9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 27th July, 2024

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GS PAPER - 2

Key Discussions at 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat

Source: The post key discussions at 2nd BIMSTEC foreign ministers’ retreat has been created, based on the article “A new push in the Bay of Bengal” published in “The Hindu” on 27th July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- international relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Context: India hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi to discuss cooperation in security, trade, and connectivity. The retreat prepared for the sixth summit. The event highlighted India’s strategic focus on strengthening ties with its eastern neighbors.

For detailed information on BIMSTEC read this article here

What Were the Key Discussions at the Retreat?

The retreat was divided into two parts:

  1. First Session:
  2. Assessment of Cooperation: Participants reviewed the current state of regional cooperation within BIMSTEC.
  3. Implementation of Outcomes: India presented key outcomes from the 1st Retreat.
  4. Centers of Excellence: Ideas were shared for establishing centers focusing on Agriculture, Disaster Management, and Maritime Transport.
  5. Health Initiatives: India supported cancer research and e-visas for patients from BIMSTEC states; Sri Lanka proposed focusing on kidney disease.
  6. Private Sector Involvement: Highlighted the need for private sector participation in trade and promotion of young entrepreneurs.
  7. Security Concerns: Emphasized the importance of connectivity, cybersecurity, and countering trafficking of narcotics and illegal arms.
  8. Second Session:
  9. Country Expectations: Discussed individual countries’ expectations for the upcoming summit.
  10. Resource Mapping: Sri Lanka stressed the need to map mineral resources and integrate production stages.
  11. Blue Economy: Bangladesh highlighted cooperation in the Blue Economy and suggested banning fishing during breeding seasons.
  12. Tourism and Culture: Bhutan emphasized tourism and cultural exchanges.
  13. Regional Synergy: Nepal promoted a ‘whole of the region’ approach for a results-oriented forum.
  14. Non-traditional Security: Thailand and Myanmar discussed non-traditional security domains and combating online scams.

What is the Significance of These Developments?

  1. Strategic Positioning: Enhances India’s role in the Bay of Bengal, countering China’s influence and strengthening regional stability.
  2. Economic Access: Provides the northeastern region with crucial sea access via Bangladesh and Myanmar.
  3. Regional Cooperation: Fosters collaboration in cancer research, e-visas, and combating illegal activities, improving overall regional health and security.
  4. Indo-Pacific Presence: Reinforces India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific by aligning with ASEAN members, Myanmar, and Thailand.
  5. Resource Management: Encourages sustainable development through resource mapping and Blue Economy initiatives, such as Sri Lanka’s mineral resource mapping and Bangladesh’s focus on sustainable fishing.
  6. Policy Milestone: Marks a decade of India’s “Act East” and “Neighbourhood First” policies, reflecting ongoing efforts to nurture regional collaboration.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key initiatives and areas of cooperation highlighted at the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat held in New Delhi.

Supreme Court allows states to tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands

Source: The post Supreme Court allows states to tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands has been created, based on the article “Fiscal federalism: The ruling on taxing mineral rights opens up resource avenue for States” published in “The Hindu” on 27th July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-polity-federalism

Context: The article discusses a Supreme Court ruling that allows states to tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands. This decision strengthens states’ legislative powers. However, there’s concern it could lead to uneven mineral costs and increased industrial product prices.

For detailed information on SC verdict on state’s power to tax mining activities read this article here

What Was the Supreme Court’s Ruling?

  1. The Supreme Court ruled 8:1 that states can tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
  2. Chief Justice Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud found no limitation in the 1957 Act. The Court saw royalty as a contractual consideration, not a tax. States could tax mineral-bearing lands under Entry 49, a general power to tax lands.

Why Is This Ruling Significant?

  1. Strengthens States’ Power: The ruling reinforces states’ legislative authority to tax mineral rights and lands, protecting it from Parliament’s interference. Previously, entry 50 in the State List allowed states to tax mineral rights but was thought to be limited by Parliament’s law.
  2. Clarifies Taxation Limits: It clarifies that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, does not limit states’ taxation powers.
  3. New Revenue Avenue: States gain a new taxation avenue, aiding their ability to fund welfare schemes and services.
  4. Royalty Clarification: The Court determined that royalty is not a tax but a contractual consideration, allowing states more freedom in taxation.
  5. Supports Fiscal Federalism: This decision promotes fiscal federalism and state autonomy in financial matters.

What Are the Concerns About This Ruling?

  1. Unhealthy Competition: Justice B.V. Nagarathna’s dissent warns of states entering unhealthy competition to derive revenue.
  2. Increased Costs: This could lead to uneven and uncoordinated spikes in mineral costs, affecting purchasers. Higher mineral costs may result in increased prices for industrial products.
  3. Market Exploitation: There is a risk of the national market being exploited for arbitrage.
  4. Future Amendments: The Centre might amend the law to limit or prohibit states from taxing mineral rights, potentially leaving mining activities untaxed.

Question for practice:

Examine how the recent Supreme Court ruling on state taxation of mineral rights and lands impacts fiscal federalism and state autonomy in financial matters.

Role of UDISE+ in the Indian Education System

Source: The post role of UDISE+ in the Indian Education System has been created, based on the article “Using children’s personal data legally and securely” published in “The Hindu” on 27th July 2024

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

Context: The article discusses India’s vast education system, which includes around 15 lakh schools, 97 lakh teachers, and about 26.5 crore students. It explains the role of the UDISE+ platform in managing and securing student data, ensuring compliance with privacy laws, and the need for clear protocols to protect children’s personal information.

What is UDISE+ and APAAR?

  1. UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus): Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Education, it collects real-time data on school infrastructure, teachers, student enrollment, and performance.

For detailed information on UDISE read this article here

  1. APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry): Introduced with the National Education Policy 2020, it provides a unique identifier for students, collecting academic records and personal information like Aadhaar numbers through voluntary consent.

For detailed information on What is APAAR read this article here

What Role Does UDISE+ Play in the Indian Education System?

  1. Data Collection and Management: UDISE+ collects real-time information on school infrastructure, teachers, student enrollment, and academic performance.
  2. Policy Formulation: This data helps the Ministry of Education create outcome-based policies to enhance education quality.
  3. Resource Allocation: By improving resource distribution, UDISE+ ensures that schools receive necessary support.
  4. Monitoring Programs: UDISE+ aids in tracking educational programs and trends to optimize their effectiveness.
  5. Student Data Integration: Linked with APAAR, it helps manage student admissions and reduce dropout rates.
  6. Collaborations: Works with DigiLocker and ed-tech companies to modernize education.

What Legal Standards Apply?

  1. Supreme Court’s Three-Part Test: State actions must have a legitimate interest, be necessary and proportionate, and be imposed by law.
  2. Right to Privacy: Recognized as a fundamental right in the 2018 Justice K.S. Puttaswamy case.
  3. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Requires specific and voluntary consent for data collection and sharing.
  4. Data Minimization: Ensures only necessary data is collected.
  5. Aadhaar Integration: APAAR and UDISE+ must comply with privacy and security standards.

What are the Operational Challenges?

  1. Privacy and Consent: There’s limited guidance on obtaining verifiable parental consent for minors’ data. Sharing children’s data under UDISE+/APAAR may violate the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
  2. Data Security: Protecting sensitive student data from theft and cyber breaches is a major concern.
  3. Regulatory Updates: The data-sharing policy for school education needs updating to reflect regulatory changes post the DPDP Act, 2023.
  4. Identification of Actors: There is a need to identify roles such as data fiduciary, data processor, and data principal for liability purposes.
  5. Grievance Redressal: There is no clear mechanism for grievance redressal related to data sharing and collection.
  6. Standard Operating Procedures: The absence of technical and legal protocols affects the management of data authenticity and stakeholder obligations.

Question for practice:

Discuss the role of UDISE+ in managing India’s education system and its associated operational challenges.

Cheaper Cancer Drugs

Source-This post on Cheaper Cancer Drugs has been created based on the article “Government slashes prices for targeted cancer drugs: All you need to know” published in “The Indian Express” on 27 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education

Context– The finance minister has in her budget speech announced customs duty exemptions for three cancer drugs-trastuzumab deruxtecan, osimertinib, and durvalumab. These drugs previously had a 10% duty. Approximately one lakh patients in India require trastuzumab deruxtecan, osimertinib, and durvalumab

Cancer cases in India are rising, with 14.6 lakh new cases in 2022, up from 14.2 lakh in 2021. Cancer deaths also increased to 8.08 lakh in 2022. Women have a higher cancer incidence rate (103.6 per 100,000) compared to men (94.1). Common cancers for men include lung, mouth, and prostate, while for women, they are breast, cervix, and ovary.

What are targeted cancer drugs?

1) Purpose: Attack only cancer cells, leaving normal cells unaffected.

2) Function: Target specific genetic changes in cancer cells that promote growth, division, and spread.

3) Advantages: Better outcomes and fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy, which affects all cells indiscriminately.

4) Immunotherapy: -Trains the patient’s immune system to identify and attack cancer cells, rather than targeting the cancer directly with drugs.

How do these three drugs work?

1) Trastuzumab deruxtecan-

A) It is an antibody-drug conjugate combining a lab-made protein with a drug. It treats cancers with the HER-2 receptor that have spread or cannot be surgically removed.

B) It is a second-line treatment that is used when traditional therapies fail. It was approved for breast cancer in 2019 and for certain gastrointestinal cancers in 2021.

C) It was the first drug in its class to receive “tissue-agnostic approval” from the FDA, meaning it can treat any cancer with the HER-2 receptor, regardless of its origin.

D) Cost: The drug costs around Rs 1.6 lakh per vial.

2) Osimertinib-

A) Usage: Most used cancer drug in India.

B) Treatment: For lung cancers with epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), involved in cancer development. It is effective for 25% to 30% of lung cancers in non-smoking women

C) Function: Blocks EGFR receptors on cancer cells, stopping cancer growth.

D) Application: Prescribed after surgery or as a first-line treatment for metastatic cancer. Can be used until it stops working or causes severe toxicity.

E) Benefits: Extends patient survival by 4 to 5 years compared to other treatments.

F) Cost– The drug is expensive, costing ₹1.5 lakh for a strip of ten pills. It must be taken daily.

3) Durvalumab-

A) Type: Immunotherapy treatment.

B) Usage: Treats certain lung cancers, biliary tract cancers, bladder cancer, and liver cancer.

C) Function: Binds to PD-L1 proteins on cancer cells, which helps the immune system recognize and kill these cells.

D) Benefits: Studies show that patients on Durvalumab remain in remission longer and live longer.

E) Cost: Sold as Imfinzi, it costs about ₹1.5 lakh per 10ml vial.

Read more- Union Budget 2024-25- Analysis

What is the significance of the customs duty exemptions for three cancer drugs?

1) Financial Relief: The exemptions will reduce the financial burden on cancer patients and their families. It will make these drugs more accessible to Indian patients.

2) Meet Additional Expenses:- A  ₹12,000 price drop would allow for more spending on nutrition, protein supplements, and other expenses like tests and scans.

3) Efficacy-They are targeted therapies that offer much better results than traditional therapies.

Question for practice

What are targeted cancer therapies, and how do these three particular drugs work? What is the impact of customs duty exemptions on these three cancer drugs?

GS PAPER - 3

Proposed amendments to India’s Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1982

Source: The post proposed amendments to India’s Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1982 has been created, based on the article “Tough steps to clean the air may raise expenses in several sectors” published in “Live Mints” on 27th July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- environment-conservation

Context: The article discusses proposed amendments to India’s Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1982, aimed at reducing air pollution. These changes will increase operational costs and oversight for industries, involve public feedback, and replace imprisonment with penalties for violations.

For detailed information on AIR (Prevention and Control of Pollution) ACT, 1981 read this article here

What are the Proposed Changes to Air Pollution Rules?

  1. The MoEFCC is introducing a new chapter on adjudicating officers to grant quasi-judicial powers to bureaucrats in state and central government’s environment and pollution control departments.
  2. This new chapter outlines conditions for their appointment, procedures for conducting inquiries, issuing penalties, and the factors to consider before imposing penalties.
  3. Amendments under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment and Provisions) Act affect multiple laws, including the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Environment (Protection) Act, and Public Liability Insurance Act.
  4. The changes include new sections like Section 39A and Section 16 of the EP Act, which did not exist before.
  5. Section 53 of the Air Act is amended to detail the process for holding inquiries and imposing penalties by adjudicating officers.
  6. Imprisonment for first-time violations will be replaced with monetary penalties to ease business operations.
  7. Violators will face fines of Rs 10,000 and additional daily fines up to Rs 5,000 for continuous violations.
  8. If penalties are not paid within 90 days, violators may face fines up to twice the penalty amount or imprisonment of up to three years.
  9. Adjudicating officers will direct state pollution control boards or committees to initiate criminal proceedings if penalties remain unpaid.
  10. Penalty amounts will be credited to the central government’s Environmental Protection Fund.

How Will These Changes Affect Businesses?

  1. Stricter oversight will be imposed, leading to higher compliance costs, especially for smaller companies. For example, businesses found violating the rules will face fines of Rs 10,000, with additional daily fines of Rs 5,000 for ongoing violations.
  2. Imprisonment will be replaced by monetary penalties, aiming to ease business operations but still adding financial burdens.
  3. Companies must also adhere to enhanced disclosure requirements for the Environmental Protection Fund.
  4. The need for strict adherence to these new rules may affect the profitability of businesses as they adjust to the new regulations.
  5. Experts believe these changes, while costly, will create robust deterrents against pollution and benefit long-term environmental goals.

How Can the Public Contribute?

  1. The government has made these proposed amendments available in the public domain and is inviting comments and feedback from the public and interested parties.
    2. Individuals can submit their objections or suggestions regarding the draft notification within 60 days from its issue date of July 24.

Question for practice:

Discuss the impact of the proposed amendments to India’s Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 1982 on businesses, particularly in terms of compliance costs and penalties.

World Mangrove Day

Source-This post on World Mangrove Day has been created based on the article “World Mangrove Day: Their conservation in India is an impressive turnaround story but challenges remain” published in “Down to Earth” on 26 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context– July 26 is the International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, established by UNESCO in 2015. This day highlights the unique and vulnerable nature of mangroves and promotes their sustainable management and conservation.

Mangroves, often called ‘sentinels of the coast,’ offer numerous benefits. They protect shorelines, mitigate storm and cyclone impacts, support fish nurseries, sequester carbon and nutrients, maintain genetic diversity, and provide other ecological advantages.

India’s mangrove area grew from 4,046 sq km in 1987 to 4,992 sq km in 2019, as reported by the Forest Survey of India. This progress is notable compared to the global decline of 3.4% in mangrove cover since 1996.

What are the issues with mangrove conservation in India?

1) Decline in Natural Coastal Wetlands -The National Decadal Wetland Change Atlas reports a decline in natural coastal wetlands from 3.69 million hectares in 2006 to 3.62 million hectares in 2018.

2) Loss of Intertidal Mudflats -Intertidal mudflats, important for migratory birds and carbon storage, have been reduced due to mangrove plantations and other causes. Changing these mudflats to mangrove areas leads to a loss of their vital functions.

3) Restoration Challenge- Mangrove restoration usually involves planting propagules, a method popular after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. However, these efforts face low survival rates and may not tackle the root causes of mangrove loss.

4) Accommodation Space -Mangroves need space to adjust to rising sea levels and accumulating sediments. In cities like Mumbai, where development encroaches on mangroves, the lack of this space can hinder their ability to adapt to climate change.

5) Threats to Mangroves -Mangroves are threatened by over-harvesting, pollution, land conversion, and development.

6) Impact of Climate Change -Climate change affects mangroves with rising sea levels, higher temperatures, and more frequent storms. While warmer temperatures could promote growth, increased storms and sea level rise are major challenges.

Read More- Coral Bleaching

What should be the way forward?

1) Broadening Policy Targets: Policy should focus on overall coastal ecosystem health, not just expanding mangrove cover. Mangroves are interconnected with mudflats, lagoons, and other ecosystems, so preserving these areas and supporting coastal communities is more meaningful.

2) Incorporating Climate Risks –Managing mangroves and coastal ecosystems must address climate risks and include adaptation strategies. Climate models should be designed as per local hydrological and ecological conditions.

3) Expanding Restoration Tools – Mangrove restoration should expand to include hydrological and sediment restoration, along with combined grey-green solutions.

4) Integrating Sector Plans- Sector plans for water, disaster management, fisheries, and tourism must consider the needs of mangroves and coastal ecosystems.

5) Assessing Ecosystem Values: Coastal resilience should be based on understanding the value of ecosystems and involve everyone in society. The new National Coastal Mission may lead to these changes.

Question for practice

What are the issues with mangrove conservation in India? What changes are needed for effective mangrove management?

The 1.5°C Global Warming Threshold

Source-This post on the 1.5°C Global Warming Threshold has been created based on the article “‘One point five degrees’: Has global warming exceeded the much-feared tipping point?” published in “Down to Earth” on 27 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus– GS Paper 3 – Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context– A recent paper by climatologist Malcolm T. McCulloch, published in Nature Climate Change, has sparked debate by claiming that global warming has already exceeded the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels.

The Paris Climate Agreement, signed in 2016 by nearly 200 nations, aims to keep global temperature rise below 2°C and ideally within 1.5°C. Exceeding the 1.5°C limit could cause severe damage, such as destroying coral reefs, melting Arctic Sea ice, and thawing permafrost.

What are the issues with the recent publication of a paper on Nature Climate Change?

1) Disagreements in the Scientific Community- The Paris Climate Agreement doesn’t specify a clear baseline for temperature changes. McCulloch’s research, which compares today’s temperatures to those from 1700-1860, 1.5°C threshold is breached. However, most climate scientists prefer using the 1850-1900 average for comparison.

Read More- Climate Change Negotiations after Bonn Climate Meet

2) Calculation methods- The Paris Agreement also does not specify the process of calculating the increase in temperature. For ex- using the 1850-1900 average as a baseline shows that last year’s global average temperature was 1.5°C higher. However, experts argue this doesn’t necessarily indicate a permanent breach of the 1.5°C threshold.

3) Temperature Measurement – To account for annual temperature fluctuations like those from El Niño, scientists use a 20-year average, combining the past 10 years with projections for the next 10 years. This method shows the current average temperature increase is about 1.3°C.

Way forward– Despite these disagreements among scientists, the IPCC projects that 1.5°C threshold will be breached by 2040. This highlights the urgent need for immediate climate action and global cooperation to avoid the worst impacts.

Question for practice

What are the issues with the recent publication of a paper on Nature Climate Change?

Setting New Standards for Sustainable Olympic Games

Source-This post on Setting New Standards for Sustainable Olympic Games has been created based on the article “Olympics 2024: Rings coloured green” published in “The Indian Express” on 27 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context– Paris will host the 33rd Olympic Games in 2024, making it the greenest Games ever. With the planet experiencing record temperatures, the Olympics is stressing the urgent need to tackle climate change. As the Earth warms and more areas become uninhabitable, hosting mega events like the Olympics will become increasingly unsustainable

A report released on the opening day of the Olympics, “Three Years of Progress: A Review of Sustainability across the 2021-2024 Olympic Cycle,” highlights that the past three years have seen rapid progress in sports and sustainability since Tokyo 2020. Almost every sports federation is now focusing on environmental sustainability.

What is Paris 2024’s sustainability initiatives for the Olympic Games?

1) Emission Reduction Goals- Previous Olympics (Tokyo, Rio, London) emitted around 3.5 million tonnes of CO2. Paris 2024 aims to cut this in half, targeting 1.75 million tonnes.

2) Sustainable Infrastructure- 95% of Paris 2024 events will use existing buildings, minimizing new construction to reduce environmental impact

3) Energy Sources– The Athletes’ Village will use geothermal and solar energy, and stadiums will rely on the public electricity grid instead of diesel generators.

4) Sustainable Practices– Paris 2024 will focus on recycling, reusing, and reducing materials, including beds made from recycled cardboard like Tokyo’s. They’ll offer more plant-based and local foods and introduce 1,000 km of cycle lanes to encourage low-carbon living.

Read More- India’s Bid to host Olympics 2036

What are the Challenges?

1) Carbon Emissions from Air Travel- There are concerns about carbon emissions from visitor air travel and the effectiveness of offsetting projects.

2) Adaptation to Climate Realities– Paris had to install 2,500 temporary cooling units for athletes due to extreme heat, instead of being AC-free as planned.

Question for practice

What are the sustainability initiatives for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and what challenges do they face?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Benefits of Making Charaideo Moidams to the UNESCO World Heritage List

Source- This post on the Benefits of Making Charaideo Moidams to the UNESCO World Heritage List has been created based on the article “Royal burial mounds of the Ahom dynasty from Assam make it to UNESCO World Heritage List” published in “The Hindu” on 27 July 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, the Charaideo Moidams, an ancient mound-burial system from the Ahom dynasty in Assam, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This 700-year-old site, added on Friday, is now the 43rd property from India to be included in this esteemed list.

Benefits of Making it to the UNESCO World Heritage List

1. Global Recognition and Prestige:

i) Achieving World Heritage status brings international attention and respect, showcasing the region’s unique and significant cultural heritage.

ii) The recognition elevates the status of the site, aligning it with other globally renowned heritage sites.

2. Tourism Boost:

i) World Heritage status typically leads to increased tourism, attracting visitors from around the world.

ii) Enhanced tourism can stimulate local economies, providing new opportunities for businesses, jobs, and infrastructure development.

3. Cultural Preservation:

i) Being listed encourages efforts to preserve and protect the site, ensuring its cultural and historical integrity for future generations.

ii) It often leads to increased funding and resources dedicated to the conservation and maintenance of the site.

4. Educational and Research Opportunities:

i) The site becomes a focal point for educational programs and research, attracting scholars, historians, and archaeologists.

ii) It provides a rich resource for academic studies and can promote awareness and understanding of the region’s cultural heritage.

5. Community Pride and Identity: Local communities often experience a sense of pride and enhanced identity from having a World Heritage site. It fosters a connection to their heritage and can enhance cultural traditions and practices.

6. Sustainable Development: World Heritage status encourages sustainable tourism and development practices, ensuring that the economic benefits do not come at the expense of the site’s preservation. It promotes balanced and responsible management of natural and cultural resources.

7. International Cooperation:

i) Being part of the World Heritage community facilitates international cooperation and exchange of best practices in conservation and management.

ii) It can lead to partnerships and collaborations with other World Heritage sites and global heritage organizations.

8. Funding and Grants:

i) UNESCO listing can open doors to various funding opportunities and grants for conservation, research, and tourism development. It ensures long-term financial support for the upkeep and promotion of the site.

UPSC Syllabus: Art and Culture

RBI Releases New PCA Framework for Urban Cooperative Banks

Source- This post on the RBI Releases New PCA Framework for Urban Cooperative Banks has been created based on the article “Reserve Bank of India releases PCA framework for urban cooperative banks” published in “Business Standard” on 27 July 2024.

Why in the news?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a new Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework aimed at improving weak Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs).

This framework will replace the existing Supervisory Action Framework (SAF) and will be effective from April 1, 2025.

About the framework

1. The PCA framework is designed to ensure timely intervention and corrective measures for weak UCBs.

2.  It focuses more on larger UCBs that require intensive monitoring, thereby optimizing supervisory resources.

3. Applicability: The new PCA framework will apply to UCBs with deposits exceeding Rs 100 crore. UCBs are categorized into four tiers based on their deposit sizes:

Tier Type Deposit size
Tier 1 UCBs with deposits up to Rs 100 crore.
Tier 2 UCBs with deposits above Rs 100 crore but less than Rs 1,000 crore.
Tier 4 UCBs with deposits above Rs 1,000 crore but less than Rs 10,000 crore.
Tier 4 UCBs with deposits above Rs 10,000 crore.

Note:  Currently, Tier 1 UCBs are excluded from the PCA framework but will continue to be under enhanced monitoring.

4. Criteria for Invoking PCA:

i)  If the CAR falls up to 250 basis points below the required level.

ii) If net NPAs are above 6% but below 9%.

iii) If a bank incurs losses for two consecutive years.

5. Process:

i) The PCA framework will be invoked based on the reported and audited annual financial results and ongoing supervisory assessments by the RBI.

ii) The RBI may impose PCA at any time during the year if circumstances warrant immediate action.

6.  The revised framework allows for entity-specific supervisory action plans based on risk assessments.

7.  The hard-coded limit of Rs 25,000 for restrictions on capital expenditure under SAF has been removed, giving supervisors the flexibility to set limits based on their assessment of each entity.

8.  UCBs can exit the PCA framework if no breaches in risk thresholds are observed across four successive quarterly financial statements.

UPSC Syllabus: Indian Economy

Cultural Property Agreement

Source- This post on the Cultural Property Agreement has been created based on the article “India and United States of America sign the first ever ‘Cultural Property Agreement” published in “PIB” on 27 July 2024.

Why in the news?

The Cultural Property Agreement was signed on 26th July 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi between India and the United States of America.

About the agreement

Cultural Property Agreement (CPA)
PIB

1. This agreement is signed between India and U.S.A.

2. The objective of the agreement is to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities between India and the USA.

2. The agreement aligns with the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

3. The agreement restricts the importation into the USA of certain archaeological and ethnological materials.

4. The Designated List includes items ranging from 1.7 million years ago to 1947 CE. The USA will return any forfeited objects on the Designated List to India.

5. Significance: The agreement is seen as a significant step towards preserving India’s rich cultural heritage and historical artifacts. Preservation and protection of cultural heritage have become integral to India’s foreign policy, particularly under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership.

6. G20 Presidency and Global Cooperation: Under India’s G20 Presidency, the protection and promotion of cultural property emerged as a main priority. The Kashi Culture Pathway, endorsed by the G20 Culture Working Group emphasizes strengthened global efforts to fight the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

7. Benefits:

The agreement enhances cultural diplomacy and sustainable development. Repatriation of artifacts promotes tourism, stimulates local economies, and fosters cultural stewardship. Leveraging cultural assets for educational enrichment, social cohesion, and economic empowerment promotes inclusive development.

UPSC Syllabus: Art and culture, International agreement

India Assumes Chair of Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)

Source- This post on the India Assumes Chair of ADPC has been created based on the article “India assumes the Chair of Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)” published in “PIB” on 27 July 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, India assumed the Chair of the ADPC.

About Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC):

1.  ADPC is an autonomous international organization. It was established in 1986.

2.  It focuses on cooperation and implementation of disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.

3.  ADPC provides training, deploys disaster risk management (DRM) strategies, and works to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and climate change

4.  Founding members include India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

5.  India chaired the 5th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting of ADPC. The meeting was held on July 25, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand.

6. Shri Rajendra Singh, Member & HoD of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has taken over the chairmanship of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) from China.

UPSC Syllabus: International organisation

Exercise KHAAN QUEST

Source- This post on the Exercise KHAAN QUEST has been created based on the article “INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR MULTINATIONAL MILITARY EXERCISE KHAAN QUEST” published in “PIB” on 27 July 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, the Indian Army contingent has departed for Exercise KHAAN QUEST.

About Exercise KHAAN QUEST

Exercise KHAAN QUEST
PIB
Aspects Description
About 1. This exercise is a multinational military exercise.
2. It will take place from 27th July to 9th August 2024 at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
3. It began as a bilateral event between the USA and Mongolian Armed Forces in 2003 and expanded to become a Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise in 2006.
4. The current edition is the 21st iteration of the exercise.
Purpose To bring together military forces worldwide to collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities.
Partcipants It includes 40 personnel mainly from a Battalion of the MADRAS REGIMENT, along with personnel from other Arms and Services including one Woman Officer and two Women Soldiers.
Aim 1. To prepare Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions in a multinational environment.
2. To increase interoperability and military readiness in peace support operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Activities 1. The exercise will involve practicing tactical drills such as establishing static and mobile checkpoints, and conducting cordon and search operations.
2. This exercise aims to enhance interoperability, foster camaraderie, and build strong relationships among soldiers from the participating countries.

UPSC Syllabus: Defence exercise

State of the World’s Forests 2024

Source- This post on the State of the World’s Forests 2024 has been created based on the article “State of the World’s Forests 2024: Global efforts curb deforestation, but threats to forests from wildfires and pests remain” published in “Down to Earth” on 27 July 2024.

Why in the news?

The “State of the World’s Forests 2024” report, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It provides a comprehensive analysis of global forest conditions and trends, revealing both positive developments and ongoing challenges.

 Key Highlights of the report

1.  The report highlights a decline in deforestation rates compared to previous decades. Several countries have shown significant improvements in forest conservation.

2. Forest Coverage: As of 2020, global forest coverage was approximately 4.1 billion hectares (ha), or 31 percent of the land area. Major contributors to global forest area include:

i) Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China are top five countries collectively accounting for 54 percent of the global forest area.

ii) Australia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Peru, and India, among others, contributing to about two-thirds of the global forest area.

3. Deforestation Trends: Between 1990 and 2020, around 420 million hectares of forest were converted to other land uses. Deforestation rates decreased from 15.8 million hectares per year (1990-2002) to 10.2 million hectares per year (2015-2020).

4. Regional Deforestation Rates:

i) Africa: 4.41 million hectares

ii) South America: 2.95 million hectares

iii) Asia: 2.24 million hectares

5. Forest Area Gains: In 2020, ten countries recorded annual gains in forest area, including China, Australia, India, Chile, Viet Nam, Turkey, the United States of America, France, Italy, and Romania.

6. India ranked third globally in forest area gains, with an annual increase of 266,000 hectares from 2010-2020.

7. Mangrove Forests:

i) The global mangrove area was recorded at 14.8 million hectares, with South and Southeast Asia contributing almost 44 percent of the total.

ii) The rate of gross global mangrove loss decreased by 23 percent between 2000-2010 and 2010-2020, though the rate of gain in mangrove area also decreased slightly.

iii) Asia was a major contributor to both mangrove loss and gains.

8. Impact of Fires:

i) An estimated 340-370 million hectares of the earth’s land area are impacted by annual fires.

ii)  Satellite data revealed that total fires in 2023 emitted 6,687 megatons of carbon dioxide globally, more than double the emissions from the European Union’s fossil fuel consumption.

UPSC Syllabus: Reports 

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