9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 14 February, 2024

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Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Challenges faced by IITs – Too many IITs lead to unrealistic expectations and quality problems

Challenges faced by IITs

Source: The post challenges faced by IITs has been created, based on the article “Too many IITs lead to unrealistic expectations and quality problems” published in “The Hindu”  and the article “IIT Madras Zanzibar: what does it mean to be an IIT outside India?” published in “Indian express” on 14th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper2- governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education

News: The article discusses the expansion of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and how it might lower their quality. It suggests limiting the number of IITs, focusing on international collaboration, and improving faculty recruitment to maintain their high standards. Challenges faced by IITs

How have the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) evolved?

Geographical and Technological Unity: The Nalini Ranjan Sarkar Committee in the 1940s envisioned IITs in different regions to create a united technological landscape across India. They were meant to be distinctly Indian, differentiating from older institutions like those in Madras, Roorkee, and Shibpur.

Initial Western Collaboration: The first IITs (Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur, and later Delhi) were established with Western assistance. Despite their national focus, they embraced a universal approach to technology, seeing it as acultural.

Expansion: From 5 original institutes, the IIT system has grown to 23 institutions. It took 34 years after establishing IIT Delhi to open IIT Guwahati in 1994, but 17 more were added rapidly after that.

Diversification of Education: Initially focused on technology and engineering, IITs later included humanities and social sciences, especially after the 2020 National Education Policy emphasized multidisciplinary education.

International Perspectives and Collaboration: Leaders like Heinrich Lübke and President S Radhakrishnan advocated for global knowledge sharing, supported by the Dr K Radhakrishnan Committee. Consequently, IITs began admitting foreign students and planning overseas campuses. The first one, in Zanzibar, Tanzania, is an extension of IIT Madras.

What are the challenges faced by IITs?

Expansion Strain: The increase from 5 to 23 IITs raises concerns about maintaining quality standards. Especially, newer IITs in smaller towns struggle with infrastructure and academic excellence.

Faculty Shortages: For example, IIT Dhanbad has filled only 301 out of 781 approved faculty positions, indicating a widespread issue across the institutions.

Infrastructure Challenges: Newer IITs lack world-class facilities, affecting their ability to provide top-tier education and research.

Isolation from Local Communities: IITs, primarily academic-focused, have limited engagement with their local regions, missing out on community collaboration.

Struggle to Attract Global Talent: While IITs are selective and prestigious, attracting international students and faculty remains a challenge. This is crucial for global recognition and collaboration.

Balancing National and Global Roles: As IITs expand globally, there’s a challenge in balancing their foundational role of serving the national interest with the new global outlook, particularly in setting up campuses abroad.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

On Strengthening of India’s Ties with the Gulf

Issues with science in India – The wrong cooks spoiling the scientific broth

 

What should be done?

Restrict the Number of IITs: Limit IITs to around 10-12, ideally near major cities, to focus resources and maintain quality.

Improve Faculty Recruitment: Address faculty shortages, possibly by liberalizing recruitment rules to attract more foreign faculty.

Infrastructure Development: Enhance the infrastructure in new IITs, especially those in smaller towns, to ensure they are on par with the older, established IITs.

Focus on International Collaboration: Rather than establishing campuses abroad, emphasize deeper collaboration with top global universities, as per the article’s suggestion.

International Student Enrollment: Develop strategies to attract more international students, thereby enhancing the global profile of the IITs.

Consistent and Adequate Funding: Ensure sustained and adequate funding, both from government and alumni philanthropy, to support the high standards of education and research at the IITs.

Question for practice:

Examine the historical evolution of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the challenges they currently face.

On Strengthening of India’s Ties with the Gulf

On Strengthening of India’s Ties with the Gulf

Source: This post on Strengthening of India’s Ties with the Gulf has been created based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes: In closer ties with the Gulf, a significant win for Indian diplomacy” published in “Indian Express” on 14th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

News: The article discusses the achievements of India’s diplomacy in the Gulf. It also mentions the factors behind the transformation of India-Gulf relations. On Strengthening of India’s Ties with the Gulf

Background:

The Prime Minister is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

What have been the achievements of India’s diplomacy in the Gulf?

  1. Inauguration of the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi: A large Hindu temple would be built in the deeply Islamic and conservative Arabian peninsula with full state support.
  2. Release of 8 Indian ex-naval personnel by Qatar.

What are the factors behind the transformation of India-Gulf relations?

1) Diplomatic Effort: For a long time, the Middle East did not figure in the political priorities of Indian diplomacy. However, since 2014, PM has travelled 15 times to the Middle East. Developing a personal connection with the emirs was also undertaken.

2) Political Efforts: Earlier India showed little interest in Arab political and economic life. That has changed through the setting up of the I2U2 group in 2022 and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

3) Dropping the Religious Lens in Diplomacy: Earlier, there was an overestimation of the religious factor binding the Gulf and Pakistan, and an underestimation of the depth of goodwill in Arabia for India and the desire for greater cooperation. This approach has been discarded.

4) Strategic Economic Cooperation: India’s focus in the past was on oil purchases, labour exports, and hard currency remittances. The potential of the Gulf to accelerate India’s economic growth has now started receiving attention. This has opened unlimited possibilities for long-term economic partnerships with India.

5) Defence Collaboration: The Gulf countries are trying to diversify their defence partnerships amid the shifting regional geopolitics and are looking to India to act as a regional security provider. The scale and scope of India’s military exchanges with the Gulf have grown.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

On Recent Farmers’ Protest Demands – Farm reforms remain a challenge yet to be met

On Issues with PLI Scheme in the Textiles Sector – Deeper reforms

 

Question for practice:

India-Gulf relations have been strengthening over the years. What are the factors behind the transformation of India-Gulf relations?

GS PAPER - 3

Issues with science in India – The wrong cooks spoiling the scientific broth

Problem with science in India

Source: The post issues with science in India has been created, based on the article “The wrong cooks spoiling the scientific broth” published in “The Hindu” on 14th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3 – Science and technology

News: The article discusses the need for Indian science to focus more on real-life problems and interdisciplinary approaches, involving humanities and social sciences, rather than just traditional scientific methods. It emphasizes collaboration, multidisciplinary thinking, and engagement with broader society to solve complex issues. Problem with science in India

How is science perceived in India?

Science in India is widely regarded as a means to develop intelligence and unbiased citizenship. The prevailing belief is that a science-focused education fosters objectivity and scientific thinking in students. However, there is criticism that many Indian scientists lack a fully developed scientific temper, often prioritizing power over genuine knowledge.

What are the issues with science in India?

Partial Scientific Temperament: Scientists in India are often more focused on power than on fully developing their scientific understanding.

Reliance on Western Publications: There’s a strong preference for knowledge from western journals, while local Indian research is undervalued.

Global Appeal Over Local Relevance: Indian research tends to prioritize topics with international interest, like hypothetical global phenomena, rather than local issues such as pollution in Bengaluru’s Bellandur Lake.

Lack of Holistic Approaches: The article notes a deficiency in interdisciplinary methods, with a need for integrating sciences with humanities and social sciences to tackle complex societal problems.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

Challenges faced by IITs – Too many IITs lead to unrealistic expectations and quality problems

On Strengthening of India’s Ties with the Gulf

 

What should be done?

Redeploy Scientific Efforts: Redirect a significant portion of scientific resources to the science-society interface to solve real-life problems, rather than solely pursuing academically driven or globally appealing research.

Integrate Humanities and Social Sciences: Encourage the integration of natural sciences with human sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and philosophy, to better understand and address the societal impact of scientific work.

Foster Multidirectional Knowledge Flow: Create institutional linkages that encourage knowledge exchange between scientists and external communities, breaking down barriers between different disciplines and the public.

Question for practice:

Discuss the challenges faced by Indian scientific research in prioritizing power over genuine knowledge and the implications of this phenomenon on interdisciplinary collaboration and societal relevance.

Challenges with India’s service-driven growth – Why India needs deep industrialization

Why India needs industrialization

Source: The post challenges with India’s service-driven growth has been created, based on the article “Why India needs deep industrialization” published in “The Hindu” on 14th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy- changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

News: The article discusses India’s struggle with industrial growth and high unemployment. It critiques the focus on high-skill, service-based growth, arguing it increases inequality and neglects mass education, which is essential for successful industrialization and overall economic development. Why India needs deep industrialization

What are The Factors Affecting India’s Industrial Growth?

Stagnant Manufacturing Sector: Manufacturing has consistently been below 20% in output and employment for 75 years.

Ineffective 1991 Reforms: These reforms, aimed at labor-intensive industrialization, failed to significantly boost the manufacturing sector.

High Unemployment: Persistent unemployment issues, including chronic disguised unemployment, reflect industrial challenges.

Widening Trade Deficit: Driven by an increase in imported goods, indicating a lack of domestic manufacturing capacity.

Shift to Service-Based Growth: Since the late 1980s, the focus has been on high-skill, service-driven growth, which hasn’t absorbed labor from agriculture effectively.

Neglect of Mass Education: Emphasis on higher education at the expense of mass schooling has led to a workforce not adequately equipped for industrial jobs.

Cultural Impact on Industrial Growth: Cultural factors, such as the undervaluing of certain vocational skills (like electrical and welding work), have hindered the development of the manufacturing sector.

Why is Deep Industrialisation Important for India?

Broad-based Employment: Deep industrialization offers more employment opportunities, absorbing labor from sectors like agriculture, unlike the limited absorption capacity of service-driven growth.

Economic Stability: A strong industrial base can lead to more stable economic growth and reduce dependence on imports, addressing India’s widening trade deficit.

Skill Development: Industrial growth encourages the development of a wide range of skills, benefiting from a focus on both vocational and higher education.

Innovation and Efficiency: Deep industrialization fosters innovation, leading to increased efficiency and competitiveness in the global market.

What are The Challenges with India’s Service-Driven Growth?

Limited Employment Absorption: Service-driven growth since the late 1980s couldn’t adequately absorb labor exiting agriculture, unlike manufacturing.

Requirement for High Skills: The service sector demands a highly skilled workforce, which India struggles to supply due to educational inequalities.

Increased Inequality: Service sector growth leads to higher inequality. The Gini index for regular wages in services is 44, compared to 35 in manufacturing.

Neglect of Mass Education: A focus on higher education over mass schooling contributed to a workforce ill-equipped for service sector jobs.

Elite Dominance: Higher education institutions fostered elites who advanced in the IT sector but contributed to stagnation in broader industrial areas.

Limited Rural Entrepreneurship: Compared to countries like China, India’s poor human capital endowment in rural areas hampers entrepreneurship, crucial for service sector growth.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

On HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite vehicles)

Retail Inflation in India

What Should be Done?

Diversify Industrial Strategy: Instead of solely focusing on high-skill, service-driven growth, India should diversify its industrial strategy to include and boost manufacturing.

Address Educational Inequality: Tackling the disparity in education quality between rural and urban areas, and among different social classes, is vital to creating a more equitable and capable workforce.

Support Rural Entrepreneurship: Encouraging entrepreneurship in rural areas can help absorb labor from agriculture and contribute to more balanced economic growth.

Cultural Shift in Work Value: Cultivating a culture that respects and values all forms of work, including manual and vocational labor, is essential for comprehensive industrial development.

Question for practice:

Examine the factors contributing to India’s struggle with industrial growth and high unemployment, as well as the challenges and potential solutions associated with its service-driven economic model.

On Recent Farmers’ Protest Demands – Farm reforms remain a challenge yet to be met

On Recent Farmers Protest Demands

Source: This post on Recent Farmer’s Protest Demands has been created based on the article “Farm reforms remain a challenge yet to be met” published in “Live Mint” on 14th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Agriculture – Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices.

News: The article discusses the demands of the recent farmers’ protest. It also highlights the issues with the government buying farm produce and the steps that should be taken in this regard.

Background:

Farmer groups from Punjab have recently clashed with police and threatened to storm Delhi just before the national polls. On Recent Farmers Protest Demands

What are the demands of the farmers?

1) India’s withdrawal from the World Trade Organization and freezing all free-trade pacts.

2) Reinstating of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013.

3) Pension of ₹10,000 a month for every farmer aged above 60.

4) The limit on rural job-guarantee work-days to be doubled to 200 and its daily wage upped to ₹700.

5) Dropping of all cases against last time’s protestors.

6) Law to back minimum support price (MSP) for all commodities as a government assurance.

What are the issues with government buying farm produce?

The government is a bulk buyer of foodgrain and other farm produce to offer free or cheap food to the masses. However, this leads to:

1) Distortion of cropping patterns.

2) Incentivizing the overproduction of carbohydrate-heavy crops like wheat and rice.

3) It ignores the changing food habits of people. For instance, people may want protein-rich edibles and vegetables cheapened by better acreage and cold chains (for perishables).

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

On Issues with PLI Scheme in the Textiles Sector – Deeper reforms

On HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite vehicles)

 

What should be the way forward?

1) Aligning Farm Incentives with Market Forces: For evolving dietary demands of the people to be satisfied more efficiently, farm incentives must be aligned better with market forces. For this, old restrictions must be eased, and markets should have multiple buyers.

2) Focusing on Reforms Instead of Legalising MSP: MSPs for mandatory state procurement should not be legalised, since markets cannot function properly with price floors and caps. Farms reforms are the way forward.

3) Governments should not Control Agri Exports: Another sign of the Centre’s comfort with state-controlled farming is the recent export bans imposed on non-basmati rice and onions. These moves deprive farmers of a chance to maximize earnings.

Question for practice:

What are the issues with government buying farm produce? Suggest steps that should be taken to tackle these issues.

On Issues with PLI Scheme in the Textiles Sector – Deeper reforms

PLI Scheme in the Textiles Sector

Source: This post on Issues with PLI Scheme in Textile Sector has been created based on the article “Deeper reforms – PLI alone will not bring in investment” published in “Business Standard” on 14th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy – Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

News: The article discusses the issues with the PLI in the Textiles Sector and the underlying reasons behind them.

Background:

The government has designed several Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for a subset of sectors that the government believes are relevant for India’s development and economic security.

However, the growth of private investment in some of the sectors — including textiles, IT hardware, and specialty steel — has been slower than anticipated. PLI Scheme for Textiles Sector

What are The Issues with the PLI Scheme for Textiles Sector?

The textiles sector has a huge impact on job creation and livelihoods. However, the PLI scheme hasn’t led to a takeoff in this sector.

Over Rs. 10,000 crores has been set aside for this programme, which is focused on man-made fibre and garments. Only a small fraction of that money has been disbursed till now.

Why have Some Countries have Done Well on Textiles and Garments Exports?

  1. Solid infrastructure.
  2. Reliable trade policy with low tariffs on inputs.
  3. An employable workforce.
  4. Investor-friendly regulations.

Where Does India Stand on These Parameters?

The government has worked hard on building infrastructure and, to an extent, on easing regulations. However, the following areas still need to be addressed:

  1. Trade policy has been noticeably unpredictable.
  2. Workforce development has not happened as desired.
  3. Lack of judicial or administrative reform that provides business with confidence that regulations will be fairly enforced.

This has led to few takers for the money on offer under the PLI Scheme.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

A new method for sodium catalyzed synthesis of carbon nanotubes

IIT Madras Zanzibar

What Should be Done?

1) Engaging with Stakeholders: The government should engage actively with the concerns of potential investors in each of these underperforming sectors.

2) Need for Reforms: It should be realized that the problem is not the exact parameters of the PLI scheme but the lack of deeper reform in these sectors.

According to the author, there is a need for creating business-friendly conditions for labor-intensive export growth.

Question for practice:

What are the areas India needs to work on in order to do well in the textiles and garments exports?

On HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite vehicles)

Source: This post on HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite vehicles) has been created based on the article “Why India wants to develop high-altitude pseudo-satellite vehicles, powered by the Sun” published in “Indian Express” on 14th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Science and Technology – Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

News: The article discusses HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite vehicles) and its applications and advantages. It also highlights the engineering challenges in developing HAPS?

Read more about High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite vehicles (HAPS) here.

Background:

Last week, the Bengaluru-based National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) successfully flew a prototype of a new-generation unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is being seen as a huge technology breakthrough.

Why was this UAV different?

It can fly at great heights, about 20 km from the ground. It runs entirely on solar power and can remain in the air for months.

Such UAVs belong to a class of flying objects called HAPS (high-altitude pseudo-satellite vehicles), or HALE (high-altitude long-endurance vehicles).

HAPS are meant to fly in the stratosphere (region between 17 and 23 km above the earth’s surface) since wind speed is very low and ideal for light-weight aircraft to remain stable.

No country has mastered this technology yet. However, the successful test flight shows that India has capabilities like some other countries trying to develop this technology.

What are the possible uses of HAPS?

  1. Surveillance and monitoring.
  2. Disaster management.

Why are HAPS better than currently available technologies?

1) Comparison with Drones: Normal UAVs, or drones are mostly battery-powered and cannot remain in the air beyond a few hours. They fly at relatively low levels, because of which their vision is restricted to small areas.
However, it can easily keep an eye over 200 sq km of area.

2) Comparison with Satellites: Satellites in low-earth orbits are continuously moving with respect to Earth. They cannot constantly keep an eye on the target area. Geostationary satellites (36,000 km above the ground) can keep a constant gaze over one area but are expensive, and once deployed, cannot be repurposed or reoriented.
However, HAPS can be easily redeployed over another location, or can be reequipped with a different payload.

What are the engineering challenges in developing HAPS?

1) Solar Power issue: The biggest challenge is to generate enough solar power to keep the aircraft flying, the payloads operating, and the batteries charging.

2) High Battery Density Required: Because of limitations of space and weight, solar cells and batteries need to have very high efficiency (in terms of energy density – the amount of energy stored in a battery in proportion to its weight).

3) Design-related challenges: The aircraft needs to be extremely lightweight to minimize the power requirement, but it also has to be stable at the same time.

4) Low Temperatures: Temperatures in the stratosphere can drop to -50 degree Celsius or lower. Electronics need to be kept warmer, and this forms an additional burden on power resources.

5) Low Air Density: Air density in the stratosphere is just about 7% of what it is at sea level. That creates complications in producing lift and thrust.

Question for practice:

What are HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite vehicles)? Why are they better than currently available technologies? What are the challenges in developing HAPS?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Retail Inflation in India

Retail Inflation in India

Source– This post on Retail inflation in India has been created based on the article “2024 brings breather on inflation but food prices are still sticky” published in “The Hindu” on 12 February 2024.

Why in the news?

India’s retail inflation eased to a three-month low of 5.1% recently. Retail Inflation in India

About Retail Inflation

1)  Retail inflation is also known as Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation. It tracks the change in retail prices of goods and services which households purchase for their daily consumption.
2) CPI is calculated for a fixed basket of goods and services that may or may not be altered by the government from time to time.
3) The change in the price index over a period of time is referred to as CPI-based inflation, or retail inflation.

Released by-The National Statistical Office (NSO) under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), compiles All India as well as state-wise CPI for Rural, Urban, Combined sectors. It releases the CPI numbers every month.

Retail Inflation in India
Source-The Hindu

Importance of Retail Inflation for Health of Economy

1) It is widely considered as a barometer of inflation.
2) It is a tool for monitoring price stability
3) The Reserve Bank of India is now using CPI( Combined) as the benchmark for its monetary policy tools like Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate.
4) It interprets about the purchasing power of consumers.
5) It tells about cost of living.

Some Other Important Inflation Types

1) Headline inflation– It is a measure of the total inflation within an economy. It includes commodities such as food and energy prices. It is much more volatile and prone to inflationary spikes. The inflation rate expressed in Wholesale Price Index usually denotes the headline inflation.

2) Core inflation–  It refers to the change in the cost of goods and services excluding the food and energy sectors. These items are not included in estimate of inflation since their prices are unpredictable.

UPSC Syllabus-Indian economy.

A new method for sodium catalyzed synthesis of carbon nanotubes

Source- This post on A new method for sodium catalyzed synthesis of carbon nanotubes  been created based on the article “Indian Scientists’ New Carbon Nanotubes Synthesis Method Offers Potential For Battery, Flexible Electronics Applications” published in “Swarajya” on 13 February 2024.

Why in the news?

A team of Indian scientists have recently developed a new method for sodium catalysed synthesis of carbon nanotubes using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD)

About Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD)

 sodium catalyzed synthesis of carbon nanotubes by PECVD technology
Source-PIB

Definition– Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) is a hybrid CVD process used to deposit thin films, where plasma energy drives the reactions between excited species and the substrate.
Applicability-This deposition technology is applicable when it is necessary to maintain low wafer temperatures while achieving desired film properties.

Mechanism to directly synthesizing CNTs on glass substrate-
Plasma is generated using a specially designed spiral-shaped fused hollow cathode source. This innovative process bypasses the need for elevated temperatures and eliminates the necessity for a transition metal catalyst. This synthesis is executed under atmospheric pressure, which makes it more cost-effective.

Significance of Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition Technique (PECVD)

1) Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in India have developed a groundbreaking method for direct CNT synthesis on glass substrates using the Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition Technique (PECVD).
2) This technique offers a more cost-effective and sustainable approach to CNT synthesis because it operates at a lower temperature of 750 degree Celsius.
3) It eliminates the need for metal catalysts.
4) It will enable the production of clean CNTs suitable for applications in energy research, biomedical fields, and optoelectronics.
5) It will address existing challenges in CNT synthesis and advance their application in diverse technological fields.

Read more about-Carbon Nanotubes.

UPSC Syllabus-Science & technology.

IIT Madras Zanzibar

Source-This post on IIT Madras Zanzibar is based on the article “IIT-Madras Zanzibar aims to triple intake for 2024-25 batch” published in “Times of India” on 14th February 2024.

Why in the News?

IIT-Madras Zanzibar has recently revealed its plans to triple its intake for the 2024-25 batch.

What are Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)?

1. About– The IITs are a group of autonomous engineering and technology institutions in India.

2. Controlling Authority– They operate under the ownership of the Ministry of Education and are governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961.

3. Institutes of National Importance– The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 designates them as Institutes of National Importance. It outlines their authority, responsibilities, and governance framework as leading technological institutions in the country.

4. History–  The history of IITs dates back to the 1940s and 1950s when India realized the need for high-quality technical education to support its industrial development.
a. The Nalini Ranjan Sarkar Committee’s Report in 1940 proposed the establishment of IITs along the lines of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
b. The first Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Kharagpur, was established in 1951.

About IIT Madras Zanzibar

IIT madras Zanzibar
Source-Indian Express

1. It is the first overseas campus of an IIT.

2. It is located on Zanzibar Island in Tanzania (an East African nation).

Note– The K. Radhakrishnan Committee has proposed establishing IIT campuses abroad.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

Tokenization of assets and government bonds

Source-This post on Tokenization of assets and government bonds has been created based on the article “RBI plans tokenization of assets, bonds under wholesale CBDC pilot” published in “Business Standard” on 10 February 2024.

Why in the news?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to explore the tokenization of assets and government bonds as part of its wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot project.

About Tokenization of assets

Tokenisation of asset and government Bonds
Source-Solulab

Definition– It is the process whereby ownership rights of an asset are represented as digital tokens and stored on a blockchain.
Tokens can act like digital certificates of ownership that can represent almost any object of value such as physical, digital, fungible, and non-fungible assets.

Mechanism of tokenised asset

It involves several step such as-
1) Defining the token type (fungible or non-fungible)
2) Selecting the blockchain to issue the tokens on
3) Selecting a third-party auditor to verify off-chain assets, issuing the assets.

Significance of tokenised asset

1) Liquidity-An asset can be represented as millions or even billions of tokens, creating fractional ownership. This can be listed on a variety of widely-available and accessible exchanges.

2) Accessibility-It allows a smaller investor to invest in riskier assets with relatively low capital.

3) Transparency– It allows for the open tracking and auditing of all records due to the fundamentally public nature of many blockchains.

Read more about-Central Bank Digital Currency

UPSC Syllabus-Indian economy.

Prabhaav Report on performance of Fund of Funds for Start-ups (FFS)

Source- This post on Prabhaav has been created based on the article Prabhaav: SIDBI unveils the CRISIL study on impact of Fund of Funds on startup ecosystem” published in “Economic Times” on 9 February 2024.

Why in the news?

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has recently released the CRISIL study report named “Prabhaav”. It assesses the impact of the Fund of Funds for Start-ups (FFS).

About Prabhaav Report

Introduction It is a report released by CRISIL to assess the impact of the Fund of Funds for Start-ups (FFS). Fund of Funds for Start-ups (FFS) is a key initiative under the Start-up India Action Plan
Dimensions included in assessment 1) Flow of capital
2) Inclusiveness and diversity in coverage of startups
3) Innovative solution
4) Deepening of startups funding ecosystem in the hinterland of country
Key findings of the report  1) The report reveals that 129 startups beyond Tier-1 cities have received investment worth Rs1,590 crore.
2) Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) scheme has enabled investments to the tune of around 4x of the amount drawn with Rs 17,534 crore invested in 938 startups.
3) There was increase in support to women led startups as well as women led fund managers.
4) 18 startups have become unicorn.
5) The scheme has also supported start-ups in emerging sectors such as deep tech, agri-tech, health tech, and financial services.

What is Fund of Funds Scheme?

About– The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) Scheme was approved and established in 2016 with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore.

Funding to start-ups– The Scheme does not directly invest in startups. It provides capital to SEBI-registered AIFs (alternate investment funds) known as daughter funds. These AIFs invest money in growing Indian startups through equity and equity-linked instruments.

Fund operated bySmall Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) through selection of suitable daughter funds and overseeing the disbursal of committed capital.

Mandate– AIFs (alternate investment funds) supported under FFS are required to invest at least 2 times of the amount committed under FFS in startups.

NOTE- SIDBI-
1) It was established under an Act of Parliament in 1990.
2) It is responsible for administering the Small Industries Development Fund and National Equity Fund.

UPSC Syllabus-Indian economy.

Bor Tiger Reserve

Source-This post on Bor Tiger Reserve has been created based on the article “Bor seeks ₹1 crore for tourism devpt at Hingni, Bangdapur” published in “THE TIMES OF INDIA” on 12 February 2024.

Why in the news?

The Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR)  has recently sought Rs 1 crore for various works to start wildlife safaris in the Bangdapur and Hingni forest ranges.

About Bor Tiger Reserve

Bor tiger reserve
Source-Reserchgate
Aspect Details
Introduction It is a wildlife sanctuary which was declared a tiger reserve in July 2014.
Location It is located in the Wardha District of Maharashtra.
Area The reserve covers an area of 138.12 sq.km, which includes the drainage basin of the Bor Dam.
Vegetation It has Dry Deciduous Forest.
Flora Teak, tendu, bamboo, tarot, and gokhru are some of the abundant species.
Fauna Apart from tigers, the reserve is home to several other mammals like leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, Indian bison (gaur), chital, wild boars, and more
Contagious national parks Towards the North-east – Pench Tiger Reserve
Towards the east – Nagzira Navegaon Tiger Reserve,
Toward south-east- Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Towards west- Melghat Tiger Reserve ;
Towards north-west-Satpura Tiger Reserve
Some important facts 1) It is the smallest tiger reserve in India by area.
2) The Bor Tiger Reserve is traversed by the Bor River, which plays a significant role in the ecology and biodiversity of the reserve.
3) The Bor Tiger Reserve is strategically located between the Pench Tiger Reserve and the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the Nagpur and Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra.
This region acts as a crucial tiger corridor connecting these two tiger reserves

UPSC Syllabus-Environment (species in news)

Revised guidelines for Community radio stations

Source-This post on Revised guidelines for community radio stations is based on the article “I&B Minister releases revised policy guidelines for community radio stations” published in “The Hindu” on 13th February 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, the government has released the revised policy guidelines for setting up community radio stations.

What do the newly revised guidelines say?

Community radio Stations (CRS)
Source-NDTV

1. Increase in the number of stations for an entity– The updated guidelines now permit one institution to establish up to six stations across various operational districts. Previously it was restricted to one station.

2. Increase in advertising time and advertisement rates– The advertising time for community radio stations has been raised from 7 minutes per hour to 12 minutes per hour. Also, the advertisement rate has been increased from Rs 52 to Rs 74 per 10 seconds.

3. Fixing the validity of Letter of Intent (LOI) – The policy now sets the validity of the letter of intent issued to an organization to one year, with an additional three-month buffer for unforeseen circumstances.

4. Establishment of Advisory and content committee– The guidelines require the licensee to establish an advisory and content committee with members from the local community. It must also be ensured that 50 percent of the committee consists of women.

What are community radio stations and their significance in India?

1. About– Community radio stations (CRSs) are low-power radio stations with a coverage area of approximately 10-15 km radius, depending on the area’s geography. They are intended to be established and managed by local communities.

2. History in India– India’s first community radio station (CRS) opened at Anna University’s campus in 2004. Presently, there are 481 CRSs across India, with over 133 becoming operational in the last two years.

3. Significance– Community radio stations provide a platform for disseminating content in localized dialects and regional languages. They address local, context-specific issues and facilitate discussions using local idioms.

UPSC Syllabus- Polity and Nation (Governance)

‘Specific duration’ clause in India-EFTA pact

Source-This post on ‘Specific duration’ clause in India-EFTA pact is based on the article “Thorny clause in ripening India-European Free Trade Association deal may hit generic drug industry” published in “The Hindu” on 13th February 2024.

Why in the News?

A ‘Specific duration’ clause in a free trade agreement draft being discussed between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) may postpone access to affordable generic drugs in India for at least six years.

What does the draft say?

1. Specific duration– It states that within six months of the agreement being signed, signatories should include a “specific duration” during which drug applicants cannot useundisclosed test data” to obtain market approval for at least six years.
Note– The “signatories” are countries, and the “applicants” are pharmaceutical companies. The “undisclosed test data” refers to information about the drug’s effectiveness and its effects on people.

2. Extension of Drug Coverage:
a.
This specific duration rule should cover not just new chemical drugs but also a group known as biologics drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccine formulas.
b. These involve complicated combinations of organic and inorganic substances and are difficult to replicate.

What are the implications of this clause on India?

Make essential drugs unaffordable:
a.
It will promote monopolization for foreign pharmaceutical companies as Patented drugs give the first inventor exclusive marketing rights for 20 years. It will make essential drugs more expensive in many countries, including India.
b. It would be a setback for the Indian generic industry, which is the third largest in the world and has resisted attempts by foreign pharmaceutical companies to extend patent monopolies.

Note- However, Indian law permits drug makers to produce and sell generic versions through compulsory licensing after just three years of patent issuance in India.

UPSC Syllabus- Indian Economy/International Relations

India-UAE Bilateral investment Treaty

Source-This post on India-UAE Bilateral investment Treaty is based on the article “Govt signs bilateral investment treaty with UAE to promote investments” published in “Business Standard” on 13th February 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a significant bilateral investment treaty during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit. Several other key agreements were also signed.

What is the significance of this Bilateral investment treaty (BIT)?

India-UAE-Bilateral-Investment-agreement
Source- Business Standard

1. The goal of the BIT is to enhance investor trust, especially among significant investors. It   can result in higher levels of foreign investments and more opportunities for overseas direct investment (ODI). It is expected to have a positive effect on job creation as well.

2. In addition to boosting investments in India, the BIT with the UAE is expected to support the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat by promoting domestic manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports, and boosting exports.

What are the other key agreements signed?

1. Digital infrastructure projects– To establish a framework for broad cooperation, including investment collaboration, in the digital infrastructure sector. It also facilitates the exchange of technical knowledge, skills, and expertise.

2. Linkage of payment platforms– The two countries also agreed to connect India’s UPI with the UAE’s AANI instant payments platform. Similarly, India’s RuPay cards will also be linked with the UAE’s JAYWAN card, built on RuPay’s technology stack.

3. India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC) framework agreement– Both sides also inked an Intergovernmental Framework Agreement on the India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC).
a. The IMEC initiative proposes a sea-land connectivity project connecting India with West Asia and Europe.

UPSC Syllabus- International Relations

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