PYQ Relevance:
Q) Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (UPSC CSE 2021) |
Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on the moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure (2021) and Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention (2018).
On February 7, 2025, the WHO released the “Compassion and Primary Health Care” report, emphasizing compassion as a transformative force in health care. Based on my interactions with medical pioneers and global advocacy efforts, including the 74th World Health Assembly, I am encouraged to see growing recognition of compassion’s vital role in improving health care worldwide.
Today’s editorial highlights the importance of compassionate health care, offering valuable insights for GS Papers, particularly in policy-making and ethics discussions.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Compassionate health care should guide the actions of industry leaders, hospitals, and health-care organizations.
What is the key message of the WHO report “Compassion and primary health care”?
- Compassion as a Transformative Force: The report highlights compassion as a core value in improving primary health care outcomes. Example: A cancer patient’s recovery improves significantly when doctors spend an extra 40 seconds expressing support, as found in a Johns Hopkins study.
- Improved Patient Outcomes through Compassion: Compassionate care leads to faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and reduced patient anxiety.Example: Stanford University’s CCARE research found that patients treated with compassion experience quicker healing and fewer complications.
- Benefits for Health-Care Providers: Compassion reduces stress, prevents burnout, and increases job satisfaction for medical professionals. Example: Nurses who engage in compassionate care report stronger patient relationships and improved emotional well-being.
- Distinguishing Compassion from Empathy and Sympathy: Compassion involves mindful problem-solving while maintaining emotional stability, unlike empathy, which may cause emotional fatigue. Example: A compassionate doctor can acknowledge a patient’s suffering while staying emotionally balanced to provide sustained care.
- Global Call for Compassionate Health Systems: The report urges policymakers to integrate compassion into health systems and decision-making processes. Example: The WHO calls for training programs to equip health workers with compassionate communication skills across nations.
Why is compassion considered beneficial for both patients and health-care providers?
- Faster Recovery and Better Patient Outcomes: Compassionate care leads to quicker recovery, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays for patients. Example: A Johns Hopkins study found that when doctors express solidarity (e.g., saying, “We are in this together”), patient anxiety decreases, improving their healing process.
- Enhanced Patient Trust and Satisfaction: Patients feel heard, valued, and safe when treated with compassion, which strengthens their trust in the healthcare system. Example: Cancer patients who receive compassionate communication are more compliant with treatment and express higher satisfaction with care.
- Reduced Stress and Burnout for Health-Care Providers: Compassion reduces emotional exhaustion and prevents burnout by fostering emotional resilience. Example: Nurses trained in compassionate care report lower stress levels and improved emotional well-being.
- Stronger Patient-Provider Relationships: Compassion fosters deeper connections, improving communication and shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers. Example: Physicians who practice compassionate care build long-term patient trust, leading to better health outcomes and loyalty.
- Increased Job Satisfaction and Professional Fulfillment: Compassion enhances job satisfaction by giving healthcare providers a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Example: Doctors who engage in compassionate interactions report feeling more connected to their profession and experience greater personal reward.
How does compassion differ from sympathy, empathy, and kindness in the context of health care?
- Compassion: Compassion is the ability to recognize a patient’s suffering and actively take steps to alleviate it. It involves an emotional connection combined with a willingness to help. Example: A nurse notices that a terminally ill patient is in pain despite receiving standard treatment. She advocates for a change in medication to improve the patient’s comfort while offering emotional support to the family.
- Sympathy: Sympathy is feeling sorrow or concern for someone’s suffering but without deeply sharing their emotional experience. Example: A doctor expresses condolences to a patient’s family after delivering bad news but does not necessarily feel the pain personally.
- Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person by mentally putting oneself in their position. Example: A physician listens to a patient with chronic pain, acknowledges the emotional toll, and adjusts treatment plans accordingly while providing reassurance.
What are the steps taken by the government?
- Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): Provides free health coverage to economically vulnerable families. Example: Over 50 crore beneficiaries are eligible for ₹5 lakh annual health coverage per family for secondary and tertiary care, reducing financial burdens and ensuring accessible healthcare.
- National Health Mission (NHM): Strengthens rural and urban healthcare infrastructure and ensures equitable healthcare access. Example: Under NHM, initiatives like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) provide free maternal care during pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal services, ensuring compassionate care for mothers and newborns.
- Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States): Provides free tele-mental health services to address rising mental health concerns. Example: Launched in 2022, this initiative provides 24/7 mental health support, helping patients access timely counseling and care, especially in rural areas.
- Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program (PMNDP): Provides free dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney disease. Example: More than 12 lakh dialysis sessions are provided annually across 800+ districts, reducing the financial and emotional stress on patients and their families.
- Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs): Deliver comprehensive primary healthcare closer to communities. Example: Over 1.6 lakh HWCs have been established nationwide, offering preventive care, maternal health services, and non-communicable disease screenings, fostering compassionate and inclusive healthcare.
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Way forward:
- Integrate Compassion Training in Medical Education: Include structured programs to develop compassionate communication and patient-centered care skills for all healthcare professionals, ensuring empathy and emotional resilience.
- Strengthen Policy Frameworks for Compassionate Care: Implement guidelines that prioritize compassion in healthcare delivery, with regular assessments and incentives to encourage patient-centered, humane practices across public health systems.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Corruption, Red-tapism;
Why in the News?
Despite ongoing efforts to fight corruption, bureaucratic delays and bribery continue to be major obstacles to business growth in India.
What are the key sectors in India most affected by corruption and red-tapism, according to the “India Business Corruption Survey 2024”?
- Persistent Corruption and Bureaucratic Hurdles: Despite ongoing reforms, the India Business Corruption Survey 2024 reveals that 66% of businesses admit to paying bribes, with 54% coerced into doing so to expedite processes or secure necessary permits.
- Sectors like GST, income tax, and property registration remain particularly vulnerable to corrupt practices, posing significant challenges to business growth.
- Deterrent to Foreign Investment: According to the EY-FICCI survey, 80% of respondents view corruption as a major obstacle to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to establish a transparent and predictable regulatory environment conducive to both domestic and international business.
- Incomplete Compliance Reforms: While the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 and the proposed Jan Vishwas 2.0 aim to decriminalise a combined total of around 280 provisions, over 20,000 provisions with imprisonment clauses remain unaddressed.
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What are the four new labour codes?
- Code on Wages (2019): Standardizes wage-related laws, including minimum wages, timely payments, and equal pay for equal work.
- Industrial Relations Code (2020): Simplifies rules on trade unions, industrial disputes, and employment terms, allowing fixed-term employment.
- Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code (2020): Ensures safe working environments, better health standards, and welfare for all workers across industries.
- Code on Social Security (2020): Expands social security benefits like provident funds, insurance, and maternity benefits, including gig and platform workers.
Why is the implementation of the four new labour codes crucial for India’s business environment?
- Simplification of Labour Laws: The four labour codes consolidate 29 existing laws, reducing complexity and making it easier for businesses to understand and comply with legal requirements. For instance, companies no longer need to navigate multiple regulations for wages, as the Code on Wages standardizes definitions and payment rules across sectors.
- Enhancing Ease of Doing Business: By reducing regulatory overlaps and streamlining compliance, the labour codes cut down bureaucratic delays and corruption risks. For example, under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, a single license can cover multiple locations, simplifying operations for large businesses.
- Greater Workforce Flexibility: The new codes allow for fixed-term employment, enabling businesses to manage workforce needs based on demand without lengthy contractual obligations. For instance, manufacturing firms can now hire temporary workers for seasonal production spikes without facing penalties under outdated laws.
- Ensuring Social Security for Workers: The Social Security Code extends benefits like provident funds and health insurance to gig and platform workers, expanding the safety net. For example, delivery personnel working for online platforms now qualify for social welfare schemes, improving job security and worker welfare.
How can a digital-first approach, such as the ‘One Nation, One Business’ identity system, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption in India?
- Simplified Business Registrations and Compliance: Currently, businesses need multiple identifiers like PAN, GSTIN, CIN, and state-specific licenses, leading to duplication and delays.
- A ‘One Nation, One Business’ system would unify these into a single digital identity, reducing the need for repetitive filings and lowering the chances of officials demanding bribes for faster processing.
- Reduced Human Discretion and Corruption: Digital systems provide automated checks and real-time tracking of applications, minimizing manual intervention.
- Businesses applying for pollution control certificates or labour permits could do so online, reducing face-to-face interactions where unofficial payments are often demanded to expedite approvals.
- Faster Approvals and Increased Transparency: A unified digital platform, similar to DigiLocker, could store pre-verified documents accessible to all regulatory bodies.
- This would enable faster processing of approvals like property registrations or drug licenses, reducing the delays and informal payments typically required to move applications through bureaucratic bottlenecks.
What lessons can India learn from global governance models, such as the United States’ Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)?
- Streamlined Regulatory Processes: The DOGE focuses on simplifying government procedures by reducing redundant regulations and consolidating compliance requirements.
- India could adopt a similar approach by rationalizing overlapping laws and implementing a single-window clearance system to minimize delays and reduce the scope for corruption.
- Enhanced Digital Integration: The DOGE promotes digital platforms for real-time monitoring and automated decision-making. India could enhance its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) by integrating regulatory databases.
- Performance Accountability: The DOGE enforces outcome-based assessments to measure the efficiency of public officials. India could implement performance metrics for government departments.
Way forward:
- Adopt a Unified Digital Governance Framework: Implement a National Business Identity System to integrate all regulatory processes (e.g., taxation, labour compliance, environmental clearances) under a single digital platform.
- Strengthen Institutional Accountability and Oversight: Establish an Independent Regulatory Oversight Body to monitor public service delivery using performance-based metrics.
Mains PYQ:
Q In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. (UPSC IAS/2016)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Ethnic clashes; Internal Security;
Why in the News?
After months of struggling to manage the ethnic crisis, the Union government finally took action by removing the N. Biren Singh-led government in Manipur and imposing President’s Rule, hoping this change would bring peace and stability.
Who are the key stakeholders involved in the ethnic conflict, and what are their demands?
- Meitei Community: Seeks protection of territorial integrity and opposes any division of Manipur. Example: Meitei groups have opposed the creation of a separate Kuki-Zo administrative region, fearing it would fragment the State.
- Kuki-Zo Community: Calls for Union Territory status or a separate administrative arrangement to safeguard their identity and security. Example: Civil society organizations representing the Kuki-Zo people have warned against free movement unless their request for separate governance is met.
- Naga Community: Resists any move to carve out a separate region, as it could affect their ancestral lands and autonomy. Example: Naga groups have opposed the Kuki-Zo call for Union Territory status, fearing loss of their territorial claims.
- Union Government: Aims to restore law and order, maintain territorial integrity, and recover stolen arms. Example: After imposing President’s Rule, the government set a deadline for militant groups to surrender looted weapons and worked to reopen blockaded highways.
What steps has the Union government taken to restore normalcy in Manipur after imposing President’s Rule?
- Weapon Recovery Drive: Initiated efforts to retrieve stolen weapons from non-State actors to curb violence. Example: Set a deadline for groups to return weapons looted from police armories, recovering nearly one-third of the 3,000 missing firearms.
- Clearing Highway Blockades: Worked to remove blockades on key highways to restore the free movement of goods and people. Example: Central armed police forces attempted to clear blockades in Kangpokpi district, though clashes resulted in one death and over 40 injuries.
- Strengthening Security Measures: Deployed additional central forces to control violence and secure vulnerable areas. Example: Increased the presence of paramilitary forces in both the hill and valley regions to prevent further ethnic clashes.
- Engaging in Dialogue: Encouraged talks with community representatives while rejecting violent and separatist threats. Example: Continued discussions with leaders from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to find a peaceful resolution.
- Central Leadership Involvement: Called for the active engagement of senior government officials to address grievances and appeal for peace. Example: The Union Home Ministry and senior officials emphasized the need for dialogue and public appeals to restore calm and facilitate the return of displaced persons.
Why is the demand for Union Territory status or a separate arrangement for Kuki-Zo areas considered a dangerous move?
- Deepening Ethnic Divisions: Such a move could escalate tensions between communities, worsening the already fragile social fabric. Example: It may intensify hostility between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups, making reconciliation and long-term peace more difficult.
- Resistance from Other Communities: The proposal could face strong opposition from other ethnic groups, such as the Nagas, who also reside in the hill areas and have their own territorial interests. Example: Naga groups may view the creation of a separate Kuki-Zo region as a threat to their claims and autonomy, leading to new conflicts.
- Undermining Territorial Integrity: Fragmenting the state could weaken Manipur’s territorial integrity and set a precedent for further separatist demands. Example: Accepting such a demand could encourage other communities to seek similar autonomous arrangements, complicating governance and stability.
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Way forward:
- Inclusive Dialogue and Mediation: Facilitate continuous engagement with all ethnic groups to address grievances and promote mutual understanding through impartial mediation.
- Strengthening Law and Order: Intensify efforts to recover illegal weapons, enforce rule of law, and ensure equitable development to rebuild trust and maintain peace.
Mains PYQ:
Q Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (UPSC IAS/2020)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Financial Stability Report
Why in the News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Financial Stability Report (FSR), 2024 has highlighted an increasing household debt burden and a concerning rise in consumption-based borrowing.
About Financial Stability Report (FSR):
- The FSR is published biannually (June & December) by the RBI.
- It reflects the collective assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC – headed by the Governor of RBI) on risks to financial stability and the resilience of the financial system.
- The Report also discusses issues relating to the development and regulation of the financial sector.
Key Highlights of the Financial Stability Report (FSR) 2024:
- Rising Household Debt-to-GDP Ratio:
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- Household debt-to-GDP ratio: 36.6% (June 2021) → 42.9% (June 2024).
- Household assets declined: 110.4% (June 2021) → 108.3% (March 2024), indicating more borrowing for consumption.
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- Total credit growth (March 2024): 15.4% YoY.
- Prime & Super-Prime borrowers: 66% of total loans, reducing risky lending.
- Super-prime borrowers mainly borrow for asset creation, while sub-prime borrowers rely on loans for consumption.
- Rising Unsecured Loans & Financial Stress:
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- 50% of sub-prime loans are for consumption; 64% of super-prime loans are for asset creation.
- Credit card delinquencies: 1.8% (Sept 2023) → 2.4% (Sept 2024).
- Personal loan defaults: 3.2% (Sept 2023) → 3.9% (Sept 2024).
- Low-income households rely more on credit cards & personal loans than secured loans.
- RBI’s Measures to Curb Consumer Borrowing:
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- September 2023: RBI raised risk weights on unsecured loans, slowing credit expansion.
- Auto loan growth fell: 18.2% (March 2023) → 14.5% (March 2024) due to tighter lending norms.
- Consumption Loans & Economic Impact:
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- More borrowing for consumption, less for housing, education, or business investment.
- Rising debt repayment reduces spending, weakening GDP growth.
- NPA Risks from Consumer Credit:
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- Unsecured loans growing faster, raising default risks.
- Half of borrowers with credit card/personal loans also have home/auto loans—defaulting on one triggers loan classification as NPA.
- Fintech’s Role in Rising Debt:
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- Digital lending & BNPL schemes enable easy credit but increase financial vulnerability.
- Regulatory oversight needed to prevent excessive debt accumulation.
PYQ:
[2022] In India, which one of the following is responsible for maintaining price stability by controlling inflation?
(a) Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
(b) Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC)
(c) NITI Aayog
(d) Reserve Bank of India |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: PM SHRI Scheme
Why in the News?
Union Education Minister comment accusing the Tamil Nadu government of being “dishonest” in implementing the PM SHRI scheme caused disruption in the Lok Sabha.
What is the PM-SHRI Scheme?
| About |
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2022 to upgrade 14,500 schools as model institutions for NEP 2020 implementation.
- Objective: To create inclusive, nurturing schools with modern infrastructure, holistic education, and competency-based learning.
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| Implementation |
From 2022-23 to 2026-27. After this, states/UTs will maintain the benchmarks achieved.
Funding Pattern:
- 60:40 (Centre: State/UTs with legislature, except J&K).
- 90:10 for Northeastern & Himalayan States, J&K.
- 100% Central funding for UTs without legislature. States must sign an MoU with the Centre to participate.
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| Key Features |
- Holistic learning: Focus on communication, collaboration, critical thinking. Experiential, inquiry-driven, learner-centred pedagogy.
- Modern facilities: Smart classrooms, Computer Labs, Integrated Science Labs, Vocational Labs, Atal Tinkering Labs.
- Green initiatives: Water conservation, waste recycling, energy efficiency.
- Competency-based assessments linked to real-life applications.
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| Eligible Schools |
Schools managed by Central/State/UT Governments & local bodies. Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) & Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) (non-project, with permanent buildings).
School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) ensures performance evaluation & institutional excellence. |
| Selection Process |
Challenge Mode (3-stage process):
- Stage-1: Signing MoU with the Centre.
- Stage-2: Identifying eligible schools using UDISE+ data.
- Stage-3: Schools compete to meet selection criteria, verified by States/UTs/KVS/JNV.
Final selection by Expert Committee headed by the Education Secretary. |
PYQ:
[2017] What is the purpose of ‘Vidyanjali Yojana’?
1. To enable the famous foreign campuses in India.
2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.
3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 2 and 3 only |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: RNA interference (RNAi)
Why in the News?
Scientists at Tropic, a UK-based biotech company, disabled the PPO gene in bananas slowing down the browning process while allowing normal ripening.
About the Genetically Engineered Bananas
- Genetically engineered bananas are modified using biotechnology to extend shelf life, resist browning, and enhance durability.
- These bananas stay yellow for 12 hours after peeling and are less prone to bruising.
- The modification prevents enzymatic browning, making bananas look fresh for longer without altering their ripening process.
- The modification targets polyphenol oxidase (PPO), the enzyme responsible for browning.
- By disabling PPO activity, oxidation of pigments is slowed, delaying the formation of brown spots.
Gene-Silencing Method Used:
- RNA interference (RNAi) is used to silence the PPO gene, reducing its activity without affecting overall banana development.
- RNAi introduces small RNA molecules that block PPO gene expression, preventing the synthesis of the browning enzyme.
- This method is precise and does not introduce foreign DNA, making it different from traditional genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- Gene-editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 are also being explored for future crop modifications.
PYQ:
[2019] ‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why?
1. It is used in developing gene silencing therapies.
2. It can be used in developing therapies for-the treatment of cancer.
3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to viral pathogens.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1 and 4 only |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme
Why in the News?
According to the RBI, bad loans in the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme segment increased by 42% over the last four years, reaching ₹97,543 crore by December 2024, up from ₹68,547 crore in March 2021.
About the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme
- The KCC Scheme is a government-backed credit initiative designed to provide timely and adequate credit to farmers for agricultural and allied activities.
- Launched in 1998 on the recommendation of NABARD (R.V. Gupta Committee), the scheme aims to ensure easy access to institutional credit, reducing farmers’ dependency on moneylenders and informal credit sources.
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- Provides short-term credit for crop cultivation and post-harvest needs.
- Supports working capital requirements for farm mechanization, dairy, poultry, fisheries, and other allied agricultural activities.
- Helps meet household consumption needs of farmers.
- Allows credit access for investment in agriculture-related businesses.
- Credit and Repayment System:
- Farmers can avail collateral-free loans up to ₹2 lakh.
- Interest rates start as low as 4% per annum (with government interest subvention for timely repayment).
- The loan limit was increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh in Budget 2025-26.
- Revolving credit system allows farmers to withdraw and repay as needed within the sanctioned limit.
- Repayment schedules are linked to the crop harvesting cycle, ensuring no undue financial burden.
- Implementation: Commercial Banks; Regional Rural Banks (RRBs); Small Finance Banks; Cooperative Banks.
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- Comes with insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to protect against crop loss.
- Covers fisheries and animal husbandry farmers (since 2018-19).
Successes and Limitations of the KCC Scheme:
| Successes |
Failures |
- Increased Financial Inclusion: 7.3 crore active accounts, reducing reliance on moneylenders.
- Higher Agricultural Productivity: Easy access to inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.
- Increased Support: Interest subvention makes loans affordable; loan limit raised from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh (Budget 2025-26).
- Promoted Rural Development: Covers women farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and non-farm activities.
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- Rising NPAs: Discussed above.
- Loan Misuse: Funds diverted for non-agricultural expenses, increasing defaults.
- Low Financial Literacy: Many farmers unaware of repayment terms, leading to debt traps.
- High Credit Dependency: Continuous borrowing without income growth raises financial risks.
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PYQ:
[2020] Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?
- Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
- Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks
- Consumption requirements of farm households
- Post-harvest expenses
- Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 4 and 5 |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Collisionless Shock Waves
Why in the News?
A recent study published by Johns Hopkins University (USA) and Northumbria University (UK) reveals how Collisionless Shock Waves act as cosmic accelerators, helping subatomic particles gain ultra-high energy and travel vast distances in space.
What are Collisionless Shock Waves?
- Collisionless shock waves are disturbances in plasma (ionized gas) where energy transfer occurs without direct particle collisions, relying instead on electromagnetic forces.
- They are found in supernova remnants, black hole disks, pulsars, magnetars, and planetary magnetospheres.
- They act as natural cosmic accelerators, boosting electrons and other charged particles to ultra-high speeds.
Key Findings from the Study
- NASA’s MMS, THEMIS, and ARTEMIS missions observed an electron acceleration event near Earth’s bow shock on December 17, 2017.
- Electrons in Earth’s foreshock region gained 500 keV of energy, reaching 86% of the speed of light, a huge increase from their usual 1 keV.
- Diffusive shock acceleration (known for producing high-energy cosmic rays) requires electrons to already be moving at 50% of light speed before further acceleration can occur.
- The study identifies how electrons receive this initial boost, a long-standing astrophysical mystery.
- Scientists have long assumed that supernova explosions are the primary source of cosmic rays.
- The recent study suggests that planetary magnetospheres interacting with stellar winds could also contribute to high-energy cosmic rays.
How Shock Waves accelerate Particles without Collisions?
- Unlike in solids, liquids, or gases, where energy is transferred via molecular collisions, plasma particles interact through electromagnetic fields.
- This allows shock waves to accelerate electrons without direct contact.
- Multi-Stage Acceleration Process:
- Plasma waves interact with electrons, imparting initial energy.
- Magnetic turbulence in the shock front causes electrons to spiral, further increasing their speed.
- Repeated interactions with plasma waves push electrons to relativistic speeds.
- Role of Earth’s Bow Shock & Foreshock:
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- When the solar wind collides with Earth’s magnetosphere, it forms a shock wave.
- The foreshock region ahead of this wave is highly turbulent, enabling efficient electron acceleration.
PYQ:
[2009] In the year 2008, which one of the following conducted a complex scientific experiment in which sub-atomic particles were accelerated to nearly the speed of light?
(a) European Space Agency
(b) European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
(c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
(d) National Academy of Sciences, USA |
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