Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Is India’s sugar surplus leading to a crisis?

GS Paper 2

• Opaque subsidies – Govt control returns to the oil sector
• The bureaucracy as prosecutor and judge
• G-20 negotiators face climate change hurdle

GS Paper 3

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Is India’s sugar surplus leading to a crisis?

News-India became the world’s top sugar producer in 2021-2022, surpassing Brazil with a record of 359 lakh tonnes. However, the extensive use of resources in sugar production is depleting rapidly, leading to a potential crisis in the future.

What are the reasons behind excess sugar production?

The excess production is a result of policies and measures that encourage farmers to prioritize the cultivation of sugarcane.

To ensure the welfare of sugarcane farmers, the Central government has implemented the fair and remunerative price scheme. This scheme establishes a minimum price that sugar mills must pay to the farmers.

Moreover, state governments offer significant subsidies to incentivize the cultivation of sugarcane. These actions are motivated by political considerations to win votes in crucial rural areas.

The surplus sugar production has resulted in a notable increase in exports. A record 110 lakh tonnes was exported during the 2021-2022 period.

However, India’s aggressive export promotion and domestic support strategies for farmers have raised concerns among other sugar-producing nations like Brazil, Australia.

They filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization and accused India of violating international trade rules by offering excessive export subsidies and domestic support. The WTO ruled against India, and India’s subsequent appeal was also unsuccessful.

What efforts have been made by the government to address this issue?

The Indian government is diverting it to the production of ethanol. In the transport sector, the use of ethanol-blended petrol significantly reduces harmful emissions from vehicles.

The government launched the EBP programme in 2003 to reduce crude oil imports and curtail greenhouse gas emissions from petrol-based vehicles.

It started with the modest goal of achieving a blending rate of 5%, but the target set for 2025 is 20%.

The government also reduced the Goods and Services Tax on ethanol from 18% to 5% in 2021. In the same year, of the 394 lakh tonnes of total sugar produced, about 350 lakh tonnes were diverted to produce ethanol.

How does excessive sugarcane cultivation impact groundwater?

Sugarcane requires a substantial amount of rainfall, around 3,000 mm. But, in the top-growing States, the actual rainfall received is only 1,000-1,200 mm.

The cultivation of sugarcane necessitates a significant amount of irrigation, with approximately two lakh litres of groundwater required for irrigating 100 kg of sugar.

These States are already prone to drought and face stress on their groundwater resources. It is indicated by a 2022 report from the Central Ground Water Board.

What should be done?

There is a need for evaluating incentives that favour sugarcane cultivation over other crops and lead to a persistent surplus.

Introducing fair and comprehensive subsidy schemes for various crops can encourage farmers to diversify their crops. It can achieve a more balanced distribution of cultivation, prevent monocultures, and ensure a fair income.

In the long term, environmentally responsible sugarcane cultivation practices must be adopted, with a focus on groundwater conservation.

Use of drip irrigation must be promoted. It can reduce water consumption by up to 70% compared to conventional flood irrigation methods.

Investments are needed in water-saving and management systems, including rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and canal irrigation networks.

The Central Ground Water Board conducts valuable research and gathers data. But, there are still gaps in understanding groundwater availability and distribution. Therefore, it is crucial to seriously consider investments in groundwater research.

GS Paper 2

Opaque subsidies – Govt control returns to the oil sector

News: Previously, the government claimed to deregulate petrol and diesel prices and eliminate indirect fuel subsidies, which were seen as positive reforms.

However, it seems that the government has come up with a system by which it continues to control prices at the pump while concealing the subsidies involved.

What efforts have been taken by the government to control prices?

The Union Budget has allocated approximately 30,000 crore rupees to support three state-controlled oil marketing companies (OMCs) in their climate initiatives.

It is expected to balance out the losses the OMCs have faced because of under-recoveries, caused mostly due to unchanged fuel prices when global oil prices changed due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

However, this capital infusion might also involve the government once again taking a stake in HPCL and controlling the oil prices.

Hence, cooperative efforts of the three government-owned enterprises to preserve consumer prices and absorb losses highlight that political factors influence oil prices rather than the free market.

What will be the impact of the state again regulating the oil prices?

First, it will not only negatively impact future finances but also hinders India’s environmental transition, which was supposed to be funded by investments from existing oil companies.

Second, this could further convince voters that politicians play a role in determining oil prices, strengthening their lack of trust in the free market.

Hence, transparent subsidies, independent of the price actually paid, are the only way out.

The bureaucracy as prosecutor and judge

News– The Jan Vishwas Act, 2022 was recently enacted into law by Parliament. It has decriminalised or made “compoundable” offences across 42 legislations.

What are the issues related to Jan Vishwas Act, 2022?

Legislation has largely replaced criminal imprisonment with monetary penalties. But it has also shifted the authority to impose these penalties from the judiciary to the bureaucracy.

For instance, the Jan Vishwas Act amends the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, to substitute imprisonment with penalties, up to ₹15 lakh. Penalties can be imposed by designated bureaucrats for specific offences.

The crucial question is related to granting bureaucracy authority to decide about disputes and impose penalties. It is against the constitutional principle of the separation of powers.

What is the status of division of powers between executive and judiciary?

The Constitution does not explicitly provide for division of powers between the judiciary and the executive. Article 50 only directs the state to achieve such a separation in due course.

However, this separation was not accomplished until several years after the Constitution came into effect. The criminal magistracy was included within the executive branch at the time of Independence.

In 1970, some State legislatures enacted laws like The West Bengal Separation of Judicial and Executive Functions Act, 1970. It led to establishment of a separation of powers at the level of the criminal magistracy under the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898.

What are various methods used by bureaucracy to encroach upon judicial power?

Several Ministries have established judicial tribunals to assume the judicial responsibilities that were previously handled by the judiciary. Many of these tribunals were set up in a way that allowed bureaucrats to be appointed as “technical members.”

The Union government has created a fresh category of statutory regulators, such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India and the Competition Commission of India. These regulators were granted authority to impose hefty fines on the private sector.

The Union government has created the role of adjudicatory officers in several legislations such as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the Information Technology Act, 2001 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

These adjudicatory officers were always bureaucrats. They were given powers to either confirm “attachment orders” for properties or impose penalties on businesses.

What Indian law says about “judicial function”?

The Supreme Court has made it explicitly clear that a “judicial function” must only be carried out by an independent judicial authority that is not under the control of the executive.

As of now, there seems to be limited legal precedent on whether the imposition of a penalty qualifies as a “judicial function.”

However, any process involving fact-finding, application of the law to those facts, and the determination of punishment or compensation fundamentally constitutes a judicial function.

Therefore, the responsibility should lie with the government to substantiate its case before an impartial judge to ensure that citizens receive a fair trial before any penalty is imposed. The government cannot simultaneously act as a prosecutor and a judge in its own case.

G-20 negotiators face climate change hurdle

News– G-20 negotiators are now worried about reaching a consensus over climate change issues ahead of the leaders’ summit in September.

Why are G20 negotiators worried?

The concerns have heightened following two ministerial meetings of the G-20 focused on energy transitions, the environment, and climate in July.

These meetings failed to reach a consensus on crucial matters such as emission targets, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and climate finance.

These differences spilled over into virtual Sherpa negotiations, where the initial version of the Leaders’ Declaration was being discussed last week.

As a result, the Chairman’s Summary and Outcome documents included several sections labeled as “non-agreed paragraphs” among G-20 members.

What are the contentious issues between G-20 countries related to climate change?

There is division between developed countries and the developing world concerning climate goals and climate finance.

A major point of contention is the wording related to “phasing out” fossil fuels. It faced strong opposition from countries like India and Saudi Arabia. These countries preferred the term “phasing down” instead.

There are significant differences among members regarding global emissions targets.

There were disagreements on the target of peaking emissions by 2025 and achieving a 60% reduction in emissions by 2035 in comparison to 2019 levels. Developing countries including India did not commit to these targets.

Another contentious matter was related to the lack of funding from developed countries, such as the U.S. and Australia. They had promised to provide $100 billion annually starting from 2020.

The Chairman’s Summary and Outcome document released in Chennai revealed further disagreements among G-20 members.

One point of contention was the scope of the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group’s mandate to discuss energy issues, given the existence of a separate Energy Transition Working Group.

Additionally, there were differing views on energy transitions and how to incorporate them into the document.

GS Paper 3

Why gig work matters – Its rise can help improve labour force participation

News: Gig works are often seen as insecure kind of job in India. However, given the number of jobs generated by it in the urban area, it has the potential of reshaping the urban labour market.

According to the NITI Aayog, about 7.7 million workers are engaged as gig workers.

What are the benefits of gig work?

Lack of Salaried Job: Gig work may appear less attractive compared to a regular salaried position. However, the majority of jobs in urban areas tend to be informal and temporary in nature.

Furthermore, out of the total urban workforce of 131 million, merely 52 million hold salaried jobs, making such opportunities challenging to obtain. Hence, gig work aligns well with the dynamics of the Indian urban labor market.

Flexibility: Gig works offer flexibility allowing women and disadvantaged groups like the elderly or persons with disabilities to work as per their convenience.

Given the rigidity in salaried jobs, gig jobs fit well for the needs of these people. Hence, given the low Labor Force Participation (LFP) rate in India, gig works have the potential to improve LFP rate.

Minimum Wage: Gig economy has proved to be like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in urban areas. Through gig works individual always has an option of doing some labor supply and earning the minimum wage.

Further, it would have been difficult for the government to launch a job guarantee program in urban India due to state capacity constraints. Thus, the gig economy represents a significant improvement for the urban work market.

However, despite its multiple advantages, gig works are not able to reduce the level of urban unemployment.

Why are gig works not able to reduce the level of urban unemployment?

There are many reasons behind this such as – 1) Traditional social norms hold women at home, 2) Women hardly get access to mobile phones or scooters, 3) Rural-to-urban migration is constrained by social factors and various monetary and non-monetary costs.

These factors act as obstacles for the gig works to have an overall impact on the employment levels.

What can be the way ahead?

In a changing economy, companies succeed and fail, and jobs are both created and lost. Hence, criticizing gig work using the benchmark of salaried jobs is misguided as most work in India does not have these perks and security.

However, India faces challenges between treating gig work on a par with the Indian informal labour market, or of bringing the burdens of the formal labour market upon it.

Picking Up Peace – on economic costs of riots

News– Communal clashes broke out in Nuh, Haryana, a week ago. Media reports say that migrant workers in Gurgaon have begun to leave due to fear over their safety.

How riots in Haryana are not good for its economic progress?

The occurrence of riots contradicts India’s narrative of economic progress. Without social harmony, the economic climate becomes unfavorable for investments.

An encouraging economic trend is the emergence of India-based Global Capability Centers (GCC) that handle multinational firms’ operations.

Gurgaon stands out as a significant hub for GCCs and contributes to India’s services exports. However, Gurgaon faces tough competition from other Indian cities, particularly those in southern states .

It has impacted Gurgaon’s reputation as a preferred economic location.

What should be done?

There is a need for proactive measures by the Haryana government.

The state can learn from Tamil Nadu’s response to a similar incident in March. A viral fake news led to fear among Hindi-speaking economic migrants, with reports of attacks on them.

In that case, the state government collaborated with industry associations to reassure anxious workers. The political leadership took charge of the effort and even sought support from the Bihar government.

Haryana should adopt a similar approach. It cannot be left solely to a few police officers to address the concerns of workers who wish to leave Gurgaon.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Forest Conservation Bill: An encompassing green

Source: The post is based on the article “Forest Conservation Bill: An encompassing green” published in The Indian express on 7th August 2023.

Syllabus Topic: Environment Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

News: In this article author discusses the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, passed by the Indian Parliament. The Bill, committed to sustainable development, seeks to integrate tribal people living in forests into mainstream development, enhance green cover, provide basic amenities to forest dwellers, and ensure secure borders by enabling infrastructure development in border areas.

Evolution of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

The origin of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, traces back to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. This Act aimed to control the use of forest land for non-forest purposes.

However, issues arose when the Act’s provisions were interpreted differently across states, especially regarding government-recorded forest lands and private plantations.

The Supreme Court’s 1996 orders in the Godavarman case expanded the Act’s applicability. The court stated the Act applies not only to notified forest land but also to lands resembling forests.

Post Godavarman case, the Act started applying to areas even if they weren’t government-recorded forests. This led to fears among private plantation owners and slowed afforestation outside forests.

This uncertainty was a hindrance in enhancing green cover to meet the Nationally Determined Contribution targets, aiming to create a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tons of CO2 equivalent.

To address these issues, the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 was introduced, providing clear guidelines and removing the ambiguities, thereby streamlining the conservation and development of forest lands.

What are the benefits of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023?

Inclusive Development: The Bill helps tribal people, especially those in deep forests, join India’s development journey, enhancing their living conditions.

Enhancing Green Cover: As per the 2021 India State of Forest Report, forest cover is 21.71% of India’s area. The Bill encourages afforestation outside forests, contributing to further increase in cover.

Regulated Land Use: The Bill offers minor exemptions for forest land diversion, without giving blanket permission, ensuring all conservation concerns are addressed.

Border Security: It allows infrastructure development in border areas, facilitating swift deployment of forces, improving national security.

Education and Health Access: The Bill paves the way for tribal children and elderly people to access education and healthcare facilities.

Conservation Efforts: It promotes activities like ecotourism, increasing local communities’ commitment to conservation.

Climate Mitigation: By regulating forest management, the Bill contributes to mitigating the impact of climate change.

Boosting Livelihoods: It provides new livelihood sources to local communities, further connecting them with mainstream development.

What are the concerns of Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023?

Read here: What are the concerns with the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill?

Four years after Article 370 abrogation: The unanswered, uncomfortable questions about India’s federalism

Source: The post is based on the article “Four years after Article 370 abrogation: The unanswered, uncomfortable questions about India’s federalism” published in “The Indian express” on 7th August 2023.

Syllabus: issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure,

News: The author discusses concerns about India’s federalism due to the repeal of Article 370, including the unclear meaning of statehood, the issue of local people’s says in governance, and whether this action sets a dangerous precedent.

About India’s federalism

The Supreme Court of India acknowledged federalism as a basic feature of the Constitution in the S R Bommai v Union of India case (1994).

India practices “asymmetrical federalism”, meaning states have different relationships with the Union.

This unique model is a result of both design and historical events.

Asymmetrical federalism has helped India remain united despite various secessionist movements.

Articles 371-A to 371-J demonstrate that a uniform approach to federalism isn’t suitable for India, highlighting the need for local adaptations.

What are the major concerns for India’s federalism due to the repeal of Article 370?

Statehood Meaning: The repeal of Article 370 has led to the “downgrading” of Jammu & Kashmir from a full state to a Union Territory. It prompts questions about what statehood within the Union of India signifies. It’s the first instance where a full state has been demoted to a Union Territory.

People’s Voice: The action raised concerns about whether residents of a state should have a say in how they’re governed. Previously, changes in a state’s status were often made with the approval of that state’s legislative assembly, a convention that wasn’t followed in this case.

Setting a Precedent: The removal of Article 370 might set a precedent for the unilateral revocation of special provisions made for other states. This could destabilize the unique asymmetrical federalism India has cultivated to accommodate different needs across its states.

Delay in Restoration: Four years after the revocation, there’s no timeline for restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood. This could negatively affect the region’s governance and societal harmony.

Centralization Concerns: The action appears to centralize power, contrasting with the trend of decentralization to strengthen the Union. It raises questions about the future direction of India’s federalism.

On government direction on Indian drug standards: A partial remedy

Source: The post is based on the article “Express View on government direction on Indian drug standards: A partial remedy” published in “The Indian express” on 7th August 2023.

Syllabus: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

News: A much-needed action was taken last week when the government issued a directive requesting that drug producers adhere to WHO guidelines.

What are the recent incidents that have dented the country’s reputation as a reliable source of inexpensive generics?

In October 2022, over 60 children in Gambia died due to kidney complications from cough syrups made by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.

Within three months, another cold remedy by Marion Biotech in Noida was blamed for 19 children’s deaths in Uzbekistan.

In March 2023, Cameroon authorities associated a batch of cough medicines from an Indore-based firm with at least 12 fatalities.

The World Health Organization found toxic content in seven Indian-made cough syrups.

Surveys by Indian authorities have also revealed serious shortcomings in at least 160 pharma units.

What are the reasons for such incidents?

Lack of WHO certification: Less than 20% of Indian pharma units are WHO-certified, indicating poor quality control.

Outsourcing to MSMEs: Large companies often outsource production to small and medium-sized enterprises where quality might be compromised for cost reduction.

Inadequate regulatory staffing: For instance, Haryana’s drug monitoring department had less than 40% of its required staff during the Maiden Pharma case investigation.

Misallocation of inspectors’ duties: Inspectors often handle administrative work related to licenses, causing a neglect in drug safety and efficacy checks.

Limited testing facilities: India only has 31 government-run drug testing labs, which is not sufficient.

Lack of transparency and public information: There is limited information about inspection procedures and violations that could warn regulatory authorities, doctors, and healthcare institutions.

What should be done?

Implement WHO standards: The government should require all pharmaceutical manufacturers to adhere to these global norms.

Improve regulatory oversight: This includes hiring more staff for drug monitoring and focusing their work on drug safety checks.

Enhance testing facilities: Increase the number of state and central drug testing laboratories.

Create a violation database: This would alert authorities, healthcare institutions, and doctors about inspections and violations.

Increase transparency: Publicly share information about procedures followed during investigations and manufacturing standards.

Vikram S Mehta writes on the climate crisis: The global way out

Source: The post is based on the article “Vikram S Mehta writes on the climate crisis: The global way out” published in “The Indian express” on 7th August 2023.

Syllabus: Environment Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment & Disaster and disaster management.

News: In this article discusses the growing global warming crisis and the challenges in addressing it due to political and social divisions. They mention a book by Duhaime suggesting the human brain can be conditioned for pro-environment actions. The author believes that, like the global response to Covid19, collaboration is key.

What are the challenges in addressing growing global warming crisis?

Political and Social Divisions:

The world is divided geopolitically, especially between the US and China.

Escalating tensions and economic nationalism hinder global cooperation.

The US Inflation Reduction Act and Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) show a swing towards economic nationalism.

Economic Implications:

Former US Secretary Henry Paulson warns against only focusing on solar and wind.

Solar facilities can destroy forests.

Mining can harm sensitive areas.

Wind turbines have caused one million bird deaths.

Environmental Warnings:

The World Meteorological Organization says July was the “hottest week on record”.

One year between 2024-2027 will exceed the 1.5 C temperature rise limit set at COP 21.

Xinjiang saw a high of 52.2 C.

Phoenix faced 19 straight days of above 43 C.

Forest fires are increasing in southern Europe.

Natural Tipping Points:

The North Atlantic Gulf stream is at risk of collapsing by the 2050s.

Such a collapse would drastically change global climates.

What should be done?

Limit Global Warming: Ensure global temperatures don’t exceed 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, as set in COP 21.

Renewable Energy: Increase the share of renewables in the energy mix, as suggested by the president of COP28, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.

Innovate: Scale up technologies like green hydrogen and carbon capture.

Financial Commitments: Governments should meet their financial pledges towards climate action.

Holistic Solutions: Avoid singular solutions like solely focusing on solar and wind, as they can have unintended environmental consequences. For example, solar facilities on forested land or wind turbines causing bird deaths.

Global Cooperation: Collaborate internationally to address the crisis, as done during the Covid19 pandemic.

Brain Conditioning: Leverage the “plasticity” of the human brain, as mentioned in Duhaime’s book, to encourage pro-environment policies.

Avoid Destruction: Refrain from projects that harm nature, such as mining in sensitive areas.

5% of birds in India are endemic, says Zoological Survey of India publication

Source: The post is based on the article “5% of birds in India are endemic, says Zoological Survey of India publication”  published in The Hindu on 7th August 2023.

What is the News?

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has released a publication titled “75 Endemic Birds of India”.

What are the key highlights from the publication “75 Endemic Birds of India”?

Endemic birds: India is home to 1,353 bird species, which represents approximately 12.40% of global bird diversity. Out of these bird species, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.

The highest number of endemic species have been recorded in the Western Ghats, with 28 bird species. 

– Some of the species recorded in the Western Ghats are the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Parakeet, Ashambu Laughing Thrush and White-bellied Sholakili.

Endemic bird species not sighted in last few decades: Of the 78 species, three species have not been recorded in the last few decades.They are:

– Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis), listed as ‘Endangered’ in IUCN Red List with its last recorded sighting in 1907;

–  Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa), listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last recorded sighting in 1876 and

–  Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus), listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last confirmed sighting in 2009.

Threatened Endemic Bird species of India: Of the 78 endemic species, 25 are classified as ‘Threatened’ by the IUCN. 

– Three species (Bugun Liocichla or Liocichla bugunorum; Himalayan Quail or Ophrysia Superciliosa and Jerdon’s Courser or Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) are listed as ‘Critically Endangered’.

– Five of the endemic birds are categorized as ‘Endangered’, and 17 as ‘Vulnerable’, while 11 are categorized as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List.

North India’s first River Rejuvenation Project Devika is nearing completion

Source: The post is based on the article “North India’s first River Rejuvenation Project Devika is nearing completion”  published in PIB on 6th August 2023.

What is the News?

The Union Minister has said that North India’s first River Rejuvenation Project Devika is nearing completion. 

What is Project Devika?

Project Devika aims to rejuvenate Devika River. It is North India’s first river rejuvenation project.

It was launched in 2019 under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).

Under the project, bathing “ghats” (places) on the banks of the Devika River will be developed, encroachments will be removed, natural water bodies will be restored and catchment areas will be developed along with cremation ground.

The project also includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants, development of two cremation ghats, protection fencing and landscaping, small hydropower plants and three solar power plants.

On completion of the project, the rivers will see reduction in pollution and improvement in water quality.

What is River Devika?

Devika river originates from the hilly Suddha Mahadev temple in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir and flows down towards western Punjab (now in Pakistan) where it merges with the Ravi river.

The river holds religious significance as it is revered by Hindus as the sister of river Ganga.

In 2020, Devika Bridge was inaugurated in Udhampur. Apart from taking care of traffic congestion, the Devika Bridge was also meant to help smooth passage of Army convoys and vehicles.

India launches ‘Neerakshi’ – Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for mine detection

Source: The post is based on the article “India launches ‘Neerakshi’ – Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for mine detection”  published in Hindustan Times on 29th July 2023.

What is the News?

India has launched an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle called ‘Neerakshi’ for detecting underwater mines.

What is Neerakshi?

Neerakshi is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed to detect mines.

Developed by: It is a collaboration of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd and Aerospace Engineering Private Ltd (AEPL).

Functions: It can be used for a variety of functions ranging from mine detection to mine disposal to underwater survey.

– It has an endurance of nearly 4 hours, and is capable of operating up to a depth of 300m.

Significance: It is the first of its kind in India and will be tested by the Navy, Coast Guard, and Army before being available commercially. 

– It is part of GRSE’s broader ambitions to create autonomous sea surface vehicles, sea-based drones and explore green propulsion technologies.

Musk’s Starlink: why the new sovereign of low-earth orbit is bad news?

Source: The post is based on the article “Musk’s Starlink: why the new sovereign of low-earth orbit is bad news?”  published in The Hindu on 7th August 2023.

What is the News?

In January 2023, pictures of a Ukrainian drone with a modified Starlink satellite dish circulated on Russian Telegram channels. This raised concerns about using the dish for controlling the drone remotely and for military purposes.

Later, Starlink Elon Musk tweeted that Starlink will not be used for long-range drone strikes.

With this, the world was informed that Elon Musk billionaire had effectively changed the rules of engagement for the Russia-Ukraine war.

How does Starlink work?

Starlink is a satellite constellation that comprises thousands of small satellites in low-Earth orbit. SpaceX first began sending them into space in 2019 and currently, there are more than 3,000 of these satellites that send internet signals to designated ground receivers.

Unlike traditional internet providers, Starlink doesn’t require any ground infrastructure. One just needs to have a small satellite dish or a receiver device to access high-speed internet, much like satellite TV.

The company also has a mobile application for Android and iOS that uses augmented reality to help customers choose the ideal location and position for their receivers.

Hence, currently, Starlink service is the undisputed king of the section of space called low-earth orbit (LEO).

Starlink’s role in Russia-Ukraine war:

Starlink has emerged as a crucial communication tool for Ukraine’s armed forces because their own mediums of communication were compromised by Russian hackers.

Ukrainian soldiers are using Starlink internet to upload pictures of probable Russian targets. These images are subsequently evaluated by the commanders and they then decide whether to bomb the target and if so, from where.

Moreover, Starlink has made drone warfare much easier. A report has suggested that Ukraine used the internet service to successfully attack Sevastopol — the Crimean headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

Why does China fear Starlink?

Starlink has been vital to Ukraine’s war effort. The system is also hard to jam. 

From the perspective of China, this not only puts its friend Russia at a disadvantage, it also raises concerns about Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims. If Taiwan were given access to Starlink, it would make a Chinese invasion that much more difficult.

Moreover, China is also fearful that the US, through Starlink, is covering up territory in low-Earth orbit. China, too, wants to be a power in this domain. 

What are the concerns raised by analysts?

Despite Starlink’s manifold advantages and uses for Ukraine, experts have cautioned against Elon Musk’s formidable dominance in the launch market and satellite-internet operations. 

They also point out that Elon Musk is an unaccountable single individual and has other business interests that might influence his decisions.

The obvious solution to this is that we need more LEO satellite constellations – government, private or some combination of the two – that provide Internet access.

18th Century Tamil manuscripts found in monastery in Italy

Source: The post is based on the article “18th Century Tamil manuscripts found in monastery in Italy”  published in The Hindu on 7th August 2023.

What is the News?

Palm manuscripts from the 18th Century titled Gnanamuyarchi have been found in an Armenian monastery in Northern Italy.

What is Gnanamuyarchi?

Gnanamuyarchi are Tamil manuscripts found in an Armenian monastery in Northern Italy.

The manuscript could be a copy of the first Tamil translation of Spiritual Exercise, written by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century.

The translation was mostly done by Michele Bertoldi, known in Tamil as Gnanaprakasasamy.

The manuscript was initially misclassified as ‘Indian Papyrus Lamulic Language–XIII Century,’ unaware that they were written in Tamil. 

The monastery authorities think the manuscripts might have been brought to Italy by Armenians in Chennai.

Revised manufacturing rules for drug firms: what changes, and why

Source: The post is based on the article “Revised manufacturing rules for drug firms: what changes, and why”  published in Indian Express on 7th August 2023.

What is the News?

The Government of India has directed all pharmaceutical companies in the country to implement the revised Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), bringing their processes at par with global standards.

What are Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)?

Click Here to read

What is the need of these GMP Standards for pharmaceutical companies?

One, implementation of these GMP norms will bring the Indian industry on par with global standards.

Two, there have been a string of incidents where other countries have reported alleged contamination in India-manufactured syrups, eye-drops, and eye ointments. The deaths of Children in the Gambia, Uzbekistan and the United States have been linked to these products.

Three, a risk-based inspection of 162 manufacturing units by the government found several deficiencies — incoming raw materials not being tested before use, product quality not being reviewed , infrastructure deficiency to prevent cross-contamination, faulty design of manufacturing and testing areas, missing qualified professionals and poor documentation.

Fourth, GMP standards are also important as only 2,000 of the 10,500 drug manufacturing units in the country at present meet global standards being WHO-GMP certified.

Fifth, implementation of the revised good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards are also listed in the 2018 draft schedule M of the drugs and cosmetics rules.

What are the major changes GMP standards will bring?

The revised GMP guidelines focus on quality control measures, proper documentation, and IT backing to maintain quality of medicines produced.

It also introduces pharmaceutical quality systems, quality risk management, product quality review and validation of equipment. 

This will mean companies will have to carry out regular quality reviews of all its products, verify consistency of the quality and the processes, thorough investigation of any deviation or suspected defect and implementation of any preventive actions. 

It also suggests a change control system to evaluate all changes that may affect the production or quality of the product.

The guidelines also state that companies should have GMP-related computerized systems, which ensure that there is no tampering of data related to the processes.

How will these changes help?

Instituting the same quality across the industry will give confidence to regulators from other countries. In addition, it will improve the quality of drugs in the domestic markets. 

Money Bills vs Finance Bills: What are the differences, what the court has ruled

Source: The post is based on the article “Money Bills vs Finance Bills: What are the differences, what the court has ruled”  published in Indian Express on 4th August 2023.

What is the News?

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister has said that the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill, 2023 is an ordinary Bill and not a money bill.

Earlier, it was reported that the Bill was being introduced under Article 117 of the Constitution, which deals with special provisions for Financial Bills.

What are Financial Bills?

A Financial Bill is any Bill that relates to revenue or expenditure is a financial Bill.

A Money Bill is also a specific type of financial Bill, that must deal only with matters specified in Article 110 (1) (a) to (g).

Article 117 of the Constitution deals with the special provisions relating to financial Bills.

Financial bills are responsible for fiscal matters such as government spending or revenue.It specifies the amount of money to be spent by the government and the way it is to be spent.

The two prerequisites for any financial Bill to become a Money Bill are: First, it must only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and not the Rajya Sabha.Secondly, these bills can only be introduced on the President’s recommendation.

What are the different types of Financial Bills?

Financial Bill I: Article 117 (1) indicates that a Bill that makes provision for any of the matters specified in clauses (a) to (f) of Article 110 (1) can be introduced or moved only on the President’s recommendation and cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. 

– Examples of this first category of Financial Bills are Money Bills and other Financial Bills originating solely in the Lok Sabha.

Financial Bill II: Article 117 (3) of the Constitution deals with the second category of Financial Bill.

Such Bills are more like ordinary Bills. The difference between this kind of Financial Bill and an ordinary Bill is that if the former is enacted, it will involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India and cannot be passed by either House unless the President has recommended its consideration.

In other respects, such Financial Bills are just like ordinary Bills and can even be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, amended by it, or be subjected to deliberation by both Houses in a joint sitting.

What is a Money Bill?

Article 110 defines a “Money Bill” as one containing provisions dealing with taxes, regulation of the government’s borrowing of money, and expenditure or receipt of money from the Consolidated Fund of India, among others.

Article 109 delineates the procedure for the passage of such a Bill and confers an overriding authority on the Lok Sabha in the passage of Money Bills.

The Speaker certifies a Bill as a Money Bill..

What is the key difference between a Financial Bill and a Money Bill?

The Financial Bill has the provision of including the Rajya Sabha’s (Upper House) recommendations but the Money bill does not make their inclusion mandatory.

The Lok Sabha has the right to reject the Rajya Sabha’s recommendations when it comes to Money Bills.

What are the Supreme Court’s views on the Money Bill and Financial Bill?

Finance Act 2017: In 2019, a Constitution Bench struck down amendments to the 2017 Finance Act, which was passed as a Money Bill, altering the structure and functioning of various tribunals.

– However, the Supreme Court referred the matter of whether the 2017 Finance Act amendments could have been passed as a Money Bill to a seven-judge bench, indicating uncertainty about their classification.

– In this case, the court also expressed its doubts over the correctness of the Constitution Bench’s 2018 verdict upholding the 2016 Aadhaar Act, which was passed as a Money Bill too.

Samudrayaan: Three-member team to explore depths of the ocean in first manned ocean mission

Source: The post is based on the article “Samudrayaan: Three-member team to explore depths of the ocean in first manned ocean mission”  published in CNBC on 7th August 2023.

What is the News?

Samudrayaan project is set to send three personnel to a depth of 6000 meters in the ocean in a submersible vehicle.

What is the Samudrayaan Mission?

Samudrayaan is India’s first manned ocean mission. It is a part of the Deep Ocean Mission.

Objective: It is designed to study deep-sea resources and conduct biodiversity assessments.

Features: The mission aims to send 3 people to a depth of 6,000 meters in the sea in a manned submersible vehicle called MATSYA 6000.

– The submersible will allow scientific personnel to observe and understand unexplored deep sea areas by direct interventions. Further, it will enhance the capability for deep sea man rated vehicle development.

Implementation: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai is designing and developing the Samudrayan project and it is likely to be ready by 2026. 

Significance: The mission is significant as it will allow scientific personnel to observe and understand unexplored deep-sea areas through direct intervention. 

— It also aligns with the Government of India’s vision of ‘New India’, highlighting the Blue Economy as one of the ten core dimensions of growth.

PM to launch revamp of 508 railway stations at ₹24,470 crore

Source: The post is based on the article “PM to launch revamp of 508 railway stations at ₹24,470 crore”  published in The Hindu on 7th August 2023.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations spread across the country.

These stations were part of the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme in which almost 1300 prime railway stations in the country will be redeveloped. 

What is the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme?

Launched by: Ministry of Railways

Objective: To develop railway stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach.

Key Features of the scheme: The scheme is based on preparing Master Planning for long term and implementation of the same as per needs and demand of the station to station.

– It aims to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toils, lift/escalators necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, Kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’, better passenger information systems among others.,

– The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballastless tracks, ‘Roof Plazas’ as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centers at the station in the long term. 

Railway Stations covered: Under the scheme, almost 1300 prime railway stations in the country will be redeveloped.

What are the other steps taken by the government of India in the Railways sector?

In the last 9 years more than 2200 km dedicated freight corridors have been constructed leading to a reduction in the travel time of the goods train. Now goods reach western ports from Delhi-NCR in 24 hours, a task that used to take 72 hours. 

LED lights have been installed in about 70,000 coaches and the number of bio-toilets in trains has increased 28 times as compared to 2014.

By 2030, India will be a country whose railway network will run on net zero emissions.

The following today’s current affairs articles have been covered in 7 PM Explained section of the day:

7 PM Editorial of the day: Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023: Explained, pointwise