Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

The lack of a drug recall law in India

News: A multinational pharmaceutical company has recently recalled its drugs by issuing a public notice in newspapers in India, alerting people about a mislabeled batch of the medicine that it had accidentally shipped to the market.

Does India have a drug recall law?

The law in the US requires pharmaceutical companies to recall those drugs batches from the market those have failed to meet quality parameters.

However, India does not have any such law in the present and it has been considering the creation of a mandatory recall law for substandard drugs since 1976.

In 1976, the Drugs Consultative Committee along with the officials from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), discussed the issue of drug recalls.

The issue, drugs being sold in another state while it has been recalled in one state, was discussed.

The need for greater cooperation between various state drug controllers to facilitate better coordination was decided in the meeting.

However, this decision never translated into amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to create a legally binding structure to enforce such recalls.

In 2012, certain recall guidelines were published by the CDSCO but they lacked the force of law.

What is the significance of a drug recall law?

Substandard drugs have adverse health consequences which may also lead to deaths of children.

In India, almost every month, dozens of drugs fail random testing in government laboratories and there was also news about Indian drugs failures overseas. These drugs require to be recalled in a transparent manner.

Why is there no drug recall law in India?

First, the Union Health Ministry’s Drug Regulation Section is unprepared to deal with complicated drug regulatory issues. It focuses more on supporting the pharmaceutical industry’s expansion than safeguarding public health.

Second, India has a highly fragmented regulatory structure. Each State has its own drug regulator. This enables pharmaceutical companies to sell drugs in another state where there is no such restriction.

Therefore, to create an effective recall mechanism, the responsibility of recalling drugs must be centralized, with power under one authority.

However, both the pharmaceutical industry and state drug regulators have resisted greater centralisation of regulatory powers.

Third, the drug recall system will bring public attention to the conditions of India’s pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, there has been consistent opposition to such laws.

Must Read: Can a centralized regulation help drug quality?

Roads, traffic and GDP

News– The article explains the issues of traffic management in India.

Why does traffic movement need to be a significant part of development economics and public policy in India?

The chaotic and slow traffic movement causes significant wastage of time and energy. It affects productivity and gross domestic product.

Traffic movement is not the only solution for the growth rate of GDP.  But policy to improve traffic movement is a part of “small” policy changes. These policy changes can make a big difference to the growth rate of GDP.

Improving traffic movement can have significant effects on welfare. This is due to factors such as tension, road rage, and accidents that are waiting to happen.

What are the reasons for poor traffic management in cities?

Investment can be in tangible assets or intangible assets. Tangible assets include roads. Intangible assets include a sound system for smooth traffic movement.

India is spending too much money on tangible assets and very little on intangible assets. There is a tendency to spend on wider roads and flyovers. But there is inadequate attention to smooth traffic movement.

India often takes pride in world class highways. However, the opportunity cost of a world-class highway is very high.

Parking space for vehicles is limited in cities in India. Parts of the roads are used as parking spaces. This slows down traffic considerably.

Master plans of cities often do not allocate enough spaces for the purpose. Town planners feel that they need to focus on providing land for housing, commerce rather than on less useful purposes like parking.

What is the way forward for improving traffic management in India?

Only about 0.2% of national land mass in India is used in the top 10 cities. This shows that there is ample scope for increasing land for cities. This can pave the way for providing far more spaces for parking in existing and new cities.

There is a need to reconsider the licensing of drivers. At present, the focus is on checking whether a person seeking a licence can drive a vehicle. But there is also a need to check adequately that the applicant can drive without adversely affecting others.

A change in licensing policy can help in improving the movement of traffic on roads.

India needs good highways, but not necessarily world-class highways. The difference between the cost of building a good highway and a world-class highway can be very large. The money saved can be used to improve the traffic movement within cities and small towns.

India’s China strategy needs to be debated

News- Recently, China renamed 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh. The announcement was made after approval from the State Council, implying a green light from the very top of the Chinese system.

The “renaming” of disputed territories has been a long-held tactic of the Chinese government. This is the third batch of “re-naming” with reference to Arunachal Pradesh.

What is the situation on LAC?

As per a research paper submitted by a senior police officer, India has lost access to 26 out of 65 Patrolling Points in eastern Ladakh.

India has adopted the “play safe” approach. It has turned areas that were accessible before April 2020 for patrolling by the Army into informal “buffer” zones. It has resulted in the loss of pasture lands at Gogra hills, the North Bank of Pangong Tso, and Kakjung areas.

This is a matter of national security and of grave concern. Yet, the government refuses to openly call out the Chinese threat.

What are several factors that explain Indian stand on Chinese aggression?

There is a growing power differential and military capability differential between the two countries. There is uncertainty about the strategic actions of major powers such as the U.S. in case of a military stand-off.

There is pressure from Indian business interests to safeguard trade. Lack of consensus within the various ministries about the response to the Chinese threat and lack of political will are also major factors.

These considerations have led to self-restraint by the Indian government. It has even refused to permit even a basic discussion of China in Parliament, on the grounds of national security.

Is India repeating the errors made in its pre-1962 engagement with Communist China?

Nehru viewed India and China as the two major south Asian civilizations. It recognised the Communist government in China and softened its line on China’s invasion and occupation of Tibet, its encroachment on India’s borders.

Present government’s current policy of ignoring Chinese threat seems similar.

What is the way forward to deal with the Chinese threat?

The Indian government is strengthening border defences and building infrastructure on the Indian side.  But it is not opposing Chinese build-up and continuing “salami-slicing” tactics on the disputed frontier.

There is a need for acknowledgement of the problem. It will initiate a process of resolving it.

As a one-party state, China does not have to worry about public approval. The Chinese Communist Party has built domestic credibility by valorising its international image.

It is now about showing strength, determination, economic might and an unwillingness to compromise on core national interests.

In fact, China’s public image is a source of its vulnerability. It has always had a fear of being isolated in global affairs. Its assertiveness today is accompanied by diplomatic overtures in Europe, Russia and West Asia.

India was able to capitalise on China’s image-consciousness to get Masood Azhar blacklisted by the 1267 UN Sanctions Committee. Hence, image matters to Beijing. It can be exploited to India’s advantage.

However, the government must take the Indian people into confidence. It is time for an urgent debate in Parliament on India’s China strategy.

Buddhism, India’s soft power projection tool

News– Recently, India hosted a two-day global Buddhist summit in New Delhi. It was organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation.

Why was the summit important for India?

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, laid emphasis on the continuing relevance of the Buddha’s teachings in today’s world.

The summit was a significant opportunity for India to project and connect with the Buddhist population around the world. It will strengthen the country’s soft power.

It saw a diverse group of 171 foreign delegates from South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, and Taiwan, along with 150 delegates from Indian Buddhist organisations. It was attended by prominent scholars, sangha leaders, and dharma practitioners.

The Indian government hopes to demonstrate its commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhist culture and heritage.

What are the efforts by the Indian government to increase its soft power through Buddhist diplomacy?

The Indian government has been actively investing in its Buddhist diplomacy. There is a focus on promoting tourism through the development of the “Buddhist tourist circuit”.

Mr. Modi is visiting Buddhist sites during his Southeast and East Asian visits.

What is the potential of Buddhist diplomacy?

India is well-positioned to play a leading role in shaping the discourse around Buddhist issues on the global stage. India holds an advantage due to the faith’s origins in the country.

As per Mr. Modi, “India has not given ‘Yuddha’ to the world but ‘Buddha’.” India’s want to provide an alternative to contested global politics, with morality as the guiding principle.

India wants to position itself as a great power committed to cooperation rather than coercion. It is rooted in its deep historical and cultural ties to the region.

The current government’s guiding principles for foreign policy are Panchamrit principles. It includes “Sanskriti Evam Sabhyata”. It means cultural and civilizational links.

Buddhist diplomacy has the potential to promote regional cohesion. Nearly 97% of the global Buddhist population is based in Asia.

During the Cold War, China effectively used Buddhist diplomacy to engage with its neighbouring countries. It continues to employ this approach to gain legitimacy for its Belt and Road Initiative. 

What is the way for India to effectively utilise Buddhist diplomacy?

To maintain its edge over China, more action is needed. China is actively seeking to exert control over the appointment of the next Dalai Lama. It would be a blow to India’s efforts to project its soft power through Buddhism.

India must act to ensure that it remains a key player in the global Buddhist community.

India should continue promoting Buddhism at the highest levels of government, while also organising cultural events to showcase the country’s rich Buddhist history.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) could play a significant role in promoting such events within and outside India.

India should work to strengthen its ties with key Buddhist institutions and leaders around the world. The Delhi summit was a step in the right direction.

India also needs to utilise the reach of Bollywood in promoting its Buddhist heritage. China, with its influence over Hollywood, has completely dominated the narrative around Buddhism through cinema. In contrast, India is behind in this domain.

India’s G-20 presidency this year could be used to promote Buddhist diplomacy on a bigger scale through various cultural meetings. Buddhist teachings align with the motto of India’s G-20 presidency, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

Of hope and vigilance – WHO’s announcement gives hope, but there is a message of caution

News: Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a global emergency status – ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ or ‘PHEIC’.

What is the Public Health Emergency of International Concern(PHEIC)?

About the WHO Declaration on COVID Pandemic

What tasks should the nations focus upon?

Eternal vigilance on mutations: The WHO and nations have to ensure that the WHO announcement is not selectively received. The nations have to pay attention to multiple variants and sub-variants that continue to emerge regularly.

The nations must understand that at any point in time, it is possible that a new variant, or recombinant may lead to rapid transmission and cause severe disease, resulting in hospitalisations and even higher mortality rates.

Periodic drills for testing their health capability: The nations need to periodically test their capacity to respond to epidemic situations.

Utilise the infrastructure built during the pandemic: During the pandemic times, the governments built INSACOG laboratories that are capable of genetic sequencing. Similarly, other health infrastructures were also built. All these must be utilised well.

Increase R&D funding: The government should increase research and development funding into vaccine platforms, drug delivery systems, antivirals, and antibiotics. This will enable nations to be prepared for any upcoming health concerns.

Apart from nations, individuals should follow the hygiene and precautions that became a habit during the COVID years, particularly a) adhering to the vaccination schedule, b) following hand hygiene and c) masking under certain circumstances.

A north-south Asia corridor is a step in the right direction

News: Recently, India’s National Security Advisor participated in a meeting in Saudi Arabia with his US, Saudi Arabia and UAE counterparts.

What are the key highlights of the meeting?

-It marks a deepening of India’s outreach towards West Asia, strengthening the initiative taken with the 12U2 grouping.

-The meeting signals a broader, integrated approach to India’s West — similar to the Indo-Pacific — along with the US and regional partners.

Plan on North-South Asia corridor: The meeting discussed a proposal to link countries in West Asia through rail networks and roads, as well as build corridors between the region and South Asia through sea lanes.

The project is a response to China’s Belt and Road initiative, which has been used by Beijing to increase its footprint across Asia.

About the viability of the North-South Asia corridor

The project is viable due to the following a) Asian countries now understand the issues with China’s “debt trap” diplomacy, b) There is a visible reduction in the rivalry between the West Asian countries, c) Indian expertise in railways as demonstrated recently in Sri Lanka,

De-hyphenation in the region: The Abraham Accords of 2020 functionally normalised ties between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain. Similarly, Saudi Arabia and Iran also restored their ties earlier this year.

What are the challenges in participating North-South Asia corridor for India?

a) Land connectivity with West Asia remains a challenge for India, due to the India-Pakistan issue, b) the new project will test India’s balancing act with Russia and China and Russia and the West.

What are the advantages of the North-South Asia corridor for India?

Provide energy security: Direct corridors between West Asia and the Subcontinent will ensure a more steady and reliable supply of crude oil.

Increase India’s credibility in project execution: India building railways will increase the country’s reputation as an executor of major projects.

Increase employability: The direct presence of Indian companies and government can brighten the prospects for millions of Indian workers in the region.

GS Paper 3

A stitch in time for the ongoing green transition is what we need

News: Countries are now looking to give up fossil fuel and adopt green energy. This transition carries consequences such as disruptions in labor markets and communities.

What are the concerns with energy transition for labour markets?

It is argued that job losses in the fossil fuel sector due to an energy transition would be compensated by job creation in green energy, through reallocation of capital and labour. However, there are many concerns present with the transition.

The concerns such as – a) the amount of time needed for labour markets to return to the employment rate before the transition, and b) heterogeneity of the labour force employed in old and new energy sectors, are often ignored.

Following are some of the studies that prove the challenges of transitions

Tariff liberalization in the 1980s in Brazil led to the supply of products from other countries. It affected the domestic industries producing the same products at higher cost. The long-term impacts were prolonged wage depression, a decline in formal employment, and a rise in informal jobs.

Workers in Brazil also experienced the costs of switching sectors because the specific experience of previous sector was not fully transferable. These costs were found higher for female, less educated and older workers.

A similar thing happened in the US, when it conferred permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status on China in 2000. PNTR status reduced tariff-related uncertainties for Chinese exports to the US.

This trade relations with China affected manufacturing employment in the US. Many displaced workers could neither find new jobs in other sectors nor migrate elsewhere.

This disruption in the labour market in the US also had social outcomes such as there were rise in deaths caused due to drug overdose, suicide and liver diseases.

The US also encountered two shocks in the coal sector: one in 1980, when oil prices collapsed, causing a large fall in coal consumption, and another in the 2010s, when natural gas and renewable energy progressively displaced coal in generating power.

Studies show that a contraction in coal mining led to a decline in regional employment and wage rates.

The above examples demonstrate the consequence of green transition policies on the labour market. A full-fledged green transition would induce even bigger shocks, springing from rapidly evolving technology, geopolitics, markets and societies

Must Read: Energy Transition: Challenges and Solutions – Explained

What can be the way ahead for India?

India’s long-term goal of net zero by 2070 is being met through a pragmatically paced shift to renewables. Therefore, India needs to prioritize economic growth and sustain the adoption of environment-conscious lifestyles.

This will help build capabilities to deal with the structural changes associated with a green transition, along with ensuring the availability of finance, technology, raw material, human capital, etc.

Moreover, building a strong social security system and focusing on human capital development, such as labour skilling that eases inter-sector migration, would also help address the labour-market consequences of a green transition in India.

The ocean is under unprecedented stress – on ocean conservation

Context: The article discusses the challenges of protecting oceans and the role India can play in the marine conservation.

Blue economy refers to our ability to exploit the assets in the ocean sustainably and in a way that will enable us to live in a healthier world.

After reckless exploitation of the land resources, there is a need to make sure that ocean resources do not face similar damage.

What are the current threats to the blue economy of nations?

• Overfishing and illegal fishing practices,
• climate change,
• ocean acidification,
• plastic pollution,
• oil spills,
• habitat destruction,
• loss of biodiversity
• unsustainable coastal development

How India’s G20 presidency can be instrumental in ocean conservation?

It can be made possible by reaching to few useful agreements among nations, like:

1. Providing financial support for the developing nations to adopt sustainable ocean policies and
2. Investing in capacity building to strengthen ocean governance and management.
3. Proper implementation of 30×30 campaign. It aims at protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
4. India can join the Commonwealth’s Blue Charter Action Group. The countries of this group work towards solving ocean-related challenges and meet commitments for sustainable ocean action.

What is the importance of oceans for the survival of human beings and why are they neglected?

First, Oceans produce oxygen, provides food and livelihoods, and stabilises our climate.

Second, the oceans have functioned as coolant, by absorbing most of the trapped heat. However, due to its neglect, the ocean is warming up, which is resulting in more intense hurricanes and cyclones.

Third, if marine exploitation goes on at a similar pace, more than half of the world’s marine species may stand on the brink of extinction by 2100.

UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 is for ocean conservation. However, ocean conservation has received the least funded of all SDGs. The ocean accounts for only 2% of the Green Climate Fund.

All this neglect is because of a lack of understanding of the importance of the ocean for our survival. Therefore, it is facing neglect.

What efforts have been made by the commonwealth for the conservation of oceans?

It created the Blue Charter in 2018 to overcome the issue of lack of funding for ocean conservation.

Commonwealth formed the climate finance access hub. It is at present concentrating on small states which are most vulnerable.

It is also expanding the climate finance access adviser facility by designating ocean advisers.

Unravelling the complexities of India’s 2011-12 GDP series is key

News – The article explains the changes incorporated in 2011-12 series to calculate the GDP.

What are numerous conceptual and statistical changes, incorporated in the 2011-12 series?

It was aimed at aligning the series with recommendations of the System of National Accounts (SNA) 2008.

Traditionally, in India, GDP referred to GDP at factor cost. Gross Value Added at Basic Prices was introduced as a new aggregate in new series. The new reference for GDP became GDP at Market Prices.

The differences between these aggregates are due to a segregation of production and product taxes. Production taxes does not change with the level of output, such as stamp duty or registration fees. Product taxes include ad-valorem or indirect taxes.

There was the inclusion of a new class of assets, namely Intellectual Property and Cultivated Biological resources, under Gross Capital Formation. This addition recognized the growing importance of intangible assets in modern economies.

Another significant change was the capitalization of Research and Development (R&D) expenditure by government, public and private corporations. In the previous series, R&D was treated as intermediate consumption.

In new series, R&D output was capitalized as intellectual property products. It acknowledges its role in fostering innovation and driving long-term economic growth.

The 2011-12 series also introduced changes in the treatment of Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) of households. Expenditures on gold and silver were previously considered consumption expenditures.

In the new series, they were reclassified as ‘valuables’ under capital formation. This change highlighted the role of such spending as a store of wealth and a form of investment, rather than simple consumption.

The 2011-12 series saw major revisions in the methodology and estimates in several subsectors, such as organized manufacturing and the services sector.

The incorporation of the MCA21 database improved coverage of registered companies in manufacturing and services.

A new Effective Labour Input method was introduced for estimating value added in the unincorporated manufacturing and services sector. It considered the differing marginal productivity of various types of workers.

Unincorporated enterprises that maintained books of accounts were reclassified as ‘quasi corporations’. These were included in the Private Corporate Sector instead of the Household sector.

The coverage was extended to major municipal bodies and autonomous institutions. It is ensuring a broader representation of economic activities.

The services sector expanded to include NBFCs, regulatory bodies and services of stockbrokers, mutual funds and pension funds.

The output of the Reserve Bank of India underwent a methodological change. Previously, it was calculated as a mix of market and non-market output. The new series considers the entire output of RBI as a non-market activity and measures it using the cost approach.

What are numerous issues related to 2011-12 series?

It ranges from methodological concerns to data inconsistencies.

There are issues related to implementation of base year changes, the use of outdated data sources and the impact of a rapidly evolving economy on GDP estimation.

The Maoists are still a threat

News: Recently, the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district claimed the lives of ten police personnel and a civilian driver.

How security forces

The attack was carried out during the tactical counter-offensive campaign (the period between February and June every year when the Maoists carry out maximum attacks against security forces). Out of a total of 17 major strikes in Chhattisgarh (2010-2023), 15 were carried out in this period. This should give the government enough leads to plan its strategy.

The security forces have to remain extra cautious during these months by strictly adhering to standard operating procedures and protocols.

What is Left Wing Extremism?

What are the anti-Naxal strategies followed by governments?

About the Maoist evolution in independent India and flaws in India’s anti-naxal strategy 

Lack of adequate police personnel: Effective policing in insurgency-affected regions is the task of state police forces. The Central police forces ought to supplement and not supplant the State police.

But the data of the Bureau of Police Research and Development say that there are many vacancies in the State police forces. For instance, as of January 1, 2021, the share of vacancies in State police cadres in left-wing extremism States was 24.41%. This adversely affects the police-population ratio.

What should be done to address Naxalism?

Employ local tribal youth for the District Reserve Guard (DRG) with caution: Security should not be simply outsourced to local youth. DRG needs to be employed in a controlled manner by the State police.

Reconsider government development projects: The government needs to pay adequate attention to perception management. For instance, the government should reconsider the extensive road construction projects in Bastar.

Utilise the weakness in strategy: The utility of the Maoist ideology in current times is not adequately exposed, to weaken the insurgency. The focus needs to be beyond security and development.

Extending liability – New PMLA rules will help curb black money

News: The recent government notification has brought in the practising chartered accountants (CAs), company secretaries (CSes), and cost and works accountants (CWAs) within the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This is done for select activities done on behalf of clients.

What are the changes brought by the government in the PMLA Act?

What is the rationale behind the changes to PMLA Act?

-To fulfil the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessment, which is due in November.

Note: India last came under the FATF’s assessment in 2010 and the next one was postponed owing to the pandemic.

-To make CAs, CSes, and CWAs equally responsibile for specified transactions made under the PMLA.

What are some previous amendments to the PMLA Act which aim for FATF compliance?

As part of this compliance exercise, the government in had a) amended the money-laundering rules, making it mandatory for banks and other financial institutions to record transactions of non-profit organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as “Politically Exposed Persons” (PEPs).

Note: PEPs are defined as those “entrusted with prominent public functions by a foreign country, including the heads of State or Government, senior politicians, senior government or judicial or military officers, senior executives of state-owned corporations and important political party officials.”

What are the concerns raised by CAs, CSes, and CWAs against the changes under the PMLA Act?

a) CAs, CSes, and CWAs are already regulated by professional bodies set up under various Acts of Parliament, b) The burdensome reporting requirements that have been imposed on them might hurt their functioning, c) Lawyers and legal professionals have been kept outside the new provision.

What should be done?

According to the government’s explanation, lawyers do conduct such financial transactions for their clients. But, they are prohibited from accepting money for these services because the Advocates Act debars them from acting as agents. On the other hand, practising accountants render these services because there is no explicit bar on them in the relevant laws.

But, receiving a fee for a transaction or not should not determine the nature of the transaction. So the rules should not be diluted by excluding other entities that can perform the same functions.

Land Of Quotas Manipur is another example of agitation stemming from shrinking land holdings & few regular jobs

News: Manipur’s violence between Meiteis and Kukis has been brought under control.

What are the reasons behind the unrest in Manipur?

Friction between different ethnic groups has roots in Manipur’s geography and culture. But this time, an emerging structural economic problem appears to be in the forefront. Such as,

The powers of Autonomous Hill Councils: The state has a separate judicial and governance system for the tribal hill areas, which are controlled by Autonomous Hill Councils. These councils are authorised to manage and transfer property.

Lack of employment opportunities: In Imphal Valley, rising population pressure and inadequate economic opportunities created the conditions for Meitei groups to ask for reclassification as Scheduled Tribes.

Note: Forests cover a little over 75% of Manipur. Across that area, hill tribes practise shifting cultivation.

In Manipur, 42% of the total households are in agriculture. According to the employment annual report of 2021-22 data, 60% of Manipur’s households are categorised as self-employed. This proportion is higher than the national average of 54%.

Both the population pressure on the limited cultivated areas and the lack of employment alternatives have been the reason behind the present demand for the recent tussle.

What will be the impact of Manipur unrest on regional security?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Health Minister launches Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana

Source: The post is based on the article “Health Minister launches Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana” published in PIB on 9th May 2023

What is the News?

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has launched the third phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana(TBSY).

What is Thalassemia?

Click Here to read

What is Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana(TBSY)?

Launched in: 2017

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Nodal Mission: National Health Mission (NHM) 

Aim: To provide a one-time cure opportunity to underprivileged Thalassemia patients who have a matched sibling donor but do not have the financial resources to cover the cost of the procedure. 

Supported by: Coal India Limited(CIL) as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Financial assistance: The initiative provides financial assistance for a package cost of 10 lakhs per Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) directly transferred from CIL to the institutions performing HSCT.

– Note: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) refers to the transplantation of stem cells from various sources (bone marrow, growth factor–stimulated peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood) for the treatment of malignant and nonmalignant hematologic, autoimmune, and genetic diseases.

Achievements: The program has successfully completed 356 bone marrow transplants for Thalassemia patients across 10 empanelled hospitals in India during the two phases.

What is the e-Raktkosh portal?

Click Here to read

What are the regulations to curtail misleading food ads?

Source: The post is based on the article “What are the regulations to curtail misleading food ads?” published in The Hindu on 9th May 2023

What is the News?

The Advertisement Monitoring Committee at the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) flagged 32 fresh cases of food business operators (FBOs) making misleading claims and advertisements.

What does FSSAI want from the advertisements?

FSSAI wants advertisements and claims to be truthful, unambiguous, meaningful, not misleading and help consumers to comprehend the information provided.

The claims must be scientifically substantiated by validated methods of characterizing or quantifying the ingredient or substance that is the basis for the claim.

What are the deceptive words used in the advertisements to mislead consumers?

Natural: A food product can be referred to as ‘natural’ if it is a single food derived from a recognised natural source and has nothing added to it.

– Composite foods – a mixture of plant and processed constituents can be called ‘made from natural ingredients’ instead of ‘natural’.

Fresh: It can be used for products which are not processed in any manner other than washing, peeling, chilling, trimming, cutting or irradiation by ionizing radiation (not exceeding 1 kG to delay in ripening, killing of insects/pests, etc).

– Those with additives (to increase shelf life) may instead use ‘freshly frozen’, ‘fresh frozen’, or ‘frozen from fresh’ to contextualize that it was quickly frozen while fresh.

Pure and original: ‘Pure’ is to be used for single-ingredient foods to which nothing has been added and which are devoid of all avoidable contamination.

– ‘Original’ is used to describe food products made to a formulation, with a traceable origin that has remained unchanged over time.

Nutritional claims: Nutritional claims may either be about the specific contents of a product or comparisons with some other foodstuff.

– Claims of equivalence such as “contains the same of (nutrient) as a (food)” or “as much (nutrient) as a (food)” may be used in the labelling.

– Most complaints of misleading Ads were related to the nutrition of a product, its benefits and the ingredient mix not being based on adequate evidence.

What are the regulations to combat misleading advertisements?

There are varied regulations to combat misleading advertisements and claims:

Food Safety and Standards (Advertising & Claims) Regulations, 2018: It specifically deals with food (and related products). The rules prohibit companies from using deceptive words like “natural”, “fresh”, “original”, “traditional”, “premium”, “finest”, “best”, “authentic”, “genuine” and “real”. 

– Product claims suggesting a prevention, alleviation, treatment or cure of a disease, disorder or particular psychological condition is prohibited unless specifically permitted under the regulations of the FSS Act, 2006.

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA): It has been set up under Consumer Protection Act, 2019. It has been set up to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class. 

– It is empowered to conduct investigations into violation of consumer rights and institute complaints/prosecution, order recalls of unsafe goods and services, order discontinuation of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements, impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.

Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994: It stipulates that advertisements must not imply that the products have some special or miraculous or supernatural property or quality, which is difficult to prove. 

India frets over US proposal seeking advance tariff notices at IPEF

Source: The post is based on the article “India frets over US proposal seeking advance tariff notices at IPEF” published in Business Standard on 9th May 2023

What is the News?

India fears that a proposal by the United States under the “supply chains” pillar of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) could violate multilateral rules and reduce policy elbowroom.

What is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework(IPEF)?

Click Here to read

IPEF members represent 40% of the global gross domestic product and 28% of the world’s trade. 

The IPEF has four pillars: trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy. 

– Note: India has yet to take a call on whether to join the trade pillar, though it has joined the other three. 

What has been proposed by the US under IPEF?

The US has proposed that all IPEF partner countries will have to provide advance notices on tariff changes and export restrictions. 

However, India fears that such an exercise could amount to a violation of the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules as well as a possible loss of policy space to the government. Notifications are usually done only after measures are taken and not before. 

Hence, industry inputs have been sought by India to safeguard its interests.

China-Central Asia Summit: Chinese President to host first meet with all Central Asia leaders

Source: The post is based on the article “Chinese President to host first meet with all Central Asia leaders” published in The Hindu on 9th May 2023

What is the News?

The Chinese President will be hosting a China-Central Asia Summit.

About China-Central Asia Summit

The China-Central Asia Summit is the first of its kind since the establishment of formal relations 31 years ago.’

Leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are expected to attend the summit.

The focus of the summit will be on strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between Central Asia and China.

What is the importance of Central Asia for China?

Central Asia had relatively a lower strategic priority for China prior to the 2000s. However, it has risen in prominence in China’s foreign policy in recent years.

A few of the reasons for this are:

– It has become a zone of strategic interest for the security of Xinjiang in western China- as it shares borders with three of the Central Asian countries i.e., Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; 

China’s commercial and resource interests: The Central Asian region is rich in natural resources: gas in Turkmenistan; oil, gas and uranium in Kazakhstan; uranium and gas in Uzbekistan; hydropower in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan;

– as a ‘testing ground’ for China’s foreign engagements, including multilateral institution building,

– The region is characterized by cheap wages and a willingness by governments to provide tax breaks and other subsidies for foreign investors in strategic industries. It will also give China access to the European market.

Delhi to launch ‘haunted walk’ tomorrow; first trip to Malcha Mahal

Source: The post is based on the article “Delhi to launch ‘haunted walk’ tomorrow; first trip to Malcha Mahal” published in Indian Express on 8th May 2023

What is the News?

The Delhi Tourism Department is all set to launch its much-awaited ‘haunted walks’ and the first destination is the Malcha Mahal.

What is Malcha Mahal?

Malcha Mahal is located in Delhi.

It was built in 1325 by the then Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq and was, for long, used as a hunting lodge.

It later became the residence of the descendants of the Nawab of Awadh. It is said that it came to be known as ‘Wilayat Mahal’ after Begum Wilayat Mahal of Awadh, who claimed that she was a member of the royal family of Oudh. She was given the palace by the government in 1985.

The monument is not Archaeological Survey of India(ASI)-protected and, therefore, no attention was paid to it in all these years in order to conserve it.

In 2019, the Delhi government received a proposal from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) to restore the Mahal.

Newly synthesized biocompatible drug delivery system combined with anti-inflammatory drugs brings potential solution for rheumatoid arthritis

Source: The post is based on the article “Newly synthesized biocompatible drug delivery system combined with anti-inflammatory drugs brings potential solution for rheumatoid arthritis” published in PIB on 8th May 2023

What is the News?

Scientists have found that a nano-micelle drug delivery system combined with anti-inflammatory drugs has the potential to cure rheumatoid arthritis.

What is Rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis, often known as RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory condition in which a person’s immune system unintentionally attacks healthy cells, leading to inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected areas of the body.

The condition frequently affects the hands, knees or ankles, and typically the same joint on both sides of the body, such as both hands and both knees.

In some worse cases, the condition also tends to affect other organs of the body, including the eyes, heart, circulatory system and lungs.

Therefore, patients with rheumatoid arthritis need to have regular follow-ups as other vital organs may also get involved.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be very painful, frustrating and can lead to permanent joint damage if left untreated for a longer period.

However, early diagnosis, regular medications and healthy lifestyle modifications can help manage and reduce the severe symptoms.

What have the researchers found for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis?

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 

As a result, strategies for treating RA have been largely focused on providing symptomatic relief from pain and a permanent cure is not available to date. 

Methotrexate (MTX) is considered the golden standard for the therapy of the disease but due to its severe side effects, researchers are currently looking for alternate drugs or strategies to overcome the disease.

Scientists have now found that a nano-micelle drug delivery system combined with anti-inflammatory drugs has the potential to cure rheumatoid arthritis.

Uttarakhand’s ancient Tungnath temple to be declared a national monument

Source: The post is based on the article “Uttarakhand’s ancient Tungnath temple to be declared a national monument” published in Indian Express on 9th May 2023

What is the News?

The central government has issued a notification declaring the ancient temple of Tungnath as a monument of national importance.

What is Tungnath Temple?

Located in: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand

It is the only ancient ‘Shivalaya‘ of its kind located at the highest point above sea level in Asia. 

It is one of the Panch Kedars and is believed to have belonged to an ancient era almost 1000 years old. 

It was built in the North Indian style of architecture and has a dozen shrines of other Gods surrounding the temple. 

It is believed to have been discovered by Adi Sankacharya.

What are Panch Kedars?

Panch Kedar refers to a group of five sacred shrines of Lord Shiva located in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand.

They are the subject of many legends that directly link their creation to Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

The five temples are Kedarnath Temple, Tungnath Temple, Rudranath Temple, Madhyamaheshwar Temple or Madmaheshwar and the Kalpeshwar Temple.

High Court does not have power to direct changes to Scheduled Tribes List: CJI

Source: The post is based on the article “High Court does not have power to direct changes to Scheduled Tribes List: CJI” published in The Hindu on 8th May 2023

What is the News?

The Supreme Court has said that no High Court or State Government has the power to add, subtract or modify the Scheduled Tribes List.

What was the case about?

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging the direction of the Manipur High Court to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list.

What did the Supreme Court rule?

The Supreme Court said that there were several judgments of the Supreme Court which held that the High Court could not direct the grant of ST status to a community.

For instance, in the State of Maharashtra versus Milind, the Supreme Court had held that the State governments or courts or tribunals or any other authority cannot modify, amend or alter the list of Scheduled Tribes specified in the notification issued under clause (1) of Article 342.

The court had held that a notification issued under clause (1) of Article 342 specifying Scheduled Tribes, can be amended only by law to be made by Parliament.