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MANTHAN

MONTHLY CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE


BY PW FOR CIVIL SERVICES ASPIRANTS

NOVEMBER, 2022
table of contents
1. POLITY 03
1.1 The First Amendment to ...................................... 03 1.9 Supreme Court Upholds EWS Reservation............ 10
the Indian Constitution 1.10 Transparency Debate Around Electoral Bonds...... 12
1.2 Two Finger Test on Rape Victims .......................... 04 1.11 Review of the Collegium System .......................... 13
1.3 Legalising Same Sex Marriages.............................. 05 1.12 New Data Protection Bill 2022 ............................. 14
1.4 Supreme Court Orders Release of ........................ 05
all Convicts In Rajiv Gandhi Case short news
1.5 Election Commission of India: .............................. 06 1.13 NRC/NPR/Census ................................................... 16
Need Sweeping Reforms 1.14 22nd Law Commission of India ............................. 16
1.6 Jharkhand Bills & Ninth Schedule.......................... 08 1.15 Mother Tongue Survey Of India (MTSI) ................ 17
1.7 Assam-Meghalaya Boundary Dispute ................... 09 1.16 Appointment of New CJI........................................ 17
1.8 Sealed Cover Jurisprudence ................................. 10 1.17 Narco Test .............................................................. 17

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATION 21
2.1 India-Australia ECTA: A Win Win Deal................... 21 short news
2.2 G20 Summit 2022.................................................. 22
2.3 India Assumes G20 Presidency.............................. 24 2.9 Indian Ocean Region Forum ................................. 28
2.4 Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting....................... 24 2.10 Black Sea Grain Initiative....................................... 29
2.5 Friendshoring........................................................ 26 2.11 Moscow Format.................................................... 29
2.6 I2U2....................................................................... 26 Consultation On Afghanistan
2.7 Russia’s Nuclear Icebreakers................................. 27 2.12 UK-India Young Professional ................................. 29
and Militarization of the Arctic Exchange Scheme
2.8 India- Egypt Relations............................................ 27

3. ECONOMY 32
3.1 Central Bank Digital Currency................................ 32 3.8 India’s First Sovereign Green Bonds Framework... 37
3.2 Difference between CBDC, ................................... 33 3.9 National Investment and ...................................... 38
Cryptocurrency and UPI Payments Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)
3.3 Depreciation of Rupee .......................................... 34 3.10 Indian Electronic Industry ..................................... 39
3.4 Old Pension Scheme And ..................................... 35 short news
National Pension Scheme
3.5 Vostro Nostro Accounts ........................................ 36 3.11 One Nation One ITR Form .................................... 40
3.6 Fodder-Centric Farmer Producer Organisation..... 36 3.11 India Infrastructure Project .................................. 40
3.7 Nutrient-Based Subsidy ........................................ 37 Development Fund Scheme

4. ENVIRONMENT AND GEOGRAPHY 43


4.1 Adaptation Gap Report ........................................ 43
4.2 Ramsar Convention On Wetlands ........................ 43
short news
4.3 COP27................................................................... 44 4.17 National Bioenergy Program ................................ 54
4.4 CITES COP19 ......................................................... 45 4.18 Greenwashing ....................................................... 54
4.5 Project Great Indian Bustard ................................ 46 4.19 Wetland Conservation and Damage...................... 54
4.6 The Great Barrier Reef ......................................... 47 in the Anthropocene Epoch
4.7 Air Quality Index .................................................. 47 4.20 Fourth Tiger Reserve in UP ................................... 56
4.8 Development Project For Great Nicobar .............. 48 4.21 Carbon Border Tax................................................. 56
4.9 Climate Change Performance Index ..................... 49 4.22 The Mangrove Alliance for Climate ...................... 56
4.10 International Day For Biosphere Reserve............. 49 4.23 Mathura-Vrindavan Carbon Neutral by 2041 ....... 57
4.24 Global Offshore Wind Alliance ............................. 57
4.11 India’s Long Term Low Emission ........................... 50
4.25 Glyphosate ........................................................... 57
Development Strategy
4.26 Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership ............... 57
4.12 India's Strategy to Reach Net Zero........................ 51
4.27 Global Shield Financing Facility ............................ 58
Emissions Status by 2070
4.28 Methane Alert and Response System .................. 58
4.13 Trafficking of Rhino Horns .................................... 51
4.29 International Drought Resilience Alliance............. 59
4.14 Great Knot ............................................................ 52
4.30 Mauna Loa Volcano............................................... 59
4.15 Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site .................... 53
4.31 Fujiwhara Effect .................................................... 59
4.16 Pangong Tso Lake ................................................. 53
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5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 62
5.1 Mission Prarambh ................................................ 62 5.9 Advanced Nuclear Fuel Option ............................ 67
5.2 GM Crops ............................................................. 63 for Kudankulam Plant
5.3 Rising Dengue Spread And Dengue Vaccine ........ 64
5.4 Global Partnership On AI ..................................... 64
short news
5.5 Saras Radio Telescope .......................................... 65 5.10 Indian Biological Data Centre ............................... 68
5.6 ISRO’s Cryogenic Engine - Indigenously................ 65 5.11 Artemis I Mission .................................................. 68
Developed For LVM3 5.12 Coronal Holes........................................................ 69
5.7 Rohini Sounding Rocket ....................................... 66 5.13 AP7 Asteroid ......................................................... 69
5.8 Rare Genetic Disease ........................................... 66 5.14 Morbi Tragedy....................................................... 69
5.15 New Tool of Hacking: Bluebugging ....................... 70

6. DEFENSE AND SECURITY 73


6.1 No Money For Terror Finance .............................. 73 6.4 Ransomware Attack On AIIMS ............................. 75
6.2 Delhi Declaration of.............................................. 74 6.5 SPACE Facility by DRDO ........................................ 75
Counter Terrorist Committee 6.6 Military Exercises in News .................................... 76
6.3 Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness ........... 74

7. SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE 79


7.1 National Suicide Prevention Strategy ................... 79 7.5 Evaluating the Performance of MGNREGA .......... 83
7.2 World Population Reached 8 Billion: .................... 80
Future Prospects For World And India
short news
7.3 POCSO Act 2012 ................................................... 81 7.6 Eklavya Model Residential Schools ....................... 85
7.4 Fighting Against the Social Evil ............................. 82 7.7 Performing Grade Index ....................................... 85
of Child Marriage 7.8 PM National Relief Fund........................................ 85

8. ART & CULTURE 88


8.1 The Geoheritage Value of Ram Setu ................... 88 8.6 Legend of Lachit Borphukan ................................ 90
8.2 Wangala Dance..................................................... 89 8.7 The Sword of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ........... 90
8.3 Pashmina Shawls vs Shahtoosh Guard Hair ......... 89 8.8 Afzal Khan Tomb ................................................... 91
8.4 Nadaprabhu Kempegowda .................................. 89 8.9 Patan Patola ......................................................... 91
8.5 Kashi Tamil Sangamam ......................................... 90 8.10 Nicobari Hodi Craft ............................................... 91
9. ETHICS 94
9.1 MOONLIGHTING ...................................................................................................................................................... 94

10. PLACE IN NEWS 97


10.1 Three Key Ports of Ukraine ...................................................................................................................................... 97
10.2 Russia’s Withdrawal From Kherson........................................................................................................................... 97
10.3 Sahel Region............................................................................................................................................................. 98

11. MISCELLANEOUS 100


11.1 Project Unnati .................................................... 100 11.3 HARIT Aykar Initiative ........................................ 100
11.2 Twin Transition.................................................... 100 11.4 Gandhi Mandela Award ..................................... 101

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

1.1 The First Amendment to the on the ground of violation of the right to trade or
business.
Indian Constitution
Reason for Amendments
Context
™ The immediate reason for the amendments
Recently, the Supreme Court has agreed to examine a
was a series of Supreme Court and High Court
petition challenging the changes made under the first
judgments that had struck down provisions
amendment in the scope of the right to freedom of
of public safety laws, press-related laws, and
speech and expression.
criminal provisions that were deemed to be
Previous Year Question incompatible with the constitutional right to
freedom of speech.
The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on
arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Implications of 1st Amendment
Constitution.’ Discuss critically.   (2013)
™ Misuse of 9th Schedule: It contains 200+
legislations receiving protection from judicial
About the First Amendment Act, 1951 scrutiny.
™ It was passed in 1951 by the Provisional
™ Under Article 31, laws placed in the Ninth
Parliament.
Schedule cannot be challenged in a court of law
™ It made several changes to the Fundamental
on the ground that they violated the fundamental
Rights of the Indian Constitution.
rights of citizens.
• Amended Articles 15, 19, 85, 87, 174, 176,
™ Article 31(A), has vested enormous power to the
341, 342, 372 and 376.
State with respect to the acquisition of estates
™ It provided means to restrict freedom of speech
(Excluded scope of judicial review under Articles
and expression on following grounds:
14 and 19).
• Public order
• Friendly relations with foreign states and
Objections taken by Petitioner
• Incitement to an offence. ™ The amendment harms the basic structure of the
constitution.
™ Saved the laws providing for the acquisition of
™ It substituted the original Clause (2) of Article
estates. 
19 with a new Clause that contained two
™ Added Ninth Schedule to protect the land reform
objectionable insertions allowing restrictions “in
and other laws included in it from the judicial
the interest of public order” and “in relation to
review. 
incitement to an offence”.
™ Empowered the state to make special provisions
™ These two insertions protect Sections:
for the advancement of socially and economically
backward classes (SEBC).  • 124A: Sedition Act
RTSEPFP
• 153A: Promoting enmity between different
Provided that state trading and nationalisation of groups on grounds of religion, race, place of
any trade or business by the state is not to be invalid
birth, residence, language, etc.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

• 295A: Deliberate and malicious acts, ™ SC issued certain guidelines:


intended to outrage religious feelings of • The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health
any class by insulting its religion or religious and Family Welfare should be circulated to
beliefs. private and government hospitals.
™ The new Clause (2) also omitted the expression • Workshops should be held for health
“tends to overthrow the State” as appearing providers to prevent the test from being
in the original Clause (2) raises grave concern conducted on rape survivors.
in the context of the dangers posed to the concept
• Court also ordered the two-finger test to
of the secular democratic republic by radicalism,
be removed from the syllabus of medical
terrorism, and religious fundamentalism. education.
Conclusion • The judgement should be circulated to
™ Institutions have to set an example to revert the health and home departments of the
uncertainties. Revisiting the First Amendment States.
debates, 74 years after independence, could be ™ The SC in Lillu v. State of Haryana (2013) had also
one step in this direction. held that the two-finger test violates the right of
rape survivors.
1.2 Two Fingers Test
Guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Family
Context Welfare for Health Providers:
Recently, the Supreme Court said that any person ™ In 2014, Union Ministry of Health brought out
conducting the invasive ‘two-finger’ or ‘three-finger’
detailed guidelines for the medical examination
vaginal test on rape or sexual assault survivors will be
of the victims of sexual assault. However, these
found guilty of misconduct.
guidelines are not legally binding.
Previous Year Question ™ According to the guidelines, two finger test must
We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual not be conducted for establishing rape or sexual
violence against women in the country. Despite assault.
existing legal provisions against it, the number
of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some ™ A rape victim’s consent or her guardian’s, if she
innovative measures to tackle this menace. (2014) is minor/metally disabled, is necessary for any
medical examination.
About Supreme Court Observations ™ Victims cannot be denied medical treatment
even if the consent is not provided.
™ The court said that this test has no scientific basis
and neither proves nor disproves allegations of Additional Information:
rape. About Two Finger Test:
™ The court also highlighted the guidelines • It is an invasive, unscientific and regressive
(forbidding the application of the two-finger practice where two fingers are inserted into the
test) issued by the Ministry of Health and Family vagina to assess the laxity of vaginal muscles and
Welfare for health providers in cases of sexual examine the hymen.
violence. • In rape cases, this test is used to gauge whether
™ Section 53A in the Indian Evidence Act says a person is sexually active.
that the evidence of a victim’s character or her • A handbook by WHO says, “There is no place for
previous sexual experience with any person shall virginity (Two Finger) testing; it has no scientific
not be relevant to the issue of consent or the
RTSEPFP
validity.”
quality of consent in the prosecution of sexual
offences.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Way Forward ™ The Special Marriage Act of 1954 ought to apply


™ Training and sensitization of the doctors as to a marriage between any two persons,
well as police personnels is the need of the hour. regardless of their gender identity and sexual
orientation.
™ The medico-legal section of the Health
Department needs to be integrated with the ICJS Supreme Court Judgments
(Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System) as it is
™ In Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. and others 2018
no less important than the FSL (Forensic Science
Case: The SC held that the right to marry a person
Laboratories).
of one’s choice is integral to Article 21 of the
™ Training capacity must also be reviewed, and Constitution.
communication channels should be improved to
• Article 21: Protection of life and personal
avoid the status quo.
liberty. No person shall be deprived of his
1.3 Legalising Same Sex Marriages life or personal liberty except according to
procedure established by law
Context ™ In Puttaswamy Case: The SC referred to Article 16
Recently, the Supreme Court sought the government’s (2) of the Indian constitution and said that there
response on pleas to allow solemnisation of same ­sex cannot be any discrimination on grounds only of
marriage under the Special Marriage Act. religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth,
residence or any of them.
About the Special Marriage Act of 1954
™ The Special Marriage Act of 1954 provides a civil ™ In Navtej Singh Johar and others v. Union of India
form of marriage for couples who cannot marry 2018: The SC held that members of the LGBTQ
under their personal law. community “are entitled, as all other citizens, to
the full range of constitutional rights including the
™ There is a demand that 1954 Act should grant liberties protected by the Constitution and are
same-sex couples the same protection that it gave entitled to equal citizenship and equal protection
to inter-caste and inter­faith couples. of law.
™ The Act discriminates between same ­sex couples
and opposite-sex couples, denying same ­ sex Constitutionality of Same-sex Marriages in
couples both legal rights as well as the social India
recognition and status that flows from marriage. ™ The right to marry is not expressly recognized
Additional Information either as a fundamental or constitutional right
under the Indian Constitution.
Section 377 of IPC:
™ Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) ™ Though marriage is regulated through various
criminalized homosexuality and was introduced statutory enactments, its recognition as a
in the 1861 during the British rule of India. fundamental right has only developed through
judicial decisions of India’s Supreme Court.
™ It said that whoever voluntarily has carnal
intercourse against the order of nature with
any man, woman or animal, shall be punished 1.4 Supreme Court Orders Release
with imprisonment for life. of All Convicts in Rajiv Gandhi
™ However, in Navtej Johar Case, the Supreme Case
Court of India in 2018, decriminalized Section
377 of the IPC and allowed gay sex among Context
consenting adults in private.
Recently, theRTSEPFPSupreme Court ordered for the
™ The SC ruled that consensual adult sex is not a immediate release of six convicts who are serving life
crime saying sexual orientation is natural and sentence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
people have no control over it.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Background • To adversely affect the harmony amongst


™ Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was different sections of the people does any act
assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur, ™ Section 4 of TADA:
near Chennai. • Killing a person bound by oath under the
™ The TADA or Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Constitution.
(Prevention) Act trial court had sentenced 26
people to death in the case. Grounds on which convicts were released
™ However, the three judges were unanimous that
™ In May 1999, the Supreme Court upheld the death the provisions of TADA could not be applied to
sentence of four, commuted the death sentence any part of the crime.
of three to life, and freed the remaining 19.
™ The SC said that for an act to qualify under the
™ In the year of 2000, the Supreme Court converted definition of terrorism, its “intent” is critical.
the death sentence of Nalini (Female) to Life
™ It is difficult for the court to conclude that the
Imprisonment.
conspirators intended to overawe/endanger the
™ In 2014, the Supreme Court commuted the Government of India or to strike terror in people
death sentence of the remaining three to life or any section thereof.
imprisonment. ™ There is no evidence that any one of the
™ In 2022, The Supreme Court ordered for the conspirators ever desired the death of any Indian
immediate release of six convicts who are serving other than Rajiv Gandhi.
life sentence. ™ Unfortunately, Rajiv Gandhi was not then a
person bound by oath under the Constitution to
Order of the Apex Court uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, as
™ The Court granted premature release of the the Lok Sabha had been dissolved months before
convict by exercising of its extraordinary powers the incident.
under Article 142 of the Constitution.
™ The bench noted that the six had spent over three Additional Information
decades in jail in the case. Article 142:
™ The court said that their conduct was satisfactory ™ It deals with enforcement of decrees and
in this period during which they had pursued orders of the Supreme Court.
studies as well. ™ It provides a unique power to the Supreme Court,
™ On Nalini, the court took into account that she to do complete justice between the parties.
was a woman.
™ The Supreme Court referred to the case of their Government Response
former co-convict A.G. Perarivalan, who was ™ The government moved the Supreme Court
granted premature release by the apex court on seeking a review of the court’s order.
May 18 in exercise of its extraordinary powers ™ The Centre has argued that the order by SC
under Article 142 of the Constitution. granting remission to the convicts was passed
without hearing it (the Centre).
Definition of Terrorism under TADA includes
any of the following:
1.5 Election Commission of India:
™ Section 3 of the TADA: Need Sweeping Reforms
• Intent to overawe the Government
Context
• To strike terror in people or any section of the RTSEPFP

people or  Recently, the Supreme Court has proposed to reform


the appointment of Election Commissioners.
• To alienate any section of the people or 

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Powers and Functions


™ To determine the territorial areas of the electoral
constituencies throughout the country on the basis
of the Delimitation Commission Act of Parliament.
™ To prepare and periodically revise electoral rolls
and to register all eligible voters.
™ To notify the dates and schedules of elections
and to scrutinise nomination papers.
™ To grant recognition to political parties and allot
election symbols to them.
™ To act as a court for settling disputes related to
granting of recognition to political parties and
allotment of election symbols to them.
™ To appoint officers for inquiring into disputes
relating to electoral arrangements

Recent Criticisms Faced by ECI


™ At the peak of the pandemic, opposition criticised
the decision of the panel to impose Covid
Previous Year Question
restrictions on electioneering only after the
Discuss the role of the election commission of india
Prime Minister completed his campaign.
in the light of the evolution of the model code of
conduct. (2022) ™ Unwillingness of ECI to censure the ruling party’s
top leadership for violating the Model Code of
About Election Commission of India Conduct while pulling up Opposition leaders
during the 2019 general elections.
™ Article 324 of the Constitution: It provides that
the power of superintendence, direction, and ™ Its alacrity in joining the freebie debate.
control of elections shall be vested in the election All these incidents raise questions about pressure on
commission. the ECI, which led to the CJI to propose reforms in
™ Guiding Principles: The Commission has laid down appointment of the Election Commissioners.
for itself guiding principles of good governance:
Reasons Behind Reduced Independence
• To uphold the values enshrined in ™ Appointment: The Election Commissioners
the Constitution viz, equality, equity, are appointed by the President on the
impartiality, independence; and rule of law in recommendation of the central government.
superintendence, direction and control over
™ Tenure: The CEC enjoys secure tenure, however
the electoral governance;
the other two ECs can be easily removed by the
• To conduct elections with highest standard of President on the recommendation of CEC.
credibility, freeness, fairness, transparency, ™ The Commission has no power to derecognize a
integrity, accountability, autonomy and political party.
professionalism;
™ Toothless Model Code of Conduct: The Model
• To ensure participation of all eligible citizens Code of Conduct is not legally enforceable.
in the electoral process in an inclusive voter
centric and voter-friendly environment; Why is Independence
RTSEPFP
Important?
• To engage with political parties and all ™ To ensure Free and Fair elections.
stakeholders in the interest of electoral ™ To resist the political pressure and ensure non-
process; partisan behaviour.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

™ For acceptability of the election verdict: The 1.6 Jharkhand Bills and Ninth
losing parties accept the electoral verdict as
they believe in the impartial and independent Schedule
functioning of EC.
Context:
™ Maintaining the trust of the people: The trust Recently, the Jharkhand Assembly unanimously
of the masses over the electoral process is cleared two Bills which would come into force only
contingent upon the degree of independence after the Centre carries out amendments to include
enjoyed by the EC. them in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
Reforms Proposed by the SC About the Bills
™ The five judges Constitution bench of SC has ™ The first Bill, ‘Jharkhand Reservation of
proposed the idea of including the Chief Justice Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment)
of India in the Committee that appoints the Chief Bill, 2022’, raised reservation to 77 per cent.
Election Commissioner (CEC). Within the reserved category, the Scheduled
Castes will get a quota of 12 per cent, up from
™ This would help ensure “neutrality” (in the 10 per cent; 27 per cent for OBCs, up from 14 per
functioning decisions of the institution). cent; 28 per cent for Scheduled Tribes, a 2 percent
increase; and 10 per cent for Economically Weaker
Arguments in Favour of the Proposal Sections.
™ The Second ARC recommended the EC must be ™ The second Bill, ‘Jharkhand Definition of Local
appointed by a collegium. Persons and for Extending the Consequential,
™ Law Commission’s in its 255th Report also Social, Cultural and Other Benefits to Such Local
suggested a collegium to improve appointments. Persons Bill, 2022’, is aimed at granting local
residents “certain rights, benefits, and preferential
Arguments Against the Proposal treatment” over their land,
™ The presence of CJI in the appointment Committee • in their stake in local development of rivers,
of CBI Director hasn’t ensured the independence lakes, fisheries
of the investigative agency. • in local traditional and cultural and
™ Experts argue that the corrective measures have commercial enterprises
to be provided from within the institution itself. • in rights over agricultural indebtedness or
™ The Election Commission must stand its ground availing agricultural loans
in the face of overreach by the political executive, • in maintenance and protection of land
it must push back and be seen to be pushing records; for their social security
back. • in employment in the private and public
Steps taken to improve credibility and independence sector, and, for trade and commerce in the
of Election Commission: state.
™ C-Vigil Application: Developed for reporting cases
of MCC violation by the masses. About Ninth Schedule
™ The Ninth Schedule contains a list of central and
™ The EC had launched a scheme for use of State-
state laws which cannot be challenged in courts.
owned Electronic Media by political parties for
providing a level playing field to every political party. ™ Currently, 284 such laws are shielded from judicial
review. Most of the laws protected under the
Conclusion Schedule concern agriculture/land issues.
There is a need to undertake reforms in appointment, ™ The Schedule
RTSEPFP became a part of the Constitution
functions and powers of the ECI to reinstall the shaken in 1951, when the document was amended
trust of EC’s independence and credibility amongst for the first time. It was created by the new
the masses. Article 31B, which along with 31A was brought

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

in by the government to protect laws related to


agrarian reform and for abolishing the Zamindari
system. While Article 31A extends protection to
‘classes’ of laws, A.31B shields specific laws or
enactments.
Why the need to include it in the Ninth Schedule?
™ The 77 per cent reservation breaches the 50
per cent ceiling set by the Supreme Court in the
landmark 1992 Indra Sawhney v Union of India
verdict. About the Dispute
™ By placing legislation in the Ninth Schedule shields ™ Assam and Meghalaya have a longstanding dispute
it from judicial scrutiny. in 12 stretches of their 884-km shared border.
The Ninth Schedule and the Judicial Scrutiny:
Background
™ The Ninth Schedule provides the law with a “safe
™ During British rule, undivided Assam included
harbour” from judicial review, the protection is
present-day Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh,
not blanket.
Meghalaya and Mizoram.
™ The Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous nine-
™ Meghalaya was carved out in 1972, its boundaries
judge verdict that while laws placed under Ninth
demarcated as per the Assam Reorganisation
Schedule cannot be challenged on the grounds
(Meghalaya) Act of 1969, but has held a different
of violation of fundamental rights; they can be
interpretation of the border since.
challenged on the ground of violating the basic
™ Some of these disputes stem from the
structure of the Constitution.
recommendations made by a 1951 Committee
™ The court clarified that the laws cannot escape headed by then Assam Chief Minister Gopinath
the “basic structure” test if inserted into the Bordoloi.
Ninth Schedule after 1973, as it was in 1973
™ In 2011, the Meghalaya government had identified
that the basic structure test was evolved
12 areas of difference with Assam.
in the Keshavananda Bharati case as the
ultimate test to examine the constitutional validity Steps Taken
of laws. ™ A number of attempts had been made in the past
to resolve the boundary dispute.
Way Forward
™ In 1985, under the Assam chief minister and
™ While giving reservation to the community, the
Meghalaya chief minister, an official committee
effectiveness of the administration has to be
was constituted under the former Chief Justice of
looked upon too.
India Y V Chandrachud.
™ Reservation beyond the limit will lead to the
• However, a solution was not found.
ignorance of the merit, which will disturb the
entire administration. ™ The two States had signed a pact in March 2022
resolving the dispute in six out of 12 areas.
1.7 Assam-Meghalaya Boundary ™ This Assam-Meghalaya pact was seen as a major
achievement, as Assam’s border disputes with
Dispute other states in the Northeast have remained
unresolved despite multiple rounds of talks.
Context
™ In 2022, they decided to form regional committees.
Recently, five villagers from Meghalaya and an Assam RTSEPFP

Forest guard were killed and two others were seriously ™ The second round of discussions for the remaining
injured in a firing incident along the boundary six phases was to commence by the end of
between the two States. November 2022.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

1.8 Sealed Cover Jurisprudence Way Forward


According to SC, the measure of non-disclosure of
Context sensitive information in exceptional circumstances
Recently, the SC criticised the practice of “Sealed Cover must be proportionate to the purpose that the non-
” jurisprudence as setting a “dangerous precedent”. disclosure seeks to serve, and that “the exceptions
About Sealed Cover Jurisprudence should not…become the norm”.
™ It is the practice followed by the Supreme Court
(and sometimes lower courts as well) of seeking
1.9 Supreme Court Upholds EWS
and accepting information from government Reservation
agencies in sealed envelopes that can only be
perused by the judges. Context
™ The court asks for information in a sealed cover The Supreme Court, by a 3-2 majority, upheld the
broadly in two circumstances: 103rd Constitutional Amendment, 2019 providing
reservation up to 10% for Economically Weaker
• When information is connected to an ongoing
Sections (EWS) in education and employment.
investigation,
• When it involves personal or confidential Probable Question:
information. Q. Do you think that the recent reservation policy
™ The SC itself has encouraged the practice of brought exclusively for the EWS belonging to the
seeking public-interest related information in general category by the 103rd Constitutional
sealed envelopes. For examples: Amendment Act is empirically justified? Critically
• In the Assam NRC Case, the SC asked the evaluate.
coordinator to submit the report in a sealed
cover. About 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act:
• In the Bhima Koregaon case too, the SC asked ™ The 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act inserted
the Maharashtra Police to submit evidence in new Articles 15(6) and 16(6) in the Constitution.
a sealed envelope. ™ It provides reservations for jobs and admissions
in educational institutes for Economically Weaker
Issues Related to the Practice Sections (EWS) 
™ Opaqueness: It prevents parties from having a
™ Coverage: It covers the poor who are not covered
full overview of the charges against them,
by the existing 50% reservation policy for Scheduled
™ Against the idea of Open Court: It is not Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Socially
compatible with the idea of an open court, fair and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC).
trial and a transparent system of justice.
™ It enables both the Centre and the states to
™ Creates Unbalance: It tilts the balance of power provide reservations to the EWS of society.
in a litigation in favour of a dominant party which
has control over information. Who belongs to EWS?
™ Dilute Rationality: It takes away the opportunity
to analyse judicial decisions, and to appreciate
the rationale behind them.

Rule 7 of order XIII of the Supreme Court Rules:


If the Chief Justice or court directs certain
information to be kept under sealed cover or RTSEPFP
considers it of confidential nature, no party
would be allowed access to the contents of such
information.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Why was it challenged in court? individual. So, while access “to public goods”
™ Petitioners contended that the amendment such as tax breaks, and subsidies can be allowed,
violated the basic structure of the Constitution reservation in public employment would not be
because it violated the equality code. permissible.
™ Lack of Data: No data is available to the central or
Arguments of petitioners State governments to demonstrate that members
The violation occurred : of the "upper" caste who earn less than Rs 8 lakh
(a) As the reservation was only for groups that were annually are not fairly represented in government
socially and educationally backward. employment and higher education.
(b)   by converting a scheme to overcome structural ™ The collective disadvantage experienced by
barriers for the advancement of social groups certain groups is unique to each of them, and their
into an anti-poverty measure. specific deprivations require specific resolutions.
(c)   by excluding OBC/SC/ST candidates from the ™ Contemporary inequalities; economic, cultural,
EWS category. and social capital are inherited in nature and are
(d) by breaching the 50% ceiling on the total passed on to successive generations.
reservation. ™ Unless, the caste-based discrimination is
Views of Supreme Court in Janhit Abhiyan v. Union eliminated completely from the society, the
of India case (EWS Judgement): grounds for caste-based reservation will exist and
The SC held that: remain valid.

™ There was nothing wrong in addressing economic Conclusion


weakness through reservation as an instrument ™ The government should emphasise on the
of affirmative action. quality of education and other successful
™ Reservation can cover any disadvantaged social upliftment measures rather than granting
section, not just socially backward classes. reservations based on various criteria.
™ Classifying a section based on economic criterion ™ Reservations should not be the singular policy
alone was permissible under the Constitution, instrument to address caste-based inequality in
and the EWS quota did not violate any essential India.
feature of the Constitution. The Indian political class should overcome its tendency
™ The exclusion of the classes already enjoying of continually expanding the scope of reservation in
reservation from the EWS category does not pursuit of electoral gains, and realise that it is not the
offend the equality principle. panacea for problems.
™ Since economically disadvantaged citizens
have been prevented from enrolling in higher Additional Information
education institutions and working in the public ™ Article 15 (6) is added to provide reservations
sector due to their financial inability, the 10% to economically weaker sections for admission
quota is progressive. to educational institutions including private
™ Regarding the breach of the 50% limit, the majority educational institutions, whether aided or
view was that the ceiling itself was not inflexible unaided by the State.
or inviolable. At the same time, another point in • The amendment aims to provide reservation
favor of the extra 10% quota was that the 50% to those who do not fall in 15 (5) and 15(4)
limit was applicable only to the existing reserved (effectively, SCs, STs and OBCs).
categories (OBC/SC/ST). ™ Article 16 (6) is added to provide reservations
to people from economically weaker sections
RTSEPFP

Arguments against EWS reservation


in government posts.
™ The Constitution says that reservations can only
be about the community and not about the
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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

1.10 Transparency Debate Around Merits of Electoral Bonds


Electoral Bonds ™ Donors are permitted to donate via electoral
bonds without disclosing their details. Therefore,
Context the identity of the donor is being preserved.
Recently, the Centre amended the scheme to allow an ™ Cash will not be encouraged as all payments will
additional period of 15 days for electoral bond sales in be directed through banking routes.
years which have State elections. ™ They ensure that the funds being collected by the
political parties are accounted for clean money.
Probable Question:
Q. Critically evaluate the electoral bonds in the context Criticism of Electoral Bonds
of introducing transparency in the electoral system. ™ They are sold via a government-owned bank (SBI)
leaving the possibility for the government to know
exactly who is funding its opponents.
Findings of Annual Report of Association for
™ Government has exempted political parties
Democratic Reforms from disclosing donations received through
™ Share of "unknown sources of income" for electoral bonds. This affects the voters' right to
national parties increased from 66% between not know.
FY15 and FY17 to 71% between FY19 and FY21
™ The scheme removes all pre-existing limits
after the introduction of electoral bonds.
on political donations and effectively allows
™ In the same period, the share of unknown sources well-resourced corporations to fund elections
of income increased from 55% to 68% for regional subsequently paving the way for crony capitalism.
parties.
™ Crony Capitalism is an economic system
™ The electoral bonds' share formed 57% and 64%
characterized by mutually advantageous
of the national and regional parties' total incomes
relationships between business leaders and
in the FY19­-FY21 period, respectively.
government officials.
™ The burden of unknown income has merely
™ Source of donor's funding through bonds will
shifted from other routes such as donations
not be questioned leaving a way for money
below `20,000 and coupon sales to electoral
laundering.
bonds.
™ It cannot be ascertained whether the political
About Electoral Bonds party has taken any donation in violation of
™ An Electoral Bond is like a promissory note provision under Section 29B of the RPA, 1951
that may be purchased by a person who is a which prohibits donations from government
citizen of India or incorporated or established in companies and foreign sources.
India.
Way Forward
™ The bonds are like banknotes that are payable to
™ It is necessary to implement directions of the
the bearer on demand and are interest-free.
Supreme Court given in 2019:
™ The Electoral Bond Scheme was notified on
™ Political parties should submit details of donations
January 29, 2018.
received through electoral bonds to the Election
™ Only the political parties registered under Section Commission of India.
29A of the Representation of the People Act (RPA),
™ It also asked the Finance Ministry to reduce the
1951 and which secured not less than one percent
window of purchasing electoral bonds from 10
of the votes polled in the last General Election
days to five days.
to the House of the People or the Legislative RTSEPFP

Assembly of the State, shall be eligible to receive ™ Parties should be levied with income tax on
the Electoral Bonds. donations received through electoral bonds.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Election Commission of India's view on ™ The Supreme Court Collegium is a five-member


Electoral Bonds body, which is headed by the incumbent CJI and
comprises the four other senior most judges of
™ The Election Commission in 2019 told the Supreme
the court at that time.
Court of India that while it was not against the
Electoral Bonds Scheme, it did not approve of ™ A High Court collegium is led by the incumbent
anonymous donations made to political parties. Chief Justice and two other senior most judges
of that court.
1.11 Review of the Collegium System ™ Judges of the higher judiciary are appointed
only through the collegium system, and the
Context government has a role only after names have
Recently, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud been decided by the collegium.
agreed to list in due course a writ petition to reconsider ™ The government can also raise objections
the Collegium system of judicial appointments to the and seek clarifications regarding the collegium's
Supreme Court and the High Courts. choices, but if the collegium reiterates the
Previous Year Question: same names, the government is bound to appoint
Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement them.
on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Evolution of Collegium System
Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges
of higher judiciary in India. (2017) ™ First Judges Case (1981): SC said that the Executive
has to consult the judiciary for appointment of
About the News judges. The ruling gave the Executive primacy
™ A petition sought the revival of the National over the Judiciary in judicial appointments.
Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), ™ Second Judges Case (1993): SC introduced the
which gave the government an equal role along Collegium system, holding that "consultation"
with the judiciary in the appointment of judges really meant "concurrence". It added that it
to the constitutional courts before it was struck was not the CJI's individual opinion, but an
down by the Supreme Court in 2015. institutional opinion formed in consultation with
™ Petition said the judicial appointments process the two senior-most judges in the SC.
should be transparent and open, involving ™ Third Judges Case (1998): SC on the President's
the notification of vacancies and invitation of reference (Article 143) expanded the Collegium
applications from "all eligible and desirous" of to a five-member body, comprising the CJI and
joining the Bench. four of his senior-most colleagues.
™ The public should be allowed to voice their ™ Fourth Judges Case, 2015: SC upheld the primacy
objections against the candidates. of the collegium by striking down the NJAC law
™ The Collegium system of appointment of judges saying that NJAC law gave Executive equal power
has resulted in the denial of equal opportunity for in judicial appointments to constitutional courts
the petitioners and thousands of lawyers. which is against the provision of "separation
of power" under the Basic Structure of the
What is the Collegium System? constitution
™ The collegium system is the way by which judges
™ However, due to the widespread criticisms
of the Supreme Court and High Courts are
against the collegium, the judgement promised
appointed and transferred. to consider necessary measures to improve the
™ The collegium system is not rooted in the collegiumRTSEPFP
system. For this purpose, the SC required
Constitution or a specific law promulgated by the government to submit the Memorandum of
Parliament; it has evolved through judgments of Procedure (MoP).
the Supreme Court.
www.pw.live November 2022 CURRENT AFFAIRS 13
POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Merits of Collegium System ™ A written manual should be released by the


™ The collegium system makes Judiciary Supreme Court which should be followed during
independent from politics. It separates the appointments.
judiciary from the influence of executive and ™ Records of all meetings should be in the public
legislative.  domain in order to ensure transparency and a
™ Judiciary can work without any fear and any rule-based process.
sort of favour. This ensures the regulation of the
doctrine of separation of power. 1.12 New Data Protection Bill 2022
™ The executive organ is not specialist or does not
have the knowledge regarding the requirements Context
of the Judge as comparative to the CJI. The The latest draft of the data protection law — the
Collegium system ensures that the deserving Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 (DPDP
one is sitting in the position of the Judge in the Bill 2022) has now been made open for public
Supreme Court. comments.

Criticism of the Collegium System Probable Question:


™ The system is criticised for non-transparency, Q. Examine the implications of the draft Digital
since it does not involve any official mechanism Personal Data Protection Bill 2022 from the
or secretariat. perspective of data privacy.
™ It is seen as a closed-door affair with no prescribed
norms regarding eligibility criteria, or even the
Key Terms Related to the Bill
™ Data Principal: The individual whose data is being
selection procedure.
stored and processed.
™ There is no public knowledge of how and when
™ Data Fiduciary: The service provider who collects,
a collegium meets, and how it takes its decisions.
stores and uses data while providing goods and
™ There are no official minutes of collegium services.
proceedings. ™ Data Localisation: The practice of storing data
™ The word collegium is not mentioned in the on any device that is physically present within
Constitution. Through the system, judges are the borders of the country where the data is
appointed themselves who are least accountable generated. As of now, most of this data is stored,
to the people. in a cloud, outside India.
™ It gives Judiciary immense power leaving
little room for checks and poses the risk of Criticism of the Bill
misuse. ™ Rights of data principals:
Way Forward • Bill does not provide the right of data
portability by which data principal cannot
™ The NJAC needs to be amended to make sure
port their data to from one data fiduciary/
that the judiciary retains independence in its
social media platform to the another one.
decisions.
•   Right to be forgotten is not provided that
™ Appointment should be based on four criteria:
allows the data principal to ask the data
transparency, eligibility criteria for judicial
fiduciary to stop the continuing disclosure of
appointments, a permanent secretariat to assist
their personal data.
the collegium and a mechanism for complaints
against candidates. • Bill does not allow them to seek compensation
from data fiduciaries for harms they have
RTSEPFP

suffered due to unlawful processing.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

™  Issues related to Data Protection Board:


Draft Digital Data Protection Bill, 2022
• The scope of the Data Protection Board of
 Major Provisions of the Bill India is reduced by giving more rule making
™ The Bill proposes to impose a penalty of powers to the central government. This
₹10,000 on individuals providing unverifiable creates conflict of interest as the government
or false information while applying for any is one of the biggest data fiduciary.
document, service, proof of identity or address, • Central government exercises greater control
or registering a false or frivolous complaint with over the proposed DPB because it will appoint
a Data Fiduciary (who collects and processes members of the DPB, set out the terms and
the data) conditions of appointment.
™ It has introduced the concept of ‘Consent • No guidelines are provided for notifying
Managers’ who will enable an individual to countries to which cross border data flow will
have a comprehensive view of her interactions be allowed.
with Data Fiduciaries. • No guidelines given for framing rules on
™ The Bill requires the consent of the individual data protection, obligations of data breach,
to be the basis for processing of their personal data protection impact assessments, data
data, except in certain circumstances where audits.
seeking the consent is “impracticable or • The Union government's power to specify
inadvisable due to pressing concerns”. “fair and reasonable” purposes for which it
™ The Data Principal shall have the right to can process personal data without consent
withdraw her consent at any time. may be in violation of the “necessity and
™ The Bill also gives the power to the government proportionality” test laid down by the
to offer exemption from its provisions “in the Supreme Court in Puttaswamy vs Union of
interests of sovereignty and integrity of India” India.
and to maintain public order. • Storage limitation does not apply to
™ It has proposed a Data Protection Board of government agencies which means they
India to safeguard the rights of Data Principal can continue to retain personal data for an
(the individual whose data is being stored and unlimited period.
processed).
  Way Forward
™ Issues related to age of digital consent: Age of ™ There is a need to insulate the Data Protection
digital consent is the age at which an individual can Board of India from the executive’s interference. 
consent to their personal data being processed, It shall be given autonomy and powers to frame
continuing to be 18. regulation over data localisation norms, data
audit, etc.
• Does not recognise that the consent of a
toddler is different from that of a teenager. ™ Balance should be established between digital
sovereignty, data principals' rights and interests
• It would result in unequal access to the
of the digital market/economy.
internet.
™ As per Srikrishna Committee Report:
• Requiring consent from parents would
hamper autonomous development of • At least one copy of personal data will need
children since parents may not want them to be stored on servers located within India.
to be exposed to viewpoints contradictory to • Transfers outside the country should be
their own. subject to safeguards.
RTSEPFP
• Such restrictions are in violation of India’s • Critical personal data should only be stored
obligations under the Convention on Rights and processed in India.
of the Child.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Short News
1.13 NRC/NPR/Census
Context
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently expressed the need to update the National Population Register
(NPR) database across the country. Updation is required to incorporate changes due to birth, death, migration etc.
National Register of Citizens National Population Register Census
(NRC) (NPR)
Definition A register of all Indian citizens A database of all Indian residents A count of the population
and its characteristics
Participants Includes only Indian citizens All residents including foreigners All residents including
and citizens foreigners and citizens
Purpose To identify illegal immigrants To provide a database of To provide data for
residents planning and Development
Methodology Document-based verification Door-to-door enumeration Door-to-door
enumeration
Scope Has only been implemented in some Nationwide Nationwide
areas like Assam
Data Demographic data like name, date of Birth details. Biometric data also Literacy, Employment,
Collected birth, place of birth, parents' names, can be collected. Education, Migration,
and current address. Documentary Language etc
evidence of their citizenship
Legal Citizenship Act of 1955 and the Citizenship Act of 1955 and Census Act, 1948
Grounds Citizenship (Registration of Citizens the Citizenship (Registration of
and Issue of National Identity Cards) Citizens and Issue of National
Rules, 2003 Identity Cards) Rules, 2010
Special NRC is a subset of NPR, created out Data not confidential. The data collected is
Features of. Compulsory to disclose data confidential and can only
and punishment in case of non- be published after being
disclosure. anonymised

1.14 22nd Law Commission of India About the Law Commission


™ It is a non-statutory body constituted by a
Context notification of the Government of India, with
The Centre has established the 22nd Law Commission definite terms of reference to carry out research
of India, headed by Justice (retd) Rituraj Awasthi. in the field of law.
History of Law Commission ™ It is an advisory body to the Law Ministry.
™ 1834: The first Law Commission was constituted ™ Its recommendations are not mandatory.
by the Charter Act of 1833 and chaired by Lord
™ Makes recommendations to the Government (in
Macaulay during British Rule.
the form of Reports) and provides review of Laws.
™ 1955: First commission of Independent India was
™ Tenure: 3 Years
constituted. RTSEPFP

™ Have given many reports on vital issues like Composition


Electoral reforms in 1999, on UCC (Uniform Civil ™ A 5 member body, including a Chairperson and 4
Code) in 2018 etc. other full-time members.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

™ Headed by a Supreme court or High court • Have been for at least ten years an advocate
Judge. of a High Court or of two or more such Courts
in succession, or
1.15 Mother Tongue Survey of India • Be, in the opinion of the President, a
(MTSI) distinguished jurist.

context Powers of the CJI


The Ministry of Home Affairs has completed ™ Administrative Powers:
the Mother Tongue Survey of India (MTSI), which • First among equals (Primus Inter pares)
included field videography of all 576 Indian languages. • Master of the Roster: Prerogative to
constitute the Benches of the Court and
About the Mother Tongue Survey of India allocate cases to the Benches so constituted.
(MTSI): • Administrative Head of the Court.
™ It is a project that “surveys the mother tongues, • Exercising the administrative powers do not
which are returned consistently across two and require consensus of the collegium.
more Census decades”.
• Heads the Collegium for appointment of SC
™ It documents the linguistic features of the selected and HC Judges.
languages.
Removal of CJI
Mother Tongues in India
™ Article 124(4) of Indian Constitution states
™ As per Linguistic data of 2011 census, 19,500
that a Judge of the Supreme Court shall not be
dialects spoken in India as mother tongue which
are grouped in 121 mother tongues. removed from his office except by an order of the
President passed after an address by each House
™ Hindi-Most widely spoken (52 crore people, 43%)
of Parliament supported by a majority of the total
Second highest Bengali (9.7 crore people, 8%
population). membership of that House and by a majority of
not less than two - thirds of the members of that
House present and voting has been presented
1.16 Appointment of New CJI to the President in the same session for such
Context: removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour
or incapacity.
Recently, the President appointed Dr. Justice
Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud, as the Chief
Justice of India. 1.17 Narco Test
Appointment Process of the CJI Context
™ Article 124: Establishment and constitution of the Recently, Delhi Police moved to court
Supreme Court. seeking permission for the narco test on Aaftab
Poonawalla.
• He is appointed by the President of India.
About the Narco Test
Qualifications of CJI
™ In it, a drug called sodium pentothal is injected
™ Should be a citizen of India.
into the body, which transports them to a hypnotic
™ He/She should: or sedated state, in which their imagination is
• Have been for at least five years a Judge of a neutralised.
High Court or of two or more such Courts in RTSEPFP
™ In this hypnotic state, the accused is understood
succession or
as being incapable of lying, and is expected to
divulge information that is true.

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

™ It is referred to as “Truth Serum”, as it weakens About Polygraph Test


the subject’s resolve to lie. ™ A polygraph test is based on the assumption that
™ It can not be considered as a “confession” physiological responses that are triggered when
because those in a drugged-induced state cannot a person is lying are different from what they
exercise a choice in answering questions that are would be otherwise.
put to them. ™ A polygraph test does not involve injecting drugs
™ However, any information or material into the body; rather instruments like cardio-cuffs
subsequently discovered with the help of such or sensitive electrodes are attached to the suspect
a voluntarily-taken test can be admitted as and variables such as blood pressure, pulse rate,
evidence. and blood flow are measured as questions are
put to them.
In ‘Selvi & Ors vs State of Karnataka & Anr’ (2010), A numerical value is assigned to each response to
a Supreme Court Bench ruled that no lie detector
conclude whether the person telling the truth is
tests should be administered “except on the basis
deceiving or uncertain.
of consent of the accused”.

m m m m

RTSEPFP

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POLITY & GOVERNANCE

MCQ Questions Based on Polity & Governance


1. With reference to the 103rd Constitutional 2. It is an interest free banking instrument.
Amendment Act, consider the following
Select the correct answer using the code given
statements:
below:
1. It inserted new Articles 15(6) and 16(6) in
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
the constitution.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. It covers all people who have an annual
income less than 5 lakh. 4. With reference to the Law Commission, which
of the following statements is/are correct?
3. It provides reservation for both education
and employment. 1. It is a statutory body established by a law
made by parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct? 2. The first law commission was established by
the Charter Act of 1833.
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only
3. The recommendations of the commission are
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1 only
mandatory in nature.
2. With reference to the Election Commission of
Select the correct answer using the code given
India, consider the following statements:
below:
1. It is a permanent autonomous constitutional
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only
body established under article 324 of the
constitution. (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
2. Removal of the Election Commissioners is 5. Consider the following statements:
similar to the judges of HC. 1. In a polygraph test, sodium pentothal is
Which of the statements given above is/are injected into the body which helps in
correct? neutralising the imagination.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 2. Narco tests are based on the psychological
responses of the subject.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the statements given above is/are
3. With reference to the Electoral Bonds, which of
correct?
the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
1. A citizen of India or a body incorporated in
India will be eligible to purchase the bond. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer Key RTSEPFP

1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (d)

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2.1 India-Australia ECTA: ™ It provides for an institutional mechanism to


encourage and improve trade between the two
A Win Win Deal countries.
Context ™ Australia has offered wide-ranging commitments
which cover key areas of India’s interests like IT,
Recently, the Australian Parliament ratified the ITES, Business services, Health, Education, and
India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Audio-visual (The Most Favoured Nation (MFN)
Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA). status will be granted in about 120 sub-sectors).
Probable Question ™ India has offered market access to Australia from
Q. Analyze the recently signed trade agreement the 11 broad service sectors such as business
between India and Australia. Also discuss its services, communication services, construction
significance from the Indo-pacific perspective. and related engineering services.
™ Both sides have also agreed to a separate Annex
About India-Australia ECTA on Pharmaceutical products which will enable
fast track approval for patented, generic and
biosimilar medicines.

Benefits of ECTA for India


™ Boost to Bilateral Trade: It is expected that the
bilateral trade will cross US$ 45-50 bn in 5 years
from existing US$31 bn.
™ Benefit to India’s labour-intensive exports: The
Ind-Aus ECTA will lead to duty elimination on 100
per cent tariff lines and benefit India’s labour-
intensive exports such as textiles and apparel,
agriculture and fish products, jewellery etc.
™ Employment generation & Investment: It will
help in creating opportunities for investment,
promotion of start-ups and employment
generation in India.
™ Cheaper raw materials: The agreement would
allow many Indian industries to get cheaper
raw materials and make them competitive (E.g.
copper, nickel, aluminium, manganese, wool, hide
and skins, etc).
™ Fast track
RTSEPFP approval of drugs: In the
pharmaceuticals sector, drugs would get fast
track approval for patented, generic and biosimilar
medicines.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

™ The long pending issue under Double taxation the G20 economies agreed in their declaration
related to IT/ITES has been resolved under this to pace interest rate rises cautiously to avoid
Agreement (leading to yearly savings of over $200 spillovers and warned of “increasing volatility” in
million). currency fluctuations.
™ Changing Global Perception: The agreement will ™ The leaders praised the Black Sea Grain Project
also help India in changing its global perception and pledged to take coordinated action to solve
about being a protectionist country. problems concerning food security.
™ G20 leaders decided to continue their efforts
Additional Information to keep the rise in global temperature to
1.5 degrees Celsius, reaffirming their
About India-Australia Relations
commitment to the Paris 2015 agreement on
™ India-Australia bilateral trade for both
Climate Change.
merchandise and services is valued at USD
27.5 billion in 2021. ™ The G20 communique echoed Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s message underlining that
™ Australia is an important strategic partner
“Today’s era must not be of war.”
of India and both the democracies are part
of the four nations QUAD, Trilateral Supply ™ Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership
Chain Initiative and the Indo-Pacific Economic (JETP) is a long-term political agreement
Forum (IPEF). between the Indonesian Government and the
International Partners Group (IPG). The US
™ Both the countries participate in various
and Japan have joined as leads. President of
bilateral and multilateral defense exercises
Indonesia Joko Widodo handed over the G20
like AUSINDEX, Pitch Black etc.
Presidency to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at
the G20 summit.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the India-Australia ECTA will further
Challenges for G20 Members
improve the relations between the two countries ™ Russia-Ukraine war: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine
and will significantly enhance bilateral trade in goods war has not only created massive geopolitical
and services and improve the general welfare of the uncertainty but also spiked global inflation.
peoples of the two countries. ™ To Check dampened economic activity: The high
inflation has forced central banks across countries
2.2 G20 Summit 2022 to raise interest rates, which, in turn, have
dampened economic activity further, bringing
Context down the economic growth.
Recently, the 17th G20 Leaders Summit was held in ™ Checking Protectionism: Rising Protectionism
Bali, Indonesia. and retracting globalisation is posing challenges
to global order.
Probable Mains Question
Q. The long sustained image of India as a leader Conclusion
of the oppressed and marginalised nations has ™ The world is looking with hope towards collective
disappeared on account of its newfound role in the leadership whether it is G7, G77 or UNGA. In such
emerging global order.’ Elaborate UPSC 2019 a situation India’s presidency of G20 assumes a
new significance.
Major Takeaways from the G20 Summit ™ India has to be central in outlining key priority
at Indonesia areas and
RTSEPFP
in ensuring that the forum does not
remain just a ‘talk shop’ but translates into a
™ In a departure from last year’s focus on healing
‘walk shop’ in terms of meaningful actions and
the wounds left by the Covid-19 outbreak,
outcomes.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

About G20
™ It was formed in 1999 in the backdrop of the financial crisis of the late 1990s.
™ Its aim was to secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries.
™ Together, the G20 countries include 60 percent of the world’s population, 80 percent of global GDP,
and 75 percent of global trade.
™ Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan,
Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United
States, and the European Union.
Objectives of the G20
™ Policy coordination between its members in order to achieve global economic stability, sustainable
growth;
™ Promote financial regulations that reduce risks and prevent future financial crises;
™ Create a new international financial architecture.
Organisational Structure of G20
™ The G20 does not have a charter or a secretariat.
RTSEPFP and after it (Troika), is responsible
™ The Presidency, aided by the countries holding the Presidency before
for setting the agenda of each year’s Summit.
™ At present, the Troika is made up of Italy (2021), Indonesia (2022) and India (2023).

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2.3 India Assumes G20 Presidency Theme and Logo for 2023
Context ™ Theme: “Vasudhaiva Kutumba-Kam,” or “One
Earth, One Family, One Future,” is the focus of
India will host the G-20 leaders’ summit in 2023 in
India’s G20 Presidency.
New Delhi.

Key Points
Significance of the Indian Presidency in 2023:
™ The presidency is an opportunity for India to to
push a global campaign for a sustainable lifestyle,
LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). ™ Logo
™ Using the G20, India should press the International • The lotus in the logo symbolises India’s
Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group ancient heritage, faith and thought.
and the Asian Development Bank to open new • The Earth that is placed on a lotus in the
windows for financing climate infrastructure to logo of G-20.
support the Panchamrit goals. • Seven petals of the lotus which represent
™ As the IMF is flush with funds and is seeking the seven continents and seven universal
avenues to invest, India should persuade the IMF musical notes, which aims to bring
to open a window for climate financing. the world together in harmony while
respecting diversity.
™ India should use the G20 to roll out the India
Stack on the global stage.
• India Stack is the world’s largest digital
2.4 ASEAN Defence Ministers’
public utility with principal components like Meeting
Aadhaar, UPI, eKYC, DigiLocker.
Context
™ India should push its own agenda and South The Defence Minister made two proposals at the
Asia’s agenda on a global scale — for example, inaugural India­-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting
by coming up with an alternative financial held at Siem Reap in Cambodia to commemorate the
mechanism to SWIFT, which is a U.S. monopoly. 30th Anniversary of India­-ASEAN relations.
™ India should leverage the G20 to reimagine the
shareholding structures of the IMF and World Proposals of Defence Minister
Bank to reflect its global aspirations and power ™ To include an initiative for women in United
position and also those of other emerging Nations Peacekeeping (UNPK) operations.
markets. ™ An initiative on marine plastic pollution includes
channelling the energy of the youth towards
™ India can showcase the multiple and myriad addressing the critical issue of marine pollution.
aspects of its composite culture so that the world
begins to appreciate the richness and cultural About ASEAN Defence Ministers’
tenacity. Meeting (ADMM):
™ Soft power can be increased by bringing together ™ Initiative by 10 members of ASEAN, established to
the power of the diaspora and the power of Indian promote political and social stability amid rising
culture on a single platform. tensions among the Asia-Pacific’s post-colonial states.
™ Various G20 meetings can be held in the Top ™ Areas of cooperation: Maritime security, counter-
RTSEPFP

25 destinations of India to power the tourism terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster
industry. management, peacekeeping operations, military
medicine and cybersecurity.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

About ADMM-Plus
About Association of Southeast Asian Nations
™ It is a platform for ASEAN (The Association of (more commonly known as ASEAN):
Southeast Asian Nations) and its eight Dialogue ™ ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in
Partners to strengthen security and defence Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the
cooperation for peace, stability, and development ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by
in the region. the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia,
™ Objectives of the ADMM-Plus: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
™ ASEAN is an intergovernmental organization
• To promote mutual trust and confidence
aimed primarily at promoting economic growth
between defence establishments through
and regional stability among its members.
greater dialogue and transparency;
™ Membership: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines,
• To enhance regional peace and stability Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar,
through cooperation in defence and Cambodia and Vietnam.
security, in view of the transnational security
challenges the region faces. Why was it set up?
™ ASEAN RTSEPFP
was established during the polarised
atmosphere of the Cold War, and the alliance
aimed to promote stability in the region.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2.5 Friendshoring
Context
Recently, the US treasury secretary has pushed for a
friendshoring strategy with India.

About Friendshoring
™ It is a term used for the practice of moving supply
chains to nations where there is little chance of
disruption due to political unrest.
™ It has evolved into a tool used by the US to persuade
companies to relocate their manufacturing and
sourcing locations to friendly shores (countries)
or countries' own shores.
™ The goal of offshoring is to protect supply chains
from less compatible countries, such as China in
the case of the US.
About CEPA:
Related and Similar Concepts ™ It is a free trade pact covering negotiation on
™ Offshoring: The practice of basing some of a the trade in goods, services, investment, and
company's processes or services overseas, so as other areas of economic partnership including
to take advantage of lower costs trade facilitation and customs cooperation,
™ Onshoring / Reshoring: The practice of competition, and IPR.
transferring a business operation that was moved ™ CEPA is more comprehensive than Free Trade
overseas back to the country from which it was Agreements as it also looks into the regulatory
originally relocated. aspect of trade and encompasses an agreement
™ Near-shoring: Transfer a business operation to a covering the regulatory issues.
nearby country, especially in preference to a more
™ India has signed CEPAs with UAE, South Korea
distant location.
and Japan.
Conclusion
Friendshoring could become an essential concept About I2U2
in an increasingly volatile geo-political environment
™ Membership: I2U2 is a diplomatic group of India,
for protection of National security, but it shouldn’t
Israel, the UAE and the United States.
become an unrestricted policy undoing the gains of
globalisation. ™ It stands for India-Israel-UAE-USA. The grouping
was called the ‘International Forum for Economic
Cooperation’.
2.6 I2U2
™ Areas of Cooperation: Six areas of cooperation
Context have been identified by the countries mutually,
™ India and the UAE are going ahead with food and the aim is to encourage joint investments in
security cooperation under the I2U2, a new West water, energy, transportation, space, health, and
Asian quadrilateral that includes Israel and the U.S. food security.
™ Aim: To discuss “common areas of mutual
™ India and UAE noted that bilateral ties witnessed
interest, to strengthen the economic partnership
RTSEPFP

an “appreciable” growth since the conclusion


in trade and investment in Asia, Middle East and
of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership
beyond”.
Agreement (CEPA).

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

™ With the help of “private sector capital and on it – environmental, economic, political and
expertise”, the countries will look to modernise military.
infrastructure, explore low carbon development ™ Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is not a global
avenues for industries, improve public health, and common accentuating the problem.
promote the development of critical emerging
™ The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
and green technologies.
has been conducting regular exercises in the
™ The group does not have a military dimension and region while partner countries are investing in
it only features cooperation in maritime security. upgrading military capabilities.
™ China, which calls itself to be a near Arctic state,
2.7 Russia’s Nuclear Icebreakers has also announced ambitious plans for a ‘polar
silk route’ to connect to Europe as well as building
and Militarization of the massive icebreakers.
Arctic
India's Approach towards Arctic Sea
Context ™ Since 2007, India has an Arctic research
™ Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin virtually programme with as many as 13 expeditions
launched two nuclear powered icebreakers - undertaken till date.
Yakutia and Ural.
™ In 2022, India unveiled its first Arctic policy titled:
™ As climate change opens up the Arctic giving ‘India and the Arctic: Building a Partnership for
access to new routes and resources, there is a race Sustainable Development’.
by adjoining countries to build up their militaries
™ India is also one of the 13 Observers in the Arctic
and Russia has a clear lead over them.
Council, the leading intergovernmental forum
Significance of Russian Icebreakers promoting cooperation in the Arctic.
™ Icebreaker submarines will help to navigate the
Northern Sea Route, which cuts down time to 2.8 India- Egypt Relations
reach Asia by up to two weeks compared to the
current route via the Suez Canal.
Context
™ The Indian government has invited Egyptian
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the chief guest at
the Republic Day celebrations in January 2023.
™ Both countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary
of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

Militarisation of the Arctic Sea


™ There has been a race among Arctic states and
near­Arctic states to augment their capabilities in
a bid to be ready to capitalise on the melting Arctic.
™ As the earth further heats up, which is more Historical Relations
RTSEPFP

profound at the poles, the race for the Arctic is ™ In 1955, Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser and
set to accelerate which makes the Arctic the next India under Jawaharlal Nehru were the founders
geopolitical hotspot with all interests converging of the Non-Aligned Movement.

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

™ A Friendship Treaty was signed between the two


Additional Information:
countries in 1955.
About Non-Aligned Movement:
Economic Relations ™ The Non-Aligned Movement was founded
™ The India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has in 1961 under the leadership of Josip Tito of
been in operation since 1978. Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt,
Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of
™ The bilateral trade in 2018-19 reached US$ 4.55
Ghana, and Sukarno of Indonesia.
billion.
™ The Non-Aligned Movement was formed during
Development Assistance the Cold War as an organisation of States that
™ Egypt has signed a Memorandum of did not seek to formally align themselves with
Understanding with India’s ReNew Power for either the United States or the Soviet Union,
$8 billion to build a clean hydrogen facility in the but sought to remain independent or neutral.
Suez Canal Economic Zone. ™ Idea of NAM originated in 1955 during the Asia-
™ India has supported the solar electrification Africa Bandung Conference held in Indonesia
project and Vocational Training Centre for textile ™ It has 120 members and 17 countries and 10
technology Cairo through grants in aid. international organisations as Observers.
™ Joint Working Group meetings and discussions
between ISRO and NARSS (National Authority for
Defence Relations
Remote Sensing and Space Sciences) have been ™ There was close cooperation between the Air
held. Forces, with efforts at jointly developing a fighter
aircraft in 1960s.
™ Egyptian students visit India under the Indian
Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme ™ IAF pilots had also trained Egyptian pilots from
(ITEC). 1960s until 1984.
™ ​​The Exercise Desert Warrior is a bilateral military
Cultural Relations exercise held between India and Egypt. The first
™ The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture ever IAF-EAF Joint Tactical Air Exercise, Dessert
(MACIC) was set up in Cairo in 1992 to promote Warrior, was held in 2021.
cultural cooperation between the two countries, ™ India and Egypt on Tuesday, September 20, 2022,
through the implementation of the Cultural signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Exchange Programme. to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation.

Short News
2.9 Indian Ocean Region Forum ™ Theme: "Shared Development: Theory and
Practice from the Perspective of the Blue
Context Economy".
Recently, China held a meeting with 19 countries ™ Representatives of 18 countries, including
from the Indian Ocean region in which India was Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
conspicuously absent. Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman,
South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania,
About Indian Ocean Region Forum Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Djibouti
™ Indian Ocean Region Forum is an initiative on attended the meeting.
RTSEPFP

development cooperation organised by China


International Development Cooperation Agency ™ India was reportedly not invited.
(CIDCA).

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2.10 Black Sea Grain Initiative 2.11 Moscow Format


Context: Consultations on Afghanistan
Recently, Russia rejoined the Black sea grain Context
initiative.
Recently, India joined the latest meeting of the
About Black Sea Grain Initiative ‘Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan'.
™ The UN, the Russian Federation, Turkey and
Ukraine are signatories of this initiative. About Moscow Format
™ The deal allowed exports of grain and ™ It is a Russian initiative introduced in 2017 for
fertiliser from Ukraine through a safe peace and stability in Afghanistan.
maritime humanitarian corridor from three key ™ Participants: Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India,
Ukrainian ports: Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny/ Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Pivdennyi. Turkmenistan.
™ Focus areas:
• Current humanitarian situation and the
ongoing efforts of various stakeholders to
provide assistance
• Intra-Afghan talks
• Formation of an inclusive and representative
government
• Efforts to counter threats of terrorism and
ensuring regional security.

2.12 UK- India Young Professional


Exchange Scheme
™ The deal put in place a Joint Coordination Centre
(JCC), comprising senior representatives from Context
Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN for oversight
Recently, the United Kingdom (UK) and India have
and coordination.
launched a Young Professionals Exchange in 2023.
Impact: About the Initiative
™ It will calm markets by ensuring an adequate
™ For the 18 to 30 year-old age young professionals,
supply of grains, thereby limiting food price
the UK will provide 3000 degree-holding Indians
inflation.
positions to work for up to two years, on a
reciprocal basis.

RTSEPFP

m m m m

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

MCQ Questions Based on International Relations


1. With reference to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, 4. With reference to the Arctic Council, consider
consider the following statements: the following statements:
1. The agreement created the procedure to 1. It is an intergovernmental body set up by the
safely export grains from Ukraine. Ottawa declaration.
2. The UN, Russia and Ukraine are the only 2. The council has eight circumpolar countries
countries of the initiative. as a member.
Which of the statements given above is/are 3. India is one of the observers in the council.
correct?
Which of the statements given above is/are
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
2. Moscow Format sometimes seen in news is (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
related to:
5. With reference to the West Asian Quad, which
(a) Iran Nuclear Deal of the following statements is/are correct?
(b) Peace and stability in Afghanistan 1. It has six areas of cooperation including
military cooperation.
(c) Supply of natural gas to EU
2. It has four members, India, Israel, the UAE,
(d) Dedollarisation
and the US.
3. Consider the following statements:
Select the correct answer using the code given
1. The Young Professional Exchange Scheme is below:
launched by the USA with India.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
2. In the scheme 3000 degree holding Indians
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
will be provided opportunities to work upto
two years on reciprocal basis.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer Key RTSEPFP

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (b)

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ECONOMY

3.1 Central Bank Digital Currency • Token-based CBDC: Token-based CBDC would
be a bearer instrument like bank notes.
(CBDC)
• Account-based CBDC: It would require
Context the maintenance of records of balances
and transactions of all holders of the CBDC
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that the
and indicate the ownership of the
first pilot project in the Digital Rupee, or e-rupee, will
monetary balances. In this case, an
be under the wholesale segment (CBDC-W).
intermediary will verify the identity of an
Probable Mains Question account holder.
Q. Write a short note on e-Rupee. Do you think
Features of CBDC
that it has the potential to revolutionise the Indian
currency system?

About Central Bank Digital Currency


(CBDC)
RBI defines CBDC (Digital Rupee (e₹) as the legal
tender issued by a central bank in a digital form.
• Legal Tender: Legal Tender Money is
anything recognized by law as a means to
settle a public or private debt or meet a
financial obligation, including tax payments,
contracts, and legal fines or damages,
considered legal tender.
• In almost every country, the national currency Technology involved
is legal tender.
™ Blockchain Technology: The key technology
™ It will act as fiat currency and is exchangeable behind the CBDC is blockchain technology which
one-to-one with the current fiat currency. is a distributed ledger-based technology but it is
• Fiat currency: A fiat currency is a national in a centralized form. (Unlike cryptocurrencies as
currency that is not pegged to the price of a they are based on decentralized form)
commodity such as gold or silver. ™ The underlying principle behind the centralized
• Example: ₹ in physical form. form is to ensure cybersecurity, technical stability,
resilience, and sound technical governance
™ CBDC in India will be referred to as “Digital Rupee” standards.
or “e-₹” and it will act as an additional option to
the currently available forms of money. Different RTSEPFP
Types of CBDC
™ The central bank says the e-rupee, or CBDC, can CBDC or the Digital Rupee is categorised into two types
be structured as token-based or account-based. namely Retail (CBDC-R) and Wholesale (CBDC-W).

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ECONOMY

will not offer users the level of privacy and


anonymity offered by transacting in cash.
™ Security risk: Elevated cyber security risks,
vulnerability testing, and the costs of protecting
the firewalls.
™ Operational burden and costs for the central
bank in managing CBDC.

Way Forward
™ RBI should work towards addressing the
prevailing trust issues on digital currencies
amongst the public which includes the fear of
cybercrimes, cyber frauds, and money laundering.
Global Trends
™ Bahamas has been the first economy to launch ™ CBDCs across the world are still in the conceptual
its nationwide CBDC - Sand Dollar. or pilot stages, there is a lack of precedence.
™ Nigeria is another country to have rolled out ™ Hence, there is a need for extensive research
e-Naira in 2020. along with iterative technology design to develop
™ China became the world's first major economy to a platform that meets the demands.
pilot a digital currency e-CNY in April 2020.
™ Korea, Sweden, Jamaica, and Ukraine are some 3.2 Difference between CBDC ,
of the countries to have begun testing its digital Cryptocurrency and UPI
currency and many more may soon follow.

Benefits of e-Rupee or CBDC CBDC Cryptocurrency


™ Legal Backing: CBDC or Digital Rupee will 1. CBDC or e-Rupee is 1. Cryptocurrencies
have legal banking of the government unlike based on a centralised are stored on a
cryptocurrency. blockchain network. decentralised
™ Secure: Due to its digital form (based on blockchain blockchain network.
technology), incidents of fraud will get reduced. 2. CBDC is regulated 2. Not controlled
™ Financial Inclusion: The increased use of CBDC by a central authority by any government
could be explored for many other financial or bank (the RBI, for authority.
activities to push the informal economy into the example).
formal zone to ensure better tax and regulatory 3. Comparatively very 3. Cryptocurrencies
compliance. stable as it is backed by are highly volatile in
™ Tracking the transactions would be easier, and the Central Bank. nature.
more efficient.
4. Legal tender as well 4. Neither Legal tender
™ Easier Cross-Border Payments: It could as Fiat currency (In nor Fiat currency (In
eliminate the need for an expensive network India). India).
of correspondent banks to settle cross-border
payments. Difference between CBDC and UPI
Payments
Challenges of CBDC
in itself will be the underlying payment
™ e-Rupee RTSEPFP
™ Privacy Concerns: The first issue to tackle is the mode that can be used for digital payments in lieu
heightened risk to the privacy of users. This has of currency/cash.
serious implications given that digital currencies

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ECONOMY

™ Currently, UPI payments are made using the About Currency Depreciation
digital equivalent of existing currency notes.
™ It is a fall in the value of a currency in terms of its
That means every rupee transferred via UPI is
exchange rate versus other currencies.
backed by physical currency. The e-rupee will be
legal tender in itself and need not necessarily be ™ Factors affecting the Indian currency:
backed up by physical currency. • The state of the Current Account Balance
™ Each bank has a different UPI handler. The e-rupee • Foreign Exchange Reserves (Forex Reserves)
is no different from your normal rupee; it can be
used to do normal transactions like NEFT, and UPI. • External Borrowings

™ The e-rupee will be operated by RBI and not • Terms of Trade


by bank intermediaries while in the case of UPI
where each bank has a different UPI handler.
Reasons for Depreciation of Rupee
against Dollar:
™ UPI payments currently rely on the settlement of
the transacting banks with the RBI. e-Rupee will ™ Monetary Policy of the US Federal Bank: The
be transacting directly from RBI. U.S. Federal Reserve has raised rates to tackle
historically high inflation in the US that hit a 41-
year high of 8.6%.
3.3 Depreciation of Rupee
™ Widening Current Account Deficit: India’s current
Context account deficit is expected to hit a 10-year high of
Recently, the Indian rupee fell to a record low of 83 3.3% of GDP in the current financial year.
against the US Dollar. ™ Expansionist Monetary Policy of the RBI during
Covid led to weakening of Rupee.
™ Strengthening of the dollar with respect to other
currencies: Even the historically strong euro and
the British pound are taking a hammering and
weakening by more than the rupee has.
™ Declining global economy and geopolitics
conditions.

Impact of Depreciation of Rupee


™ Drop in the forex reserves (fallen USD 110 since
September 2021 where it stood at a record high
of USD 642.45 billion), leads to depletion of the
import cover.
™ Imported Inflation: Imports become costly
leading to imported inflation.
™ Capital Outflow: India witnessed huge cashout
flow between October 2021 to June 2022, Rs 2.46
Image Source: The Indian Express lakh was withdrawn from the market.
Probable Mains Question ™ Costly debt: External borrowings become costly
Q. What do you understand by the term depreciation due to higher interest rates.
of currency? Examine the factors behind the recent ™ Increase
RTSEPFP
in export and remittances:
depreciation of the Indian currency and its impact However, weak currency can lead to an
on the economy. increase in exports also and in remittances from
abroad.

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ECONOMY

Probable Mains Question


Q. Recently many states are moving towards the
Old Pension Scheme. What is your take on this?
Differentiate between the Old Pension Scheme and
the New Pension Scheme.

About Old Pension Scheme


™ According to it, pension to government employees
at the Centre as well as states was fixed at 50
percent of the last drawn basic pay.
™ The attraction of the Old Pension Scheme or ‘OPS’ is
called so since it existed before a new pension system
came into effect for those joining government
service from January 1, 2004. That’s why it is also
described as a “Defined Benefit Scheme”.

Steps Taken to Counter it


™ RBI is now using contractionary monetary policies
(Increasing the interest rates).
™ Government has initiated trade settlements in
rupee (Rupee-Ruble Trade).
™ Relaxed norms on Non-Residential External (NRE)
accounts.

Way Forward
™ Contain Inflation: It is neither wise nor possible
for the RBI to prevent the Rupee from falling
indefinitely. Thus, RBI should focus on containing
inflation which is its legal mandate.
™ Reduce borrowings: The Government should
contain its borrowings leaving space for the
industrial and other sectors for domestic borrowing.
™ Proactive fiscal and monetary measures:
Indian Rupee has shown a better performance
in comparison to currencies of emerging
economies. With proactive fiscal and
monetary measures, India can stabilise its
currency value.

3.4 Old Pension Scheme and


National Pension Scheme
RTSEPFP
Context
Recently, the Punjab government has restored the old
pension scheme.

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ECONOMY

Concerns with the OPS About Vostro-Nostro Account


™ Pension liability: The main problem was that ™ Nostro and vostro are terms used to describe the
the pension liability remained unfunded, that is, same bank account; the terms are used when one
there was no corpus specifically for pension. bank has another bank's money on deposit.
™ Ever-increasing benefit of pensioners: The OPS ™ Nostro and vostro are used to differentiate
was also unsustainable. For one, pension liabilities between the two sets of accounting records kept
would keep climbing since pensioners’ benefits by each bank.
increased yearly.
™ Nostro comes from the Latin word for "ours," as in
™ Intergenerational equity: Today’s taxpayers "our money that is on deposit at your bank."
pay for the ever-increasing pensions of retirees,
™ Vostro comes from the Latin word for "yours," as
with Pay Commission awards almost taking the
in "your money that is on deposit at our bank."
pension of old retirees to current levels.
• A Vostro account is an account that a
™ Even worse for States: If wages and salaries of
domestic bank holds for a foreign bank in
state government employees are added to this
the domestic bank’s currency, i.e., rupee.
bill, states are left with hardly anything from their
own tax receipts. Significance
Implementation of NPS ™ Facilitate settlement of payments in rupee for
trade between India and Russia
™ PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and
™ Enables cross-border trade in the Indian
Development Authority) implement NPS in the
currency.
country.
™ The funds collected in NPS are invested in
investment schemes via Pension Fund Managers.
3.6 Fodder-Centric Farmer
™ NPS allows all citizens of India (including NRIs)
Producer Organisation
aged between 18 - 70 years to it. Context
Concerns with the NPS: Recently, the Government has designated the
™ Unlike OPS, the NPS requires employees to National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) as an
deposit 10% of the basic pay, along with the implementing agency for promotion and formation
dearness allowance. of FPOs, primarily fodder-centric FPOs.
™ It is market-linked and return-based. In other About Farmer Producer Organizations
words, the payout is uncertain.
™ FPO is a type of voluntary Producer Organisation
Way forward (PO) registered under the Companies Act,
™ Blind responsibility on the government to pay for 2013 and controlled by farmer-members who
pensions can not be the solution. actively participate in making decisions and setting
™ To set up a committee that will look into both policies.
schemes and come up with the best possible ™ The main aim of the FPOs is to increase the
solution which will be favourable for both income for the producers as a small producer
government and pensioners. does not have the volume to take advantage of
economies of scale.
3.5 Vostro Nostro Accounts About Fodder Centric FPOs
™ The idea of setting up fodder-centric FPOs was
RTSEPFP
Context first mooted by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
Russia is the first country to facilitate ₹ based export- Husbandry and Dairying in 2020.
import transactions.

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ECONOMY

™ Aim: To address the fodder deficit situation in the About Nutrient Based Subsidy
country.
™ Under the NBS policy, a fixed rate of subsidy
™ The Department of Agriculture & Farmers (in Rs per Kg basis) is announced on nutrients
Welfare has recently approved to designate namely Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potash
NDDB as implementing agency under the scheme
(K) and Sulphur (S) by the government on an
of formation and promotion of 10,000 FPOs.
annual basis.
• Under this, NDDB has been assigned to
form 100 FPOs during 2022-23, which will ™ The fertilisers which are fortified with
be primarily fodder-centric and animal secondary and micronutrients are given
husbandry activities as a secondary activity. additional subsidies.
Benefits of FPOs ™ It is being implemented from April 2010 by the
™ The FPOs can engage farmers in addressing Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemicals
productivity issues. & Fertilisers.
™ It may also result in additional employment ™ Objective of the Scheme:
generation.
• NBS policy intends to increase the
™ It gives farmers economies of scale to negotiate consumption of P&K fertilisers so that
with corporates as a group and help small farmers optimum balance (N:P:K= 4:2:1) of
in both output and input markets.
NPK fertilisation is achieved. To ensure
™ The FPOs can provide quality and low-cost inputs that sufficient quantity of P&K is at the
to member farmers, avoid distress sales, reduce farmer’s disposal at statutory controlled
transaction costs, isolate themselves from price prices.
fluctuations, etc.
™ It will also ensure food and nutritional security.
Challange with NBS
™ Imapct on Economy and Environment: The NBS
3.7 Nutrient-Based Subsidy policy is not only counterproductive for the fiscal
health of the economy but also harmful to the soil
Context health.
Recently, the Union Cabinet approved Nutrient Based
Subsidy rates for Phosphatic and Potassic fertilisers 3.8 India’s First Sovereign Green
for Rabi season 2022-23. Bonds Framework
Context
Recently, the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate
Affairs has approved the first Sovereign Green Bonds
Framework of India.

About Sovereign Green Bonds


™ Sovereign Green Bonds are issued by
companies, countries and multilateral
organisations to exclusively fund projects
that have positive environmental or climate
benefits and provide investors with fixed income
payments.RTSEPFP

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ECONOMY

™ They are issued for mobilising resources for


green projects. Proceeds from these bonds are Additional Information
earmarked for green projects. National Infrastructure Pipeline:
Benefits of Green Bonds ™ It is a collection of projects and programs
totalling INR 102 lakh crore in infrastructure
™ Tax Incentives: Such as tax credits and tax development over the next five years.
exemption, according to the jurisdiction and the
™ It aims to achieve the government's goal of
issuer.
making India a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25.
™ Enablement of Direct Investment: Enablement ™ NIP covers economic and social infrastructure
of direct investment in projects for social projects in sectors such as Energy (24%), Roads
improvement as well as the greening of brown (19%), Urban (16%), and Railways (13%) that
industries account for almost 70% of India's expected
™ Responsibility and Openness: Increased infrastructure capital spending.
responsibility and openness about the usage and PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
administration of revenues, resulting in a new risk
(PMGS-NMP)
management tool.
™ It was launched in 2021 for providing
™ Fiscal Profits: Comparable fiscal profits plus multimodal connectivity infrastructure to
advantages to the environment or society. various economic zones.
™ PM GatiShakti is a transformative approach
Significance for economic growth and sustainable
™ The Framework comes close on the footsteps development. The approach is driven by
of India's commitments under Panchamrit as 7 engines, namely: railways, roads, ports,
elucidated by the Prime Minister, at COP26 at waterways, airports, mass transport and
Glasgow. logistics infrastructure.
™ The framework has been rated ‘Medium Green’, ™ It will also include the infrastructure
with a “Good” governance score by a Norway- developed by the State Governments, as per
based independent second opinion provider the Gati Shakti Master Plan. The focus will
CICERO. be on planning, financing including through
innovative ways, use of technology and
™ All fossil fuel-related projects have been kept speedier implementation.
out of the framework, along with biomass-based
renewable energy projects that rely on feedstock National Industrial Corridor
from ‘protected areas’. National Industrial Corridor (NIC) Development
Programme is India's most ambitious infrastructure
3.9 National Investment and development programme aiming to develop new
Freight Corridors & industrial cities as "Smart
Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) Cities" through converging next generation
Context technologies across infrastructure sectors.

™ The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund


proposes its first bilateral fund with Japan, What is NIIF?
banking on government funding. ™ It is India's first-ever sovereign wealth fund set
™ The finance minister has urged the NIIF to expand up by the Indian Government in 2015.
its operations and explore ways to crowd in ™ The main motive of setting up NIIF is to boost
RTSEPFP

private capital for projects under the National investment in infrastructure-related projects
Infrastructure Pipeline, PM Gati Shakti and by building the capital from both domestic and
National Infrastructure Corridor. international investors.

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ECONOMY

™ It has been incorporated as a company under What is China plus­one diversification


the Companies Act, 2013 and is acting as the strategy?
investment manager to Alternative Investment
™ China-plus-one is a strategy in which companies
Funds.
avoid investing only in China and diversify their
businesses to alternative destinations.
3.10 Indian Electronic Industry ™ China was an attractive investment location due
Context to the low cost of labour and production and an
increasing domestic consumer market.
™ Union Minister of State for Electronics and
Information Technology said that India has a ™ Companies started to think of alternative locations
great scope to emerge as a sizable player to invest because of the supply chain disruptions
in electronics and semiconductor products during the past year caused by the pandemic.
manufacturing as part of China plus ­one
diversification strategy.
Government Initiatives
™ Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI):
Probable Mains Question The Production Linked Incentive Scheme
Q. Discuss the potential of India's electronics (PLI) for Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing
sector and comment on its abilities to become the proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic
alternate electronics hub of the world. manufacturing and attract large investments
in the electronics value chain, which includes mobile
Key Facts as per the Minister of State phones, electronic components, and ATMP units.
for Electronics ™ Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme
™ In 2014, the country's electronics ecosystem that (M-SIPS): In 2012, the Modified Special Incentive
comprises manufacturing, designing, innovation Package Scheme (M-SIPS) was notified in order to
and production was pegged at $10 billion, and in compensate for disability and attract investments
2022, it grew to $75 billion and expected to cross in electronic manufacturing. The scheme is
$300 billion by 2025­26. applicable to both new and existing projects.
™ Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs): This
™ Electronics and semiconductor sector captured
program helps companies build world-class
66% of the FDI that came to India in the last three
infrastructure for their electronics manufacturing
years.
operations.
About India Semiconductor Mission Challenges of electronics sector in India
™ India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a specialised ™ Miniscule share: Out of total electronics goods
and independent Business Division within the consumed in the country, approximately 92%
Digital India Corporation. are from global brands and the share of Indian
™ It aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and electronics products is miniscule 8%.
display ecosystem to enable India's emergence ™ Dependent on foreign contractors: Due to the
as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and absence of foundries (semiconductor fabrication
design. plants where microchips are made), India had
™ It aims to serve as a focal point for the to rely on foreign contractors to manufacture
comprehensive, coherent, efficient, and microchips.
smooth deployment of the Program for ™ Inadequate technology: To stay competitive,
Development of Semiconductor and Display foundriesRTSEPFPare required to adopt newer
Ecosystem in consultation with the Government technologies and processes almost every 18
ministries/departments/agencies, industry, and months, resulting in high capital depreciation,
academia. which accounts for 50-60% of production costs.

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ECONOMY

™ Inverted duty structure: Inverted duty structure ™ Initiating efforts to integrate Indian industries
with punitive taxation is another challenge to the with global value chains.
growth of the Indian electronic manufacturing ™ Creation of a competitive domestic ecosystem
sector. of ancillary suppliers through technology
upgradation programmes.
Way Forward
™ Focusing on exports at scale to global markets
™ Need to promote semiconductor manufacturing (globalise), and afterwards increasing the share of
alongside assembly units in India. local content (localise).

Short News
3.11 One Nation One ITR Form 3.12 India Infrastructure Project
Development Fund Scheme
Context
Recently, The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has Context
proposed a single Income Tax Return (ITR) form for all Recently, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA),
taxpayers. notified the Scheme for Financial Support for Project
Development Expenses of PPP Projects-‘IIPDF Scheme”.
About CBDT’s Proposal
™ It proposes to introduce a common ITR by About India Infrastructure Project
merging all the existing returns of income except Development Fund Scheme
ITR-7(trusts and non-profit organisations). ™ It is a Central Sector Scheme under the Department
™ The proposed ITR form would be customised for of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance.
taxpayers with applicable schedules, based on ™ It aims to aid the development of quality PPP
certain questions answered by them. projects by providing necessary funding support
to the Project Sponsoring Authorities (PSA) both
™ Significance: Make it easier to file returns, and
in the Central and State Governments.
considerably reduce the time taken by individuals
and non-business-type taxpayers. ™ The IIPDF will contribute up to 75% of the project
development expenses to the Sponsoring Authority
as an interest-free loan. The balance of 25% will
be co-funded by the Sponsoring Authority.

m m m m

RTSEPFP

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ECONOMY

MCQ Questions Based on Economy


1. With reference to the Central Bank Digital Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Currency, which of the following statements is/
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
are correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. It will act as a fiat currency but will not be
exchangeable with current physical currency. 4. With reference to the PM Gati Shakti Master
Plan, consider the following statements:
2. India is the first country to launch its
nationwide digital currency. 1. It was launched in 2021 for providing
multimodal connectivity infrastructure to
Select the correct answer using the code given
various economic zones.
below:
2. It is a digital platform to bring 16 Ministries
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
together for integrated planning and
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 coordinated implementation.
2. Which of the following is not the reason for Which of the statements given above is/are
depreciation of Indian currency against Dollar? correct?
(a) Increase in interest rates by the US Federal (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Bank.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) Expansionary monetary policy by RBI.
5. Consider the following Statement:
(c) Widening of current account deficit.
1. National Dairy Development Board is a
(d) Increase in foreign portfolio investment. statutory body established by an act of the
Parliament in 1965.
3. Consider the following Statement:
2. It has been designated as the implementing
1. A vostro account is an account that a domestic
agency for formation and promotion of
bank holds for a foreign bank in the domestic
farmer producer organisations.
bank’s currency.
Which of the statements given above is/are
2. It enables cross border trade in the domestic
correct?
currency.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer Key RTSEPFP

1. (d) 2. (d) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (c)

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ENVIRONMENT

4.1 Adaptation Gap Report as there is a mismatch between what


governments propose and what financiers
Context consider investable.
Recently, the United Nations Environment • Need for Data Implementation: The
Programme’s (UNEP) released Adaptation Gap Report, availability of climate risk data and
2022. information, an issue for adaptation planning
in many developing countries.
About Adaptation Gap Report 2022 • Modified Warning Systems: The
™ Global efforts in adaptation planning, financing implementation and operationalisation
and implementation are not enough to prepare of early warning systems against extreme
vulnerable communities around the world to weather events and slow onset changes such
adapt to the rising risks from the impacts of as sea level rise.
climate change.
About UNEP
• The report found some progress on adaptation
plans from national governments, but they ™ UNEP was established on 5th June 1972, after
are not backed by finance. the United Nations Conference on the Human
Environment in Stockholm.
™ International adaptation finance flows are 5-10
times lower than required. ™ Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.

™ Steps Suggested by the Report: ™ Major Reports: Emission Gap Report, Global
Environment Outlook, Frontiers, Invest into
• Link actions on mitigation and adaptation Healthy Planet.
in terms of planning, financing and
implementation.
• Countries need to back the strong words in 4.2 Ramsar Convention on
the Glasgow Climate Pact with strong action Wetlands
to increase adaptation investments and
outcomes, starting at COP27. Context
™ According to UN Secretary General, the ™ The Wuhan Declaration was adopted at the 14th
adaptation gap must be addressed in in four Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting
critical ways: Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
(COP14).
• Increase Financing for Adaptation: There is
™ The event was held in two different venues:
a need for developed countries to provide a
Wuhan in China and Geneva in Switzerland from
clear roadmap for their promise of doubling
November 5-13.
finance for adaptation to USD 40 billion,
which was decided at COP 26 in Glasgow. About Wuhan Declaration
• A New Business Model: The world urgently
RTSEPFP

™ The declaration calls for “strong will and practical


needs a new business model for turning
actions” to promote the conservation, restoration,
adaptation priorities into investable projects
and management of wetlands worldwide.

www.pw.live November 2022 CURRENT AFFAIRS 43


ENVIRONMENT

™ Incorporate wetlands into national actions to and Indonesia rather than a temperate country
contribute to domestic legislation, plans, and wherein the diversity and the issues related to
implementation of Sustainable Development mangroves are very different compared to a
Goals. tropical one.

About Mangroves Forest About Ramsar Convention


™ Mangroves are found only along sheltered ™ An international agreement promoting the
coastlines within tropical or subtropical conservation and wise use of wetlands.
latitudes because they cannot withstand ™ It is the only global treaty to focus on a single
freezing temperatures. ecosystem.
™ Global Mangrove Cover: The total mangrove ™ It was established in 1971 by UNESCO and came
cover in the world is 1,50,000 sq kms. into force in 1975.
• Asia has the largest number of mangroves ™ India signed it in 1982.
worldwide.
™ The inclusion of a “Ramsar Site” in the List
• As per the India State of Forest report embodies the government’s commitment to take
2021, the area under Mangrove forest the steps necessary to ensure that its ecological
has increased by 17 sq km making India’s character is maintained.
total mangrove cover as 4,992 sq km.
4.3 COP27
Context
™ Recently, COP-27 was concluded at Sharm el-
Sheikh in Egypt.
™ The next conference will be hosted by Dubai in
2023.

Probable Mains Question


Q. In recent times the world has witnessed many
catastrophic incidents due to ever-rising global
warming. In the context of the recently concluded
COP27, critically examine the performance of
UNFCCC’s COP meetings over the years.

About COP
International Mangrove Centre ™ COP stands for Conference of the Parties, with
“parties” referring to the 197 nations that agreed
™ China submitted the draft resolution on the to the United Nations Framework Convention on
establishment of the International Mangrove Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Center in the framework of the Ramsar
Convention. ™ It is the apex decision-making body of UNFCCC.

™ The draft was co-sponsored by Cambodia and ™ It reviews the national commitments and emission
Madagascar. inventories submitted by Parties. Based on this
information,
RTSEPFP the COP assesses the progress
™ India raised its concern, an international centre made in achieving the ultimate objective of the
would probably benefit more if it was being hosted Convention.
by tropical countries such as India, Bangladesh

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ENVIRONMENT

About UNFCCC ™ The UNFCCC entered into force on March 21,


The UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change) is the 1994.
United Nations entity tasked with supporting the ™ The Convention has near universal
global response to the threat of climate change. membership (197 Parties).
™ The original secretariat was in Geneva. Since
Origin:
1996, the secretariat has been located in
™ The UNFCCC, signed in 1992 at the United Nations Bonn, Germany.
Conference on Environment and Development
also known as the Earth Summit, the Rio Summit,
or the Rio Conference.

Key Highlights of COP27 ™ International Climate Change University: The


™ COP 27 concluded with a historic decision to establish President of Sri Lanka has proposed to set up an
and operationalize a loss and damage fund. International Climate Change University in Sri Lanka.
• Loss and damage: Loss and damage refer to the India’s Participation in COP27
climate impacts that countries are experiencing
™ The Environment Minister of India led the Indian
now but to which they cannot adapt. delegation to COP-27.
• The fund will initially draw on contributions
™ India pressed for developed countries to fulfil their
from developed countries and private and
commitment to delivering $100 billion of climate
public sources, such as international financial finance annually. (though remained unsuccessful)
institutions.
™ Work together: Work together now to cut 4.4 CITES COP19
emissions or condemn future generations to
climate catastrophe. Context
™ Pact between Rich and Poor: Pact between the ™ Recently, the 19th Conference of Parties to CITES
richest and poorest countries of the world to in Panama.
was heldRTSEPFP
accelerate the transition from fossil fuels and ™ India has put forward a proposal to better protect
funding to ensure poorer countries can reduce a species of freshwater reptile called the red-
emissions. crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga).

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ENVIRONMENT

4.5 Project Great Indian Bustard


Context
The Supreme Court sought the government’s response
about evolving a “Project Great Indian Bustard”
conservation programme like the Project Tiger.

About Great Indian Bustard (GIB)


™ GIBs are the largest among the four bustard
species found in India, the other three being
MacQueen’s bustard, lesser florican and the
About the Convention on International Trade in Bengal florican.
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
™ The GIB is the State bird of Rajasthan. It is the
™ It is an international agreement between heaviest bird with flight.
governments.
™ Aim: To ensure that international trade in
specimens of wild animals and plants does not
threaten the survival of the species.
™ The species covered by CITES are listed in three
Appendices as per the degree of protection:
• Appendix I includes species threatened with
extinction.
• Appendix II includes species not necessarily
threatened with extinction but where trade
must be controlled.
• Appendix III contains species that are ™ Habitat and Distribution:
protected in at least one country, which has
• Grasslands as their habitats.
asked other CITES parties for assistance in
controlling the trade. • They are considered the flagship bird species
of grassland and hence barometers of the
About Red Crowned Roofed Turtle health of grassland ecosystems.
™ The turtle is native to India and Bangladesh. • GIBs’ historic range included much of the
™ Habitat: It inhabits large swift-flowing rivers with Indian sub-continent but it has now shrunken
sandy bottoms. to just 10 percent of it.
™ IUCN: Critically Endangered (also protected under • Today, its population is confined mostly to
Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act Rajasthan and Gujarat.
of 1972). ™ Threats:
™ Threats : There are two major threats to the • Hunting
turtle: • Poaching outside Protected Areas
• Habitat loss due to pollution and hydrological • Collisions with high tension electric wires,
projects specific in the Gangal lowlands of fast moving vehicles and free-ranging dogs in
northern India and Bangladesh. villages.
• Overharvesting the animal for illegal • Habitat loss as a result of widespread
RTSEPFP

consumption and illegal international trade agricultural expansion and mechanised


are other reasons for its extinction threat. farming and infrastructural development.

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ENVIRONMENT

Conservation Status • Other threats included coastal development,


land-based run-off and direct human use,
™ IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
such as activities like illegal fishing.
™ Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I.
™ Convention on International Trade in Endangered About UNESCO’s List of World Heritage
Species: Appendix I in Danger
™ Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): ™ It is designed to inform the international
Appendix I community of conditions which threaten the very
Conservation Measures characteristics for which a property was inscribed
™ Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats: It on the World Heritage List, and to encourage
has also been identified as one of the species for corrective action.
the recovery programme under the Integrated
Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry Coral Reefs in India
of Environment and Forests. ™ The three major types of coral reefs found in India
™ Overhead power transmission lines: The are fringing, barrier and atolls.
Supreme Court in April 2021 ordered that all ™ India has four coral reef areas: Gulf of Mannar,
overhead power transmission lines in core and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep
potential GIB habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat islands and the Gulf of Kutch.
should be made underground.
™ GIB species recovery programme: In 2015, the
Centre had launched the GIB species recovery
programme.
• Under this, the WII and Rajasthan Forest
department jointly set up breeding centres
where GIB eggs harvested from the wild were
incubated artificially.
™ WWF-India, is also undertaking initiatives
towards conservation of GIB in and around
Desert National Park.

4.6 The Great Barrier Reef


Context
Recently, a joint report by the IUCN and UNESCO’s
World Heritage Centre has recommended that the
Great Barrier Reef be inscribed on the List of World
Heritage in Danger”.

About Great Barrier Reef (GBR)


™ Location: Queensland, Australia.
™ It is one of the biggest biodiversity hotspots in the 4.7 Air Quality Index
world as well as one of its largest carbon sinks.
™ Threats to GBR: Context
RTSEPFP
• In the 2019 Outlook Report prepared by the In the beginning of November, the AQI in NCR dipped
Australian government, it said that climate to the ‘severe’ category, stage 4 of the Graded
change was the greatest threat to the Reef. Response Action Plan was set in motion.

www.pw.live November 2022 CURRENT AFFAIRS 47


ENVIRONMENT

(ICTT), a military-civil dual use airport, a solar


power plant and an integrated township.
™ The project area falls near two national parks –
Galathea Bay National Park and Campbell Bay
National Park.

About Air Quality Index


™ AQI is a number, which is a measure of air quality.
The higher the AQI, the worse the air.
™ The colour-coded AQI index was launched in India
in 2014.
Significance of the Projects:
About Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) ™ Strategic significance: This project becomes of
™ A Graded Response Action Plan is a set of great strategic importance, with China becoming
emergency measures that kick in to prevent more aggressive in the South China Sea.
further deterioration of air quality once it ™ Increase participation in global maritime
reaches a certain threshold. economy: According to NITI Aayog, the proposed
™ It was first notified in January 2017 by the port will allow Great Nicobar to participate in
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate the regional and global maritime economy by
Change, based on recommendations from the becoming a major player in cargo transshipment.
Central Pollution Control Board. ™ Employment Generation: Project is likely to create
™ Stage 1 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in more than 2.5 lakh employment opportunities
the ‘poor’ category (201 to 300). (both directly and indirectly) on the island.
™ Possibility of tourism: The island has a lot of
™ The second, third and fourth stages are activated
tourism potential.
three days ahead of the AQI reaching the ‘very
poor’ category (301 to 400), ‘severe’ category ™ Potential hub for cargo ship: Great Nicobar is
(401 to 450) and ‘severe +’ category (above 450). equidistant from Colombo to the southwest and
Port Klang and Singapore to the southeast, and
positioned close to the East-West international
4.8 Development Project For shipping corridor, through which a very large part
Great Nicobar of the world’s shipping trade passes.

Context Concerns Related to Project


Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and ™ Loss of tree cover will not only affect the flora and
Climate Change gave environmental clearance to a fauna on the island.
development project on the strategically important
™ It will also lead to increased runoff and sediment
Great Nicobar Island.
deposits in the ocean, impacting the coral reefs
About the Project in the area.
RTSEPFP

™ The project includes development of an ™ Environmentalists have also flagged the loss
International Container Trans-shipment Terminal of mangroves on the island as a result of the
development project.

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ENVIRONMENT

™ The report says that India is benefiting from its


About the Great Nicobar Island relatively low per-capita emissions.
™ It is the southernmost of the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands, has an area of 910 sq km.
™ Indira Point on the southern tip of Great
Nicobar Island is India’s southernmost point.
™ Great Nicobar is home to two national parks,
a biosphere reserve, and the Shompen (237)
and Nicobarese (1094) tribal peoples.
™ The Island has tropical wet evergreen forests,
mountain ranges reaching almost 650 m above
sea level, and coastal plains.
™ The leatherback sea turtle is the island’s
flagship species and the island is also home to
important species such as Nicobar macaque,
Nicobar megapode and saltwater crocodiles
and rare and endemic plant species such as tree
ferns and orchids.

4.9 Climate Change Performance 4.10 International Day For


Index Biosphere Reserves
Context Context
™ Recently, the 17th edition of the Climate Change On November 3, the first International Day for
Performance Index was released. Biosphere Reserves was celebrated.
™ It is published by German Watch, New
Climate Institute and Climate Action Network
About Biosphere Reserves
International based in Germany. ™ Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international
designation (under the intergovernmental
Performance of the Countries in Index Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme) by
™ The first three ranks of the overall rankings were UNESCO for representative parts of natural and
kept empty because no country had performed cultural landscapes extending over a large area
well enough in all index categories to achieve an of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a
overall very high rating. combination thereof.
™ In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, Sweden, ™ Biosphere reserves are nominated by national
Egypt, Chile and the UK are in the top 7. governments and remain under the sovereign
™ Australia, South Korea and Russia and the United jurisdiction of the states where they are located.
States are among the lowest performing countries
along with Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia. World Network of Biosphere Reserves
™ The network was formed in 1971, as a backbone
India’s Performance in the Index for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem
™ In the overall rankings, India is at number 10 restoration, and living in harmony with nature.
with a score of 69.22. RTSEPFP
™ There are 738 biosphere reserves in 134
™ It is a high performer except in the renewable countries, including 22 transboundary sites,
energy category, in which it is ranked “medium”. according to UNESCO.

www.pw.live November 2022 CURRENT AFFAIRS 49


ENVIRONMENT

™ The LTLEDS (Long Term Low Emission


Development Strategy) has been prepared in the
framework of India’s right to an equitable and fair
share of the global carbon budget.

About NDCs
™ NDCs are voluntary commitments by countries
to reduce emissions by a fixed number relative
to a date in the past to achieve the long-term
goal of climate agreements of preventing global
temperature rising beyond 1.5 or 2 degrees
Celsius by the end of the century.
™ India’s most updated NDC commits to ensuring
half its electricity to be derived from non-fossil
fuel sources by 2030, and reducing the emissions
intensity by 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.
™ India is on track to fulfilling its Nationally
Biosphere Reserves in India Determined Contributions (NDC) commitment
of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of additional carbon
™ In India at present there are 18 notified biosphere
sequestration in forest and tree cover by 2030.
reserves spanning 60,000 sq km.

Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme


4.11 India’s Long Term Low Emission ™ It is a market-based mechanism to incentivize
Development Strategy energy efficiency in the large energy-intensive
industries.
Context: ™ It is facilitated through the trading of Energy
At the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) in Savings Certificates (ESCerts) which are issued
Sharm-el­Sheikh, India announced its long­term strategy to those industries who have overachieved
regarding transition to a “low emissions” pathway. their energy efficiency targets.
™ The underachievers can purchase ESCerts
India’s Announcements through two power exchanges - Indian Energy
™ At least 3-fold increase in nuclear power capacity Exchange (IEX) and Power Exchange India
by 2032. Achieving 20% ethanol blending target Limited (PXIL).
of petrol by 2025.
™ Maximise use of electric vehicles and public National Hydrogen Mission
transport. Increased climate finance to be ™ The objective of the National Hydrogen Mission
provided by developed nations. is to scale up Green Hydrogen production and
™ India will also focus on improving energy efficiency utilisation and to align India’s efforts with
by the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, global best practices in technology, policy, and
the National Hydrogen Mission, increasing regulation.
electrification, enhancing material efficiency, and ™ The aim is to make India a global hub for the
recycling and ways to reduce emissions. production and export of green hydrogen.
™ The usage of hydrogen will help India in
India’s Strategy achieving its emission goals under the
™ India's strategy emphasises on energy security, Paris RTSEPFP
Agreement and also reduce import
energy access, and employment, while keeping dependency on fossil fuels.
focus on the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

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ENVIRONMENT

4.12 India's Strategy to Reach Net ™ India has not included the agriculture sector
in its long-term strategy which is the highest
Zero Emissions Status by 2070 contributor of methane emissions.
Context Way Forward
At the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) ™ India needs to promote innovation in
in Sharm-el­ Sheikh, India announced its long-term technologies like Biofuel, solar photovoltaic,
strategy to transition to a “low emissions” pathway. energy storage, and smart grids.
India’s Announcements ™ India needs to nudge developed countries to
provide the mandated technology transfer to
™ At least 3-fold increase in nuclear power capacity
developing countries.
by 2032.
™ Achieving 20% ethanol blending target of petrol ™ As achieving net zero without carbon capture and
by 2025. storage is impossible, substantial international
support through climate specific finance and
™ Maximise use of electric vehicles and public
capacity building is required.
transport.
™ Increased climate finance to be provided by
developed nations. 4.13 Trafficking of Rhino Horns
™ India will also focus on improving energy efficiency Context
by the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme,
™ Recently, Global Threat Assessment Report
the National Hydrogen Mission, increasing
presented at the meeting of Convention on
electrification, enhancing material efficiency, and
International Trade in Endangered Species of
recycling and ways to reduce emissions.
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) says that in terms of
™ India's strategy emphasises energy security, weight, there has been an increase in the seizure
energy access, and employment, while keeping of rhino horns after 2017, despite an overall
focus on the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. reduction in poaching.
™ India has planned large-scale interventions in
five sectors to reach net zero status which are About Rhinos
energy and electricity, transport, urban design, ™ There are five rhino species: white and black
forestry, and industries. rhinos in Africa, as well as greater one-horned,
Javan, and Sumatran rhinos in Asia.
Challenges
™ In India, only the Great One-Horned Rhino may
™ China dominates the market of the essential
be found. It is the largest of the rhino species and
components in EV supply chain
is also known as the Indian rhino.
™ India's strategy talks about using new technologies
like carbon capture and storage to remove the
greenhouse gases but this technology is very
expensive and at research stage.
™ Balancing net zero strategy with the
developmental imperative of lifting millions of
people out of poverty can be a daunting task.
™ India's strategy focuses on only technology
related innovations and not on innovations RTSEPFP

related to business models required to push low


carbon clean technologies.

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ENVIRONMENT

™ One-Horned Rhino is Vulnerable


Additional Information
™ Javan and Sumatran rhino are Critically
CITES Endangered
™ CITES is an international agreement that
stands for the Convention on International Conservation efforts for Rhino
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna ™ The five rhino range countries (India, Bhutan,
and Flora (CITES). Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia) have signed the
'New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019' for
™ Its aim is to ensure that international trade in
the species' conservation and protection.
specimens of wild animals and plants does not
threaten the survival of the species. ™ The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate
Change (MoEFCC) has recently launched a project
™ Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties
to establish DNA profiles of all rhinos in the
- in other words they have to implement the
country.
Convention - it does not take the place of
national laws. Rather it provides a framework ™ The National Rhino Conservation Strategy was
to be respected by each Party, which has to launched in 2019 with the goal of conserving the
adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure greater one-horned rhinoceros.
that CITES is implemented at the national level. ™ The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 initiative was
™ CITES classifies plants and animals into three launched in 2005 with the goal of achieving a wild
categories, based on how threatened they are. population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned
rhinos spread over 7 protected areas in the Indian
• CITES Appendix 1: state of Assam by the year 2020.
• It consists of species that are in danger
of extinction. 4.14 Great Knot
• Commercial trade is prohibited.
• Permits are required for import and
Context
export. A great knot from Russia, belonging to the endangered
Calidris tenuirostris has found its way to Kerala’s
• CITES Appendix 2:
coast, flying over 9,000 km for a winter sojourn.
• It consists of species that aren't
facing imminent extinction but need
monitoring so that any trade doesn't
become a threat.
• It mandates that trade permits
obtained legally and only if the origin
country ensures that its harvesting
and trade won't harm the species'
chance of survival.
• CITES Appendix 3:
• It consists of species that are Great Knot
protected in at least one country. ™ The great knot (Calidris tenuirostris) is a small
wader.
Status of Rhino on the IUCN Red List ™ It is the largest of the calidrid species. Their
™ The black rhino is critically endangered. The breeding habitat is tundra in northeast Siberia.
RTSEPFP

African species is the smaller of the two. ™ This species forms enormous flocks in winter.
™ White Rhino is Near Threatened. ™ IUCN Status: Endangered (EN)

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ENVIRONMENT

Where is it found? • high endemism


™ The great knot is distributed in far northeast • presence of rare and threatened species
Russia, coastal Australia, southeast Asia, India,
Bangladesh, Pakistan and eastern Arabian Peninsula. • keystone species
™ It stays in the Yellow Sea region and Thailand • species of evolutionary significance
in southeast Asia before proceeding to their
southerly winter grounds, including Peninsular Additional Information
India along the Central Asian Flyway. Central Asian Flyway:
™ Central Asian Flyway (CAF) is a flyway covering
4.15 Arittapatti Biodiversity a large continental area of Eurasia between
the Arctic Ocean and the Indian Ocean and the
Heritage Site associated island chains.
Context ™ It comprises several important migration
The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday issued a routes of waterbirds, most of which extend
notification declaring Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram from the northernmost breeding grounds in
villages in Madurai district the first biodiversity Siberia to the southernmost non-breeding
heritage site in the State. wintering grounds in West Asia, India, the
Maldives.
About Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site ™ This flyway comprises several important
™ It houses around 250 species of birds, including migration routes of birds. There are 30
three important raptors — the Laggar Falcon, the countries under the Central Asian Flyway
Shaheen Falcon and Bonelli’s Eagle. including India.
™ It is also home to wildlife such as the Indian
pangolin, slender loris and pythons.
™ It is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or
4.16 Pangong Tso Lake
inselbergs, that serve as a watershed, charging Context
“72 lakes, 200 natural springs.”
Army has deployed new landing docks and speed
™ The Anaikondan tank built during the reign of
boats for patrolling on the Pangong Tso in eastern
the Pandiyan kings in the 16th century, several
Ladakh, matching the Chinese deployments on the
megalithic structures, rock cut temples, Tamil
lake.
Brahmi inscriptions and Jain beds add to the
historical significance of the region. About Pangong Tso Lake
About Biodiversity Heritage Site ™ It is an endorheic (landlocked) water body
located at an elevation of roughly more than
™ Under Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the State
4,200 metres above sea level.
Government in consultation with local bodies
may notify the areas of biodiversity importance ™ It is a transborder lake spanning across eastern
as Biodiversity Heritage Sites. Ladakh and western Tibet, with a length of more
than 135 km.
™ The Biodiversity Heritage Sites are the well-
defined areas that are unique, ecologically ™ It is around 5 km wide at its broadest point.
fragile ecosystems - terrestrial, coastal and inland ™ Around 40% of the lake lies within Indian
waters and, marine having rich biodiversity territory, 50% in Tibet (China), and the rest 10%
comprising of any one or more of the following is reportedly disputed between the two and is a
components: de facto RTSEPFP
buffer zone.
• richness of wild as well as domesticated ™ Practically, China controls 2/3rd of the total length
species or intra-specific categories while the rest is controlled by India.

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ENVIRONMENT

Short News
4.17 National Bioenergy Program sought to explore planet-friendly, recyclable and
sustainable ‘green’ products.
Context ™ It presents a false picture of the progress being
Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable made on the climate change front.
Energy (MNRE), has notified the National Bioenergy
™ Greenwashing has a negative effect on carbon
Programme for the period from FY 2021-22 to 2025-
credit.
26.

National Bioenergy Programme 4.19 Wetland Conservation and


™ The program will comprises of the following sub- Damage in the Anthropocene
schemes:
Epoch
• Waste to Energy Programme (Programme on
Energy from Urban, Industrial and Agricultural Context
Wastes /Residues) to support setting up Recently, the 14th Meeting of the Conference of
of large Biogas, BioCNG and Power plants the Contracting Parties (COP14) to the Ramsar
(excluding MSW to Power projects). Convention on Wetlands was held from 5th to
• Biomass Programme (Scheme to Support 13th November 2022 in Wuhan, China & Geneva,
Manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets and Switzerland, to discuss the state of wetlands globally.
Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based Also, experts have recently expressed concern on
cogeneration in Industries) to support setting the loss of shallow wetlands due to human mediated
up of pellets and briquettes for use in power changes in the Anthropocene epoch.
generation and non-bagasse based power
generation projects.
• Biogas Programme to support setting up of
family and medium size Biogas in rural areas.

4.18 Greenwashing
Context
Recently, a report of the High-Level Expert Group
(HLEG) on Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-
State Entities at the UN Climate Change Conference
(COP27) in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh highlighted
greenwashing.
About Wetlands
About Greenwashing
™ Wetlands are defined as: "lands transitional
™ Greenwashing refers to misleading the general
between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems
public into believing that companies, sovereigns
where the water table is usually at or near the
or civic administrators are doing more for the
surface or the land is covered by shallow water".
environment than they actually are.
™ Often RTSEPFP
called “nature’s kidneys” and “nature’s
™ The phenomenon came into practice as consumers
supermarket”, wetlands support millions of
and regulators, owing to greater awareness
people by providing food, and water, and
and environmental consciousness, increasingly
controlling floods and storm surges.

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ENVIRONMENT

Significance of Wetlands ™ Climate change: Wetlands are vulnerable to the


effects of climate change, including sea level rise,
™ Provides Natural water management: Regulates
water flow and prevents flooding by acting as changes in precipitation patterns, and increased
natural sponges that absorb excess water during frequency and intensity of extreme weather
periods of heavy rainfall. events. Significantly affects the habitat and
species diversity.
• Helps to filter pollutants and sediments
from the water, improving water quality and ™ Lack of awareness and understanding: Lack of
protecting downstream ecosystems. awareness on importance of wetlands or the
• Due to the combination of shallow water, threats they face, leading to a lack of support for
high levels of nutrients wetlands are a highly wetland conservation and management.
productive ecosystem that provide the world ™ Lack of updated data: Information on 75% of
with nearly two-third of fish harvest.
wetlands included in the list of Ramsar Sites
™ Provide various Ecosystem Services: Important is outdated according to a report presented in
for human health and wellbeing, as they provide COP14.
recreational opportunities and support traditional
ways of life for many communities. Outcomes of COP14 of Ramsar Convention
• Have significant economic value, providing ™ Wuhan Declaration: reaffirming the urgency to
goods and services such as timber, fish, and act for wetlands; Declaration is a statement of
other natural resources.
• political will to mobilise more resources for
™ Carbon Sequestration: Important for climate wetland conservation;
change adaptation and mitigation, as they
can store large amounts of carbon and reduce • integrate wetland protection and
greenhouse gas emissions. conservation into sustainable development.
™ Critical to Plant and Human life: More than one • Climate and biodiversity plans and national
billion people depend on them for a living and 40% policies;
of the world’s species live and breed in wetlands. • Support stronger protection of wetland
• Also provides critical habitat for a diverse protection through legislation
array of plant and animal species, many of ™ Integrating wetland conservation into sustainable
which are endangered or threatened. development strategies:
Concerns regarding Wetlands • Recognizing the breadth of ecosystem
services provided by wetlands including water
™ Loss and degradation of wetlands: Wetlands are
and food security; hydrological and climate
often drained, filled, or otherwise degraded to
regulation, Parties adopted a resolution
make way for development, leading to the loss of
encouraging Parties to integrate wetland
important habitat and ecosystem services.
sustainable management into national
™ Pollution of wetlands: Wetlands vulnerable to sustainable development strategies
pollution from a variety of sources, including
™ New Ramsar Regional Initiative for mangroves
agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste.
This harms the flora and fauna of wetlands • A Ramsar Regional Initiative focused on
and reduces their ability to provide essential mangroves and coastal blue carbon habitats
ecosystem services. can foster regional collaboration for the
conservation of these ecosystems, the Parties
™ Invasive species: Wetlands are particularly
agreed in a resolution acknowledging the
RTSEPFP

susceptible to the introduction of invasive species,


significance of mangroves for biodiversity,
which can outcompete native plants and animals
carbon capture, and coastal protection.
and disrupt the functioning of the ecosystem.

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ENVIRONMENT

• Proposal to create a new International ™ The Ranipur Tiger Reserve (RTR) in Bundelkhand
Mangrove Centre in China, will be further region became Uttar Pradesh’s fourth and India’s
discussed in the next meeting. 53rd tiger reserve.

Way forward for Wetland Conservation ™ The Tiger Reserve in Chitrakoot district is situated
some 150 km from the Panna Tiger Reserve in
As we move forward in 2021-2030 the decade Madhya Pradesh.
declared by the UN as the Decade on Ecosystem
Restoration, Wetland conservation needs to take the
front seat. 4.21 Carbon Border Tax
™ Integrated approach: Management of wetlands Context
must have an integrated strategy in terms of Recently, at COP­27, BASIC countries oppose the
planning, carrying out, and monitoring in order ‘carbon border tax'.
to combat unplanned urbanisation and a growing
population. About Carbon Border Tax:
™ Academic and professional collaborations: ™ It is a penalty tax to discourage import of
Collaborations between academics and carbon-intensive goods such as steel, aluminium,
professionals, such as planners, ecologists, and cement, fertilisers and electricity via carbon
watershed management experts, are effective for border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).
managing wetlands as a whole. ™ Aim: To help slash the EU's overall greenhouse
™ Raise Awareness: By launching programmes to gas emissions 55% below 1990 levels by 2030.
raise awareness of the value of wetlands and ™ It will discourage environment unfriendly
continuously checking the water quality of production and consumer practices by making
wetlands to maintain updated data, can prevent the ‘polluting sources' costlier.
further deterioration.
™ It works on the principle of ‘the polluter pays'.
™ International Mangrove Centre: Establishing the
International Mangrove Centre, as proposed in About BASIC Countries
the COP14.
™ The BASIC countries are a bloc of four large
™ Wuhan Declaration: Implementing the Wuhan newly industrialised countries – Brazil,
Declaration in letter and spirit. South Africa, India and China.
™ It was formed by an agreement in 2009.
4.20 Fourth Tiger Reserve in UP
™ BASIC countries call for a united solidarity
Context response by developing countries to any unfair
shifting of responsibilities from developed to
developing countries for emissions.

4.22 The Mangrove Alliance for


Climate
Context
India has joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate,
which is launched on the sidelines of the ongoing
RTSEPFP

United Nations Climate Summit in Egypt.

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ENVIRONMENT

About Mangrove Alliance for Climate ™ Objective: To provide a credible and


™ It was launched at the 27th Session of the representative forum for the entire wind energy
Conference of Parties (COP27) climate summit. sector at an international level.
™ It is an initiative led by the United Arab Emirates ™ It was established to ramp up offshore wind in order
(UAE) and Indonesia, the Mangrove Alliance for to tackle the climate and energy security crises.
Climate (MAC) includes India, Sri Lanka, Australia, ™ Nine new countries are Belgium, Colombia,
Japan, and Spain. Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands,
™ It seeks to educate and spread awareness worldwide Norway, the UK, and the USA.
on the role of mangroves in curbing global warming
and its potential as a solution for climate. 4.25 Glyphosate
™ Mangrove is a tropical tree, essentially adapted
to thrive near the coastline, in brackish water and Context
loose and wet soil. These trees cannot survive in Recently, The Ministry of Agriculture has restricted
colder temperatures. the use of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide.
™ A characteristic feature of mangroves is their
tangled prop roots. These roots allow the trees to About Glyphosate
survive the daily tides and also capture sediments ™ Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that
while slowing water flow. can control a wide range of weeds, whether
broadleaf or grassy.
4.23 Mathura-Vrindavan Carbon ™ It is also non-selective, killing most plants.
Neutral by 2041 ™ Concern:
Context • The use of glyphosate involves health hazards
and risk to human beings and animals.
Recently, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has
announced that Mathura-Vrindavan is aiming ™ Use of Glyphosate in India:
to become a “net zero carbon emission” tourist ™ These are used for weed control in tea gardens
destination by 2041. and non-crop areas such as railway tracks or
playgrounds.
About the Redevelopment Plan ™ Farmers also apply glyphosate on irrigation
™ Tourist vehicles will be banned from the entire channels and bunds to clear these of weeds, making
Braj region, including Vrindavan and Krishna it easier for water to flow and to walk through them.
Janmabhoomi.
™ The plan divides the entire region into four clusters, 4.26 Forest and Climate Leaders
each containing two of the eight key cities.
Partnership
™ Only electric vehicles used as public transport
will be allowed into the area. Context
Recently, at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, 26 countries
4.24 Global Offshore Wind Alliance and the EU announced their commitment to join the
Context Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership.
Recently, nine new countries signed up for the Global About Forest and Climate Leaders
Offshore Wind Alliance at COP27. Partnership
About Global Offshore Wind Alliance ™ The FCLP is a voluntary partnership of 26
RTSEPFP
™ It was set up by the International Renewable countries.
Energy Agency (IRENA), Denmark and the Global ™ It aims to deliver the commitment made at COP26
Wind Energy Council in 2005. in Glasgow to halt and reverse forest loss and

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ENVIRONMENT

land degradation by 2030 and deliver sustainable


Additional Information development and promote an inclusive rural
About REDD+ transformation.
™ REDD+ is a framework created by the UNFCCC ™ The partnership unites action by government,
Conference of the Parties (COP) to guide business and community leaders.
activities in the forest sector that: ™ To ensure accountability, it will hold annual
meetings and publish an annual Global Progress
• Reduces emissions from deforestation
Report on assessments of global progress toward
and forest degradation,
the 2030 goal.
• The sustainable management of forests ™ Significance: The renewed political and financial
and the conservation and enhancement commitment towards forest climate action will
of forest carbon stocks in developing help in creating a new momentum for REDD+.
countries.
™ The implementation of REDD+ activities is 4.27 Global Shield Financing Facility
voluntary
Context
™ Recently, the World Bank Group launched the
Global Shield Financing Facility to help developing
countries adapt to Climate Change.

About Global Shield Financing Facility


™ It is a joint initiative launched at COP27 by the
G7 and V20 countries for pre-arranged financial
support designed to be quickly deployed in times
of climate disasters.
™ These facility will complement investments in
climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
™ The program has been paired with $3 billion in
World Bank lending and helped to mobilise more
than $1bn in private sector capital.

4.28 Methane Alert and Response


India and REDD+ System
™ India has communicated in its Nationally Context
Determined Contribution (NDC) under the ™ Recently the UNEP’s International Methane
Paris Agreement, that it will capture 2.5 to Emissions Observatory launched a satellite-based
3 billion tonnes of Carbon dioxide through monitoring system “MARS: Methane Alert and
additional forest and tree cover by 2030. Response System” for tracking methane emissions.
™ India launched its National REDD+ Strategy
in 2018, which seeks to address drivers of About Methane Alert and Response System:
deforestation and forest degradation and also ™ It is a new initiative to accelerate implementation
develop a roadmap for the enhancement of of the Global Methane Pledge by transparently
forest carbon stocks and achieving sustainable scalingRTSEPFP
up global efforts to detect and act on
management of forests through REDD+ major methane emissions sources.
actions.
™ It has Four components

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ENVIRONMENT

4.30 Mauna Loa Volcano


Context
Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano has
erupted after 38 years, spewing ash and debris, and
™ It will integrate data from a large number of covering the sky of Hawaii’s Big Island.
existing and future satellites that have the ability
to detect methane emission events anywhere
in the world, and send out notifications to the
relevant stakeholders to act on it.
™ MARS will track the large point emission sources,
mainly in the fossil fuel industry, but with time,
would be able to detect emissions from coal,
waste, livestock and rice fields as well.

4.29 International Drought


Resilience Alliance
Context About Mauna Loa
™ Recently, Spain and Senegal led 30 countries ™ Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that together
to launch the International Drought Resilience make up the Big Island of Hawaii, which is the
Alliance (IDRA) at COP27 at Sharm El-Sheikh. southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago.

Drought in Numbers’ report by UNCCD 4.31 Fujiwhara Effect


™ Droughts have increased in frequency by 29
percent since 2000, with around 55 million Context
people affected every year. Typhoon Hinnamnor and another tropical storm
™ Drought-generated economic losses from called Gardo provided a textbook example of a
1998 to 2017 were about $124 billion across phenomenon known as the Fujiwhara Effect.
the world.
About Fujiwhara Effect
About International Drought Resilience ™ Condition:
Alliance • Interaction between tropical storms
™ The IDRA was first announced by Spain at the • Formed at the same time in the same region
77th session of the UN General Assembly. • Distance between their centres should be
™ Aim: To make the land’s resilience to drought and less than 1,400 km.
climate change a reality by 2030. ™ The interaction could lead to changes in the
™ Significance: track and intensity of either or both storm
• The alliance is significant as there is no global systems.
convention for land, other than UNCCD, ™ In rare cases, the two systems could merge,
which mostly focuses on desertification. especially when they are of similar size and
intensity,RTSEPFP
to form a bigger storm.

m m m m

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ENVIRONMENT

MCQ Questions Based on Environment


1. Adoption Gap report sometimes in news is (a) 1, 3 and 4 only (b) 2 and 3 only
released by: (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(a) UNESCO 4. With reference to the Great Nicobar Island,
(b) UNEP which of the following statements is/are
(c) Green Peace Foundation correct?
(d) World Bank Group 1. It is home to four national parks, and a
biosphere reserve.
2. With reference to the Great Indian Bustard,
which of the following statements is/are 2. The leatherback sea turtle is the island’s
correct? flagship species.
1. It is a flagship species of the grasslands. 3. Great Nicobar is equidistant from Colombo
to the southwest and Port Klang and
2. It is protected under the IUCN Red List and Singapore to the southeast.
also under schedule I of the Wildlife
Protection Act 1972. Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
3. Collisions with high tension electric wires,
fast moving vehicles and free-ranging dogs in (a) 3 only (b) 1 and 2 only
villages are major threats to the species. (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Select the correct answer using the code given 5. With reference to the Greenwashing, consider
below: the following statements:
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only 1. Greenwashing refers to misleading the
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 general public into believing that companies,
sovereigns or civic administrators are doing
3. Consider the following: more for the environment than they actually
1. Gulf of Mannar are.
2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2. It has a positive effect on carbon credit.
3. Lakshadweep islands Which of the statements given above is/are
4. Gulf of Kutch. correct?
Which of the above coastal areas of India have (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
coral reefs? (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer Key
RTSEPFP

1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (a)

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ENVIRONMENT

RTSEPFP

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

5.1 Mission Prarambh ™ It is equipped with a gross lift off mass of 545kg,
and a payload mass of 80 kg.
Context
About Small Satellites
Recently, the country's first privately-developed
rocket lifted off from ISRO’s launch pad in Sriharikota ™ These are miniature satellites which can be
(Andhra Pradesh). assembled in less than a week at a fraction of
the cost of conventional satellites.
™ Small rockets allow light payloads weighing
500 kg or less to be placed precisely in preferred
orbits.

Potential of the Indian Private Sector


in the Space Sector
™ India has more than 350 private firms in the
space sector (Fifth largest) but the country’s
share in the global space economy is barely 3
percent.
™ According to the Economic Survey 2021, the
country’s space regulator has received close to
40 proposals from the private sector and
academia “for activities ranging from
manufacturing launch vehicles to earth
observation applications”.

Steps Taken by the Government to Increase


Private Sector Participation:
Probable Mains Question ™ The government intends to increase the country’s
share in the global space economy to 10 percent
Q. What is the Mission Prarambh? Critically discuss
by 2030.
the role of the private sector in the field of space
exploration. ™ The Indian National Space Promotion and
Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has been
About Vikram-S operating as a single-window, autonomous nodal
™ It is a single-stage solid-fuel suborbital launch agency of Department of Space (DOS) to boost
vehicle named after Vikram Sarabhai, the pioneer the private space sector economy in India.
of India’s space program. ™ New Space
RTSEPFP India Limited, announced in Budget

™ Developed by: Hyderabad-based startup Skyroot 2019, aims to use research and development
Aerospace Private Limited under the Mission carried out by ISRO over the years for commercial
Prarambh. purposes through Indian industry partners.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Advantages of Private Sector Participation


™ Private participation will allow ISRO to focus
more on new technologies, exploration missions
and human spaceflight programmes.
™ More Funding: It will bring more funding, and
experience into space exploration activities.
™ Asteroid mining is also another potential area
that looks promising.
™ International trends and experience have
highlighted the increasing significance of the
private players in the space sector (SpaceX).

™ Some activists approached the Supreme Court to


ban it for various reasons.The Supreme Court has
ordered the status quo to be maintained

Probable Mains Question


Q. What is the rationale behind the introduction of
the GM Crops in India? Discuss the situation with
respect to GM Crops in India.

About GM Crops
™ Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are
organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms)
in which the genetic material (DNA) has been
altered in a way that does not occur naturally by
mating and/or natural recombination.
Conclusion ™ In India, the first GM crop, Bt cotton, was released
™ With India having one of the best space programs in 2002 by the government.
in the world, the private sector’s participation in
space will make India a bigger player in the global About GM Mustard
space economy. ™ DMH-11 is a hybrid variant of mustard
™ By allowing FDI in space would contribute developed by the University of Delhi.
to Indian national and foreign reserves, promote ™ It is a result of a cross between two varieties:
technology transfer and research innovations. Varuna and Early Heera-2.
™ By the use of gene editing technology, Barnase
5.2 GM Crops in Varuna induces a temporary sterility because
of which it can’t naturally self-pollinate. Barstar
Context
in Heera blocks the effect of barnase allowing
Recently, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal seeds to be produced.
Committee (GEAC) cleared the DMH 11 (GM Mustard)
™ ICAR study suggests that DMH-11 has 28%
RTSEPFP
for environmental release.
higher yields than its parent Varuna.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Benefits of GM Crops About Vaccine


™ Increased crop productivity ™ The vaccine may potentially prevent dengue
disease in individuals between 4 and 60 years of
™ Better nutritional quality age.
™ Herbicide Tolerant and Pest Resistant Crops like ™ It is expected to be effective in the prevention of
Bt Cotton, Bt Brinjals which produce toxic protein. the viral disease caused by any serotype.
™ TAK-003 is based on a live-attenuated serotype 2
Use of GM Crops in India
dengue virus which is a weakened version of the
™ India is heavily dependent on the import of live virus.
edible oils (55-60 percent of India’s domestic
™ The particular strain was chosen for the vaccine
requirement is imported).
because it provides a genetic “backbone” for all
™ Plenty of India’s demand for cotton seed (binola) four variants of dengue viruses.
oil, and 95% of cotton is now for GM crops. ™ In the trials, the vaccine was found to be 80.2
(Area under Bt. Cotton cultivation has increased percent effective in preventing symptomatic
from less than 1% in 2002-03 to almost 94% in dengue cases a year after vaccination.
2019-20).
™ The trials also showed a 90.4 per cent efficacy in
Challenges/Concerns associated preventing hospitalisations at 18 months.
™ Environmental concerns: It can lead to genetic About Dengue
contamination, toxins produced by plants can
™ Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus that is
also kill insects which are helpful.
endemic in more than 125 countries.
™ Economic concerns:
™ Dengue virus is transmitted by female
• Though GM Cotton was supposed to be more mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes
resistant to pests, chemical usage (including Aegypti.
pesticides) in India’s cotton cultivation has
™ There are four serotypes of the virus that
actually increased leading to additional
cause dengue: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3
burden on farmers.
and DENV-4
• Corporate control over farming and risk of
monopoly in the seed business.
™ Ethical concerns: unnaturalness of the technology, 5.4 Global Partnership on AI
potential harm to human health. (GPAI)
5.3 Rising Dengue Spread and Context
India will take over the chair of the Global Partnership
Dengue Vaccine on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI).
Context
About GPAI
Dengue cases are on a rise across several states, ™ GPAI is an international and multi-stakeholder
including in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. initiative to guide the responsible development
and use of AI, grounded in human rights, inclusion,
About Rise in Dengue Cases
diversity, innovation, and economic growth.
Reason ™ It is a congregation of 25 member countries,
including the US, the UK, EU, Australia, Canada,
RTSEPFP
™ Delayed rains in the month of October are
providing the mosquitoes with a conducive France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New
environment for breeding. Zealand, Republic of Korea, and Singapore.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

™ India joined the group in 2020 as a founding ™ They help study naturally occurring radio light
member. from stars, galaxies, black holes, and other
™ For the 2022-2023 Steering Committee, the astronomical objects.
five government seats will therefore be held by
Japan (as Lead Council Chair and Co-Chair of the 5.6 ISRO’s Cryogenic Engine -
Steering Committee), France (Outgoing Council Indigenously Developed For
Chair), India (Incoming Council Chair), Canada
and the United States. LVM3
™ India occupying the chair also signifies how Context
the world today perceives India as a Trusted
™ The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Technology partner and one that has always
has successfully test-fired the CE20 cryogenic
advocated for the ethical use of technology for
engine at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
transforming citizens lives.
™ It has been developed indigenously for the
India’s Initiatives on AI Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), which was earlier
called GSLV-Mk3.
™ National Programme on AI: The programme
has identified 9 priority areas namely About Cryogenic Engine
Healthcare, Agriculture, Education, Smart Cities, ™ A rocket engine that uses a cryogenic fuel and
Transportation, Cyber Security, Energy, Finance oxidizer, this means its fuel and oxidizer both are
and Indian languages. gasses which have been liquefied and are stored
™ Government has launched ‘National AI Portal’ at very low temperatures.
which is a repository of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
CE20 Cryogenic Engine
based initiatives in the country at a single place.
™ CE20 cryogenic engine is indigenously developed
for LVM3.
5.5 SARAS Radio Telescope
™ It was subjected to a successful hot test at an
Context uprated thrust level of 21.8 ton for the first time.
Recently, scientists have determined the properties ™ This will enhance the LVM3 payload capability up
of a radio luminous galaxy that was formed just 200 to 450 kg with additional propellant loading.
million years after the Big Bang, (a period known as the ™ It is the first time a 3D printed LOX and LH2
Cosmic Dawn) by using the SARAS-3 Radio Telescope. turbine exhaust casings were inducted in the
engine.
About SARAS-3 Radio Telescope ™ The major modifications carried out on this test
™ SARAS is a niche experimental effort of Raman is introduction of Thrust Control Valve (TCV) for
Research Institute (RRI). thrust control.
™ Aim: To design, build and deploy in India a
precision radio telescope to detect extremely Additional Information
faint radio wave signals from the depths of time,
About LVM3
™ The LVM3 is the heaviest launch vehicle of
from our “Cosmic Dawn.”
ISRO.
About Radio Waves and Radio Telescopes ™ Last month, the LVM3 placed 36 satellites of
™ Radio waves have the longest wavelengths in the One Web; this was LVM’s first commercial
electromagnetic spectrum. launch.
™ LVM3 has become a catalyst for the Indian
RTSEPFP
™ Radio telescopes collect weak radio light waves,
bring them to a focus, amplify it and make them Space Program, opening new vistas for heavy
available for analysis. payloads to the Low Earth Orbit.

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5.7 Rohini Sounding Rocket the successful result of a precision medicine on a nine-
year-old boy suffering from a rare genetic disease,
Context Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX).
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will About CTX
attempt the 200th consecutively successful launch of
™ It is a lipid storage disease characterised by
the Rohini RH­200 sounding rocket.
infantile onset of diarrhoea, childhood onset
About RH 200 of cataract, and adolescent to adult onset of
progressive neurologic dysfunctions.
™ RH­200 is a solid motor powered, 200 mm
diameter and 2 stage rocket capable of climbing ™ Apparently, there are only four such cases in
up to a height of 70 km bearing payloads designed India, all diagnosed in adulthood after the onset
to study the upper atmosphere. of serious neurological conditions with morbidity
and mortality.
™ The first and second stages of RH-200 are powered
by solid motors. ™ While there is no cure for CTX, its progression can
be slowed or stopped if detected early by genetic
™ Its height is 3.5-metre.
testing, leading to administration of 'precision
™ RH-200 has completed 199 consecutive successful medicine'.
flights.
About Rare Diseases
About Sounding Rocket
™ An instrument-carrying rocket designed to ™ It is a disease that affects a smaller percentage of
take measurements and perform scientific the population compared to other diseases.
experiments during its sub-orbital flight. ™ There is no universally accepted definition of a
™ Used to launch instruments from 48 to 145 km rare disease. Every country might have a different
above the surface of the Earth. definition of what can be called a rare disease.
™ The World Health Organisation defines a rare
About Rohini (Rocket family) disease as an often debilitating lifelong disease or
™ Rohini is a series of sounding rockets developed disorder condition with a prevalence of 1 or less,
by the Indian Space Research Organisation per 1000 population.
(ISRO) for meteorological and atmospheric study.
™ Rare diseases are known as orphan diseases
™ These sounding rockets are capable of carrying because pharmaceutical companies were not ready to
payloads of 2 to 200 kilograms between altitudes adopt them and develop drugs for them because
of 100 to 500 kms. of the low prevalence. Hence, the drugs used to
™ The ISRO currently uses RH-200, RH-300, RH-300 treat rare diseases are known as orphan drugs.
Mk-II, RH-560 Mk-II and RH-560 Mk-III rockets,
which are launched from the Thumba Equatorial About National Policy for Rare
Rocket Launching (TERLS) in Thumba and the Diseases 2021
Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota. ™ The Government will have a hospital based
National Registry for Rare Diseases at ICMR with
5.8 Rare Genetic Disease: the objective of creating a database of various
rare diseases.
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis ™ The Government shall provide financial
(CTX). assistance upto Rs. 20.00 lakh (under the
UmbrellaRTSEPFPScheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi)
Context to the entitled population, as per PMJAY norms,
The Genome Foundation, Hyderabad and the for their treatment in Government tertiary hospital,
Dermatology Association, Telangana have announced for rare diseases amenable to one-time treatment.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

™ The Government shall notify selected Centres ™ It is scheduled to have six VVER-1000 reactors
of Excellence at premier government hospitals with an installed capacity of 6,000 MW of
for comprehensive management of rare diseases. electricity.
The Centres of Excellence will be provided one
time grant subject to a maximum of Rs. 5 crores.
Additional Information
Three-Stage Nuclear Program of India
5.9 Advanced Nuclear Fuel Option The Indian Nuclear Power Programme, launched
in 1954, went for a three-stage development of
for Kudankulam Plant nuclear power generation from the country’s
Context uranium and thorium resources.

Russian state-owned nuclear energy corporation


Rosatom has offered a more advanced fuel option to Stage 1: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors
India’s largest nuclear power station at Kudankulam,
which will allow its reactors to run for an extended ™ The first stage involves using natural uranium to
two-year cycle without stopping to load fresh fuel. fuel PHWR to produce electricity and producing
Plutonium-239 as a by-product.
™ PHWRs were chosen because India could
domestically produce the components of
PWHR, as opposed to LWRs. Also, the by-product
plutonium-293 could be used in the second
stage.

Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors


™ The second stage involves using Plutonium-239
to produce fuel, which would be used in Fast
Breeder Reactors.
™ Plutonium 239 undergoes fission to produce
About the News
energy.
™ Fuel presently used at Kudankulam plant has an
18-month fuel cycle, meaning that the reactor ™ Once a sufficient amount of plutonium-239 is
has to be stopped for fresh fuel loading every one built up, thorium will be used in the reactor, to
and half years. produce Uranium-233. This uranium is crucial for
™ Rosatom has now offered the more modern the third stage.
Advanced Technology Fuel (ATF), whose fuel
cycle is a whopping 24 months. Stage 3: Advanced Heavy Water Reactor
™ Hence, it will ensure more efficiency, additional
(AHWR):
power generation due to prolonged operation ™ A mix of Thorium and Uranium fuels the
of the reactor and sizeable savings of the foreign reactors.
exchange needed to buy fresh fuel.LFPR of women ™ The Thorium transmutes to U-233 as in the second
has been steadily declining, despite an increase in
stage, which powers the reactor.
their educational attainment.
™ Fresh Thorium can replace the depleted
About Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant thorium in the reactor core, making it essentially
RTSEPFP
™ It is the single largest nuclear power station in India. a thorium-fuelled reactor even though it is the
U-233 that is undergoing fission to produce
™ It is situated in Koodankulam in the Tirunelveli
district of Tamil Nadu. electricity.

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Short News
5.10 Indian Biological Data Centre 5.11 Artemis I Mission
Context Context
Recently, the government has set up ‘Indian Biological Recently, NASA’s Artemis 1 Mission launched from the
Data Centre’ at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
(RCB), Faridabad.
About Artemis Mission
About the Indian Biological Data Centre
™ NASA’s Artemis mission is the next generation of
™ Digitised repository: It is a digitised repository lunar exploration which aims to land humans on
where Indian researchers will store biological the moon by 2024.
data from publicly funded research.
• Artemis I is the first of NASA’s deep space
™ The data will be stored on a four-petabyte exploration systems.
(A petabyte equals 10,00,000 gigabytes)
supercomputer called ‘Brahm’. • Orion spacecraft: Orion spacecraft is going to
remain in space without docking to a space
™ Benefits: station.
• This will reduce Indian researchers' Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket: It is the most
dependency on American and European data powerful rocket in the world and travels 2,80,000
banks. miles from the Earth.
• Such databases have traditionally played ™ Goal: The primary operating goal of the mission
a key role in determining the genetic basis is to assure a safe crew module entry, descent,
of various diseases and finding targets for splashdown, and recovery.
vaccines and therapeutics.

RTSEPFP

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

™ Future Missions in the Artemis: 5.13 AP7 Asteroid


• The second flight under the programme will
have crew on board and will test Orion’s Context
critical systems with humans onboard. A team of astronomers has discovered three massive
• The learnings from the Artemis programme near-Earth asteroids hiding in the glare of the Sun.
will be utilised to send the first astronauts to
Mars. About 2022 AP7 Asteroid
™ It is 1.5-kilometre-wide and has an orbit that may
5.12 Coronal Holes someday put it on a collision course with our planet.
Context ™ Potentially hazardous to Earth.
™ Recently, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory ™ It was found using the Dark Energy Camera at
caught the Sun “smiling.” the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in
™ NASA explained that the patches are called Chile.
coronal holes.
Additional Information
About Coronal Holes ™ Asteroids, sometimes called minor planets,
™ These are regions on the Sun’s surface from are rocky, airless remnants left over from the
where fast solar wind gushes out into space. early formation of our solar system about 4.6
™ They contain little solar material, they have lower billion years ago.
temperatures and thus appear much darker than ™ The current known asteroid count is:
their surroundings. 1,113,527.
™ Here, the magnetic field is open to interplanetary
space, sending solar material out in a high-speed
stream of solar wind. 5.14 Morbi Tragedy
™ Coronal holes can last between a few weeks to Context
months.
Recently, a suspension bridge over the Machchhu
™ Significance: These ‘coronal holes’ are important river collapsed.
to understanding the space environment around
the Earth through which our technology and
astronauts travel.

RTSEPFP

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About Morbi Suspension Bridge ™ Once a device or phone is bluebugged, a hacker


can listen to the calls, read and send messages
™ The suspension bridge, “Jhulto Pul”, was inaugurated
and steal and modify contacts.
in 1879, during the reign of Sir Waghji Ravaji.
™ Machchhu is a small river that rises in the Madla How does Bluebugging hack devices?
Hills and flows 130 km into the Rann of Kutch.
™ Bluebugging attacks work by exploiting Bluetooth
™ Morbi is famous for its ceramic industry, enabled devices.
and around 70 per cent of India’s ceramics
are produced in Morbi, and ceramic tiles ™ The device’s Bluetooth must be in discoverable
manufactured here are exported to countries in mode, which is the default setting on most
the Middle East, East Asia, and Africa. devices.
™ The hacker then tries to pair with the device via
5.15 New Tool of Hacking: Bluetooth. Once a connection is established,
Bluebugging hackers can use brute force attacks to bypass
authentication.
Context ™ They can install malware in the compromised
Instances of hacking smartphones through device to gain unauthorised access to it.
bluebugging have been increasingly reported. Bluebugging can happen whenever a Bluetooth
enabled device is within a 10-metre radius of the
hacker.
™ Hackers can use booster antennas to widen the
attack range.

Prevention of Bluebugging
™ Turning off Bluetooth and disconnecting paired
Bluetooth devices when not in use.
™ Updating the device’s system software to the
latest version, limited use of public Wi­Fi and
About Bluebugging using VPN as an additional security measure.
™ It is a form of hacking that lets attackers access
™ Use of modern anti­-virus softwares.
a device through its discoverable Bluetooth
connection.

m m m m

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MCQ Questions Based on Science & Technology


1. Mission Prarambh is associated with which of 5. The term ‘ Bluebugging’ often seen in news is a:
the following? (a) malware responsible for cyber attack in AIIMS
(a) Nanotechnology (b) Space (b) form of hacking that lets attackers access
(c) Medicine (d) Sports a device through its discoverable Bluetooth
2. With reference to the ‘GM Mustard’,consider connection.
the following statements (c) search for meteorites containing precious
1. DMH-11 is a hybrid variant of mustard metals
developed by the University of Delhi. (d) regions inside the Earth-like planets in outer
2. It is a result of a cross between two varieties- space
Varuna and Early Heera-2. 6. Morbi Suspension Bridge is located on which
Which of the above statements are correct? river?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (a) Saryu (b) Machchhu
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) Sabarmati (d) Luni
3. With reference to ‘Coronal holes’, consider the 7. With reference to ‘Artemis Mission’,consider
following statements the following statements:
1. Coronal Holes have lower temperatures and 1. It is the next generation of lunar exploration
thus appear much darker than their launched by NASA.
surroundings. 2. It aims to land humans on the moon by 2024.
2. Coronal holes can last between a few weeks Which of the statements given above is/are
to months. correct?
Which of the statements given above is/are (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
correct? (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only 8. Which of the following statements is/are correct
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 about ‘SARAS Radio Telescope’?
4. SPACE Facility developed by Defence Research 1. It is a niche experimental effort of Raman
and Development Organization (DRDO) is: Research Institute (RRI).
(a) a testing and evaluation facility for sonar 2. It has been designed to detect extremely
systems. faint radio wave signals.
(b) to promote private sector participation in Which of the statements given above is/are
space sector. correct?
(c) A trial facility to launch Gaganyaan project. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(d) To test Agni 5 missile. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer Key RTSEPFP

1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (b) 6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (c)

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DEFENCE & SECURITY

6 DEFENCE
AND
SECURITY
6.1 No Money for Terror Finance Additional Information:
Context: About Terror Funding:
™ Third ministerial ‘No Money for Terror (NMFT)’ ™ It is a sponsored money for initiating terrorist
conference was held in November 2022. activities which are required for the following
™ It was hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. purposes:
• To recruit and support members
Probable Question
• To maintain logistics hubs
Q. Recently India hosted ‘No Money for Terror’
conference. What are the efforts taken by India • To conduct operations
nationally and internationally to curb terror funding.
Sources of Terror Funding:
About 3rd NMFT Ministerial Conference:
Sources of terrorist funding include, but are not
™ Nodal Ministry: The conference was organised
limited to, low-level fraud, kidnapping for ransom, the
by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under
the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). misuse of non-profit organisations, the illicit trade in
commodities (such as oil, charcoal, diamonds, gold
™ India offered to establish a Permanent Secretariat
and the narcotic “captagon”), and digital currencies.
for “No Money For Terror” in the country.
™ India upheld its commitment to FATF’s AML National Efforts:
(Financial Action Task Force’s Anti-Money ™ National Investigation Agency (NIA): Federal
Laundering)/CFT (Countering Financing agency established by the Indian Government to
of Terrorism) standards and domestic and combat terror in India.
international law. ™ Unlawful Activities Prevention Act: Anti-terror
™ India called for expeditious finalisation and legislation that seeks to designate an individual as
adoption of CCIT (Comprehensive Convention on a “terrorist”.
International Terrorism).
™ National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID: NATGRID
About NMFT: is seamless and secure database which provides
™ The NMFT started in 2018 as an initiative of the information on terrorists, economic crimes etc.
French government. ™ Multi Agency Centre (MAC): Mandate is to share
™ Past Conferences: terrorism related intelligence inputs on a daily
™ The first NMFT conference: Held in Paris, basis.
France in April 2018 ™ NSG: ToRTSEPFP
ensure to ensure a rapid response to
™ The second NMFT conference: Held in terrorist attacks and Coastal Security Scheme for
Melbourne, Australia in November 2019 maritime security.

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DEFENCE & SECURITY

About Delhi Declaration:


™ Terrorism in all forms and manifestations is
one of the major threats. Any acts of terrorism
are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of
their motivations, whenever, wherever and by
whomsoever committed.
™ Zero tolerance towards terrorist activities
through full and effective implementation of UN
Security Council resolutions.
™ Member states are obliged to prevent and
suppress terror financing and to refrain from
providing support to entities or persons involved
in such acts.
™ All member states must cooperate in the fight
against terrorism to identify safe havens and
deny terrorists’ access.
International Efforts:
™ Financial Action Task Force (FATF): Formed UNSC’s Counter-Terrorism Committee:
in 1989 as a means of bringing order and ™ The meeting highlighted the use of the internet
implementing standards to the monetary system and social media, terrorism financing and new
in the world with regard to terror finance and payment mechanism, and unmanned aerial
money laundering systems (UAS), including drones, for terrorist
™ The UNSCR resolutions: UNSCR resolutions 1267 activities.
in 1999 and UNSCR resolution 1373 in 2001 ™ The meeting also hailed the role of Tech Against
formed the bedrock of the financial sanctions Terrorism initiative and the industry-led Global
regime for terrorist organisations. Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT)
™ The Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) of initiatives for taking steps to act against terror
the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime activities.
(UNODC) works on the legal aspects of countering ™ UNSC-CTC was established by Security Council
the financing of terrorism. Resolution 1373, in 2001 after the 9/11 terror
™ Delhi Declaration of Counter-Terrorism attacks in the US.
Committee (CTC) of UN Security Council was
unanimously adopted on countering the use of new 6.3 Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain
and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
Awareness
™ The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism
(UNOCT) leads and coordinates an all-of-UN Context:
approach to prevent and counter-terrorism and Earlier this year, Quad rolled out an Indo-Pacific
violent extremism. Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) initiative for
information sharing and maritime surveillance across
6.2 Delhi Declaration of Counter the Indo Pacific region.
Terrorist Committee
About Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain
Context: Awareness (IPMDA):
RTSEPFP

India recently hosted meeting of UNSC’s Counter- ™ The IPMDA initiative was announced at the Quad
Terrorism Committee, which unanimously adopted Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, 2022 to track “dark
Delhi Declaration. shipping” and to build a “faster, wider, and more

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DEFENCE & SECURITY

accurate maritime picture of near-real-time About Cyberattacks:


activities in partners’ waters”. ™ A cyber-attack is any attempt to gain
™ It will integrate three critical regions in the Indo- unauthorised access to a computer, computing
Pacific — the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and system or computer network with the intent to
the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). cause damage.
™ It will also help QUAD countries as well as littoral ™ Ransomware is a type of malicious software
states in the backdrop of expanding Chinese that encrypts the victim’s files, blocks access to
naval presence across the region.
a computer system and requires users to pay a
About QUAD: ransom to decrypt the files.
™ It is the grouping of four democracies-India, Safeguards available in India against Cyber
Australia, the US, and Japan.
Threats:
™ It aims to ensure and support a “free, open and ™ Information Technology Act, 2000
prosperous” Indo-Pacific region. ™ National Critical Information Infrastructure
Protection Centre (NCIIPC): Created under
Section 70A of IT Act 2000 to protect the nation’s
6.4 Ransomware Attack on AIIMS critical information infrastructure.
Context: ™ CERT-In (Cyber Emergency Response Team):
National Nodal Agency for Cyber Security
Recently, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
™ National Cyber Security Policy, 2013: The policy
(AIIMS), Delhi came under heavy ransomware attack,
provides the vision and strategic direction to
crippling routine health services affecting thousands
protect national cyberspace.
of patients.

Other Types of Cyber Attacks: 6.5 SPACE Facility by DRDO


™ Spyware: Spyware is a form of malware
that hides on a device providing real-time Context:
information sharing to its host, enabling them Recently, the Defence Research and Development
to steal data like bank details and passwords. Organization (DRDO) launched the hull module of the
™ Phishing Attacks: Phishing is when a Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization
cybercriminal attempts to lure individuals into and Evaluation (SPACE) in Kochi.
providing sensitive data such as personally
identifiable information (PII), banking and About SPACE Facility:
credit card details and passwords. ™ It is a state-of-the-art testing and evaluation
™ Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks: It facility for sonar systems developed for use by the
aims to disrupt a computer network by flooding Indian Navy onboard various platforms, including
the network with superfluous requests to ships, submarines and helicopters.
overload the system and prevent legitimate
requests being fulfilled.
™ Malware: Malware is software that does
malicious tasks on a device or network such as
corrupting data or taking control of a system.
™ Trojans: A trojan creates a backdoor in the
system, allowing the attacker to gain control RTSEPFP

of the computer or access confidential


information.

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6.6 Military Exercises in News

Exercises Details
™ Bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and
Garuda VII
Space Force (FASF)
™ ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise
Sea Vigil 22 ™ Involved participation of more than 17 Government agencies from nine Coastal
States and four Union Territories.
™ Bilateral training exercise between contingents of the Indian Army and the
Australian Army
Austra Hind 22
™ This is the first exercise in the series of AUSTRA HIND with participation of all
arms and services contingent from both armies.
™ Joint maritime exercise among the Indian, Mozambique and Tanzanian Navies.
IMT Trilateral Exercise ™ Commenced at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
™ It was the first edition of the trilateral exercise.

m m m m

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DEFENCE & SECURITY

MCQ Questions Based on Defence & Security


1. ‘No Money for Terror Finance’ has been Select the correct answer using the code given
conducted under the aegis of: below:
(a) Ministry of Home Affairs (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(b) Ministry of Defence (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(c) Ministry of Finance 3. Which of the following countries is/are
(d) Ministry of Cooperation participants in ‘Garuda VII’?
2. Which of the following countries constitute (a) India-France (b) Germany - India
‘Quad’? (c) India- Britain (d) Maldives-Nepal
1. India 2. Australia
3. US 4. Japan

Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (a)

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Society & Social Justice

7.1 National Suicide Prevention About the National Suicide Prevention


Strategy
Strategy
™ Goal: To reduce suicide mortality in the country
Context by 10 per cent by 2023.
Recently, The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Objectives of the National Suicide
unveiled the National Suicide Prevention Strategy
Prevention Strategy:
— the first-of-its-kind policy to prevent suicides as a
™ To establish effective surveillance mechanisms
public health priority.
for suicide within the next three years.
Probable Question ™ It seeks to establish psychiatric outpatient
departments(OPD) that will provide suicide
Q. ‘In India there have been frequent news reports
prevention services through the District Mental
of suicides taking place in coaching centers that
Health Programme in all districts within the next
train students for medical and engineering entrance
five years.
examinations’. In this context discuss the importance
of the recently launched National Suicide Prevention ™ To integrate a mental well-being curriculum in
Strategy. all educational institutions within the next eight
years.

RTSEPFP

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Implementation Framework Probable Question


™ The implementation framework envisions five Q. World population has reached the mark of 8
key stakeholders responsible for realising the billion with India being the major contributor. With
objectives. respect to India, discuss positive and negative effects
™ The stakeholders include: national-level of population growth.
ministerial stakeholders, state-level governmental
stakeholders, district-level governmental More about the Report
stakeholders, NIMHANS-Bangalore and other
top mental health institutes, and strategic
collaborators.

Steps Taken by the Government


™ National Mental Health Policy (2014): The sees
prevention of mental disorders, reduction of
suicide and attempted suicide as core priority
areas.
™ Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: It decriminalises
the suicide attempts which was punishable under
Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. ™ Unequal distribution: More than half of the
™ Kiran Helpline: It is a great step towards suicide projected increase in the global population up
prevention, and can help with support and crisis to 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries:
management. the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt,
Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines
™ Mano Darpan Initiative: Under Atmanirbhar
and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Bharat Abhiyan aims to provide psyho-social
support to students for their mental health and ™ Population is growing at lowest rate: The global
well-being. population is growing at its slowest rate since
1950, having fallen under 1 per cent in 2020.
Way Forward ™ How is India placed?
™ Strong political will to put out a strategy to
• India is projected to overtake China as the
prevent suicides must be matched with actual,
world’s most populous country in 2023.
determined ground-level implementation.
• India will continue to have one of the
™ Co-opting the various State governments in youngest populations in the world till 2030
this massive venture will be essential to ensure and is currently experiencing a demographic
success in lowering the suicide rate in the country. window of opportunity, a “youth bulge” that
will last till 2025.
7.2 World Population Reached 8 • Over 27 per cent of the country’s population
billion: Future Prospects for is between the ages of 15-29. India is also
home to the world’s largest adolescent
World and India population (10-19 years).
Context Significance of Population Growth
According to the United Nations Population Fund
™ GreaterRTSEPFP
Human Capital: A larger population is
(UNFPA), the human population reached 8 billion on
perceived to mean greater human capital, higher
15th November 2022.
economic growth and improved standards of
living.

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™ Decreasing dependency ratio: In the last 7.3 POCSO Act 2012


seven decades, the share of the working age
population has grown from 50% to 65%, resulting Context
in a remarkable decline in the dependency ratio The Delhi High Court has remarked that the intention
(number of children and elderly persons per of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
working age population). (POCSO) Act was to protect children below the
™ Largest workforces globally: In the next 25 years, age of 18 from sexual exploitation, and that it was
one in five working-age group persons will be never meant to criminalise consensual romantic
living in India. relationships between young adults.
™ Vibrancy of economy: Population change in Purpose of Act
an area is an important indicator of economic
™ POCSO Act was adopted to protect children from
development, social upliftment and historical and sexual offenses like acts of sexual harassment and
cultural background of the region. assault and child pornography.
Challenges of Population Growth ™ This Act asks for the setting up of Special Courts
™ Increase in the working-age population: May that are better equipped to deal with such
lead to rising unemployment, fueling economic offences in a more effective way
and social risks.
Features of Act
™ Depletion of resources: High population growth ™ The Act defines children as any individual aged
also affects the depletion of resources.
below 18 years of age. The problem of gender
™ Increasing burden on government: India exclusion in the previous Acts was ignored here
being tilted towards social country, increasing altogether as this Act is gender-neutral in its
population increases burden on government stance.
(economically, socially, and politically).
™ There are multiple forms and acts of sexual abuse
Way Forward: defined under this Act that is not just limited to
pornography, harassment, or penetrative/non-
penetrative offenses.
™ These Acts would be considered ‘aggravated’ if
the child is mentally ill and/or the perpetrator
comes from a position of authority and/or trust
like a family member, doctor, teacher, etc.
™ The prevention of ‘re-victimization’ of the
child within the judicial system is of utmost
importance as this Act allows a policeman to act
under the role of a child protector throughout the
investigation.
™ The process of investigation is to be made as
child-friendly as possible, and justice to be served
promptly within a year before the reporting of the
incident.RTSEPFP

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7.4 Fighting Against the Social Evil ™ Because of the belief that girls need to marry early
for safety and protection, and apprehensions
of Child Marriage about the risk to family honour.
Context ™ Because of poverty and higher dowry demands
associated with delayed marriages.
™ As per NFHS-5 data, most of the child marriages
take place among women with less than 12 years
of schooling and households that are socially and
economically disadvantaged.
™ Child Marriage Prohibition Officers underreport,
ignore or refuse to register complaints despite
having knowledge of areas or communities where
the practise still exists.
The recent alleged sale of girls in Rajasthan on stamp
paper to settle debts shows how the girl child is ™ Compulsory registration of marriages has not
vulnerable in families that see them as a means to been mandated under the PCMA, thus leading to
tide over their financial woes. a lot of unreported child marriages.
™ The National Commission for Women and the
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act
(NCPCR) launched a probe into child trafficking (PCMA), 2006:
and prostitution in rural Rajasthan. ™ The Act envisages preventing child marriages
with enhanced punishments of rigorous
Definition of Child Marriage imprisonment for two years and/or fine of INR 1
™ A marriage of a girl or boy before the age of 18 lakh.
and refers to both formal marriages and informal ™ It defines a child to mean a male below 21 years
unions in which children under the age of 18 live and female below 18 years.
with a partner as if married. ™ The legal status of a child marriage is voidable at
™ As per United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the option of the parties.
estimates, each year, at least 1.5 million girls ™ If the consent for marriage is obtained by fraud,
under 18 get married in India. Largest number of deceit or if the child is enticed away from his
child brides in the world - accounting for a third of lawful guardians and if the sole purpose is to
the global total - happens in India. use the child for trafficking or other immoral
purposes, the marriage would be void.
NFHS-5 Data on Child Marriage
™ There are variations in child marriage in ™ The Act also provides for the appointment of
accordance with the household wealth index. A a Child Marriage Prohibition officer whose
staggering 40% of girls from the lowest wealth duties are to prevent child marriages and spread
quintile were married before 18 years. awareness regarding the same.
™ The practice of child marriage has declined only Hindu Marriage Act, 1956
marginally from NFHS-4 (28%).
™ Only the parties to a child marriage are punishable
™ Its prevalence is higher in rural than urban India even if they did not consent to the union.
- 28% and 17%, respectively.
™ There are no provisions for punishing the parents
Reasons of Child Marriage or people who solemnised the marriage.
RTSEPFP

™ Because of social norms in many regions and ™ A girl can get the marriage annulled only if she
cultures, parents begin preparations for a girl’s was married off before attaining the age of 15 and
marriage once she has reached puberty. she challenges the marriage before turning 18.

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™ There is no express provision to prohibit child


marriage per se.

Way Forward
™ The Law Commission’s report in 2017 titled
‘Compulsory Registration of Marriages’ and
the Supreme Court in Smt. Seema Vs. Ashwani
Kumar observed that compulsory registration of
marriages in each state would be a step in the
right direction
™ Child Marriage Prohibition Officers should be About MGNREGA
punished for dereliction of their duty, making
™ The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
them more responsible and liable for their work.
Guarantee Act was passed in 2005, and the
™ Government teachers, anganwadi supervisors, scheme guarantees 100 days of unskilled work
panchayat and revenue staff, all of whom interact per year for every rural house.
with rural communities, should be notified as
™ The main aim of the NREGA scheme is to provide a
child marriage prohibition officers.
source of livelihood for the economically weaker
™ Eligibility criteria of government schemes that section of the society.
ease the financial burden of marriage should be
™ It takes initiative to decrease the number of
linked to educational attainment and age of girls.
migrations of labour from rural to urban areas.
™ Karnataka amended the Prohibition of Child
™ Under this scheme, almost all the control is
Marriage Act in 2017, declaring every child
given to the Gram Panchayats for managing
marriage void ab initio, making it a cognisable
public works. Gram Sabhas can accept or reject
offence, and introducing rigorous imprisonment
recommendations from Intermediate and District
for all who enable a child marriage. Similar law
Panchayats.
should be brought at the central level.
™ At least one-third of beneficiaries have to be
7.5 Evaluating the Performance of women.

MGNREGA ™ Wages must be paid according to the statutory


minimum wages specified for agricultural
Context labourers in the state under the Minimum Wages
Act, 1948.
™ Central government has constituted a committee
to review the implementation of the Mahatma ™ The programs under this scheme are demand-
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee driven and provide legal provisions for appeal in
Act (MGNREGA) scheme, especially to assess the the case, if work is not provided or payments are
programme’s efficacy as a poverty alleviation tool. delayed.
™ The Sinha Committee has now been tasked to ™ The fund for this Scheme is given by the central
study the various factors behind demand for government which bears the full cost of unskilled
MGNREGA work, expenditure trends and inter labour and 75% of the cost of the working material
­State variations, and the composition of work. is undertaken by this law.
™ The Central and State governments are responsible
Probable Question
for the audit
RTSEPFP of the works undertaken under this
Q. Critically evaluate the role of the MGNREGA Act through annual reports prepared by CEGC
scheme in addressing the issue of rural distress. (Central Employment Guarantee Council) and the
SEGC (State Employment Guarantee Councils).

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Success in Countering Rural Distress ™ The Union Ministry of Rural Development


™ According to the World Bank, it provides withholds wage payments for workers of States
employment to around one in every six Indian that do not meet administrative requirements
families. In 2021­22, the demand for MGNREGA within the stipulated time period. For instance,
work stood high, and 363 crore person days of delay in submission of the previous financial
work were generated. year’s audited fund statements and utilisation
certificates.
™ Out of the total jobs created so far, the percentage
™ The low wage rates have resulted in lack of
of hours put in by women has increased steadily,
interest among workers in working for MGNREGA
much above the statutory minimum of 33% to
schemes, making way for contractors and middle
57%.
men to take control locally.
™ According to the Rural Development Ministry, out
™ MGNREGA pushed up rural wages without having
of all the workers benefited under the scheme, much of an impact on rural productivity. It led
the percentage of Scheduled Caste workers has to inflation as nominal wages rose faster than
consistently been about 20% and of Scheduled productivity.
Tribe workers has been about 17%.
™ The government has spent over Rs 6.4 lakh crore in Way Forward
the last 15 years on this demand-driven program, ™ Gram panchayats need to be provided with
leading to the creation of rural infrastructure, adequate resources, powers, and responsibilities
community assets like johads (percolation to sanction works, provide work on demand, and
ponds) in Haryana. authorise wage payments to ensure there are no
delays in payments.
™ The water conservation structures built under
MGNREGA have potentially conserved at least ™ For constant monitoring and maintenance of
28,741 million cubic metres of water in the past water work, the government can get the support
15 years. of communities and civil society organisations like
the Paani Foundation.
Challenges faced in implementation ™ Initiatives like 'GeoMGNREGA’- geo-tagging
™ States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where there of assets created under MGNREGA should be
is a higher level of poverty, haven’t been able to brought to improve the transparency.
utilise the scheme optimally.
™ The government can enhance the number of days
™ The scheme has also been criticised by economists to 150-200 days depending on the vulnerability in
like Jagdish Bhagwati and Arvind Panagariya as an a particular state as done by Odisha and Himachal
“inefficient instrument of shifting income to the Pradesh.
poor”. ™ The government should ensure timely payment
™ The scheme forces the Government to offer with reduced delays. Also, the MGNREGA
work, but so far does not measure productivity or payment procedures should be simplified to ensure
durability of the work done. transparency and accountability.

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Short News
7.6 Eklavya Model Residential • Access,
• Infrastructure and facilities,
Schools
• Equity and
Context • Governance process.
The government is aiming to establish 740 Eklavya ™ The Index is based on data drawn from several
Model Residential Schools for Scheduled Tribe (ST) data sources, including the Unified District
students. Information System for Education Plus (UDISE +)
2020-21, National Achievement Survey NAS 2017,
About Eklavya Model Residential School and Mid Day Meal Portal.
™ The Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)
is a Government of India scheme for model ™ A total of 12 States and UTs, including National
residential schools for tribals identified under the Capital Territory of Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
Scheduled Tribes across the country. and Odisha, attained Level 3 with a score between
™ It was started in the year 1997-98. 851-900. No State figured in the bottom three
grades.
™ To realise the mission, it has been decided that
by the year 2022, every block with more than 50 ™ The report notes that Ladakh has seen the biggest
percent ST population and at least 20,000 tribal improvement by climbing up from Level 10 in
people, will have an eklavya model residential 2019-2020 to Level 4 in 2020-2021.
school. ™ Gujarat is now among the top performers in
™ Objectives of EMRS school education.
• Comprehensive physical, mental and socially
relevant development 7.8 PM National Relief Fund
• Seeks to empower students to be change
agents. Context
• Support the annual running expenses in a The Prime Minister’s Office announced “an ex-gratia
manner that offers reasonable remuneration. of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister National
Relief Fund) for Morbi bridge.
7.7 Performing Grade Index About PMNRF
™ This fund was instituted by former Prime Minister
Context Jawaharlal Nehru (1948) to assist displaced
Recently, the Ministry of Education released a report persons from Pakistan.
on the Performance Grading Index for States/UTs for ™ Presently, it is used to tackle natural calamities
the year 2020-21. such as floods, cyclones and earthquakes etc.
About the Report ™ PMNRF is also used to help with medical
treatment like kidney transplantation, cancer
™ The Index classifies States and Union Territories
treatment, acid attack and to the victims of
into 10 grades based on their score out of a total
major accidents and riots.
1,000 points.
™ The fund consists entirely of public contributions
™ Their performance is assessed on a total of 70
and does not get any budgetary support.
indicators in five domains, which are:
™ PMNRF is exempt under Income Tax Act, 1961
• Learning outcome,
RTSEPFP

under Section 10 and 139 for return purposes.

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MCQ Questions Based on Society & Social Justice


1. Which of the following statements is/are correct 4. Find the correct statements about the Eklavya
regarding Protection of Children from Sexual Model Residential Schools:
Offences (POCSO) Act ? 1. It was started in the year 1997-98.
1. It protect children below the age of 18 from
2. It has been set up under the Ministry of Tribal
sexual exploitation.
Affairs.
2. Every crime against children must be reported
3. The scheme is to make model residential
as per POCSO Act.
schools for Scheduled Tribes across India.
Select the correct answer using the code given
below: Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) both 1 and 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. World Population Prospects 2022, report is (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
published by: 4. Which of the following statements is/are correct
(a) World Economic Forum about ‘PMNRF (Prime Minister National Relief
Fund) ’?
(b) World Bank
(c) World Trade Organization 1. The fund consists entirely of public
contributions and does not get any budgetary
(d) United Nations
support
3. Which among the following ministries has
2. It is exempted under Income Tax Act, 1961.
launched the ‘Performing Grade Index’ ?
(a) Ministry of Commerce and Industry Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(b) Ministry of Education
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Answer Key RTSEPFP

1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (c)

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Society & Social Justice

PRELIMS FOCUS BATCH


EXAM : UPSC PRELIMS - 2023
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ART & CULTURE

small patch reefs lying in a linear pattern with reef


8.1 The Geoheritage Value of Ram crest, sand cays and intermittent deep channels.
Setu
About Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project
Context (SSCP)
Recently, the Supreme Court gave the Centre four ™ Proposed by the British for creating a channel to
weeks’ time to file a response clarifying its stand on link the Palk Strait with the Gulf of Mannar, but
a plea seeking national heritage status for the ‘Ram inaugurated in 2005.
Setu’.
™ The SSCP, if completed, is expected to considerably
reduce the navigation time between the east and
west coasts of India.

Concerns about the Project


™ Higher energy waves: Computer models suggest
that the central, eastern and north-eastern parts
of the Palk Bay may be impacted by waves of
higher energy. The region will receive more
sediment, rendering them more turbid.
™ Impact of cyclone: Cyclonic storms can destabilise
the local sedimentary dynamics.
™ Pollution from ships: Emissions from ships will
pollute the air and water. Oil spill from ships could
cause an ecological disaster by impacting marine
biosphere reserves in the Gulf of Mannar.
™ More than 36,000 species are already threatened
by discharge from thermal plants, brine run off
from salt pans, and illegal mining of corals.

About Ram Setu/Adam’s Bridge Suggestions


There is need to adopt the geoheritage paradigm that
™ It is a 48-km chain of limestone shoals that runs
from Pamban Island near Rameswaram to the ™ is used in nature's conservation to preserve the
Mannar Island on the northern coast of Sri Lanka. natural diversity of significant geological features.
™ It forms a shallow part of the ocean that is being ™ accepts the fact that geodiversity is under threat
constantly impacted by sedimentation processes. from human activities and needs protection.
™ Space­based investigations, using satellite remote ™ recognises the value of abiotic factors like geology,
sensing imagery, by researchers concluded that soils, landforms and their roles in supporting
Ram Setu is not man-made, but comprises 103 habitats for biodiversity.

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8.2 Wangala Dance


Context
Members of the Garo tribal community performed
Wangala dance on the occasion of ‘The Rising Sun
Water Fest-2022’.

About Wangala Festival


™ Wangala Festival is a harvest festival held in
honour of Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility.
™ It is also known as the 100 Drums Festival. About Pashmina Shawls
™ It is a fine type of wool which is obtained from
breeds of mountain goats found in Tibet and
parts of Ladakh. 
™ It is spun from cashmere wool. This cashmere
wool is obtained from the Changthangi goat,
native to the high plateau of Ladakh.
™ These are GI certified Shawls.

About Shahtoosh Guard Hair


™ It is the fine undercoat fibre obtained from
the Tibetan antelope, known locally as chiru, a
About Garo Tribes species living mainly in the northern parts of the
™ The Garos, who call themselves A'chiks, are Changthang Plateau in Tibet.
the second largest tribe in Meghalaya (Other ™ Tibetan antelope is included in CITES Appendix 1.
two major tribes of Meghalaya are Khasi and
™ Sale, purchase, and possession of Tibetan
Jaintia).
Antelope parts and products, including Shahtoosh,
™ The Garos are one of the few remaining are strictly prohibited.
matrilineal societies in the world.
8.3 Nadaprabhu Kempegowda
About The Rising Sun Water Fest
Context
™ It was an initiative by the Indian Army's Eastern
Command with the governments of Assam and ™ Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue
Meghalaya. of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda installed at the
Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
™ Aim: To promote tourism in the North East.
™ The statue will be called Statue of Prosperity.
8.2 Pashmina Shawls vs About Nadaprabhu Kempegowda:
Shahtoosh Guard Hair ™ Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, a 16th century
chieftain of the Vijayanagara empire, is credited
Context as the founder of Bengaluru.
Recently, Pashmina shawl traders have moved Delhi
™ He was from the dominant agricultural Vokkaliga
High Court complaining of being subjected to Customs
community in south Karnataka.
and criminal prosecutions on the ground that their
export articles are suspected to be Shahtoosh.

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™ Nadaprabhu Kempegowda abolished the practice 8.6 Legend of Lachit Borphukan


of cutting the fingers of the left hand of an
unmarried woman during a custom known as Context
Bandi Devaru.
Recently, a three-day
™ He authored a Yakshagana play in Telugu named celebration of the 400th
Gangagaurivilasa. birth anniversary of the
legendary Assamese
general and folk hero
Lachit Borphukan was
celebrated.

About Lachit
Borphukan
™ Lachit Borphukan
was a commander
and Borphukan, in
the Ahom kingdom,
located in present day Assam.
™ He is known for his leadership in the 1671 Battle
of Saraighat that thwarted an attempt by Mughal
forces to take over Ahom kingdom.
™ He was chosen as one of the five Borphukans of
the Ahom kingdom by king Charadhwaj Singha,
and given administrative, judicial, and military
responsibilities.

8.7 The Sword of Chhatrapati


Shivaji Maharaj
8.5 Kashi Tamil Sangamam Context
Context The Maharashtra government recently announced
Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated ‘Kashi Tamil that it is working to bring back the sword of
Sangamam’. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from London to India.

About The Kashi Tamil Sangam About the Sword:


™ Objective: To celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover ™ It was given to Edward, the Prince of Wales , by
the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi – Shivaji IV in 1875-76.
two of the country’s most important and ancient ™ The sword is part of the Royal Collection Trust at
seats of learning. Saint James’s Palace in London.
™ It is being organized by the Ministry of ™ Bhavani (In Satara) and Jagdamba (In London)
Education in collaboration with other Ministries were the swords used by Shivaji.
like Culture, Textiles, Railways, Tourism, Food
Processing, Information & Broadcasting etc. and
the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

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8.8 Afzal Khan Tomb About Patan Patola


™ Patola is a double ikat woven sari, usually made
Context from silk, made in Patan, Gujarat, India.
Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has sought reports
™ Patola is woven on primitive hand-operated
from the Maharashtra government on the demolition
harness looms made out of rosewood and
drive conducted around the tomb of Afzal Khan.
bamboo strips. The loom lies on a slant.
About Controversy over the Tomb of ™ It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in
Afzal Khan 2013.
™ Hindu groups have alleged the Hazarat
Mohammad Afzal Khan Memorial Society has 8.10 Nicobari Hodi Craft
expanded the tomb by carrying out unauthorised
constructions. Context:
™ Recently, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has
About Afzal Khan filed an application, seeking the Geographical
™ He was a 17th-century commander of the Adil Indication (GI) tag for the Nicobari Hodi craft.
Shahi dynasty of Bijapur. ™ This is the first application from the Union
™ He played an important role in the southern Territory seeking a tag for one of its products.
expansion of the Bijapur Sultanate.
™ In 1659, the Bijapur government sent Afzal Khan
to subjugate Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a former
vassal who had started acting independently.
™ He was killed at a truce negotiation meeting with
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and his army was
defeated at the Battle of Pratapgad.’
™ Khan’s remains were buried at the fort and a
tomb was constructed on Shivaji's orders.

8.9 Patan Patola


Context
Recently, the Prime Minister of India gifted a ‘Patan
Patola’ scarf to the Prime Minister of Italy at the G20
About the Nicobari Hodi:
summit. ™ It is an outrigger canoe, very commonly operated
in the Nicobar group of islands.
™ The hodi is built using either locally available
trees or from nearby islands, and its design varies
slightly from island to island.
Hodis are used for transporting people and goods
(coconut) from one island to another, for fishing and
for racing purposes.

m m m m

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ART & CULTURE

MCQ Questions Based on Art & Culture


1. Find the correct statements about the ‘statue of 5. Which of the following statements is/are correct
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda’: regarding ‘Patan Patola’?
1. It is installed at the Bengaluru International 1. It is a double ikat woven sari, usually made
Airport in karnataka. from silk, made in Patan, Gujarat.
2. The statue will be called Statue of Prosperity 2. It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag
in 2013.
3. Nadaprabhu Kempegowda is a 16th century
chieftain of the Bahmani empire. Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
Select the correct answer using the code given
below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) Both 1 and 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 6. Which of the following has/have been accorded
‘Geographical Indication’ status? (2015)
2. The Tomb of Afzal Khan is located in:
1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees
(a) Maharashtra (b) Rajasthan
2. Rajasthani Dal-Bati-Churma
(c) Gujarat (d) Andhra Pradesh
3. Tirupati Laddu
3. The Lachit Borphukan is associated with which
of the following states ? Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
(a) Telangana (b) Assam
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Tamil Nadu (d) Kerala
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
4. Wangala festival is celebrated in the Garo
community of which state? 7. India enacted the Geographical Indications of
Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in
(a) Himachal Pradesh (b) Uttarakhand
order to comply with the obligations to (2018)
(c) Arunachal Pradesh (d) Meghalaya
(a) ILO (b) IMF
(c) UNCTAD (d) WTO

Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (c) 6. (c) 7. (d)

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ETHICS

9.1 MOONLIGHTING Factors encouraging Moonlighting


™ New Skill Set: Working in a different role can allow
Introduction a person to develop new skills, explore related
™ Over the last couple of months, two new trends domains and connect with more people.
known as 'quiet quitting’ and 'moonlighting' ™ Work From Home Approach: Work From Home
have dominated the work culture. (WFH) approach has given flexibility to employees
™ The term gained popularity when workers in the to work in alternate jobs.
US started seeking a second job beyond their
™ Covid Lockdowns: Coronavirus-induced
regular 9 to 5 work for additional income
lockdowns increased the tendency to moonlight
™ Moonlighting means taking up a second job or among workers in certain industries.
multiple other work assignments apart from
one’s full-time job. What are Laws dealing with Moonlighting?
™ Moonlighting has become a topic of debate in ™ There is no explicit definition of “double
the IT industry as working from home became employment” in Indian law or a blanket ban on
the normal norm during the Covid-19 pandemic, moonlighting.
which is believed to have led to a rise in dual
™ The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders)
employment.
Central Rules, 1946, state that a workman cannot
™ Companies have opposed the practice, saying be doing dual employment work against the
that employees doing multiple jobs can impact interest of an industrial establishment.
their productivity.
™ Section 65 of the Bombay Shops and
The recent incident of Moonlighting: Establishments Act, 1948 has restrictions on dual
™ Wipro has sacked around 300 employees for employment during leave or holiday.
'moonlighting' as the IT services firm toughens ™ Each state has its own laws and regulations, and
its stand against staffers taking a second job after most of the statutes exempt IT companies who
work hours. are free to take an independent call on the issue
of moonlighting.
Favourable View of Moonlighting What about the taxation of moonlighting income?
™ Food delivery platform Swiggy launched a
™ There is no separate mention of moonlighting in
‘Moonlighting Policy’ in August 2022.
Income Tax as well.
™ It encourages employees to undertake side gigs
to sustain their finances. ™ The income from the moonlighting job can be
received either as salary or professional fees.
™ The Minister of State for Electronics and IT,
said companies need to be more flexible about Reasons for Moonlighting
these arrangements.
™ Pay Cuts: There have been job and pay cuts
™ However, traditional companies tend to take a following the pandemic, causing financial burdens
grim view of freelancing. to people.

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ETHICS

™ Vulnerability in Job Market: Fear of losing jobs, Way Forward


people have taken to side hustles to pay off debts, ™ Companies need to figure out market challenges
or just to earn more. and changes.
™ Following one’s Passion: Desire to follow one's ™ Every challenge creates new opportunities for
passion without giving up the main revenue tech providers and their customers and these
stream opportunities will in turn create demand for
technology transformation.
Arguments in favour of Moonlighting ™ Capping hours would be beneficial for employers
™ Meeting Financial Obligations: Moonlighting since that has been shown to increase worker
helps to meet their financial obligations and productivity.
improve their living standards.
WHO study on long working hours
™ Up-skilling Ensures Job Security: Moonlighting can
™ In the first global study of the loss of life
provide new learning and skilling opportunities
associated with longer working hours, it
which in turn assures job security
showed that 745,000 people died from stroke
™ Networking: A second job provides a strong and heart disease associated with long working
network that helps in future employment hours in 2016.
opportunities. ™ The joint study, produced by the WHO and the
International Labour Organization, showed that
Ethical Issue Involved most victims (72 per cent) were men and were
™ Violation of Integrity: Moonlighting is a "complete middle-aged or older.
violation of integrity in its deepest form. ™ Often, the deaths occurred much later in life,
™ Confidentiality Issue: Data and confidentiality sometimes decades later, than the shifts worked.
breaches, and loss of productivity. ™ It also showed that people living in Southeast
™ Protecting Trade Secrets: Employees can divulge Asia and the Western Pacific region were the
into trade secrets if they are working in a similar most affected.
industry and job.
™ Work-life balance is critical. If an employee is
™ Unproductive: The second job may cause the
spending twelve hours at work, then he or she has
employee to become distracted, unproductive,
little or no time for family members.
and neglect job responsibilities because of
physical fatigue. ™ Put health before wealth, Numerous studies have
proven that humans who sit for more than 8 hours a
™ Misusing Company Resources: Employees may day, double their risk of cardiac-related problems.
use company resources for their second job which
™ There is a need to devise an incentive system if
increases operating expenses.
employees want to work extra hours.

m m m m

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PLACE IN NEWS

10

10.1 Three Key Ports of Ukraine 10.2 Russia’s Withdrawal From


Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi in Black
Kherson
Sea. Context
Recently, Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu
announced the withdrawal of the troops from Kherson
and sent them to a new defensive line on the eastern
bank of the Dnipro River.

Countries Bordering Black Sea About Kherson


Mnemonic: Tea & BURGeR ™ Kherson is a strategic location for Russia and Ukraine.
™ Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia & ™ Situated in the northwest of the Dnipro River, the
Romania province shares borders with Donetsk, Crimea
and the Black Sea.
™ It is also an important region for its agricultural
produce, with irrigation channels.
Importance of Kherson for Russia
™ It provides access to Odesa and Black Sea ports
in the West and serves as the main route to
southern Ukraine.
™ Because of Kherson, Russia became able to
capture the key port cities — Mariupol in the Sea
of Azov, and Odesa, thus expanding its control.
™ Kherson’s irrigation canals were used as defence
positions, creating a strong line preventing
Ukraine’s counterattacks.
™ The occupation of Kherson helped Russia in
transferring its military from Crimea to counter
Ukraine.

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PLACE IN NEWS

Reasons for Russia’s Withdrawal About Sahel Region


from Kherson ™ Sahel is a semi-arid region of western and north-
There are three main reasons behind this move: central Africa extending from Senegal eastward
™ First is Failure of the Mobilisation Strategy of to Sudan.
Russian Forces. ™ It forms an intermediary zone between the arid
™ Second is the inability of Russia to govern Kherson. Sahara (desert) to the north and the belt of humid
savannas to the south.
™ Third is Ukraine’s expanding counter-offensive
because of the help it received from countries like ™ Commonly, the Sahel stretches from Senegal on
the USA, UK and Germany. the Atlantic coast, through parts of Mauritania,
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Sudan
However, this is not the first time Moscow is making to Eritrea on the Red Sea coast.
a withdrawal, after an initial onslaught. For now,
controlling Donetsk and Luhansk have become a ™ Culturally and historically, the Sahel is a shoreline
significant objective of Russia. between the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
This means it is the site of interaction between
Arabic, Islamic and nomadic cultures from the
10.3 Sahel Region north, and indigenous and traditional cultures
from the south.
Context
™ On November 9, French President Emmanuel Other Regional Geographical Areas
Macron announced the end of the decade-long in the Africa
Operation Barkhane in Africa.
™ Levant Region
™ Mr. Macron said that, “Our military support
for African countries will continue, but according • The Levant region comprises Lebanon, Syria,
to new principles that we have defined with them.” Iraq, Palestine, and Jordan.
• Historically, the region along the eastern
Mediterranean shores, roughly corresponding
to modern-day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria,
and certain adjacent areas.
™ The Maghreb Region
• The area lies along the Mediterranean
Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The modern
definition of the Maghreb includes the
nations of: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria,
Tunisia, and Libya.
Why has France launched a military operation
™ Mashreq Region
in the Sahel region?
™ France began its military operations in Sahel in • Mashreq, geographic region extending from
January 2013. Titled Operation Serval, it was the western border of Egypt to the eastern
limited to targeting Islamic extremists linked to al- border of Iraq. It includes the modern states
Qaeda who took control of northern Mali. of Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman,
™ In 2014, the mission was scaled up, renamed Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Israel,
Operation Barkhane and was aimed at counter- Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
terrorism. The objective was to assist local armed ™ Horn of Africa
forces to prevent the resurgence of non-state • Horn of Africa is a region of eastern Africa. It
armed groups across the Sahel region. is the easternmost extension of African land
™ Around 4,500 French personnel were deployed and it is home to the countries of Djibouti,
with the local joint counter-terrorism force. Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. mm

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MISCELLANEOUS

11

™ By adopting a ‘twin transition’ approach,


11.1 Project Unnati leaders can bring the digital and sustainability
Context agendas together to future-proof their
organisations.
The Union Rural Development Ministry wants to link
the performances of the States under the project ™ E.g. using carbon capture technology, and
with its MGNREGS budget for the upcoming financial adopting a circular development model.
year.

About Project Unnati


™ It is a skilling project intended to upgrade the
skill base of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
beneficiaries.
™ This project is meant for providing training for
one adult member (of age 18-45 years old) of
a household who has completed 100 days of
work under MGNREGA in the previous financial
year from the year of commencement of the
project.
™ The project will help them to move from
the current partial employment to full-time
employment and hence reduce their dependence
on MGNREGS. 11.3 HARIT Aykar Initiative
™ Full expenditures towards a stipend, against
wage loss compensation, are entirely borne by Context
the Central Government. The Income Tax Department has launched the
HARIT Aaykar (Hariyali Achievement Resolution by
11.2 Twin Transition Income Tax) Initiative on the occasion of National
Unity Day.
Context
About The HARIT Aykar Initiative
The World Economic Forum has highlighted Twin
Transition as a key to sustainable growth. ™ The Income Tax Department resolved to
increase the green cover by planting trees and
About Twin Transition creating micro-forests in and around the Income
Tax Department's buildings and other public
™ A twin transition basically means including
areas.
digital/technological improvements with the
™ A micro-forest is a small, planted forest that
™ Environmental sustainability goals.
maximises tree density and biodiversity.

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MISCELLANEOUS

11.4 Gandhi Mandela Award ™ Gandhi Mandela Foundation instituted the award
on the 150th birth anniversary of MK Gandhi in
Context 2019.
Recently, the 14th Dalai Lama conferred the Gandhi ™ The Gandhi Mandela Foundation is a non-profit
Mandela Award 2022 at Thekchen Choeling in organisation, formed with the motive to promote
Dharamshala’s McleodGanj. Mahatma Gandhi’s and former President of
South Africa Nelson Mandela’s values of non-
About Gandhi Mandela Award violence.
™ The award is given to personalities who have
carried forward the legacies of Gandhi and
Mandela by making significant contributions
in the fields of Peace, Social Welfare, Culture,
Environment, Education, Healthcare, Sports and
Innovation.

m m m m

MCQ Questions Based on Miscellaneous


1. ‘Project Unnati’ is related to which of the 2. ‘Gandhi Mandela Award’ has been awarded to
following? which of the following?
(a) MGNREGA (a) 14th Dalai Lama
(b) MUDRA (b) John F. Clauser
(c) Stand-up Scheme (c) Namita Gokhale
(d) Atal Pension Yojana (d) Geetanjali Shree

Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (a)

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M E N T O R S

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