Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• For Make in India, Invent in India
• On The Right Road – Airbags for rear passengers are best achieved via competitive pressure

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

For Make in India, Invent in India

News– The article explains the recent efforts by the Indian government to promote scientific research and suggest solutions to promote scientific research in the country.

What are efforts made by the government to promote scientific research?

The government has acknowledged the need for a significant overhaul of the infrastructure for generating patents. There is a concerted effort to streamline and expedite the process of filing and obtaining patents.

Recent bilateral agreements in the field of science and technology, particularly with the United States, demonstrate that the government is correctly identifying strategic priorities in this crucial sector.

The government has established the National Research Foundation (NRF). 

What is the way forward to promote scientific research in India?

Human capital- The most significant factor for running institutions should be the merit and quality of human capital.

Bureaucrats and administrators tend to prioritize numerical metrics. But, scientific research is governed by Lotka’s law, where the top few leaders in a specific field hold paramount importance.

Quantity cannot replace quality. India must focus on both retaining its top talent within the country and positioning itself as an attractive destination for talent from overseas.

The mindset of seeking remittances from abroad should be replaced with an approach focused on creating value.

Collaboration between laboratories and academia- One of the fundamental shortcomings of science policy has been the nearly complete segregation of teaching and research. Research facilities and centers within a wide range of scientific institutions are spread throughout India.

Many government laboratories have the potential to establish structured partnerships with universities and collaborate with on-campus science parks. It can further extend their involvement into the industrial sector.

The objective should be to unite teaching and research through a merit-based admission system.

Funding strategy- India should adopt a funding strategy for research that resembles a barbell. It should be a combination of high-impact, high-yield projects that receive financial support from a consortium of government agencies and industry.

The Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) program is an example of it. It aims to support high-reward innovation in partnership with high-tech businesses, with specific funding allocated to the India Semiconductor Mission for semiconductor design.

Moonshot research initiatives are known for their high risk and the potential for enormous rewards. It often originates from individual researchers.

Government should bear responsibility for funding such ambitious endeavors. But, it’s also important to encourage innovative and entrepreneurial scientists to seek additional financial support from the industry.

Cultural transformation- It is imperative within the realm of Indian science. Decision making is influenced by science bureaucrats who rely on subject-matter experts in academia.

Unfortunately, this group is resistant to necessary changes that might disrupt the existing status quo.

The long-term success of Indian science will ultimately depend on the caliber and motivations of the individuals engaged in it.

On The Right Road – Airbags for rear passengers are best achieved via competitive pressure

News: Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the Indian government has postponed its plan to make six airbags mandatory in vehicles carrying up to eight passengers from October 1.

This decision was made due to a lack of unanimous industry support. However, frontal airbags have been compulsory for new vehicles since 2021.

Why is car safety important?

Vehicle safety is crucial due to global statistics indicating that road accidents are the top cause of death for those aged 15-49. In India, this is a grave concern, with 154,000 fatalities in 2021, averaging 18 deaths per hour.

Further, in India, highways comprise just 5% of road length but are responsible for 51% of fatalities due to impact momentum.

Data from the US supports the use of frontal and side airbags, saving 34% and 31% of lives, respectively.

However, while the government hasn’t mandated side airbags, it has still taken a wise decision by empowering customers to demand enhanced safety features from auto manufacturers.

In this regard, the government has recently come up with the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), a collaborative tool designed to help Indian car buyers evaluate safety standards.

Read More: Lapses in Road Safety: A casual attitude to safety

GS Paper 3

Expanding the Indian economy, the green way

News– The Centre is planning to set up the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) by establishing a national framework that will help in decarbonising the domestic economy by pricing GHG emissions via trading in carbon credit certificates.

What is the carbon credit?

A robust carbon trading network is one of the solutions to address the climate emergency.

Carbon credits are temporary “permits” that allow an organization to emit a specific quantity of CO2 in a given year.

This system enables companies with low or no emissions to sell these credits on the market through a carbon trading framework or carbon exchange. By doing so, they can compensate for the emissions of another entity that is willing to purchase these credits.

What is the importance of carbon credit?

Certain industrial companies and sectors such as cement, chemicals, iron and steel production, and non-ferrous metals are facing challenges to decarbonize. They have limited options.

Decarbonization in these industries is more costly compared to sectors like transportation and power generation.

Carbon credits offer a valuable means for companies to achieve their sustainability objectives. These organizations can either acquire carbon credits or support initiatives that generate carbon credits.

What are some facts about the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) being planned by the Indian government?

The draft framework for the Indian Carbon Credit Scheme 2023 has been recently released by the central government.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has been assigned the responsibility of developing the Carbon Trading Scheme in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.

The Centre’s draft notification does not include provisions for the procedures, regulations, or guidelines governing the operation of carbon markets. This responsibility will be entrusted to a National Steering Committee chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Power.

ICM will be subject to regulation. It will also offer flexibility to companies operating in challenging-to-decarbonize sectors.

What are the benefits associated with the Indian Carbon Market?

First, ICM will attract investments for transitioning to a low-carbon ecosystem. It will also enable India to achieve its target of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, compared to the 2005 levels.

Second, the introduction of carbon credit trading will provide a significant boost to the energy transition efforts due to its broader coverage of potential energy sectors across the country. The Indian Carbon Market (ICM) will play a significant role in decarbonizing the commercial and industrial sectors.

Third, The decision by the Centre will also lead to increased awareness, transformation, and innovation within industries that are difficult to decarbonize. Companies motivated by incentives and penalties will start incorporating environmental impact as a critical factor in their strategic planning.

As carbon-related tariffs like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) begin to exert a direct influence on trade, businesses will need to consider both domestic and international repercussions.

Express View: Checking Nipah

News– The Nipah virus has surfaced in Kerala for the fourth time in the past five years.

What are some facts about the Nipah virus?

It may not spread as easily as influenza or Covid. But, it can quickly become deadly. In severe instances, individuals experience respiratory distress and inflammation of the brain. The mortality rate can reach as high as 75 percent.

There is currently no vaccine available to protect against this pathogen. Treatment options are primarily focused on alleviating the symptoms.

The Nipah virus was initially identified during an epidemic that affected pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore back in 1999.

Research conducted by the ICMR)has indicated that fruit bats serve as the natural reservoir for this virus.

Human-to-human transmission can occur through close contact, either at home or in hospitals.

Each outbreak increases the potential for the virus to mutate. It raises the possibility of a more efficient transmission strain. The World Health Organization classifies Nipah as a virus of concern.

Way forward-

The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends that countries located in Nipah hotspots should create strategies to predict, monitor, and manage outbreaks.

It is crucial to gain insights into what is happening within the virus’s animal reservoir before it crosses over to infect humans.

There is a need for collaborative efforts across different fields, involving professionals in human, animal, and environmental health.

It is essential to identify patterns of the virus’s circulation among fruit bats and document the instances when it jumps between species.

The New Delhi Declaration and Paris Agenda show a way forth

News– At the end of June, a historic summit on international solidarity concluded the Paris Agenda for People and the Planet. African leaders amplified this dynamic by adopting  the Nairobi Declaration during the first Africa Climate Summit in Kenya.

What are some facts about the Paris agenda?

It envisioned a world without poverty, where the health of our planet is protected, and vulnerable nations are empowered to confront the challenges posed by climate change and conflicts.

Achieving these objectives necessitates the mobilization of diverse financial resources and unity among nations.

What are the four principles that should guide the Paris agenda?

1. It is imperative that no nation is compelled to make a decision between eradicating poverty and safeguarding and conserving the environment.
2. There is a need to recognize the varying needs of different countries. They should pursue diverse pathways to achieve the objectives outlined in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
3. There is a pressing need for additional financial resources to aid vulnerable economies. It will enable them to elevate their populations out of poverty while simultaneously preserving the environment.
4. Tackling contemporary global challenges and mitigating inequality, will depend on the expansion of private capital flows to emerging and developing economies.

What is the way forward for the Paris agenda?

There is a strong need for a substantial financial stimulus. The world has already achieved the target of $100 billion worth of special drawing rights to be channelled to the world’s most vulnerable countries, especially in Africa.

Governments capable of providing additional SDR rechanneling mechanisms should contribute more.

There is a need to enhance the efficiency of utilising these resources. It is crucial that each dollar lent by multilateral development banks (MDBs) is matched by at least one dollar of private financing.

There is a need to enhance the timeliness and predictability of the debt restructuring coordination mechanism for low-income countries, commonly referred to as the G20’s Common Framework for Debt Treatments.

Furthermore, discussions regarding its extension to lower-middle-income countries are imperative.

Accelerating debt suspension in countries experiencing debt distress is also crucial.

The G20 Common Framework has already yielded positive results in the cases of Chad and Zambia. It should be utilized more extensively.

Countries should stand by each other in times of disaster. It necessitated the development of specific tools to bolster resilience, including the inclusion of a climate-crisis clause in debt contracts. All financial institutions and stakeholders must collaborate to fulfill it.

Part of this collaborative effort should involve coordinating multilateral development banks (MDBs) and public development banks within the global network of development banks known as ‘Finance in Common.’

Cooperation regarding the energy transition can be achieved through the Climate Club, established by the G7 to fulfill the objectives of the Paris climate agreement.

To meet our climate obligations, there is a need to explore new avenues for international taxation. Governments will need to crack down on financial flows that evade legitimate tax systems.

Developing nations require equitable partnerships that empower them to add value by processing raw materials and critical minerals within their borders.

There is a need for substantial replenishment of the International Development Association expansion of the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, and increased funding for the World Bank and other concessional facilities offered by the IMF.

There is a need for a new international finance mechanism for forests to finance ecosystem services. It will be essential to mitigate or reduce various risks, particularly foreign-exchange risks, associated with such investments.

To ensure that international commitments translate into tangible achievements, there is need for a joint working committee comprising international and regional organizations, countries, and civil societies to monitor this roadmap.

Disentangling the 2030 global renewable energy target

News: The article addresses the challenges and consequences of the global target set at COP28, which aims to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. It highlights the unequal burden on developing countries and stresses the importance of developed nations committing to more equitable targets.

What is the current status of renewable energy?

Global Renewable Energy Status:

Installed Capacity: In 2021, the global installed capacity of renewable energy sources (RES) was 3026 GW, constituting 39% of the total capacity from all sources.

Electricity Generation: Renewable energy accounted for 28% of total electricity generation. Of this, more than half was from hydropower, while solar contributed 13% and wind added 23%.

Target: The COP28 proposal aims to triple global renewable energy capacity to about 9000 GW by 2030.

India’s Renewable Energy Status:

Growth Rate: Electricity consumption in India grew annually at 6.3% between 2010 and 2019.

Future Goals: At COP26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a target for India to reach 500GW from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

What are the major issues regarding global energy targets?

Ambitious Goal: Tripling the renewable energy capacity by 2030 from the 2021 levels would mean installing around 6000 GW of renewable capacity in a short span, surpassing the total energy capacity of 2021.

Discrepancy in Generation: While renewable energy sources (RES) constituted 39% of global capacity in 2021, they only contributed 28% to actual electricity generation.

Hydropower Limitations: Most renewable energy generation comes from hydropower, but constructing new hydro plants may exceed the 2030 timeline.

Inequitable Burden: The proposed targets could unfairly place higher demands on developing countries like India, while developed nations like the US and EU might contribute minimally based on their current growth rates and phase-out plans.

Lack of Transparency: The origin and analysis backing the COP28 renewable energy target are not fully transparent, with the proposal closely mirroring an inequitable scenario from the International Renewable Energy Agency.

What should be done?

Transparent Analysis: The origin and rationale behind the COP28 renewable energy goal need clearer transparency, avoiding undue influence from reports like that of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Equitable Distribution: The burden of the renewable energy target should be distributed fairly among countries. Developed nations like the U.S. and EU should adopt absolute targets that reflect their responsibility and historical emissions.

Consider Growth Rates: The diverse electricity consumption growth rates across countries should be taken into account. For instance, India’s growth rate of 6.3% versus the EU’s decline of 0.3%.

Commit Developed Countries: Developed countries, especially the U.S. and EU, should commit to phase out fossil fuels and adopt concrete renewable energy targets, easing the transition for developing nations.

PMMSY: bridging gaps in the fisheries sector

News: The article talks about Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which has made substantial investments in the Indian fisheries sector over three years. It has focused on technology, expanding into new areas, and aiding the well-being and development of fishers and related businesses, bringing about significant transformation.

What initiatives has the Indian government taken to improve the fishing community?

Separate Ministry: Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the systemic development of the sector by carving out a dedicated Fisheries Ministry.

Financial Boost: A significant sum of ₹20,050 crore was allocated for the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package.

Addressing Gaps: PMMSY targeted critical gaps in the fisheries value chain, from fish production to post-harvest infrastructure and marketing.

Strategic Priority Areas: The scheme emphasized marine fisheries, inland fisheries, welfare of fishermen, infrastructure, cold water fisheries, ornamental fisheries, aquatic health management, and seaweed cultivation.

Technological Infusion: Young entrepreneurs, especially women in Kashmir, are rearing cold water trout using recirculatory aquaculture systems.

Expanding Fisheries: 20,000 hectares of pond area is now under inland aquaculture, with saline wastelands in Haryana and Rajasthan being converted for aquaculture.

Empowering Women: Fisherwomen have ventured into ornamental fisheries, pearl culture, and seaweed cultivation, with a ₹127-crore Seaweed Park inaugurated in Tamil Nadu.

Infrastructure and Research: The PMMSY has enabled the establishment of 900 fish feed plants, 755 hatcheries, and is supporting research in shrimp genetics and breeding.

Broadening the field- Science awards should aim to encourage more young scientists

News: The article talks about the delayed announcement of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prizes for scientists by CSIR. It also mentions the government’s past consideration of reducing such awards and the importance of having greater diversity among the recipients.

About Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prizes

Origin and Prestige:

Initiated by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Over 50 years old and viewed as the “Indian Nobel.”

Award Components: Cash prize, citation, and salary perks.

Eligibility: Scientists under 45 with notable contributions in various scientific fields.

Recent Announcement Delay:

Traditionally announced on CSIR’s foundation day, September 26.

Almost a year-long delay this year.

Why is there a delayed announcement of the SSB Prizes?

This Year’s Delay: The announcement took almost a year longer than usual.

Government’s Viewpoint: Ministry of Home Affairs felt there were too many science awards from various ministries, which could reduce their prestige. This led to a consideration of pruning prizes for scientists.

Proposed Change: The government contemplated introducing a singular major award, akin to a ‘Nobel Prize’.

Outcome:

No new award was announced.

The government decided to retain the SSB Prizes, but the uncertainty surrounding its future caused concern among scientists and contributed to the delay.

What should be done?

Retain the SSB Prizes: Concern arose from the idea to prune prizes. Retaining the SSB Prizes is crucial due to their significance.

Promote Diversity Among Awardees:

All 12 winners this year were male, primarily from centrally-funded institutions like IITs.

More recognition should be given to women and researchers from state universities.

Expand Award Opportunities:

Reducing awards isn’t the solution. Instead, focus on increasing opportunities to honor diverse deserving scientists.

Prioritize commitment to diversity and provide opportunities beyond privileged groups.

Clear Communication:

Address delays and uncertainties by transparently conveying the future and importance of the awards to the scientific community.

Changing the way the postman knocks

News: The new Post Office Bill (2023) revises the old 1898 Act, granting the postal department increased pricing and service autonomy. It also permits the interception of items for security purposes, introduces digital addressing for future delivery methods such as drones, and eliminates the government’s exclusive letter delivery rights.

Why is there a need for a new Post Office bill?

Outdated Legislation: The Indian Post Office Act from 1898 was antiquated and no longer reflected the evolving role of post offices in the current era.

Expanding Scope of Services: With the post office’s network becoming a vehicle for delivering a range of citizen-centric services beyond just mail, there was a need for a legal framework that supports these expanded services.

Market Flexibility: The postal department needed the ability to respond swiftly to market demands and competitors. The old Act’s constraints on pricing didn’t allow for this dynamic pricing approach.

Preparing for Future Technologies: The traditional system of addressing might become obsolete with advancements like digital addressing and drone deliveries. The legislation needed to anticipate and incorporate these changes.

What are the new provisions in the 2023 Post Office Bill?

Pricing Autonomy: The postal department can now set service prices without requiring parliamentary approval, allowing for quicker market response.

Expanded Services: Beyond mail, the post office’s role has broadened to various citizen-centric services, backed by a strong legal framework.

Security Enhancements: The government can intercept, open, or detain postal items for reasons such as state security, public order, or contraventions of the Act.

Digital Addressing: The Bill introduces standards for digital addressing using geo-spatial coordinates, potentially revolutionizing delivery methods.

Removal of Exclusive Rights: The government’s exclusive privilege to convey letters is removed, resolving long-standing ambiguities between ‘letters’ and ‘documents’.

Future-Proofing Deliveries: With digital addressing, the Bill hints at futuristic delivery methods, like drone deliveries.

What challenges are associated with the proposed Post Office Bill (2023)?

Security Limitations: Even though the Bill allows items to be intercepted for security reasons, India Post’s market share is less than 15% in the courier/express/parcels (CEP) industry. This limits the effectiveness of these security provisions.

Uncontrolled Courier Segment: The Bill lacks provisions requiring medium and small courier operators to register with a designated authority. With no such requirement, controlling the movement of contraband goods in parcels sent by couriers remains a challenge.

Ambiguity in Implementation: The idea of replacing physical addresses with digital codes using geo-spatial coordinates is futuristic. The practical application and public acceptance of this could be challenging.

Market Dynamics: The removal of the government’s exclusive right to deliver letters acknowledges couriers but also intensifies competition and market dynamics for India Post.

What should be done?

Extend Oversight to Couriers: Given the dominance of courier firms in the market, similar legislation should be applied to them to ensure uniformity in security measures, especially as India Post holds less than 15% of the CEP market.

Require Courier Registration: Medium and small courier operators should be mandated to register with a designated authority. This would help monitor and control the movement of contraband goods in parcels more effectively.

Reinforce India Post’s Role: To remain competitive, India Post should leverage its strengths and heritage, possibly focusing on its expanded citizen-centric services and bolstering its market presence.

Fuel for thought – Mr Gadkari’s statement reflects a valid policy concern

News: The government is taking various measures to discourage the sale of diesel vehicles in order to control the mission.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has also urged the automobile industry to move away from diesel vehicles, warning of increased taxes.

What measures have been adopted by the government to discourage the use of diesel vehicles?

First, it imposed a 28% GST rate on both diesel and petrol cars, with an additional 22% cess on sports utility vehicles (SUVs), making the total tax on such vehicles 50%.

Second, the government’s fuel price reforms have reduced the price gap between diesel and petrol from around 16.78 rupees per liter to approximately 7.1 rupees per liter. As a result, the market share of diesel cars has decreased significantly from 48% to about 20%.

Third, a committee recommended a ban on diesel four-wheelers in cities with over one million residents. However, it’s unclear if the government has accepted this proposal.

Moreover, after the introduction of Bharat Stage-VI emission norms, major Indian automakers like Maruti, Hyundai, and Honda decided to halt diesel vehicle production.

Must Read: Transport Minister mentions tax on diesel vehicles: Why is diesel under pressure? and Ban on diesel vehicles by 2027: Reasoning and Challenges – Explained

What more can be done to control the emission?

India, the world’s third-largest carbon emitter, recognizes that road transportation, especially diesel vehicles, is a major source of emissions.

Hence, to combat this, promoting the transition to biofuels or electric transport is crucial. This shift may involve consumer-focused electric vehicle subsidies and rethinking green energy policies to reduce thermal energy reliance in the green revolution.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

SC data now onboard National Judicial Data Grid portal: CJI

Source: The post is based on the article “SC data now onboard National Judicial Data Grid portal: CJI”  published in Indian Express on 15th September 2023

What is the News?

The Chief Justice of India has announced that the Supreme Court is now “onboard” the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) Portal.

What is the National Judicial Data Grid(NJDG) Portal?

National Judicial Data Grid(NJDG) is a national repository of data relating to cases instituted, pending and disposed of by the courts across the country.

The portal contains a database of orders, judgments and case details of 18,735 District and subordinate Courts and High Courts.

Its key feature is that the data is updated in real-time and has granular data up to the Taluka level.

Developed by: National Informatics Centre (NIC) in close coordination with the in-house software development team of the Computer Cell, Registry of the Supreme Court with an interactive interface and analytics dashboard.

The portal was built as part of Phase II of the e-Courts project which is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. 

How does the NJDG Portal help?

Firstly, NJDG works as a monitoring tool to identify, manage & reduce pendency of cases.

– Take, for instance, the Supreme Court data.For the year 2023, the total pendency of registered cases in SC is 64,854. But the Cases instituted last month were 5,412 while cases disposed of in the last month were 5,033. 

– This shows that the pendency in SC is largely due to legacy cases since the Court is currently disposing of approximately the same number of cases filed on an annual basis.

Secondly, it helps identify specific bottlenecks in judicial processes. For example, if the number of land disputes in a particular state shoots up, it helps policymakers look into whether the law needs to be strengthened.

Thirdly, it helps generate inputs related to particular areas of law.For example, to track cases related to land disputes, Land Records data of 26 States have been linked with NJDG.

India marks one year of launch of National Logistics Policy

Source: The post is based on the article “India marks one year of launch of National Logistics Policy”  published in PIB on 14th September 2023

What is the News?

India has marked one year of the National Logistics Policy on September 17, 2023.

This policy complements the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) ,

What is the National Logistics Policy?

Aim: To drive economic growth and business competitiveness of the country through an integrated, seamless, efficient, reliable, green, sustainable and cost-effective logistics network by leveraging best in class technology, processes and skilled manpower.

Targets: (1) Reduce cost of logistics in India (2) improve the Logistics Performance Index ranking – endeavor is to be among top 25 countries by 2030 and (3) create data driven decision support mechanism for an efficient logistics ecosystem.

Action Plan: To achieve these targets, a Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan (CLAP) was launched covering eight action areas.

– These eight areas include: (1) Integrated Digital Logistics Systems; (2) Standardization of Physical Assets and Benchmarking of Service Quality Standards; (3) Logistics Human Resource Development and Capacity Building; (4) State engagement; (5) EXIM Logistics; (6) Services Improvement Framework; (7) Sectoral Plans for Efficient Logistics (SPEL) and (8) Facilitation of Development of Logistics Parks.

What is the progress on the implementation of the National Logistics Policy?

Unified Logistics Interface Platform(ULIP)

Logistics Data Bank (LDB): It is an application that tracks and traces EXIM cargo.It brings greater predictability, transparency and reliability, logistics cost will come down and wastages in supply chain will reduce.

Logistics Performance Index 2023

State Logistics Policy: To bring holistic focus on ‘logistics’ in public policy at State level, States/UTs are developing State Logistics Plans (SLPs) aligned with NLP.So far, 22 States have notified their respective State Logistics policies.

Bharat becomes the 13th country in world that can issue Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) Certificates

Source: The post is based on the article “Bharat becomes the 13th country in world that can issue Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) Certificates”  published in PIB on 14th September 2023

What is the News?

The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has announced that India can now issue International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) certificates which are accepted globally. 

India has now become the 13th country that can issue such certificates.

What is the International Organization of Legal Metrology(OIML)?

OIML is an intergovernmental organisation created in 1955.

It is an international standard-setting body.It develops model regulations, standards and related documents for use by legal metrology authorities and industry.

It plays a crucial role in harmonising national laws and regulations on the performance of measuring instruments like clinical thermometers, alcohol breath analysers, radar speed measuring instruments, ship tanks found at ports and petrol dispensing units.

Members: It has 63 Member States and 64 Corresponding Members.India became its member in 1956.

Headquarters: Paris, France

Why is the OIML certificate important?

An OIML Pattern Approval certificate is mandatory to sell a weight or measure in the international market which India can now issue.

This will help domestic manufacturers as they can export their weighing and measuring instruments worldwide without incurring additional testing fees, resulting in significant cost savings.

Significance: India has now become the 13th country that can issue OIML certificates.The other countries include Australia, Switzerland, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden and Slovakia.

4th G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group Meeting concludes in Varanasi with finalization of the G20 Sustainable Finance Report, 2023

Source: The post is based on the article “4th G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group Meeting concludes in Varanasi with finalization of the G20 Sustainable Finance Report, 2023”  published in PIB on 14th September 2023

What is the News?

The fourth and last meeting of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) under India’s G20 presidency began in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

What is the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group(SFWG)?

Background: It was launched in 2016 during China’s G20 presidency as Green Finance Study Group.

– In 2018, under the Argentinian Presidency, its scope was expanded and the group was renamed Sustainable Finance Study Group (SFSG).

– In 2021, G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors agreed to upgrade it into the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG).

Aim: To mobilize sustainable finance to help ensure global growth and stability, and promote the transition towards greener, more resilient and inclusive societies and economies. 

Purpose: To advance international work to help scale up private and public sustainable finance and in doing so, accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

What is the work done by SFWG during India’s G20 presidency?

The SFWG during India’s G20 presidency has made recommendations on the following six areas: (1) Mechanisms for Mobilization of Timely and Adequate Resources for Climate Finance; (2) Policy Measures and Financial Instruments for Catalyzing the Rapid Development and Deployment of Green and Low-Carbon Technologies; (3) Scaling-up the adoption of social impact investment instruments; (4) Improving Nature-related Data and Reporting; (5) G20 Technical Assistance Action Plan; (6) Overcoming data-related barriers to climate investments.

G20 New Delhi Leader’s Declaration 2023 has welcomed the work undertaken by the SFWG under India’s G20 presidency.

All reported births, deaths to be digitally registered from Oct. 1

Source: The post is based on the article “All reported births, deaths to be digitally registered from Oct. 1”  published in The Hindu on 15th September 2023

What is the News?

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 will come into effect from October 1,2023.

This means from October 1st, birth certificates will become a single-point document for citizens to avail a host of services including admission to educational institutions, marriage registration, issuance of drivers’ license, appointment to a government job among other purposes.

What is the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023?

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 amends the 1969 Act.

The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 provides for the regulation and registration of births and deaths.

The registration of births and deaths falls under the Concurrent List, giving powers to both Parliament and state legislatures to make laws on the subject.

Key Provisions of the Act:

The act introduces the concept of digital birth certificates.This will be a single document to be used for admission to educational institutions, applications for driving license, government jobs, passports or Aadhaar, voter enrolment and registration of marriage and others.

The act makes it compulsory for the States to register births and deaths on the Centre’s Civil Registration System (CRS) portal and share data with the RGI which functions under the Union Home Ministry. 

The Act authorizes the government to collect Aadhaar numbers of parents and informants, if available, in case of birth registration.

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55th Network Planning Group Meeting under PM GatiShakti recommends six infrastructure projects

Source: The post is based on the article “55th Network Planning Group Meeting under PM GatiShakti recommends six infrastructure projects”  published in PIB on 14th September 2023

What is the News?

The 55th Network Planning Group (NPG) under PM Gati Shakti has recommended several projects.

What are the projects recommended by the Network Planning Group(NPG)?

Dhubri bridge – Goeragre road project: It is located in State of Meghalaya and shall connect under-construction 4-lane Dhubri-Phulbari bridge connecting East-West Road Corridor. 

– This is a part of the Government initiative to connect the North-Eastern part of the country with easy connectivity. 

– This project will not only benefit the agro-products transportation but also facilitate international trade at the India-Bangladesh border region.

Kharagpur- Moregram road project: It is part of Kharagpur Siliguri Road Corridor.The project shall reduce the overall distance between Kharagpur to Siliguri by 112 km and travel time by upto 7 hrs. 

– The project will not only benefit aspirational districts enroute but also Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts of Paschim Medinipur. 

– The project will help in overall socio-economic upliftment of the region.The road will also benefit international trade via Haldia/Kolkata Port.

Railway Line Projects: ​​Three railway line projects have been approved.One Greenfield railway line project alignment passes through West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand while another Greenfield railway line is located in Odisha which will be an alternate and shorter alignment to existing railway line and shall help in decongestion of existing track.The third railway line is located in Gujarat State. 

– These railway lines are expected to benefit the Steel, Cement and Power industries by easing the transportation of Coal, Limestone, Iron Ore and finished products, such as Iron & Steel, Cement etc apart from benefitting the passenger transportation.

Nyoma airfield in eastern Ladakh to be a game changer for armed forces: Defence Minister

Source: The post is based on the article “Nyoma airfield in eastern Ladakh to be a game changer for armed forces: Defence Minister”  published in Hindustan Times on 14th September 2023

What is the News?

The Border Roads Organisation(BRO) will be starting the construction of India’s highest fighter airfield in Nyoma, a village in Ladakh

Where is Nyoma?

Source: Swarajya

The Nyoma village is located in Eastern Ladakh.It is close to the south Bank of Pangong Tso at an altitude of about 13,700 feet. 

Nyoma is around 46 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control with China.

Current status: Nyoma currently operates as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) which means the runway is made of mud allowing only specialized transport aircraft such as the C-130J and helicopters to land.

Significance of construction of the Nyoma airfield:

The construction of the Nyoma airfield will not only enable the seamless operation of heavier transport aircraft but also pave the way for the deployment of fighter jets, including the MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI.This will bring these formidable aircraft much closer to the LAC.

Note: BRO would also soon start the construction of Shinkun La Tunnel, the world’s highest tunnel at an altitude of 15,855 feet. 

– The tunnel will connect Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal to the Zaskar Valley in Ladakh and provide all-weather connectivity, 

Explained | What is arXiv, and why is it still relevant for scientific research?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | What is arXiv, and why is it still relevant for scientific research?”  published in The Hindu on 14th September 2023

What is the News?

Several researchers have recently raised questions on the quality and impact of research shared on the arXiv platform.

What is arXiv?

arXiv is an online platform where researchers from various fields such as physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians, astronomers and others share their research papers for free. 

Unlike traditional journals which take half a year or more to publish a paper, arXiv is fast as it does not have a peer review process.

How does arXiv’s approval system work?

arXiv uses a moderation system to review and publish papers. When a paper is submitted, it’s typically published within a day unless a moderator raises concerns. 

However, there are challenges due to the high volume of submissions (up to 1,200 per day) and a limited number of volunteer moderators (about 200 across 150 categories). This has led to complaints about the moderation process being slow, unclear, and inconsistent.

What are the benefits of arXiv?

arXiv is an open-access platform, which means that anyone with an internet connection can access and download research papers for free. This openness promotes the sharing of knowledge and fosters collaboration among researchers worldwide.

Why is ArXiv bad for research?

Rushed Publications: Some researchers use arXiv to quickly publish their work just to claim a research area or gain attention.This rush can lead to less thoughtful or original research.

Diminished Value of Peer Review: Some researchers believe that arXiv’s popularity has reduced the importance of peer review.Papers that are rejected by conferences may still gain influence on arXiv, which doesn’t necessarily mean they are of high quality.

Bias Toward Established Researchers: arXiv favours well-known researchers and prestigious labs in its endorsement process.

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