9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – March 15th, 2022

Posted on March 15th, 2022 Last modified on September 8th, 2022 Comments Views 3

Dear Friends, We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do:

Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing. Hence, the 9 PM brief now covers the following newspapers:
1. The Hindu
2. Indian Express
3. Livemint
4. Business Standard
5. Times of India
6. Down To Earth
7. PIB
We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.
Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they’ll go down over time.
It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
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Mains Oriented Articles

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Ukraine invasion and the great geopolitical reset

Source: This post is based on the article “Ukraine invasion and the great geopolitical reset” published in Indian Express on 15^th March 2022.

Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Relations

Context: Article explains the global dynamics after Russia-Ukraine war.

Major wars have significant consequences for the internal and international politics of the combatant nations. For instance, Indo-Pak war of 1971:

Liberated Bangladesh
Altered balance of power between Delhi and Islamabad
New Pakistani Constitution in 1973 to democratize a nation that was dominated by the Army.

However, in 1977 the army made a decisive comeback when General Zia-Ul-Haq seized power. He accelerated Pakistan’s nuclear weapon program and institutionalized a strategy of cross-border terrorism against India.

Similarly, other great wars were also not without consequences;

Consequences of wars between great powers

The Napoleonic wars led to:

Start of the Concert of Europe that limited local conflicts
Sustained a regional balance of power for a century.

The First World War led to:

Collapse of the Ottoman and the Austro-Hungarian empires
Created new nations in Europe
Boosted nationalism in the non-Western world

The Second World War led to:

Defeat of fascism and the rise of the US and USSR.
Accelerate the decolonisation of the global South.

Cold War led to:

The defeat of Communism
Breakup of the Soviet Union
Setting the political stage for economic globalization.

Can the Russian war against Ukraine turn into a global war?

Presently, Biden has said that the US will not fight Russia in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Europe is “not at war” with Russia.

However, Russia has begun to bombard the western part of Ukraine that borders NATO. Putin has signaled that the use of nuclear weapons is not off the table. This could lead to the sharpening of the conflict.

Will Ukraine’s invasion produce fundamental changes in the international system?

Presently, Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine is triggering some major geopolitical changes across the world. Such as:

New dynamism in the great power triangle between the US, Russia, and China:

Earlier the US hoped to distance Russia from China and focus all of America’s energies on the Indo-Pacific.
Now, the US has reached out to China — to restrain Russia before the invasion.
China has provided “rock-solid” support to Moscow. However, it is under some pressure to balance between Russia and the West due to its deep economic interdependence with the US and Europe.

Restoration of US primacy amongst the great powers by show of strategic unity by the West.

American disciplining of Europe: Especially Germany, where soft power has given way to rearmament.

EU’s Russia dilemma due to dependence on Russia in the energy domain. To reduce this dependence, America is reaching out to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela to fill the gap.

Adapting Asia:

Japan is rethinking its nuclear abstinence.
South Korea wants to strengthen ties with the US, and explore potential cooperation with the Quad.
Countries in the ASEAN region are waking up to the dangers of Beijing’s rise.

What should India do?

Use the opportunity to increase its heft in the changing global balance.

More immediately, Delhi should move on a war-footing towards a rapid modernisation and expansion of its domestic defence industrial base to sustain India’s strategic autonomy.

May all mothers live: on Maternal Mortality rate

Source: This post is based on the article “May all mothers live:” published in Live Mint on 15^th March 2022.

Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues – Schemes for the benefits of vulnerable sections of the society

News: India’s maternal mortality ratio has decreased from 122 to 103 (maternal deaths per lakh live births) between 2015-17 and 2017-19, shown by SRS data. India’s SDG target is to bring its MMR below 70 by 2030.

What can be done to improve further?

Understanding disparities: Need for different state or region wise solutions. For instance:

Kerala – MMR improved from 42 to 30, showing pushing up standards from already high levels.
Uttar Pradesh – MMR is 167, but it has delivered a dramatic 49 points improvement from 216.
West Bengal – MMR worsened from 94 to 109.

Centre can assess different schemes objectively and increase investment or introduce reform wherever needed.

Collect data on how pandemic has hurt reproductive care services:

Need to prevent reversal of gains as major interventions such as Institutional deliveries and access to Asha workers was reduced.
Need to ensure these services are back on track as Covid deaths drop.

Beyond this, India should take inspiration from countries that have already brought their MMR down to single digits – like Belarus, Poland and the UK.

BrahMos can’t be mistaken for nuclear-tipped missile

Source: The post is based on an article “BrahMos can’t be mistaken for nuclear tipped missile” published in the Business Standard on 15^th march 2022

Syllabus: GS II International Relations, Bilateral Relations, GSIII Security Forces and their mandate

Topic: Indo-Pak Relations,

News: There has been an accidental launch of supersonic Brahmos cruise missile from India into Pakistani territory

India’s Response

Read – The Issue of Accidental Indian missile drop in Pakistan

India officially admitted that “in the course of a routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile”.

India has ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry (Inquiry). It said “While the incident is deeply regrettable, it is also a matter of relief that there has been no loss of life due to the accident.”

Pakistan’s Response

Islamabad has criticised Indian “security protocols and technical safeguards against accidental or unauthorised launch of missiles in a nuclearized environment”. It wants India to explain its procedures to prevent accidental missile launches and the particular circumstances of this incident.

Read – The Issue of Accidental Indian missile drop in Pakistan

Why is Pakistan’s argument that India has launched a Strategic nuclear weapon is incorrect?

First, as per India’s nuclear launch posture, the strategic weapons (commonly referred to as “nukes” or nuclear-tipped missiles) are invariably delivered via ballistic missiles, never via cruise missile. It was a cruise missile (named Brahmos). Therefore, it was not a strategic nuclear weapon.

Second, the cruise missile had been launched from near Sirsa, which is home to a major air force base, not from any Army Brahmos units, which are related to the strike corps.

Thirdly, launch of a strategic, nuclear-tipped ballistic missile require a two-person launch protocol, whereas, the Brahmos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) was launched from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter.

The war’s cold facts and what India needs to glean

Source: the post is based on ana article “The war’s cold facts and what India needs to glean” published in the Hindu on 15^th March 2022

Syllabus: GSII International Relations, GS III Indian Security

Topic: Self-Reliant India in Defence Sector

Context: As the Ukraine-Russia war nears the end of three weeks, it is time for India to learn lesson from this war and find its position in the real world of geopolitics.

What is the lesson to be learnt from the Ukraine-Russia War?

First, a nation’s vital interests can be protected only by that nation itself. For example, in this war Ukrainians alone are facing the brunt of the Russian military might. The West is only supplying arms and intelligence inputs.

Similarly, during the1962 India-China war, Moscow had no time for New Delhi and the Americans offered only moral and logistic support despite New Delhi’s request for military help.

Therefore, after the 1965 and 1971 wars, India re-armed itself in a big way. Later, in 1974, and 1998, India demonstrated its scientific capability through a ‘peaceful’ nuclear explosion and India became a nuclear power.

Is status of nuclear power nations enough for India?

A country cannot only be nuclear power, it also needs to be conventional power. Nuclear weapons act as a deterrent between two nuclear powers only in the nuclear realm, it cannot be a substitute for ‘conventional’ power. It is because conventional Power provides strategic autonomy in matters of national security.

India lacks independence in this area. India has been heavily dependent on Russia and US for arms.

Russia: India purchased MiGs, Sukhoi’s, S-400, etc. from Russia. Therefore, India had to abstain on Ukraine in United Nations (UNs) resolution.

West: After the end of Cold War, India diversified its arms purchases to dilute its dependence on Russia for arms. But now India has also become heavily dependent on the West. For example, India purchases from the West include the American C-17 and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, Chinook and Apache attack helicopters, Boeing P-8I long range aircraft for maritime surveillance, The Indian Army’s M777 artillery guns, the IAF’s Rafale and Mirage fighters from France, Jaguars from Britain and a multitude of drones from Israel;

India has signed three ‘foundational’ agreements with the U.S. such as Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) etc.

Way Ahead

There is no other way out but to make India self-reliant in defence sector. Therefore, self-sufficiency in defence research and development and manufacturing is an inescapable imperative.

Fragmenting world order, untied nations

Source; The post is based on an article “Fragmenting world order, untied nations” published in the Hindu on 15^th March 2022

Syllabus: GS II International Relations, International Organization,

Topic: International Order

News: The Russian war on Ukraine is going on and it has become three weeks long conflict. Therefore, it is going to have various consequences:

Consequences of Russia Ukraine war

The global order has broken down: The Ukraine crisis is a bigger blow to the post-World War order than any other conflict such as the US Iraq Invasion in 2003, Israel’s bombing of Lebanon in 2006, and the Saudi coalition’s attacks of Yemen in 2015. It violates every line of the UN Charter preamble. It has exposed the ineffectiveness of the UN system. For example, An UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that decried Moscow’s actions, was brushed off. Also, UNSC proved ineffective in even condemning Russian aggression.

Emergence of Alternative trading arrangements and Non-Dollar System: Russia can explore alternative trading arrangements with countries such as China, India, and much of Eastern Hemisphere. For example, New Delhi used a rupee-rouble mechanism and banks that were immunised from the U.S.’s CAATSA sanctions (or Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) for advance payments in the S-400 missile defence deal. There is a possibility that Russian banks can now use the Chinese “UnionPay” for online transactions. Gradually, the world may see a “non-dollar” system emerging which would run banking, fintech, and credit systems separately from the “dollar world”.

Nuclear safeguards have been withered: The nuclear non-proliferation regime’s credibility has been challenged, for example, Ukraine & Libya willingly gave up nuclear programmes. In fact, in this conflict, Ukrainian Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant are being attacked by the Russian military. On the other hand, Iran and North Korea could defy the global order because they have held on to their nuclear deterrents.

Rise in the role of non-state actors: For example, Pro-Russia armed militia are operating in the Donbas regions. Also, the Ukrainian President, has invited all foreign fighters to voluntarily fight from the Ukrainian Side. It reminds us “International Brigades” in the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, comprising foreign volunteers from about 50 countries.

Cultural isolation of Russia: The Western countries have imposed a comprehensive boycott of Russia. Russia is going to be socially and culturally isolated. For example, Russian-owned, Russian-controlled or Russian-registered planes have been banned from EU airspace. The Russian channels have been banned in Europe. Such an “isolation” extends to art and music. Therefore, it brings to memory Churchill’s famous speech, “The Sinews of Peace”, when he first referred to the “Iron curtain coming down” between Soviet Russia and Western Europe.

Data lessons from two years of the covid-19 pandemic

Source: The post is based on an article “Data lessons from two years of the covid-19 pandemic” published in the live mint on 14^th March 2022.

Syllabus: GS II Importance Aspects of Governance

Topic: Public data

Context: After declaration of the covid as a global pandemic by WHO, various countries set up web-based dashboards for providing covid related data and information to their citizens. However, it was not set-up in India.

India did not set up any web-based data portal. The Union Ministry of Health used to provide daily infection and death numbers state-wise. Apart from the central government also built Aarogya Setu app to track citizens’ movement data during the pandemic.

Volunteer-driven initiative: Due to lack of any government initiative, the covid portal, Covid19india.org was set up.

What problems India faced due to lack of authentic data?

Flawed covid data was used to reinforce the message that everything is fine. For example, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare could provide neither back data for previous days nor a tool to examine trends at a more granular level. The ministry struggled to maintain a regular schedule even for putting out these bare details.

Aarogya Setu proved to be of limited utility, and it only aroused the suspicion of a wary citizenry.

It led to loss of time and energy. It means due to lack of data, much of the ‘covid management’ protocol was diverted for imposing stringent conditions for recording covid deaths. For example, State governments set up audit committees to certify covid deaths.

Poor data result in poor program formulation and implementation. For example, India’s poor covid data resulted in the poor progress in ramping up health infrastructure. It also slowed down the pace of the vaccination programme till the second wave hit us in the spring of 2021?

What are the suggestions to improve India’s data governance?

First pandemic data lesson: “An Open data ecosystem can be literally life-saving”. For example, A geo-tagged database can help epidemiologists to better predict the evolution of the epidemic.

Second pandemic data lesson: When data quality is poor, uncritical use of data in policymaking is fraught with dangers. Therefore, a better quality of data should be generated which is beneficial for policy making

A well-regulated data ecosystem can be built. It can help reap the benefits during a crisis. For instance, the UK’s statistics watchdog, the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), worked to keep the data honest. An independent and credible watchdog can check the distortion of honest data.

An empowered statistical regulator is the need of an hour in a healthy democracy. He should be answerable to its citizens and Parliament rather than the ruling regime.

GS Paper 3

LESSONS IN OUR HICCUPS OVER SELLING AN LIC STAKE

Source: This post is based on the article “Lessons in our hiccups over selling an LIC stake” published in Live Mint on 15^th March 2022.

Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Mobilisation of Resources

News: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused market uncertainty. This has prompted the government to rethink the launch of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Life Insurance Corp (LIC).

Why is this IPO important for the government?

The regulator’s approval of the IPO is valid only till mid-May. Any delay will upset the Centre’s fiscal math. It can also:

Provide significant revenue for the Centre.
Lead to reduction of fiscal deficit.
Will take LIC to the market.
Further push disinvestment agenda.

What lessons do uncertainty over IPO hold out?

Need to take faster approach: First lesson stems from the fact that since the Ministry has 2 years to finalize the strategy, the IPO need not have been timed just before the end of 2021-22. Reasons for such a slow approach are not clear. They could be due to:

Attempt to time the market: As financial advisors often advice retail investors to ride the bull run i.e. when market is growing.
Politics: In the past, politics has played a role in deciding the timing of public-sector disinvestment. Example – Offshore listing of VSNL was pulled back due to apprehension of the coalition government that low prices will lead to Parliamentary opposition.

However such frequent flip-flops send mixed signals about share offer intended price range and also confuses investors.

Need to reduce over-reliance on disinvestment: Second lesson is related to the government’s over-reliance on disinvestment to get its fiscal right.

Earlier, disinvestment was used as an emergency measure to make up for revenue shortfalls.
Now it has been institutionalized. However, it has neither led to improvement in fiscal gaps over the year, nor has led to improvement in public sector efficiency.
There is continuous failure to meet the disinvestment targets year after year.

Hence, disinvestment can be effective as an utilitarian exercise, but it is vulnerable to failure if used as a means of grand transformation.

GoI tracks the money trail: How PFMS will pull plug on spending slippages

Source: The post is based on an article “GOI tracks the money trail: How PFMS will plug on spending slippages” published in the Business Standard on 15^th March 2022.

Syllabus: GSIII: Indian Economy, Issues in Mobilization of Resources

Topic: Government spending

Context: By midnight of March 31, the Controller General of Accounts will assess the spending in FY22 with help of the public money-tracking system known as the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

Background of PFMS

The PFMS was conceptualized in 2009. But it became fully functional in a decade. PMFS was conceptualized because the Expenditure Management Commission in its 2016 report, showed that a lot of government money spent was not tracked. i.e., Over a trillion rupees goes undetected through government finances every year.

Also, Bose’s study suggested “quality monitoring” for all programmes of panchayats. For example, the direct benefit transfer and the payment of wages for the MNREGA has been a huge success. He also pointed out that when the money spent is not tracked, the weakest links, such as rural development, are hurt the most.

The World Bank has supported the switch and recommended African and other countries to emulate the model.

Thus, PMFS addresses the issue of slippages in government spending.

What does the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) do?

First, it is a key decision support system for the government. It tracks the flow of funds to the last beneficiary or implementation level. It also ensures the timely release of funds through the effective management of fund floats.

Second, it covers the Central Sector Scheme, Central Sponsored Schemes as well as other expenditures including Finance Commission Grants.

Third, it has been extended to all central government functions including payments, receipts, accounting, expenditure control, management of provident fund and pensions etc. It is integrated with the core banking system/solution and also with RBI and NPCI.

Fourth, the PFMS makes every agency using public money to route it through bank accounts. Since banks report to the RBI in real time, any fiscal stress now becomes apparent immediately.

What is the significance of Public Finance Management System?

It helps to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and the implementation of policies.

It is important when the government needs to respond rapidly to black swan events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lastly, it has cut the difference between audited and unaudited public accounts data of the central government to less than one per cent.

How does it work?

As per instructions, a single nodal account for each centrally sponsored scheme is opened with a bank. Implementing agencies use the same account with clearly defined drawing limit.

As per PFMS instruction, it should be a “zero balance accounts”. i.e., government money along with interest earned on the sum should be transferred to the Consolidated Fund. This prevent funds from being misappropriated.

Some Deviations at different level

The Indian Railways is yet to board the PFMS.

States have the freedom to make decisions regarding expenditure from their own resources and the shared tax corpus (in which the Centre cannot interfere). Therefore, they have developed a different machinery to handle state funds separately. Therefore, it leads to some difficulty in the financial management system.

States are using both PFMS and their own integrated financial management information systems. There, it has resulted in some conceptual challenges that have to be overcome.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Government drugstores to sell nutraceutical

Source: This post is based on the article “Government drugstores to sell nutraceuticals” published in The Hindu on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana(PMBJP) Kendras have added nutraceuticals products including protein powder and bar, malt-based food supplements and immunity bar for its customers.

What is Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana(PMBJP)?

Launched by: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in 2008.

Aim: To provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the masses through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.

Under this, medicine is priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average price of the top three brands of said medicine. Thus, the prices of Jan Aushadhi Medicines are cheaper at least by 50% and in some cases, by 80% to 90% of the market price of the branded medicines.

Implementing Agency: Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)

Who regulates the prices of drugs in India?

In India, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority(NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceutical regulates the prices of all drugs – whether branded or generic.

NPPA fixes the ceiling price of scheduled medicines specified in the first schedule of the Drugs(Prices Control) Order, 2013.

In the case of non-scheduled medicines, the manufacturers are free to fix the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of the drug. However, DPCO provides that the same do not increase by more than 10% of their MRP during the preceding twelve months.

What are Nutraceuticals?

The term “nutraceutical” combines two words – “nutrient” (a nourishing food component) and “pharmaceutical” (a medical drug).

It is a broad umbrella term that is used to describe any product derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods.

They can be considered non-specific biological therapies used to promote general well-being, control symptoms and prevent malignant processes.

Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism: Union Minister

Source: This post is based on the article “Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism: Union Minister” published in PIB on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

The Minister of Tourism has informed the Lok Sabha about the National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism.

What is Medical Tourism and Wellness Tourism?

Medical Tourism: It may be defined as ‘activities related to travel and hosting a foreign tourist who stays at least one night at the destination region for the purpose of maintaining, improving or restoring health through medical intervention’.

Wellness Tourism: It is defined as “travel associated with the goal of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal well-being and includes the pursuit of physical, mental, spiritual or environmental wellness while travelling for either leisure or business.”

What is the National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism?

Aim: To provide an institutional framework, strengthening the ecosystem for medical and wellness tourism, developing a brand and ensuring quality assurance.

Key Features of the Strategy:

– Health insurance portability by way of extended insurance coverage.

– Developing medical clusters for foreign patients.

– Enhancing Accessibility for medical value travel

– Development of special wellness tourism zones may be encouraged at the state level offering comprehensive end-to-end services for health, medical and wellness using private/public partnerships.

– Capacity building: With the anticipated increase in inflow, the groundwork for policy alignment, infrastructure development as well as skilling needs to be expedited to be future-ready.

– Online medical tourism website: The existing website needs a major makeover with the integration of all services a medical traveller would need, while also carrying advisories, regulations and information for transparency and ease.

Union Minister Jointly Release Detailed Project Reports On Rejuvenation Of 13 Major Rivers Through Forestry Interventions

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Minister Jointly Release Detailed Project Reports On Rejuvenation Of 13 Major Rivers Through Forestry Interventions” published in PIB on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change and Union Minister of Jal Shakti has released the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on Rejuvenation of thirteen Major Rivers through Forestry Interventions.

What is the idea behind the Detailed Project Reports(DPRs)?

In 2015-16, Forest Research Institute(FRI), Dehradun had prepared DPR for the National Mission for Clean Ganga(NMCG) wherein it had designed DPR focusing on forestry interventions and providing a comprehensive strategy for programme implementation including varied interventions.

The project seeks to accomplish ‘Aviral Dhara’ (uninterrupted flow), ‘Nirmal Dhara’ (clean water) and ecological rejuvenation.

The same is now being applied to the 13 identified rivers.

Detailed Project Report(DPR) for 13 Major Rivers

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun(ICFRE) has prepared the Detailed Project Report for 13 Major Rivers including Himalayan, Peninsular rivers as well as one inland river – Luni.

The rivers identified for forestry interventions include Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Luni, Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Cauvery.

The 13 rivers collectively represent 57.45% of the geographical area of the country.

What is the aim of the DPR for 13 Major Rivers?

Funded by: The project will be funded by the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board.

The focus of the Project: The Project focuses on the rejuvenation of rivers through protection, afforestation, catchment treatment, ecological restoration, moisture conservation, livelihood improvement, income generation, ecotourism by developing river fronts, eco-parks and bringing awareness amongst the masses. Research and monitoring have also been included as a component.

Under the Project, rivers along with their tributaries are proposed for forestry interventions in the riverscape under different landscapes namely natural landscape, agricultural landscape and urban landscape.

The different models of forestry plantations including timber species, medicinal plants, grasses, shrubs and fuel fodder and fruit trees are aimed to augment water, groundwater recharge and contain erosion.

Site-specific treatments in terms of soil & moisture conservation and plantations of grasses, herbs, forestry and horticultural trees have also been proposed for treatment of prioritized sites in the riverscape supported by the GIS technique based on consultations with various stakeholders.

What are the expected benefits of the Project?

The activities proposed in the DPRs shall help achieve potential benefits of increasing the green cover, containing soil erosion, recharge water table and sequester carbon dioxide in addition to benefits in the form of non-timber forest produce. It would also help generate employment.

Explained: The legal considerations of blockchain gaming in India

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: The legal considerations of blockchain gaming in India” published in Indian Express on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

The vast scope and potential of blockchain technology have attracted the gaming industry over the past few years. In India too, gaming industries are exploring this option.

What is Blockchain Gaming?

Blockchain Gaming are online video games that are developed by integrating blockchain technology into them.

It includes elements that use cryptography-based blockchain technologies like Cryptocurrency or Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

These elements are used by players to buy, sell, or trade with other players, with the game publisher taking a fee from each transaction as a form of monetization.

Example of Blockchain Game: In 2017, Dapper Labs’ had developed the first-ever blockchain game called Crypto Kitties. In the game, people can virtually experience the joy of adopting and breeding a cat (CryptoKittie) without taking up the responsibility of bringing one home. Each CryptoKittie is a Non-Fungible Token (“NFT”).

Elements of Blockchain Gaming

NFTs: NFTs represent in-game virtual assets that can be owned by players, such as maps, armor or land.

– These NFTs act as asset tags, identifying ownership of the in-game assets, and are stored on the blockchain.

– Being on the blockchain allows the player to have a secure record of ownership of the in-game assets, and also gives the assets the ability to outlive the game itself.

– It also creates transparency, since ownership records can independently be verified by any third party as well.

– In doing so, it makes in-game assets marketable and creates a decentralized market, where they can be bought and sold by people.

What are the regulatory aspects related to Blockchain Gaming?

The legality of Blockchain Gaming: Since blockchain is merely the underlying technology, there is no express regulation in India. However, it would be relevant to explore the legality of the games from the lens of existing Indian gaming regulations.

Most Indian states regulate gaming on the basis of a distinction in law between ‘games of skill’ and ‘games of chance’.

Where does Blockchain Gaming lie within this framework?

As the law currently stands, each blockchain game must first pass muster as a ‘game of skill’, as against a ‘game of chance’, to legally be made available in most Indian states.

In the past, the Supreme Court has rejected the notion of video games being ‘games of skill’. It held that the outcomes of these games could be manipulated by tampering with the machines used to play. Therefore, the element of skill of players could not be a dominant factor in the game.

Touch-less touch screen technology developed can restrain viruses spreading through contact

Source: This post is based on the article “Touch-less touch screen technology developed can restrain viruses spreading through contact” published in PIB on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

Indian Scientists have provided an affordable solution to develop a low-cost touch cum proximity sensor, popularly called Touchless Touch Sensor through a printing technique.

What has been developed?

Scientists have developed touchless touch screen technology through a printing technique.

This touch sensor senses a proximal or hovers touch even from a distance of 9 cm from the device.

What is the significance of this Touchless touch screen technology?

The coronavirus pandemic has triggered efforts to make lifestyle more adaptable to pandemic scenarios.

Hence, technologies like these will help reduce the risk of viruses spreading particularly in public places where touchscreens are there like on self-service kiosks, ATMs and vending machines.

Moreover, it has tremendous potential to be used in advanced smart electronic devices like touchless screens and sensors.

Innovative Measures Adopted by Coal Ministry To Meet Growing Requirement of Coal

Source: This post is based on the article “Iannovative Measures Adopted by Coal Ministry To Meet Growing Requirement of Coal” published in PIB on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Coal has informed Rajya Sabha about the reforms undertaken in the Coal Sector.

What are the measures that have been taken by the Government to meet the coal requirement in India?

Commercial Auction of coal on revenue share mechanism: This methodology for coal mine auctions entails reduced upfront payment and the bidders will be required to bid for a percentage share of revenue payable to the government. Earlier, blocks were allocated to companies on payment of fixed amounts per tonne.

Allowed sale of excess coal production: The Ministry of Coal has amended Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 to allow 50% sale of coal produced in a financial year from captive mines. This is applicable for both the private and public sector captive mines.

Rolling Auctions: In order to expedite the process for conducting auctions and to carry out more rounds of the auction in a year, a mechanism of rolling auctions of coal mines has been planned. Under this mechanism, upon completion of the electronic auction process of a tranche, the next tranche of the auction would be launched for the following mines:

– Mines where no bid or only a single bid was received in the previous tranche of auction (except for those mines where the Ministry of Coal decides to go for a second attempt of the auction)

– New mines, if any, identified by the Ministry of Coal.

Single Window Clearance: The Union government has launched a Single Window Clearance portal for the coal sector to speed up the operationalisation of coal mines. It is a unified platform that facilitates grants of clearances and approvals required for starting a coal mine in India.

Census should not be just data-oriented: House panel

Source: This post is based on the article “Census should not be just data-oriented: House panel” published in The Hindu on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

The Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs has submitted its report on the Census Exercise.

What are the key highlights from the report?

The Census Exercise should not merely be data-oriented. But it should also portray the perspective of culture and society, as was done before Independence.

For this, an expert group should be set up by the Registrar General of India (RGI) to examine the census pattern since its commencement and suggest measures to bring qualitative change in the census exercise.

What is Census 2021?

Census 2021 is a two-phase exercise. It was postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The first phase involves house listing, in which details of all buildings, permanent or temporary are taken with their type, amenities and assets.

The second phase known as Population Enumeration includes more detailed information on each individual residing in the country, Indian national or otherwise.

This census will be the first digital census where an enumerator would collect and submit data directly through a Mobile App using her or his smartphone. The provision of a paper schedule is also kept in case of connectivity issues.

As RIMC turns 100, a celebration of its legacy of courage

Source: This post is based on the article “As RIMC turns 100, a celebration of its legacy of courage” published in Indian Express on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun, previously known as the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, has completed 100 years.

What is Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC)?

Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) is a military school situated in Doon Valley, Dehradun in India.

The college is administered through the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence

History: RIMC was inaugurated in March 1922 by the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII.

The aim at that time was to educate and train Indian youth as part of the Indianisation programme of the officer cadre of the British Indian Army.

Purpose of the College now

The RIMC is a feeder institution for the National Defence Academy, Indian Naval Academy and subsequently the Indian Armed Forces.

Approximately 25 cadets are admitted to the RIMC every six months through the Entrance Examination.

At the time of joining, candidates should not be less than 11-and-a-half years of age or must not have attained the age of 13. Admissions are made from Class VIII only.

Note: RIMC (Limca Book of Records confirm) is perhaps the only institution in the country where exams for Class X and XII are conducted twice a year in May and November. These exams/ certifications are recognized by CBSE.

People will get land records in their own language soon, says Union Minister

Source: This post is based on the article “People will get land records in their own language soon, says Union Minister” published in PIB on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Rural Development has announced that everyone will soon be able to get their land records in their own language. Department of Land Resources is planning to release multilingual software from April 2022. After that, the land records will be available in 22 languages.

The Ministry also released an ebook on Land Governance Reforms announced in the Budget titled “Empowering Citizens-Powering India”.

What are the steps taken by the Government in Land Governance Reforms?

National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS)

Launched by: Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development

Purpose: It is a common, generic and configurable application developed for registration departments across the country.

The application is specifically designed for the use of sub registrars, citizens and apex users from registration departments. It also facilitates states to create state-specific instances and configure the software as per requirements.

Significance: After NGDRS, a person had to go only once or twice to the office to complete the registration of the properties, whereas earlier he was expected to visit 8 to 9 times different offices to complete the registration process.

Digital India Land Record Modernization Programme(DILRMP)

Click Here to read

ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number)

ULPIN is just like the Aadhar Number of land parcels. In this, a unique ID based on Geo-coordinates of the parcels is generated and assigned to the plots.

This has been introduced to share the computerized digital land record data among different States/Sectors and a uniform system of assigning a unique ID to the land parcel across the country.

Indian Cooling Action Plan

Source: This post is based on the article “Indian Cooling Action Plan” published in PIB on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

The Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has informed Lok Sabha about the Indian Cooling Action Plan(ICAP).

What is the Indian Cooling Action Plan(ICAP)?

Released by: Ministry for Environment, Forest & Climate Change in 2019

Aim: To provide an integrated vision towards cooling across sectors encompassing, inter alia, reduction of cooling demand, refrigerant transition, enhancing energy efficiency and better technology options by 2037-38.

Click Here to read more about ICAP

What are the steps taken by the Government to implement ICAP?

Firstly, towards promoting passive cooling in buildings, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has brought out the Energy Conservation Building Code(ECBC) for all large commercial (non-residential) buildings.

Secondly, studies on promoting non-Ozone Depleting Substances(ODSs) and low Global Warming Potential based technologies in Cold Chain, Building sector and Public Procurement have been undertaken and reports have been published.

Thirdly, up-skilling and certification of Refrigeration and Air-conditioning(RAC) service technicians have been undertaken under the national skill qualification framework(NSQF) of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana(PMKVY).

What are the steps India has taken globally?

India has taken ambitious targets in support of global environmental goals, as evidenced in its:

– Nationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) for combating Climate Change under the Paris Agreement,

– Ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons,

– Restoration of 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and conserving 30% of land and oceans by 2030.

– India engaged constructively with all member states in the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2) in 2022 to develop consensus on the resolution for driving global action on plastic pollution.

– India hosted the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in 2019 and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in 2020.

Maternal Mortality Ratio of India declines by 10 points

Source: This post is based on the article “Maternal Mortality Ratio of India declines by 10 points” published in The Hindu on 15th Mar 2022.

What is the News?

The Registrar General of India has released a “Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India”.

What are the key findings on the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India?

India’s maternal Mortality Ratio(MMR) has declined by 10 points. It has declined from 113 in 2016-18 to 103 in 2017-19 (8.8 % decline).

India witnessed a progressive reduction in the MMR from 130 in 2014-2016, 122 in 2015-17, 113 in 2016-18, and 103 in 2017-19.

With this persistent decline, India is close to achieving the National Health Policy (NHP) target of 100/lakh live births by 2020.

India is also on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 70/ lakh live births by 2030.

State-wise MMR

Among States, Kerala has recorded the lowest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 30 in the country.

The number of states which have achieved the MMR SDG target has now risen from 5 to 7 viz. Kerala (30), Maharashtra (38), Telangana (56), Tamil Nadu (58), Andhra Pradesh (58), Jharkhand (61) and Gujarat (70).

There are now nine (9) States that have achieved the target of MMR set by the NHP, which include the above 7 and the States of Karnataka (83) and Haryana (96).

Uttarakhand (101), West Bengal (109), Punjab (114), Bihar (130), Odisha (136) and Rajasthan (141) — have MMR between 100-150.

Chhattisgarh (160), Madhya Pradesh (163), Uttar Pradesh (167) and Assam (205) have an MMR above 150.

The States of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar have seen the most drop in MMR. West Bengal, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh have recorded an increase in MMR over the last survey.