9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 28 February, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 3

Private participation in India’s Space Sector

Source-This post on Private participation in India’s space sector has been created based on the article “Private participation: The space sector has opportunities for India” published in “Business Standard’’ on 28 February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus: –GS paper-3– Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology

News-The article discusses the significance of increasing private sector participation in space. Private Participation in India’s Space Sector

What is the need for attracting private sector participation in the space sector?

1) Unleashing the true potential of space economy– Currently, India’s space economy is worth $8 billion. This is just 2 per cent of the global space economy.

2) Space station-India intends to launch its own space station by 2035. Thus, it would require funding not only from government sector but private sector also.

3) Strategic Goals-Space has become one of the dimensions of modern warfare. This requires optimal use of space and private sector participation can help in achieving this objective.

4) Lower the burden on ISRO-Enhanced private sector participation would allow the Indian Space Research Organization to exclusively focus on research and development.

A detailed article on Private-sector participation in space can be read here.

What are the steps taken by the government to enhance private sector participation in the space sector?

1) IN-SPACE: This was launched to provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure.

2) New Space India Limited (NSIL): Its aim is to use research and development carried out by ISRO over the years for commercial purposes through Indian industry partners.

3) Indian Space Association (ISpA): It aims to open the Indian space industry to private companies and startups. For ex- around 190 startups are working in this area.

4) Liberalized FDI regime-The government has allowed following fields under automatic route-
A) Firms in satellite manufacturing and operation, satellite data products and ground segment, and user segment can get FDI up to 74 %.
B) For manufacturing components and systems/subsystems for satellites,100 % FDI is allowed.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

DPI to propel deep-tech innovation

Sustainable funding for science

 

What is the significance of enhanced private participation in the space sector?

1) Boost to space economy– It will increase India’s share in the global space economy.

2) Innovative Solutions-It can provide innovative solutions in areas such as telecommunication, agriculture, climate change, and disaster management.

3) Employment Generation-Increased private-sector participation in the country’s space sector can provide employment to youths.

4) Growth of industrial sector-It will lead to development of  industrial clusters. For ex- Salem aerospace cluster in Tamil Nadu and the Belagavi aerospace cluster in Karnataka.

DPI to propel deep-tech Innovation

Source-This post on DPI to propel deep-tech innovation has been created based on the article “The budget paved a path for DPI to propel deep-tech innovation” published in “Live Mint” on 28 February.

UPSC Syllabus–GS paper 3- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology.

News-The article discusses the potential of Digital Public Infrastructure to promote deep-tech innovation in India. DPI to propel deep-tech Innovation

What is Digital Public Infrastructure?

Digital public infrastructure (DPI) refers to blocks or platforms such as digital identification, payment infrastructure and data exchange solutions that help countries deliver essential services to their people. For ex-Aadhar,Digiyatra,UPI etc.

What is deep-tech innovation?

It refers to those startups whose business model is based on high tech innovation in engineering, or significant scientific advances. For ex-AI (Artificial Intellignce), ML (Machine learning), Blockchain etc.

A detailed article on R&D Funding and Deep Tech can be read here.

How can DPI advance deep-tech innovation?

1) Open architecture of DPI– It has allowed fin-tech companies to reduce their cost for customer acquisition and create products and services built on open DPI.

2) Valuable factor of production– It could serve as an especially valuable factor of production. It would enable startups to access and deploy critical technologies at scale.

3) Innovation in diverse fields– DPI for AI computing will provide avenues for startups to innovate and deploy deep-tech solutions in sectors such as healthcare, biotechnology, green-tech, climate modelling and urban development.

4) Democratize technology access – A focused DPI strategy which includes domains such as cloud computing and sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) can democratize technology access.
It can also reduce the barriers to entry for startups looking to join the tech ecosystem and empower startups to leverage deep-tech solutions.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

Green elections – Stop the dithering and encourage green elections in India

Rise of deepfake-Threat to election integrity

 

What are the steps taken by the government?

1) Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) 2023-The government has crafted a policy framework to provide a conducive environment for companies operating in deep tech sectors.

2) Strategic alliances for deep tech– Partnerships with countries such as the EU, US, Japan and Russia can provide Indian startups with the resources and capabilities needed to innovate and thrive.
For ex-India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is already engaged with its US and EU counterparts to deploy high-performance computing for climate change, biohazards etc.

Sustainable funding for science

Source-This post on Sustainable funding for science funding has been created based on the article “Why science needs sustainable funding” published in “The Hindu” on 28 February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper 3- Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.

News-The article highlights the need to ensure sustainable funding for science to achieve developed country status by 2047. Sustainable funding for Science

What is the state of science funding in India?

India’s research and development (R&D) expenditure is around 0.64% of GDP. There has been a decline in science funding from 0.8% in 2008-2009 and 0.7% in 2017-2018 to 0.64 currently.

This is despite the fact that both 2013 Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy and Economic survey have urged the government to take R&D spending to 2% GDP.

A detailed article on Funding Issues of Indian Science can be read here.

With respect to other countries, funding for fundamental research in India is amongst the world’s lowest. In 2021, member-countries of the OECD on average spent 2.7% of their GDP on R&D. The U.S. and the U.K. have consistently spent more than 2% of their GDPs on R&D for the past decade.

What are the issues with science funding in India?

1) Lack of private sector participation– In 2020-2021, the private sector industry contributed 36.4% of the GERD whereas in economically developed countries, a major share — 70% on average — of R&D investment comes from the private sector.

2) Regulatory Issues– Issues like lack of clear exit options for investors in sectors such as biotechnology and fears of intellectual property rights theft discourage private investment in R&D in India.

3) Under-utilization of allotted funds– In 2022-2023, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) used 72% of its estimated budget allocation while the Department of Science and Technology (DST) used only 61%.
4) Lack of capacity- There is lack of capacity to evaluate projects or clear utilization certificates and release grant and salary disbursements on time.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

Government’s new grain storage plan to be executed by cooperatives

Democratizing Entertainment Industry

 

What should be the way forward?

1) Enhanced private sector participation- Finance Minister highlighted the need for enhanced R&D expenditure from the private sector.

2) Budget optimization- There should be a reduction in the under-spending and underutilization of funds earmarked for R&D.

3) Political prioritization– R&D spending should be given utmost importance by political class. This prioritization must happen within the ministries concerned and at the Ministry of Finance, which disburses the funds.

4) Overcoming regulatory hurdle– There should be incentives for private investment, including relaxation of foreign direct investments, tax rebates, and clear regulatory guidelines for private players.

5) Evaluation & monitoring-There should be capacity building of bureaucrats so that they can evaluate science projects and, after allocations, monitor utilization.

India should spend at least 3% of the GDP on R&D annually until 2047 reach the ‘developed nation’ status.

Culture in global development- Why culture was recognised as a goal for the first time under India’s G20 presidency

Source: The post on culture in global development has been created, based on the article “Why culture was recognised as a goal for the first time under India’s G20 presidency” published in “Indian express” on 28th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Economy- growth, development and employment.

News: The article discusses how India, during its G20 presidency, successfully pushed for culture to be a main goal in global development. It highlights culture’s role in sustainable development and India’s tradition of sustainable practices, influencing global sustainability efforts.

Background

Under India’s G20 presidency, a new focus was placed on culture in global development, resulting in the “Kashi Culture Pathway.” This document, adopted at the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting, marked a major shift in development strategy, emphasizing culture as essential for inclusive and sustainable development.

The pathway outlines commitments to integrating culture more deeply into public policies and acknowledges its role in addressing modern challenges like social inclusion and economic growth.

Why is culture important in sustainable development?

Facilitates Inclusive Growth: Culture plays a key role in social inclusion and economic growth, making development more inclusive.

Impacts Key SDGs: Culture contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals like poverty reduction (SDG 1), quality education (SDG 4), to employment (SDG 8), and environmental preservation (SDG 13).

Social Justice: Culture plays a role in achieving social justice, aligning with SDG 10. It helps in addressing inequalities within societies.

Drives Intergenerational Communication: Culture serves as a conduit for learning and reinforcing social norms and values across generations.

For information on SDG read here

Why is it essential to recognize culture as a standalone goal within the post-2030 development agenda?

Filling Existing Gaps: Currently, culture is not a specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), despite its acknowledged importance in the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Economic Impact: Cultural and creative sectors account for 3.1% of the global GDP and 6.2% of all employment. Recognizing culture can help shape and diversify economies, especially in the context of the G20, which accounts for 85% of the global GDP.

Addressing Modern Challenges: Culture’s role in tackling contemporary issues like climate change, rising inequalities, and digital transformation makes it indispensable for shaping inclusive societies.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: The Kashi Culture Pathway emphasizes the full respect and recognition of the diversity and equal dignity of all cultures, underscoring the need for a more inclusive global community.

How does India embody sustainable cultural practices?

Tradition of Sustainability: India’s rich cultural heritage and ancient wisdom emphasize sustainable practices, applicable to modern challenges.

Circular and Low Waste Economy: The Indian tradition of recycling and reusing items, like repurposing clothes and recycling materials, demonstrates a long-standing practice of resource efficiency and minimal wastage.

Cultural Ethos of Co-existence and Peace: India’s cultural values emphasize mutual co-existence and interdependence, contributing to a holistic approach to sustainability.

Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Initiative: This initiative, proposed by India’s Prime Minister at the COP26 Summit, reflects India’s commitment to promoting sustainable lifestyles globally.

Way forward

Moving forward, integrating culture into global development, as initiated by India during its G20 presidency, is crucial. This approach, backed by India’s sustainable practices like recycling and the LiFE initiative, can lead to more inclusive and resilient societies worldwide, supporting all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Question for practice:

Discuss how India, through its G20 presidency, advocated for the integration of culture into global development agendas and its significance in achieving sustainable development goals.

India’s import tariffs- Express View on India’s tariff regime: Costs of a barrier

Source: The post on India’s import tariffs has been created, based on the article “Express View on India’s tariff regime: Costs of a barrier” published in “Indian express” on 28th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy- Mobilisation of resources

News: This article discusses India’s increasing import tariffs since 2014, which are now among the highest globally. High tariffs harm manufacturing and exports, and there’s concern about the impact on sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals.

What is the trend in India’s import tariffs?

Since 2014, India has increased tariffs about 3,200 times.

The average tariff rose from 13% in 2014-15 to around 18%.

India’s tariffs are higher than those of China (7.5%), Vietnam (9.6%), and Bangladesh (14.1%).

These high tariffs are in contrast to earlier trends of reducing tariffs from 125% in 1990-91 to 13% in 2014-15.

What are the impacts of high import tariffs?

1. High tariffs disadvantage manufacturers by increasing production costs. It negatively affects India’s export competitiveness compared to countries with lower tariffs.
2. Consumers are hurt due to higher prices and limited product choices.
3. Sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals face challenges due to dependency on imported components, particularly from China. For instance, the electronics sector struggles with higher costs for parts like circuit boards and chargers.
4. High tariffs also affect sectors attempting to diversify away from Chinese supply chains. For example, countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Mexico, which have lower tariffs than India, become more attractive to manufacturers.

What is the government’s recent approach?

1. The government has started rethinking its high tariff policy. It recently reduced the import duty on mobile phone components from 15% to 10%.
2. India is pursuing trade agreements to enhance economic ties and trade. Agreements have been signed with the UAE and Australia, and negotiations are ongoing with the UK.
3. These efforts reflect a more nuanced approach to balancing protectionism with global trade demands.

Way forward

Moving forward, India should continue reducing high tariffs to enhance competitiveness and attract foreign investment. Pursuing more trade agreements, like those with the UAE and Australia, will further open markets. Balancing protectionism with global trade demands is key for India’s economic growth and manufacturing sector development.

Question for practice:

Evaluate the effects of India’s high import tariffs on its manufacturing sector and global trade relations considering recent government initiatives and trade agreements.

Green elections – Stop the dithering and encourage green elections in India

Source: The post on green elections has been created, based on the article “Stop the dithering and encourage green elections in India” published in “The Hindu” on 28th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Environment- conservation

News: The article discusses the need for environmentally friendly elections in India. It highlights the harmful environmental impact of traditional elections.

What is the carbon footprint of an election?

1. Significant Emissions from Campaign Flights: In the 2016 US presidential election, the carbon footprint from the campaign flights of just one candidate was equivalent to the annual emissions of 500 Americans.
2. Primary Sources of Emissions: According to a study, the main sources of carbon emissions during elections are transportation for voters and logistics to and from polling booths.
3. Impact of Traditional Election Practices: The use of non-biodegradable materials like PVC banners, loudspeakers, and disposable items in traditional election methods contributes substantially to the carbon footprint.
4. Effects of Large Scale Elections: In populous countries like India, the sheer scale of elections, involving crores of voters and mass rallies, significantly amplifies the environmental impact.

What are the challenges of conducting green elections?

Technological Challenges: Implementing digital voting systems requires robust infrastructure, and needs changes in behavior, especially in rural areas, and safeguards against hacking and fraud.

Financial Constraints: There are high upfront costs for eco-friendly materials and technology, which can be a barrier for financially constrained governments.

Access and Training: Ensuring that all voters have equal access to new technologies and adequately training election officials are significant hurdles.

What successful green election initiatives exist?

India

Kerala’s Initiative: During the 2019 general election, the Kerala State Election Commission encouraged political parties to avoid single-use plastics. The Kerala High Court also banned flex and non-biodegradable materials in electioneering.

Eco-Friendly Booths in Goa: In the 2022 Assembly elections, the Goa State Biodiversity Board created election booths using biodegradable materials crafted by local artisans.

Global

Sri Lanka’s Carbon-Sensitive Campaign: In 2019, Sri Lanka’s SLPP party conducted the world’s first carbon-sensitive environmentally friendly election campaign. They measured and compensated for carbon emissions from vehicles and electricity in political campaigns by planting trees.

Estonia’s Digital Voting: Estonia introduced digital voting, reducing the carbon emissions related to transportation to polling stations. This method also improved voter participation while being eco-friendly.

What should be done?

Legislation for Eco-Friendly Practices: Enact laws mandating environmentally friendly electoral practices, integrating them into the Model Code of Conduct.

Digital and Door-to-Door Campaigning: Shift to digital platforms for campaigning to reduce energy-intensive public rallies and encourage public transportation for election work.

Use of Sustainable Materials: Replace plastic and paper-based materials with sustainable alternatives like natural fabrics and recycled paper in polling booths.

Digital Voting Implementation: Adopt digital voting systems with robust security measures, as demonstrated successfully by Estonia.

Education and Equitable Access: Ensure all voters have access to digital technologies and provide necessary education and support.

Collaboration Among Stakeholders: Involve political parties, Election Commissions, governments, voters, media, and civil society in promoting and implementing green election initiatives.

Question for practice:

Discuss the impact of traditional election practices on carbon emissions and the challenges associated with conducting green elections.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Inefficiency of United Nations

Source-This post on the Inefficiency of United Nations has been created based on the article “The global order — a fraying around many edges” published in “The Hindu” on 26 February 2024.

News-The article highlights the challenges to post-World War order and limitation of the United Nation in addressing this challenge.

What are the challenges to post world war order?

1) Major global institutions dominated by the west- The old-world powers like U.S.A and European colonial countries controls power structures of the new institutions.
For ex- a) The World Bank is always headed by an American citizen. b) Western Europe gets to nominate the head of the IMF.

2) Veto power of permanent members– Developing world has tried to group under G-77 and NAM to advance their legitimate demands. However, they could not overcome the veto at the Security Council.

3) Rise of ad-hoc groups– There are many multilaterals and plurilateral groupings. For ex-OECD, QUAD etc.
However, they have a narrow focus and do not address issues of global concern. It attaches more importance to regional interest than global interest.

4) Covid Pandemic-It has aggravated the problems of de-globalization by restriction on movement of people.

5) Regional wars– Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, war in Gaza has exposed the failure of U.N. to protect the violation of human rights.

A detailed article on the Shortcomings of UN can be read here.

Can any regional organization replace the UN system?

1) The organizations and groupings outside the UN are all ad hoc and serve limited interests rather than universal values.

2) Organization like North Atlantic Treaty Organization are limited alliances created to ensure regional security.

3) Most of the organizations do not have global treaties and binding legal obligations thus they are not effective.

Conclusion– The United nation may have its own challenges but there is no regional institution which can replace it. Hence, there is a need for changes in the functioning of the United Nations so that it can ensure global peace and prosperity.

WTO new regulations to streamline international trade in services

Source-This post on WTO new regulations to streamline international trade in services is based on the article “WTO enforces new rule for simplifying services trade, India stays out” published in “Live Mint” on 27th February 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, the 13th Ministerial Conference (MCA 13) of the World Trade Organization introduced new regulations to simplify international trade in services.

Around 72 nations have agreed to take on additional commitments in services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) to facilitate non-goods trade among themselves and extended similar concessions to all other World Trade Organization (WTO) members.

What are the objectives of these regulations?

1. Applicability-These regulations apply on a Most Favored Nation (MFN) basis.

2. Aim– The aim is to enhance transparency and accessibility in authorization processes, along with commitments to gender equality.

3. Significance– The regulations address the bureaucratic hurdles in cross-border service trade, aiming to simplify procedures and ensure equal opportunities for service providers globally.

4. Drawback- However, only 72 out of the 164 members of the WTO are parties to the agreement. India and South Africa were among the countries that did not sign this agreement.

What is General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)?

1. About– It is as a treaty of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

2. Aim– It was made to expand the multilateral trading system to services, similar to how the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) does for goods.

3. Signed– It was signed at the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations and took effect on January 1, 1995.

4. Members– All WTO countries, including India, are also part of the GATS.

What other events took place at the conference?

1. The Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP):
a. It aims to encourage WTO members to decrease plastics pollution and support environmentally sustainable plastics trade.
b. 78 members, excluding India, are involved in the Plastics Pollution Dialogue, representing 85% of global trade volume.
c. Global leaders advocated for reducing plastic trade due to its greenhouse gas emissions.
d. According to UN data, global plastic trade exceeded $1.2 trillion in 2022. The agency forecasts that 19% of greenhouse gas emissions will originate from plastics by 2040.

2. Fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) initiative: Global leaders stressed the importance of streamlining, phasing out, or eliminating harmful fossil fuel subsidies through current or new methods.
a. The FFSR initiative builds on WTO members’ pledges outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 12(c) of the 2030 Agenda and aligns with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
b. It also supports the shift away from fossil fuels in energy systems.
c. India ranked fourth among the top five countries in fossil fuel subsidies. China held the first position, followed by the US and Russia.

Note– At the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in 2021, India committed to achieving net zero by 2070.

UPSC Syllabus- International Organisations/Agreements/ Environment

Gaganyaan mission: Astronauts’ Names & Current Status

Source-This post on Gaganyaan mission: Astronauts’ Names & Current Status is based on the article “PM Modi announces 4 astronauts for Gaganyaan: Current status of the mission” published in “The Indian Express” on 27th February 2024.

Why in the News?

The PM recently unveiled the names of the four astronauts who will fly to low-Earth orbit as part of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Gaganyaan Mission.

What are the names of four astronauts who are part of Gaganyaan Mission?

1. Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
2. Group Captain Ajit Krishnan
3. Group Captain Angad Pratap
4. Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla

Training of the astronauts

1. In June 2019, ISRO and Glavkosmos (a subsidiary of the Russian space agency Roscosmos) entered into a memorandum of understanding for the training of four astronauts.

2. The four astronauts underwent training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre from February 2020 to March 2021.

What is Gaganyaan Mission?

1. About– It is India’s first human spaceflight program, aiming to send a crew of three humans into a 400 km orbit around Earth for a three-day mission and safely return them to Earth.

2. Launch– It is aimed for launch in 2024-2025.

3. Launch vehicle: The GSLV Mk III, also referred to as LVM-3, will serve as the launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission.

Read more – Gaganyaan Mission

What is the current status of the mission?

1. C20 Human rating completed– Recently, final tests were conducted on the cryogenic engine, named CE20 of the GSLV Mk III rocket. The engine passed the test and was approved for missions carrying humans into space.

2. The special flight engine which ignites during rocket liftoff, has passed acceptance tests. These tests ensure that the hardware performs as needed for the mission. Once certified, the technology is used in the final mission.

3. The Vikas engine intended for the liquid stage have already been certified for the missions.

Note- The crew module for the Gaganyaan-1 mission won’t include the Environment Control and Life Support System, responsible for maintaining an Earth-like environment inside. ISRO is currently working on testing and developing the system’s different parts in its labs.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

Karnataka Temple Bill Controversy: How States manage temple revenues

Source– This post on “Karnataka Temple Bill Controversy: How States manage temple revenues” is based on the article “Row over Karnataka temple Bill: What changes it proposed, how other states manage temple revenues” published in “The Indian Express” on 28th February 2024.

Why in the News?

The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which regulates the taxation of Hindu temples, was recently rejected in the Legislative Council. Karnataka Temple Bill Controversy.

What controversy has erupted regarding the bill?

1. Aim– The Bill aimed to change various sections of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997.

2. Gross Vs Net income of temples– The main point of contention was the proposal to allocate “10% of the gross income of institutions earning over Rs 1 crore annually” to a common pool for temple maintenance, rather than the current rule of “10% of the net income of institutions earning over Rs 10 lakh annually”

Note– Net income is what remains after deducting expenses from the temple’s earnings, while gross income represents the total amount of money the temple earns.

3. Additionally, the Bill allocated 5% of the earnings of institutions making between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore to the common pool, altering the prior income range from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

4. Impact– If the recent changes had been approved, they would have resulted in an additional Rs 60 crore from 87 temples earning over Rs 1 crore and 311 temples earning over Rs 10 lakh.

5. Accusation– The opposition party has accused the current Karnataka government of trying to “steal” from temples and questioned why only Hindu temples were singled out.

6. Counter– However, the government counters by stating that the increased funds would be used to support poorer temples, provide benefits to sick priests, and offer scholarships for the children of priests’ families.

How do other states manage temple income?

Kerela:
a. In kerela temples are often managed by state-run Devaswom (temple) Boards.
b. These boards are managed by government-appointed nominees, many of whom are politicians.
c. Each Devaswom Board receives a budget from the state government and is not obliged to disclose revenue figures.

What is the need for government regulation?

1. Recommendation– In 1960, the Government of India formed the Dr. C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar Commission to investigate issues related to Hindu Public Religious Endowments.

2. Constitutional authority – The framers of our Constitution granted states limited control over religious matters through Article 25(2).

Note– Article 25(2) of the Indian Constitution states that the state can regulate or restrict any economic, financial, political, or other secular activity associated with religious practices to ensure public order, morality, and health.

UPSC Syllabus- Polity and Nation (Bills & Acts)

T V Somanathan committee to finalise KYC Rules

Source-This post on T V Somanathan committee to finalize KYC Rules is based on the article “Govt forms panel headed by T V Somanathan to finalise uniform KYC norms” published in “Business Standard” on 26th February 2024.

Why in the News?

The government has recently established an expert committee under Finance Secretary T V Somanathan to make recommendations for implementing uniform Know Your Customer (KYC) norms across various sectors.

What are the objectives of the committee?

Background– After the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) talked about a plan for standard KYC norms, the government set up this committee to address issue of uniform KYC norms across various sectors.

1. Objective- The committee will suggest how to apply uniform Know Your Customer (KYC) norms across different sectors.

2. Input from FSDC members– The committee plans to seek input from all members of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) regarding KYC norms. For example, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs would share its practices regarding the use of the permanent account number (PAN) as a common identifier for company incorporation.

What is Know Your Customer (KYC)?

1. It is a comprehensive process used by businesses and financial institutions to verify the authenticity and identity of their customers.

2. KYC is mandatory for all customers before investing or opening a bank account.

3. Currently in India, different KYCs are required for various financial products like opening a bank account, investing in mutual funds, purchasing life insurance, or investing in retirement savings funds.

4. Having to do multiple KYCs and updates can deter new investors. To streamline KYC for investing in various financial assets, the central government introduced the Central KYC Records Registry.

What is Central KYC Records Registry?

1. About– The Central KYC Registry stores KYC records of customers in the financial sector using uniform norms.

2. Aim- It aims to reduce the inconvenience of submitting and verifying KYC documents every time a customer initiates a new relationship with a financial entity.

3. Launched– It was launched by central government in 2016.

4. Limitation– It has been restricted only to the capital markets.

UPSC Syllabus- Indian Economy

Genome India Project Completed

Source-This post on Genome India Project Completed is based on the article “‘10,000 genome’ project completed, says government” published in “The Hindu” on 27th February 2024.

Why in the News?

The government recently announced the completion of sequencing 10,000 healthy genomes from various regions across the country, representing 99 different populations. The aim is to establish a comprehensive database of whole-genome sequences out of India.

What is Genome India Project?

Initiated	The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has initiated it in 2020.
Aim	To collect 10,000 genetic samples from citizens across India, to build a reference genome.
Objective	Studying genetic differences in Indians for better diagnosis.
Other Stakeholders involved	The project involves 20 institutions across India and is led by the Centre for Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
Significance	Study India’s genetic diversity for personalized healthcare.

Note– India accomplished its first complete human genome sequencing in 2006.

What are the outcomes of the Genome India Project?

1. Population diversity– India has more than 4,600 distinct population groups, with many practicing endogamy. These factors contributed to the genetic diversity of the current population.

2. Unique variations– Some Indian groups have a higher prevalence of disease-causing mutations due to unique variations in their population. This underscores the importance of studying India’s genetic landscape.

Note– All the data will be stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) for public research. The IBDC is the country’s only databank for life science data, established in 2022.

What is Genome Sequencing?

1. About:
a. It is the process of determining the precise order of nucleotides (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine) within an organism’s DNA.
b. It involves reading the genetic code contained in the DNA molecules to identify specific sequences of nucleotides.

2. Significance– It allows scientists to understand the complete genetic makeup of an organism, including its genes, regulatory sequences, and other functional elements.

3. Applications– Medicine, agriculture, evolutionary biology, and forensic science.

UPSC Syllabus- Science & Technology

Flue Cured Tobacco

Source– This post on Flue Cured Tobacco is based on the article “Government of India approves interest-free Loan to FCV Tobacco Growers in Andhra Pradesh” published in “PIB” on 26 February 2024.

Why in the News?

The Government of India recently approved an interest-free Loan to FCV Tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh.

About Flue Cured Tobacco

1) About: Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco is a type of tobacco that undergoes a specific curing process to achieve its desirable qualities.

2) Characteristics:

a) FCV tobacco is primarily used for cigarette production.

b) It contains a higher sugar content.

c) It has medium to high levels of nicotine.

d) It is rich in natural tannins which contributes to its mild and slightly sweet flavour and aroma.

3) Appearance: It is yellow to orange in colour. These colour appear when it is dried using a process called flu-curing.

4) Curing Process:

a) Curing is the process by which harvested tobacco leaves are prepared for the market. In the case of FCV tobacco, this process is well-standardized.

b) The primary goal of curing is to achieve specific qualities in the cured leaf while removing excess moisture.

c) There are three traditional methods of tobacco curing:
i) Air-Cured: Leaves are dried naturally in the open air.
ii) Fire-Cured: Leaves are exposed to smoke and heat during the drying process.
ii) Flue-Cured: This method is used for FCV tobacco. Each curing method results in a tobacco product with distinct characteristics based on nicotine content and aroma.

5) Key Geographical Production: In India, FCV tobacco is mainly produced in two states: a) Andhra Pradesh and b) Karnataka.
It is also produced in Bangladesh, in regions of Kushtia, Chittagong and Rangpur.

UPSC Syllabus- Miscellaneous

Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI)

Source– This post on Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI) is based on the article “Climate impact: Water storage projected to decrease across wetter lands around Caspian, Mediterranean seas” published in “Down to Earth” on 26th February 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, researchers studied the impact of stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) in mitigation of global warming effects in the region.

About stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI)

1) Description: Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI), also known as Stratospheric Aerosol Injection, is a geoengineering or climate engineering approach that aims to mitigate the effects of global warming.

2) Process: It is done by spraying large quantities of tiny reflective particles into the stratosphere to cool the planet by reflecting sunlight back into space.

3) Method: Method ranges from spraying reflective particles, such as sulphur dioxides, finely powdered salt or calcium carbonate. These are either sprayed from aircraft or are shot from artillery guns or large hoses to reach the sky. 

5) Purpose: It aims to replicate the cooling impact of volcanic eruptions by introducing sulphur dioxide (SO2) directly into the stratosphere. Within the stratosphere, the SO2 transforms into sulfate aerosols that reflect sunlight.

6) As more radiation is scattered in the stratosphere by these aerosols, less solar energy is absorbed by the troposphere.

About Aerosols

1) A tiny solid or liquid particle suspended in air or as a gas is called aerosols.

2)  Aerosols can be natural, such as fog or gas from volcanic eruptions, or artificial (anthropogenic), such as smoke from burning fossil fuels.

3) Aerosols are significant players in the global water cycle as they attract water vapour in the atmosphere, leading to the condensation of water molecules around particles such as dust, soot, salt, or ash.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment

Large Language Models

Source– This post on Large Language Models is based on the article “What is an LLM, the backbone of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini?” published in “Indian Express” on 27th February 2024.

Why in the News?

Large language model serve as the backbone of Artificial Intelligence Chat boxes like ChatGPT and Gemini.

What are Large Language Models

1. Description- Large language Models (LLMs) are large general-purpose language models that can be pre-trained and fine-tuned for specific purposes like text classification, question answering and document summarisation.

2. Use- Large Language Models enable the Generative AI models like ChatGPT and Gemini to “converse” with humans and predict the next word or sentence.

3. Features-
a. Large Data Sets- Large Language Models use extensive size of training data. They also have large parameter count.

Note- Parameters, also called hyperparameters, in machine learning represent the memories and knowledge acquired by a machine during model training. They determine the proficiency of the model in addressing a particular problem.

b. Use for General Purpose- This means the model is sufficient to solve general problems that are based on the commonality of human language regardless of specific tasks, and resource restrictions.

c. Tool to produce Human Language- It is a tool that helps computers understand and produce human language.

4. Types of LLMs:
a) On the basis of architecture- These are of 3 types, which are mentioned below-
i) Autoregressive model- They predict the next word in a sequence based on previous words. For ex- GPT-3

ii) Transformer-based model- They use a specific type of neural network architecture for language processing. For Ex- LaMDA or Gemini (formerly known as Bard)

iii) Encoder-decoder model- They encode input text into a representation and then decode it into another language or format. For Ex- T5, Bart, Pegasus, ProphetNet, Marge

b) On the basis of training data: There are three types of LLMs
i) Pretrained and fine-tuned- These language models are trained with multiple data set and are fine-tuned to provide accurate results.

ii) Multilingual Models- These LLMs can understand and generate text in multiple languages

iii) Domain-specific Models- These are trained on data related to specific domains such as legal, finance or healthcare.

c) Based on availability- They are categorised as open-source and closed-source.

i) Open Source- These use open source data from the web for training. For ex- LLaMA2, BlOOM, Google BERT, Falcon 180B, OPT-175 B.

ii) Closed Source- These models with close data sets. For ex- Claude 2, Bard, GPT-4, are some proprietary LLMs.

d) LLMs also vary based on their sizes. Large models require more computational resources but also offer better performance.

5) Working Methodology-

i) Deep learning is a key technique in training Large Language Models (LLMs). Deep learning involves using artificial neural networks inspired by the human brain.

ii) For LLMs, this neural network learns to predict the probability of a word or sequence of words by analysing the patterns and relationships between words in the data set used for training.

iii) Once trained, an LLM can predict the most likely next word or sequence of words based on inputs also known as prompts.

6) What can LLMs do

a) They generate text and are capable of producing human-like content for purposes ranging from stories to articles to poetry and songs.

b) They can strike up a conversation or function as virtual assistants.

c) They show proficiency in language understanding tasks, including sentiment analysis, language translation, and summarisation of dense texts.

d) LLMs engage with users providing information, answering questions, and maintaining context over multiple exchanges.

e) They can create content and personalise it, aiding in marketing strategies, offering personalised product recommendations, and tailoring content to specific target audiences.

6) Advantages of LLMs:

a)  Versatility: LLMs display a wide versatility as these can be applied to a broad range of tasks with just one model, due to their training on extensive datasets.

b) Efficiency with Limited Data: LLMs can perform effective tasks despite the availability of only small amounts of domain-specific data. This is because they utilize the extensive knowledge gained from their general language training.

c) Continuous Improvement: The performance of LLMs enhances as they are fed more data and parameters. This showcases a capacity for ongoing learning and development.

UPSC Syllabus- Science and Technology