Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• The Lotus Position – on Yoga

GS Paper 2

• Law Commission’s report on Uniform Civil Code — undesirable and unnecessary
• A doorway to an entrepreneurial university
• Can a shorter medical course solve rural doctor shortages?
• Not Allies But Something Like It
• The Digital India Bill should help us fight against gender injustice

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

The Lotus Position – on Yoga

Source- The post is based on the article “The Lotus Position” published in “The Times of India” on 23rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Indian culture

Relevance– Ancient Indian system of medicine

News– The article explains the threat to universal reach of yoga from present system of patent

How can the universal reach of Yoga can be ensured?

Yoga should be free from copyrights, free from patents and free from royalty payments. This ancient Indian wisdom and science should help humanity live a healthier life. Then, yoga will work well for the poor as for the rich.

But if some Western brands trademark the asana or breathing exercise, it is out of universal reach.

Why is the patent regime is discriminatory for the traditional knowledge system of developing countries?

Much as the patent regime has helped the world by promoting innovations. It has also been exploitative of developing countries.

The prior existing knowledge that has been passed down through the generations is not considered equal to the knowledge published in Western journals and databases.

It took concerted effort to beat back a US patent for turmeric wound-healing products due to the unfair patent regime. Biopiracy is a constant danger.

GS Paper 2

Law Commission’s report on Uniform Civil Code — undesirable and unnecessary

Source: The post is based on the article “Law Commission’s report on Uniform Civil Code — undesirable and unnecessary” published in The Indian Express on 23^rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation

Relevance: About the recommendations of 21^st Law Commission

News: The 22nd Law Commission of India has announced to seek the opinions of the public and recognized religious organizations regarding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Previously, the 21st Law Commission examined the UCC and received substantial responses from stakeholders. After receiving the response, the 21st Law Commission issued a consultation paper on the Reform of Family Law.

What were the recommendations made by the 21^st Law Commission in its report?

Uniform Civil Code (UCC): It recommended that rather than enacting a UCC, family laws of every religion must be reformed to make them gender-just. It talked about the uniformity of rights rather than laws.

Women Issues: The Commission emphasized that women must be guaranteed their freedom of faith without any compromise on their right to equality. It also focused on economic rights of women.

It recommended a series of reforms in the personal laws of all religions as well as the secular laws that place women and children at a disadvantage.

The report also included recommendations concerning the rights of Parsi and Christian women and those married under the Special Marriage Act.

Property Inheritance: The Commission criticised the Hindu coparcenary system — the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) property. It stated that it was being exploited for tax evasion purposes. Hence, it recommended its abolition.

It suggested the codification of the Muslim law of inheritance and succession and bringing in uniform provisions of succession for Shias and Sunnis.

It emphasized that succession and inheritance should be determined by proximity to the deceased rather than favoring male agnates.

Furthermore, it suggested that a childless Muslim widow should be recognized as a Class I heir and inherit the deceased’s property.

Divorce: It recommended the introduction of “no-fault divorce” in all personal laws and proposed that all property acquired after marriage should be divided between both parties in case of divorce.

The report also highlighted the rights of individuals with disabilities in marriages.

Muslim Polygamy: The commission noted that while polygamy is permitted within Islam, it is rarely practiced among Indian Muslims. It also noted that individuals from other religions sometimes convert to Islam solely to engage in polygamous marriages.

This observation matches with the Supreme Court’s observation in Sarla Mudgal etc. vs the Union of India (1995). The court had recommended the enactment of a UCC in relation to conversion and bigamy.

Custody and Guardianship: The Commission stressed that courts must follow the principle of the “best interest of the child” on custody and guardianship.

Other Issues: The commission refrained from making recommendations on issues such as triple talaq, Muslim bigamy, and the constitutional validity of adultery under Section 497 of the IPC, as these matters were already being addressed by the Supreme Court or Parliament.

What lies ahead?

Despite the 21st Law Commission’s report and its recommendations, the government has not taken any action over the past five years.

Further, the 22^nd Law Commission faces a challenge of coming up with strong reasons in support for the UCC as it was discarded by its predecessor.

A doorway to an entrepreneurial university

Source- The post is based on the article “A doorway to an entrepreneurial university” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of education

Relevance- HIgher education

News– The University Grants Commission’s move to institutionalise the concept of a ‘Professor of Practice’ could help bridge the gap between academia and the professional world

How interaction between different disciplines of knowledge is beneficial to the educational ecosystem?

New knowledge is always the result of interactions between disparate or competing disciplines.

Whenever diverse players from different disciplines come together, these joint ventures lead to the creation of a whole new body of knowledge.

University systems have always seen this. The modern university system keeps evolving. Over the years, multidisciplinary studies have seen new disciplines such as biochemistry and computing science.

What are some facts about the concept of entrepreneurial university?

Innovations that bring together academic and industrial research work are creating economic and intellectual value for universities.

This joint enterprise of academia and industry is entering a new phase. This is related to the entrepreneurial university.

One school of academia maintains that universities should be the foundation of new knowledge and research. Any attempt at a commercialisation of this vision should not be allowed.

But, the thinking among new-age universities, and ‘educational entrepreneurs’ is to ensure a fine balance between education and enterprise.

What are some facts about the UGC’s initiative to institutionalise the concept of ‘Professor of Practice’?

It is a step towards an entrepreneurial university.

As per UGC, the objective behind introducing a Professor of Practice is to enhance the quality of higher education by bringing practitioners, policymakers, and skilled professionals  into the higher education system.

This will help take real world practices and experiences into classrooms and also augment faculty resources in higher education institutions. Industry and society will benefit from trained graduates who are equipped with the relevant skills.

PoPs are often hired from outside academia. They may not be required to have a PhD or other advanced research degree. PoPs can be found in fields that include business, engineering, law, journalism, and the arts.

In the field of engineering, for example, a PoP can teach courses that focus on practical, real-world applications and share their insights in applied learning.

PoPs can serve as ambassadors for their universities, building relationships with industry partners. They help to connect students with internship and job opportunities.

They can also participate in professional organisations and conferences to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

What is the importance of innovation?

Teaching and research were the foundational pillars of a university in the industrial era. Innovation is the third pillar in universities.

Due to innovation culture, every academic will synthesise ideas and will lead to creation of more start-up enterprises.

These university-based start-ups would incubate ideas and convert ideas into patents and transform patents into commercial products.

Can a shorter medical course solve rural doctor shortages?

Source- The post is based on the article “Can a shorter medical course solve rural doctor shortages?” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of health

Relevance- Issues related to rural health

News-  Last month, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked the Health Department to consider starting a three-year diploma course for medical practitioners, who would then serve in primary health centres.

Why is the idea proposed by the West Bengal CM not a right solution?

The diploma course may not provide trained doctors to adequately deal with the conditions in rural areas.

Rural areas may not have adequate facilities, infrastructure, or transport. In case of emergency or a critical care situation, trainees will face difficulties in dealing with the situation

There are concerns regarding the future status of these trainees.

India has paramedical staff like physician assistants. They can be trained better to deal with emergencies. That would be a better idea than this three-year diploma.

Why the idea proposed by the West Bengal CM sound good?

There exists a general aversion among professional doctors to practise in rural areas. In West Bengal, the number of doctors per 10,000 population is below the national average.

So, it makes sense to drive a cadre of doctors who are capable of providing first-level care to the rural countryside.

PHCs are the most essential rung of the healthcare infrastructure and should possess doctors who are fully trained. But, we can consider mid-level healthcare providers who function in sub centres, a rung below PHCs.

Is this a discriminatory move to provide less qualified practitioners for rural populations?

Arguments in favour– Health awareness among the rural population is not very good. Many do not have the resources to get the medicines they need. In such situations, if less qualified doctors are appointed in rural areas, it is not fair.

Arguments against– There is a need to differentiate between fiscal realities and fiscal ideals. The State has a prime responsibility in ensuring the highest attainable quality of care. But the realities on the ground makes it difficult to ensure highest care.

if there is no perfect solution on the horizon, and no action is taken, then it leads to even bigger discrimination.

Some kind of an interim arrangement is needed when there are not enough fully qualified doctors.

How can rural postings of doctors be encouraged?

There is a need for hard incentives. More doctors need to be recruited into rural areas rather than retaining them, because recruiting practitioners and retaining them are two different things.

To retain them in rural areas is not going to be possible for at least 30-40 years because ultimately, rural doctor shortage is a development problem.

Medical graduates do not want rural service as they are scared that they will get stuck there for ages. So, we must create a system where there is a continuous chain of doctors in rural areas.

Developed and developing countries are providing short-term courses. They provide care of a quality that is largely equivalent to doctors. So, mid-level practitioners at the sub centre level is a very important requirement today.

There is a need for a system where full-fledged medical graduates realise their social obligations. There is a need to take steps to motivate medical graduates to go to rural areas.

How wide disparity in the spread of our medical colleges can be tackled to address rural shortages?

Most medical colleges are concentrated in the southern States and some in forward States like Maharashtra and Gujarat.

About 85% of the seats are reserved for candidates from within those States.

Purely private investments are not sufficient to deal with this inequality. Government investments are also needed. Over the last decade, government medical colleges have shown a remarkable increase in numbers.

There are good examples from other countries. For example, Myanmar redistributed nursing colleges to decentralise nursing education from Yangon. It has shown great improvement not just in terms of redistributing medical colleges, but also in terms of rural retention.

Not Allies But Something Like It

Source– The post is based on the article “Not Allies But Something Like It” published in “The Times of India” on 23rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral groupings and agreements

Relevance– India and US bilateral relations

News – Prime Minister Modi is on an official visit to the USA.

Is India-US relationship a strategic partnership?

The US-India relationship has been described as a strategic partnership since the signing of a civil nuclear deal in 2008.

A strategic partnership involves high levels of defense collaboration, intelligence sharing, multifaceted cooperation, broad-based political support, and stability.

The US-India partnership satisfies all these requirements, with increasing arms sales, defense technology transfers, intelligence sharing and military-to-military cooperation.

A rapidly diversifying portfolio of collaborations includes technology, space, clean energy, and higher education.

The partnership also enjoys multipartisan support in both countries and has not experienced any major crises in recent years. The partnership is more than a transactional relationship, but less than a formal alliance.

Is a formal alliance necessary for India-US security partnership?

Some critics argue that security partnership is limited in scope due to India’s unwillingness to become a formal ally.

But Washington is not pushing for formal alliance status because the partnership already has acquired some alliance-like qualities with foundational defense agreements.

India is also being designated as a Major Defense Partner, which grants access to military and dual-use technologies.

The strength of alliances in general may be overstated, as evidenced by the strained relationships between the US and some of its formal allies like Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

Even during the Trump era when US relations with many of its European and East Asian treaty allies were strained, India-US relations mostly remained stable despite serious trade tensions.

 What are the major potential areas of collaboration?

A core agenda point is stepping up efforts to tackle the shared China challenge, which includes expanding both geographic and topical collaborations.

Bilateral cooperation is institutionalized in the Pacific through the Indo-Pacific Quad, and in the Middle East through the I2U2 grouping. A similar formal mechanism for cooperation in the Indian Ocean region is required.

To counter China, it is needed that India’s military capacity should be enhanced and integrate India into global supply chains for critical technologies, reducing reliance on China.

There may be a focus on partnering to provide financial and production support, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to deliver public goods such as vaccines, clean energy technologies, and infrastructure to countries in the Indo-Pacific region, to reduce their dependence on China.

Overall, the US-India strategic partnership, operating outside the formal alliance system, has been a foreign policy success for both countries.

The Digital India Bill should help us fight against gender injustice

Source– The post is based on the article “The Digital India Bill should help us fight against gender injustice” published in “Mint” on 23rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of the vulnerable sections.

Relevance – Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence

News – India’s Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) is being updated as the Digital India Bill. The article argues that it could provide an internet-age framework of governance to secure the vulnerable.

What is Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV)?

The increased exposure of personal lives on the internet and enhanced user data sharing has led to the emergence of Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV).

It is motivated by the sexual or gender identity of the target. It involves the misuse of technology in order to harm, threaten, coerce, stalk or harass another person.

Perpetrators of tech abuse misuse devices, accounts and software or platforms to control, abuse, track and intimidate victim-survivors.

What is the impact of existing social norms and gender digital divide on Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence?

Existing social norms and widening gender digital divide increases the vulnerability of groups already vulnerable to online violence.

Women’s access to the internet is mostly regulated by male members of the family. This leads to lower reporting rates as survivors fear that reporting may lead to restrictions on internet access.

Independent women who voice their opinion online are seen as challenges to the social structure and thus more vulnerable to violence. This makes them indulge in self-censorship.

What is the need for the Digital India bill?

India’s present legal frameworks are not equipped to tackle internet-based harms.

The Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, were enacted to address physical harms, but they are also being applied in the online space.

The Information Technology Act, 2000, was promulgated in the early days of the internet and as such unable to deal with recent nature, forms and volume of online violence.

None of these laws specifically addresses the issue of gender violence in tech space.  Moreover, in our legal system, physical harm is taken more seriously.

What are the concerns regarding underage users?

There are concerns about their safety and privacy. Countries like the US have undertaken legislative interventions to ensure accountability from internet companies towards underage users.

The Digital India bill must also incorporate similar approaches to safeguard the safety and privacy.

Technology space is continuously evolving. A coherent and concerted action with clear responsibility of each stakeholder can help in creating a victim-centered mechanism.

GS Paper 3

Why inflation and WPI is down, but not (all) prices

Source: The post is based on the article “Why inflation and WPI is down, but not (all) prices” published in The Indian Express on 23^nd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy – Growth & Development

Relevance: About the trend of inflation

News: The headline retail inflation rate reached a 25-month low in May and the wholesale price index (WPI) also showed a significant decrease.

What has caused the decline in inflation rates?

The high base effect has helped the easing of headline inflation. However, the inflation rate for certain household items still remains high. A high base effect has also helped in a sharp decline in the WPI-linked inflation rate.

According to a data, WPI inflation hit a seven-and-a-half-year low in May, due to the high base effect, lower global commodity prices, low costs of food, fuel, and manufactured items.

However, previously, the wholesale inflation rate had reached double digits during April-September 2022, and reached 16.63% in May 2022.

Moreover, despite the lowering inflation, some items still show a high inflation rate.

Which items have displayed high inflation rates?

Food and Beverages: In this category, ‘cereals and products’ have remained in double digits since September 2022, peaking to 15.27% in March 2023. However, the inflation rate for this category decreased to 12.65% in May.

Milk and Products: This category has seen an inflation rate of more than 7% since September 2022, peaking at 9.65% this February.

Spices: The inflation rates have remained persistent for the spices. Over the last one year, except in May 2022, the inflation rate for spices has remained in double digits, peaking to 21.09% in January this year.

Prepared Meals, Snacks and Sweets: These have also witnessed a persistent rate of inflation. Prepared meals, snacks, sweets too have recorded a 6%-plus inflation rate in the last one year.

Non-food items: Among non-food items, the inflation rate for household goods and services has remained above 6% for the last one year.

Education: It has seen inflation above 5% since July 2022.

Personal care and effects: The inflation rate for this category has been rising steadily.

Which items have displayed a low inflation rate?

Meat and Fish: This category has been in the deflationary zone for the last three months.

Oils and Fats: This category has recorded a sharp decline in inflation, remaining in negative territory for the last four months.

Fruits and Vegetables: These have remained in the negative zone for the last seven months on a year-on-year basis. The inflation rate for vegetables was in double digits during April-September 2022, and entered negative territory thereafter.

What kinds of inflation risks lie ahead?

While the headline inflation number is expected to remain below 5% in the near term, most economists expect the inflation rate to rise marginally in June 2023.

Further, the development of El Nino conditions and their influence on the monsoon could affect crop yields, causing food inflation. 

Although food inflation is expected to remain manageable, it is likely to rise on a year-on-year basis in the second half of FY24, due to seasonal factors. Commodities such as milk, sugar, cereals, etc. may also see a rise in prices.

Note: Weight of different products in CPI – Food and Beverages (54.18%), Cereals and product (12.35%), Milk and products (7.72%), Spices (3.11%), Education (3.46%), Oils and fats (4.21%).

Note: The base effect relates to inflation in the corresponding period of the previous year. If the inflation rate was too high in the corresponding period of the previous year, then even a smaller rise in the Price Index will give a low rate of inflation and vice-versa.

Source: The Indian Express

The uproar over the new COP28 President

Source- The post is based on the article “The uproar over the new COP28 President” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Environment

Relevance– Issues related to climate change

News- Questions are being raised over the COP28 Presidency of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Industry Minister Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber.

Who is Sultan al-Jaber?

Mr. al-Jaber has been the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company since 2016. He was appointed as UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology in 2020.

Also in 2020, he was for the second time appointed as the UAE’s special envoy for climate change.

His team has been accused of attempting to “greenwash” his image. It emerged that members of his team had edited Wikipedia pages that talked about his role as CEO of ADNOC.

Why is Sultan al-Jaber’s appointment facing criticism?

There is discontent with the appointment of an oil executive to head a summit focussed on mitigating climate change.

The decision to name the chief executive of one of the world’s largest fossil-fuel base companies as president of COP28 risks undermining the negotiations.

Reducing carbon emissions is a necessity in the fight against climate change. There is a need to reduce the production and use of fossil fuel resources.

Al-Jaber does not talk about a concrete plan to phase out fossil fuels. ADNOC 2030 strategy is to build a more profitable upstream, more valuable downstream and more sustainable and economic gas supply.

The appointment is a perfect example of a conflict of interest. It is like putting the tobacco industry in charge of ending smoking.

Experts also highlight that it is in the UAE’s national interest to continue the production of fossil fuels as the 10th largest oil producer in the world.

Why has Mr. al-Jaber’s advocacy of carbon capture been criticised?

On climate goals, some world leaders have been pushing for a phaseout of fossil fuels. Others insist on oil and gas continuing to play a role in the future, provided their emissions are curbed. Mr. al-Jaber belongs to the latter school of thought.

Climate campaigners and scientists have expressed caution that technologies proposed so far to capture fossil fuel emissions have not been tested at scale.

They also argue that such responses do not hit at the root cause of the problem and propose containment once emissions are released. Such responses could divert attention and resources from effective alternatives such as renewable energy.

Carbon capture and storage technologies should only be restricted to sectors where cutting emissions is extremely hard, such as the cement industry.

Mr. al-Jaber has talked about the need to tackle fossil fuel emissions. As per him, the goal should be a global system “free of unabated fossil fuels”. It is related to reducing or capturing greenhouse gas emissions.

As per al-Jaber, his country wants “a comprehensive, holistic approach to an energy transition that includes all sources of energy.”

Developing nations like Bangladesh and the Maldives have also said that fossil fuel-dependent economies are critical to climate negotiation and mitigation efforts. They have a more difficult task in defining their energy transition strategy.

PLI schemes are in need of a coherent trade policy

Source: The post is based on an article “Our PLI schemes are in need of a coherent trade policy” published in “Mint” on 23rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

Relevance: About the need of a trade policy to support PLI schemes.

News: The debate over the PLI schemes is silent on trade policy. It is a critical aspect of manufacturing strategy.

Why is a coherent trade policy important?

A coherent trade policy reduces tariff barriers and incentivizes technology transfers from countries and companies that dominate the production of ICT hardware and semiconductors.

India wants to emulate China, Taiwan and Vietnam by improving domestic infrastructure and logistics with tax breaks and financial incentives for ICT manufacturing. But their liberalized trade policies are not emulated.

India’s trade policy is marked by a tendency to raise tariffs, particularly since 2015, as Aatmanirbhar Bharat gained momentum. Ad hoc tariff hikes are inconsistent with India’s obligations under the ITA-1, as the WTO has recently ruled in a dispute filed by the EU, Japan and Taiwan.

Data shows that India’s tariff barriers have not reduced Indian dependence on foreign suppliers. High tariffs also make high-quality components from foreign suppliers expensive. Therefore, domestic ICT manufacturers are at a disadvantage as they compete on cost with other global players.

Why are companies not tariff-jumping FDI?

The prospect of accessing India’s rapidly-growing demand should have convinced MNCs to set up local manufacturing or assembly operations via tariff-jumping FDI. (Foreign companies invest in a subsidiary in another country to avoid tariff barriers.)

However, studies have shown that for ICT and semiconductor sectors, tariffs may deter foreign manufacturing investment and Global Value Chain integration, bypassing the benefits of tariff-jumping FDI.

India’s integration into ICT and semiconductor Global Value Chains is in progress.  To speed up the process, New Delhi must discard its protectionist trade policy. That will help leverage its advantages of a large market, low labour costs and strategic partnerships with the US and others.

Recent initiatives like the Indian Semiconductor Mission and National Policy on Electronics, 2019, suggest growing policy cohesion on FDI, fiscal incentives and manufacturing infrastructure. Now it is time to revamp our trade policy.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) launched in Washington DC, U.S.

Source: The post is based on the article “India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) launched in Washington DC, U.S.” published in PIB on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

The US Department of Defence (DoD) and the Ministry of Defense launched the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).

What is India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)?

Aim: To foster collaboration and innovation between Indian and US defence startups, promoting technological advancements in the sector.

Features: INDUS-X would spearhead several initiatives that will complement existing government-to-government collaboration.

– These initiatives include joint prize challenges for start-ups, roundtable events, mentor-protege initiatives between major primes and startups, formation of a Senior Advisory Group, academic and startup programming partnerships with universities and collaboration of startups with defence majors’ supply chains.

Led by: India’s Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) are leading INDUS-X activities

Significance: This initiative builds on a commitment by the U.S. and Indian National Security Advisors in January 2023. They committed to launch an “Innovation Bridge” to connect U.S. and Indian defence start-ups as part of the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). 

Scientists from Gujarat institute develop biodegradable paper supercapacitor from seaweed

Source: The post is based on the article “Scientists from Gujarat institute develop biodegradable paper supercapacitor from seaweed” published in Down To Earth on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

Scientists at Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) have developed the thinnest, lightweight and biodegradable paper-based supercapacitor.

What is a supercapacitor?

A supercapacitor is an electrochemical charge storage device with a fast charging/discharging cycle, high power density and a longer life cycle. 

They are used in power-smoothening, pitch-control, start-stop, regenerative-braking, smart-grid, active heave compensation, and specialty UPS applications.

How have scientists developed a biodegradable paper supercapacitor?

Scientists have developed a supercapacitor from seaweed (marine macroalgae).

This supercapacitor can fully charge a device within 10 seconds.

The device is of high tensile strength and performance, as well as cost-effective, according to the researchers.

The product can be used in electronics, memory backup systems, airbags, heavy machines, electric vehicles, etc.; hence, it holds a huge business prospect.

What is Seaweed?

Seaweeds are macroalgae attached to rock or other substrata and are found in coastal areas.

They are classified as chlorophyta (green), rhodophyta (red) and phaeophyta (brown) on the basis of their pigmentation. 

Among them, chlorophyta holds more potential components in the cell wall. Such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and bioactive compounds.

Green seaweed has a high amount of a particular type of cellulose in its cell wall.

Click Here to read more

Union Minister launches PM Kisan Mobile App with Face Authentication Feature

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister launches PM Kisan Mobile App with Face Authentication Feature” published in PIB on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

The Union Agriculture Minister has launched the PM Kisan Mobile App.

What is the PM Kisan Mobile App?

PM Kisan Mobile App has been launched under the “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi”.

The app enables beneficiary farmers under PM KISAN to complete their e-KYC process by just scanning their faces on mobile phones instead of using a one-time password or fingerprints.

Note: Until now, e-KYC of the PM-Kisan beneficiaries used to be done through either biometrics at a designated center or one-time passwords sent to mobile phone numbers linked with Aadhaar.

The app will also provide very important information related to the scheme and PM Kisan accounts to the farmers. 

In this, farmers can know the status of land seeding, linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts and e-KYC using the No User Status Module.

What is Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi?

Click Here to read

Why jeera prices are shooting up in wholesale markets

Source: The post is based on the article “Why jeera prices are shooting up in wholesale markets” published in Indian Express on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

Over the past few months, Jeera (Cumin) prices have experienced an unprecedented surge.

What is Jeera?

Cumin seeds, also known as jeera, are widely used to temper food and enhance its flavor in a variety of preparations. 

These dried seeds are of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family. 

They have numerous health benefits and are commonly used in Asian households to fight off stomach woes, soothe the digestive tract, relieve nausea, bloating and constipation. 

In fact, they are routinely used for digestive efficiency and health but cumin seeds are also used as an adjuvant therapy along with oral medication in people with Type 2 diabetes.

What are the major producers of Jeera?

India accounts for some 70% of the world’s production of this seed spice. Other countries such as Syria, Turkey, UAE and Iran make up the balance 30%. 

The top export destinations of India’s Jeera include China, Bangladesh, US, UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Which regions in India cultivate Jeera?

Jeera is an extremely weather-sensitive crop. It requires a moderately cool and dry climate sans any humidity, which is conducive to fungal infestation during the crop’s flowering and seed development stages. 

That naturally limits the area of cultivation to Saurashtra, Kutch and the northern parts of Gujarat and adjoining districts of western Rajasthan.

What are the reasons for the rise in Jeera prices?

Supply-demand imbalance: Arrivals this year (the marketing season for Jeera begins from mid-February and peaks in May) have been half of the demand. It has led to traders laying their hands on whatever is coming to the market and jacking up prices in the process.

India’s jeera production is meant for both its domestic market as well as for export. Demand for Jeera in countries has gone up this year as hotels and restaurants are reopening after long-drawn Covid-19 restrictions. 

– Hence, the potential for price volatility is obviously higher in a commodity where there is both domestic and export demand.

TRAI releases Consultation Paper on “Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases, and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital Communication Sector”

Source: The post is based on the article “TRAI releases Consultation Paper on “Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases, and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital Communication Sector” published in PIB on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) has released a Consultation Paper on “Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases, and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital Communication Sector”.

What is a regulatory sandbox?

Regulatory sandbox refers to live testing of new products or services in a controlled regulatory environment. 

It acts as a “safe space” for business as the regulators may or may not permit certain relaxations for the limited purpose of testing. 

The sandbox allows the regulator, the innovators, the financial service providers and the customers to conduct field tests to collect evidence on the benefits and risks of new financial innovations, while carefully monitoring and containing their risks. 

What are the benefits of a regulatory sandbox?

Firstly, regulators obtain first-hand empirical evidence on the benefits and risks of emerging technologies and their implications, enabling them to take a considered view on the regulatory changes or new regulations that may be needed to support useful innovation, while containing the attendant risks.

Secondly, users of a sandbox can test the product’s viability without the need for a larger and more expensive roll-out. If the product appears to have the potential to be successful, the product might then be authorized and brought to the broader market more quickly.

Why regulatory sandbox in the Digital Communication sector?

Regulatory bodies in many countries have established sandbox frameworks for telecom tech innovation. 

These frameworks aim to promote regulators’ desire for innovation with economic resilience and consumer protection. 

In this background, the Department of Telecom (DoT) had requested TRAI to provide recommendations on a framework for the regulatory sandbox.

New low cost technology reduces textile effluent pollution significantly

Source: The post is based on the article “New low cost technology reduces textile effluent pollution significantly” published in PIB on 22nd June 2023

What is the News?

NIT Warangal has developed new low cost technology that significantly reduces textile effluent pollution.

What is Textile effluent?

Textile effluent is heavily contaminated with pollutants such as dyes, dissolved solids, suspended solids and toxic metals. 

The main factor to be considered in textile effluent is total dissolved solids (TDS).

Because of the use of common salt and Glauber salt, the level of TDS increases in textile wastewater. 

The direct discharge of textile effluents may increase the level of TDS in groundwater and surface water. 

The presence of TDS (high or low concentration) in water may affect the osmotic balance, causing swelling or dehydration in aquatic organisms and a change in taste. 

The quality of irrigation of water depends on the salt content. When the salt content increases, it contaminates the water and makes it unsuitable for domestic, industrial and agricultural use.

Hence, there is a need for robust, efficient technologies to treat such effluent before they are discharged into the environment.

What have the researchers developed?

NIT Warangal has developed a pilot-scale textile effluent treatment plant using biosurfactants (BS), cavitation (a process in which pressure variations in a liquid can in a short period of time cause countless small cavities to form and then implode–C), and membrane (M) technology.

This technology offers a sustainable solution for textile effluent by converting the toxic wastewater to an irrigation source for the nearby agricultural areas and holds immense potential for replacing existing secondary treatment plants due to its lower installation cost and lesser carbon footprint.

Where the mind is without fear: What is anxiety and how can we beat it?

Source: The post is based on the article “Where the mind is without fear: What is anxiety and how can we beat it?” published in The Hindu on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

Anxiety disorders are among the most frequently occurring mental health problems in the community today.

What are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a cluster of mental disorders characterized by significant and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear such that a person’s social, occupational, and personal functions are significantly impaired.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive worrying (which lasts more than six months) and is not restricted to particular circumstances – for example, only when attending a social event.

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected surges of severe anxiety (a.k.a. ‘panic attacks’), which typically peak within 10 minutes and last around 30-45 minutes

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by the intense, persistent fear of being scrutinized or evaluated negatively by others. Patients anticipate ridicule or humiliation and avoid many social situations or endure them with great distress.

Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by fear or anxiety concerning separation from those to whom an individual is attached

Specific (simple) phobia is characterized by the fear of particular objects, animals or situations. 

About the prevalence of anxiety disorders in India

India’s National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) of 2015-2016 found the prevalence of neurosis and stress-related disorders to be 3.5%. These disorders were twice as common in women as compared to men. 

There is evidence that the developmental period of childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood are periods of high risk for the onset of anxiety disorders.

How to treat anxiety disorders?

Treatment decisions are based on the severity, persistence, and impact of symptoms, as well as patient preferences.

Evidence-based interventions include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Treatment is usually continued for 9-12 months after symptom remission, gradually phased out as recommended.

Lab Grown Diamonds: These rocks are made in India and care for the environment

Source: The post is based on the article “Lab Grown Diamonds: These rocks are made in India and care for the environment” published in TOI on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

The Indian Prime Minister has presented to the US First Lady a lab-grown 7.5-carat green diamond – on his state visit to the United States. 

Lab Grown Green diamond creation involved the use of eco-diversified resources, such as solar and wind power, ensuring its eco-friendly nature.

What is Lab Grown Diamond?

Naturally-formed diamonds are pure carbon, crystalised in the isometric cubic form beneath the earth’s crust.

On the other hand, Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds which are grown inside a lab using cutting-edge technology.

How are lab-grown diamonds produced?

Lab-grown diamonds can be created by two processes: 1) High-Pressure High Temperature(HPHT) which is used in China and 2) Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

The CVD method is more popular in India. CVD is a chemical process in which the seed is heated up to 800 degrees in a sealed chamber filled with molecules of carbon-rich gas such as methane. 

These gas molecules are broken down into carbon and hydrogen atoms, which get deposited on the seed giving it the shape of a square, tabular diamond crystal. This process also requires heat or irradiation to give the crystal a colour effect. 

About the Lab Grown Diamond Industry in India

In India, the share of lab-grown diamonds in the overall diamond business is presently just 2-3 per cent. 

In India, lab-grown diamonds are mostly used for jewelleries and exports. About 80 per cent of the cut and polished LGDs are exported, while only 20 per cent are consumed locally. 

In the latest Budget, the Union Finance Minister has abolished the Customs duty on imports of seeds used for manufacturing of rough lab-grown diamonds.

Explained | Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer by 2030s, say scientists

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer by 2030s, say scientists” published in The Hindu on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

According to a study, the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer by the 2030s, even if we do a good job of reducing emissions between now and then.

About Melting of Arctic Ice in Summer

The Arctic has been experiencing climate heating faster than any other part of the planet. 

The ice which remains at the end of summer is called multiyear sea ice and is considerably thicker than its seasonal counterpart. It acts as barrier to the transfer of both moisture and heat between the ocean and atmosphere. 

Over the past 40 years this multiyear sea ice in the Arctic has shrunk from around 7 million sq. km to 4 million. That is a loss equivalent to roughly the size of India or 12 UKs.

In other words, it’s a big signal, one of the most stark and dramatic signs of fundamental change to the climate system anywhere in the world.

What is the Blue Ocean Event?

Blue ocean event refers to a situation in which the Arctic Ocean becomes ice-free during the summer, with the sea ice area dropping below 1 million square kilometers.

This threshold is used mainly because older, thicker ice along parts of Canada and northern Greenland is expected to remain long after the rest of the Arctic Ocean is ice-free.

What are the consequences of Ice free Arctic in summer?

Arctic sea ice is an important component of the climate system. As it dramatically reduces the amount of sunlight absorbed by the ocean, removing this ice is predicted to further accelerate warming, through a process known as positive feedback. 

This, in turn, will make the Greenland ice sheet melt faster, which is already a major contributor to sea level rise.

The loss of sea ice in summer would also mean changes in atmospheric circulation and storm tracks and fundamental shifts in ocean biological activity. 

PM gifts Biden Yeats’ ‘Ten Principal Upanishads’: What are Upanishads? Why was Yeats interested in them?

Source: The post is based on the article “PM gifts Biden Yeats’ ‘Ten Principal Upanishads’: What are Upanishads? Why was Yeats interested in them?” published in Indian Express on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

The Indian Prime Minister has gifted several gifts to the US President which includes the first edition print of the book The Ten Principal Upanishads from 1937.

The Ten Principal Upanishads, translated from Sanskrit by Shri Purohit Swami, a scholar of Hindu scripture and Irish poet WB Yeats is considered to be one of the best translations of the Upanishads.

What are the two categories of Hindu scriptures?

There are broadly two categories of Hindu sacred texts: shruti (loosely translated as “the revealed”) and smriti (“the remembered”). 

The first category is considered to be the most authoritative and consists of the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva) and accompanying texts. These include Brahmanas (ritual texts), Aranyakas (“forest” or “wilderness” texts), and Upanishads (philosophical texts).

The second category of Hindu scriptures is less authoritative – in many ways, they are considered to be derived from the first – but more popularly known. These include the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Dharmashastras, Puranas and all other post-Vedic scriptures.

What are the Upanishads?

The Upanishads date back to roughly 800-500 BC. They are also known as the Vedanta – as they signal the end of the total Veda – speculate about the ontological connection between humanity and the cosmos. 

They serve as foundational texts in many traditions of Hindu theology and have hence attracted far more attention than the Vedas themselves.

Upanishads also discuss concepts such as transmigration, which have today become central to Hindu tradition.

The Upanishads were given particular importance in Hindu theology by 8th-century Hindu scholar Adi Shankara, whose interpretations synthesized the Advaita Vedanta tradition.

Advaita Vedanta is a non-dualistic philosophy that has in modern times, under philosophers such as Swami Vivekananda and S Radhakrishnan, become the most dominant force in Hindu intellectual thought.

This philosophy emphasizes on the illusory nature of the transient phenomenal world around us, and puts forth the idea that the brahman is the only and ultimate real. 

Much of the Upanishads, in fact, are concerned with the relationship between the atman, or the distinct, unchanging self of an individual, and the brahman, the ultimate reality in the universe.

G-20 Education Ministers agree on equitable use of AI

Source: The post is based on the article “G-20 Education Ministers agree on equitable use of AI” published in The Hindu on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

A meeting of the Education Ministers of G-20 countries was held in Pune.

What are the key decisions of the meeting of the Education Ministers of G-20 countries?

G-20 members have agreed on the need a) to work together for a resilient, equitable, inclusive and sustainable future through education, b) towards an equitable and inclusive use of Artificial Intelligence in education and skills that respects human rights, c) to ensure that everyone, irrespective of age, gender, socio-economic or cultural background, or those who are facing physical, mental or other learning difficulties or special needs have access to quality, inclusive and equitable education and training, d) to overcome the digital divide for all learners by addressing the barriers to technological infrastructure, and e) to develop technology ecosystems and learning resources, including in local languages, that are affordable and easily accessible.

They also agreed that education is not only about academic learning but also about developing life, technical and vocational skills to make all learners future ready. They also underlined the need for lifelong learning.

Significance of the meeting: The meeting recognised the important role of digital transformations, women-led development, green transition and education on sustainable development and lifestyles.

What India highlighted during the meeting of the Education Ministers of G-20 countries?

India mentioned the need to make the youth future-ready and demanded governments to continuously skill, re-skill and up-skill them. India mentioned that it has been undertaking a skill mapping initiative with Education, Skill and Labour Ministries are working in tandem.

Medicines Patent Pool deal to make cancer drug cheaper

Source: The post is based on the article “Medicines Patent Pool deal to make cancer drug cheaper” published in The Hindu on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) has signed sub-licence agreements with India-based companies, along with an Indonesian firm, to make generic versions of the drug Nilotinib of the Switzerland-based pharmaceutical corporation Novartis.

What is Nilotinib?

Nilotinib is used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, a type of blood cancer. Nilotinib is sold under the brand name Tasigna and marketed worldwide by Novartis.

What is the significance of agreement for making generic versions of Nilotinib?

Under the agreement, selected manufacturers can make generic versions of Nilotinib in India and seven middle-income countries.

They can also supply it in 44 territories included in the licence through a non-exclusive licence agreement, subject to local regulatory authorisation.

The move will give an affordable treatment option to people diagnosed with the disease in such countries. This will make certain cancer drugs more accessible and cheaper for patients.

What is Medicines Patent Pool (MPP)?

MPP is a United Nations-backed group working towards increasing access to, and facilitating the development of, life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries.

MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders, to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.