Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Teach The Teacher – Religion baiting in schools

GS Paper 2

• Learning culture: Like schools, higher education needs creative solutions
• Why duration of early literacy and numeracy programmes must be increased
• Don’t shut down the debate on the Basic Structure of the Constitution
• India’s health research is not aligned with its disease burden
• The state of scholarships for minorities
• Express View on WFI suspension from United World Wrestling: On the mat

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Teach The Teacher – Religion baiting in schools

News: Recently, a school in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar experienced an instance of communalism.

What steps have the authorities taken in response?

A case has been filed by the police under IPC section, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sent notices under the Right to Education Act and the Juvenile Justice Act, and a state government investigation has begun.

However, despite this, the teacher continues to make statements and remains free from custody.

Must Read: Communalism in India

What are the findings of research regarding religious discrimination in schools?

Research showed discrimination exist against minority students by teachers in a mid-sized Indian city. The study found that some minority teachers also contributed to this discrimination.

Hence, the findings of the research and the current incident could have adverse effects on the students enrolled in the school.

What can be the way ahead?

Discrimination in schools can have a lasting impact on young minds and shape their behavior as adults. This should worry educators and policymakers. Even esteemed institutions like IITs are not immune to caste bias.

Therefore, taking action against teachers like the one in Muzaffarnagar sets a positive example in addressing this harmful behavior.

GS Paper 2

Learning culture: Like schools, higher education needs creative solutions

News: Recently, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, released the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). It offers creative solutions to the weaknesses in the school-education system.

What are the highlights of the NCF?

The NCF reduces curriculum load to promote critical thinking over rote learning by proposing board exams twice a year, offering a “best of two” results system.

Ultimately, the idea is to allow “on-demand” board exams by permitting students to take exams on their own schedule, allowing them to appear in subjects they have finished and feel prepared for.

The NCF also encourages greater flexibility in subject selection, allowing students to combine sciences and arts, as well as vocational education, fostering interdisciplinary skills that are highly sought after.

These suggestions will address the stressful competitive exam-driven mode of school education.

What is the problem with the tertiary education system?

Access to prestigious universities and institutes in India, particularly the IITs and IIMs depends on passing competitive exams. This has led to the proliferation of expensive coaching institutes.

The introduction of the Common University Entrance Test for undergraduate admission is expected to exacerbate this situation.

There is a significant gap between the number of students and the availability of quality institutions.

For example, in 2022, approximately 900,000 students took the JEE, but only 250,000 qualified, and the 23 IITs could only admit about 17,385 students, leaving many to enroll in various engineering colleges with varying reputations.

The intense peer and parental pressure is driving more students to suicide. In 2020, the National Crime Records Bureau reported that 8.2 percent of student deaths in India were due to suicide, with over 34 student suicides occurring daily.

Way forward

There is a pressing need for a creative solution to address the socio-economic crisis in higher education.

Why duration of early literacy and numeracy programmes must be increased

News– In a recent decision, the Ministry of Education has rolled back the scope of NIPUN Bharat to children in Grades 1-2, leaving out children in Grade 3.

The justification provided by the government behind this change?

It is to establish coherence between NIPUN Bharat and the recommended curriculum framework outlined in NEP 2020 and the National Curricular Framework 2023.

The National Curricular Framework document proposes an initial “foundational stage of learning,” including three years of preschool education along with the initial two years of primary school.

Therefore, the reasoning is that the NIPUN Bharat initiative should conclude at Grade 2.

What are the issues related to this government decision?

Anganwadi centers cater to children aged three to six. They predominantly concentrate on health, immunization, and nutrition. Only a small fraction of these centers offers consistent and high-quality preschool education.

Around 68% of children aged three to six in India lack access to educational services. A majority of these children come from households with limited literacy exposure and encounter the concept of literacy for the first time in Grade 1.

Furthermore, 35% of children spend a significant portion of their primary school years dealing with the linguistic differences between their home language and the language of instruction in school.

There is a need to provide additional assistance to children in Grades 1 to 5 to ensure they have sufficient time to establish strong foundations in language and numeracy skills.

The National Curricular Framework has simply advocated for the implementation of appropriate teaching practices for children aged three to eight.

The foundational phase outlined in the NEP and NCF does not include the full spectrum of literacy, numeracy skills, attitudes, and knowledge necessary for all subsequent learning within school by the culmination of Grade 2.

One of the factors behind such decisions could be an insufficient understanding of the concepts of literacy and numeracy. Literacy is being interpreted as the skill to blend letters and read words at a specific pace within a certain age bracket.

Way forward-

It is crucial to expand our understanding of early foundational learning. This expansion should encompass knowledge about children’s lives, effective oral expression, profound inferential comprehension, enjoyment and appreciation of literature.

These comprehensive foundations cannot be established by the conclusion of Grade 2 or even Grade 3?

There is a need for extension of the duration of programs aimed at reinforcing early literacy and numeracy skills to include children in Grades 4 and 5.

Don’t shut down the debate on the Basic Structure of the Constitution

News– During a debate in Parliament, Ranjan Gogoi claimed that the “Basic Structure Doctrine” has asserted that basic structure has “a very debatable jurisprudential basis”.

Why is there a need to carefully examine the Rajan Gogoi viewpoint about basic structure doctrine?

The importance of the broader matter cannot be exaggerated, especially in the present context of Indian politics.

The Supreme Court will reexamine this matter when the hearings on the revocation of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 gain momentum.

The practice of “cancel culture,” which avoids discussions, is detrimental to both the pursuit of justice and the strengthening of democracy.

It is crucial to recall the words of Pandit Nehru and his “Freedom at Midnight” speech.

As per Nehru, the collective voice of the nation finds expression through the instrument of Parliament. The independent and unimpeded functioning of Parliament is indispensable for the sustenance of Indian democracy.

India’s health research is not aligned with its disease burden

News: The article discusses how India’s healthcare research does not align with its actual health challenges. It uses data to show discrepancies between diseases’ impact on India’s population and the amount of research conducted on them.

What is Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)?

Definition: DALYs is a measure used to gauge the overall disease burden on a population.

Components: It combines two aspects:

1.Years of life lost due to premature mortality.

2.Years lived with disability or reduced health.

Usage: The World Health Organization employs DALYs to represent both mortality and morbidity in populations.

What are the issues with healthcare research in India?

Mismatch in Research Priorities and Disease Burden:

A study by IISc in Bangalore and Leiden University revealed discrepancies between India’s health research and the real disease challenges it faces.

While Diabetes Mellitus had 3.1% of DALYs, its research accounted for 7.5%.

Neonatal conditions made up 12.3% of DALYs but received only 1.3% of research attention.

Under-Researched Major Health Challenges:

Cardiovascular diseases represent 16% of India’s disease burden, yet only 5% of research focuses on them.

In high-income countries, these diseases account for over 20% of DALYs but only 10% of research.

Disproportionate Attention to Certain Diseases:

Cancer, making up less than 5% of India’s DALYs, dominates research with 22% of publications.

Tuberculosis aligns better: 7% disease burden with 5% research dedication, heightened by concerns of multi-drug resistance.

Global Threats Over Domestic Needs:

Diseases like malaria (0.5% DALYs) and HIV/AIDS (1% DALYs) command 2.5% of India’s research because of their global significance.

External Influences Skew Local Research:

The research direction in India is influenced by the health priorities of high-income countries. Major scientific journals also play a role in this misalignment by emphasizing global north issues.

The state of scholarships for minorities

News: The author talks about cutting budgets and stopping educational schemes for religious minorities in India. They stress how these schemes help minorities, particularly Muslims, with education. The author also gives ideas to make these schemes better and reach more people.

Why are there scholarships for religious minorities?

Large Population: India is home to over 30 crore people from religious minority communities, making up 20% of the total population.

Developmental Challenges: The Sachar Committee found that the Muslim minority faced neglect in many dimensions of development. This committee, established by the UPA government, highlighted that Muslims generally ranked above SC/ST but below Hindu OBCs and other groups in various developmental indicators.

Economic and Educational Lags: Muslims often have low participation in salaried jobs and are mainly engaged in the informal sector with limited benefits.

Focused Approach: The Ministry of Minority Affairs was formed in 2006 to address issues affecting minorities, with an emphasis on educational and economic empowerment.

Dips in Education: Muslim representation in higher education enrollment decreases as education levels rise.

What are the issues with educational welfare schemes for religious minorities?

Discontinuation of Schemes: Key educational schemes like the Pre-Matric Scholarship for classes 1 to 8 and the Padho Pardesh scheme have been discontinued.

Budget Reductions: The Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme’s funding was cut from ₹365 crore to ₹44 crore in 2023-24. The Maulana Azad National Fellowship was cancelled in 2022 after having benefited over 6,700 candidates between 2014-15 and 2021-22.

Narrowed Scope: The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme now only covers class 9 and 10, leaving out the earlier beneficiaries from class 1 to 8.

Drop in Beneficiaries: In three years, the beneficiaries of six central educational schemes dropped by around 7%. Specifically, MANF beneficiaries fell from 2,580 in 2019-20 to 2,061 in 2021-22.

Underutilisation of Funds: More than ₹2,500 crore were allocated for certain schemes in 2022-23, but the actual expenditure was far less. For example, only ₹43.95 crore was spent out of the allocated ₹556 crore for the pre-matric scholarship.

Late Distribution: A 2022 report by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability highlighted that scholarships were often distributed towards the end of the academic year.

Enrolment Issues: Muslim representation in total enrolment drops at higher levels of education. The All India Survey on Higher Education (2020-2021) revealed a decrease in Muslim student enrolment from 5.5% in 2019-20 to 4.6% in 2020-21.

CBGA Report: A 2022 report by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) highlighted a “declining trend” in the overall budget expenditure towards minorities. The report also pointed out that scholarship funds were often utilized towards the end of the academic year, causing delays for beneficiaries.

What should be done?

Niti Aayog’s Recommendations:

The Niti Aayog suggests enhancing the pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-cum-means scholarships, as well as the MANF.

It also emphasizes a 15% annual increase in scholarships from 2019-20 and a 10% yearly increase in scholarships for girls from minority communities.

Timely Distribution: Ensure scholarships are disbursed at the start of the academic year, not towards the end, benefiting students when they need it most.

Restore Budgets: Reallocate and utilize the full budget for educational schemes to ensure no drop in beneficiaries.

Promote Higher Education: Address the dip in Muslim enrollment in higher education by introducing targeted initiatives.

Express View on WFI suspension from United World Wrestling: On the mat

News: Recently, the United World Wrestling (UWW) has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Why was the WFI suspended?

UWW took the action because of the failure of the WFI to hold elections in time. The delay happened because some top wrestlers protested against the former president of WFI, causing disagreements.

UWW consistently advised Indian sports leaders to resolve the issue and hold elections. Initial warnings in June and July about potential suspension were issued.

However, internal conflicts caused the courts to halt the elections, ultimately resulting in UWW’s decision to suspend the WFI.

Must Read: The problem with India’s sporting bodies and How we can democratise sports governance

What may be the consequences of suspension?

The wrestlers can still compete in international tournaments despite the WFI’s suspension.

However, they can’t show the Indian flag on their jerseys, and the national flag and anthem won’t be played even if they win. This situation is causing international embarrassment for India.

What are the issues with other sports bodies in India?

Wrestling isn’t alone in dealing with administrative issues. FIFA suspended India last year due to election delays, and similar threats came from bodies like the International Olympic Committee and International Hockey Federation.

In 2020, around 54 national federations lost recognition for not adhering to the Sports Code. The Delhi High Court also pulled up nearly twenty organizations for violating regulations.

What can be the way ahead?

Officials must promptly resolve the situation to avoid further harm. This is because continuing suspension will reduce international event invitations, hinder global funding, and ultimately, negatively impact the wrestlers in the long run.

GS Paper 3

Not Quite Jai Kisan – Exports restrictions

News– GOI has tightened restrictions on basmati exports. A minimum price for exports has been fixed at $1,200 per metric tonne. A contract below the floor price will be evaluated by a GOI committee for clearance.

In July, exports of non-basmati white rice were prohibited. On August 25, GOI imposed a 20% export duty on parboiled rice.

What is the justification provided by the Indian government for this move?

It is meant to prevent exporters circumventing rice export bans by misclassifying the product as basmati.

Global rice prices are increasing. The FAO rice price index reached its highest level in July 2023 since September 2011.

India has maintained its position as the world’s largest rice exporter for more than a decade. In terms of quantity, India’s rice exports are predominantly non-basmati varieties.

What are issues related to government restrictions on basmati exports?

Indian farmers are facing an earnings limitation during a time when global supply and demand dynamics are in their favour.

GOI’s efforts to manage domestic food inflation are understandable. Controlling inflation is crucial for maintaining India’s overall macroeconomic stability.

However, this objective need not come at the detriment of farmers. The current approach creates a situation where gains for consumers come at the expense of farmers.

Way forward-

GOI can purchase agricultural products that have been singled out for export restrictions or bans at an export parity price. The acquired stock could then be released into the market to stabilise prices.

This approach may incur a fiscal cost. But any temporary financial implications can be balanced through savings achieved in other areas.

Adopting export parity prices has long-term advantages. Limiting farmers’ income during prosperous years can hinder their willingness to support agricultural reforms.

If farmers are uncertain about policy stability, persuading them to embrace reforms becomes challenging.

The importance of states in space missions

News: The article talks about how countries with fewer resources have achieved big space milestones. It highlights the importance of people, government help, and teamwork between public and private sectors.

How have countries with limited resources achieved significant space milestones?

Human Resources: Countries like China, India, and Russia emphasized science and technology education. Large populations meant more potential scientists and engineers. Like, China filed the most patents globally in 2019.

Prioritizing Science: These countries prioritized science and technology post-war or post-colonial. For instances, China, Russia, and India laid a lot of importance on science and technology in their post-war/post-colonial development trajectory.

State Role: An active state plays a crucial part in space exploration. Though the private space industry is growing, it is still only governments that have enabled spacecrafts to land on the moon.

Collaboration Model: In 2022, the head of the Emirates Mars Mission, Omran Sharif, stressed the importance of the “triple helix model”, where the government, the private sector, and academics worked together

Cost Efficiency: Achieving goals at a lower cost can attract global attention and business. For example,  ISRO’s ability to launch satellites at low costs.

Global Partnerships: Collaborating with other countries can bridge resource gaps. Like, UAE launched its Mars probe with Japan’s help.

What are the major criticisms of the space program?

Resource Diversion: Concerns arise that developing economies divert valuable resources from pressing developmental needs to space programs.

Developmental Needs: Critics argue that issues like poverty should be prioritized over ambitious space missions.

Selective Criticism: The objections seem directed mostly at developing economies, implying developed nations have no pressing internal issues.

What should be done?

State-Market Partnership: Foster true collaboration between the state and private sectors to drive innovation.

Harness Knowledge: Utilize insights from space missions to contribute to human progress.

Inclusive Governance: Establish an inclusive and secular state focused on genuine human development.

India’s Rohingya refugee children are not criminals

News: The author talks about the mistreatment of Rohingya refugees in India, especially kids. They mention how these refugees are kept in prison-like places and how India lacks clear refugee policies. The author says we should follow human rights rules to keep them safe and well.

Who are the Rohingya?

The Rohingya are an ethnic group from Myanmar.

They are heavily persecuted in their homeland.

The Myanmar military launched mass atrocities against them in August 2017.

Over 770,000 Rohingya fled these genocidal attacks.

They sought refuge in various countries, including India.

In India, at least 20,000 Rohingya are present.

What challenges do Rohingya face in India?

Detention: Many Rohingya, including children, are confined in detention or holding centres in India. For example, over 250 have been in Jammu centre since March 2021.

Lack of Legal Protection: India does not have a specific refugee policy and isn’t a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. This means refugees can be detained under the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Separation from Families: Some children are separated from their parents and sent to juvenile justice homes, meant for children in conflict with the law.

Lack of Rights: Despite holding UNHCR cards, they are at risk of administrative detention and face limited freedoms in India.

What provisions exist in India for the protection of Rohingya?

UNHCR Cards: Many Rohingyas have UNHCR cards that validate their identity as refugees seeking safety.

Foreigners Act, 1946: Refugees are viewed as illegal immigrants under this act. It provides unchecked powers against foreigners, including potential detention and deportation.

India’s Ratification of the CRC: India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in December 1992. This asserts every child’s right to life, survival, and development.

Juvenile Justice Act, 2015: Some Rohingya children are sent to juvenile justice homes under this act, which is primarily meant for children in conflict with the law.

India’s 2011 Guidelines: These internal guidelines for the detention and treatment of refugees, which advocate for the release of detainees within six months, among other provisions.

What should be done?

Follow India’s Guidelines: Authorities should adhere to India’s 2011 internal guidelines on refugee treatment, which recommend releasing detainees within six months after collecting biometric details.

Set Conditions for Release: Detainees should provide local surety, assure good behavior, and report to the police every month.

Ombudsman Appointment: The National Human Rights Commission, India should collaborate with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to appoint an ombudsman to investigate refugee detention centres in India.

Himalayan blunders that are ravaging the Himalayas

News– The article deals with the impact of Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna on Himalayan ecosystem. It also explains the harm caused to the Gangotri glacier by human activities.

What are some facts about the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna?

It is a significant infrastructure initiative covering a 900-kilometre stretch of road in Uttarakhand.

The project aimed to widen the road from single-lane to double-lane with a paved shoulder (DLPS) design spanning 12 metres.

It led to the clearance of a substantial number of trees and forest land, and the loss of human and animal lives. The fertile topsoil in the delicate Himalayan region was eroded.

The immense quantity of debris produced by the project led to the contamination of water sources.

What are issues related to Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna?

Legally, projects exceeding 100 kilometres require environmental clearance. In this instance, the massive project was divided into 53 smaller segments, each under 100 kilometres. It was to sidestep the necessity for environmental impact assessments.

The only relatively untouched area is the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ). This zone received protective designation in December 2012 through the Environment Protection Act of 1986.

The project could not be implemented in the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone without an approved zonal master plan and a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA).

However, to facilitate the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna, the ZMP was hastily sanctioned. The requirements of EIA were neglected.

The approval from the BESZ monitoring committee was overseen by most of the state officials on the committee, lacking any meaningful discussion or input.

The Ministry of Road Transport’s decision to widen hill roads to a DLPS alignment contradicts its own notification.

It acknowledges the challenges of implementing DLPS standards in hilly and mountainous terrains. The notification recommends a carriageway width with intermediate lane configurations,.

The Supreme Court directed the Ministry to follow its own notification in September 2020.

However, the government cited “national security” as a reason. In December 2021, a different Supreme Court Bench allowed the government to proceed without questioning.

The Defence Ministry initially required a two-lane, seven-meter width road but later shifted to DLPS standards.

An unstable road-width design that leads to unstable mountain slopes cannot be suitable for a strategic road.

The Uttarakhand government increased the carrying capacity of all the Char Dhams, including the Gangotri shrine within BESZ, despite the BESZ notification calling for vehicular traffic regulation.

What is one of the most daunting challenges in the Ganga’s revival?

Gangotri glacier is experiencing the fastest rate of retreat.

The glacier’s melting is being exacerbated by factors such as increased vehicular traffic and instances of forest fires. It has led to the accumulation of black carbon deposits on the glacier.

A report by the Standing Committee in March 2023 on water resources highlights that black carbon is raising the temperature. This contributes to the accelerated melting of glaciers in the high Himalayas.

What should be done?

There is a need for regulation of developmental activities.

Within the Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ), the road improvement should include an intermediate road width that would cause minimal harm to the environment.

It becomes imperative to earnestly reconsider the existing Chardham Pariyojana plan.

There is a need for proactive measures for prevention and preservation. Any development activity jeopardising the lifeline for millions of people and future generations cannot be considered viable in the long run.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee has advised the MoEF against a one-size-fits-all approach to environmental clearance, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like Joshimath

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Dengue vaccines in India: A look at the ongoing trials and development

Source: The post is based on the article “Dengue vaccines in India: A look at the ongoing trials and development”  published in Indian Express  on 28th August 2023

What is the News?

Several efforts are ongoing in India to develop an effective vaccine against the Dengue.

What is Dengue?

Click Here to read

Dengue cases in India:

Dengue in India has spread from just eight states and union territories in 2001 to all states by 2022.

There have been 31,464 cases and 36 deaths due to dengue reported across the country till the end of July this year, as per the latest available data.

There are several efforts ongoing within the country to develop an effective vaccine against the mosquito-borne disease that can lead to internal bleeding, circulatory shock, and death.

Challenges in developing dengue vaccine: Dengue virus comes in four varieties known as serotypes.

– Due to this, one of the main challenges of developing a dengue vaccine is antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) — a person with low levels of antibodies against one serotype of dengue, may end up getting a more severe infection with another serotype of dengue. 

What are Dengue vaccines in the Human Trials stage in India?

Panacea Biotec’s Vaccine: The vaccine is based on live weakened versions of all four dengue serotypes.It has been developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the United States.It has shown promise in phase I/II trials in adults and is moving toward a larger phase III trial.

Serum Institute of India’s Vaccine: It also uses weakened virus strains from the United States. Phase I trials have been completed and plans for phase II and large-scale studies in children are in progress.

Indian Immunologicals Limited’s Vaccine: It also uses the same weakened virus technology.It has started phase I clinical trials in adults.

What are the two indigenous dengue vaccines in early development stages?

ICGEB’s Vaccine: This vaccine utilizes specific parts of the dengue virus envelope protein to create Virus-Like Particles. It has shown promising results in animal tests and is yet to be tested in humans.

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research’s Vaccine: It is a DNA vaccine that incorporates all four serotypes.It is currently undergoing optimization and testing in mice.

New specie, genus of snakes discovered in Western Ghats

Source: The post is based on the article “New specie, genus of snakes discovered in Western Ghats”  published in Hindustan Times on 25th August 2023

What is the News?

A team of researchers has recently discovered a new genus and species of colubrid snakes in Western Ghats. They have named it ‘Sahyadriophis uttaraghati’.

What is Sahyadriophis uttaraghati?

Sahyadriophis uttaraghati is a new genus and species of colubrid snakes.

– Note: The Colubrid  is the largest snake family.It contains approximately 2000 species.Many colubrids are technically considered venomous but very few are considered dangerous to humans. 

Named after: It has been named Sahyadriophis, a combination of the Sanskrit word for the Western Ghats ‘Sahyadri’ and the Greek word for snakes ‘Ophis’.

Found in: It is found in the northern parts of the Western Ghats.

Features: These snakes are mostly active during monsoons and are often found near streams.

– Their diet primarily consists of frogs and their eggs.They are gentle in nature and rarely bite when handled.

– The juveniles bear a big blotch or a collar mark on the nape, which distempers as the animal grows.

– They can be differentiated from its southern counterpart—Sahyadriophis beddomei (Beddome’s Sahyadri keelback)—by a longer tail and higher number of scales on the tail’s underside, known as subcaudals.

SVAMITVA Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj wins the National Award for e-Governance 2023 (Gold) for Application of Emerging Technologies for Providing Citizen Centric Services

Source: The post is based on the article “SVAMITVA Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj wins the National Award for e-Governance 2023 (Gold) for Application of Emerging Technologies for Providing Citizen Centric Services”  published in PIB on 27th August 2023

What is the News?

SVAMITVA Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been conferred with the prestigious National Award for e-Governance 2023.

What is the SWAMITVA Scheme?

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Type: Central Sector Scheme

Aim: To provide the ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited areas (Abadi) in villages.

Objectives of the scheme: To create accurate land records for rural planning and reduce property related disputes.

– To bring financial stability to the citizens in rural India by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.

– Determination of property tax, which would accrue to the GPs directly in States where it is devolved or else, add to the State exchequer.

– Creation of survey infrastructure and GIS maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use.

– To support the preparation of a better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by making use of GIS maps.

Ministries involved: The scheme is being implemented with the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Survey of India (SoI), State Revenue Department, State Panchayati Raj Department and National Informatics Centre. 

Under the scheme, the land parcels in rural inhabited areas of all the villages are surveyed using drone technology. 

Target: The scheme aims to cover 6.62 lakh villages in the country from Financial Year 2020-21 to Financial Year 2024-25.

7th GEF Assembly: Global Biodiversity Framework Fund ratified

Source: The post is based on the article “7th GEF Assembly: Global Biodiversity Framework Fund ratified”  published in Down To Earth on 25th August 2023

What is the News?

The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) was finally ratified and launched at the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Vancouver, Canada. 

What is the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF)?

Aim: To directly support global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, a goal agreed to by 196 countries as part of the Global Biodiversity Framework established at COP15.

Hosted by: Global Environment Facility (GEF) 

Funding: Governments, non-profits, and the private sector can now contribute their funds to GBFF.

Fund allocations: 20% will be allocated to Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs)

– 36% of the fund’s resources are aimed to support the most vulnerable people, small island developing states.

– 3% to LDCs (Least Developed Countries)

– About 25% of the fund will be delivered through selected international financial institutions to increase resources through private sector involvement and ensure policies are streamlined.

Note: This is the first time there would be funds channeled to non-state actors like the indigenous communities.

First meeting: The first GBFF Council meeting will be held in January 2024.

What is the Global Environment Facility (GEF)?

Click Here to read

Start-up AR4 Tech, Sodium tie up to make sodium ion battery packs

Source: The post is based on the article “Start-up AR4 Tech, Sodium tie up to make sodium ion battery packs”  published in The Hindu on 28th August 2023

What is the News?

AR4 Tech, a start-up in Coimbatore, has partnered Sodium Energy of Singapore to make sodium ion battery packs for domestic and export markets

What is a Sodium ion battery?

The sodium-ion battery (NIB or SIB) is a type of rechargeable battery that uses sodium ions (Na+) as its charge carriers.

They have a similar design to their lithium-ion counterparts and can be manufactured using related methods. 

Both battery types generate electricity through a chemical reaction and are made up of an anode, cathode, separator and an electrolyte.

But in a sodium-ion battery, lithium ions are replaced with sodium ions in the battery’s cathode, and lithium salts swapped for sodium salts in the electrolyte.

What are the advantages of Sodium ion batteries?

Lower Global Warming Potential: SIBs have 45% less global warming potential compared to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

Operational Safety: SIBs have higher operational safety than lithium-ion batteries (LIB) with their operable temperature ranging from -30℃-60℃, making their temperature endurance higher than other battery chemistries.

Zero Volt Discharge: They can be discharged to zero volts, reducing transportation costs and accidents.

What are the challenges related to  Sodium ion batteries?

SIBs face challenges due to the instability of their cathode materials, especially when exposed to moisture. This lack of stability negatively impacts the electrochemical performance of SIBs.

Why are Sodium ion batteries important for India?

India’s abundance of sodium sources makes the Na-ion battery system particularly crucial in the local context, offering a readily available and abundant resource for Na-ion battery production.

How a fire prevention zone saved a community from wildfire

Source: The post is based on the article “How a fire prevention zone saved a community from wildfire”  published in Indian Express on 26th August 2023

What is the News?

A well-constructed fire prevention zone created by a local Indigenous logging company played an important role in protecting a community from a wildfire in Canada.

What happened in Canada?

A wildfire threatened a Canadian tourist spot in British Columbia with a large population.

The fire advanced for 19 days, consuming a significant area of forest but was slowed down at the suburban fringes by a Fire prevention zone created by a local Indigenous logging company.

What is a Fire Prevention Zone?

Fire Prevention Zones are designated areas that have been carefully managed and modified to reduce the risk of wildfires spreading and causing damage. 

These zones are typically created in or around communities, especially those located in wildfire-prone areas. 

The primary goal of Fire Prevention Zones is to create a buffer or barrier that hinders the advance of wildfires, protecting lives, property, and natural ecosystems. 

How did the Indigenous logging company in Canada create a Fire Prevention Zone?

Indigenous logging company in Canada named Ntityix Development, created a fire prevention zone using traditional Indigenous forestry practices such as thinning the forest; cleaning up debris on the floor; and burning the debris and ground cover in a controlled way to prevent it from becoming fuel for wildfires.

What is the significance of these measures?

This highlights the importance of proactive measures like fire prevention zones particularly in the face of worsening wildfire seasons driven by climate change.They can play a crucial role in protecting communities from the devastating impact of wildfires.

Participation of Indian Air Force in Exercise Bright Star-23 at Cairo,Egypt

Source: The post is based on the article “Participation of Indian Air Force in Exercise Bright Star-23 at Cairo, Egypt”  published in PIB on 27th August 2023

What is the News?

Indian Air Force(IAF) is participating in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23.

What is Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23?

Exercise BRIGHT STAR is a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise being held in Cairo, Egypt.

Aim: To practice joint operations planning and execution, fostering bonds between nations and enhancing strategic relations.

Participating countries: India, United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar. 

Significance: This is for the first time that the Indian Air Force(IAF)  is participating in the exercise.

What are the other exercises between India and Egypt?

Exercise Cyclone-I: It Is a bilateral exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army.The first edition of the exercise was held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in January 2023.

Government imposes restrictions on export of Basmati rice

Source: The post is based on the article “Government imposes restrictions on export of Basmati rice”  published in The Hindu on 28th August 2023

What is the News?

The Indian government has halted the export of Basmati rice valued at less than $1,200 per tonne.

Why has the government imposed restrictions on export of Basmati rice?

This has been done to prevent the possible “illegal” shipment of plain white rice by wrongly classifying it as Basmati rice.

Note: In July 2023, the export of non-Basmati white rice was prohibited.

Why has India banned the export of non-basmati white rice?

India’s reasons were domestic — rising food prices, high inflation and fear of rice shortage due to El Nino disruptions as the country heads into a festive season and elections.

Why is India crucial to the global rice trade?

India accounts for more than 40% of global rice exports, which amounted to 55.4 million metric tons in 2022. 

India’s rice shipments in 2022 were more than the combined shipments of Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and the US, the next four big exporters of the grain.

Over 140 countries are net importers of India non-basmati rice. Benin, Bangladesh, Angola, Cameroon, Djibouti, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Nepal, having rice a staple food, are key buyers of non-basmati Indian rice

How bees can monitor pollution for us — everything from toxic metals to antimicrobial resistance

Source: The post is based on the article “How bees can monitor pollution for us — everything from toxic metals to antimicrobial resistance”  published in Down To Earth on 26th August 2023

What is the News?

Two new studies have used honey bees as biomonitoring tools to track contamination in urban environments.

How can bees be used to track contamination and antimicrobial resistance?

Cities are complex places with multiple activities, making it challenging to monitor the spread of contaminants, which poses health concerns.

There’s increasing evidence that many chemicals used in daily life have no “safe” exposure limit, raising concerns about contamination’s impact on food, water, and human health.

To measure this contamination, Honey Bees can help us.Honey bees constantly pick up contaminants from their environment while foraging. 

Analyzing their chemical composition offers insights into contamination levels in their foraging area.

Moreover, bees can also help in assessing the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes, which can be ingested from water bodies. 

What are the several studies where bees were used to track contamination and antimicrobial resistance?

Case in Nouméa: Honey bees were used to map the impact of a local nickel smelter in Nouméa. Bees near the smelter showed elevated levels of metals associated with it, providing a sensitive marker of smelter contamination.

Sydney Study: Bees in Sydney were used to map trace metals and identify factors contributing to metal pollution.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Bees helped study the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in Sydney.

Hence, using honey bees as biomonitoring tools can help track contamination in urban environments, identify pollution patterns and contribute to more effective responses to environmental health challenges.

Chinese navy is testing the most powerful coil gun ever built

Source: The post is based on the article “Chinese navy is testing the most powerful coil gun ever built”  published in Business Standard on 26th August 2023

What is the News?

The Chinese navy is reportedly testing the planet’s most powerful Coil Gun.

What is a Coil Gun?

Coil guns are also known as Gauss guns or magnetic accelerators.

The weapon features a series of coils arranged along the barrel of the gun, each one constituting a “stage”. 

Each coil is energized one after another to create a magnetic field that can levitate and propel a projectile forward.

The projectile typically stays suspended in the centre of the coil during launch, which helps to keep it on a straight course and prevent it from touching the wall of the barrel. 

It can be fired repeatedly and rapidly without causing wear on components.

The larger a coil gun, the better its ability to fire projectiles similar to those fired by traditional artillery.

Advantages of Coil Guns: The coil gun has a number of advantages over traditional artillery including higher launch speeds, lower launch costs and shorter preparation time.

Applications: Coil guns could have applications in areas such as weapon systems, near-earth satellites and high-speed missile launches.

The following today’s current affairs articles have been covered in 7 PM Explained section of the day:

7 PM Editorial of the day: BRICS-Plus – Significance and Implications– Explained, Pointwise