9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Brief 2 February, 2024
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Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
Status of social sector in India-The problem of moving attention away from services
Source: The post status of social sector in India has been created, based on the article “The problem of moving attention away from services” published in “The Hindu” on 2nd February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- governance-Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
News: This article discusses the Indian Finance Minister’s budget speech, highlighting the government’s achievements over the past 10 years and its plans for future spending. It critiques the speech for lacking major new announcements and questions the government’s claims about poverty reduction and income growth.
What is the current status of social sector in India?
Multidimensional Poverty: The government claimed to have lifted 25 crore people out of multidimensional poverty in 10 years.
Income Levels: It’s noted that average real income reportedly increased by 50%, but this average doesn’t reflect changes in the poor’s lives.
Real Wages: Real wages have been stagnant, with rural worker earnings barely increasing from $3 in 2004-05 to $4.80 in 2014-15.
Job Scenario: The increasing share of agriculture in employment and high demand for jobs under MGNREGS suggest limited non-agricultural job opportunities.
Women’s Labor Force Participation: The increase in women’s participation is viewed more as a sign of economic distress rather than improvement.
What are the provisions for the social sector in the Budget for 2025?
Overall Social Sector Funding: The 2025 Budget maintains most social sector scheme allocations at levels similar to the previous year.
Education Sector: Allocations for school and higher education departments show nominal increases compared to last year’s BE, around 6-8%.
Health and Family Welfare: The health and family welfare departments also received similar nominal increases.
Anganwadi Centres: The budget for Saksham Anganwadi at ₹21,200 crore is slightly lower than the RE of ₹21,523 crore for 2023-24.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme: The PM-POSHAN budget for school mid-day meals is ₹11,600 crore, compared to the RE of ₹12,800 crore for 2023-24.
Social Assistance Programs: The allocation for the National Social Assistance Programme, which includes pensions, was only ₹9,652 crore, lower than the ₹10,618 crore in 2014-15.
Way forward
To ensure balanced development, the government needs to prioritize basic education, health, and nutrition, which have been overshadowed by high-profile schemes (such as the Awas Yojana or sanitation). Addressing these fundamental areas, along with creating diverse employment opportunities, is crucial for reducing inequalities and fostering a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Question for practice:
Evaluate the effectiveness of the government’s approach to addressing multidimensional poverty and income growth in India over the past 10 years.
GS PAPER - 3
Agricultural sector in India
Source: The post about the agricultural sector in India has been created, based on the article “Ignoring an agricultural sector in distress” published in “The Hindu” and the article “Ashok Gulati and Purvi Thangaraj write: The Interim Budget 2024 neglects the farm sector” published in “Indian Express” on 2nd February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-Indian economy- Government Budgeting.
News: This article discusses how the government’s financial plans and budget for 2024-25 seem more focused on showing the government in a positive light, rather than addressing the ongoing problems in agriculture.
What are the special provisions for the agricultural sector in the Budget for 2025?
Growth in Agriculture GDP: Agriculture GDP in 2023-24 showed a modest growth of 1.8%, a decrease from 4% in the previous year.
Budget Allocations for Agriculture Departments:
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare saw a slight increase of 0.6%.
The Department of Agricultural Research and Education received Rs 99.4 billion, a marginal increase of 0.7% over the previous year.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying: Experienced a significant budget increase of 27%.
Overall Budget Support for Agri-food Sector:
Includes PM-KISAN, credit subsidy, and PM-Fasal Bhima Yojana, totaling Rs 5.52 trillion for FY25, slightly less than Rs 5.8 trillion in FY24.
Food and Fertilizer Subsidies:
Food subsidy reduced to Rs 2.05 trillion in FY25, a drop of 3.3% from FY24.
Fertilizer subsidies decreased from Rs 1.89 trillion in FY24 to Rs 1.64 trillion in FY25.
What does the official data show about the agricultural sector in India?
Decline in Agricultural Prices: Official data indicates a significant decline in agricultural prices, causing a reduction in farmers’ incomes. The sectoral deflator in agriculture decreased from 9.4 in 2013-14 to 3.7 in 2023-24.
Slowed Growth of MSP: The growth of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for major crops slowed down considerably, from an 8-9% annual increase between 2003-04 and 2012-13 to about 5% between 2013-14 and 2023-24.
Drop in Farmers’ Incomes: Despite a promise to double farmers’ real incomes from 2015 to 2022, incomes from cultivation actually fell by about 1.4% between 2012-13 and 2018-19.
Rising Rural Unemployment: Rural unemployment rates increased, with a notable rise from 2011-12 to 2018-19, and remained higher in 2022-23 compared to 2011-12.
Stagnation of Rural Wages: Real wages in rural India have not increased since 2016-17 and even decreased after 2020-21.
Lack of Capital Investment: Capital investment in agriculture and allied sectors didn’t increase. Much of the long-term bank credit meant for agriculture was diverted to corporates and agri-business firms as short-term loans.
What are the issues with the government’s report on the agricultural sector in India?
Selective Data Presentation: The government’s report emphasizes the increase in agricultural production but neglects the overall decline in growth rates. For example, growth rates dropped from 3.1% annually (2003-04 to 2010-11) to 2.7% (2011-12 to 2022-23).
Ignoring Yield Decline: The report omits the significant fall in yield growth rates, from 3.3% per year to 1.6% per year in the same periods.
Budget Cuts in Agriculture: The 2024-25 budget plans to reduce spending in crucial agricultural areas, such as fertilizer subsidies (from ₹1.9 lakh crore to ₹1.6 lakh crore) and rural infrastructure projects.
No Clear Strategy for Growth: The report and the budget lack a comprehensive plan to revive agricultural growth, with no significant measures to address the ongoing decline.
Unchanged Support Despite Inflation: The PM-Kisan scheme’s allocations remain the same as in 2019, not accounting for inflation, which reduces the real value of cash transfers to farmers.
What should be done?
Rationalize Food Subsidy: Implement rationalization of the food subsidy system, similar to the strategy used by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). This could save around Rs 50,000 crore.
Redirect Subsidy Savings: Use the funds saved from food subsidy rationalization for enhancing agricultural research and development, particularly in areas like micro-irrigation.
Reform Fertilizer Subsidies: Shift from subsidizing the price of urea to direct cash transfers to farmers. This approach is expected to save Rs 30,000-40,000 crore, which can be reinvested in agricultural development programs like PM-KISAN.
Focus on Sustainable Agriculture: Allocate the saved funds towards sustainable agriculture practices, which is crucial for ensuring food security under the challenges of climate change.
Question for practice:
Examine the issues and recommendations concerning the Indian government’s agricultural sector policies in the 2024-25 budget.
On Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) – A turning point for investment treaties
Source: This post on Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) has been created based on the article “A turning point for investment treaties” published in “Business Standard” on 2nd February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
News: The article discusses the importance of foreign investments and the issues with Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs).
A detailed article on Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) can be read here.
Background:
Finance Minister (FM) set out the government’s official stance on “encouraging sustained foreign investment” and for this, “negotiating bilateral investment treaties”.
Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) contain safeguards for foreign investors and act as a catalyst in attracting FDI. It was asserted that such treaties would be revised according to the changing bargaining power of India.
Why is foreign investment needed?
- Growth of the country requires adequate financial resources.
- Opens the doors to developed countries to participate in India’s growth story.
- Investments also support sunrise sectors, such as renewable energy, green energy, and AI.
What is the status of FDI?
Since the economic reforms in 1990s, FDI inflows have shown an upward trend, increasing from $129 million in 1991 to $71 billion in 2022-23, which shows a jump of 550 times.
According to the 2022 UNCTAD World Investment Report, India received the 3rd-highest FDI inflows into greenfield (new) projects.
The last five years saw the highest FDI inflow in the year 2021- 22 at $85 billion.
What was the issue with Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)?
Unfavourable international arbitration awards against India forced the government to terminate all BITs with other countries, starting from 2011.
India received its first adverse award from an international arbitration tribunal in the case of White Industries under the India–Australia BIT.
This judgment led to various similar claims raised against the government, asserting the investor’s rights under other BITs.
What was the government’s reaction?
The government, in 2016, decided to terminate almost all BITs with trade partners as it saw these awards as a challenge to its sovereign right to legislate taxation-related provisions.
After this development, India initiated the process of renegotiating the BITs in line with its revised BIT model of 2015.
What should be done?
While renegotiating the BITs, the government must create an atmosphere of trust for foreign investors and clearly demarcate the investors’ rights.
If India succeeds in renegotiating robust and effective BITs, it will bring in investments and create a multiplier effect.
Question for practice:
What is the importance of foreign investments? What are the issues with Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)? How is the government tackling these issues?
On Issues with India’s Public Finance – Strategic thinking in public finance
Source: This post on issues with India’s public finance has been created based on the article “Strategic thinking in public finance” published in “Business Standard” on 2nd February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
News: The article discusses the issues with India’s public finance and highlights steps that should be taken to tackle these challenges.
What are the issues with India’s public finance?
- Interest Payments: About 40% of revenue receipts now go to interest payments.
- Highly Leveraged: Over leverage (which demands debt servicing) and operational leverage (commitments to pay wages and pensions) limit the fiscal space for government spending.
Note: Whenever a company or an individual business is termed as over leveraged, it means that the debt on them is more than the equity - Sources of Borrowing: The bulk of the borrowing of the Indian state comes from financial firms (insurance companies, pensions, and banks) which are forced to buy government bonds. This is called “a financial repression” system.
What is Primary Deficit?
The primary deficit focuses on the difference between government revenues and spending, excluding interest payments. If there is a primary surplus, the debt/GDP ratio will decline.
What should be done?
1) Voluntary Sources of Borrowing: Forcible resource mobilisation should be curtailed. This will help build a cadre of private voluntary lenders. This becomes the foundation for enhanced borrowing when faced with a crisis.
2) Maintain Primary Surplus: This would create the fiscal space to occasionally run primary deficits, in response to events like a war, a global financial crisis, or a global pandemic.
This will open access to vast resources for the country when faced with a crisis and create a healthy environment for high growth.
Question for practice:
What are the issues with India’s public finance? What steps should be taken to tackle these challenges?
Higher tax-to-GDP ratio needed
Source: This post has been created based on the article “Higher tax-to-GDP ratio needed” published in “Business Standard” on 2nd February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
News: The article discusses the need for maintaining a higher Tax-to-GDP ratio. It also highlights the importance of increasing GST in this regard, and the steps being taken.
A detailed article on Interim Budget 2024 can be read here.
What are the issues with the Indian economy?
Experts have pointed out that while growth has rebounded after the pandemic, the following are the major issues:
- High levels of unemployment, especially among the young.
- Lagging private investments.
In this regard, the government compensated for inadequate private investment by increasing its own investment, however, this puts a strain on the fiscal deficit.
How can the government maintain the high level of investments?
This requires the tax-to-GDP ratio to move to at least 20% in the medium term, compared to the present level of 17-18%.
What would be needed to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio?
This would require GST contributions to move from 6.4% of GDP now to at least 7.5% of GDP.
Achieving it would require the average incidence of GST duty to increase from the present 11.8% to the 14.8% that was prevalent in the pre-GST period.
How can GST be increased?
1) Rate Rationalisation: An increase in the merit rate of 5% and the peak rate of 28%, along with the phasing out of GST exemptions can be implemented.
2) Expanding the Manufacturing Base: It has to increase as GST collections depend on value addition in manufacturing, which contributes to 65% of the GST collected.
3) Revamping the Services Sector: The services sector’s contribution to GST is only 35%. This is because it largely covers low value-adding units in the informal sector.
What has the government done in this regard?
1) A Committee under the Finance Minister of Uttar Pradesh has been constituted for GST rate rationalisation.
2) The government has identified new sunrise sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy and network electronics, which can contribute to expanding the manufacturing base.
What should the government do about the problem of unemployment?
Government should lower the cost for labour-intensive sectors such as apparel, leather and food processing by bringing down the Custom duties on critical raw materials and components.
Question for practice:
A higher Tax-to-GDP ratio is necessary for investments in the economy. How can it be achieved?
Capex in the Indian Economy
Source: The post capex in the Indian Economy has been created, based on the article “A case of capex under the ‘macroscope’” published in “The Hindu” on 2nd February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-Indian economy- growth and development; infrastructure
News: The article discusses India’s economic recovery after COVID-19, focusing on increased government spending on infrastructure (capex) and investments. It mentions a rise in exports, improvements in domestic investments, and specific budget allocations for infrastructure, defense, and green energy projects.
What is the current status of capex in the Indian Economy?
Investment Ratio Improvement: India ranks fourth in the G-20 for investment ratio improvement post-COVID-19, following Mexico, Italy, and South Africa.
Investment Ratio Increase: India’s investment ratio improved to 29.8% of GDP in 2023-24 from 27.3% in 2020-21.
Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs): PSEs are spending less, with a 10% contraction in capex in 2024.
Reduced Gross G-Sec Borrowing: With a decrease to ₹14.13 trillion, the lowest in three years, it’s expected to improve the private sector’s access to funds at potentially lower interest rates.
What are the special provisions for capex in the Budget for 2025?
Record Capex Allocation: The 2025 budget sets a high capex of ₹11.11 trillion, the highest in two decades, focusing on infrastructure and economic development.
Railway Projects: A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to railway infrastructure, including the development of three major rail corridors for better logistics and connectivity. Additionally, 40,000 rail bogies will be upgraded to Vande Bharat standards.
Defense Sector Boost: Defense capex is allocated ₹1.72 trillion, underlining the emphasis on self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in defense. This includes new schemes for deep-tech technologies.
Loans and Advances: The budget plans for loans and advances to jump to ₹1.71 trillion in 2025, supporting state-level capex initiatives, especially in infrastructure.
Housing Expansion: The budget expands the PM Awas Yojana (Grameen), aiming to add two crore houses over five years, boosting the affordable housing sector and rural infrastructure.
Green Energy Push: Promoting green energy, the budget includes providing one crore households with 300 units of free electricity per month through rooftop solarisation, fostering solar asset creation in rural areas.
Fiscal Consolidation: The fiscal deficit target is set at 5.1% of GDP in the FY25 Interim Budget, lower than the expected 5.3%-5.4%, balancing the reduced PSE capex and signifying fiscal discipline.
What are the challenges faced by capex in the Indian Economy?
PSE Capex Slowdown: The PSE capex budget for 2024 was slashed from ₹4.88 trillion to ₹3.26 trillion, leading to a contraction of 10% in spending. This decrease marks a challenge for India’s overall capex growth, as the PSE capex to GDP ratio is projected to drop to 1.0% in 2025, the lowest in recent years.
Way forward
the way forward for India involves leveraging its increased capex allocation, particularly in infrastructure and defense, to stimulate economic growth. Continued investment in housing and green energy initiatives is crucial. Addressing the slowdown in Public Sector Enterprises’ spending and maintaining fiscal discipline, as evidenced by the lower-than-expected fiscal deficit target, are key to sustaining long-term economic health and development.
Question for practice:
Discuss the key provisions, challenges, and the way forward for capital expenditure (capex) in the Indian economy.
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
Digital Detox initiative
Source-This post on Digital Detox initiative is based on the article “Karnataka plans digital detox initiative with game developers, NIMHANS” published in “The Hindu” on 2nd February 2024.
Why in the News?
The Karnataka government recently revealed its plan to initiate a ‘Digital Detox’ campaign in partnership with the All India Game Developers Forum (AIGDF). This initiative has special emphasis on gaming and social media.
What is Digital Detox initiative?
1) A Digital Detox initiative encourages people to cut back on using digital devices like smartphones, computers, tablets, and social media platforms through structured programs or campaigns.
2) Aim-The aim of Digital Detox is to encourage mindfulness, lessen screen time, address digital addiction, and foster healthier habits with technology.
3) Activities involved– It often involves activities such as unplugging from devices, engaging in offline hobbies and activities, spending time in nature, and fostering face-to-face social interactions.
What are the plans of the Karnataka government regarding the Digital Detox initiative?
1) It will collaborate with AIGDF and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) to promote awareness about mindful technology.
2) Karnataka will establish digital detox centers statewide. These centers will offer personalized guidance from trained professionals to individuals seeking assistance in managing their technology use.
Note– The All India Game Developers’ Forum (AIGDF) is a nonprofit collective representing Indian game developers under the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF).
UPSC Syllabus- Schemes & Programmes
MQ-9B drone deal
Source-This post on MQ-9B drone deal is based on the article “Biden administration formally notifies U.S. Congress of possible 31 MQ-9B UAV sale to India” published in “The Hindu” on 1st February 2024.
Why in the News?
Recently, the U.S. Congress was officially informed of the potential sale of 31 MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to India, valued at approximately $3.99 billion.
What are MQ-9B Reaper drones?
About | MQ-9B is a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial vehicle(UAV). |
Developed by | US based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. |
Variants | 1. The MQ-9B has two variants — Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian. 2. The Indian Navy has been operating the MQ-9B Sea Guardian since 2020. |
Features | 1. It can operate at over 40,000 feet. 2. It also has a maximum endurance of 40 hours, making it useful for long-hour surveillance. 3. It can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike, electronic warfare and expeditionary roles. 4. It is equipped with advanced features such as automatic take-off and landing, detect and avoid system, anti-spoofing GPS, and encrypted communication links. |
Note- The deal also includes 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 16 M36E9 Hellfire captive air training missiles, 310 GBU-39B/B laser Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), and 08 GBU-39B/B LSDB guided test vehicles with live fuzes, among other items.
What are the benefits of acquiring MQ-9B Reaper drones by India?
1) Lower Operational Costs– It offers 80% of a manned maritime patrol aircraft’s capability at just 20% of its hourly cost, making it highly economical for navies.
2) Enhance surveillance capability– For the Army and Air Force, it offers continuous surveillance extending far beyond borders. This includes monitoring Chinese military buildup and troop movements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and deep into enemy territory.
3) Integration with existing platforms– It also seamlessly integrates with other U.S.-origin platforms that India operates such as the P-8Is, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and MH-60R multi-role helicopters.
UPSC Syllabus- International Relations/ Science & Technology
Auroville Exposure Tour
Source-This post on Auroville Exposure Tour has been created based on the article “Students Engage In Auroville Exposure Tour As Part Of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Programme, Delving Into Key Units Of Auroville” published in Lednewsdesk on 1 February 2024.
Why in the news?
Students under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (EBSB) programme visited Auroville town to learn about the working of four key units.
About Auroville town
Location– Mostly in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, with some parts in the Union Territory of Pondicherry in India. Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world.
Founder– It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as “the Mother”) and designed by architect Roger Ange.
Auroville has its origins in the French language, “Aurore” meaning dawn and “Ville” meaning village/city. Additionally, it is named after Sri Aurobindo.
Objective
– To realise human unity – in diversity.
– To ensure sustainable living and addressing the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind.
About Sri Aurobindo
He was born in Calcutta on 15th August 1872. He was a yogi, seer, philosopher, poet, and Indian nationalist.
Philosophy
Aurobindo’s life philosophy is a synthesis of idealism, realism, naturalism and pragmatism.
According to him, Jnana (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion) and Karma (work ethics) can lead man to the divine path. His philosophy is also known as integral yoga.
Important Literary Works:
1) An English newspaper called Bande Mataram (in 1905).
2) Bhagavad Gita and Its Message
3) The Future Evolution of Man
4) Rebirth and Karma
NOTE- Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (EBSB) programm– On Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 140th birthday, the Prime Minister announced the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” initiative to enhance the connection between people of various cultures living in different Indian states and union territories to encourage greater mutual understanding.
UPSC Syllabus-Art & culture in news.
Black-crowned Night Heron
Source-This post on Black-crowned Night Heron has been created based on the article “China Identifies Tagging Station Of Migratory Bird ‘Heron’ Found In Manipur” published in” abp” news on 30 January 2024.
Why in the news?
A juvenile black-crowned night heron, which landed recently at a local pond in Imphal and died later, was banded at the Weishan Bird Banding Station in China’s Beijing.
About Black-crowned Night Heron
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Aspect | Details |
About | They are small herons with rather squat, thick proportions. They have thick necks, large, flat heads, and heavy, pointed bills. |
Habitat | They inhabit a variety of wetland habitats, such as swamps, streams, rivers, marshes, mud flats, and the edges of lakes |
Population distribution | It is found across North America, as well as locally in Central America and the Caribbean. |
Characteristics | Body size 1) It has short neck and legs. 2) It has a black crown, a gray body, and bright, red eyes. 3) It weighs between 727 and, 1014 grams, has a wingspan of 115 to 118 centimetres, and is 58 to 66 centimetres in length 4) Females and males look alike, but females are a little smaller. Behavior They spend their days perched on tree limbs or concealed among foliage and branches. They forage in the evening and at night, in water, on mudflats, and on land. It is a migrating species. Diet-Its diet consists mainly of fish, leeches, earthworms, aquatic and terrestrial insects. |
Conservation status | IUCN–Least concern Wildlife Protection Act–Schedule 2 |
UPSC Syllabus-Environment (species in news).
Volt Typhoon
Source-This post on Volt typhoon has been created based on the article “FBI shuts down China’s ‘Volt Typhoon’ hackers targeting U.S. infrastructure” published in “CNBC” on 31 January 2024.
Why in the news?
The USA government has shut down a major China-backed hacking group that was working to compromise U.S. cyber infrastructure.
About Volt Typhoon
It is a state-sponsored actor based in China that focuses on espionage and information gathering.
This has been active since mid-2021 and has targeted critical infrastructure organizations in Guam and elsewhere in the United States.
How does it operate?
It puts strong emphasis on stealth. It relies almost exclusively on living-off-the-land techniques and hands-on-keyboard activity
They issue commands via the command line to-
(1) collect data, including credentials from local and network systems
(2) put the data into an archive file to stage it for exfiltration, and then use the stolen valid credentials to maintain persistence.
It tries to blend into normal network activity by routing traffic through compromised small office and home office (SOHO) network equipment, including routers, firewalls, and VPN hardware.
Furthermore, it uses open-source tools to establish a command and control (C2) channel over a proxy to stay under the radar.
Some other hacking group used by security agencies
1) Equation Group (USA)
2) Fancy Bear (Russia)
3) Lazarus Group (North Korea)
4) Turla (APT34) (Iran)
5) SandWorm (Russia)
NOTE-Living off the land (LOTL) is a fileless malware where the cybercriminal uses native, legitimate tools within the victim’s system to sustain and advance an attack.
Hands-on keyboard attack -This occurs after a breach when attackers are already inside your environment. A cybercriminal sits at a keyboard on one end of the operation, and your compromised network sits on the other end of this technique.
UPSC Syllabus-International relation in news/Science and Technology
Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana
Source-This post on Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana is based on the article “Budget 2024 | One crore households to get 300 units free electricity every month through rooftop solarisation” published in “The Hindu” on 1st February 2024.
Why in the News?
In the Interim Budget 2024, the Finance Minister announced that one crore households will receive rooftop solarization through Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana.
What is Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana?
Aspect | Details |
About | 1. This scheme was recently announced on the auspicious occasion of the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya by the PM Modi. 2. It aims to install rooftop solar panels on one crore households. |
Nodal agency | Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) |
What is the Significance of this Scheme?
1) It is an attempt to achieve the goal of 40 GW rooftop solar capacity by March 2026.
2) The scheme will help households to save between Rs 15,000 and Rs 18,000 annually. It will also enable them to sell any surplus electricity to distribution companies (DISCOMs) as part of the net metering policy.
3) The net-metering policy permits rooftop solar power users to feed their excess power back into the grid, thereby reducing their electricity expenses.
Note– The mechanism of Net Metering was started in India in 2009. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) overseeing its implementation.
What other major announcements have been made for the energy sector in Budget 2024?
1) A ‘viability gap funding’ (VGF) will be provided for harnessing offshore wind energy potential for an initial capacity of one gigawatt. These are wind farms located in the sea.
Note– The government aims to install 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. As part of this initiative, the government aims to achieve a 10 GW offshore wind capacity by 2030. Presently, India’s onshore wind energy capacity amounts to 44 GW.
What is the India’s current solar capacity?
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1) According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s website, solar power installed capacity in India has reached around 73.31 GW as of December 2023.
2) A recent report from the think tank Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) CEEW reveals that residential rooftop solar installations make up only 20% of the total, with the majority occurring in the commercial and industrial sectors.
Note- India aims to achieve 50% of its electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, as outlined in its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC.
UPSC Syllabus- Schemes & Programmes
Sugar Subsidy for AAY Families under PDS
Source-This post on Sugar Subsidy for AAY Families under PDS has been created based on the article “Cabinet approves Scheme of Sugar Subsidy for AAY Families under PDS” published in “PIB” on 1 February 2024.
Why in the news?
The Cabinet has recently approved extension of scheme of sugar subsidy for Antyodya Anna Yojna (AAY) families for two more years, i.e. 31 March 2026.
About the scheme for sugar subsidy
Aspect | Details |
Objective | To ensure sweetness of platter for the poorest of the poor in the country by adding energy to their diet. |
Eligibility | Families covered under Antyodya Anna Yojna (AAY) are eligible. |
Entitlements | Distribution of sugar to AAY families through PDS at the rate of One kg per family per month. The scheme is expected to benefit about 1.89 crores AAY families of the country |
Logistics | States have the responsibility to procure and distribute sugar to eligible families. |
Funding | The Central Government gives subsidy of Rs.18.50 per kg per month of sugar to AAY families of participating States. |
Read More- Antodaya Anna Yojana
UPSC Syllabus-Scheme & programmes in news.
ASHA and anganwadi staff get health cover
Source-This post on ASHA workers has been created based on the article “ASHA, anganwadi staff get health cover” published in “The Hindu” on 1 February 2024.
Why in the news?
The Central government extended the benefits of its flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers and Anganwadi workers.
About Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA)?
Launched– In 2005-06 as part of the National Rural Health Mission, initially in rural areas. It was later extended to urban areas with the introduction of the National Urban Health Mission in 2013.
Selection
1) ASHA worker must be a woman resident of the village married/ widowed/ divorced, preferably in the age group of 25 to 45 years.
2) ASHA must be chosen through a systematic process by involving various community groups, self-help groups, the Block Nodal officer, District Nodal officer, the village Health Committee and the Gram Sabha.
Role of ASHA
1) ASHA will provide information to the community about nutrition, basic sanitation & hygienic practices.
2) ASHA will counsel women on birth preparedness, importance of safe delivery, breast-feeding and complementary feeding and immunization.
3) ASHA will mobilise the community and help them in accessing health and health related services available at the Anganwadi/sub-centre/primary health centres.
MISSION INDRADHANUSH-
Aim– to cover all children who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases.
Coverage-India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) provide free vaccines against 12 life-threatening diseases. For example-Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus diarrhoea. (Rubella, JE and Rotavirus vaccine in select states and districts).
Read More- Ayushman Bharat programme
UPSC Syllabus-Scheme & programmes.
Interim Budget 2024: India increases allocation for Maldives
Source-This post on India increases allocation for Maldives is based on the article “India increasing allocation for Maldives, ₹400 crore revised to ₹770.9 crore” published in “The Hindu” on 1st February, 2024.
Why in the News?
In the interim budget of 2024, Maldives received a significant portion of the annual allocation for the Ministry of External Affairs. The annual allocation is done under the foreign aid program.
What is the India’s foreign aid Program?
1) India’s foreign aid program began in the 1950s through the Colombo Plan. Under this, aid is provided by the Indian government to other governments.
2) India has established the ‘Indian Agency for Partnership in Development‘ under the Ministry of External Affairs to distribute aid to recipient nations.
How is aid distributed to various countries in the Interim Budget 2024?
Countries/Projects | Revised 2023-24 (in crore) | 2024-25 (in crore) | Remarks |
Bhutan | 2,398.97 | 2068 | |
Nepal | 650 | 700 | |
Maldives | 770.9 | 600 | The allocation for Maldives in 2023-24 was ₹400 crore. It increases to ₹770.9 crore in the revised estimate 2023-24. |
Afghanistan | 220 | 200 | |
Chabahar in Iran | 100 | 100 |
Note– The government has decreased its total allocation of foreign aid for the upcoming fiscal by 10 percent. India has earmarked Rs 4883.56 crore for foreign assistance in 2024-25, down from Rs 5426.78 crore allocated in 2023-24.
UPSC Syllabus- Indian Economy/International Relations