Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• The master plan and the slaves

GS Paper 2

• The rise of bilateralism
• Navigating the maze of EU tech Regulations
• A bigger BRICS – Expansion of the group
• Sriram Panchu writes: Governor R N Ravi’s actions do not behove his office
• Making it count – on NFHS Survey
• A case of unchecked power to restrict e-free speech

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

The master plan and the slaves

Source– The post is based on the article “The master plan and the slaves” published in

The Hindu on 3th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS1-Urbanization

Relevance:  Urban planning

News- Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, stressed at a recent Urban-20 City Sherpas’ meet that a master plan is crucial to manage urbanisation.

Master Plan is an instrument of governance for urban local bodies (ULBs). It is essentially a spatial plan of land-use allocation supported by bye-laws and development control regulations. The institutional structures, cultures, and practices of ULBs are built around this spatial vision and provision of urban services.

What are problems in master plan?

Firstly, the master plan instrument is dated and archaic. It requires an update. The concept, configuration and rationalities of this instrument drafted in the 1950s. For example, the Water Act-1974 focused on industrial pollution only.

Secondly, a master plan is simply a spatial plan of land-use allocation supported by bye-laws and development control regulations.

Thirdly, this spatial vision is at the core of institutional structures of ULBs. The ULBs are shaped and run by the agenda of regulating spatial growth and they become limited to these ideas and conceptions.

Fourthly, the statutory and spatial nature of the master plan can pose constraints on the programmatic plans, especially the spatially associated ones such as the plans for protection of water bodies.

Finally, there is no set criteria for mandating a spatial plan to regulate urban growth.Close to 65% of India’s urban settlements do not have master plans, according to NITI Aayog.

What is the way forward?

we must acknowledge that the master plan instrument may be limited by its archaic conceptions and entrenched institutional cultures.

2021 report of the NITI Aayog should be prioritized with respect to spatial （town） planning profession and education. Recent moves such as Gati Shakti and Model Rural Transformation Acts are a reflection of this.

There is no need to go far for lessons to do this. Indian cities offer enough experiences to learn from.

India must reimagine spatial planning to address the growing and emerging governance challenges of urbanisation

GS Paper 2

The rise of bilateralism

Source: The post is based on the article “The rise of bilateralism” published in “Business Standard” on 3rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

News: During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States, six disputes between the countries at the WTO were withdrawn. While India has historically been committed to multilateralism in trade policy, there are indications that this commitment is not being implemented as strongly as before.

Why India historically pursued a multilateral trade policy?

Unlike plurilateral trade pacts, multilateral trading agreements do not distort trade.

Unlike bilateral-trade agreements, multilateral trading agreements like WTO empower even relatively small trading nations like India. (India’s share in world trade is very small when compared to its population or domestic output.)

Why should India not depend solely on bilateral trade agreements?

Bilateral deals are inherently unfair as stronger trading powers tend to dominate, leaving smaller nations vulnerable.

Relying on close strategic partnerships as the basis for good trade relations is unsustainable and unwise. Focus on bilateral agreements over multilateral rules exposes India to arbitrary shifts in trade policies, influenced by other country.

India dropped out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and focused on trade deals with countries like Australia instead. This emphasis on free-trade agreements (FTAs) with developed-world partners has not yielded significant benefits. Even an India-EU FTA would not have the same impact as restoring the multilateral trading order.

What should be done?

The lack of judges in the WTO appellate body has made the WTO’s dispute resolution process powerless. India should persuade the US to drop its veto on the appointment of new judges to the WTO appellate body.

Navigating the maze of EU tech Regulations

Source: The post is based on the article “Navigating the maze of EU tech Regulations” published in “Business Standard” on 3rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations – Effects of policies of developed and developing countries in India

News: The European Union (EU) has agreed on a new Data Act. It became the fifth significant technological legislation in the EU.

This Act aims to regulate how data generated from personal devices and public technology infrastructure should be accessed and handled by companies, both within the EU and worldwide.

What are some salient provisions of the EU’s data act?

The Data Act seeks to prevent Big Tech from collecting personal data of users and treating them as the firms’ personal intellectual property.

It also allows individuals and small businesses to choose who can handle their personal and non-personal data.

An individual can ask a firm to move his or her data to another firm, potentially leading to rival firms gaining trade secrets.

How does it impact India?

India is planning to regulate personal and non-personal data separately. It will be done by defining an umbrella tech regulation and then form multiple sub-regulations for various sectors. This approach is influenced by the overall structure of EU laws.

However, Indian regulations are unlikely to take the as strict an approach as the EU. Instead, the government might take an ex-ante approach. This approach will leave room for future adjustments, in line with how technologies develop.

A bigger BRICS – Expansion of the group

Source: The post is based on an article “A bigger BRICS – Expansion of the group is in offing, challenge for founder members is to ensure it does not become a Chinese bandwagon” published in The Indian Express on 3^rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Relevance: challenges associated with the expansion of BRICS

News: Middle-sized countries with strong economies in the global south are looking to join BRICS.

Why are those countries interested in joining BRICS?

BRICS represents 40 percent of the world’s population and 23 percent of global GDP, making it an attractive grouping for other countries.

Further, the change in the geopolitical shifts in the world from the time of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has prompted these countries in the global south to look for a platform that can acknowledge their voice and power. These both are potentially possible in BRICS.

Over 20 countries are in line for membership, with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, the UAE, Egypt, and Argentina expected to be granted membership this August.

Must Read: The paradox of BRICS, its new pathway

What are the challenges with expanding BRICS grouping?

An increase in membership is likely to weigh the group in favour of China because some countries waiting to join are also part of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.

This raise concerns that an expanded BRICS could be seen as a Chinese-led anti-American bloc. 

India, which has been strengthening its bilateral relationship with the US, has been concerned about expansion. India views China’s role in driving these countries for membership of BRICS along with the support of Russia.

India also raised its concern in last year’s BRICS that any addition of new members must follow the carefully thought-out objective criteria for membership.

This should be mutually discussed among the present members, so that all are of the same view regarding expansion.

Further, at the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting last month, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the need to consider the ways in which existing BRICS countries collaborate with each other and engages with non-BRICS countries.

Must Read: BRICS FM meeting in South Africa: What’s on the agenda?

What lies ahead?

Despite the concerns, India may not be able to prevent expansion entirely, as many of the countries are also friends of India. Hence, India seems to have accepted the possibility of limited addition of five new members.

However, the challenge would be for the original BRICS members and the new entrants to ensure that the group does not become a Chinese bandwagon.

Sriram Panchu writes: Governor R N Ravi’s actions do not behove his office

Source– The post is based on the article “Sriram Panchu writes: Governor R N Ravi’s actions do not behove his office” published in the “The Indian Express” on 3rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues pertaining to federalism

Relevance- Office of Governor

News- The Governor of Tamil Nadu, R.N. Ravi dismissed V. Senthilbalaji, a Minister in the Council of Ministers of Tamil Nadu on June 29, 2023. The Governor later backtracked on his decision late in the night.

How can a Governor handle these types of complicated situations in a better way without any controversy?

Governor should not create any controversy and preserve the dignity of the office. Then initially respect enhances, which gradually create a reservoir of trust.

The governor becomes a wise counsellor. Her words of advice and caution, even on matters outside his legal purview, will ordinarily be heeded by a chief minister.

Governors need to try and emulate distinguished earlier governors like Gopalkrishna Gandhi and T N Chaturvedi.

What is the way forward for the reform in the office of Governor?

There is value in the post, both for constitutional and ceremonial functions. There is a need to appoint the right persons, and by a proper method. There is a need to reduce favouritism and reward.

A cadre of distinguished persons from different fields like civil service, armed forces, academics, culture, respected former ministers may be created.

There is a need for caution on appointment of judges. A cooling off period is required so that the attractions of the post do not deflect the person.

From this panel, a suitable name should be picked in consultation with the chief minister.

What is another issue related to misuse of power by central government agencies?

The number of Opposition party state ministers being investigated, especially by the ED, has gone up dramatically. They are lodged in jail for long periods beyond the time, reasonably required for custodial interrogation.

The application of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has led to inordinate difficulties in securing bail since the presumption of innocence is overturned.

There is a serious mixing of criminal investigation and prosecution with politics. Probity in governance is necessary but checks on political misuse of the enforcement machinery is also needed.

For more reading- https://forumias.com/blog/that-wasnt-a-capital-idea-on-ministers-dismissal-by-governor/

Making it count – on NFHS Survey

Source– The post is based on the article “Making it count” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Vulnerable sections of the population. GS2- Government policies and interventions

Relevance– Issues related to disability

News- The Union government recently decided to drop the disability-specific question from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6.

What is the reasoning provided by the central government for this decision?

The Ministry of Health and Family responded that questions about disability were already asked as part of the 76th round of Sample Registration Survey, conducted in 2018.

Any specific information can be tabulated from the raw data, which is also available in the public domain. Disability data will not change fast.

How is NFHS more useful in providing more comprehensive data about disability rather than SRS?

The count of 6.1 lakh sample households that the NFHS relies on, makes the data set truly representative.

The elaborate questions asked by NFHS will provide valuable specifics on the lives of the disabled.

The SRS provides insights into prevalence and incidence of disability, education level, living arrangements, care-givers, certificate of disability, accessibility and unemployment rate, among others. But the NFHS asks more comprehensive questions.

NFHS seeks answers on health and nutrition status, access to health schemes, insurance, sexual behaviour, availability of family planning, use of contraception, domestic violence, household amenities and possessions, lifestyle indicators, and access to drinking water and toilets.

Therefore, NFHS will yield better, more robust, data on the disability sector.

What is the way forward to know the prevalence of disability using NFHS?

Health Ministry officials claim that the sole NFHS question on disability too resulted in under-reporting. It might be a function of training for field staff who ask questions. The state must add questions on disabilities and train field staff.

A case of unchecked power to restrict e-free speech

Source– The post is based on the article “A case of unchecked power to restrict e-free speech” published in The Hindu on 3rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS2 – Indian Polity

Relevance: Right to free speech and digital rights

News-The Karnataka High Court judgment against Twitter subverts the procedural safeguards that must be employed while restricting the freedom of speech

What are the issues with Karnataka HC judgement in this case?

The Supreme Court of India upheld the validity of Section 69A and the Blocking Rules in Shreya Singhal vs Union of India.

However, the Karnataka High Court has held that observations in Shreya Singhal don’t call for providing notice to the users of the content. It is contrary to judicial precedent set by SC.

The High Court’s judgment reveals that one of the reasons was that the content could lead to the spread of “fake news” and “misinformation”. These are not grounds under which free speech can be restricted under Article 19(2) and Section 69A.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that there must be a direct link between the speech and the potential threat to public order.However, the High Court is convinced that these blocking orders are “well-reasoned”, even though no nexus can be established with public order and the security of the state.

Moreover, the High Court rejected Twitter’s contention that Section 69A only permits the blocking of specific tweets. Wholesale blocking of Twitter accounts amounts to limiting freem of future speech and expression.

What are the implications of this decision for freedom of speech?

It has the potential of inducing a chilling effect on the freedom of speech of online platform users.

The Karnataka High Court’s judgment erodes the principles of natural justice which dictate for the affected party should be allowed to present their case to the best of their abilities.

Along with the recently amended IT Rules on fact-checking, the judgment has the dangerous potential of reposing untrammelled power in the State to remove any content that it deems to be unfavourable.

GS Paper 3

Hydrogen will help decarbonize our commercial vehicle traffic

Source: The post is based on the article “Hydrogen will help decarbonize our commercial vehicle traffic” published in “Live mint” on 3rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Climate Change – Decarbonization

News: The article discusses the potential of hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine vehicles for commercial transport in decarbonization of transport sector.

India, despite having per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions less than half the global average, is the world’s third-largest emitter. India also ranks eighth worst on air quality.

Road transport contributes to about 10% of India’s emissions, with over a third coming from medium and heavy commercial vehicles.

What is the suitability of the available options to decarbonize the vehicle fleet in India?

1) Battery-electric vehicles – These vehicles are not economically viable suitable for commercial transport in India due to factors, like;

• Unlike European trucks, Indian commercial vehicles do not carry heavy payloads. Therefore, it becomes difficult to justify the high purchase cost of battery powered vehicles, which is twice as much as diesel vehicle.
• Battery weight will reduce the payload capacity of a truck.

2) Hydrogen-fueled vehicles – These vehicles can be powered by either fuel cells or conventional internal combustion engines.

Hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles are even more expensive, and they are suitable for long-distance usage(400-500km), which is not usual for India’s usual commercial vehicles.  Also, fuel cells require pure hydrogen, which adds complexity to the supply chain.

Hydrogen-Fuelled Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles are far more suitable for India’s conditions. 1) These vehicles are 20-40% more expensive than diesel carriers, which is much less compared to other low-emissions alternatives. 2) They can carry almost the same load as a diesel truck and suit Indian conditions, characterized by variable loads and travel of 250-300km per day. 3) Such vehicles also do not have stringent requirements of hydrogen purity and can be refueled in 15-30 minutes, compared to hours for battery-run electric vehicles.

What are the measures required to promote adoption in Hydrogen-Fueled Internal Combustion Engine?

First, this technology needs to be given priority in the Indian automotive sector. This assistance can be in the form of technology partnerships, research and development grants, and regulatory support.

Second, there is a need to reduce the cost of hydrogen to about $2.5-$3 per kilogram.

Third, adapting existing fuel stations to dispense hydrogen.

Fourth, extending existing production-linked incentive schemes for local Electrolyzer manufacturing beyond the current 2027 expiration.

The transition to hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine vehicles could be a great opportunity for India as the hydrogen economy is still nascent globally.

Nothing Fishy – on India’s fisheries sector

Source: The post is based on the article “Nothing Fishy” published in “The Times of India” on 3rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Industries and industrial Policies – Agriculture and allied activities

News: A recent study by the Central Marine Fisheries Institute has provided some promising data that can be beneficial for the fisheries sector India.

What is the study?

A recent study by the Central Marine Fisheries Institute found that 91% of the 70 species evaluated had healthy numbers.

What is the potential of fisheries sector in India?

India boasts over 1,500 marine species and 900 freshwater ones, along with ‘exotic’ and brackish water varieties, totaling over 2,800 species on record.

India is the world’s third-largest fish producer and fourth-largest exporter.

Fish is a solution to the country’s nutritional needs, being a rich, sustainable source of protein.

This study will provide a boost to the livelihood of 2. 8 crore people, depending upon fishing.

The report findings are important considering the changes to the marine ecosystem due to rise in sea-levels, increased intensity of cyclones even on the west coast, and warming of the Indian Ocean.

Fish production has a significantly lower climate impact than meat production. Some estimates suggest that it emits six times lower carbon per kilo than meat.

What should be done to promote the fisheries sector?

The Government of India plans to invest ₹30,572 crore (2015-2025) to improve the sector. However, significant work is needed in terms of infrastructure, regulation, oversight, insurance, and policies by both state governments and the Centre.

Issues like the use of purse seine fishing gear should be resolved amicably.

Competition notice in aviation

Source: The post is based on the article “Competition notice in aviation” published in “Business Standard” on 3rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Liberalization of Indian Industry

News: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has raised concerns over the proposed merger of Air India, which was acquired by Tata Group in 2022, and Vistara, a joint venture of the group and Singapore Airlines.

The CCI has issued a notice to Air India asking why its merger with Vistara should not be investigated from the perspective of antitrust norms.

The latest notice has come in response to the Tatas’ proposal in April for a merger of Air India and Vistara. After the merger, Singapore Airlines’ stake in Vistara would come down to 25.1 per cent from 49 per cent now.

What are the possible concerns of CCI?

CCI might be of concern that this dilution would make the Tatas a stronger player in aviation industry.

The market share of the merged Air India entity is estimated at a little over 25 percent, which is way below market leader IndiGo’s 55.7 percent. However, on the busiest routes, the entity will hold a substantial market share, i.e., between 38 to 53 percent.

What are the potential Implications of the CCI notices for aviation sector?

First, the CCI’s decision to review the merger could potentially delay the deal and set a precedent for defining what constitutes anti-competitive behavior in the aviation sector.

Second, the outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for future mergers and acquisitions in the aviation sector.

Third, the CCI’s decision could also impact the market dynamics in the Indian aviation sector, potentially leading to changes in market shares and competition levels.

What the Indian economy needs to complete with China

Source: The post is based on the article “What the Indian economy needs to complete with China” published in The Indian Express on 3^rd July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy – Growth & Development

Relevance: A comparison of India’s and China’s growth rates.

News: The India of today in some ways is similar to China of 2007. China, in terms of per capita income had $2,694 in 2007, while the IMF has also projected India’s per capita income to rise from $2,379 in 2022 to $2,601 in 2023.

However, there are significant divergences between the two countries.

What are the areas of divergence?

Investments: China maintained an investment to GDP ratio around 40 percent between 2003 to 2011. In comparison, even during this high growth phase, the investment ratio in India averaged only around 33 percent.

During the period from 2012 to 2021, the Chinese economy continued to increase, with its investment ratio increasing to almost 43 percent, while India’s investment ratio fell around 29 percent.

Exports: In 2022-23, India’s exports of goods and services surpassed $770 billion, while imports were around $890 billion. In 2007, when the Chinese economy was of comparable size, its exports had crossed $1.2 trillion while imports stood at $950 billion.

Between 2007 and 2021, China’s exports averaged around 24 percent of its GDP, while India’s exports averaged roughly 21 percent during the same period.

Tariff reduction: The reduction of tariffs has made China as the hub of the global supply chains. Its tariff rate declined from 10.69 percent in 2003 to 8.93 percent in 2007, and further dropped to 5.32 percent in 2020.

In contrast, India’s tariff rate declined from 25.63 percent in 2003 to 8.88 percent in 2017 but has risen thereafter.

Labour force participation: China has consistently maintained a higher labor force participation rate compared to India. In 2007, China’s labor force participation rate was nearly 73 percent, but it has declined to 67 percent since then.

Whereas, In India, the estimated participation rate was around 50 percent in 2022, although it is higher according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).

The difference in labor force participation rates between the two countries is mainly due to female participation. 

In China, the female labor force participation rate was 66 percent in 2007, which declined to 61 percent by 2022. Whereas, in India, the rate was at 30 percent in 2007 and has further decreased to 24 percent in 2022.

However, in terms of the sectoral deployment of their labour forces, there are some similarities.

For instance, China in 2007, had 41% of the labour force engaged in agriculture, 27% in industry and 32% in services. Whereas in India, in 2021, it was 44%, 25% and 31% respectively

What are the challenges present with India’s growth?

In India, most of the job creation has occurred in construction, trade, and transport sectors, rather than in manufacturing.

However, estimates from the economic survey suggest that manufacturing has higher productivity than trade and construction. Hence, the lack of employment generation in the manufacturing sector remains India’s biggest growth challenge.

What can be the way ahead?

It may be challenging for India to witness a rapid growth like that of China, which averaged 8 percent annual growth between 2007 and 2021.

However, in order to achieve such growth, India needs to boost investment activity, enhance exports (especially in goods), increase female labor force participation, and promote low and semi-skilled employment in formal manufacturing.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

India adds 664 animal species to its faunal database in 2022, 339 taxa to its flora

Source: The post is based on the article “India adds 664 animal species to its faunal database in 2022, 339 taxa to its flora” published in The Hindu on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has released data on the floral and faunal database in 2022.

What are the key highlights from the Flora and faunal database?

Faunal Discoveries: The faunal discoveries are compiled in a publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) titled Animal Discoveries – New Species and New Records 2023.

According to the document, India has added 664 animal species to its faunal database in the year 2022. These comprise 467 new species and 197 new records [species found in India for the first time].

The maximum number of new faunal discoveries has been of invertebrates with 583 species, while vertebrates constitute 81 species.

In 2022, the maximum number of new discoveries were recorded from Kerala, followed by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Major faunal discoveries are:

– Two species of bats – Miniopterus phillipsi, a long-fingered bat and Glischropus meghalayanus, a bamboo-dwelling bat, both from Meghalaya. 

– Sela macaque (Macaca selai): It is a new macaque species discovered in western and central Arunachal Pradesh and named after the Sela Pass

– Macaca leucogenys: It is a white-cheeked macaque earlier found in Modog, southeastern Tibet, and sighted in India for the first time in 2022 in West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh.

– Ficedula zanthopygia: It is a yellow-rumped flycatcher, earlier known from Mongolia, Transbaikal, southern China, Korea, and western Japan, and found last year in Narcondam Island of the Andaman archipelago.

Floral Discoveries: The floral discoveries are contained in Plant Discoveries 2022 published by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

According to it, India has added 339 taxa to its flora during 2022. These comprise 319 species, and 20 infraspecific taxa as new to the Indian flora. 

The discoveries encompass seed plants, fungi, lichen, algae, bryophytes, microbes, and pteridophytes.

Western Himalayas and Western Ghats are prominent regions for plant discoveries.

Kerala recorded the highest number of plant discoveries (57), accounting for 16.8% of all discoveries.

Major new plant discoveries are:

– Nandadevia Pusalkar: It is common throughout the foothills and warm outer valleys of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. and 

– Nilgiriella Pusalkar: It is endemic to the southern Western Ghats of India and distributed in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

— Calanthe lamellosa: It is an orchid species. It was earlier recorded in China and Myanmar, and found for the first time in India in the Japfu mountain range in Kohima, Nagaland.

DPIIT successfully organizes National Workshop on Industrial Park Rating System

Source: The post is based on the article “DPIIT successfully organizes National Workshop on Industrial Park Rating System” published in PIB on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT) has successfully organized the National Workshop on Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS).

What is the Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS)?

The Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) was launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in 2018. It a pilot initiative, launched with the support of the Asian Development Bank(ADB) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY).

It is an extension of the India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) platform which features more than 4,500 industrial parks 

Aim: To rate the country’s industrial parks and special economic zones.

Parameters: It rates industrial parks across four pillars: internal infrastructure and utilities, external infrastructure and facilities, business support services, and environmental and safety management.

Based on the findings of the pilot and review of the global approaches, frameworks, and guidelines DPIIT launched ‘IPRS 2.0’ in October, 2021. It is a key enabler for identifying additional measures to enhance industrial competitiveness.

Compared with the 34-parameters assessment framework used for the pilot phase, 45 parameters were developed for the assessment of industrial parks and 40 parameters separately for SEZs under the four pillars of IPRS 2.0.

Prime Minister launches National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

Source: The post is based on the article “Prime Minister launches National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh” published in pib on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCEM) in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.

What is Sickle Cell Anaemia?

Click Here to read

What is the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission?

The Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2023.

Aim: To address the pressing health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among the tribal population. 

Part of: The mission is being implemented in a mission mode as part of the National Health Mission (NHM).

Target: The mission aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem by 2047.

States covered: The mission will be implemented in 278 districts of 17 states in India namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.

Features of the mission: The mission focuses on awareness creation, universal screening of approximately seven crore people in the 0-40 years age group in affected tribal areas and counseling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments.

Rules of origin delay FTA tariff discussions with EU

Source: The post is based on the article “Rules of origin delay FTA tariff discussions with EU” published in Business Standard on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

India and the European Union (EU) have not been able to make major progress in the tariff negotiations under the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) discussions due to differences over the rules of origin criteria.

This is because India wants a conservative rule of origin, while the EU wants us to follow liberal criteria. 

What is Rules of origin?

Source: Business Standard

Rules of origin criteria are critical to determining the country of origin of a product. The country of origin refers to the country where the products were manufactured or substantially transformed. 

What are rules of origin used for? 

— to implement measures and instruments of commercial policy, such as anti-dumping duties and safeguard measures;

— to determine whether imported products shall receive most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment or preferential treatment;

— for the purpose of trade statistics;

— for the application of labeling and marking requirements and

— for government procurement.

Criteria used to qualify for the rules of origin requirements: Tariff level changes and minimum value additions are the two most commonly used criteria for a product to qualify for the rules of origin requirements. 

– Most developed countries prefer the flexibility to use either of the criteria, as it allows flexibility for exporters. India has traditionally preferred the use of both criteria and is not given the flexibility to use either of them.

Government revises the Crop Residue Management guidelines

Source: The post is based on the article “Government revises the Crop Residue Management guidelines” published in PIB on 2nd July 2023

What is the News?

The Government of India has revised the crop residue management guidelines for Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi to help tackle the challenge of stubble burning in these states and improve air quality.

What are Crop Residues?

Crop residues are materials left in an agricultural field after the crop has been harvested. These residues include stalks and stubble (stems), leaves, and seed pods.

Crop residues are primarily used as bedding material for animals, livestock feed, soil mulching, bio-gas generation, bio-manure/compost, thatching for rural homes, mushroom cultivation, biomass energy production, fuel for domestic and industrial use, etc. 

However, a large portion of crop residue is burnt ‘on-farm’ primarily to clean the field for sowing the next crop. 

The problem of ‘on-farm’ burning of crop residues is intensifying in recent years due to a shortage of human labor, the high cost of removing the crop residue from the field, and mechanized harvesting of crops. 

Adverse effects of crop residue burning: 

Loss of nutrients: It is estimated that burning one tonne of rice straw accounts for the loss of 5.5 kg Nitrogen, 2.3 kg phosphorus, 25 kg potassium, and 1.2 kg sulphur besides, organic carbon.

Impact on soil properties: Heat from burning residues elevates soil temperature, causing death of beneficial soil organisms.

Emission of greenhouse and other gases: Crop residue burning is a potential source of Green House Gases (GHGs) and other chemically and radiative important trace gases and aerosols such as CH4, CO, N2O, NOX, and other hydrocarbons.

What are the revised crop residue management guidelines the government has released?

Techno-commercial pilot projects for Paddy Straw Supply Chain will be established under the bilateral agreement between the Beneficiary/Aggregator (Farmers, Cooperative Societies of Farmers, Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Panchayats) and Industries utilizing the paddy straw.

Govt shall provide financial assistance on the capital cost of machinery and equipment. 

The required working capital may be financed either by the Industry and Beneficiary jointly or utilizing the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), NABARD Financial, or Financing from the Financial Institutions by the beneficiary. 

The land for storage of the collected paddy straw will be arranged and prepared by the beneficiary as may be guided by the end-use industry.

Significance of these revised guidelines: 1) This will supplement the efforts of paddy straw management through in-situ options 2) Air pollution caused by stubble burning will be considerably reduced and 3) It would also help generate employment opportunities of about 9,00,000 man-days.

India, China ramp up infra on north bank of Pangong lake

Source: The post is based on the article “India, China ramp up infra on north bank of Pangong lake” published in The Hindu on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

India and China are busy with construction in the Pangong Lake area. 

What is China and India building along the Pangong Lake?

China: China is constructing a bridge to connect the north and south banks of the lake.

– Apart from the bridge, work on road connectivity along the south bank towards Shandong village is also under progress.

– The Chinese air defence site is also located east of the Khurnak fort. (Khurnak Fort is a ruined fort on the northern shore of Pangong Lake).

India: India is building a black-topped road on its side on the north bank.

What is Pangong Tso Lake?

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India-China talks to resolve border issues:

So far, India and China have held 18 rounds of military talks and 27 meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).

However, the friction points remain on Depsang Plains and Demchok over the patrolling rights. The Indian army had been patrolling in these areas until the Galwan clash, which restricted the movement.

Scientists detect the universe’s ‘noisy’ gravitational wave background: What it means and why you should care about it

Source: The post is based on the article “Scientists detect the universe’s ‘noisy’ gravitational wave background: What it means and why you should care about it” published in Indian Express on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

Scientists have said that they have found evidence to suggest that the universe is filled with low-frequency gravitational waves.

How were low-frequency gravitational waves detected?

Scientists used six large radio telescopes around the world, including the one in Pune to detect low-frequency gravitational waves.

These telescopes studied objects called pulsars. Pulsars are distant rapidly-rotating neutron stars that emit pulses of radiation, observed from the Earth as bright flashes of light. These bursts take place at extremely precise intervals, and therefore scientists use pulsars as ‘cosmic clocks’.

After examining 25 pulsars over a period of 15 years, scientists found that some of the signals from these neutron stars arrived a little early while a few others were late, the discrepancies ranging in millionths of seconds. 

Scientists have proposed that the observed inconsistencies were due to deformities caused in spacetime by gravitational waves.

These low-frequency gravitational waves probably emerged from a colliding pair of very large, ‘monster’, black holes, millions of times bigger than our Sun.

Why is this discovery important?

Scientists have been looking for low-frequency gravitational waves for decades.They believed that such ripples are perpetually rolling through space like background noise. 

This latest breakthrough provides enough data to suggest that there is a gravitational wave background, which exists in our universe.

Moreover, this discovery will also help scientists expand their knowledge about the nature and evolution of the universe.It will also help them gain more information about the environment around massive black holes.

When did humans first arrive in Southeast Asia? – Tam Pà Ling cave

Source: The post is based on the article “When did humans first arrive in Southeast Asia? ” published in The Hindu on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

Tam Pà Ling cave provided the earliest evidence of modern humans in mainland South-East Asia.

What is Tam Pà Ling cave?

Tam Pà Ling cave is located in the Annamite Mountain range in Northern Laos.

The cave features a sloping structure formed by periodic slope wash deposition.

What are the key findings made at Tam Pà Ling cave?

The excavations revealed that humans were present in the vicinity of Tam Pà Ling Cave for roughly 56,000 years.

The age of the lowest fossils found at Tam Pà Ling cave suggests modern humans arrived in this region between 86,000 and 68,000 years ago.

This has pushed back the timing of Homo sapien’s arrival in Southeast Asia.

Moreover, a tooth, estimated to be 150,000 years old, was found in the Cave, linking it to the presence of Denisovans, an extinct human relative.

What are the dating methods used at the Tam Pà Ling cave?

Luminescence dating: It is a technique that measures the last time crystalline materials, such as stones, were exposed to sunlight or heat. This technique mainly uses two minerals: quartz and feldspar.

Uranium series dating: It works by measuring uranium, and the elements into which it transforms via radioactive decay within the tooth. 

Electron spin resonance dating: It relies on measuring the number of electrons in tooth enamel.

Micromorphology: It is a technique that examines sediments under a microscope to establish the integrity of the layers that buried the fossils.