key Details
Xuanzang
7th century CE
Described Nalanda as vast with lecture halls and residential quarters.
Noted a large library with thousands of manuscripts.
Mentioned numerous teachers and students engaged in debates.
Provided detailed records of Nalanda’s organization and academic activities.
I-Tsing
7th century CE
Spent several years studying at Nalanda.
Emphasized rigorous academic environment.
Noted diverse student population from Asia.
Contributed to understanding Nalanda’s curriculum and scholarly environment.
Al-Biruni
11th century CE
Wrote about Nalanda’s reputation as a premier center of learning in India.
Highlighted its attraction for scholars across Asia.
Introduced Nalanda’s achievements to the medieval Islamic world.
PYQ:
[2020] Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate.
[2018] Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India.
[2014] Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a number of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in the modern sense. Discuss.
India is close to developing a gene therapy using CRISPR-Cas9, a gene-editing tool for sickle cell disease (SCD).
SCD is a genetic blood disorder prevalent among the Scheduled Tribes.
What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders caused by a genetic mutation in the hemoglobin-β gene located on chromosome 11.
This mutation results in defective hemoglobin, which forms rod-like structures after releasing oxygen.
As a result, red blood cells become rigid and assume a sickle shape.
The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning both parents must carry the abnormal gene for a child to inherit it.
Symptoms may not manifest immediately in newborns but can include extreme tiredness, fussiness, swollen hands and feet, and jaundice.
Implications:
The mis-shapen RBCs can block small blood vessels, leading to impaired blood flow and causing chronic anaemia.
Individuals with SCD often experience acute pain episodes, severe bacterial infections, and tissue damage due to inadequate blood supply.
Treatment:
Presently treatment includes medications for pain relief, regular blood transfusions to replace damaged red blood cells.
In rare cases, a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, which carries significant risks, is recommended.
Eliminating Sickle Cell Disease: Global and National Context
This progress follows the approval of CRISPR-Cas9 technology by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a cell-based gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease in December 2023.
One of the main challenges for India is to develop a cost-effective therapy, as part of its mission to eradicate sickle cell disease by 2047, launched by Prime Minister in July 2023.
The mission aims to conduct over 7 crore screenings among vulnerable tribal populations across 17 States and Union Territories, with three crore screenings completed so far.
Back2Basics: CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing
CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9.
It is a technology that allows geneticists and researchers to edit parts of the genome by altering sections of the DNA sequence.
Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna’s work on CRISPR-Cas9 as a ‘molecular scissor’ earned them the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry.
The system consists of two key components:
Cas9: This is the enzyme that acts like a pair of molecular scissors. It is responsible for cutting the DNA strand at a specific location, allowing for the removal, addition, or alteration of DNA at that site.
Guide RNA (gRNA): This is a piece of RNA that is designed to find and bind to a specific sequence of DNA that matches its code. The gRNA guides the Cas9 enzyme to the exact spot in the genome where an edit is desired.
Mechanism:
The process begins with the design of a gRNA that matches the DNA sequence where an edit is needed.
Once inside the cell, the Cas9 enzyme and the gRNA form a complex that can identify and bind to the target DNA sequence.
The Cas9 then cuts the DNA at this location.
After the DNA is cut, the cell’s natural repair mechanisms can be harnessed to add or remove genetic material, or to make specific changes to the DNA.
PYQ:
[2023] Consider the following statements in the context interventions being undertaken under Anaemin Mukt Bharat Strategy :
It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.
It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth.
It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NHRC, Various labour reform initiatives
Why in the News?
The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) issued notice to the Centre over reports from a Amazon company’s warehouse in Haryana’s Manesar.
Employees were allegedly forced to pledge not to take toilet or water breaks until unloading six trucks post 30-minute tea break.
NHRC’s Observations and Actions
NHRC views this as a serious human rights violation, potentially breaching labour laws and Ministry guidelines.
Notice was issued to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Labour and Employment for a detailed report within a week.
About National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Details
Establishment
A Statutory Body;
Established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Functions
Inquire into any violation of human rights
Recommend immediate interim relief to victims or their families
Intervene in court proceedings involving human rights violations
Review constitutional and legal safeguards for human rights
Study international instruments on human rights
Promote human rights literacy
Support the efforts of NGOs working in the field of human rights
Powers
Regulate its own procedure
Possess all the powers of a civil court
Proceedings have a judicial character
Chairperson
Must be a former Justice of the Supreme Court or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Appointed by the President of India
Members
Four full-time members;
Chairperson: former Supreme Court Justice or Chief Justice;
Other Member: former Judge of the Supreme Court;
Other Member: former Chief Justice of a High Court;
Three Members: with knowledge or experience in human rights, including at least one woman –
Seven ex-officio members: Chairpersons of National Commissions viz., National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, National Commission for Women , National Commission for Minorities, National Commission for Backward Classes, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights; and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
Appointment
Appointed by the President, based on a committee recommendation including the Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Home Minister, Leaders of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and others
Consultation with the Chief Justice of India for judicial appointments
Removal
Removal by order of the President of India
Consultation with the Supreme Court before removal
Terms of Office
Hold office for a term of three years or until the age of 70
Ineligibility for further government employment after office
Eligible for reappointment
Salaries
Determined by the Central government
Reporting
Submits annual or special reports to the Central government and the concerned State government
Reports laid before the respective legislatures, along with a memorandum of action taken on the recommendations and reasons for non-acceptance of any recommendations
Limitations
The commission is not empowered to inquire into any matter after the expiry of one year from the date on which the act constituting the violation of human rights is alleged to have been committed
Functions are recommendatory in nature, with no power to punish or award relief to violators
Limited role concerning armed forces violations
Government Initiatives for Worker Welfare in India:
Description
Constitutional Framework
Labour falls under the Concurrent List, allowing both Central and State governments to enact laws.
Articles 14, 16, and 39(c) ensure equality and welfare principles.
Judicial Interpretation under Randhir Singh vs Union of India (1982)
Upholds ‘Equal pay for Equal work’ through constitutional articles, promoting fairness in employment.
Legislative Framework
Introduction of 4 labour codes:
Code of Wages, 2019: Standardizes wage payments across sectors.
Industrial Relations Code, 2020: Consolidates laws related to industrial disputes and trade unions.
Social Security Code, 2020: Expands social security benefits coverage for workers.
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020: Ensures safety and welfare standards in workplaces.
“Shramev Jayate” Initiative
Launched in 2014 to maximize benefits for workers through enhanced welfare initiatives.
Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017
Increases paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks, supporting maternal health and childcare.
PYQ:
[2015] “Success of ‘Make in India’ programme depends on the success of ‘Skill India’ programme and radical labour reforms.” Discuss with logical arguments.
[2011] Consider the following:
Right to education.
Right to equal access to public service.
Right to food.
Which of the above is/are Human Right/Rights under “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”?
The monsoon has brought a measure of relief to animals especially the one-horned rhinoceros in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary dealing with extreme heat.
About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary boasts the highest density of one-horned rhinos globally, second only to Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
Often dubbed as ‘Mini Kaziranga,’ Pobitora shares a similar landscape and vegetation to its renowned counterpart.
The sanctuary shelters variousendangered species, including one-horned rhinoceros, leopards, leopard cats, fishing cats, jungle cats, feral buffaloes, wild pigs, and Chinese pangolins.
Approximately 72% of Pobitora’s area comprises a wet savannah dominated by Arundo donax and Saccharum grasses, while the rest is covered by water bodies.
About One-Horned Rhino:
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable.
Habitat– Rhinos are mainly found in Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
Assam has an estimated 2,640 rhinos in four protected areas, i.e. Pobitora Wildlife Reserve, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Manas National Park.
Note: About 2,400 of them are in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR).
PYQ:
[2019] Consider the following statements:
The Asian lion is naturally found in India only
Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only
One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Focus include on graphite, gallium, and germanium to strengthen supply chains.
What are Critical Minerals?
Critical minerals are elements that are crucial to modern-day technologies and are at risk of supply chain disruptions.
These minerals are mostly used in making electronic equipment such as mobile phones, computers, batteries, electric vehicles, and green technologies like solar panels and wind turbines.
Many of these are required to meet the manufacturing needs of green technologies, high-tech equipment, aviation, and national defence.
List of critical minerals includes:
The centre has released a list of 30 critical minerals for India in 2023:
Identified Minerals: Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, Platinum Group elements (PGE), Phosphorous, Potash, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.
Fertilizer Minerals: Two minerals critical for fertilizer production, phosphorous and potash, are also included in the above list.
Critical Mineral Blocks in India
Distribution: There are 20 blocks spread across eight states, including Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Types of Licenses: Four blocks are for a Mining License (ML), allowing immediate mining post-clearance. The remaining 16 blocks are for a Composite License (CL), permitting further exploration before potentially converting to an ML.
Approvals Required: Licensees must obtain various approvals, including forest clearance and environmental clearance.
Forest Land: Approximately 17% of the total concession area, or 1,234 hectares, is forest land.
India’s Critical Mineral Imports
Lithium Imports: In FY23, India imported 2,145 tonnes of lithium carbonate and lithium oxide, costing Rs 732 crore.
Nickel and Copper Imports: The country imported 32,000 tonnes of unwrought nickel and 1.2 million tonnes of copper ore, costing Rs 6,549 crore and Rs 27,374 crore, respectively.
Import Dependence: India relies entirely on imports for lithium and nickel, and 93% for copper.
Country-wise dependence:
China: India heavily relies on China for the import of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite.
Australia: India is actively engaged with Australia for acquiring mineral assets, particularly lithium and cobalt, to secure its supply chain for critical minerals.
Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile: India is engaging with these countries, known for their reserves of battery metals like lithium and cobalt, to diversify its sources for critical minerals.
India’s Strategic Mineral Initiatives
Amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 support expanded exploration.
Establishment of Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) with equity from National Aluminium Company Ltd, Hindustan Copper Ltd, and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd for global mineral asset acquisition.
International Collaborations and Partnerships
India joined the U.S.-led mineral security partnership to secure critical mineral supply chains.
Creation of an India-U.S. advanced materials research forum to foster collaboration in universities, laboratories, and private sectors.
Bilateral technology collaboration on neodymium-iron-boron and studies on minerals like lithium, titanium, gallium, and vanadium.
Back2Basics: Indo-US Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (iCET)
Details
Initiation
Announced in May 2022, officially launched in January 2023
Management
Overseen by the National Security Councils of India and the US
Objectives
Enhance bilateral cooperation in critical and emerging technologies
Focus Areas of the Initiative
AI Research Agency Partnership
Defense Industrial and Technological Cooperation
Innovation Ecosystems
Semiconductor Ecosystem Development
Cooperation on Human Spaceflight
Advancement in 5G and 6G Technologies
Key Achievements
Quantum Coordination Mechanism
Public-private dialogues on telecommunications and AI
MoU on semiconductor supply chain
Defense industrial cooperation roadmap
Upcoming Initiatives
Finalization of major jet engine deal
Launch of India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)
Strategic Trade Dialogue establishment
PYQ:
[2019] With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements:
Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country.
State governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government.
State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: AlphaFold 3 System
Why in the News?
AlphaFold 3, and AI System introduced in a May 2024 Nature paper, extends capabilities to predict protein-protein interactions, DNA, RNA structures, and their interactions.
Importance of Proteins
Proteins are crucial molecules regulating nearly every biological function.
They are composed of amino acids, which determine their structure and function.
Understanding protein folding is essential for comprehending cellular and organismal functions.
The Protein-Folding Problem
The process of protein folding is complex and not fully understood, known as the protein-folding problem.
It is vital for deciphering how cells, organisms, and life itself operate.
Frank Uhlmann emphasizes the significance of understanding protein structure for molecular biology.
What is AlphaFold?
Google DeepMind’s AlphaFold debuted in 2020, employs AI and machine learning to predict protein structures.
AlphaFold 2, released in 2021, significantly improved accuracy in protein structure prediction.
Derek Lowe acknowledges AlphaFold’s achievement in predicting structures effectively, although the deeper biological principles remain less explored.
AlphaFold 3’s Advancements:
It democratizes research by offering accessible structure prediction tools, even for non-experts.
Technology behind AlphaFold 3
Unlike its predecessors, AlphaFold 3 utilizes a diffusion model akin to image-generating software.
This approach involves training on noisy data and de-noising to predict accurate protein structures.
Working:
Given an input list of molecules, AlphaFold 3 generates their joint 3D structure, revealing how they all fit together.
It models large biomolecules such as proteins, DNA and RNA, as well as small molecules, also known as ligands — a category encompassing many drugs.
Applications of AlphaFold 3
AlphaFold 3 excels in predicting protein structures and interactions, aiding drug discovery efforts.
DeepMind’s spin-off, Isomorphic Labs, utilizes AlphaFold 3 for drug candidate identification.
Challenges
The model’s code restriction has sparked criticism among researchers for hindering scientific collaboration and transparency.
DeepMind initially withheld AlphaFold 3’s full code, prompting calls for open access from the scientific community.
Responding to backlash, DeepMind plans to release the complete code within six months.
PYQ:
[2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?
Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
Create meaningful short stories and songs
Disease diagnosis
Text-to-Speech Conversion
Wireless transmission of electrical energy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
