Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Strike a fine balance, have a just civil code

GS Paper 2

• Artemis Accords: In a new space
• Bridging the gap – Efforts to reduce gender disparities must continue in earnest
• Squaring the circle at the India-Egypt summit

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Strike a fine balance, have a just civil code

Source– The post is based on the article “Strike a fine balance, have a just civil code” published in “The Hindu” on 24th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Social empowerment. GS2- Indian polity

Relevance- Issues related to secularism and gender justice

News- On June 14, the Law Commission of India decided to solicit views and proposals from the public about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Why is the issue of personal laws and UCC related to the question of personal and religious autonomy versus the state’s authority?

Each religious group has cultural autonomy. So, the community should itself seek reforms. This is the justification for the adoption of internal law reform or voluntary UCC. Article 29(1) of the Indian constitution also conserves the distinctive culture of all citizens.

In fact, the Special Marriage Act, 1954 and the Indian Succession Act, 1925 are nothing but examples of voluntary adoption of the UCC.

There are also regional differences. Kerala had abolished the Hindu Joint Family in 1975.  Muslim marriage and divorces are to be registered in Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand under the 1876 law, and in Assam under 1935 law.

At present, not just Muslims but even Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, Parsis, and Jews are governed by their own personal laws.

It is the religious identity that determines which personal law would apply to a group of individuals. Even reformed Hindu Personal Law under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 does insist on solemnization of marriage, through seven steps around fire.

What are the points that should be considered by the Law Commission while deciding about UCC?

Unity rather than uniformity– The Commission must consider the fact that India is a diverse and multicultural polity. The proposed UCC must reflect India’s ‘mosaic model’ of multiculturalism.

Under the Indian Constitution, the right to cultural autonomy defends the Indian model of multiculturalism.

India’s multicultural diversity is at the crossroads with values such as secularism. India decided not to adopt the French model of secularism. Indian society ‘accommodates’ and not just ‘tolerates’ the wide array of group and ethnic differences.

A homogenising lithification of identities should not be preferred. Unity is far more important than uniformity. The British brought homogeneity amongst Hindus and Muslims by undermining heterogeneity within the two religious’ communities.

Focus on gender justice– 21st Law Commission had favoured equality between men and women in communities rather than equality between communities. A just code should be the primary goal as just laws are more important than one uniform law.

Multiculturalism cannot justify the continuation of unjust and discriminatory personal laws. Such provisions of the personal laws must be made consistent with substantive equality and gender justice goals.

Accommodation of different viewpoints– There is need to understand that when a community feels threatened, community allegiance becomes much stronger.

Therefore, the Law Commission of India should not contribute to the rise of reactive culturalism amongst different communities in India, including Muslims.

The Muslim community too must understand that the MPL and Islam are not one and the same. The MPL is a jurist given law and is not entirely divine. It is more appropriate to call it Anglo-Muhammadan law.

GS Paper 2

Artemis Accords: In a new space

Source: The post is based on an article “Artemis Accords: In a new space” published in the Indian Express on 24th June 2023.  

Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations.

Relevance: About the significance of Artemis Mission and associated challenges. 

News: Recently, India signed the Artemis Accord. It demonstrates India’s commitment to following best practices in space exploration. 

About Artemis Mission 

What are the implications of the Artemis Accord for US-India relations? 

By signing the accord, India has aligned itself with the US-led space exploration program, which currently excludes two major space explorers – Russia and China. 

Further, the agreement is important considering the US-India relationship in the 1980s and 1990s, when the US hindered India’s access to crucial space technology. 

It also pressured Russia to retract its commitment to supply cryogenic technology, setting back India’s space program for nearly three decades. 

Now, in the joint statements, the US has promised to address export controls and facilitate technology transfer. This indicates a shift in the US stance towards India and a willingness to collaborate on space technology. 

What is the significance of the Accord for India? 

India’s space plans like human missions, moon landings, planetary explorations, setting up a space station, has already been done by countries like the US, Russia or China.  

While achieving these missions independently provide expertise, there are also concerns of staying behind the other countries in such missions. 

Moreover, India’s delay in sending manned missions or landing a satellite on the moon is not due to a lack of capacity or expertise but rather the technology denial regime of earlier years. 

Therefore, joining the US-led alliance is an attempt by India to collaborate on the next generation of space technologies while simultaneously pursuing its own space plans. 

What are the challenges with India signing the Artemis Accord? 

Russia has been India’s most trusted partner both in the space and defence sectors. Recently, Russia also offered its facilities to train Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission. 

Therefore, India joining a US-led alliance that promotes the interest of the US is not likely to be seen very favourably by Russia. 

Hence, India will have to strike a careful and delicate balance that it has been doing in the energy sector ever since the war in Ukraine. 

Bridging the gap – Efforts to reduce gender disparities must continue in earnest

Source: The post is based on an article “Bridging the gap – Efforts to reduce gender disparities must continue in earnest” published in The Hindu on 24th June 2023.  

Syllabus: GS 2 – Issues Related with Women

Relevance: About the Gender Gap Report, 2023 and reducing gender disparities. 

News: India has seen a rise in its ranking in the annual Gender Gap Report, 2023.  

What are the key findings of the Gender Gap Report, 2023? 

What concerns lie with India in reducing gender disparities? 

Despite the improvement in ranking, there is still more that can be done by India. 

For instance, India still has room for progress in the four key areas of the report: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.  

Further, despite India’s improvement in female political empowerment with the representation of women of over 40% in local governance, women still represent only 15.1% of parliamentarians. 

Therefore, Parliament should take efforts in reducing the parity by acting on the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill, introduced in 1996. The bill proposes to reserve 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. 

Moreover, even though improvement in sex ratio at birth has closed the gender parity, concerns still lie in India’s performance in health and survival. 

What measures can be taken by India for reducing gender disparities? 

India must ensure equal access to education for girls, from school to college along with providing opportunities for paid work. 

Moreover, offering girls education that guarantees job opportunities can enhance overall development indicators, including nutrition. It can also break the cycle of early marriage and its negative impact on maternal and child health. 

Squaring the circle at the India-Egypt summit

Source– The post is based on the article “A doorway to an entrepreneurial university” published in “The Hindu” on 24th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral groupings and agreements

Relevance- India and Egypt bilateral relationship

News– Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Egypt (June 24-25, 2023).

What is the status of the bilateral relationship between India and Egypt?

Historical and civilisational connect– Historically, India-Egypt ties are perhaps the oldest civilisational link. In 2750 BCE, the Pharaoh Sahure sent ships to peninsular India.

By the middle of the second millennium BCE, Egyptian mummies were wrapped in muslin dyed with indigo, both from India.

Past centuries of contacts produced plenty of goodwill and verbal shibboleths. Both countries advocated for decolonisation and favoured non-alignment.

Trade and investment– India’s trade with Egypt stood at $6,061 million in 2022-23. It has declined by 17% over the previous year. Nearly a third of it was petroleum related.

India was Egypt’s sixth largest trading partner, while Egypt was India’s 38th. Indian investments in Egypt were spread over 50 projects totalling $3.15 billion. Egypt has invested only $37 million in India.

Bilateral institutional mechanisms– India has a Joint Commission, Foreign Office Consultations and at least nine joint working groups.

Its Defence and External Affairs Ministers visited Egypt during the past year. It had a bilateral summit less than five months ago when the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, visited India.

What are the opportunities that can be leveraged for improving bilateral relationships?

Egypt is a large country having a population of 105 million and an economy ($378 billion). It is politically stable, and its socio-economic conditions are quite like India.

Egypt’s largest imports are refined petroleum, wheat, cars, corn and pharmaceuticals. India has the potential to supply all these.

The Egyptian government has an ambitious infrastructure development agenda, with 49 mega projects including the construction of a New Cairo ($58 billion), and a $23 billion high-speed rail network.

During 2015-19, Egypt was the world’s third-largest arms importer.

What are the challenges in the India and Egypt bilateral relationship?

The Egyptian economy is in a crisis. The huge financial commitments have coincided with a static economy, pandemic, global slowdown and the Ukraine conflict. Tourism has dropped and imports such as cereals have become costly.

Annual inflation is above 30% and the currency has lost more than half its value since February 2022. Foreign exchange scarcity has forced the deferral of payments for such essentials as wheat.

The Gulf Arab states initially supported the Egyptian economy with nearly $30 billion. But, they have been lately reluctant due to various governance issues in Egypt.

Egypt’s foreign debt is over $163 billion (43% of the GDP) and its net foreign assets are minus $24.1 billion.

GS Paper 3

Amid roar over increase in tiger count, murmur for NTCA revamp

Source: The post is based on the article “Amid roar over increase in tiger count, murmur for NTCA revamp” published in “The Times of India” on 24th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Conservation.

Relevance: About NTCA Revamp.

News: Indian Forest Service officers in Madhya Pradesh are debating the revamp of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

While some officers are in favour of delegating greater powers to those experienced in tiger conservation, others believe NTCA is the best organization of its kind in the world.

What are the arguments for NTCA revamp?

Ensure timely action in emergencies: Delegation of greater powers to the experienced custodians of the forest will take conservation efforts to the next level. Empowering the local custodians will ensure timely action in emergencies.

Placements in NTCA: Transparency in the placement and presence of officers with unparalleled experience in NTCA would guide the NTCA towards more effective strategies.

Coordination: Despite being a nodal agency, NTCA has not done much to develop better coordination between tiger states.

Capacity building: NTCA should also focus on capacity building of people around the tiger reserves. If proper steps are not taken, they might be misled. NTCA can generate funds that can be utilized for their training and skill development.

Budget: The number of tiger reserves has doubled in the last few years, but the budget remains the same.

What are the arguments against the NTCA revamp?

A powerful public body: Only NTCA has the power to ensure that any land in India (lying between two Protected Areas) is not used for ecologically unsustainable purposes. NTCA has the power to give binding directions to any person, officer, or authority regarding tiger conservation.

Non-compliance by states: Non-compliance of NTCA’s directions by tiger range states is hazardous for tiger conservation. Government should amend the Wildlife Act for stricter compliance of NTCA directives.

Enough budgets: The government of India has enough budgets. Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) money is also being allotted.

Our lives depend on plants — we must have plant literacy to understand climate change

Source: The post is based on the article “Our lives depend on plants — we must have plant literacy to understand climate change” published in “The Times of India” on 24th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Environment

Relevance: About the issues faced by the plant species.

News: Recent research has shown how the construction of different vascular systems allows plants to live in disparate regions of the world. The study also shows how plants evolved as well as how they will respond to future climatic conditions.

What are some key features of plant architecture?

Vascular system: The vascular system is a series of cells arranged similar to pipes. Plants developed this system 400 million years ago to transport water. 

There is a strong relationship between the amount of water a plant can extract from soil and transport to its leaves and its productivity which translates to growth in agricultural systems.

Stomata: Microscopic valves called stomata regulate the flow of carbon dioxide into leaves for photosynthesis. However, when the stomata open to allow carbon dioxide in, they also expose the inside of the leaves to dry air. As a result, plants lose approximately 400 water molecules for every CO2 molecule they take up, with greater water loss in dry environments.

When water is limited, the plant closes its stomata, cutting off the CO2 it normally takes up from the atmosphere. Plants have been fine-tuning the cells that control water flow in them over millennia.

How anthropogenic conditions are impacting plant species at present?

Plants have evolved over millions of years to cope with all sorts of variability. That includes fluctuations in temperature, humidity, pathogens and pests. 

Plants created a range of adaptations for water stress also. For example, they evolved gravitational sensing mechanisms which allow them to know which way to grow deeper for water and nutrients. 

But due to climate change and associated droughts, the variability changes much more frequently and plants face challenges in adapting to them. 

What should be done to protect the plant species?

As a species, humans are completely dependent on plants for day to day lives. So, to protect them, a) There should be a clear understanding of the physiological tipping points for plant species to create solutions for climate resilience, particularly in farming, and b) The government’s around the world should work on improving plant literacy among the public –to understand what climate change means for Earth’s flora, forests and farming. 

The uproar over the new COP28 President

Source– The post is based on the article “Credit for India-US bonhomie goes to Xi Jinping” published in “The Indian Express” and the article “Soft or hard power?” published in “Business Standard” on 24th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Bilateral groupings and agreements

Relevance– India and US bilateral relationship

News- The article explains the importance of India and US bilateral relationship for Asian geopolitics. It also explains the importance of hard power in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

How is evolving India and US relations important in the context of Asian geopolitics?

This new moment in bilateral relations is important for the evolution of Asian geopolitics. The new India-US defence partnership can ensure that Asia is not vulnerable to domination by any one power.

The India-US defence compact is not an effort to contain Beijing. China is too large and powerful to contain.

It is an attempt to build a multipolar Asia with sufficient deterrent capabilities and ensure respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region.

Both Delhi and Washington want productive relations with China. India’s engagement with China,  to restore peace and tranquillity on the disputed border reflects that approach. The US is re-engaging China so that current tensions do not escalate into a shooting war.

The outlines of a more expansive defence cooperation unveiled by the two leaders shows the convergence of their geopolitical and geo-economic interests in Asia.

The US support for the modernisation of India’s defence industrial base is part of the effort to strengthen India’s military capabilities and enhance its deterrence against China.

What were the India-US differences over Asian order during the cold war and efforts to deal with these differences?

This inability of Delhi and Washington to build a productive relationship in the past was rooted in a profound disagreement on the preferred geopolitical order in Asia.

The divergence included the assessment of Soviet Russia and Communist China, Washington’s Cold War alliances, and the US tilt to Pakistan.

There were occasional moments after the Chinese attack on India, and more recently in the early 2000s, to explore a common agenda for Asia.

The formation of the Quadrilateral Forum in 2007 and the emergence of the Indo-Pacific construct provided a basis for serious India-US strategic collaboration in Asia.

How has China always concerned about the strong bilateral relationship between India and the US?

Chinese concern about India-US strategic cooperation was evident in Beijing’s intense opposition to the Bush-Manmohan Singh civil nuclear initiative and its continued blocking of India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

China did not have to work too hard to keep Delhi and Washington separate. India’s own reluctance to develop strong defence cooperation with Washington, in the name of “non-alignment” helped China.

Keeping distance from the US, or “strategic autonomy” was defined as a first principle of India’s foreign policy. It left China free to build a relationship with the US on its own terms.

Beijing has become the greatest champion of India’s “strategic autonomy”. The Chinese commentariat praises Delhi’s independent foreign policy.

What are the push factors behind the increasing closeness between India and the US?

The credit for moving India and the US closer than ever before goes to the assertive policies of Xi Jinping.

The crises of Doklam (2017) and Galwan (2020) persuaded India to boost its deterrence against China as the principal strategic objective. This led Delhi to seek stronger strategic partnerships with the US and its allies.

Washington too has changed in the interim. In the last two years, Washington has moved away from an Asia policy framed around the bilateral relationship with Beijing.

The US has revitalised its traditional alliances with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia, created new coalitions like the AUKUS, and upgraded the Quad forum to the summit level.

Underlying this is a new US strategy to build a more balanced Asia. That suits Delhi. It is not seeking an alliance with the US but a partnership that will elevate India’s capabilities and help contribute to a stable Asian architecture.

How can the logic of hard power explain the bilateral relationship?

It has India’s growing military and economic clout, and the potential of the market. The aircraft ordered by IndiGo and Air India are only one manifestation of this.

India’s is the world’s fifth-largest economy and likely to become the third-largest before too long.

The Indian economy is only 15% of the US’ in size, but its contribution to  world growth is 60% of the US’ because it is growing four times as fast this year.

India’s military too matters, especially in the Indian Ocean. Here, it can counter China’s  expanding navy aided by the surveillance and attack capabilities of a dozen American Poseidon aircraft and the 31 Sea Guardian drones being ordered.

India’s defence budget is the world’s fourth-largest, and it is the world’s biggest defence importer.

Many Western companies see a brighter future like General Electric, which, with HAL, will make engines in India for the Tejas, Mark 2. India can therefore afford to be more assertive in its foreign policy.

On the other side of the equation, the US economy has comfortably outpaced the European Union in the last decade-plus and is now 25% bigger.

It is uniquely positioned as the home of the major tech companies. It is the source of vital technology and capital, and with a critical role when negotiating multilateral issues like trade and climate change.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Global Liveability Index: These are the world’s most liveable cities for 2023

Source: The post is based on the article “Global Liveability Index: These are the world’s most liveable cities for 2023” published in Indian Express on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has released the Global Liveability Index 2023.

What is the Global Liveability Index?

Global Liveability Index quantifies the challenges presented to an individual’s lifestyle in 173 cities worldwide. 

The index ranked the cities based on these five metrics: healthcare, culture, environment, education, and stability.

This ranking offers insights into the cities that excel in providing an exceptional quality of life.

What are the key rankings of the Global Liveability Index 2023?

Top Liveable cities: Vienna (Austria), Copenhagen (Denmark), Melbourne and Sydney (Australia).

Bottom 3 Liveable cities: Algiers (Algeria), Tripoli (Libya) and Damascus (Syria).

From India, New Delhi and Mumbai are at 141st position and Chennai at 144th. Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are ranked 147 and 148.

Observations made by the index: Attempts to restore normalcy after the Covid-19 pandemic and the “incremental improvements in liveability made by many developing countries” have been the biggest drivers of changes in its global liveability rankings.

– Those in Western Europe, in particular, have slipped in rankings due to increased instances of workers’ strikes failing to “match gains” made by cities in Asia and the Middle East.

– The cities which are plagued by ongoing civil unrest and military conflicts, amongst other issues, remained at the bottom of the list.

What was the Liaquat-Nehru pact, due to which Syama Prasad Mookerjee resigned from the Union cabinet?

Source: The post is based on the article “What was the Liaquat-Nehru pact, due to which Syama Prasad Mookerjee resigned from the Union cabinet?” published in Indian Express on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

Syama Prasad Mookerjee, founder of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, had resigned from the cabinet in April 1950 over the controversial Nehru-Liaquat Pact.

What is the Nehru-Liaquat Pact?

The Nehru-Liaquat Pact also known as the Delhi Pact was a bilateral agreement signed between India and Pakistan in order to provide a framework for the treatment of minorities in the two countries. 

It was signed by the two country’s Prime Ministers, Jawaharlal Nehru and Liaquat Ali Khan.

The need for such a pact was felt by minorities in both countries following partition, which was accompanied by massive communal rioting.

What are the key provisions of the Nehru-Liaquat Pact? 

Under the pact, both countries agreed to: a) Ensure complete and equal right of citizenship and security of life and properties to their minorities, b) Ensure full fundamental human rights which include the rights of freedom of movement, freedom of thoughts and expression and the right of religion, c) Set up a minorities commission to make sure that minorities would be represented.

They also agreed not to violate the rules of the pact and to make all efforts to reinforce it. If the minorities faced any problem, it would be the duty of both the governments to redress their problems without delay. 

In short, this pact agreed to guarantee full right to their minorities and to accord them the status of citizens

What were the issues Syama Prasad Mookerjee had with the pact?

Syama Prasad Mookerjee had initially been an advocate for a united India.

However, as Partition became increasingly inevitable, he shifted his focus towards advocating for a divided Bengal, with West Bengal specifically meant for Hindu Bengalis.

When the Delhi Pact was signed, which promised minority rights and the establishment of minority commissions in both India and Pakistan, Mookerjee was extremely angry.

He felt that the Pact would essentially leave Hindus in East Bengal at the mercy of the Pakistani state.

Instead, he argued for a systematic exchange of population and property at the governmental level between East Bengal and the states of Tripura, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar.

He also favoured a plan granting the Hindu minority in East Bengal an opportunity to settle in India while pushing the Muslim minorities in India to East Bengal.

Joha rice — the Nutraceutical of choice in diabetes management

Source: The post is based on the article “Joha rice — the Nutraceutical of choice in diabetes management” published in PIB on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) have found that the Joha Rice is effective in lowering the blood glucose and preventing diabetes onset.

What is Joha Rice?

Joha Rice is an aromatic rice cultivated in the Northeastern region of India. 

It is an indigenous rice class of Assam and is a special class of winter rice in cultivation over centuries.

It has got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2017.

Joha has a special place among all kinds of rice and is extremely valued, generally known for its scent, essence and exemplary taste. 

The characteristic scent of Joha rice is classified as absolutely different from the famous basmati rice.

What did the researchers find about the benefits of Joha Rice?

Joha rice variety has two unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic (omega-3) acid.  These essential fatty acids (which humans cannot produce) can help maintain various physiological conditions.

Omega-3 fatty acid prevents several metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. 

It has also proved to be effective in lowering blood glucose and preventing diabetes onset in diabetic rats.

PM in Egypt: What is the Heliopolis Memorial for Indian soldiers who fought in World War 1?

Source: The post is based on the article “PM in Egypt: What is the Heliopolis Memorial for Indian soldiers who fought in World War 1?” published in Indian Express on 23rd June 2023

What is the News? 

The Indian Prime Minister will pay his respects at the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial in the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo, Egypt. 

What is Heliopolis Memorial?

The Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial is part of the larger Heliopolis Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. 

This memorial commemorates the memory of 3,727 Indian soldiers who died fighting in various campaigns in Egypt and Palestine in the First World War. 

What was the role of the Indian Army in West Asia in the First World War?

Indian troops of the expeditionary forces sent from India played a major role in West Asia in the First World War. 

The Indian troops played a key role in securing the Suez Canal in Egypt and in Palestine, where Indian cavalry participated in the Battle of Haifa, commemorated in New Delhi in a war memorial. 

Indian soldiers also played a key role in Mesopotamia in the First World War.

First-ever Comprehensive Energy Sector Report of BEE’s Energy Data Management Unit released

Source: The post is based on the article “First-ever Comprehensive Energy Sector Report of BEE’s Energy Data Management Unit released” published in PIB on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

The Union Ministry of Power has released a report titled National Energy Data: Survey and Analysis 2021-22.

What is National Energy Data: Survey and Analysis 2021-22?

Prepared by: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Ministry of Power) in collaboration with NITI Aayog.

Objectives of the report: To provide granular information about energy supply and consumption patterns across various sectors of the Indian economy.

– To provide an overview of the impact of various energy conservation policies and their associated carbon dioxide emission reduction and monetary savings. 

What are the key findings of the report?

India conserved 249 billion units (BUs) of electricity to save Rs 1.60 lakh crore in bills for the 2021-22 financial year.

The total equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions is around 280 Million Tonnes annually.

There exists limited data on non-commercial energy sources such as biomass, although these modes meet significant energy needs.

Central Government Amends Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 by Introducing Time of Day (ToD) Tariff and Simplification of Smart Metering rules

Source: The post is based on the article “Central Government Amends Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 by Introducing Time of Day (ToD) Tariff and Simplification of Smart Metering rules” published in PIB on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

The Government of India has introduced two changes to the prevailing power tariff system, through an amendment to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. 

What are the changes introduced by the government in the prevailing power tariff system?

Introduction of Time of Day (ToD) Tariff: Rather than being charged for electricity at the same rate at all times of the day, the price one pay for electricity will vary according to the time of day.  

– Under the ToD Tariff system, Tariffs during solar hours (duration of eight hours in a day as specified by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission) of the day shall be 10%-20% less than the normal tariff, while the tariff during peak hours will be 10 to 20% higher. 

– ToD tariff would be applicable for Commercial and Industrial consumers having Maximum demand of 10 KW and above from 1st April 2024 and for all other consumers except agricultural consumers from 1st April 2025. 

– Time of Day tariff shall be made effective immediately after installation of smart meters, for the consumers with smart meters.

Changes made in smart metering provision: The government has also simplified the rules for smart metering. 

– To avoid inconvenience/harassment of the consumers, the existing penalties for the increase in consumer demand beyond the maximum sanctioned load/demand have been reduced.  

– As per the amendment in the metering provision, post-installation of a smart meter, no penal charges will be imposed on a consumer based on the maximum demand recorded by the smart meter for the period before the installation date. 

– Load revision procedure has also been rationalized in a way that maximum demand shall be revised upwards only if the sanctioned load has been exceeded at least three times in a financial year. 

– Moreover, smart meters shall be read remotely at least once in a day and the data shall be shared with Consumers in order to enable them to make informed decisions about the consumption of electricity.

WTO disputes between India and US: India, US agree to end 6 WTO disputes

Source: The post is based on the article “India, US agree to end 6 WTO disputes” published in Business Standard on 24th June 2023

What is the News?

India and the US have agreed to end six trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation.

What are the six concluded WTO disputes between India and US?

The six disputes include three initiated by India and as many by the US.

These include 1) countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, 2) certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, 3) measures relating to the renewable energy sector, 4) export-related measures, 5) certain measures on steel and aluminium products and 6) additional duties on some products from the US.

The one pending case is the poultry case where both India and the US remain involved in discussions to find a solution by the end of this year.

What are the other decisions India and the US have taken related to trade disputes?

Decided to remove tariffs on products: In 2018, the US imposed 25% and 10% import duties on certain steel and aluminium products respectively, on grounds of national security.

In retaliation, India in 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products. India had also filed a complaint against the US in WTO for imposing these duties.

Now the US has assured India that at least 70% of all such requests for steel and 80% of all such requests for aluminium applications for products originating in India will be excluded from the additional tariffs. India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs which it had imposed.

Agreed to discuss GSP: The US had in 2019 withdrawn India’s preferential tariff benefits under the Generalised System of Preferences (a US trade preference program which provides opportunities to specific countries to grow their trade).

After the current US-Indo meeting, the two countries have also agreed to discuss India’s demand for the restoration of GSP benefits to domestic exporters.

What is the significance of these decisions taken by India and the US?

This development comes at a time when trade between the two countries has reached a record high and the US has emerged as India’s biggest trading partner.

According to the provisional data of the Commerce Ministry, bilateral trade between India and the US was about $128.55 billion in 2022-23. It was $80.51 billion in 2020-21.

Jet engine deal ensures 80% technology transfer to HAL; first engine in three years

Source: The post is based on the article “Jet engine deal ensures 80% technology transfer to HAL; first engine in three years” published in The Hindu on 24th June 2023

What is the News?

American multinational corporation General Electric (GE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a deal during the Indian PM’s state visit to the US. The deal involves the manufacturing of GE’s F414 engine for India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2.

What is GE’s F414 jet engine deal signed between GE and HAL?

According to the agreement, F414 engines will be co-produced in India to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk2.

A noteworthy aspect of this agreement is that 80% of the engine manufacturing will take place within India, with only minor components being sourced from elsewhere.

This infusion of advanced technology represents a major breakthrough for India, solidifying its access to cutting-edge defence technologies.

Moreover, by localizing the production of these engines, India will experience streamlined maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes, resulting in improved efficiency.

It will take three years for the first engine to roll out once the contract is signed. 

What is the significance of this Jet engine deal?

Firstly, the deal assumes significance because very few countries around the world have the know-how to develop their own jet engine. So far, only the US, Russia, the UK, and France have the expertise to develop jet engines independently.

– The technology and metallurgy around manufacturing a jet engine capable of powering a fighter aircraft are very closely guarded and remain the single biggest impediment for countries worldwide wanting to develop their own combat aircraft.

Secondly, the 80% technology transfer to HAL is of critical importance. Such a transfer has not happened before and shows the level of trust India evokes in the U.S.

Union Minister launches Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI) 2022

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister launches Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI) 2022” published in PIB on 23rd June 2023

What is the News?

Union Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances has launched the Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI) 2022.

What is Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI)?

GRAI was conceptualized and designed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

Objective: To present an organisation-wise comparative picture and provide valuable insights about strengths and areas of improvement regarding the grievance redressal mechanism.

Parameters: Eighty-nine Central Ministries and Departments were assessed and ranked based on a comprehensive index in the dimensions of (1) Efficiency, (2) Feedback, (3) Domain and (4) Organizational Commitment and corresponding 12 indicators.

Source of data: To compute the index, data between January and December 2022 was used from the Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Management System (CPGRAMS).

Groupings: Ministries and Departments were grouped into three groups based on the number of grievances registered in the calendar year 2022 at CPGRAMS

What are the key findings of the GRAI 2022?

Rankings: The Department of Posts, Department of Financial Services (Pension Reforms) and Department of Land Resources have topped the rankings in Group A, B and C respectively.

For the first time, the average disposal time of public grievances by central ministries and departments has come down to 16 days, a reduction of about 50%.

What is the Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Management System (CPGRAMS)?

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