Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• A ‘Zeitenwende’ in the India-Germany relationship
• The anti-defection law is facing convulsions
• Multilateral reforms as a priority in the G-20
• Petty, ugly & costly: Karnataka is proof how much ‘small’ corruption hurts India, reputationally & ultimately economically

GS Paper 3

• How to become a green hydrogen superpower
• A new trade strategy: India’s performance on exports is a result of policy interventions
• Hindu rate of growth’ is a phrase we must erase
• Measuring forest cover in India: A doubtful green cover
• About internal labour migration issues: Migrants Are All Of Us

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• India, Japan to improve bilateral cooperation towards clean energy transition
• Railways ties up with ISRO for train tracking
• Centre releases guidelines for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers on social media platform
• With overfishing, great seahorses bolt from the Coromandel
• Home Ministry allows prison authorities to conduct Aadhaar authentication of inmates
• Centre planning hallmarking of gold bullion mandatory, says BIS
• What are the two lawsuits in the U.S. Supreme Court which could change the internet as we know it?
• Rushikulya sands teem with Olive Ridleys
• Why are salt flats around the world covered in a similar pattern of ridges?
• India to launch global alliance for big cats, invest $100 million

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

A ‘Zeitenwende’ in the India-Germany relationship

News- Chancellor Scholz of Germany made a two ­day visit to India, that began on February 25, 2023,

How is Germany undergoing major changes in its external approach?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been a watershed moment in Germany’s security policy. It has resulted in the abandonment of post-war pacific policy towards strategic matters. This is evident in Germany’s increased military spending.

Russia’s war and China’s assertive posturing have brought into question Germany’s approach of change through trade. It has prompted a rethink of its energy and trade dependencies. The focus is now on diversifying economic relations.

In a departure from previous Asia policy that centred around China, Mr. Scholz first visited Japan after assuming office in 2021. He later invited Mr. Modi for the 6th Intergovernmental Consultations to Berlin.

This enhanced political outreach to Asia is part of Germany’s overall strategy for the Indo­Pacific Region. It mentions India as a key partner.

For Germany, the stability of supply chains and trade routes linking Asia to Europe assumes critical importance. The reason is its status as Europe’s economic powerhouse and its reliance on exports.

What are the points of convergence between India and Germany?

As ties with Russia and China are uncertain, Europe is prioritising values based partnerships with like minded countries. It can advance India­-German cooperation.

The German government’s coalition agreement in 2021 refers to relations with India among its top foreign policy priorities.

Mr. Scholz has expressed Germany’s intent to enhance its strategic involvement in the Indo-Pacific through greater military deployment.

Germany’s symbolic gesture of sending its frigate Bayern to the Indo­Pacific in 2021, with a stopover in Mumbai was a demonstration of this.

A recent agreement on India­-Germany triangular cooperation involving development projects in third countries is also an important step in this direction.

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

Defence and security– New Delhi attempts to diversify from its military dependence on Russia. Berlin is also reassessing its arms exports policy. Germany could become an important defence partner for India.

The recent meetings between heads of the states included discussions around co­development of military hardware and tech transfers.

A deal worth $5.2 billion where Germany would jointly build six conventional submarines in India could be underway. Besides, the first ever France-­India­-Germany military exercise drill is slated to take place in 2024.

Yet, it is important for the two countries to set realistic expectations in the security realm. Despite their common concerns regarding stability in the Indo­Pacific, Germany does not share a border with China.

India has territorial conflicts with China. Despite the lack of German trust in China, there exists economic interdependence.

It is encouraging that Germany is drafting a new official China strategy amidst a wider national security strategy.

On global issues– India and Germany also cooperate in multilateral forums, as part of the G­4 grouping pushing for United Nations Security Council reform.

Discussions on the Russia­ Ukraine conflict and its global repercussions were the centre stage of talks between two Modi and Scholaz. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India’s commitment to contribute to any peace process.

Economy– Germany is India’s largest economic partner in the European Union (EU). The Chancellor had a high powered business delegation with him during visit to India.

Clean energy and green technologies- It has emerged as the central pillar in the partnership. The Green and Sustainable Development Partnership was launched last year. There exists cooperation in the area of green hydrogen.

Mobility and migration– It is also a focus area. Germany has shortages of skilled manpower; where technically skilled Indians could help plug this gap.

What is the future of bilateral partnership?

The relationship is steadily evolving into a more wholesome Partnership.

Divergent positions on the war have not undermined India’s regular political engagements with Europe.

An intensification of the Russia-­China axis could further embolden this alignment. Against the backdrop of volatile geopolitical shifts, emerging multipolarity, India’s ties with Germany could be vital in shaping a new global order.

The anti-defection law is facing convulsions

News- Parliament enacted the anti defection law in 1985 to curb political defection. The promise of political stability provided by the law seems to be facing challenges,especially in the last five years.

What are the main objectives of anti-defection law?

The first was to curb the act of defectionby disqualifying the defecting member.

The second was to protect political parties from instability. Frequent defections from even well organised political parties leave them weak. Indian democracy is based essentially on a party system. Stable parties are requirements of a stable democracy.

How is the stability of parties the principal focus of the 10th schedule?

It is clear from two provisions enacted in the 10th Schedule- the provision of a split in a political party and that of a merger of two political parties.

‘Split’ is no longer a defence against disqualification with the deletion of paragraph three of the Schedule. But, a closer look at this erstwhile provision is necessary for a proper understanding of the true objective of this law.

Under this paragraph, if a split in a political party results in a faction coming into existence, and one third of the legislators move out of the party and join that faction, those members could get an exemption from disqualification.

The point to note here is that one third of the legislators would get protection only if there was a split in the original political party. So, the split in the original political party is the precondition for exempting one third of legislators from disqualification.

Paragraph four protects defecting members from disqualification. The condition is merger of the original political party with another party and two thirds of the legislators agreeing to such a merger.

It can be analysed from paragraph three and four that the legislators do not have the freedom to bring about a split or merger. It is the original political party in both cases which takes that decision.

The argument that the Speaker cannot make inquiry into the split or merger is not right. The Speaker takes the decision only after ascertaining the fact of the merger.

This means that for exempting defecting legislators from disqualification, merger is taken into account only if two thirds of legislators have agreed to it.

What are the constitutional questions that arose in the Maharashtra case?

The first question that should be decided by the Court is related to the validity of whip. The breakaway group of the Members of the Legislative Assembly chose its own whip. It  also reportedly issued whips to all the MLAs of the Shiv Sena.

But the question related to the validity of the whip should have been decided on the basis of the explanation (a) to paragraph 2(1)(a). It says that an elected member of a House shall be deemed to belong to the political party who made them candidate for election.

This explanation makes it clear that the party which can legally issue the whip is the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray as this is the party which set them up as candidates in the last election.

It should not be forgotten that the anti defection law was enacted to punish defectors, not to facilitate defection.

The Supreme Court by allowing the Election Commission of India to decide the petition under paragraph 15 of the symbols order has put the cart before the horse.

The 10th Schedule is a constitutional law and paragraph 15 of the symbols order is subordinate legislation. The disqualification proceedings under it should have been given primacy over the proceedings under paragraph 15.

Multilateral reforms as a priority in the G-20

News: India in its G20 presidency has decided priorities multilateral reform.

Think 20 (T20), the idea bank of G20 has also come up with the Task Force on ‘Towards Reformed Multilateralism’ (TF7). It aims to construct a roadmap for ‘Multilateralism 2.0’.

Why has multilateralism lost its importance amongst the nations?

First, multilateralism has lost the majority’s trust due to persistent deadlocks amongst the nations.

Second, multilateralism is facing a utility crisis, where powerful member-states think it is no longer useful for them.

However, in the absence of multilateral cooperation, countries have involved themselves in bilateral, plurilateral, and Mini lateral groupings. This has further contributed to the polarization of global politics.

Hence, multilateralism is the need of the hour.

Why is multilateralism needed?

It is because most of the challenges nations face today such as conflicts, climate change, migration, macroeconomic instability, etc. are global in nature and require global solutions.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed the social and economic progress that the global society made in the past couple of decades.

Hence, there is a need of multilateralism but there are various reasons that make multilateral reform difficult.

Why is multilateral reform difficult?

First, multilateralism is closely associated with global power politics. Therefore, bringing reforms in multilateralism will automatically reform the current distribution of power. Further, modifications in the distribution of power may have adverse implications if not done cautiously.

Second, the status quo powers see multilateral reforms as a zero-sum game. For example, in the context of the Bretton Woods system, the U.S. and Europe believed reform would reduce their influence and dominance. However, it also makes decision making difficult by consensus or voting.

Third, multilateralism has lost its significance due to the emerging multiplex global order. This multiplex global order facilitates the formation of new clubs, concerts and coalitions of the like-minded, which makes the reform of older institutions and frameworks more challenging.

What G-20 and India can do to bring multilateral reforms?

First, the G-20 should focus on setting proper narratives of multilateral reform. It may constitute an engagement group that would be dedicated to bring the narrative of multilateralism at the global level.

India should also urge the upcoming chairs of the G20 grouping, Brazil and South Africa, to place multilateral reforms as their presidential priorities.

Second, competing interests and the dominance of powerful states will stay in multilateral platforms. Therefore, while supporting multilateral cooperation, G-20 should continue encouraging minilateral groupings as a new form of multilateralism and try to transform them into multi-stakeholder partnerships. 

Third, G20 can help in creating issue based minilaterals, particularly in areas related to the governance of the global commons. This will be helpful in preventing competitive coalitions.

Fourth, political will is also required to bring multilateral reforms.

Fifth, the G20 can be a model of multilateralism by overcoming the trust, legitimacy and utility crises of multilateralism.

1. To enhance its legitimacy, it can include the African Union as a permanent member and the UN Secretary-General and General Assembly President as permanent invitees.
2. To address the crisis of trust and utility, G-20 should put all its efforts into solving one or two global issues such as food, fuel and fertilizer and showcase it as the model of new multilateralism.

Petty, ugly & costly: Karnataka is proof how much ‘small’ corruption hurts India, reputationally & ultimately economically

News: Successive raids in Karnataka have unearthed huge sums of money stashed through petty corruption.  

About petty corruption in India

Big-ticket ‘scams’ dominate the conversation about corruption. But the research estimates suggest that petty corruption in India is bigger than ‘scams’.

For instance, in 2020, a report based on a survey on corruption in Asia concluded that India has the highest rate of bribery and use of personal contacts in accessing public services. Many of the respondents indicated that was the only way to access services such as government documents.

Note: India ranked 85th out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index, 2022, with a score below the global average. Within India, Karnataka has a poor record. 

What is the reason for increased petty corruption cases in India?

The reasons include a) information asymmetry, b) poor grievance redressal mechanisms, and c) the disproportionate power of different arms of the state.

Speed money is one of the most common manifestations of the system as the bureaucracy is not going to be penalised for delays.

How one can tackle petty corruption?

Two quick ways in which Karnataka and other states can deter petty corruption is to implement both RTI and state Right to Service Acts. This will help offset information asymmetry and minimise the opportunities for speed money.

GS Paper 3

How to become a green hydrogen superpower

News- The 2023 Union Budget has allocated ₹19,700 crore for the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

What is the potential of green hydrogen for India?

India has committed to 50% electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. But an energy transition in industry is needed at the same time. Most industrial greenhouse gas emissions in India come from steel, cement, fertilizers and petrochemicals.

Green hydrogen can lead to industrial growth while simultaneously reducing industrial emissions. It can serve as an energy source for heavy industry, long distance mobility, aviation, and power storage. It can also serve as an energy carrier.

India is targeting at least five million tonnes of production by 2030. This would create demand for 100­-25 gigawatts of renewable energy, 60­100 GW of electrolysers, investment opportunity of ₹8 lakh crore, and cut 50 MMT of annual emissions.

India has abundant sunshine and significant wind energy resources. It is geographically blessed to become one of the lowest cost producers of green hydrogen.

What should be the priorities of the government for the success of the mission?

First, domestic demand is critical. If we are not a big player domestically, we cannot be a major player in the international market.

The mission introduces a Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition fund for five years, with ₹13,000 crore as direct support to consume green hydrogen. This will encourage heavy industries to increase demand, offering economies of scale.

Blending mandates for refineries can be another demand trigger. Urea plants have been exempted.

Another approach is to leverage government procurement. India is the second­ largest steel producer in the world. Costs of green steel, made from green hydrogen, are currently much higher.

But, this could be reduced with economies of scale and changes in production technologies. A share of government procurement of steel may be green steel.

Second, India can be an attractive destination for domestic and foreign investment. GreenHydrogen production projects in India are far fewer compared to others. Green hydrogen is difficult and expensive to transport.

The mission envisions green hydrogen hubs to consolidate production, end use and exports. A mission secretariat can ensure project clearance is streamlined and reduce financial risks.

Third, the SIGHT fund offers ₹4,500 crore to support electrolyser manufacturing under the performance linked incentive scheme. Currently, manufacturers are importing stacks and assembling them.

India must become more competitive with targeted public funding in manufacturing the most critical and high value components of electrolysers in India.

Electrolyser technology must be improved to achieve higher efficiency goals, specific application requirements, be able to use non freshwater, and substitute critical minerals.

Fourth, establish bilateral partnerships to develop resilient supply chains. Globally, about 63 bilateral partnerships have emerged; Germany, South Korea and Japan have the most.

Using yen­ or euro denominated loans for sales to Japan or to the EU, could reduce the cost of capital and help us become export competitive.

Many bilateral deals focus on import ­export but few deal with technology transfer or investments. India must cooperate with like minded countries on trade, value chains, research and development, and standards.

The mission allocates ₹400 crore for R&D, which can be leveraged to crowd in private capital into technology co­development.

Indian companies should consider joint projects in countries with good renewable energy resources and cheap finance.

Finally, India must coordinate with major economies to develop rules for a global green hydrogen economy.

In the absence of common global frameworks, rules and standards are being driven by collectives of private corporations rather than through structured intergovernmental processes.

There are already signs of conflicting regulations and protectionist measures in majormarkets. These put India’s ambitions at risk.

India’s G20 presidency is an opportunity to craft rules for a global green hydrogen economy.These rules must address operational threats, industrial competitiveness and strategicthreats.

India should promote a global network on green hydrogen via which companies couldcollaborate.

A new trade strategy: India’s performance on exports is a result of policy interventions

News– India’s robust export performance has made a critical contribution to its economic growth in recent times.

Despite global economic woes, India’s overall exports grew at 17.33% to $641 billion during April-January 2022-23 compared to $547 billion during the same period last year.

How has India improved its export performance in recent years?

The country’s exports performance was the result of well-crafted trade policy interventions, their efficacious implementation and a host of other initiatives.

Export facilitation– It ensured the effective conceptualisation and implementation of export promotion schemes.

These schemes are Market Access Initiative (MAI), Remission of Duties and Tax on Exported Products (RoDTEP), Trade Infrastructure for Exports Scheme (TIES) and Interest Equalisation Schemes on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit.

Production-linked Incentive scheme– It has been a game changer. It has not only transformed India into a manufacturing hub. It has also curtailed its large trade deficit in electronics and other manufactured goods.

As a result of this scheme, electronics manufacturing attracted a massive investment and its exports have grown rapidly by over 55 % annually. Exports of mobile phones alone may reach $10 billion during the current financial year.

Logistics– it has been a critical stumbling block in India’s exports competitiveness. It has been proactively addressed in the Union budget 2023-24.

Capital expenditure allocation has been sharply increased by 33% to a record Rs 10 trillion on the development of rail, road, air, and ocean infrastructure.

It will make export logistics efficient. It will also integrate Indian production systems with global value chains.

Restructuring of process– There has been rationalisation of work allocation within the Ministry of Commerce and restructuring of its divisions and subordinate offices. It is likely to transform India’s institutional mechanisms to promote exports.

Adopting the latest technology in the collection, assimilation, processing of data and making available real-time information across stakeholders has bridged the information gap between the exporters and the various government departments.

Work with state governments– In recent years, the Ministry of Commerce has been actively engaging with state governments and at the district level for speedy and effective implementation of policy measures to promote exports.

Each of the Indian states was asked to prepare an export promotion strategy. Proactive involvement of Indian missions abroad helped not only in market identification but also in facilitating product entry.

Free Trade Agreements– Most Free Trade Agreements signed by India previously became counterproductive. The Ministry of Commerce has re-examined all the FTAs. It is in the process of engaging in newer ones to benefit India.

Recently, India negotiated new FTAs with UAE, Mauritius and Australia. It is in the advanced stages of negotiations with the UK.

It is also actively exploring new trade agreements with the EU and US.

Hindu rate of growth’ is a phrase we must erase

News: The term ‘Hindu rate of growth’ was recently used by Raghuram Rajan, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

What does the term mean and when was it first used?

The term was coined by the economist, Raj Krishna in late 1970s. The term refers to a sluggish pace of economic expansion back in the 1980s when the growth of India was under 4%.

Krishna argued that our weak growth back in the 1980s was not on account of a resource or talent deficiency, but it was the result of a restrictive policy environment.

According to Krishna, our economy was held back by dismal productivity, an inefficient public sector and a sarkari maze of red tape. However, things changed after the LPG reforms of 1991.

Hence. Raghuram Rajan used the term in the current economic scenario which according to him is similar to the 1980s due to low private-sector investment, rising rates of interest and a slowing global economy.

However, there are problems with the phrase and it should not be used.

What are the problems with the phrase?

The term Hindu attached to the phrase may create controversies. The term nowhere points to religion but suggests a cultural context for poor economic performance.

Hence, it would be better to delete the phrase as it may hurt the sentiments.

What are the counter arguments to Rajan’s view?

It is true that India is currently facing slow growth. However, after the pandemic, there has been a V-shaped revival with increased state spending in the infrastructures. GDP is also expected to increase around 7% in 2023-24.

Hence, there is a need to attract private investment for more economic growth and to eliminate the risk of economic slowdown.

Measuring forest cover in India: A doubtful green cover

News: The Forest Survey of India’s State of Forest Reports has shown a steady increase in the country’s forests. For instance, the recent report also showed that the country added more than 1,500 sq km of forest between 2019 and 2021. But, experts have maintained that these reports are not satisfactory indicators of ecological health.

Why increasing forests does not indicate ecological health?

a) Bungalows of ministers and senior officers, the Reserve Bank of India building and parts of the campuses of AIIMS and IIT in Delhi are classified as “forests” in official maps, b) The area under plantations have gone up while the country has consistently lost good forests in the past three decades, c) In the last 10 years, more than 1,600 square km of forest land has been cleared for infrastructure or industrial projects — nearly a third of this has been diverted in the past three years.

What are the challenges associated with Compensatory Afforestation Programme (CAP)?

In 2016, the government made that the developers must offset the loss of forests due to developmental projects and initiated the Compensatory Afforestation Programme (CAP).

Issues with generated forests: The programme follows a plantation-centred approach means that compensatory afforestation takes place in discontinuous patches — the new green tracts are a far cry from the dense forests they are meant to replace.

Plantations cannot replace forests: Plantations are mostly monocultures that are no substitute for biodiverse ecosystems. They are susceptible to fires, pests and epidemics and often act as a barrier to natural forest regeneration.

Underutilised funds: The investigation shows that large sums of money deposited in the afforestation fund are lying unused.

Why India needs to properly measure India’s forest cover?

Properly assess afforestation: The ambiguities and grey areas in measuring forest could prevent India’s afforestation programme from achieving its potential.

Fulfilling India’s commitment: India has committed to creating an additional sink of 2.5 billion to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by increasing its forest cover. To fulfil that, India has to increase its forest cover by about 25 million hectares in the next seven years.

The government needs to be more transparent in the way it maps the country’s forests.

About internal labour migration issues: Migrants Are All Of Us

News: Recently, a fake video surfaced in Tamil Nadu containing visuals of migrant workers being attacked by the locals.

About labour migration issues in colonial India

The colonial government never wanted to extend to British India the labour legislations prevailing in the UK. Indentured labour were ‘freely’ kidnapped away from India to several other British-ruled areas including Fiji, Mauritius, West Indies and in Africa. The Indian Penal Code actually provided punishment for workers who escaped servitude.

When the case of indentured labour and their forced migration came to the notice, the Royal Commission of Labour commissioned a study. But the colonial government did nothing to safeguard the interests of migrant labour.

What are the protections available for migrant labour at the global level?

ILO at its 21st session adopted the Migration for Employment Convention, 1939. In 1975, there was the 143rd convention concerning Migrations in Abusive Conditions and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity and Treatment of Migrant Workers. Recommendation 151 also dealt with migrant workers.

However, all these recommendations were only concerned with the migration of workmen from one country to another country.

How did the government frame policies to tackle internal labour migration issues so far?

After the reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis, different states began to have their own labour legislations.

The government enacted the Interstate Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979. The Act defined an inter-state migrant workman as “any person who is recruited by or through a contractor in one state under an agreement or other arrangement for employment in an establishment in another state, whether with or without the knowledge of the principal employer in relation to such establishment.” Supreme Court also in 1984 said that the Act was enacted to eliminate abuses by the contractors, sardars or khatedars.

Why internal labour migration is essential for India?

a) Migrant workers are the backbone of the Indian economy: No region or sector is immune to dependency on them, b) The internal migration offers a competitive environment for manufacturing especially the availability of cheap labour. Hence, any threat to the migration pattern can potentially upset the economic equilibrium in the states like Tamil Nadu, and Maharastra.

What are the challenges in addressing internal labour migration issues in India?

a) Indian labour laws are almost a century old, b) The problem of internal migrant labour was dealt with only along with the general problems of other workmen in the state, c) In most sectors like coal, steel, docks and plantations the issue was not dealt with.

What are the vulnerabilities faced by internally migrated labours?

a) Easy for local police to make allegations against strangers, b) The respective state governments can frame reservation laws for locals in educational institutions and in employment. For instance, the Karnataka government has framed legislation, c) Locals might complain that the migrant labourers have displaced them in many local employments, d) There are other issues like shelter, civic rights, right to get civic amenities, e) Subnational groups have also stepped up a campaign against the “northern invasion” and f) People from the scheduled areas go to other states and lose their status as a Scheduled Tribe.

What should be done to protect the internally migrated labours?

The problems faced by inter-state migrant labour cannot be addressed only through labour legislation. However, Parliament has to consider special legislation that deals with all aspects of migrant workers’ rights including their security and civic rights and not just the labour issues.

A thin line separates nativism and chauvinism, which can be breached at any time. The political parties need to ensure that this doesn’t happen for political gains.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

India, Japan to improve bilateral cooperation towards clean energy transition

Source: The post is based on the article “India, Japan to improve bilateral cooperation towards clean energy transition” published in Down To Earth on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

Japan looks forward to supporting India’s clean energy transition by including India in the Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI).

What is the Asia Energy Transition Initiative(AETI)?

Launched by: Japan in 2021

Aim: To achieve both sustainable growth and carbon neutrality in Asia

The initiative initially supported the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries towards achieving net-zero emissions, including financial assistance of $10 billion for renewable energy.

Japan now looks forward to supporting India’s clean energy transition by including the country in the AETI.

About India-Japan Clean Energy Partnership

The Ministry of External Affairs of India had published in 2022 the requisites of the Clean Energy Partnership(CEP) between India and Japan. 

The partnership has made way for India and Japan to acknowledge the need to explore a variety of options to ensure a secure and stable supply of energy for achieving both goals of sustainable economic growth and addressing climate change. 

Under the partnership, both India and Japan will be tapping into the potential of low carbon sunrise sectors and exploring new technologies and business models to lower carbon emissions. 

The cooperation under this partnership will build on the work already being covered out by the two sides under the foundation of the ‘India-Japan Energy Dialogue’ established in 2007.

Significance: India has set an ambitious target of achieving net zero by 2070. Japan has initiated a goal of becoming net zero by 2050.The countries are utilizing new technologies and economic models that would help reduce emissions.

– This provides significant opportunities to improve bilateral cooperation towards clean and sustainable energy transitions.

Railways ties up with ISRO for train tracking

Source: The post is based on the article “Railways ties up with ISRO for train tracking” published in The Hindu on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Indian Railways is harnessing the power of data analytics for integrated rail transportation. It has launched a project called the Real Time Train Information System (RTIS) project.

What is the Real-Time Train Information System (RTIS) project?

Aim: To enable real-time tracking of train movements with the assistance of satellite imagery.

Working of the project: Under the project, the Centre for Railway Information Systems(CRIS) has collaborated with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for live tracking of train movements.

– ISRO has developed its own regional navigation satellite system called Navigation with Indian Constellation(NavIC) and Bhuvan, a web­ based utility which allows users to explore a set of map-based content being deployed for tracking.

– Indian Railways have taken bandwidth from ISRO and integrated their systems with NavIC and Bhuvan. 

– Every locomotive is fitted with a device and a SIM, which communicates the train’s real position to the satellite and feedback is received. The movement is updated every three seconds.

Significance of the project: Real ­time tracking of trains is useful during accidents, floods and land slips, when there is a need to pin down the train’s exact location for rendering help.

What are similar projects on which Indian Railways is working?

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum tech for the Indian Railways: There is a pilot project underway between Sanchar Bhavan, which houses Ministry of Electronics, Information and Technology and Rail Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of Railways to use quantum key encryption in order to exchange information in a way that is “non­-hackable”.

Use of Data Analytics: Railways is tapping into data analytics to improve passenger experience, help chart out empty seats, and enable more passengers to receive confirmed tickets.

Centre releases guidelines for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers on social media platform

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre releases guidelines for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers on social media platform” published in PIB on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has released a set of guidelines called “Endorsements Know-hows!” for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers on social media platforms.

What is the purpose of these guidelines?

Aim: To ensure that individuals (celebrities and influencers on social media platforms) do not mislead their audiences when endorsing products and services and that they are in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act.

Key Provisions of the guidelines: Endorsements must be made in simple, clear language and terms including the advertisement, sponsored, collaboration and paid promotion can be used.

– Individuals must not endorse any product and service that they have not personally used, or experienced or in which due diligence has not been done by them.

– For paid or barter brand endorsement, any of the following disclosures may be used: “advertisement” “ad” “sponsored” “collaboration” or “partnership”.The term must be indicated as a hashtag or headline text.

– Celebrities and influencers should always review and satisfy themselves that the advertiser is in a position to substantiate the claims made in the advertisement.

With overfishing, great seahorses bolt from the Coromandel

Source: The post is based on the article “With overfishing, great seahorses bolt from the Coromandel” published in The Hindu on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

Extensive fishing off the Coromandel coast could be forcing the Great Seahorse to migrate laboriously toward Odisha. However, the Odisha coast was relatively shallower and could prove unsuitable for the species.

What are Sea Horses?

Seahorses are tiny fish that are named for the shape of their head which looks like the head of a tiny horse.

Habitat: Seahorses are mainly found in shallow tropical and temperate saltwater throughout the world, from about 45°S to 45°N.

Distribution: Globally, 46 species of seahorses have been reported while India houses nine out of the 12 species found in the Indo-Pacific.

– Seahorse populations in India are distributed across diverse ecosystems such as seagrass, mangroves, macroalgal beds, and coral reefs.

– In India, 9 species of Seahorse are distributed along the coasts of eight States and five Union Territories from Gujarat to Odisha, apart from Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Key Characteristics: Seahorses are unique in that the males carry and give birth to the young. After mating, the female seahorse transfers her eggs to a pouch on the male’s belly, where they are fertilized and developed until they are ready to be born. 

– Seahorses are poor swimmers but migrate by rafting, clinging to floating substrata such as macroalgae or plastic debris for dispersal by ocean currents – to new habitats for successful maintenance of their population.

About Great Seahorse

Great seahorse is also known as the Hippocampus kelloggi.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

CITES: Appendix II

Threats: Declining is due to its overexploitation for traditional Chinese medicines and as ornamental fish, combined with general destructive fishing and fisheries bycatch.

Recommendations: Increased monitoring of the coastal ecosystems on the Eastern coast of India is essential in order to conserve and protect the remaining seahorse populations of the area.

Home Ministry allows prison authorities to conduct Aadhaar authentication of inmates

Source: The post is based on the article “Home Ministry allows prison authorities to conduct Aadhaar authentication of inmates” published in The Hindu on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

Union Home Ministry of Home has notified that prison authorities across States are allowed to conduct authentication of prison inmates through Aadhaar for extending benefits such as meeting with relatives and legal aid. 

Note: Prison is a State subject.

About Aadhar Authentication of Prison Inmates

The Ministry of Home Affairs has authorized state governments to carry out the Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates on a voluntary basis.

This decision has been taken after it was authorized under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 for the targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits and services.

How will the Aadhaar Authentication of Prison Inmates be done?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has agreed to accept the Prisoner Induction Document(PID) as a valid document for enrolment or update of the Aadhaar. 

By enrolling prisoners on Aadhaar, various aspects of day-­to-­day prison administration such as production before the court, return to prison, transport, health facilities, shifting to the hospital outside the campus, interviews, free legal aid, parole, temporary release mechanisms, education/ vocational training, release from prisons could be regulated.

Centre planning hallmarking of gold bullion mandatory, says BIS

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre planning hallmarking of gold bullion mandatory, says BIS” published in Business Standard on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

Bureau of India Standards (BIS) has prohibited the sale of hallmarked gold jewellery or gold artefacts without 6 digits alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification Number(HUID) after 31st March 2023.

Till now, the old hallmarked jewellery with four marks without HUID was also permitted to be sold by the jewellers along with the 6-digit HUID mark.

What is Hallmarking?

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About Hallmarking Scheme for Jewellery

Hallmarking scheme for Jewelry was started by BIS in the year 2000. However, Mandatory Hallmarking has been successfully implemented since June 2021.

Hallmark consists of 3 symbols which give you some information. In this, the first symbol is the BIS logo, the second symbol indicates purity and fineness and the third symbol is the HUID. 

What is Hallmark Unique Identification(HUID)?

Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number is a six-digit Alphanumeric code consisting of numbers and letters. 

HUID will be given to every piece of jewellery at the time of hallmarking and it is unique for every piece of jewellery. 

The jewellery is stamped with the unique number manually at the Assaying & Hallmarking centre.

How does the Consumer benefit from HUID?

HUID-based Hallmarking is a win-win for everyone. It brings about transparency, ensures consumers’ rights and obviates the chances of Inspector Raj. Anyone can get existing jewellery Hallmarked and get a true valuation of Gold.

What happens if the hallmarked jewellery is found of lesser purity?

As per section 49 of BIS Rules, 2018 in case Hallmarked Jewellery bought by the consumer is found to be of lesser purity than that marked on the jewellery, then the buyer/customer shall be entitled for compensation which shall be two times the amount of difference calculated on the basis of shortage of purity for the weight of such article sold and the testing charges.

What are the two lawsuits in the U.S. Supreme Court which could change the internet as we know it?

Source: The post is based on the article “What are the two lawsuits in the U.S. Supreme Court which could change the internet as we know it?” published in The Hindu on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has begun hearing two pivotal lawsuits that will for the first time ask it to interpret Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act of 1996.

What is Section 230?

According to Section 230 of the U.S Communications Decency Act, if a person posts on Facebook that a certain individual is a fraud, the individual cannot sue the platform, but only the person who posted it. 

It is essentially a “safe harbour” or “liability shield” for social media platforms or any website on the internet that hosts user-generated content, such as Reddit, Wikipedia, or Yelp.

This section has been described by a recent book and by Lisa Blatt, Google’s lawyer in the Gonzalez case as the “26 words that created the internet”.

What are the two lawsuits filed in the US Supreme Court?

Both lawsuits have been brought by families of those killed in Islamic State(ISIS) terror attacks. 

Gonzalez versus Google Lawsuit: It has been filed by the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, an American killed while studying in Paris, in the ISIS terror attacks of 2015.

– The family is suing YouTube­ parent Google for affirmatively recommending ISIS videos to users through its recommendations algorithm. 

Twitter, Inc versus Taamneh Lawsuit: It pertains to a lawsuit filed by the family of a Jordanian citizen killed in an ISIS attack in Turkey. The lawsuit relies on the Anti-terrorism Act, which allows U.S. nationals to sue anyone who “aids and abets” international terrorism “by knowingly providing substantial assistance.

– The family argues that despite knowing that their platforms played an important role in ISIS’s terrorism efforts.

What have Tech companies said about Section 230?

Twitter argued that Section 230 allows facilitated platforms to moderate huge volumes of content and present the “most relevant” information to users. 

Digital rights activists pointed out that holding platforms liable for what their recommendation algorithms present could lead to the suppression of legitimate third-party information of political or social importance, such as those created by minority rights groups.

Rushikulya sands teem with Olive Ridleys

Source: The post is based on the article “Rushikulya sands teem with Olive Ridleys” published in The Hindu on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha’s Ganjam district has emerged as a major mass nesting site for the Olive Ridley turtles as a record number of over 6.37 lakh turtles laid eggs on the beach during the eight-day mass nesting.

Olive Ridley Turtles also arrived at Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara district, which is known as the world’s largest known nesting site of the olive ridley turtles. Puri and Devi river mouth beaches too host Olive Ridley turtles this time around.

What are Olive Ridley Turtles?

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What is the Rushikulya River?

Rushikulya River is one of the major rivers in the state of Odisha. It covers the entire catchment area in the districts of Kandhamal and Ganjam of Odisha. 

The Rushikulya originate from Daringbadi hills of the Eastern Ghats range. The place from where the river originates, Daringbadi is called the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’.

The river meets the Bay of Bengal at Puruna Bandha in Ganjam. 

Its tributaries are the Baghua, the Dhanei, the Badanadi etc. It has no delta as such at its mouth.

Why are salt flats around the world covered in a similar pattern of ridges?

Source: The post is based on the article “Why are salt flats around the world covered in a similar pattern of ridges?” published in The Hindu on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

In salt flats across the globe, the salt on the surface forms pentagons and hexagons arranged in a patchwork pattern. These mesmerizing patterns have been captured in Bolivia, Chile, China, India (in the Rann of Kutch), Iran, Tunisia and even United States.

Researchers are puzzled by these patterns of salt flats. Now a study conducted by researchers from Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom may have found an explanation for these patterns of salt flats.

What are Salt Flats?

A salt flat is a natural landscape in which a large area of flat land is covered by salt.

World’s most well-known salt flat is the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia contains more than half of the planet’s lithium reserves.

A salt flat forms from a natural water body whose recharge rate is lower than the evaporation rate. The underlying soil is highly saline: even if the water table is shallow, the groundwater is too salty for humans to drink.

How are the shapes of Salt Flats formed according to the study?

The study began with the hypothesis that the salt on the surface is influenced by the salt flowing through the soil below. 

Based on this, they found that the salt penetrated deeper into the soil exactly below the ridges and remained shallow under the flat areas. Due to this, salt on the surface forms pentagons and hexagons.

To mitigate the deleterious effects of salt flats, experts have recommended covering salt flats in a shallow layer of water, so that the salt is deposited on the surface more uniformly and less salt is carried away by winds.

What is the significance of this study?

Scientists have proposed a variety of explanations for why the surface of dried salt lakes develops this pattern of polygonal shapes at least since the early 1960s.

The majority of them have either thought about dynamics above or below the surface, but the new study demonstrates that polygons are formed when these two realms interact.

India to launch global alliance for big cats, invest $100 million

Source: The post is based on the article “India to launch global alliance for big cats, invest $100 million” published in Indian Express on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Government of India has proposed to launch an International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) under its leadership to protect big cats and assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of USD 100 million (over Rs 800 crore).

What is the International Big Cat Alliance(IBCA)?

IBCA is a proposed mega-global alliance that will work toward the protection and conservation of the seven major big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.

Purpose of alliance: To provide a platform for the dissemination of information on benchmarked practices, capacity building, resources repository, research and development, awareness creation, etc., on the protection and conservation of big cats.

Membership: Membership to the alliance will be open to 97 ‘range’ countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organizations, etc.

Major activities will include advocacy, partnership, knowledge e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism, partnerships between expert groups and finance tapping.

Composition: The IBCA’s governance structure will comprise: 1) A General Assembly consisting of all member countries, 2) A council of at least seven but not more than 15 member countries elected by the General Assembly for a term of 5 years and 3) A Secretariat.

– Upon the recommendation of the Council, the General Assembly will appoint the IBCA Secretary General for a specific term.

Funding: For the first five years, IBCA will be supported by India’s ‘total grant assistance’ of $100 million. After this, the alliance is expected to sustain itself through membership fees and contributions from bilateral and multilateral institutions and the private sector.