India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement for the operation of the Chabahar port, marking a significant milestone in their cooperation.
Back2Basics: Chabahar Port
The port is located in southeastern Iran in the Sistan-Baluchistan province, on the Gulf of Oman and at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
It is called the “Golden Gate” to Central Asian land-locked countries of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
It serves as Iran’s only oceanic port and consists of two separate ports named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
It is only about 170 km west of the Gwadar port if Pakistan.
The development of Chabahar port was initiated by India with a MoU in 2015 and executed in 2016 during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Iran.
About the Agreement
The contract, signed between Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) and Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran, involves substantial investment and development initiatives.
IPGL will invest approximately $120 million in equipping the Shahid-Behesti terminal, enhancing the port’s efficiency and capacity.
India has extended a credit window of $250 million for mutually identified projects aimed at improving Chabahar-related infrastructure, emphasizing its commitment to regional development.
Strategic Importance of Chabahar Port to India
Chabahar port will boost India’s access to Iran, the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor that has sea, rail and road routes between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.
Chabahar port will be beneficial to India in countering Chinese presence in the Arabian Sea which China is trying to ensure by helping Pakistan develop the Gwadar port.
India can bypass Pakistan in transporting goods to Afghanistan.
Economic Significance
Chabahar Port is at an important point on the Arabian Sea, with easy access from Indiaâs west coast.
Kandla port in Gujarat is the closest port at 550 nautical miles, while the distance between Chabahar and Mumbai is 786 nautical miles.
Since 2019, the port has handled more than 80,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container traffic and more than 8 million tonnes of bulk and general cargo.
The port also offers an alternative route from the Strait of Hormuz for cargo traffic between Central Asian countries and Afghanistan.
PYQ:
[2017] What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?
(a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.
(b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
(c) India will not depend on Pakistan to access Afghanistan and Central Asia.
(d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the gas pipeline installation between Iraq and India.
The 7th edition of the India-France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI begins at Umroi, Meghalaya, signalling the start of a biennial training event aimed at enhancing bilateral military cooperation.
About Exercise Shakti
Shakti Exercise is a joint military exercise between the armies of India and France.
It is a biennial training event conducted alternatively in India and France
It started in 2011, and since then, the armies of both countries have undertaken it to promote defence cooperation and interoperability.
Objectives:
To bolster joint military capabilities for multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
To operate in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, focusing on achieving a high degree of physical fitness and refining tactical drills.
Major Defence Exercise between India and France:
Garuda: It is the joint air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force.
Varuna: It is the joint naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.
Desert Knight-21: It was a bilateral air exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur from January 20-24, 2021. It was unique as it involved the fielding of Rafale aircraft by both sides.
FRINJEX: It was the maiden joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the French Army conducted at Pangode Military Station, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on March 7-8, 2023.
The Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra and Sahrdayaloka-Locana have been included in âUNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific regional registerâ.
About UNESCO’s âMemory of the World (MOW) Asia-Pacific regional registerâ
Details
History and Establishment
Initiated in 1992 by UNESCO.
Asia-Pacific Regional Committee (MOWCAP) was set up in 1998.
Parent Organization
Overseen by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Objective
To safeguard, preserve, facilitate access to, and increase awareness of documentary heritage. Focuses specifically on the Asia-Pacific region.
Examples of Inscribed Items
Includes items like Japanâs âSugiharaâs Visas for Lifeâ, Australiaâs âMabo Case Manuscriptsâ, and Vietnamâs âBa Chuc Massacre Archivesâ.
Impact and Outreach
Supports preservation, digitization, accessibility of documents; provides grants and organizes workshops, meetings, and exhibitions to promote knowledge sharing.
Written by Tulsidas in the 16th century, the Ramcharitmanas is an epic poem in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi, and is a retelling of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana.
It narrates the life of Lord Rama, his virtues, the ideals of Dharma, and his reign during Ram Rajya.
Hanuman Chalisa is a combination of 40 verses from the same epic.
Panchatantra:
The Panchatantra is a collection of ancient Indian animal fables that dates back to at least the 3rd century BCE.Â
Originally written in Sanskrit by Vishnu Sharma.
Its stories are crafted as simple yet vibrant narratives that aim to impart practical life lessons through the interactions of anthropomorphized animals.
Sahrdayaloka-Locana
The Sahrdayaloka-Locana is a Sanskrit treatise on poetics written byJagannatha Paáčážitaraja in the 17th century.
It is considered one of the most important works of Sanskrit literary criticism.
The text discusses the concept of “Sahrdaya“, which refers to a sensitive or discerning reader or critic.
PYQ:
[2016] With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorising of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who among the following?
Once again, the Muslim population has become a point of discussion. Last month, PM Narendra Modi referred Muslims in India, suggesting they have a higher birth rate.
Trends of Muslim Population as per Data Point (NFHS-5 2019-21) published on April 23:
Population Trends: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister noted a Muslims in the total population increased by 43.15% between 1950 and 2015, the share of Hindus decreased by 7.82% between 1950 and 2015.
The fertility rate of Muslims was 2.36 in 2019-21, much closer to the replacement level. The fertility rate is the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime. A rate of 2.1 (the âreplacement levelâ) means that the population is stable.
Factors behind the High Population Growth of Muslims:
Socio-economic Factors: Socio-economic factors, rather than religion, significantly influence fertility rates. Educating girls, delaying marriage, promoting family planning awareness, and ensuring access to family planning measures are crucial in reducing fertility levels.
Regional Variations: Fertility rates among Muslim women vary regionally, influenced by the social and economic development of states.
Early Marriage and Literacy: There’s a positive correlation between higher fertility rates and early marriage among women aged 20-24. Conversely, a negative correlation exists between literacy rates among women and fertility rates.
Lack of Awareness: Lack of awareness about family planning remains a concern, with a significant portion of women reporting never hearing or seeing family planning messages.
Unmet Demand for Family Planning: Many women, particularly Muslims in certain states, have an unmet demand for family planning due to various factors, including lack of access to contraceptive measures.
Government Intervention: Increasing awareness about contraceptives, improving access to family planning measures, educating girls, and preventing child marriages are essential government functions to reduce fertility rates across religious groups.
Need for Coercive Measures:Â
Comprehensive Education and Awareness Programs: Implement educational campaigns that promote family planning, gender equality, and reproductive health awareness, targeting both men and women in communities across the country.
Access to Family Planning Services: Ensure easy access to a wide range of family planning methods and contraceptives, including in remote and underserved areas, through government health facilities and community outreach programs.
Mains PYQ:
Q Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the mains cause of population increase in India. (UPSC IAS/2015)
On May 7, a Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan warned against the presence of “unfair, prejudicial, and atrocious mindsets” that perpetuate and validate caste prejudices.
It also directed all states and union territories to ensure that the ‘history sheets‘ maintained by their police forces are free from âcaste biasesâ.
The Bench was adjudicating a petition filed by AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, contesting a history sheet initiated against him and a proposal to designate him as a ‘bad character’ by registering his name in the surveillance register at Delhiâs Jamia Nagar police station.
Did you know about the âHistory sheetsâ?
The term “history sheet” first appeared in the Punjab Police Rules of 1934.Â
These rules authorized the opening of a history sheet against individuals reasonably believed to be habitually addicted to crime or aiding and abetting criminal activities, regardless of whether they have been convicted.
How was the process of âhistory sheetingâ initiated?
The process of opening a history sheet is governed by police rules specific to each state, such as it is applicable in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Chandigarh.
The initiation typically begins when the Station House Officer (SHO), who is the head of the police station, takes notice of an individual proven guilty in multiple cases or found to be consistently engaged in criminal activities.
Details included in the history sheet(Acc. Punjab Police Rules, 1934):
A history sheet must contain a detailed description of the individual, paying special attention to any peculiarities of appearance that can aid in identification.
It mentions the relations and connections of the individual. This provides clues regarding persons with whom the criminal is likely to associate.
It holds the details about any property owned by the criminal, as well as their mode of earning a livelihood, should be included.
About Amanatullah Khan’s plea in the Supreme Court:
On May 13, 2022, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Jamia Nagar had submitted a dossier to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) proposing to open a history sheet and label him as a “Bad Character” in police records.
The proposal was accompanied by a list of 18 pending cases against Khan, including offenses such as intimidation, threatening, and riots. Khan claimed that he had been discharged, acquitted, or had the FIRs quashed in 14 of these cases.
Legal Battles:Â
In January 2023, the Delhi HC dismissed Khan’s plea against the opening of the history sheet and the “Bad Character” tag, stating that the Delhi Police had followed due procedure and complied with the Punjab Police Rules, 1934.
Khan’s appeal to the SC was rejected, but the SC directed the police to ensure that details of his minor children and wife were not reflected in the history sheet.
Khan’s plea focused on protecting the dignity, self-respect, and privacy of his innocent family members, including minor relatives, from being compromised by inclusion in the history sheet.
Revisiting Police Procedures: The Delhi Police submitted that they would revisit the format for history sheets to ensure that the details of innocent family members are not compromised.
A Standing Order issued by the Delhi Police Commissioner on March 21, 2024, stated that details of minor relatives should not be included in the history sheet.
BACK2BASICS
Constitutional and Legal Provisions for accused person in India:
Article 20: This right protects against arbitrary and excessive punishment of an accused person, whether a citizen, a foreigner, or a legal person like a company or a corporation, etc.
Article 21: This right declares that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law. This right is available to both citizens and non-citizens.
Section 50(1) of the CrPC: As per this section, every arrested person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect during detention.
This section ensures that individuals, including the accused, are not subjected to any form of physical or mental abuse while in custody, upholding the basic human rights of the accused.
Way Forward:
Review and Revise Police Procedures: States and Union Territories should conduct a comprehensive review of their police procedures related to maintaining history sheets to ensure they are free from caste biases.
Training and Sensitization: Police personnel should undergo regular training and sensitization programs to raise awareness about caste biases and the importance of impartiality in law enforcement.
Mains PYQ:Â
Q The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting probe within a particular State is being questioned by various States. However, the power of the States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India.
For the first time (since 2004), Nagaland is scheduled to conduct Urban Local Body elections.
Context:Â
The state cabinet approved on April 26 for conducting Urban Local Body polls for Nagaland’s 3 Municipal Councils and 36 Town Councils.
Further, the State Election Commission (SEC) released the election schedule, with voting slated for June 26.
BACK2BASICS: Constitutional Provisions for Urban Local Body Elections:
The 74th Constitutional Amendment bars the interference by courts in the electoral matters of municipalities.
Article 243U mandates a five-year tenure for urban local governments.
The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the panchayats and municipalities shall be vested in the State Election Commission (SEC).
Article 371 (A)- It makes the special provisions for Nagaland in such a way that the Acts of Parliament would not apply to Nagaland unless the State Legislature Assembly so decides especially in terms of the Religious or social practices of the Naga.
What does the Janaagraha Survey say about the status of Municipal Elections in India?
According to the annual survey made by Janaagraha (a non-profit institution), over 1,400 municipalities in India did not have elected councils in place as of September 2021.
According to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG), between 2015 and 2021, over 1,500 municipalities didn’t have elected councils. Major cities like Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru faced delays ranging from months to years in holding elections.
The story behind the contention surrounding the Urban Local Body polls in Nagaland:
The Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 was amended in 2006 to introduce a 33% reservation for women in local bodies, by constitutional amendments.
However, this amendment became a subject of controversy due to opposition from tribal bodies, citing conflicts with Naga customary laws.
These laws under Article 371(A) of the Constitution violated Naga customary practices where women have traditionally not been part of decision-making bodies.
In 2009, the state government deferred municipal elections scheduled for the following year due to the controversy surrounding the Act.
Despite opposition, advocacy groups such as the Naga Mothersâ Association (NMA) fought for the implementation of womenâs reservations.
In 2011, the NMA petitioned the Gauhati High Court, which directed the Nagaland government to hold local body elections.
In 2012, the state assembly passed a resolution rejecting womenâs reservations in the polls, leading to further legal battles. The NMA filed a special leave petition in the SC, which in 2017 directed the government to hold the polls.
When the government moved to conduct the elections as per the Supreme Court directive, violent protests erupted, resulting in casualties. Under mounting pressure, then Chief Minister T R Zeliang resigned from his position.
In November, during a special emergency session, the assembly passed the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023.
This new legislation retains the 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies, aligning with constitutional amendments, but removes provisions such as reservation for the post of chairperson and taxes on immovable property.
Conclusion: Nagaland needs to foster community engagement and participation in the electoral process by promoting inclusive governance structures that involve diverse community members, including women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Mains PYQ:Â
Q Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the âNagasâ as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.(UPSC IAS/2013)
India needs a clear Free Trade Agreement policy, especially in dealing with International Trade and Foreign Investment Laws.
About Free Trade Agreement:
A Free Trade Agreement between two or more countries aims to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade, such as tariffs, quotas, and other restrictions, to facilitate the flow of goods and services across borders.
Its significance for India: It can increase market access for Indian goods and services, boost exports, attract foreign investment, stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and enhance competitiveness through exposure to international markets and technologies.
Present status of India’s Involvement in FTA:Â
India is involved in various free trade arrangements, including the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade Area, the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and negotiations with the European Union for a free trade agreement, among others.
Negotiations for India’s FTAs with countries like the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) appear to have stalled amidst the current parliamentary elections in India.
Why does India need to rebuild its Free Trade Agreement policy?
For Comprehensive Economic Treaties: Combining trade and investment negotiations provides India with clear negotiating leverage to strike beneficial deals.
It allows India to leverage concessions in trade for advancements in investment, and vice versa. This approach enhances India’s bargaining power in FTA negotiations.
For Scope Expansion: India should expand the scope of investment issues by incorporating provisions for protecting foreign investors under international law, ensuring their confidence in investing in India.
It will help India to establish an efficacious dispute settlement mechanism under international law to resolve investment disputes effectively.
Providing enforceable legal protection to foreign investors is crucial for boosting their confidence, especially amidst declining foreign direct investment levels in India.
For addressing the drop in FDI Levels: The policy should address the decline in foreign direct investment levels in India by instilling confidence among foreign investors through robust legal protection and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Investment lessons from the India-EFTA Trade deal:
The India-EFTA FTA includes a comprehensive investment chapter, which is missing in recent Indian FTAs with countries like Australia, UAE, and Mauritius.
The agreement includes provisions wherein EFTA countries commit to making honest endeavors to increase FDI to India and facilitate job generation, codifying an obligation of conduct rather than an obligation of result.
Economic theory highlights the close linkage between trade and investment. While earlier Indian FTAs included both binding trade rules and investment protection, recent ones decoupled international trade law from international investment law.
The India-EFTA FTA, emphasizes combining trade and investment negotiations in one comprehensive economic treaty, that is âFTA 3.0 Approachâ, which represents a departure from the decoupling approach seen in recent FTAs.
Way Forward:
Capacity Building: Enhance the capacity of Indian negotiators and policymakers to understand complex trade and investment issues, including legal frameworks, dispute resolution mechanisms, and international best practices.
Integrated Negotiation Approach: Adopt an integrated approach to FTA negotiations, wherein trade and investment aspects are negotiated together within a single agreement, ensuring coherence and synergy between the two.
Mains PYQ:
Q Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss.
Q Analyse the salience of âsectâ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region, and religion.(UPSC IAS/2022) Q Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (UPSC IAS/2021) Q “Empowering women is the key to controlling the population growth.” Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2019)
Prelims: India is regarded as a country With a “Demographic Dividend” This is due to (UPSC IAS/2011) (a) Its high population in the age group below 15 years (b) Its high population in the age group of 15-64 years (c) Its high population in the age group above 65 years (d) Its high total population
Note4Students:
Prelims: Population Trends; Minorities;
Mains: Society; Minorities; Religious demography; Effects of Policies and Programs on Demographics;
Mentor comment: The recent report ‘Share of Religious Minorities: A Cross-Country Analysis (1950-2015)’ conducted by the Economic Advisory Council analyzes the demographic changes in the religious composition of Indian Society as well as across 167 countries from 1950 to 2015. It focuses on the shifting shares of majority and minority religious groups, highlighting trends such as the decline in the Hindu population and the growth of the Muslim population in India. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding these changes as indicators of relative well-being within a country. We need to study this analysis as it is based on the premise that any change in minority populations is influenced by policies related to defining and treating minorities in our country.
Letâs learn
_
Why in the News?
The recent working paper titled ‘Share of Religious Minorities: A Cross-Country Analysis (1950-2015)’ by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), has major observations on Indian religious demographics.
Key highlights made by EAC-PM Report:
The paper is based on the baseline year as 1950, because this was the time around when the International Human Rights Framework was introduced under the aegis of the newly created United Nations. Considering the global trends of declining majority, India too has witnessed a reduction in the share of the majority religious denomination by 7.82%. According to the Report, the Hindu population decreased by 7.82% (1950-2015), while that of Muslims increased by 43.15%, suggesting a conducive environment in the country to foster diversity. The share of the Christian population rose from 2.24% to 2.36% â an increase of 5.38% between 1950 and 2015. While the share of the Sikh population increased from 1.24% in 1950 to 1.85% in 2015 â a 6.58% rise in their share, the share of the Parsi population in India witnessed a stark 85% decline, reducing from 0.03% share in 1950 to 0.004% in 2015.
South Asian Trends:
Within the neighborhood, the share of the majority religious denomination has increased and minority populations have shrunk alarmingly across countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Afghanistan. Minority populations from across the neighborhood come to India during times of duress.
The present controversy over the EAC-PM Report:
The PM-EAC report on religious minorities in India has sparked debate due to its timing, outdated data, and selective focus.
For example, firstly, it does not highlight the nearly 1,520% increase in share in the total population of Buddhists, for every one Muslim, five Hindus were born during this period.
Secondly, the Hindu population has tripled, and the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of Muslim women saw a drop of 2.05 against Hindu womenâs TFR by 1.36, making it controversial.
Despite concerns raised by some, the demographers do not see that the Hindus are losing their majority status, given the historical context and current demographic patterns.
For example, when Hindus could retain their majority status during the 800 years of so-called Mughal rule, they cannot be in danger today.
Present rhetoric and challenges:
Need to have a broader outlook: Focusing solely on Total Fertility Rates to assess a group’s status overlooks broader factors like education and socioeconomic conditions.
Need to survey Public Participation: The representation of a particular religious group in the state’s power structure is a crucial indicator of its well-being.
The Finance Minister recently highlighted the growth of the Muslim population as a positive sign, emphasizing that Indian Muslims enjoy more rights compared to minorities in some Muslim-majority countries.
India is set to become the country with the largest Hindu and Muslim populations by 2050, showcasing the diversity and coexistence within the nation.
What does the Population Data say?
Stabilizing of the Minorities: The data on the decline in Muslim womenâs fertility rates, as seen in Census data, indicates a positive trend toward stabilization. (according to the United Nations Population Fund)
Demographers predict that by the end of the century, Muslims may constitute around 18.8% of India’s population, with Hindus maintaining a significant majority at 74.7%.
Regional Variations: Various states have already achieved fertility rates below replacement levels, signaling a broader trend of population stabilization.
Whilethe Population Regulation Bill in 2019or the Population (Control) Bill in 2021has been introduced, some demographers generally emphasize the importance of addressing population dynamics through education, healthcare, and socioeconomic development.
Lack of Data-evidences: Claims of alarming Muslim population growth in certain regions like Assam lack substantial evidence, with data showing different growth patterns across states.
Illegal Muslim infiltration from Bangladesh is generally said to be responsible for the demographic change since the 1970s in Assam.
Are Coercive Methods Counter-productive?
International Norms and the Indian Government stance: Being a signatory to international covenants such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), India has to abide by the international norms on population control.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has categorically mandated that state parties to ICCPR cannot adopt policies that are compulsory, coercive, or discriminatory.
Even the National Population Policy, of 2000 focused on more relevant socio-cultural factors such as age at marriage, age at birth, girl education, maternal and child health, and voluntary and informed consent over coercive methods.
Conclusion: To address concerns about population growth, efforts should concentrate on improving education and economic opportunities for all communities, including Muslims, rather than resorting to coercive measures.
Blue magpie species are frequently observed from Kashmir to Myanmar.
About Himalayan Magpies
Magpies belong to the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, jays, and ravens.
These birds are typically noisy and inquisitive, often featured as omens in folklore around the world.
Species Distribution and Habitat:
Gold-billed Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris): Also known as the yellow-billed blue magpie, this species inhabits high altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level, thriving in the high-altitude zones of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Myanmar.
Red-billed Magpie: Found at slightly lower altitudes than the gold-billed magpie.
Blue Magpie: Occupies lower altitudes and is more likely to be found near human settlements. It builds nests in rhododendron trees.
IUCN Status: âLeast Concernedâ
Observations:
The best sightings of yellow and red-billed magpies are along a trekking corridor in Western Sikkim, which spans from tropical forests at lower altitudes to Alpine landscapes.
Over 250 species of birds have been documented in this region, with significant bird activity around 2,500 meters.
PYQ:
[2014] If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects, disturbed by their movement through grasses.
Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?
Painted Stork
Common Myna
Black-necked Crane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested a liquid rocket engine made with the help of additive manufacturing technology â commonly known as 3D printing.
The engine, PS4, which is used as the engine for the fourth stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), was redesigned by ISRO for production using 3D printing.
3D Printed PS4 Engine
The technology helped ISRO bring down the number of parts in the engine from 14 to a single piece.
ISRO was able to eliminate 19 weld joints and saved 97% of raw material.
It also reduced the overall production time by 60%.
What is 3D printing?
3D printing is a process that uses computer-created design to make three-dimensional objects layer by layer.
It is an additive process, in which layers of a material like plastic, composites or bio-materials are built up to construct objects that range in shape, size, rigidity, and colour.
Common 3D Printing materials include Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Carbon Fiber Filaments, Conductive Filaments, Metal Filaments etc.
How is 3D printing done?
To carry out 3D printing, one needs a personal computer connected to a 3D printer.
All they need to do is design a 3D model of the required object on computer-aid design (CAD) software and press âprintâ.
The 3D printer does the rest of the job.
3D printers construct the desired object by using a layering method, which is the complete opposite of the subtractive manufacturing processes.
Benefits offered:
3D printing offers several key advantages over traditional manufacturing, including:
Complexity without Extra Cost: Allows for intricate designs without increasing production costs.
Rapid Prototyping: Speeds up the development process by quickly producing prototypes from digital designs.
Customization: Ideal for producing customized or bespoke items in small quantities.
Reduced Waste: Generates minimal waste compared to traditional subtractive methods, making it more sustainable.
Cost-Effective for Low Volumes: Avoids the need for expensive tooling and molds, beneficial for small production runs.
PYQ:
[2018] â3D printingâ has applications in which of the following?
Preparation of confectionery items
Manufacture of bionic ears
Automotive industry
Reconstructive surgeries
Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
