9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 1^st August, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Significance of ITIs in India

Source: The post significance of ITIs in India has been created, based on the article “ITIs: Back to the centre stage” published in “Business Standard” on 1st August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education, Human Resources.

Context: The article discusses the focus on enhancing Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in India, highlighted in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent Union Budget. She put “employment and skilling” second on her list of nine Budget priorities, just after agriculture. The article addresses issues like outdated courses and poor placement rates, while noting improvements and initiatives in some states to boost ITI effectiveness and job placements for graduates.

For detailed information on Vocational Training in India read this article here

What are the significances of ITIs for India?

1. Skill Development and Capacity: ITIs provide critical skills to a large number of students, with around 14,993 government ITIs and 2.5 million available seats as of 2021-22.
2. Improving Enrollment: Enrollment has been increasing, from 946,000 in 2014 to 1.24 million in 2022, showing growing demand and relevance.
3. Curriculum Relevance: New courses on emerging technologies like electric vehicles align ITIs with modern industry needs, ensuring graduates are industry ready.
4. Strategic Importance: Established to meet post-independence industrial needs, ITIs are pivotal as India approaches 100 years of independence, aiming to create a skilled workforce for a developed economy by 2047.

What Challenges Do ITIs Face?

Despite their pivotal role, ITIs struggle with several issues:

1. Skilled Trainers: There is a shortage of skilled trainers across states.
2. Resource Crunch: Many institutes lack the necessary resources.
3. Outdated Curriculum: The courses often do not meet current industry requirements.
4. Poorly Equipped Labs: Many labs are not adequately equipped.
5. Ineffective Placement Methods: There is a need for better placement strategies, as suggested by a Parliamentary Committee which called for mandatory reporting on graduate employment status.

What are the success stories from ITIs?

1. Delhi’s Placement Rates: Delhi’s ITIs achieved a 72.3% placement rate in the latest academic year, with some institutes reaching as high as 94 to 97%.
2. Tamil Nadu’s Improvement: Tamil Nadu saw an increase in placement rates to 80% in 2023, up from 77.4% the previous year.
3. International Opportunities: In Maharashtra, ITI students secured jobs overseas in countries like Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Germany recruited 4,000 professionals from Kerala institutions, including ITIs.
4. Corporate Collaborations: Hyundai announced new job opportunities for ITI students across nine states. The Telangana government partnered with Tata Technologies to upgrade 65 ITIs into centers of excellence.
5. Innovative Courses: ITI Shikohabad in Uttar Pradesh introduced new courses on electric vehicles, adapting to industry needs.

What should be done?

1. Enhance Placement Methods: Set up effective placement cells and make employment data reporting mandatory, as suggested by the Parliamentary Committee.
2. Adopt NITI Aayog’s Recommendations: Implement a seven-pronged strategy, including setting up a central board for vocational education recognition, to overhaul the ITI ecosystem.
3. Learn from Success Stories: Emulate successful models like Delhi’s 72.3% placement rate and Tamil Nadu’s 80% rate.
4. Update Curriculum: Align courses with industry requirements, focusing on areas like data analytics and AI.
5. Promote Collaborations: Encourage partnerships like Hyundai’s job opportunities and Tata Technologies’ upgrade of ITIs.

Question for practice:

Discuss the current challenges faced by Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in India and suggest potential solutions based on recent improvements and successful models.

Impact of New Arbitration Guidelines

Source-This post on Impact of New Arbitration Guidelines has been created based on the article “Why new guidelines for arbitration and mediation could be damaging” published in “The Indian Express” on 1 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions.

Context– The government introduced new guidelines for arbitration and mediation in public procurement contracts. Although the guidelines promote mediation, they indicate a move away from using arbitration in government projects.

The 2015 amendments aimed to make India a top international arbitration center by reducing court delays. However, the recent shift away from arbitration seems to reverse this progress.

What are the problems with arbitration?

1) Speed of resolution– The recent reversal of reforms comes from worries that cases are being resolved too quickly.

2) Quality of arbitrators-The perceptions that poor-quality or corrupt arbitrators are to blame misses the true issues. The real issues are inadequate legal representation and flawed case facts, rather than the arbitrators themselves.

What will be the impact of these new guidelines?

1) Business Ecosystem-It will negatively impact private litigants, India’s “Ease of Doing Business” ranking and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

2) Legal System- It will add pressure to already overloaded courts, causing delays, increased court interference, and lengthier appeals. As the government will often be involved in disputes, cases are likely to reach the Supreme Court frequently.

3) Shift to Foreign Arbitration -Large domestic companies will choose foreign arbitration, leaving only smaller disputes to be handled in India.

Read More- Alternative dispute resolution

What are the likely positive outcomes?

1) Increased Commercial litigation-This shift will foster strong legal principles in damages, indemnities, discovery, and trial practices, expand Indian law on damages, and encourage innovative use of tort law.

2) Demand for skilled trial lawyers- There will be a need for lawyers skilled in litigation, damages, and cross-examination, which will enhance the overall legal system.

What should be the way forward?

A) Addressing Arbitration Issues– The real issue with arbitration should be addressed by improving legal representation and case details, rather than blaming the arbitrators. Enhancing training and accreditation can resolve these problems without abandoning arbitration.

B) Commercial Courts –Substantial investments and a commitment to improving commercial courts should be made for a successful transition.

Question for practice

Critically analyze the impact of new guidelines on arbitration?

Challenges in Adopting Global Pandemic Agreement

Source-This post on Challenges in Adopting Global Pandemic Agreement has been created based on the article “The global struggle for a pandemic treaty” published in “The Hindu” on 1 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Important International Institutions and Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Context– Intellectual property protections, hoarding by wealthy nations, export restrictions, and manufacturing limits worsened vaccine inequity during COVID-19. Despite two years of negotiations, 194 WHO member states failed to finalize the Pandemic Agreement, which was designed to enhance pandemic preparedness and address inequities revealed by COVID-19.

Recently, 77th World Health Assembly (May 27-June 1, 2024) took place in Geneva where two significant advancements in global health governance were made.

 What were the key developments at the 77th World Health Assembly?

1) Amendments to the International Health Regulations -The Assembly approved amendments to the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR). These changes aim to boost preparedness for health emergencies, add a new “Pandemic Emergency” category, ensure fair access to health products, support developing countries, and establish a National IHR Authority for improved coordination.

2) Completion of WHO Pandemic Agreement -The mandate of the intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) for the Pandemic Treaty was extended, requiring the WHO Pandemic Agreement to be finished quickly.

What are the challenges in adopting the Pandemic Agreement?

1) Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS): The proposal aims to address inequities in treatment access and vaccine distribution by requiring manufacturers to donate a portion of their products to WHO for global distribution. However, there is disagreement on donation percentages, with LMICs(Low- and middle-income countries) pushing for at least 20% and high-income countries not agreeing to it.

2) Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property- Disagreements over production governance, technology transfer, and intellectual property rights, particularly around TRIPS flexibilities and the ‘peace clause,’ have stalled negotiations.

3) One Health Approach: This approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health, is supported by high-income countries but seen by low- and middle-income countries as an additional burden without sufficient funding.

4) Enforcement and Implementation- The lack of a robust compliance mechanism and accountability in the International Health Regulations (IHR) raises significant concerns about the implementation of the Pandemic Agreement.

Read More- WHO Pandemic Agreement: The countdown to a pandemic treaty

What should be the way forward?

1) Collaboration for Global Health Security -Diplomats and leaders should recognize that working together and supporting each other benefits global health security.

2) Technology Transfer and IP Waivers -Technology transfer and intellectual property waivers should be implemented to build diverse global manufacturing capabilities. This will allow LMICs to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on aid from high-income countries.

Question for practice

What are the impediments to the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement, and what strategies should be employed to address these challenges?

GS PAPER - 3

Seasonal conditions and captivity increase parasitic infections in zoo animals

Source: The post seasonal conditions and captivity increase parasitic infections in zoo animals has been created, based on the article “Seasonal climatic conditions, captivity major factors in parasitic infection prevalence among Indian zoo animals: Study” published in “Down To Earth” on 1st August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- ecology, and environment

Context: A study found that seasonal conditions and captivity increase parasitic infections in zoo animals. Researchers found infections highest during monsoon and suggested regular deworming, cleaning, and proper waste disposal to control infections.

What was the focus of the study?

The study focused on seasonal climatic conditions and captivity’s role in parasitic infections among zoo animals. Researchers aimed to record seasonal worm burden and evaluate deworming protocols in two Pune zoos: Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Nisargakavi Bahinabai Chaudhary Zoo.

What were the major findings of this study?

1. Seasonal Variation: Parasitic infections varied by season, with the highest incidence in the monsoon (29.50% in mammals) and lowest in summer (8.40% in mammals).
2. Bird Infections: Birds had a prevalence rate of 21.80% in monsoon, 20.00% in winter, and 18.80% in summer.
3. Environmental Factors: High humidity and suitable temperatures in the monsoon increased parasite survival.
4. Control Measures: Appropriate control methods, such as regular examination, deworming treatments, cleaning premises, and proper waste disposal, can minimize infections.
5. Data Collection: Researchers collected 450 fecal samples from 150 wild animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, across three seasons in two Pune zoos.

Question for practice:

Discuss the impact of seasonal climatic conditions on parasitic infections among zoo animals.

Framework for evaluating wealth and spending

Source: The post framework for evaluating wealth and spending has been created, based on the article “An analysis of wealth creation could guide how it’s best spent” published in “Live Mints” on 1st August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy-mobilisation of resources

Context: The article discusses a framework for evaluating wealth and spending based on how the wealth was earned. It ranks five types of wealth creation from most to least desirable, highlighting the economic impact and fairness of each type.

What is the Framework for Evaluating Wealth?

The framework for evaluating wealth considers how it was earned and how it should be spent. This framework is based on economic fairness and the alignment of rewards with efforts. Understanding the source of wealth is crucial for judging economic fairness and the health of an economy.

How is Wealth Categorized?

Wealth is ranked in five categories:

1. Talent and Effort: Wealth from personal skills and hard work, like a successful retail chain or a popular jewelry designer.
2. Innovation: Money made from creating something new, like an invention which benefits society.
3. Externalities: Profits that impose costs on society, like pollution from cars.
4. Monopolistic Advantages: Earnings from industries with little competition, such as utilities or large tech platforms.
5. Influence Rents: Wealth gained from manipulating rules and institutions, often unfairly benefiting the wealthy.

What are the Desirable and Less Desirable Sources of Wealth?

1. Wealth from talent, effort, and innovation is highly desirable because it results from honest work and creativity, benefiting both individuals and society.
2. Less desirable sources include wealth generated from externalities, monopolistic advantages, and influence rents. These methods impose costs on society, restrict competition, and manipulate rules for profit.

How Does This Relate to the USA and USSR?

1. The framework highlights differences in economic systems. The USA’s system, during the Cold War, promoted fair competition and innovation, leading to economic growth.
2. In contrast, the USSR struggled economically due to a lack of fair competition and influence rents. This economic inefficiency contributed to the USSR’s collapse, despite its military strength.
3. This comparison shows how a strong institutional framework and fair competition can drive economic success.

Question for practice:

Evaluate how different sources of wealth impact economic fairness and societal benefits according to the framework for evaluating wealth.

Concerns with Removing Indexation

Source: The post concerns with removing indexation has been created, based on the article “On discarding indexation for LTCG” published in “The Hindu” on 1st August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy-mobilisation of resources

Context: The article discusses Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s proposal to eliminate indexation for calculating long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax, replacing it with a 12.5% tax rate on gains. It explains how indexation works and its implications for different assets and taxpayers.

For detailed information on Changes in India’s tax regime for capital gains read this article here

What is the New Proposal regarding LTCG Tax?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed removing indexation in the calculation of long-term capital gains tax. Instead, all gains will be taxed at a flat rate of 12.5%. This change is intended to simplify tax calculations for both taxpayers and the tax administration.

For detailed information on Indexation read this article here

How Does Indexation Work?

1. Indexation adjusts the purchase price of an asset to account for inflation, ensuring taxpayers are taxed on real gains.
2. For example:

A house bought for ₹10 lakh in 2001.

Sold for ₹75 lakh in 2021.

Calculation:

Cost Inflation Index (CII) for 2021: 317.

CII for 2001: 100.

Indexed purchase price: ₹10 lakh * (317/100) = ₹31.7 lakh.

Taxable gain: ₹75 lakh – ₹31.7 lakh = ₹43.3 lakh.

Tax Comparison:

With indexation at 20% tax rate: Tax = ₹8.7 lakh.

Without indexation at 12.5% tax rate: Tax = ₹8.13 lakh.

What Are the Concerns with Removing Indexation?

1. Higher Tax Liability: Without indexation, tax liabilities can increase significantly. For example, selling a house for ₹40 lakh in 2021 without indexation results in a tax of ₹3.75 lakh, compared to ₹1.66 lakh with indexation.
2. Flat or Slumping Markets: Assets that do not grow exponentially benefit more from indexation, as seen with a BankBazaar study showing LTCG tax tripled for properties bought after 2010 without indexation.
3. Short-Term Sales: Individuals benefit more by selling assets quickly (3-4 years) rather than holding them long-term (10 years or more).
4. Investment Trusts and Bonds: REITs and infrastructure funds, which have lower returns, may suffer. Bonds might become less popular.
5. Property Undervaluation: Properties may be sold at circle rates to reduce tax, increasing black money transactions, as warned by AAP MP Raghav Chadha.

Question for practice:

Discuss the potential implications of removing indexation for calculating long-term capital gains tax and replacing it with a flat 12.5% tax rate, as proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

High-Quality Data for Safe and Equitable AI Development

Source-This post on High-Quality Data for Safe and Equitable AI Development has been created based on the article “AI needs cultural policies, not just regulation” published in “The Hindu” on 1 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics

Context– The article emphasizes the need for high-quality data, the challenges in acquiring it, and the importance of digitizing cultural heritage.

Data is fundamental to AI development because more data improves AI performance, especially for LLMs (Large Language Models). Larger volumes and diversity of human-generated text enhance LLM capabilities. Data, along with computing power and algorithmic innovations, is a critical driver of AI progress.

What are the Challenges in Data Acquisition?

1) Insufficient Digital Content -Humans do not produce enough digital content to meet the growing demands of AI models, and current training datasets are already enormous—such as Meta’s LLaMA 3, which uses 15 trillion tokens.

2) Data Contamination-There are concerns about public data contamination by LLMs that could amplify biases and reduce diversity.

Read More- India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act

3) Ethical Concerns-It include the use of pirated content, unclear principles in data collection, training on a mix of licensed and publicly available data, and biases due to overrepresentation of English-language and contemporary content.

3)  LLM Access to Diverse and Historical Data -Current LLMs lack access to primary sources, diverse languages, and archival documents. Historical texts are underrepresented, and there is a lot of untapped data in cultural heritage, like Italy’s State Archives.

What is the significance of digitizing cultural heritage?

A) Enrich AI’s understanding of humanity’s cultural wealth.

B) Improve accessibility to world knowledge and foster global innovation.

C) Revolutionize historical understanding.

D) Safeguard cultural heritage from negligence, war, and climate change.

E) Provide economic benefits by enabling smaller companies and startups to develop AI applications.

What should be the Way Forward?

A) Balance regulation with policies promoting high-quality data as a public good.

B) Prioritize digitization of cultural heritage and diverse languages.

C) Recognize the cultural, economic, and technological benefits of promoting low-resource languages.

D) Accelerate the digital transition while preserving and utilizing world cultural heritage.

Question for practice

What challenges are associated with data acquisition, and why is digitizing cultural heritage important?

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Potential and Challenges

Source- This post on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) has been created based on the article “Problem power“ published in “The Hindu“ on 1 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-3– Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Context– The Indian government is planning to collaborate with the private sector to study and test Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This effort is important as nuclear energy helps bridge the gap between fossil fuels and renewable energy technologies.

Nuclear power offers several benefits: it provides high, reliable energy output, adds to a diverse energy mix, and can help cover gaps in renewable energy sources. However, nuclear power also has challenges: high costs for building safe reactors, difficulties in managing spent fuel, and frequent delays and budget overruns in projects.

What is SMR Technology?

1) Description-SMRs are compact versions of conventional nuclear reactors, with power outputs ranging from 10 MWe to 300 MWe.

2) Key features of SMRs: –

A) Higher energy content of nuclear fuel

B) Modular design for easier assembly and scalability

C) Smaller operational surface area

D) Potentially lower capital costs

A detailed article on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) can be read here.

What are the challenges in its adoption of Small Modular Reactors?

1) Nuclear Power Privatisation -Privatising nuclear power will increase the need for strict safeguards to prevent the misuse of radioactive materials.

2) Proliferation concerns -First-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) will use low-enriched uranium and be assembled on-site. They are designed to manage waste with current technologies and produce cost-effective power. However, frequent refueling and plutonium production could raise proliferation concerns.

3) Cost Implications for Future SMRs -The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) suggests ‘safeguardable’ reactor designs, but these might raise capital costs. Future SMRs could need more enriched uranium or advanced systems, increasing operational costs.

4) High Power Rates– The fixed costs and safety requirements of nuclear reactors mean SMR power rates may not be lower.

Way ahead- The Department of Atomic Energy raised reactor capacity from 220 MW to 700 MW. SMRs’ success in boosting nuclear power in India will depend on their cost-effectiveness, stable market conditions, reliable grids, the ability to mass-produce parts, and the cost of ensuring proliferation resistance.

Question for practice

What is SMR Technology, and what obstacles are faced in adopting Small Modular Reactors?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Report on Power Cuts in India

Source- This post on the Report on Power Cuts in India has been created based on the article “In 3 years, power cuts in India will rise, says report” published in “The Hindu” on 1 August 2024.

Findings of the report

1. More Power Cuts- The report predicts that rising electricity needs in India will likely result in more evening power cuts by 2027.

2. Insufficient renewable energy backup- India has an installed electric capacity of 446 GW, with 211 GW coming from coal, 195 GW from renewable energy sources, and the rest from gas and nuclear energy. However, during heatwaves, prolonged high electricity demand can extend into the night. While solar energy can meet daytime spikes in demand, it cannot address night time demand.

3. Inability of Coal to meet demand- India’s most reliable power source coal also cannot meet this demand alone.

4. Increase renewable energy storage- The report recommends increasing utility-scale solar plants alongside battery storage. Battery storage can store solar energy produced during the day for use at night.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy

Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)

Source- This post on the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) has been created based on the article “RBI’s proposed norms on LCR could be a dampener for some banks” published in “Moneycontrol” on 1 August 2024.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently issued draft guidelines for banks on the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR). RBI has asked the banks to hold a higher stock of liquid securities as a buffer on deposits.

About Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)

Definition	Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) refers to the proportion of highly liquid assets held by financial institutions to ensure they can meet short-term obligations. The short term obligation means maintaining the cash outflows for 30 days.
Purpose	It ensures banks and financial institutions have sufficient capital to handle short-term liquidity disruptions.
Origin	It has originated from the Basel III agreement.
Calculation	LCR = (High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA)) / (Total net cash outflows over the next 30 calendar days). * HQLA- These are assets that can be easily and quickly converted into cash with minimal or no loss of value. These include cash, reserves with central banks, central government bonds. SLR securities are also a part of HQLA.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy

Wing Stall

Source- This post on the Wing Stall has been created based on the article “Was the recent Kathmandu plane crash caused by a ‘wing stall’?” published in “Indian Express” on 1 August 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, a Bombardier CRJ200 operated by Nepal’s Saurya Airlines crashed near the runway at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. One of the possible reasons for the crash is being attributed to wing stall which put the plane in an ‘unusual attitude’, leading to the aircraft banked steeply to the right before crashing.

About Unusual Attitude

Normal attitudes include straight and level flight, controlled climbs, and descents.

Unusual Attitude- It refers to the aircraft’s abnormal position relative to Earth’s horizon. Unusual attitudes include excessive nose-high, steep dives, or excessive right or left rolls. An unusual attitude can lead to a stall if not corrected.

About Wing Stall

A wing stall occurs when one wing stalls before the other. It causes the aircraft to roll into an excessive bank.

Mechanism- A stall occurs when the wings stop generating lift. In a wing stall, one wing loses lift first, causing the aircraft to bank excessively. Ailerons, which are the wing control surfaces, become ineffective during a wing stall.

Recovery Method- The recovery from a wing stall involves pushing the nose down to reduce the angle of attack, applying rudder opposite to the dropped wing, keeping ailerons neutral, and adding power.

Angle of Attack- The angle of attack is the angle at which the wings meet the oncoming airflow. It is crucial for generating lift.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology

Ideas4LiFE Portal

Source- This post on the Ideas4LiFE Portal has been created based on the article “Shri Bhupender Yadav launches Ideas4LiFE portal for inviting ideas related to products and services for inducing behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles” published in “PIB” on 1 August 2024.

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently launched the Ideas4LiFE portal at IIT Delhi.

About Ideas4LiFE Portal

Aim	It encourages and motivates students, faculty, and research scholars to contribute innovative ideas to the global initiative of Mission LiFE. It also seeks to invite ideas related to products and services that promote behavioral changes towards environmentally friendly lifestyles.
Significance	It provides a significant opportunity for inspired minds to participate in a global movement dedicated to environmental sustainability.
Themes Covered	The Ideas4LiFE Ideathon covers seven themes of Mission LiFE– 1. Save Water 2. Save Energy 3. Reduce Waste 4. Reduce E-Waste 5. Say No to Single-Use Plastics 6. Adopt Sustainable Food Systems 7. Adopt Healthy Lifestyles.

About Mission LiFE

About	It is an India led global mass movement to encourage individual and community actions to protect and preserve the environment.
Launch	It was launched at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021.
Goal	It aims to mobilize one billion Indians and people in other countries to adopt sustainable lifestyles. It promotes the P3 model, which stands for Pro Planet People.

Read More- PM launches Mission LiFE in the presence of U.N. Secretary General

UPSC Syllabus: Environment

India’s Mineral import Surge

Source- This post on the India’s Mineral import surge has been created based on the article “Mineral import surges 80%” published in “The Hindu” on 1 August 2024.

India’s major mineral imports (mostly non-critical minerals) has witnessed almost 80% rise in value terms over five years. The mineral import in value terms has risen to Rs. 68,633 crore in FY24 from Rs. 38,604 crore in FY19.

Major Minerals Imported in India

The major minerals imported in India are copper-ore concentrates, phosphorite, manganese ore, limestone, iron ore, bauxite, asbestos, sulphur, magnesite, and fluorspar. These ten minerals account for 97% of mineral imports.

Data related to Imports

Copper ore concentrate	These imports have been the highest in value terms. It constitutes nearly 40% of the total major mineral imports in FY24. It stands today at Rs. 25,951 crore in FY24, doubling from ₹12,146 crore over five years.
Phosphorite Imports	Phosphorite imports constitute nearly 20% of the total import in value terms. It has increased to Rs.12,649 crore in FY24 doubling from ₹5,625 crore.
Limestone	Limestone imports have been highest in volume at 338.09 lakh tonnes (55% of the total), followed by phosphorite at 55.98 lakh tonnes (14%).
Critical minerals	Critical imports, excluding lithium-ion and copper, totals Rs. 1,396.6 crore in FY24, with a volume of 82,260 tonnes.

Read More- SC verdict on state’s power to tax mining activities

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy