Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Initiatives related to climate change;
Why in the News?
India recently shared a report about its efforts to fight climate change. The report includes details about how much greenhouse gases (GHG) the country produces and the steps it has taken to reduce these emissions as part of its global climate promises.
What is the Biennial Update Report (BUR)?
- The Biennial Update Report (BUR) is a detailed report that developing countries, including India, submit to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This report outlines their efforts toward climate action, as mandated under the Paris Agreement.
- BURs include an overview of national circumstances related to climate, socio-economic factors, and forestry, along with a comprehensive inventory of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their sources. They also detail national action plans for emission mitigation and the support received for climate-related initiatives.
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What are the BUR-4’s highlights and submissions on emissions inventory?
- Total GHG Emissions: In 2020, India’s total GHG emissions were reported at 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. After accounting for land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF), net emissions were 2,437 million tonnes, reflecting a 7.93% decrease from 2019 levels.
- Reduction in Emissions Intensity: The report indicates that from 2005 to 2020, India’s emissions intensity of GDP decreased by 36%. This metric measures GHG emissions per unit of economic output, highlighting improved energy efficiency and a shift towards renewable energy sources.
- Sectoral Contributions: The energy sector was the largest contributor to emissions, accounting for 75.66%, with electricity production alone responsible for 39% of total emissions. Agriculture contributed 13.72%, while industrial processes and waste management accounted for 8.06% and 2.56%, respectively.
What does BUR-4 say about the status of India’s climate commitments?
- The BUR-4 outlines India’s commitment to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, aiming for a 45% reduction in GDP emission intensity by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
- The report notes that between 2005 and 2021, India created an additional carbon sink of approximately 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through enhanced forest and tree cover, contributing significantly to its climate goals.
What has the report said about India’s tech needs for climate-conscious growth? (Way forward)
- Advanced Technologies for Low-Carbon Growth: The report emphasizes the necessity for adopting cutting-edge technologies across various sectors, including solar energy, wind energy, bioenergy, electric vehicles, and carbon capture and storage.
- Capacity Building: Strengthening institutional frameworks and workforce capabilities is essential for effective implementation of climate policies and programs. This involves training personnel and developing skills necessary to manage and operate advanced technologies.
- Financial and Technological Support: The BUR-4 identifies a significant gap in technology transfer from developed countries, which hampers India’s ability to implement necessary climate solutions. India calls for increased international cooperation to facilitate technology transfer, eliminate intellectual property barriers, and provide financial assistance to support its climate initiatives.
- Integration of Technology in Key Sectors: The report highlights the importance of integrating advanced technologies into critical sectors that contribute to emissions, such as agriculture and energy.
Mains PYQ:
Q ‘Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (UPSC IAS/2022)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Significance of Remittances;
Why in the News?
In 2024, India received a record $129.1 billion in remittances which marked the highest share for any country since 2000 as per the World Bank.
What are the Trends in Remittances flow?
- Record Inflows: In 2024, India received an estimated $129.1 billion in remittances, marking the highest amount ever recorded for any country in a single year.
- Global Share: India accounted for 14.3% of global remittances, the highest share since the turn of the millennium.
- Growth Rate: The growth rate of remittances in 2024 was approximately 5.8%, a significant increase from 1.2% in 2023.
- Top Recipients: Following India, Mexico and China received the largest remittances, with Mexico at $68 billion and China at $48 billion.
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What are the Factors Responsible for High Remittances in India?
- Large Diaspora: India has one of the largest diaspora populations globally, with over 18 million Indians living abroad, contributing significantly to remittance inflows.
- Shift to High-Income Countries: There has been a trend of Indian migrants moving to high-income economies such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, where job opportunities are more abundant.
- Diverse Skill Levels: Indian migrants include highly skilled professionals (in sectors like IT and healthcare) as well as semi-skilled and unskilled labourers, broadening the scope for remittance generation.
- Recovery of Job Markets: The recovery of job markets in high-income countries post-pandemic has driven an increase in remittance flows as employment opportunities have improved.
What is the significance of high Remittances?
- Economic Support for Households: Remittances serve as a crucial source of income for many families in India, supporting their daily needs and contributing to overall household welfare.
- Impact on National Economy: In 2024, remittances constituted approximately 3.3% of India’s GDP, highlighting their role in bolstering the economy.
- Comparison with Other Financial Flows: Remittances have outpaced other forms of external financial flows, such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA), indicating their importance for funding current account deficits and fiscal shortfalls in low- and middle-income countries.
- Long-Term Growth Trends: Over the past decade, remittances to low-and-middle-income countries have increased by 57%, underscoring their growing significance as a stable source of income compared to declining FDI.
What are the negative impacts of brain drain?
Even though remittances are good for the country, they have negative signals for any country like brain drain.
- Loss of Skilled Labor: Brain drain leads to a significant depletion of skilled professionals in the home country, resulting in shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology.
- This loss hampers the country’s ability to innovate and develop, as there are fewer qualified individuals to drive progress and maintain essential services.
- Economic Consequences: The exodus of skilled workers results in decreased tax revenues for the home country, which can limit public spending on infrastructure and social programs. This financial shortfall can stunt economic growth and development, exacerbating existing challenges within the economy.
- Impeded National Development: Countries experiencing brain drain may face slower overall development due to the loss of human capital. This can create a cycle of underdevelopment, where the lack of skilled labour leads to reduced investment opportunities and further emigration, perpetuating the cycle of talent loss and economic stagnation.
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Way forward:
- Enhance Domestic Opportunities: Strengthen education, healthcare, and innovation ecosystems to retain skilled professionals by providing competitive salaries, career growth, and improved living standards.
- Engage Diaspora Strategically: Leverage the Indian diaspora for knowledge transfer, investments, and partnerships, creating pathways for their contribution to national development while maintaining ties with homegrown talent.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Issues related to insolvency;
Why in the News?
The current state of cross-border insolvency laws is poor, with rules that cannot be enforced and slow progress in making necessary changes. This situation needs to be fixed.
How did the evolution of the cross-border insolvency framework in India?
- Post-Independence Legal Framework: After Independence, India’s insolvency laws focused on domestic cases and did not address cross-border insolvency, leaving a significant gap in the legal framework.
- Committee Recommendations and IBC Drafting: In the 2000s, committees like the Eradi, Mitra, and Irani Committees recommended adopting the UNCITRAL Model Law, leading to the drafting of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in 2015, which initially focused on domestic insolvencies.
- Incorporation of Cross-Border Provisions: Sections 234 and 235 were introduced in 2016 to facilitate cross-border insolvency, allowing reciprocal agreements and assistance from foreign courts, though their effectiveness was limited by the lack of implementation and reciprocal arrangements.
What are the key challenges in adopting a cross-border insolvency framework in India?
- Outdated Framework: Current legal provisions, such as Sections 234 and 235 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), remain non-notified and unenforceable, rendering them ineffective. Reliance on ad hoc protocols like in the Jet Airways case increases judicial burden, delays resolutions, and reduces asset value.
- Jurisdictional Issues: Section 60(5) of the IBC limits the jurisdiction of civil courts over insolvency matters, leaving the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) as the sole authority. However, the NCLT lacks the power to recognize or enforce foreign judgments.
- Lack of Reciprocal Arrangements: The absence of reciprocal agreements between India and other nations for cross-border insolvency resolution creates barriers to effective cooperation.
- Inefficient Court Communication: Outdated communication methods between Indian and foreign courts hinder transparency and efficiency in handling cross-border insolvency matters.
- Legislative Gaps: The delay in adopting structured frameworks, such as the UNCITRAL Model Law, highlights a critical regulatory gap in managing cross-border insolvencies.
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How does India’s proposed legislation align with international standards, such as the UNCITRAL Model Law?
- India’s proposed amendments to the IBC aim to incorporate elements of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency, which provides a structured framework for international cooperation and coordination in insolvency matters.
- By adopting this model, India seeks to enhance its legal framework to better manage cross-border insolvencies and align with global best practices.
- The recommendations from various expert committees, including the Insolvency Law Committee and the Parliamentary Standing Committee, emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach that includes provisions for recognizing foreign insolvency proceedings and facilitating smoother communication between jurisdictions.
What implications do these reforms have for foreign investment and economic growth in India?
- Attracting Foreign Investment: A robust cross-border insolvency framework will enhance investor confidence by ensuring that their rights are protected in case of insolvency. This predictability is crucial for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into India, as investors seek assurance that their interests will be managed effectively across borders.
- Facilitating Corporate Restructuring: Improved legal mechanisms for cross-border insolvency will enable Indian companies operating internationally to restructure more efficiently when faced with financial difficulties. This can lead to better asset recovery and preservation of business value, ultimately contributing to economic stability and growth.
- Strengthening Economic Ties: By aligning its insolvency laws with international standards, India can foster stronger economic relationships with other nations, facilitating smoother trade and investment flows. This alignment is essential as India’s economic integration with global markets continues to grow.
Way forward:
- Adopt UNCITRAL Model Law: Expedite the implementation of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency to establish a predictable, structured framework for managing international insolvency cases, fostering investor confidence and global integration.
- Enhance NCLT Capacity: Strengthen the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) with expanded jurisdiction and training to effectively handle cross-border insolvency cases, alongside modernizing judicial coordination mechanisms through international guidelines like JIN.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: KM3NeT Project
Why in the News?
Scientists are deploying two advanced telescopes under the Mediterranean Sea as part of the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT) project.
What is KM3NeT Project?
- The KM3NeT is a European research initiative launched in 2012 and located in the Mediterranean Sea.
- It uses advanced water Cherenkov detectors to study high-energy neutrinos and their origins, as well as fundamental neutrino properties.
- ARCA (Astroparticle Research with Cosmics in the Abyss): Offshore Sicily, Italy, at 3,400 meters depth, studying high-energy cosmic neutrinos.
- ORCA (Oscillation Research with Cosmics in the Abyss): Offshore Toulon, France, at 2,475 meters depth, focusing on neutrino oscillations and mass hierarchy.
- It detects Cherenkov radiation, faint light produced when neutrinos interact with water molecules, using 6,210 optical modules.
- Design:
- Modular construction with plans to deploy 12,000 optical modules on 600 vertical strings, anchored to the seabed.
- Connected via electro-optical networks to shore stations for power and data processing.
About Neutrinos
- Neutrinos are subatomic particles, similar to electrons but without an electric charge.
- Neutrinos are the 2nd most abundant particles in the universe after Photons.
- Approximately a billion neutrinos pass through a cubic centimetre of space every second.
- First detected in 1959, though their existence was theorized in 1931.
- High-energy neutrinos, which originate from exotic astrophysical events like supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, or colliding stars, are of particular interest to scientists because:
- Neutrinos can travel through dense cosmic environments, such as the dust-shrouded centre of the Milky Way, where visible light telescopes fail.
- Neutrino detection depends on observing Cherenkov radiation — light flashes produced when neutrinos interact with water or ice molecules.
- Darkness is essential for detecting the faint flashes of Cherenkov radiation.
- Why study neutrinos?
- Neutrinos provide insights into particle physics, including neutrino oscillations and mass hierarchy, challenging the Standard Model.
- Neutrinos pass through dense cosmic regions, offering access to areas invisible to traditional telescopes.
- Studying neutrinos aids in tracing cosmic ray origins and understanding dark matter, unlocking mysteries of the universe.
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PYQ:
[2010] India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the planning commission as a mega-science project under the 11th Five-year plan. In this context, consider the following statements:
- Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.
- Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.
- Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass.
- Trillions of Neutrinos pass through the human body every second.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Banana Cultivation
Why in the News?
India has seen a 10x increase in banana exports over the past decade and now targets $1 billion in exports within the next five years. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India’s banana production was estimated at around 34.9 million metric tons.
Do you know?
- Banana is the second most important fruit crop in India after Mango, contributing 33% to total fruit production.
- India is the largest producer of bananas globally, contributing 26.5% to the world’s total banana production (FAO, 2021).
- Andhra Pradesh is the leading state with 56.84 lakh tonnes (16.5% of national production) followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
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Banana Cultivation in India
- Bananas thrive in tropical and subtropical climates with temperatures between 15°C and 35°C and high humidity.
- Common varieties: Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Grand Naine, Nendran, Rasthali, Poovan, Red Banana, Monthan, Safed Velchi, Lal Velchi, Ardhapuri, Karpuravalli, Elakki Bale, Basrai, Amrit Sagar, Champa, Chinia, Malbhog, Rajapuri, and Yelakki.
- The crop requires well–drained, loamy soil with a pH of 6.5–7.5 and 1,800–2,000 mm of water annually, often supported by drip irrigation.
- Fusarium Wilt is the most common disease affecting Bananas.
- Seasons for Planting:
- Maharashtra: Kharif (June–July) and Rabi (October–November).
- Tamil Nadu: February–April and November–December.
- Kerala: Rainfed crop (April–May) and irrigated crop (August–September).
Socioeconomic Significance of Banana
- Economic Impact: Major contributor to India’s agricultural GDP and the world’s largest banana producer (26.5% of global production).
- Employment: Provides livelihoods for millions across cultivation, processing, and export sectors.
- Nutritional Value: A key food crop rich in potassium, vitamins, and energy, supporting food and nutritional security.
- Export Potential: High demand for varieties like Grand Naine boosts foreign exchange earnings and supports value-added industries.
PYQ:
[2011] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?
(a) Andaman Islands
(b) Anaimalai Forests
(c) Maikala Hills
(d) Tropical rain forests of northeast |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Trinidad and Tobago
Why in the News?
The government of Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on December 30, 2024, in response to escalating violence in the Caribbean nation.
About Trinidad and Tobago
- Geography:
- Located in the southern Caribbean, near Venezuela.
- A dual-island nation consisting of Trinidad (4,768 sq. km) and Tobago (300 sq. km).
- Total land area: 5,128 sq. km.
- Climate: Tropical, with a dry season from January to May and a rainy season from June to December.
- Population:
- Approximately 1.5 million people.
- Ethnic Composition: African (36.3%), Indian (35.4%), Mixed (22.8%), European, Chinese, and others.
- Religions: Christianity (64%), Hinduism (18%), Islam (5%), and others.
- Capital and Cities:
- Capital: Port of Spain (Trinidad).
- Other key cities: San Fernando, Chaguanas, and Scarborough (Tobago).
- Political System:
- Government Type: Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional republic.
- Member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
- Gained independence from the UK on August 31, 1962, and became a republic in 1976.
- Infrastructure:
- Ports: Port of Spain, Point Lisas, and Scarborough are critical for trade.
- Airports: Piarco International Airport (Trinidad) and A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (Tobago).
- Culture and Heritage:
- Known for the Carnival, one of the world’s largest pre-Lenten celebrations.
- Birthplace of Calypso music, Soca, and the Steelpan (the only acoustic musical instrument invented in the 20th century).
Geo-Political Significance
- T&T is a major exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petrochemicals (methanol and ammonia), supplying markets in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.
- It is positioned at the crossroads of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, serving as a gateway between North and South America.
- It is a founding member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) advocating for regional economic integration, disaster response, and collective security.
- It is a active member of the Commonwealth and the United Nations, pushing for climate change resilience and sustainable development initiatives.
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