9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – October 14th, 2023
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Mains Oriented Articles
GS PAPER - 2
Next Up, The Khaki Ceiling – on women representation in police
Source: This post has been created based on the article “Next Up, The Khaki Ceiling” published in The Times of India on 14th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
News: This article discusses the need and the possible positive impact of increasing women’s representation in India’s police in the wake of the recent Women’s Reservation Bill.
Why is political representation of women not enough?
The women’s reservation bill is a giant step ensuring women will now be represented more in Indian legislatures, but safety at home and in the streets is still a concern.
Countries like Rwanda, South Africa and Mexico rank high when it comes to women in parliaments. But they are not safe places for women to be in.
For instance, women leaders in Rwanda came to the fore because of an unplanned shortage of men due to civil war, however, the masculine ethos and cultural prejudice have not changed.
Similarly, South Africa has among the highest recorded rates of sexual violence in the world.
Why is there a need for increasing representation of women in the police?
1) Lower crimes against women: If women in Parliament and police work together, crimes against women would fall.
For instance, Sweden, Australia and the Netherlands show that these countries protect women’s interests best because they are well represented both in their parliaments and in their police.
2) Lack of Empathy: Male Police officers cannot handle cases of crime against women with the empathy they deserve.
3) Increased filing of cases: When it comes to filing crimes against women, women police officers are more active and willing. This may be because women find it easier to open up to another woman.
4) More crimes against women come to light: If women had a sympathetic policewoman’s ear, more women would come forward.
Keeping this in mind, Punjab police established Saanjh Shakti and Punjab Police Mahila Mitter Committee. Here, a woman can approach an all-women helpdesk to register her complaint.
After Parliament, women must be at least one-third of the police, to push back stubborn patriarchy and ensure safety of women.
Remembering Karthyayani Amma: The poster girl of Kerala’s adult literacy drive
Source: This post has been created based on the article “Remembering Karthyayani Amma: The poster girl of Kerala’s adult literacy drive” published in The Indian Express on 14th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education, Human Resources
News: This article discusses the state of female education in India and the inspiring story of Kerala’s Karthyayani Amma, who recently passed away.
In India’s adult literacy drive, Karthyayani Amma’s success in Kerala (her successful clearing of Class X exams) has continued to motivate individual aspiration and institutional support.
What is the state of female education in India?
Statistics show how, despite a surge in literacy among women in India since Independence, the “Gender Gap” in Education still persists.
According to the 2011 Census:
1) Adult literacy rate for women in rural areas is at 50.6% compared to 74.1% for men.
2) Similarly, it is 76.9% for women in urban areas, and 88.3% for men.
Over the years, one of the highest improvements in literacy rates has been among rural women, achieved through the implementation of adult literacy programmes. Kerala has been a role model in this.
In SC, questions of foetal viability and rights of unborn child
Contents
Source: This post has been created based on the article “In SC, questions of foetal viability and rights of unborn child” published in The Indian Express on 14th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
News: This article discusses India’s abortion laws and its criticisms. It highlights the recent Supreme Court case on abortion with reference to the foetus “viability test”.
The Supreme Court is hearing a married woman’s request to end her 26-week pregnancy. The case has travelled to two different Benches, raising crucial questions on the decisional autonomy of a woman to abort, and the legislative framework.
What is the case about?
A married woman, who already has two boys, argued that the pregnancy was unplanned. According to her, her family income is insufficient to support another child, and that she is under medication for post-partum depression.
Earlier, a 2-judge Bench allowed the termination of the pregnancy. The court reasoned that an unwanted pregnancy due to failure of contraceptive methods is the same as a forced pregnancy.
However, AIIMS, Delhi, wrote to the SC that it would need a directive on whether a foeticide can be done before termination since the foetus is “currently viable”.
Later, the case went before a 3-judge Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
What is the law on abortion?
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP Act) allows termination of pregnancy in 3 stages:
1) Termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks is allowed on the advice of 1 doctor.
2) If a pregnancy is 20-24 weeks, the right to seek abortion is determined by 2 registered medical practitioners as an exception, but only under certain categories.
MTP Act lists 7 categories of forced pregnancies, including statutory rape in case of minors or sexual assault; women with disabilities; or when there is a change in marital status of women during pregnancy.
3) After 24 weeks, a medical board must be set up in “approved facilities”, which may “allow or deny termination of pregnancy” only if there is substantial foetal abnormality.
What are the complications in this case?
The contentious issue in this case was that it is a 26-weeks pregnancy, beyond the permissible gestational limit prescribed in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 2021.
The court has allowed termination beyond 26 weeks in several cases. However, the difference in this case seems to be the marital status of the woman, which indicates that the conception is consensual and not a forced pregnancy in that sense.
However, in the case of a consensual relationship too, the court has allowed termination in the past.
The court cited “transformative constitutionalism” that promotes and engenders societal change, and said that “the law must remain cognizant of significant changes in family structures”.
What is the foetus “viability test”?
The landmark 1973 US Supreme Court verdict in Roe v Wade that made abortion a constitutional right allowed abortion up to the point of foetal viability, that is, the time after which a foetus can survive outside the womb.
Indian courts have read the MTP Act liberally, but the test of “foetal viability” as a benchmark to allow abortion is new in India.
What are the arguments in favour of allowing the abortion in this particular case?
1) This request was a matter of right over individual bodily autonomy, to exercise a reproductive choice, and seeking support from the State for safe abortion services. These demands have been endorsed by India in the 1994 Cairo Declaration on Population and Development.
2) CJI D Y Chandrachud’s observation in the 2022 Ms X case that “every pregnant woman has the intrinsic right to choose to undergo or not to undergo abortion without any consent or authorisation from a third party”, underscoring reproductive autonomy.
What is the criticism of India’s abortion laws?
1) The criticism of India’s law is that the decision to terminate after 20 weeks is shifted to doctors and not the woman.
2) There is also a need to balance between the “rights of a woman” when it comes to abortion, and the “rights of the unborn child”.
The Indian legal framework on reproductive rights tilts to the side of the woman’s autonomy more than towards the rights of the unborn child.
A war that ends the Saudi-Israel ‘normalisation’ process
Contents
Source: This post has been created based on the article “A war that ends the Saudi-Israel ‘normalisation’ process” published in The Hindu on 14th October 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
News: This article discusses the negative fallout of the recent Hamas attack on Israel on the normalization of bilateral relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The recent Hamas attack on Israel has firmly overturned Israeli efforts, supported by the United States, to promote a normalisation of relations with Arab states (especially Saudi Arabia) without considering the Palestinian issue.
The Gaza war has placed the Palestinian issue at the centre of West Asian politics.
What were the conditions demanded from USA by Saudi Arabia for normalization of relations?
The normalisation deal depended on 3 conditions that Saudi Arabia had placed before USA:
1) U.S. approval for a civilian nuclear programme that provides for uranium enrichment within the country.
2) U.S. security guarantee for the country.
3) Sales of advanced weapons.
In return, U.S. had insisted that Saudi Arabia back U.S. interests on oil prices, dilute its ties with China and deepen strategic engagement with the U.S.
What were the various concerns regarding Saudi Arabia’s demands?
1) Saudi Arabia’s credentials as an authoritarian state.
2) Possibility of Saudi Arabia developing its own nuclear programme.
3) Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record at home and in Yemen.
4) Concerns about Saudi insistence that arms supplies be accompanied by a transfer of technology to develop its arms industry.
Palestinian interests and concerns did not figure in these normalisation discussions.
What is the Iran angle?
There are arguments that Iran has instigated the Hamas attacks to block Saudi Arabia’s normalisation initiative with Israel.
However, this argument has little credibility.
This is because Saudi-Iran ties had already been normalised under Chinese mediation: embassies have been re-opened, high-level visits conducted and economic cooperation expanded.
What is Saudi Arabia’s changed foreign policy stance in the context of the Hamas attacks?
Saudi Arabia has recognised that peace and stability in the region are not possible without Palestinian interests being addressed.
Saudi Foreign Office mentioned the dangers of the explosion of the situation as a result of the occupation, the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights and the repetition of systematic provocations.
Lately, Saudi Arabia has been pursuing its foreign policy engagements in terms of its own interests, without any U.S. involvement. This reflects its assertion of strategic autonomy.
It rejected the U.S. interest in building an anti-China coalition globally and an anti-Iran cabal regionally. Also, it did not heed to U.S.’s wishes on oil prices or diluting its comprehensive strategic ties with China.
Promoting the Palestinian cause will now form an important part of this foreign policy approach.
Inquilab Forever- Who’s in charge, if everyone’s protesting?
Source: The post is based on the article “Inquilab Forever- Who’s in charge, if everyone’s protesting?” published in “The Times of India” on 14th October 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.
News: The article discusses Jadavpur University authorities protesting against their own students over disagreements on student representation, likening it to various leaders who have protested while in power.
What are the issues at Jadavpur University?
Issues at Jadavpur University:
Protests by Authorities: Unusually, the university’s leaders, including the acting vice-chancellor and several professors, are protesting against their own students. This is a unique situation where those in power are adopting protest tactics typically used by those they govern.
Representation Disagreement: The central issue is about student representation. Students demanded representation on the welfare board and the anti-ragging committee, but their request was denied by the authorities.
Authority Reaction: The university officials were not only unhappy with the students’ demands but were also aggrieved by the students’ “expression and behaviour”, which further intensified the conflict.
Leadership Vacuum: With both students and university authorities involved in protests, there’s uncertainty about who’s managing the institution and how decisions are being made.
India and Maldives ties: Despite China, bound by history and geography
Source: The post is based on the article “India and Maldives ties: Despite China, bound by history and geography” published in “Indian express” on 14th October 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- International relation- India and its neighbourhood- relations.
News: The article discusses the deep-rooted relationship between India and Maldives, highlighting the historical, economic, and strategic connections. It mentions challenges faced by Maldives like religious extremism and governance issues and emphasizes India’s consistent support.
How are the geographical and social aspects of Maldives characterized?
Geography:
Maldives consists of over 1,200 islands.
It covers 90,000 sq km, of which 99.6% is the sea.
India, its closest neighbour, is 70 nautical miles away.
Social Aspects:
Maldives boasts a high literacy rate of 98%.
The constitution permits only Sunni Muslims to be citizens.
The nation faces challenges like growing religious extremism, drug abuse, and patronage traditions.
There’s a concern about the increasing trend of religious extremism.
What is the significance of India and Maldives’ relationship?
Significance for India
Maritime Security: Maldives provides a strategic position against threats like piracy and terrorism on the high seas.
Economic Interaction: India has been a steadfast economic partner to Maldives. The State Bank of India has been pivotal in developing Maldives’ tourist economy and is the largest bank there.
Defensive Partnerships: Through defense cooperation, such as joint exercises like Ekuverin and Ekatha, India fortifies its regional stability and power.
Humanitarian Role: By being the first responder in crises, India fortifies a positive and protective image in the region.
Significance for Maldives
Resource Provider: India supplies Maldives with essential items, including food staples and construction materials, stabilizing the island nation’s resources.
Socioeconomic Support: Indian professionals, especially teachers and doctors, have a pivotal role in Maldivian society, contributing to education and health.
Security and Safety: India has proven to be a reliable ally in crises, such as coups and natural disasters, ensuring Maldives’ national security.
Economic Development: India invests in key infrastructural projects like the greater Male connectivity, promoting Maldives’ socio-economic growth and stability.
What might the future hold for India-Maldives relations?
New Leadership: Mohamed Muizzu, with a background in Western education, is the president designate.
Past Leadership’s Influence: Former President Yameen, noted for pro-China policies, is under house arrest, but his policies’ effects linger.
Political Dynamics: While elections bring promises, real-world governance could influence Muizzu away from drastic alterations in India-Maldives relations.
Historical Lessons: Past costly mistakes, like the $270 million payout in the 2012 “GMR out” campaign, underscore the importance of stable relations with India.
Methodology of Global Hunger Index has been rightly criticised. But conversation must go on
Source: The post is based on the article “Methodology of Global Hunger Index has been rightly criticised. But conversation must go on” published in Indian Express on 14th October 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
News: The article discusses India’s ranking and issues in the Global Hunger Index. It highlights government criticisms, the struggles with undernutrition, and challenges in implementing food security and nutrition policies, emphasizing the need for reliable data.
Why is India’s GHI ranking problematic?
India’s Rank: India is placed 111th out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI).
Government’s Objection: The Indian government strongly disagrees with the ranking and is upset about it.
Methodology Issues: The government points out that three out of four indicators in the GHI focus on children’s health, which may not reflect the whole population’s status.
Small Sample Size: The argument also includes criticism of the small sample size of 3,000 for determining the proportion of undernourished people, calling it non-representative.
Previous Rank: Notably, India has fallen four places from its rank in the previous year.
What are the challenges faced by India in addressing malnutrition?
Social Inequalities: Social disparities, particularly affecting marginalized communities, limit access to nutritional schemes and benefits.
Economic Inequalities: Economic barriers make it hard for poor people to access nutritious food and benefits from government schemes.
Gender Discrimination: Discrimination against women and girls often results in them having less access to necessary nutrition.
Incomplete Data: Lack of updated and complete data on household spending and consumption hampers the creation of effective policies.
Inadequate Diets: A high percentage of children (89% between 6-23 months) do not receive a minimum acceptable diet, indicating policy reach and effectiveness issues.
Widespread Anaemia: The persistence of anaemia across various demographic groups poses an additional health and nutrition challenge.
What should be done?
Address Criticisms: While the government criticizes the Global Hunger Index, acknowledging and addressing the persistent undernutrition issues is vital.
Focus on Micro-Nutrients: Scholars suggest moving beyond just calorie intake to also focus on vitamin and micro-nutrient deficiencies in diet policies.
Empower Women: Emphasizing women’s empowerment is essential as it significantly impacts household nutrition and health decisions.
Update Data: Current data on per capita household spending is over 10 years old; updating this data will facilitate better policy-making.
Make Data Public: The results of the Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CES) 2022-23 need to be made public to enhance transparency and understanding of household consumption.
Enhanced Implementation: Improved and more inclusive implementation of policies like Poshan 2.0 is necessary to effectively combat malnutrition and hunger.
Balancing policy- India must pressure Israel to act responsibly in the face of terror
Source: The post is based on the article “Balancing policy- India must pressure Israel to act responsibly in the face of terror” published in The Hindu on 14th October 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- International relation- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
News: The article discusses India’s response to a violent attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens. India’s Prime Minister expressed solidarity with Israel but also advised observing international humanitarian law. India maintains a careful stance, supporting both Israel and the Palestinian cause, while ensuring the safety of its citizens in the conflicted region.
How did India respond to Hamas’ attack on Israel?
Immediate Reaction to the Attack: Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India quickly expressed solidarity with Israel after Hamas’ attack, both through tweets and a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Citizen Safety Actions: India, concerned for its 18,000 citizens in Israel due to the conflict and retaliatory strikes, chartered flights to bring them home safely.
Formal Statement’s Stance: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement condemning Hamas’ violence but also reminded Israel of its obligation to adhere to international humanitarian law and expressed its consistent position on the Palestine issue.
How has India interacted with Israel and Palestine in the past?
Establishing Diplomatic Ties: India formed full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, but has also continuously supported the Palestinian cause.
Historical Visits and Interactions: In 2017, Prime Minister Modi visited Israel, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, and in 2018, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited India. Additionally, Modi was the first Indian Prime Minister to make an official visit to Palestine.
Taking a Stand in International Decisions: In 2017, India voted against the U.S. and Israel’s attempt to unilaterally declare Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, showcasing its balanced diplomatic stance.
What challenges does India face now?
Navigating Diplomatic Tensions: India has the difficult task of managing diplomatic relationships, showing solidarity with Israel after the Hamas attack while upholding its continuous support for the Palestinian cause.
Humanitarian and Legal Advocacy: The call from Israel for a mass evacuation of over a million residents from Gaza, coupled with its aggressive response to Hamas, positions India in a delicate situation of endorsing the importance of international humanitarian law amidst complex geopolitical dynamics.
Safeguarding Indian Citizens: Ensuring the safety and organized evacuation of 18,000 Indians in Israel amidst the conflict and the ongoing aggressive encounters between Israel and Hamas presents logistical and diplomatic hurdles.
GS PAPER - 3
The economic mosaic
Source: The post is based on the article “The economic mosaic” published in Business Standard on 14th October 2023.
Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy – Growth & Development
Relevance: Findings of the RBI survey on key economic sector
News: The RBI has recently conducted a survey of consumer and business opinions, offering insights beyond just growth and inflation figures.
What are the key findings of the survey?
Manufacturing Sector: The manufacturing sector lags the rest of the economy, and there’s no evidence of it growing faster. Capacity utilization in manufacturing is stuck in the low 70s, indicating a lack of investment in new manufacturing capacity that could boost economic growth.
Further, new orders for manufacturers have dropped significantly, with growth falling from 40% to almost zero in the past four quarters. However, despite this, the business expectations index is at its highest level since 2015-16.
Inflation: Consumer surveys show that people are still not very optimistic about the economy. Inflation is a major concern, with more than 80% saying that prices are rising faster.
Further, consumers are spending more on essentials and less on non-essentials. However, many people still remain hopeful about the future.
Employment: Employment has improved mainly due to more self-employed people, as the number of salaried jobs has dropped.
This indicates that those who can’t find regular or even part-time jobs are forced to become self-employed. If this is the case, then the improvement in employment numbers may be misleading.
Banking Sector: Bank lending has increased, with the most significant growth in retail and personal loans.
This may be because businesses have enough cash and don’t require loans, while consumers are confident about their future income and are borrowing to buy things like cars and houses.
However, the RBI has warned that this skewed lending pattern could be risky, as household debt is rising.
What is the way ahead?
The economy is moving forward at a steady growth rate of over 6%, which is positive when considering the global situation. However, there are no signs of rapid growth in the near future.
Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)
Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group welcomes Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission as a member
Source: The post is based on the article “Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group welcomes Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission as a member” published in “PIB” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has joined as a member of the Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group(PDG).
IPC officially joined as a member of PDG at the PDG’s Annual Meeting in Hyderabad.
What is the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission(IPC)?
What is Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group(PDG)?
PDG was established in 1989 by the European Union(EU), Japan and United States Pharmacopeial Convention.
The World Health Organization joined it as an observer in 2001.
Objective: To reduce the challenges faced by drug manufacturers who have to conduct tests differently and meet various quality standards to comply with drug regulations that vary from country to country.
What are the benefits of the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission joining Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group(PDG)?
Enhances the international visibility and recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia.
Leads to the production of high-quality pharmaceutical products that meet global standards benefiting both domestic and export markets.
Will enable the Indian Pharmacopoeia commission to collaborate and align pharmacopoeial standards with major international regulatory authorities.
Helps improve the acceptance of Indian medicinal products in global markets.
Helps reduce trade barriers and facilitate the global trade of pharmaceutical products.
‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’ launched in Tamil Nadu
Source: The post is based on the article “Project Nilgiri Tahr launched in Tamil Nadu” published in “The Hindu” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
Tamil Nadu has launched ‘Project Nilgiri Tahr’.
What is Project Nilgiri Tahr?
Launched by: Tamil Nadu
Objectives: 1) To develop better understanding of Nilgiri Tahr population, distribution and ecology 2) To re-introduce Nilgiri Tahr to their historic habitats 3)To address the threats to Nilgiri Tahr and 4) To increase awareness among public about the Nilgiri Tahr.
Activities under the project: The project will involve doing surveys every six months, keeping track of Nilgiri Tahr, helping sick ones, training support to staff and restoration of Shola grassland where Nilgiri Tahr survives.
What is Nilgiri Tahr?
Nilgiri Tahr is an ungulate endemic to the Western Ghats.
It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India amongst the 12 species present in India.
It is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
They are known for their gravity defying skills in climbing steep cliffs.Thats why they are called “Mountain Monarch”.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Wildlife (Protection) Act of India,1972: Schedule I
Significance: There are multiple references to Nilgiri Tahr in the Sangam Tamil literature. Two epics — Silappathikaram and Sivakasindamani — mention descriptions of the Nilgiri Tahr and its habitat.
The play, Courtallar Kuravanji written by Trikoodarasappa Kavirayar in 1600-1700 A.D. describes Nilgiri Tahr in a song “Kurathi malai valam kooral”.
The late Mesolithic (10,000-4,000 BC) paintings also highlight the significance of the Tahr in folklore, culture and life.
UN General Assembly elects 15 new members to Human Rights Council
Source: The post is based on the article “UN General Assembly elects 15 new members to Human Rights Council” published in “UN” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
The UN General Assembly has elected 15 new countries to serve on the Human Rights Council.
What is the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC)?
United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC) is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system.
Created in: 2006 to replace the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
Mandate: It is responsible for 1) strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and 2) addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them.
Members: It is composed of 47 member states elected by the United Nations General Assembly.
– The term of each seat is three years, and no member may occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms.
– The seats are distributed along the following lines: a) 13 for the African Group b) 13 for the Asia-Pacific Group c) 6 for the Eastern European Group d) 8 for the Latin American and Caribbean Group e) 7 for the Western European and Others Group.
Universal Periodic Review (UPR): It is a unique mechanism within the UNHRC designed to assess and review the human rights records of all United Nations member states.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
Seven MeitY AI Working Groups submit first edition of IndiaAI Report
Source: The post is based on the article “Seven MeitY AI Working Groups submit first edition of IndiaAI Report” published in “PIB” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
Seven working groups of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have released the first edition of IndiaAI report.
What is IndiaAI?
IndiaAI is the National AI Portal of India.
Launched in: 2020
Launched by: It is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, National e-Governance Division, and NASSCOM.
Key Features: The portal serves as a hub for AI-related knowledge, research, and collaboration.
– It provides news, articles and information about AI and provides insights into the global and Indian AI landscape.
– It also offers resources and career guidance for students, entrepreneurs, professionals and executives interested in AI.
What are the key recommendations given by IndiaAI report? The report suggests using public-private partnerships to:
1) produce semiconductors for AI purposes.
2) create GPU clusters, which are essential for AI applications and make them accessible to Indian startups and researchers.
What is the Global India AI Summit?
To be organized by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Purpose: The summit will discuss various topics related to artificial intelligence (AI), such as next-gen learning, AI applications in areas like governance, healthcare, and electric vehicles, future AI research, AI computing, investment opportunities and developing AI talent.
Indian Railways’ PSUs, RITES Ltd and IRCON granted Navratna status
Source: The post is based on the article “Indian Railways’ PSUs, RITES Ltd and IRCON granted Navratna status” published in “PIB” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
Ircon International Limited (IRCON) and RITES Ltd(RITES) have been announced as 15th and 16th Navratna respectively.
These are both Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Railways.
What is Navratna Status?
The Government of India had introduced the ‘Navratna’ status in 1997.
Aim: To identify Central Public Sector Enterprises(CPSEs) that had comparative advantages and to support them in their drive to become global giants.
Criteria: CPSEs fulfilling the following criteria are eligible to be considered for grant of Navaratna status:
– Having Schedule ‘A’ and Miniratna Category-1 status.
– Having obtained an ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ MOU rating in three of the last five years.
– Having a composite score of 60 or above in six selected performance indicators such as Net Profit to Net worth, Manpower Cost to total Cost of Production, Earning Per Share among others.
Benefits of Getting Navratna Status:
– Financial independence to invest up to ₹1,000 crore without seeking approval from the central government.
– Can invest up to 15% of their net worth on a single project or 30% of their net worth in a given year, subject to a cap of ₹1,000 crore.
Navratna CPSEs: 1) Bharat Electronics Limited 2) Container Corporation of India Limited 3) Engineers India Limited 4) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited 5) Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited 6) National Aluminium Company Limited 7) NBCC (India) Limited 8) NMDC Limited 9) NLC India Limited 10) Oil India Limited 11) Power Finance Corporation Limited 12) Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited 13) Rural Electrification Corporation Limited 14) Shipping Corporation of India Limited 15) Ircon International Limited (IRCON) and 16) RITES Ltd(RITES).
What is Maharatna Status?
RISE Initiative: World Bank and Japan collaborate to boost mineral investments and clean energy jobs for developing countries
Source: The post is based on the article “RISE Initiative: World Bank and Japan collaborate to boost mineral investments and clean energy jobs for developing countries” published in “The Print” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
The World Bank has partnered with several countries to launch the Resilient and Inclusive Supply-chain Enhancement(RISE) initiative.
What is the RISE Initiative?
Launched by: World Bank in partnership with Japan, Italy, Republic of Korea, Canada and United Kingdom
Aim: To deal with two important problems: creating jobs and addressing climate change.
Focus: The initiative will focus on assisting emerging markets and developing countries in expanding their clean-energy production and increasing their involvement in the minerals industry.
– This effort is expected to stimulate economic growth and generate quality local jobs, ultimately contributing to poverty alleviation.
Funding: The initiative has received substantial financial support from Japan, Canada, Italy, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom
ImmunoACT’s cell therapy to treat blood cancer gets CDSCO nod
Source: The post is based on the article “ImmunoACT’s cell therapy to treat blood cancer gets CDSCO nod” published in “The Hindu” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy Private Limited (Immune ACT) has received Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation(CDSCO) approval for the ‘first’ humanized Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy named NexCAR19.
Note: ImmunoACT is an IIT Bombay incubated company.
What is NexCAR19?
NexCAR19 is an indigenously developed CAR-T cell therapy.
Developed by: IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Centre.
The therapy has been approved for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphomas and leukemia.
What is CAR-T cell therapy?
Source: TOI
CAR T-cell therapy, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy is a major breakthrough in cancer treatment.
Unlike chemotherapy which involves taking drugs, CAR T-cell therapies use a patient’s own cells.They are modified in the laboratory to activate T-cells and target tumor cells.
Currently, this therapy is offered as a second-line treatment for late-stage leukaemia and lymphoma when patients do not respond to conventional treatments like chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants or experience relapsed cancer.
How does CART-T cell therapy work?
First, a patient’s T cells are extracted from their blood.The extracted T cells are then genetically modified in a laboratory.
Scientists then introduce a synthetic gene into the T cells, which encodes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).This receptor is designed to target a specific protein or antigen found on the surface of cancer cells.
After genetic modification, the T cells are cultured and allowed to multiply to create a larger population of these modified cells.
Once a sufficient number of CAR T cells have been generated, they are infused back into the patient’s bloodstream.The CAR T cells then circulate throughout the body, seeking out and binding to the cancer cells with the targeted antigen.
When the CAR T cells encounter cancer cells with the specific antigen, they become activated and attack the cancer cells.This immune response can lead to the destruction of the cancer cells.
Minister of Electronics releases draft National Strategy on Robotics for public consultation
Source: The post is based on the article “Minister of Electronics releases draft National Strategy on Robotics for public consultation” published in “PIB” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released the Draft National Strategy on Robotics.
What is the Draft National Strategy on Robotics?
Aim: To harness the potential of robotic technology and support its development to make India a global leader in robotics.
Objectives: To make India a global robotics leader by 2030.
– To build upon the mandates of the Make in India 2.0 plans which identified robotics as one of the 27 sub-sectors to further enhance India’s integration in the global value chain.
Core sectors: The strategy has identified 1) manufacturing 2) agriculture 3) healthcare and 4) national security as the four core sectors to prioritize robotics automation.
Implementation: The National Strategy on Robotics is proposed to be undertaken as the ‘National Robotics Mission’.
– This mission will be implemented through the establishment of the Robotics Innovation Unit(RIU) as an institutional framework under IndiaAI.
Recommendations: Create Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for research in robotics.
– Promote private sector participation in key robotic sectors.
– Support startups, utilize research capabilities in universities and establish dedicated zones for robotics industries.
– Fiscal interventions to facilitate local manufacturing of robotics hardware.
– Initially, the government should be a major buyer of Indian-made robotic systems.This can be done through a Public Procurement Policy for Robotics which encourages local production by favoring suppliers with a minimum domestic content requirement.
Challenges in India’s robotics sector:
– India relies heavily on importing robotics components, mainly from China and Japan.
– The cost of robotics hardware components is high.
– Insufficient investments in research and development hinder progress.
– Absence of dedicated legislation for robotics or allied technologies such as artificial intelligence.
ICRISAT joins One CGIAR global initiative
Source: The post is based on the article “ICRISAT joins One CGIAR global initiative” published in “Hindu Businessline” on 12th October 2023
What is the News?
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has joined the One CGIAR integrated partnership.
This partnership involves the CGIAR System Organization and 12 One CGIAR research centres (including ICRISAT).
The aim behind this partnership is to work together to address climate-related challenges in food, land and water systems.
What is CGIAR (Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres)?
CGIAR was established in 1971.It is a network of publicly-funded agri-food systems research centres.
Aim: To reduce rural poverty, increase food security, improve human health and nutrition, and sustainable management of natural resources.
Members: It consists of 15 international agricultural research institutes.
What is the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)?
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization founded in 1972.Its charter was signed by the FAO and the UNDP.
Aim: To conduct agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
ICRISAT holds a special status as a UN organization in India.This makes it eligible for special immunities and tax privileges.
Headquarters: Patancheru, Hyderabad
– It also has regional centers in Mali and Kenya and research stations in several African countries.
Recognition: ICRISAT has been awarded the 2021 Africa Food Prize, for work that has improved food security across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Notification issued for Green Credit Program (GCP) and Ecomark scheme Under LiFE Initiative
Source: The post is based on the article “Notification issued for Green Credit Program (GCP) and Ecomark scheme Under LiFE Initiative” published in “PIB” on 14th October 2023
What is the News?
Government of India has notified two initiatives Green Credit Programme(GCP) and Ecomark scheme.
What is the Green Credit Programme(GCP)?
Green Credit Programme(GCP) is a market-based mechanism that aims to incentivize voluntary environmental actions by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries and companies.
Features of the programme: The program focuses on two key activities: water conservation and afforestation.
– These activities can earn green credits certificates.
– The certificates can be traded – that is, bought and sold – on a trading platform.
– To obtain these Green Credits, individuals and entities must register their actions through the government’s website. The Administrator verifies the activities and will then grant a Green Credit certificate.
Implementing and Monitoring Agency: The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)
What is Ecomark Scheme?
Ecomark Scheme provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms.
Products accredited under this scheme will adhere to specific environmental criteria ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Administered by: Central Pollution Control Board in partnership with Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS).
Significance: Will build consumer awareness of environmental issues and encourage eco-conscious choices.
– Motivates manufacturers to shift towards environmentally friendly production.