9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – April 23rd, 2022

Posted on April 23rd, 2022 Last modified on September 8th, 2022 Comments Views 12

Dear Friends,

We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do:

Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing. Hence, the 9 PM brief now covers the following newspapers:
1. The Hindu
2. Indian Express
3. Livemint
4. Business Standard
5. Times of India
6. Down To Earth
7. PIB
We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.
Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they’ll go down over time.
It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
- For previous editions of 9 PM Brief – Click Here
- For individual articles of 9 PM Brief– Click Here

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Art museums and the craft of democracy

Source: The post is based on an article “Art museums and the craft of democracy” published in The Hindu on 23^rd April 2022.

Syllabus: GS1 – India Art and Culture

Relevance: the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya

News: Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya on the grounds of Teen Murti House in New Delhi. While doing so he declared that the new museum would help youth value the expansion of constitutional government in India since Independence.

History of National Museums

Large art museums emerged in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They emerged alongside the rise of nations, colonial empires, and industrialisation. For example, the World’s most visited Louvre Museum in Paris was founded during the French Revolution.

After decolonisation, museums were built in newly independent countries along western lines to bolster their national narratives. They inspired a new national consciousness. Currently, India has the National Museum which is located on the Janpath Road.

About the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya

New museum would be located on Raisina Hill. It will open by 2026. It will “vividly demonstrate different aspects of India or Bharat”.

The Museum will be equipped with augmented reality technology, computerised kinetic sculptures, holograms, and smartphone applications.

The primary purpose of the museum is to nurture patriotism and showcase triumph.

What will be the challenges for the new museum?

The new museum acknowledges India’s continuing diversity including its many conflicts.

Ensuring that irreplicable antiquities are not subjected to excess heat, cold drafts, humidity, and harsh light.

The Way Forward

Administration

The government can promote accountability. It can usher transparency in administering a premier cultural institution.

Design and Architecture

The new museum may emulate Charles Correa’s commitment to create accessible spaces in the public buildings like Auditoria, courtyards, concert halls, and cafes etc.

The new museum can have a host of different galleries. For example, one gallery can show the connected history of the Indus Valley Civilization with ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia etc. Other galleries can house coins and portraits related to Kushans etc.

Others

The new museums can display the entire collection of the National Museum Or at least as much of the collection that can be safely displayed.

The new museum should be seen as a laboratory ̥for the future. It should be used as a multi-purpose building dedicated to quarrying new histories and fostering fresh deliberations.

The new museum should also collaborate with the contemporary artists like Jitish Kallat and other forward -looking museums in the country like, Bhau Daji Lad Museum.

GS Paper 2

Different narratives: On India – Maldives ties

Source: This post is based on the article “Different narratives: On India – Maldives ties” published in The Hindu on 23rd Apr 22.

Syllabus: GS2 – International Relations

Relevance: Indo-Maldives ties and the new Anti-India campaign in Maldives

Context: Recently, the Maldivian government disallowed a planned opposition rally in the capital city of Male. The theme of the rally, called out by former president Abdulla Yameen and his Progressive Party, and its ally, the People’s National Congress, was ‘India out’.

It is in this light that the present article suggests that India should build ties with all political factions of the Maldives while helping the country to meet its needs.

Must Read: What’s behind the new anti-India campaign in the Maldives?

What has been the trajectory of Indo-Maldives relations over the years?

Before 2018, when Abdulla Yameen (considered to be pro-China) was in power, the relationship b/w India and the Maldives deteriorated.

– His government’s ultimatum to India to withdraw two of its helicopters from two atolls had triggered tensions.

After 2018

– The relations between the two countries improved remarkably after Mr. Solih’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) came to power in 2018.

President Solih adopted an ‘India first’ foreign policy.

– In the past four years, India has emerged as the Maldives’s main security and economic partner, committing $1.4 billion towards its ‘socio-economic development needs’.

– In February 2021, it signed the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTH) harbour development deal with Male to develop the National Defence Force Coast Guard Harbour. The Yameen camp stepped up its attack on the government after this deal.

Why the strategic importance of the Maldives has increased?

India has historically played an important role in the Maldives as a friendly big neighbour.

But China’s rise in the Indian Ocean region has raised the strategic profile of this small, import-dependent island-nation of 5,50,000 people, where both countries have competed for influence.

What can happen now?

Now, while Mr. Yameen is trying to regain his lost support by resorting to Maldivian nationalism and anti-India sentiments, the MDP is trying to counter it with another nationalist narrative. It argues that ties with India, the closest big neighbour of the Maldives, is important for the country’s security, including food security.

India can find itself in a difficult situation, as victory is not guaranteed for the MDP, which faces anti-incumbency problems and differences between Mr. Solih and the powerful former President Mohamed Nasheed.

If it loses, India risks losing the influence it has built over the last few years.

The challenge before India is to build closer ties with all political factions of the Maldives while helping the country meet its economic and security requirements.

Explained: What laws govern tapping a phone; what are the checks in place?

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: What laws govern tapping a phone; what are the checks in place?” published in The Indian Express on 23rd Apr 22.

Syllabus: GS2 – Governance

Relevance: Framework regarding tapping of phones in India and related concerns

Context: A Shiv Sena leader has claimed that the Centre is protecting IPS officer Rashmi Shukla, now posted with the CRPF.

She’s facing an FIR in Mumbai and is being probed for allegedly tapping the phones of Rajya Sabha MP Raut and NCP leader Eknath Khadse in 2019, when she was heading the State Intelligence Department in Maharashtra.

How are phones tapped in India?

Today, authorities make a request to the mobile service provider, which is bound by law to record the conversations on the given number and provide these in real time through a connected computer.

Who can tap phones?

At state level: In the states, police have the powers to tap phones.

At the Centre, 10 agencies are authorised to do so: Intelligence Bureau, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, National Investigation Agency, R&AW, Directorate of Signal Intelligence, and the Delhi Police Commissioner. Tapping by any other agency would be considered illegal.

What laws govern this?

Phone tapping in India is governed by The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

Section 5(2) says that “on the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of the public safety”, phone tapping can be done by the Centre or states if they are satisfied it is necessary in the interest of “public safety”, “sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of an offence”.

Exception: “Press messages intended to be published in India of correspondents accredited to the Central Government or a State Government shall not be intercepted or detained, unless their transmission has been prohibited under this sub-section”.

The competent authority must record reasons for tapping in writing.

Must Read: Who authorises phone tapping and what happens in case of emergency?

What are the checks and balances?

The law is clear that interception must be ordered only if there is no other way of getting the information.

Period of enforcement: The directions for interception remain in force, unless revoked earlier, for a period not exceeding 60 days. They may be renewed, but not beyond a total of 180 days.

Review committee: Any order issued by the competent authority has to contain reasons, and a copy is to be forwarded to a review committee within seven working days.

At the Centre, the committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary with the Law and Telecom Secretaries as members.
In states, it is headed by the Chief Secretary with the Law and Home Secretaries as members.

The committee is expected to meet at least once in two months to review all interception requests.

Destruction of records: Under the rules, records pertaining to such directions shall be destroyed every six months unless these are, or are likely to be, required for functional requirements.

Service providers too are required to destroy records pertaining to directions for interception within two months of discontinuance of the interception.

Is the process transparent?

There are multiple provisions aimed at keeping the process transparent.

Directions for interception are to specify the name and designation of the officer or the authority to whom the intercepted call is to be disclosed. They should also specify that the use of intercepted call shall be subject to provisions of Section 5(2) of the Telegraph Act.

The directions have to be conveyed to designated officers of the service providers in writing by an officer not below the rank of SP or Additional SP or equivalent.

– The officer is expected to maintain records with details of the intercepted call, the person whose message has been intercepted, the authority to whom the intercepted calls have been disclosed, date of destruction of copies etc.

The designated nodal officers of the service providers are supposed to issue acknowledgment letters to the security/law enforcement agency within two hours on receipt of an intimation.

– They are to forward every 15 days a list of interception authorisations received to the nodal officers of the security and law enforcement agencies for confirmation of authenticity.

It makes the service providers responsible for actions of their employees. In case of unauthorised interception, the service provider may be fined or even lose its licence.

Explained: UGC rules for tie-ups between Indian and foreign universities

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: UGC rules for tie-ups between Indian and foreign universities” published in The Indian Express on 23rd Apr 22.

Syllabus: GS2 – Issues related to development of Education

Relevance: Higher Education and related issues

Context: The rules governing tie-ups between Indian and foreign higher educational institutions have been simplified by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to expand the net of academic collaborations.

UGC chairperson recently announced that the commission has approved an amended set of regulations, which will soon be notified.

The article explains the changes in the wake of the amendments.

Which regulations have been amended?

The UGC sets minimum standards for many areas of higher education, ranging from academic standards to quality of training imparted to teachers.

The University Grants Commission (Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Education Institutions to offer Joint Degree, Dual Degree, and Twinning Programmes) Regulations, 2022 will govern twinning programmes, joint degree, and dual degree programmes to be offered jointly by Indian and foreign universities.

What do the regulations say on twinning programmes?

In the twinning programme, students will be enrolled in a degree programme at an Indian institute, and they will get an opportunity to undergo an exchange programme with the partner foreign university.

Students will have to complete up to 30% of the course’s credits at the foreign institution by means of an exchange programme. The same will be applicable to foreign students enrolling in a similar programme.

The degree at the end of the course will be provided by the Indian institution.

Note: As of now, the regulations allow only full time courses through conventional, offline mode.

How have the rules been simplified?

The previous set of regulations gave the UGC extensive powers to monitor the entire process of collaboration, ranging from examining MoUs between institutes to issuing letters of approvals or rejections. The proposed amendments eliminate the need for institutes to seek the UGC’s nod.

However, in the case of professional programmes in disciplines such as engineering, medicine and law, the approval of statutory councils or bodies like the AICTE will still be needed.

How will the dual-degrees be structured?

The dual-degrees, introduced for the first time, will enable a student to earn two degrees for a course of the same discipline, and at the same level. Students will have to complete at least 30 per cent of their course credit at the foreign institution.

– For example, a student enrolled in a BA English programme in an Indian university can pursue a part of her course at a foreign institution.

At the end of the course, the student will be awarded two degrees, separately and simultaneously, by the Indian and foreign institutions. This shall not, in any way, be construed as two degree programmes in separate disciplines or subject areas at two different levels, the UGC has clarified.

This means a dual degree in BA English and BSc Physics, or BSc Maths and MSc Biology will not be allowed under this arrangement.

How will joint degree programmes be different from dual degrees?

Unlike dual degree, in the case of joint degree programmes, there will be one degree certificate, bearing the names of both the institutions.

The curriculum will be jointly designed by the collaborating institutions like in the case of dual degrees.

How can institutes partner with each other and what will be the eligibility criteria?

Any Indian higher educational institution accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a minimum score of 3.01 on a 4-point scale or featuring in the top 1,000 of Times Higher Education (THE) or QS World University Rankings will be eligible to participate.

For Indian institutes, being in the top 100 list of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is also an acceptable criterion.

Foreign institutes willing to enter a partnership must rank in the top 1,000 in either of the two world university rankings.

The Indian institutions willing to enter into such collaborative arrangements will also have to open office for international affairs.

The Missing I In India

Source: The post is based on an article “The Missing I In India” published in the Times of India on 23^rd April 2022.

Syllabus: GS2 – Provisions of the Constitution of India, Indian Politics

Relevance: Reservation in India

Everyone grows up with individual traits such as gender and intelligence. However, they also have collective identities i.e., a Hindu, a Muslim, a Dalit, a Bengali or a Malayali, and so on.

Positive side of focus on group identity

It has empowered the socially underprivileged groups. They have the power of the group’s vote. Therefore, they have accrued bargaining power for their share of the collective pie. Consequentially, inequality has fallen.

What are the problems with group identity?

Group identity politics can perpetuate inequality between groups or disadvantage within-groups. In addition, it does not improve the individual circumstances.

In fact, the most disadvantaged members of the group still get the least benefit from group privileges. For example, in the underprivileged groups, men have received greater social and economic mobility than women in reservations policy.

The group identity makes it difficult for the members to raise a united voice on various other issues. For example, they would have different interests.

At present, the politics is organized around traditional group identities. Therefore, the balance between individuals and traditional groups has shifted towards group identity. It has shifted the focus from the individual circumstances to the group.

Now each group wants a larger share of the pie. Therefore, the group politics have resulted into a zero-sum game. For example, states are reserving jobs for the sons of the soil. The Jats and Patidars demand reservations today,

It has reduced the level playing field at national level. It has made it difficult to provide equal opportunity.

Way Forward

The state should focus on upliftment of the disadvantaged group or disadvantaged members within a group. It will give a sense of recognition, dignity, and the sense of equality.

There is a need to distinguish between social disadvantage and economic disadvantage. And different tools should be used for each. For example, When a caste face social discrimination, the government can offer economic supports such as reservations. It should continue till social disadvantage is largely eliminated.

In case of economic disadvantage, the state can adopt a dual approach. It will involve enhancing individual capabilities through good healthcare and education and targeting government benefits to the truly economically underprivileged.

The judiciary and the executive should renew its thrust towards supporting the individuality and fundamental equality of persons, especially for the underprivileged within a traditional group.

The individuals should recognise their rights and duties as the citizens of India. It will strengthen their identity as citizens. It will improve their economic capabilities and opportunities.

There is a need to shift the emphasis back from traditional groups to the individual rights and circumstances. Every individual should be given fair and equal treatment.

We can forge newer group identities, united by common emerging challenges. For example, women facing discriminatory treatment in job, public transport, inheritance laws etc. can create new powerful coalitions across religious groups.

We could reach a consensus on a Uniform Civil Code. It will empower individuals within each religious group.

The Indian Entitled Service

Source: The post is based on an article “The Indian Entitled Service” published in the Business Standard on 22^nd April 2022.

Syllabus: GS2 – Role of Civil Services in Democracy

Relevance: Indian Administrative Services, Group A Services

News: Recently, a Standing Committee of the Rajya Sabha in its 112th report has recommended to the Union government to recruit more Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers.

What are the issues with the IAS?

There is a huge shortage of more than 1,500 IAS officers in the country. For example, the gap between the sanctioned strength and in-position strength is around 104 in UP cadre, 94 in Bihar cadre and 87 in AGMUT cadre.

The shortage compels the states to appoint non-cadre officers to cadre posts. Further, they are given additional charges and remain appointed beyond the permissible time limit.

The inadequate number of IAS offices would compromise the efficiency of administration.

The appointment of non-IAS officers to cadre posts is in violation of IAS cadre rules of 1954.

What are the challenges in bringing reform?

Many IAS officers want to reform everything except their own service. Therefore, bringing the administrative services reform becomes the hardest.

Those politicians who try reform lose the next election. For example, first time Shanta Kumar tried to bring Himachal state government employees to heel but he lost elections. Same happened with Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu and Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh.

There are certain posts which are reserved for the IAS not by law but by tradition. For example, District Collector, Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, etc.

There are issues with the “non-functional upgradation (NFU)”. It came into being in January 2006 after the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission. It was done to offset the financial loss to officers for lack of promotional avenues. It secures the pay and pension of all the Group-A civil officers even if some of them are incompetent. No other country has this.

Way Forward

The Committee recommended DoPT to increase the annual intake of IAS officers.

There is a need to redesign the concept of NF. Even if the concept is needed, it needs to be rethought.

Fishing for workable solutions in the Palk Bay

Source: The post is based on an article “Fishing for workable solutions in the Palk Bay” published in The Hindu on 23^rd April 2022.

Syllabus: GS2 – International Relations, Bilateral Relations

Relevance: Indo-Sri Lanka Relations

News: Recently, India’s Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province fishermen died in “mid-sea clashes” in the Palk Bay region. In another event, 140 impounded boats of India fishermen were auctioned despite a bilateral understanding on the matter.

What are the issues in the India-Sri Lanka Fishermen dispute?

(A) Sri Lankan Fishermen Concern

A section of Tamil Nadu fishermen transgress the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Palk Bay, and poach in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka,

Use of mechanised bottom trawlers by Indian Fishermen. This method is said to be extremely averse to marine ecology.

In addition, the Sri Lankan counterparts are facing the ongoing economic crisis in the island nation.

(B) Tamil Nadu Fishermen Viewpoint

Consequent to the demarcation of the IMBL in June 1974, there is a lack of fishing areas on the India side. For example, the area available for fishing is shallow, full of rocks and coral reefs.

Under the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1983, the mechanised fishing boats can fish only beyond 3 NM from the coast. This explains the trend of the fishermen having to cross the IMBL frequently.

What are the measures that need to be taken?

The people, especially fisherfolk of the two countries have common threads of language, culture and religion. This can be used purposefully to resolve the ongoing dispute.

India-Sri Lankan fishermen problem has to be looked at from humanitarian and livelihood angles.

The present Sri Lankan Economic Crisis situation provides opportunity to solve the issue at the negotiating table. The Indian side has already imposed a two-month ban on fishing on the east coast of the country. Sri Lanka should take the next step.

There is a need for resumption of the fisherfolk-level deliberations. Indian fishermen should propose a roadmap to transition to deep sea fishing or alternative methods of fishing. Further, the Sri Lankan side has to understand that the transition takes time.

In case Tamil Nadu fishermen damage the properties of the Northern Province’s fishermen, the Indian government should compensate this through the proper channels of Sri Lanka.

India should adopt policies for promotion of deep-sea fishing. The Central and State governments should implement the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana in Tamil Nadu in a proactive manner. The scheme covers alternative livelihood measures too including seaweed cultivation, open sea cage cultivation, and sea/ocean ranching.

India-Sri Lanka has signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of fisheries harbours.

Recently, the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) on fisheries held deliberations in virtual format. The JWG has agreed to have joint research on fisheries. The study should cover the adverse impact of bottom trawling in the Palk Bay region.

The two countries should explore the possibility of establishing a permanent multi-stakeholder institutional mechanism. It should be empowered to regulate fishing activity in the region.

Sri Lanka should take a lenient view of the situation. It should refrain from adopting a rigid and narrow legal view of matters.

Way forward

India -Sri Lanka can develop a model for collaborative endeavours in fishing in the Palk Bay Region.

GS Paper 3

Behind the curve on Metaverse

Source: This post is based on the article “Behind the curve on Metaverse” published in the Business Standard on 22nd Apr 22.

Syllabus: GS3 – Information and Technology, Science and tech

Relevance: Metaverse and how India is placed wrt this new age tech revolution

Context: Concept of Metaverse is promising immersive environments where we can do pretty much anything. Users will utilise avatars and gear like virtual/augmented reality helmets or glasses (more options will surely develop) to dive in.

But whatever the global pace of development may be, India may well be behind the curve

Must Read: What is Metaverse? – Explained, pointwise

What are the future projections wrt Metaverse?

Citibank guesstimates the metaverse may generate between $8 trillion and $13 trillion worth of global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, with 5 billion users.

In 2020, global GDP was $85 trillion and the global economy is expected to grow at near 3 per cent annually.

So, if Citi’s projections range close to reality, the metaverse could be worth between 7 and 12% of global GDP by 2030, and roughly 51% of the population would be residents (or at least regular visitors).

What needs to happen for these projections to approach reality?

Hyper fast communication infra: The metaverse won’t work unless it’s a seamless environment available on the move. This means hyper-fast mobile networks carrying huge data and of course, devices to ride the networks. There’s an enormous technological gap and the infrastructure doesn’t exist.

Requirement of 6G: Even the best 5G networks can’t deliver what metaverse promises. 6G is needed. It’s being taken for granted that the required telecom infrastructure will be rolled out quickly. There are many nations, including India, which don’t possess commercial 5G. India is yet to hold 5G spectrum auctions, so it’ll be a while before 5G rollout.

Meta-virtual passports: The metaverse will not be a single environment. There will be different metaverses developed by different service providers. Users will need “meta-virtual” passports to move from one to another and interoperability and compatibility between metaverses will be required. Money, or tokens will be needed to do commercial stuff.

How is India positioned to take advantage of the concept of Metaverse?

Large user base: India has a potentially large user-base. On a per capita basis, Indians consume the most data in the world. The willingness to move to the metaverse would be high.

– The average Indian is also very value-conscious, since he or she doesn’t have a great deal of money. If there were fast 5G (and 6G) rollouts and data charges were reasonable, India would have a big metaverse population.

Skilled workforce: There’s also a pool of skilled developers, with imaginations. There’s potential for desi themed metaverses — whether it’s temples, cricket stadiums, concerts with avatars, or CGI games based on desi themes.

What are the challenges that India needs to address?

Presently, India has a regulatory system that’s terrified of cryptocurrencies, and a ridiculously complex system of goods and services tax (GST) compliance.

– If metaverse service providers have to provide GST certification on every transaction, their software development skills will be focussed on payment solutions rather than immersive environments.

– Also, if the government takes an 18% cut upfront from start-ups, most such businesses will not get off the ground. Finally, data leaks could be catastrophic and India doesn’t have data protection legislation

Interoperability issues: Desi metaverses will not have interoperability with overseas metaverses. Desis will also find it hard to use global metaverses with crypto-based payment systems.

Other issues: India is two years behind in terms of telecom infrastructure, the cryptocurrency policy is wrong-headed, and the tax compliance is painfully cumbersome.

Addressing the digital tax challenge

Source: The post is based on an article “Addressing the digital tax challenge” published in the Indian Express on 23^rd April 2022.

Syllabus: GS3 – Indian Economy, Issues in Planning and Mobilization of Resources

Relevance: Taxation Regime, Digital Service Tax

Context: Over the past four years, 137 countries have been engaged with the OECD. It is related to the ongoing discussion and proposal to find a solution to the tax challenges arising from digitalisation.

What are the tax challenges in the age of digitization?

In a digital economy, the firms operate seamlessly across borders. Therefore, the manner of taxing profits in the digital economy becomes difficult in any economy.

It has also become a political issue. The largest technology firms are tax residents of developed countries

There is divergence in expectations among developed vs developing countries about the ideal solution. Developing countries want the profits from digital operations to be fractionally apportioned to markets while developed countries believe that a fraction of residual profit, mainly arising from marketing functions, should be taxed in markets.

The divergence has compelled countries to implement unilateral measures. For example, India implemented a gross equalisation levy on turnover. Similarly, several other countries have announced a digital services tax (DST).

In 2021, India expanded the scope of the equalisation levy. Thereafter, the US declared India’s DST discriminatory. The US also announced retaliatory tariffs.

What are the steps that can be taken?

The solution requires a consensus approach and excessive global coordination. For this, a process of dispute resolution panels should be created.

Redefining the digital presence of the large technology firms for the purpose of taxation would give India more right to tax.

The OECD has been considering the issue of allocation of taxing rights. It has adopted a two-pillar approach.

The first pillar involves defining the rules for taxing digital companies. It is supposed to go beyond digital companies. It will apply to large companies with annual revenue over € 20 billion.

India’s stance on OECD’s approach must be calibrated. Current tax collections indicate that the EL can level the playing field between digital and brick and mortar firms through behavioural change or higher taxes.

Corporations that argue in favour of simplicity must also consider the potential benefits from an EL like tax that sets aside the complications of attributing profits to complex functions.

As per an estimate of the US Treasury, 72% of the companies covered by EL in India are US companies. Therefore, India needs to negotiate with the US.

The OECD has proposed a global minimum tax as a package deal. It allows the profits reallocated through Pillar One to be compensated for. It allows taxing back global profits taxed below 155.

As per Pillar One proposal, once the OECD approach is ratified in 2023, it will lead to removal of DSTs.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Postal Ballots for NRIs being contemplated

Source: This post is based on the article “Postal Ballots for NRIs being contemplated” published in The Hindu on 23rd April 2022

What is the News?

The Chief Election Commissioner has told members of the Indian community in South Africa and Mauritius that the facility to extend the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) facility to overseas voters is being contemplated.

What is the current voting process for Overseas Voters in Indian elections?

Currently, the Election Commission(EC) allows NRIs to register as overseas electors as long as they have not acquired the citizenship of another country.

But they have to reach their respective polling booths to cast their votes in person on voting day.

What has been proposed by the EC now?

In 2020, EC had written to the Law Ministry proposing NRIs be allowed to vote through postal ballots following which the matter has been under consideration by the government.

What is an Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System(ETPBS)?

The Conduct of Election Rules,1961 was amended in 2016 to allow service voters to use the ETPBS. Under this system, postal ballots are sent electronically to registered service voters.

The service voter can then download the ETPB (along with a declaration form and covers), register their mandate on the ballot and send it to the returning officer of the constituency via ordinary mail.

The post will include an attested declaration form (after being signed by the voter in the presence of an appointed senior officer who will attest it).

How will the proposed ETBS facility for the NRI voters work?

In the case of NRI voters, those seeking to vote through ETPBS will have to inform the returning officer at least five days after notification of the election.

The returning officer will then send the ballot electronically via the ETPBS. The NRI voter can then register her/his mandate on the ballot printout and send it back with an attested declaration in a process similar to the service voter.

Defence Minister launches iDEX-Prime & 6th Defence India Start-up Challenge during DefConnect 2.0 in New Delhi

Source: This post is based on the article “Defence Minister launches iDEX-Prime & 6th Defence India Start-up Challenge during DefConnect 2.0 in New Delhi” published in PIB on 22nd April 2022

What is the News?

The Defence Minister has launched Innovations for Defence Excellence(iDEX) Prime and sixth Defence India Start-up Challenge(DISC 6) during DefConnect 2.0 in New Delhi.

What is DefConnect 2.0?

Organized by: Innovations for Defence Excellence(iDEX), Defence Innovation Organisation(DIO), under the aegis of the Department of Defense Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence(MoD).

Purpose: To bring together start-ups, big companies and armed forces personnel to boost indigenous innovation in the defence sector.

What are the initiatives launched at this event?

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Prime: It is aimed at supporting projects, requiring support beyond Rs 1.5 crore up to Rs 10 crore in the ever-growing defence start-ups.

Defence India Start-up Challenge(DISC 6): It has been launched under the ongoing iDEX initiative. It aims to achieve self-reliance and foster innovation and technology development in the defence and aerospace sectors.

Innovate4Defence internship (i4D): It is an acceleration program for students of Higher Educational Institutions(HEIs). It is an opportunity for them to learn about developing their ideas, creating innovative Defence products and eventually becoming a part of the Indian Defence ecosystem and procurement.

Union Home Minister addressed the inaugural session of the 48th All India Police Science Congress in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Home Minister addressed the inaugural session of the 48th All India Police Science Congress in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh” published in PIB on 22nd April 2022

What is the News?

Union Home Minister has addressed the inaugural session of the 48th All India Police Science Congress in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

What are the key highlights from his address?

Police as a State Subject: The police is a state subject in the Constitution. Due to this, India is facing the challenge of uniformity in response.

For instance, left-wing extremism is a problem in many States. But if state police work in isolation, then it is hard to face all these challenges properly.

But for this, India doesn’t need to change the Constitution. Instead, the government can organize meetings such as the All India Police Science Congress and DG’s Conference to discuss problems in their area and create a uniform policy.

On Technology

Adopt Police Science: Police across the country should concentrate on Police Science.

Police science has two aspects – Science for Police and Science of Police.

For Science for Police, police across the country should work to utilize all nine citizen services under CCTNS and take them to every police station. Anti-Terrorist Squads should be activated to study FIRs and data among others.

For the Science of Police, India has to advance the use of Medical Science, Forensic Science, Management Science, Arms Science and Communications Science.

Prepare policing strategy: Police departments should institutionalize a 10-year policing strategy and perform annual reviews.

This is very important as now crimes are taking place which cannot be fought without police modernization, training, coordination between state police, coordination between police outside the state and imbibing technology.

Police Technology Mission: The government will launch a High-Power Police Technology Mission to adopt future technologies for grassroots policing requirements.

Seafloor spreading that creates crust slowed 35%, growing mountains may be driving it: Study

Source: This post is based on the article “Seafloor spreading that creates crust slowed 35%, growing mountains may be driving it: Study” published in Down To Earth on 22nd April 2022

What is the News?

According to a study that analyzed data from the last 19 million years, seafloor spreading rates have slowed down by roughly 35% globally.

What is Sea Floor Spreading?

Seafloor spreading is a geological process that creates crusts, the outermost shell of Earth.

In this process, new oceanic crust forms continuously along rifts thousands of miles long on the seafloor driven by plate tectonics.

As subduction pulls old crust down, rifts open up like fissures in an effusive volcano, drawing hot crust toward the surface. Once at the surface, the crust begins to cool and gets pushed away from the rift, replaced by hotter, younger crust.

Determining the rate of this process is crucial because seafloor spreading influences sea level and the carbon cycle.

For example, faster rates mean more volcanic activity, which injects greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

How did the researchers find out the seafloor spreading rate?

Researchers studied magnetic records for 18 of the world’s largest spreading ridges using seafloor ages and their areas to calculate how much ocean crust each ridge has produced over the last 19 million years.

What did the researchers find out?

The seafloor is spreading at rates of around 140 millimetres per year, this is down from around 200 millimetres per year just 15 million years ago in some places.

But not all ridges moved alike: Some sped up while others almost slowed down. The effects were particularly pronounced at ridges along the eastern Pacific. Some ridges in the region were roughly 100 millimetres per year slower compared to 19 million years ago, lowering the world’s average.

Why has the sea floor’s spreading rate slowed down?

Growing mountains might be one of the factors driving the slowdown.

The other factor might be changes in mantle convection. Mantle convection transports heat from the earth’s interior to the surface.

Three day Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit concludes successfully at Gandhinagar

Source: This post is based on the article “Three day Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit concludes successfully at Gandhinagar” published in PIB on 22nd April 2022

What is the News?

The Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit(GAIIS) concluded with the Ayush sector witnessing letter of intents (LoIs) of over Rs 9,000 crore.

What is the Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit?

Organized by: Ministry of Ayush, Government of India

Aim: To attract the world’s attention to India’s ancient wisdom and traditional knowledge and capitalize on it to pave the way for a sustainable future.

The Summit was organized in line with Sustainable Development Goal Number 3 of promoting “Good Health and Well-being.”

What is Ayush?

Click Here to read about it

Initiatives launched to Promote Ayush Sector

National Ayush Mission

Other Initiatives

Explained: What constitutes ‘noise’, and how can noise pollution harm you?

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: What constitutes ‘noise’, and how can noise pollution harm you?” published in Indian Express on 20th April 2022

What is the News?

A political party in Maharashtra has raised the issue of loudspeakers in mosques and warned that if they are not removed, his party would play Hanuman Chalisa out loud.

What is Noise?

Any unwanted sound that causes annoyance, irritation and pain to the human ear is termed ‘noise’.

What do The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 say?

Section 2 (a) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 includes noise in the definition of ‘air pollutant’.

Noise pollution and its sources are regulated under The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 under The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The Act has defined ambient acceptable noise levels, silence zones, restrictions on the use of loudspeakers, horns, sound-emitting construction equipment, and bursting of crackers.

What is the acceptable level of noise?

Rules have defined the acceptable levels of noise across areas during daytime and nighttime.

In commercial areas, noise limitation has been fixed at 65 dB and 55 dB during daytime and nighttime respectively. In residential areas, they are 55 dB and 45 dB during daytime and night respectively.

In industrial areas, the ceiling is fixed at 75dB and 70dB during daytime and nighttime. In silence zones (an area comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions and courts), the same is at 50dB and 40dB.

What are the rules around the use of loudspeakers?

The noise level at the boundary of the public place where a loudspeaker is being used shall not exceed 10 dB (A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB (A), whichever is lower.

The rules also state that a loudspeaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining written permission from the designated authority.

The violation of norms can result in seizure of the equipment and a fine of Rs 10,000.

However, the state government can provide an exemption to these rules during any cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding 15 days in all during a calendar year.

What is the impact of noise pollution on Health?

Click Here to read about it

India to get world’s longest and highest tunnel in Himachal by 2025

Source: This post is based on the article “India to get world’s longest and highest tunnel in Himachal by 2025” published in Indian Express on 20th April 2022

What is the News?

India will soon be home to the world’s longest highway tunnel beneath Shinku-La Pass.

What is the Shinku-La Tunnel?

The Shinku-La tunnel will be built at Shinku La Pass at an altitude of 16,580ft.

The tunnel will be 4.25 km in length. It will provide all-weather connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal.

Built by: Border Roads Organization(BRO) under Project Yojak by 2025.

Significance: Once constructed, it will be the world’s longest and highest tunnel at this altitude.

About Shinku-La Pass

Shinku-La Pass is a mountain pass between Zanskar Valley in Ladakh and Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh.

This pass may be considered as an entry point to Lugnak Valley in Zanskar.

Explained: What a new research about Jupiter’s moon Europa means

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: What a new research about Jupiter’s moon Europa means” published in Indian Express on 23rd April 2022

What is the News?

A team of researchers from Stanford University have said that one of Jupiter’s moons Europa, a prime candidate for life in the solar system, might have an abundance of water pockets beneath formations called double ridges.

What is Europa?

Europa is the sixth-largest moon in the solar system and Jupiter’s fourth-largest satellite. It was discovered in 1610 by Galileo Galilei.

Europa is slightly smaller than Earth’s moon and its diameter is about one-quarter that of the Earth. Europa’s surface is mostly solid water ice. It is crisscrossed by fractures.

Even though Europa has a very thin oxygen atmosphere, it is considered one of the most promising places in the solar system to find present-day environments that are suitable for life beyond the Earth.

It is also believed that underneath Europa’s icy surface the amount of water is twice that on Earth.

Future Missions to Europa

NASA is expected to launch its Europa Clipper in 2024. The module will orbit Jupiter and conduct multiple close flybys to Europa to gather data on the moon’s atmosphere, surface and its interior.

What did the researchers find about Europa?

The researchers have found that double ridges found on Europa’s surface are similar to those seen on Earth’s Greenland ice sheet.

Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that if a similar process is responsible for the formation of double ridges there, it could indicate that shallow liquid water is present over Europa’s ice shell at all times and in all places.

Note: Double ridges are symmetrical mountain-like structures running hundreds of kilometers in length. They are a common geographical feature found in Greenland.

Significance of these findings: The findings increase the potential habitability of Europa.