Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• India-US economic partnership needs more energy
• In politics and bureaucracy, women are severely under-represented
• Reimagining the urban­ – rural dichotomy
• Safe harbour at risk: On the impact of the proposed Digital India Act, 2023
• The China hand in Saudi-Iran diplomacy
• Adultery as misconduct and judicial musings

GS Paper 3

• Remove the value cap on exports by courier for an SME trade boom
• The rise of the ESG regulations

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• ISRO releases the Landslide Atlas of India: Which states, regions are most vulnerable
• Reddmatter: The Scientific Breakthrough That Could Make Batteries Last Longer
• Research team at IIT-Roorkee discovers new antibacterial molecule
• ISRO brings down decommissioned weather satellite: What is a controlled re-entry? Why is it done?
• Russia crude in tank, India steps up petroleum product exports to EU as region shuns Moscow
• More buildings set to achieve net-zero waste
• Milestone in India and Australia reach Critical Minerals Investment Partnership
• Scientists devise ‘glowscope’ to bring fluorescent microscopy to schools

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

India-US economic partnership needs more energy

News:India-US Commercial Dialogue was held recently in which Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met his US counterpart. The discussions were held on various issues.

What were discussions made in the India-US Commercial Dialogue?

Mid-year review: Both sides agreed for a mid-year review of outstanding issues by their officials.

Supply-chain resilience: They both agreed to cooperate in supply-chain resilience by decoupling from China-centred production networks.

The other areas on which discussions made were –iCET, green and digital economies and IPEF.

However, problems like tax policy in India and end-use restriction along with other restrictions in the US were not discussed at the commercial dialogue.

The India-US Commercial Dialogue show that both nations are moving towards a strong partnership. However, concerns still remain.

What are the concerns with the bilateral trade between India and the US?

The attitudes in both countries on trade have reversed in the past decade.

For example, the Indian government is focusing on signing FTAs while the US has closed itself off from further trade negotiations and continues to hold the World Trade Organization and the multilateral system.

Furthermore, there have been no discussions on market access which the US provides for its partners.

US companies are also not as interested in the sectors like job-intensive, industrial, or infrastructure-related, that are of most interest to the Indian side.

Even in the case of iCET, the question remains whether the iCET can be leveraged in such a way that both countries benefit from integrating their hi-tech sectors.

However, despite these concerns, the US plays an important role in improving India’s economy. Therefore, regular discussions at policy level should be held. This will help in taking economic relations forward.

In politics and bureaucracy, women are severely under-represented

News– Despite economic growth, women’s participation in India’s economy, polity and society has not grown much.

What are statistics related to representation of women in the legislature?

As per data by the Inter-Parliamentary Union women make up 14.44% of the Lok Sabha in India. As per the latest report of the ECI, women represent 10.5% of all Members of Parliament as of October 2021.

For all the state assemblies, female MLAs’ representation stands at an average of 9%. India’s ranking in this regard has fallen over the last few years.

It is currently behind Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. The data for May 2022 showed that women’s representation in Pakistan was 20%, in Bangladesh 21%, and in Nepal was 34%. Since Independence, women’s representation in Lok Sabha has not even increased by 10%

What is the status of women in bureaucracy in India?

The representation of Indian women in bureaucracy is also lacking. as per Indian Administrative Services data and the central government’s employment census of 2011, less than 11% of its total employees were women. In 2020, this reached 13%.

In fact, out of a total of 11,569 IAS officers entering service between 1951 and 2020, only 1,527 were women. Further, only 14% of Secretaries in the IAS were women in 2022. There are only three women chief secretaries across Indian states and union territories.

India has never had a woman cabinet secretary. There have been no women Secretaries of Home, Finance, Defence and Personnel, either.

As per UPSC, in 2019, 1,77,611 women appeared for the UPSC examination, and 1,534 women qualified. In comparison, 3,90,671 male candidates appeared for the exam and 10,311 qualified.

Women candidates are more likely to seek voluntary retirement from service, compared to men. Structural impediments to women’s empowerment make it difficult for them to be a part of the services.

Service conditions involving postings in distant cadres, patriarchal society and balancing family commitments along with the requirements of this job are social factors responsible for women opting out of the civil services.

Furthermore, there is a general perception that women should be preferred for “soft” ministries like Social Welfare, Culture, Women and Child Development.

What is the economic status of women in India?

Only 20.37% of MSME owners are women. 10% of start-ups are founded by females. 23.3% of women are in the labour force.

Further, the measurement of the female labour force is difficult. Most of the available statistics on India’s female labour rate do not include the unpaid work done by females.

Reimagining the urban­ – rural dichotomy

News– The rural urban continuum or urban rural continuum has drawn wide attention in recent years.

What is the urban-rural continuum?

It is an intermediate settlement formation that lies between rural and urban areas. Here, rural and urban functions coexist without distinguishable boundaries.

Such formations evolve due to interactions of a complex set of geographical, cultural, economic and historical processes.

What is the status of urban-rural continuum in India?

Kerala is well known for the rural­-urban continuum in the coastal plain. Geographical factors and affirmative public policy promoting distributive justice and decentralisation have increased rural­-urban linkages.

In recent years, the rural-­urban continuum has developed in various parts of the country. The urban industrial interaction fields in India are spreading by linking rural areas and small towns around megacities and urban corridors.

What are the reasons behind the phenomena of urban-rural continuum?

In 30 years, technology and economic globalisationhave increased the mobility of resources and people and enhanced inter-and intra-country connectivity.

The extension of transport and communication systems,improved access to energy, increased affordability of private and public transport and penetration of economic networks into remote areas promote a rural­-urban continuum.

Rural hinterlands are connected to multiple urban centres. The movement of goods, people, information and finance between sites of production and consumption has strengthened linkages between production and labour markets.

What are impacts associated with urban-rural continuum?

As the pull factors grow, push factors driving populations out from both rural areas and urban areas are also intensifying.

In the process, a mixed economy zone of primary, secondary and tertiary sectors has evolved.

The rural-­urban continuum areas also witness changing ecosystems. Agriculturally productive lands are being given for other uses. Food security zones are being reconfigured.

Areas for pollutant filtering are declining. There is an increase in waste dump, enhanced disaster risk, and elevated vulnerability.

The access of local people to water, food, fuel, fodder and fibre from ecosystems is reducing. Intermediary market institutions are emerging to provide these goods. It has significant implications for the local people.

There is also an escalation of the market value of land. It further marginalizes them.

Why is it important to recognize urban-rural continuum?

Social, economic development and environmental issues cannot be addressedwithout acknowledging the rural­-urban continuum.

Acknowledging the rural­-urban continuum will help identify challenges for improving both urban and rural governance and opportunities for enhanced access to employment, services, institutional resources and environmental management.

A 2021 World Bank Policy Research Working Paper advocated adopting the notion of urban catchment areas delineated along an urban rural continuum.

Identification of such areas would help understand urban rural interconnections. It is important for making policy decisions across development sectors and for addressing issues related to environment and natural resources management.

A 2008 report of the Study Team on rural-urban continuum was based on studies in eight countries around the world including India.

It emphasised understanding the changing relationship between ecosystems and livelihoods under diversified economic systems across the rural-urban continuum.

What is the way forward to ensure the proper growth of the urban-rural continuum?

The institutional connections between rural and urban areas operate at different levels forvarious development sectors.

The key challenge of decision making is to build rural­-urban partnership. To achieve this, asystems approach is recommended. Here, the city and the surroundings form a city region.

A perspective plan is prepared for this city region by integrating rural and urban plans within a common frame.

It is important that the rural urban linkages are better mapped.Satellite based settlement data and its integration with Census data may be useful for it.

Safe harbour at risk: On the impact of the proposed Digital India Act, 2023

News: The proposed Digital India Act, 2023 is set to become the replacement of the obsolete IT Act, 2000.

Removal of the protection to digital intermediaries in the form of safe harbour clause, is one of the debates that is ongoing.

What steps are taken earlier to remove protection for intermediaries?

The government has increased the compliance burden on Internet intermediaries by IT Rules 2021 and its later amendments.

IT rules 2021 placed obligations on SMIs to ensure an open, safe and trusted internet. It provided users of social media and OTT platforms with a mechanism for redressal and timely resolution of their grievance. For this matter a Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO) to be appointed, who should be a resident in India. Appeals were filed against the rules.

In Oct 2022 amendment to IT rules 2021 provided for government-appointed committees. It will adjudicate on an individual user’s appeals against moderation decisions of these intermediaries.

In January 2023, the IT Ministry proposed an amendment on the take down of social media/news content that has been marked as “fake” or“false” by the Press Information Bureau or any other government agency.

What are the concerns associated with digital India Act?

Requirements on intermediaries may become needlessly difficult and punitive.

Safe harbour provisions, in particular Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act, 1996, has helped in development of internet. It should be taken into consideration. Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act, 1996, that explicitly provided immunity to online services with respect to user-generated content.

The China hand in Saudi-Iran diplomacy

News: Recently, the Saudi Arabia and Iran entered a deal, which was brokered by China.

Both countries re-established their relations, seven years after breaking off ties.

Under this deal, Iran and Saudi Arabia will reopen their embassies, revive a 2001 security pact, and a 1998 agreement to build economic, commercial, scientific, cultural and sports ties. China is also a signatory to the deal.

Why both countries have tilted towards China?

Saudi Arabia: In 2019, Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, made the drone attacks on its oil facilities in 2019. However, US led by Trump declined to help Saudis. Similarly, Biden administration also signalled decreasing interest in the region.

Iran: Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Furthermore, US carried out the targeted killing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard chief Qassem Soleimani.

Significance and implications of this deal

First, this agreement may resolve the ongoing conflicts between 2 countries in Yemen, Syria and Lebanon.

Second, it establishes China’s dominance in the region, which was a US turf, until now.

Third, it may rebuild the China’s image as an international peacebuilder, from the earlier image of a territorial aggressor and a loan shark.

Fourth, China has been trying to improve relations with both countries for a long time. In 2021, it signed a strategic cooperation pact with Iran. It has been in contact with crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, when US was reluctant to maintain its relationship.

What are its implications for India?

First, it makes China, an important geopolitical player in the Persian Gulf, where India has been continuously strengthening its ties.

Second, India has also been strengthening its relations with US. Now with US weakening in the region, it won’t be able to help India.

Third,I2U2 (Israel-India-UAE-US) or “quad of the middle east” may render dysfunctional with the isolation of UAE and Israel.

Adultery as misconduct and judicial musings

News– Recently, the Union government sought clarification from the Court saying that any adulterous acts should be governed by the relevant sections of the Army Act, the Air Force Act and the Navy Act. They are special legislations by virtue of Article 33 of the Constitution.

What are the provisions of Article 33?

Parliament has powers to restrict or abrogate the fundamental rights of certain categories of persons, including members of the armed forces to ensure the proper discharge oftheir duties and the maintenance of discipline among them.

What was the stand of SC on the clarifications sought by the government?

The Court said that it was not concerned with the effect and operation of therelevant provisions of special acts of armed forces.

Court did not approve of adultery. It found adultery as a moral and civil wrong and a ground for securing dissolution of marriage.

What is the stand of SC on adultery?

The Supreme Court of India decriminalised adultery in Joseph Shine versus Union of India.

It held Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code along with Section 198 of the Criminal Procedure Code to be unconstitutional. These provisions were violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

What are various judgments related to adultery by government employees?

The Rajasthan High Court, in Mahesh Chand Sharma versus State of Rajasthan and Others (2019) set aside the departmental proceedings against the inspector in the Rajasthan Police. He had illicit relations with one woman constable.

The High Court held that no employer can be allowed to do moral policing on its employee’s personal choices and selections cannot be a subject matter of departmental proceedings under the Service Conduct Rules.

Gujarat High Court in Maheshbhai Bhurjibhai Damor versus State of Gujarat and 3 others case of 2022, set aside the dismissal order of an armed police constable. There were allegations that he had developed illicit relations with a widow, and it amounted to misconduct.

The Court held that in order to prove misconduct, allegations must have some correlation with the duties to be performed by the government servant.

What is the way forward to deal with the issue of adultery by personnel of the armed forces?

An example may be drawn with the conduct of army personnel who consumes alcohol. Unless the drinking habits affect the discharge of his duties or discipline of the force, no departmental action is initiated.

Article 33 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to restrict the fundamental rights of the members of the armed forces. But there is a caveat. This can be used to ensure the proper discharge of their duties and the maintenance of discipline among them.

The same principle will also apply to members of the forces charged with the maintenance of public order, i.e., the police personnel of all States and Union Territories

It can be inferred in all relevant judgments related to adultery that if the conduct interferes with the honest discharge of duties; then it may be considered unbecoming of a government servant. The legislative intent of Article 33 of the Constitution is also similar.

Therefore, the right to privacy available to the members of the armed forces cannot be taken away under the guise of special legislation. It should have some correlation with their duties.

GS Paper 3

Remove the value cap on exports by courier for an SME trade boom

News: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that India will be the world’s fourth largest economy by 2027 with a GDP of about $5.53 trillion.

The article highlights the measures required in the export sector to reach this target.

What are some measures taken by India to support growth and trade?

Measures taken by India are – a) GST, b) production-linked incentive program, c) PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity and the National Logistics Policy of 2022, d) various trade agreements, e) onboarding small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to digital platforms.

These are some of the steps taken by India to increase its export and its integration in global value chains.

However, despite these efforts challenges still exist with India’s export sector.

What are the challenges associated with exports?

India’s share in global exports is less than 2% and the country is struggling to meet export targets of $1 trillion of goods and services each by 2030.

This is because of certain restrictions faced by SME exporters. SME exporters lack integration in global value chains, and they also face barriers while using express delivery services.

What are the problems with SMEs in using express delivery services?

The express delivery sector is regulated by the Courier Imports and Exports (Electronics Clearance) Regulation, 2010. This law makes India the only country with a value limit of ₹5 lakh on exports of goods through courier/express mode.

Therefore, high-value shipments are exported through the general cargo mode which causes delays.

This adversely impacts the ability of SMEs in high-value sectors like gems and jewelry, handicrafts, electronics and auto component goods to use express delivery services (EDS) at reasonable cost.

Even though there have been significant changes in India’s express delivery industry over the 25 years, the value restriction continues.

What can be the way ahead?

First, there is an urgent need to review the 2010 Courier Imports and Exports (Electronics Clearance) Regulation and align it with the demands of modernization and with upgraded infrastructure and global best practices.

Second, Indian exporters compete with exporters from countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, China or Thailand in global markets. Therefore, the limit should be removed, and Indian exporters should be provided a level playing field with other countries.

Third, the upcoming Foreign Trade Policy should examine the adverse implication of value limits on exports through the courier mode and push for their removal.

The rise of the ESG regulations

News– Regulators and corporations around the world have embraced the idea that businesses should be measured by their environmental impact, commitment to social issues and the soundness of their corporate governance.

What is the main driver behind this development?

It is the realisation that environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations need to be included by investors in a company’s risk profile in order to accurately assess the enterprise.

How ESG differs from CSR?

Corporate Social Responsibility policy in India mandates corporations to engage in initiatives that contribute to the welfare of society. This mandate has been codified into law.

The list of qualifying CSR activities is intentionally broad. It ranges from supporting the protection of historically important sites to promoting safe drinking water.

ESG regulations, on the other hand,differ in process and impact. The U.K. Modern Slavery Act, for example, requires companies to publish the efforts they have taken to identify and analyse the risks of human trafficking, child labour and debt bondage.

How is ESG evolving in India?

India has long had a number of laws and bodies regarding environmental, social and governance issues.

It includes the Environment Protection Act of 1986, quasi­judicial organisations such as the NGT.Also, a range of labour codes and laws governing employee engagement and corporate governance practices.

New initiatives in India go further. It establishes guidelines that emphasise monitoring, quantification, and disclosure, like ESG requirements found in other parts of the world.

SEBI substantially revised the annual Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) required by the 1,000 largest listed companies in India.

As per SEBI, it is aligned with evolving global standards. It places considerable emphasis on quantifiable metrics to allow companies to engage meaningfully with stakeholders and to enhance investor decision making.

Disclosures range from greenhouse gas emissions to the company’s gender and social diversity.

Further legislations regarding ESG are likely to come, given the increased emphasis by the Indian government on ESG issues.

It can be seen in India’s more active role in global climate forums as well as in specific policy developments.Such as the announcement in January by the Reserve Bank of India that it would be auctioning ₹80 billion in green bonds.

What are the implications for Indian companies?

Compliance with ESG regulations both originating in India and elsewhere around the world have significantly different challenges than India’s CSR regulations.

Compliance by Indian companies with the ESG regulations of the U.S., the U.K., the European Union and elsewhere will be critical.If India is to take full advantage of the growing decouplingfrom China and play a more prominent role in global supply chains.

As Indian companies look to expand their ESG risk management, thorough due diligence will play a key role.

It includes looking at company records, interviewing former employees and making discreet visits to observe operations to ensure that they are complying withinternational ESG standards.

Companies that wish to maximise their opportunities in the global economy need to embrace these new requirements and adjust them accordingly.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

ISRO releases the Landslide Atlas of India: Which states, regions are most vulnerable

Source: The post is based on the article “ISRO releases the Landslide Atlas of India: Which states, regions are most vulnerable” published in Indian Express on 11th March 2023.

What is the News?

National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the Landslide Atlas of India, a detailed guide identifying Landslide Hotspots in the country.

What are Landslides?

Click Here to read

How vulnerable is India to Landslides?

India is considered among the top five landslide-prone countries globally, where at least one death per 100 sq km is reported in a year due to a landslide event. 

Rainfall variability pattern is the single biggest cause for landslides in the country, with the Himalayas and the Western Ghats remaining highly vulnerable.

Excluding snow covered areas, approximately 12.6% of the country’s geographical land area (0.42 million sq km) is prone to landslides. 

As many as 66.5% of the landslides are reported from the North-western Himalayas, about 18.8 per cent from the North-eastern Himalayas, and about 14.7% from the Western Ghats.

In the Western Ghats, despite fewer events, landslides were found to be making inhabitants significantly vulnerable to fatalities, especially in Kerala.

How was the Landslide Atlas of India prepared?

ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad has created a database of landslide-prone regions of India based on events during 1998 – 2022, primarily along the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. 

In addition to aerial images, high resolution satellite images captured using cameras Indian Remote Sensing (IRS-1D) PAN + LISS-III, satellites ResourceSat-1 and 2, etc were used to study the landslides over the past 25 years.

What are the key highlights from Landslide Atlas of India released?

Uttarakhand, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh reported the highest number of landslides during 1998 – 2022.

Mizoram topped the list, recording 12,385 landslide events in the past 25 years, of which 8,926 were recorded in 2017 alone. Mizoram is followed by Uttarakhand (11,219) and Kerala.

The number of districts with the maximum landslide exposure are in Arunachal Pradesh (16), Kerala (14), Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir (13 each), Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Maharashtra (11 each), Mizoram (8) and Nagaland (7).

Reddmatter: The Scientific Breakthrough That Could Make Batteries Last Longer

Source: The post is based on the article “The Scientific Breakthrough That Could Make Batteries Last Longer” published in WSJ on 11th March 2023.

What is the News?

Researchers at the University of Rochester have created a new superconductor material called “Reddmatter”.

What is Reddmatter?

Reddmatter is a new superconductor material. It was formed by combining lutetium (a rare earth metal) with hydrogen and nitrogen.

Naming: It has been named reddmatter after observing how the material’s hue changed from blue to pink to red as it got compressed.

Characteristics: It can operate at room temperature (21 degrees C) and much lower pressure (10,000 atmospheric pressure) than previously discovered superconducting materials.

Applications: It is the first commercially accessible material that eliminates the loss of energy as electricity moves along a wire. This breakthrough could mean longer-lasting batteries, more-efficient power grids and improved high-speed trains.

– Moreover, the new superconductor could also help create lossless electrical grids, and better and cheaper magnets for use in future nuclear fusion reactors, among other things.

Research team at IIT-Roorkee discovers new antibacterial molecule

Source: The post is based on the article “Research team at IIT-Roorkee discovers new antibacterial molecule” published in The Hindu on 13th March 2023.

What is the News?

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee have discovered a new antibacterial molecule named IITR00693.

What is IITR00693?

IITR00693 is a novel antibacterial molecule that could help fight against drug-resistant infections

It has shown potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including some of the most problematic drug-resistant strains.

IITR00693 acts like a dual sword: It not only strikes down the most stubborn bacteria but also prevents the emergence of resistance, ensuring that it remains effective for generations to come.

It potentiates the activity of polymyxins against the two most notorious multidrug-resistant skin-infecting pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ISRO brings down decommissioned weather satellite: What is a controlled re-entry? Why is it done?

Source: The post is based on the article “Isro brings down decommissioned weather satellite: What is a controlled re-entry? Why is it done?” published in The Hindu on 13th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the first time brought down a satellite – Megha Tropiques-1, in a controlled manner after its end of life.

What is Megha Tropiques-1?

Click Here to read

What is Controlled re-entry?

Usually, satellites are left in their orbit after their end of life and because of the gravitational pull of the earth, they come down to the atmosphere over years.

It takes debris from the low earth orbit 20 to 30 years to fall to the atmosphere and generations for those in geosynchronous or geostationary orbits to fall.

A controlled re-entry is possible only for satellites in low-earth orbit – at about 1,000 kms over the surface of the earth. It involves de-orbiting the satellite to very low altitudes to ensure the impact occurs within a targeted safe zone.

However, these manoeuvres are not usually attempted because fuel reserves have to be maintained in the satellite after mission life is over.

Moreover, this controlled re-entry is impossible for satellites placed in geo-stationary or geosynchronous orbit – where the time taken by the satellite to orbit the earth matches Earth’s rotation – because they are at altitudes of nearly 36,000 kms.

For attempting to bring down a satellite from such an orbit, a huge fuel reserve would be needed, which will only make the satellite heavier and costlier at launch.

Therefore, instead of bringing them down, they are shot upwards at the end of life. These orbits are like parking lots in space where all old satellites are put in.

Why did ISRO go for controlled re-entry of a satellite?

Other than extra fuel remaining in the satellite after the mission life ended, ISRO attempted the control re-entry to demonstrate and understand the process of doing so.

With several satellites/other objects/debris moving at extremely high speeds in low earth orbits, it has become imperative to keep the space clean as even the smallest debris can destroy active satellites.

Kessler syndrome – A scenario where the amount of space debris reaches a point where they just create more with one collision triggering others – is even scarier.

ISRO was also following the guidelines of the UN and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) that say satellites should be deorbited after mission life.

Russia crude in tank, India steps up petroleum product exports to EU as region shuns Moscow

Source: The post is based on the article “Russia crude in tank, India steps up petroleum product exports to EU as region shuns Moscow” published in Indian Express on 13th March 2023.

What is the News?

India’s petroleum product exports to the European Union (EU) have grown notably over the past few months as the region weans itself off refined products from Russia due to the war in Ukraine.

What does the data show on India’s petroleum product exports to the EU?

In April-January, the EU accounted for close to 15% of India’s total petroleum product exports of 79 million tonnes, against 12% in the year-ago period.

India’s petroleum product exports to EU countries rose 20.4% year-on-year in the April-January period.

What is the significance of the rise in India’s petroleum product exports to the EU?

From the global oil markets perspective, suppliers like India are helping maintain a demand-supply balance, while preventing extreme price shocks. 

The EU does not want to buy crude as well as refined fuels and products from Russia. Countries like India, which is a major oil refiner are playing their part in bridging the gap by buying Russian oil on one hand and increasing supply of refined products to the EU on the other.

Note: India is a major refiner with an annual refining capacity of about 250 million tonnes. While it is also one of the top consumers of crude oil, India’s refining capacity is higher than its domestic demand, making the country a net exporter of petroleum products.

What is the West’s view on higher petroleum product exports to the EU?

Major Western powers like the US are comfortable with the rising supply of Indian refined products to Europe. This is mainly because, in their view, refiners in countries like India are ensuring that the global oil and refined products market remains balanced and adequately supplied.

More buildings set to achieve net-zero waste

Source: The post is based on the article “More buildings set to achieve net-zero waste” published in The Hindu on 13th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Union Government is planning to soon issue guidelines for upcoming housing societies and commercial complexes in the country to mandatorily ensure net­-zero waste and have their liquid discharge treated.

Note: Achieving net­-zero waste means reducing, reusing and recovering waste streams (sludge) to convert them to valuable resources so that zero solid waste is sent to landfills.

What are the guidelines that will be issued by the Union Government?

In Union Budget 2023-­24, the Finance Minister announced that all cities and towns would be enabled for 100% transition of sewers and septic tanks from manhole to machine hole mode.

In the backdrop of this, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry will soon release guidelines which will consists of: 

Firstly, a directive to all State governments to incorporate the net-zero waste requirement in the building by-laws and ensure its implementation.

Secondly, asking urban local bodies such as municipalities to explore the potential of commercial use of processed sludge as fertilizer and empanelling all agencies providing sanitation services in both the organized and unorganized sectors.

Thirdly, for proper implementation, the Centre will ask the States to impose a legal penalty if buildings do not adhere to the by-laws and standard operating procedures.

Apart from these guidelines, the government will also review the Indian standards for mechanized cleaning equipment and consider differential tariff rates for residential and commercial de-sludging.

– A “Make in India” start-up for promoting low-cost technological solutions such as mechanized spades and sensor sticks for gas detection is being considered.

What is the significance of these guidelines?

Helps in eradicating manual scavenging: These guidelines are part of the government’s effort to implement the manhole-to-machine-hole scheme to eradicate manual scavenging.

Achieving SDG Goals: A mechanized sewage system, coupled with the mandatory zero net waste clause for housing and commercial complexes, was also important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

– The United Nations SDG 6.3 aims at “halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally” by 2030.

– India currently generates 72,368 million litres of urban wastewater a day, of which only 28% is treated.

Generate income: According to a 2021 Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry report titled “Circular economy in municipal solid and liquid waste”, India’s economy could be boosted if the sale of treated sewage is institutionalised. At a conservative estimate, it has the potential to add close to ₹3,285 crore annually.

Milestone in India and Australia reach Critical Minerals Investment Partnership

Source: The post is based on the article “Milestone in India and Australia reach Critical Minerals Investment Partnership” published in PIB on 13th March 2023.

What is the News?

India and Australia have taken a significant step towards investing in critical minerals projects to develop supply chains between the two countries.

What are Critical Minerals?

Click Here to read

About India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership

The partnership aims to build new supply chains underpinned by critical minerals processed in Australia that will help India’s plans to lower emissions from its electricity network and become a global manufacturing hub, including for electric vehicles.

Under the partnership, ​​five target projects including two lithium and three cobalt have been identified.

Significance of this partnership: Australia produces almost half of the world’s lithium, is the second-largest producer of cobalt, and is the fourth-largest producer of rare earth minerals.

– With the expected increase in global demand for low-emissions technologies over the next three decades, this partnership will go a long way towards securing mutually beneficial critical mineral supply chains.

Scientists devise ‘glowscope’ to bring fluorescent microscopy to schools

Source: The post is based on the article “Scientists devise ‘glowscope’ to bring fluorescent microscopy to schools” published in The Hindu on 13th March 2023.

What is the News?

Researchers at Winona State University, USA have created a design for a rudimentary Fluorescence Microscope.

What is Fluorescence Microscopy?

An optical microscope views an object by studying how it absorbs, reflects or scatters visible light. 

A fluorescence microscope views an object by studying how it re-emits light that it has absorbed, i.e. how it fluoresces. This is its basic principle.

The object is illuminated with light of a specific wavelength. Particles in the object absorb this light and re-emit it at a higher wavelength (i.e. different colour). These particles are called fluorophores; the object is infused with them before being placed under the microscope.

Uses: Fluorescent microscopy is often used to image specific features of small specimens such as microbes. It is also used to visually enhance 3-D features at small scales.

What have the researchers developed?

Researchers have developed a rudimentary fluorescence microscope that they say can be put together at a cost of $30- $50 (₹2,500­-₹4,100).

With this fluorescence microscope, researchers were able to image the creatures’ brain, spinal cord (using a fluorophore called DsRed), heart (mCherry), and head and jaw bones (mRFP). 

Significance of this development: Many individuals in India may not be able to afford this microscope, but schools and colleges can.