{"id":77212,"date":"2021-01-16T21:00:17","date_gmt":"2021-01-16T15:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=77212"},"modified":"2021-01-16T20:01:02","modified_gmt":"2021-01-16T14:31:02","slug":"9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-january-16-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-january-16-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 January 16, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Good evening dear reader<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Here is our 9pm current affairs brief for you today<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\r\n<p><strong>About 9 PM Brief<\/strong>- With the <span style=\"color: #000000;\">9 PM Daily Current affairs for UPSC brief we intend<\/span> to simplify the newspaper reading experience. In 9PM briefs, we provide our reader with a summary of all the important articles and editorials from three important newspapers namely The Hindu, Indian Express, and Livemint. This will provide you with analysis, broad coverage, and factual information from a Mains examination point of view.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>About Factly<\/strong>- The Factly initiative covers all the daily news articles regarding Preliminary examination. This will be provided at the end of the 9 PM Brief.<\/p>\r\n<p>Dear Aspirants,<\/p>\r\n<p>We know for a fact that learning without evaluation is a wasted effort. Therefore, we request you to please go through both our initiatives i.e 9PM Briefs and Factly, then evaluate yourself through the 10PM Current Affairs Quiz.<\/p>\r\n<p>We plan to integrate all our free daily initiatives to comprehensively support your success journey.<br \/><strong>Happy Learning!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>GS Paper -1<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>HC Ruling on the special marriage act<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>GS Paper -2<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Issues in Standardisation of research<\/li>\n<li>6th meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission<\/li>\n<li>Importance of nutritional security to improve immunity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>GS Paper &#8211; 3<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW247529545\" lang=\"EN-IN\" xml:lang=\"EN-IN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW247529545\">Why caution is required in formation of Bank Investment Company (BIC)?<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 23px; font-weight: 900;\">9 PM for Preliminary examination<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<h4><a href=\"#note1\">\u00a0 FACTLY<\/a><\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"note1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ruling under the special marriage act<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/Home\/ShareArticle?OrgId=GUT862KHJ.1&amp;imageview=0\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Click here<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Syllabus:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GS<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a01<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Interfaith couples now have the option to not give public<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0notice<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">under Special Marriage Act<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. This comes as<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">sigh of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">relief\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for them.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Introduction\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he Allahabad High Court ordered that those people<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0marrying under the Special Marriage Act, 1954,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">can choose not to publicize their union w<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ith\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a\u00a030 days<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0advance<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0notice<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Earlier, under section 5 of the special marriage act, the couple had to give notice to the marriage officer and the officer had to publicise it and call for objections under sections 6 and 7 of the act.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Read more\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/allahabad-hc-judgment-on-special-marriage-act-2\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Importance of Allahabad HC judgment on Special Marriage Act (forumias.com)<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Important points from the judgment\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The marriage officer can make the marriage official<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">if a couple gives it in writing that they do not want the notice publicised<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he Act\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">understanding<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and interpretation should be in a way\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">that<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> upholds fundamental rights and\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">not violate them<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Laws should not invade liberty and privacy,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u201cincluding within its sphere freedom to choose for marriage without interference from state and non-state actors, of the persons concerned\u201d.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How would it impact the present anti-conversion ordinances?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">R<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">emarks on \u2018state and non-state actors\u2019\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">made by justice\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Chaudhary<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">will\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">certainly<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">have an impact on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020, that\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">intends to target<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0inter-faith marriages.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The new ordinance\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">states<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">conversion of religion for marriage to be unlawful<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. It<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">orders<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0a 60-day notice to the District Magistrate and also requires the Magistrate to conduct a police inquiry to find out the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">categorical<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0reason for the conversion of religion.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The law was e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nacted\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">November<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a02020<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">since then\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">here have been 54 arrests by the U.P. police.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The HC ruling can now be quoted all over India to prevent public notices under the Special Marriage Act.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Way forward<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inter-faith couples will hope that when the Supreme Court hears\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">appeals<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on the U.P. conve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rsion law, it will take inspiration from progressive verdicts, like<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the 2017\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Aadhaar<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0ruling, on the right to privacy as a basic right, and the 2018 judgment on\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hadiya<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, upholding the student\u2019s right to choose a partner, a Muslim man in Kerala, as essential freedom.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"note1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Issues in\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Standardisation of research\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/scihub-libgen-legal-action-journals-ugc-7148087\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Indian Express<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">G<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S &#8211;\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector\/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis:\u00a0 Standardisation of research<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0based on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the basis of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">standards in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">European institutions is harmful to the very essence of research, particularly for subjects like social sciences and humanities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why standardization of research is harmful to research practices?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The recent case of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Elsevier, Wiley, and ACS<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> filing lawsuits against pirate websites such as\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Scihub<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Libgen<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0which allows access to millions of research papers can help us understand the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">issue of control and governance over knowledge in academia<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">issue is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0applying \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">global\u201d standards\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">based on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the practices of American and European institutions<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to higher education in the global south as well<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This system has many issues<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Such\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Precise point-based measurements\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">knowledge production<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is often incompatible with the educational systems in countries like India.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Moreover, there is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">no clarity of the relevance of such knowledge in societies, even in Europe and America.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Second<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, in an Indian context, the UGC mandated \u201cstandardisation\u201d process has particularly impacted social sciences and humanities research in Indian universities. <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In India, UGC has been the regulatory body responsible for maintaining standards in higher education.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The UGC\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is using an objective criterion to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0evaluate institutions<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. It is creating many issues;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nstitutional funding\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has been linked to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ranking and accreditation systems like NAAC and NIRF.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In faculty research, Universities are being ranked\u00a0based on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0citations in global journal databases like\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">SCOPUS<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Moreo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ver,\u00a0ranking of universities based on\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">citations fails<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to distinguish between the various disciplines<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0like\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">STEM\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(science, technology, engineering and management)\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and social sciences<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For example,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">STEM disciplines<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, research is often highly\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">objective and quantified<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and conclusions can be published more easily as reports<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he same in the case of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">social sciences and humanities<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0research is difficult as it is subjective,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">analytical and argumentative<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">i<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mpact<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0research in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">social sciences and humanities<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0by\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">devaluing books as authentic forms of research<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">as,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">social science\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">disciplines like history, sociology, politic<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s researchers are more confined to writing books rather that publishing articles in journals.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Third,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">issue of Peer review<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is affecting scholars research in the following ways,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Since the continuo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">u<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s publication of research has been linked to the growth of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Teachers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They spent less time in<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pedagogy and research<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0most\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">time<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">o<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0getting the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ir articles p<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ublished<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A large surplus of articles <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0surfaced\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">on the same topic due to that,\u00a0competing with each other for citations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Moreover, the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Peer review process<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0itself is subjective and depends upon the knowledge<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0inclination<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of the particular reviewer.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For example, there are many instances where the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">same article received\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">two opposite reviews.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fourth,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the issue of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ghettoization of research<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in journal databases<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. The<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">paid subscription<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0makes\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">research inaccessible for students<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in universities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This has made\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">access to knowledge inequitable<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0by favouring the elite institutions and their Students.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This has also led to the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">growth of Pirate websites<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0such\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">as\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Libgen<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Scihub<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the way forward?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cRegulating\u201d research needs to be replaced with \u201cfacilitating\u201d research.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Regulations without facilitation will merely bureaucratize the governance of knowledge without generating any pathbreaking research<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Second,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to improve the research potential of teachers and to raise the Indian education standards to global levels<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the following issues impacting scholars research must be resolved.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Uncertainty in employment.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Longer teaching hours accompanied by a dismal student-teacher ratio.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lack of career break, research, and travel grants.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lack of access to research facilities and office space.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Decreasing expenditure on public institutions, including education.<\/span><br \/>\n<hr \/>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"note1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">6th meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/Home\/ShareArticle?OrgId=G5B862MFM.1&amp;imageview=0\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Hindu<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">G<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S-<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2: India and its\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Neighbourhood<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; Relations<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nepal\u2019s Foreign Minister\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">co-chaired<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> the 6th meeting o<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Nepal-India Joint Commission<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Background:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recently, Nepal\u2019s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali took a three-day visit to India to attend the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">6th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Following\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0meeting<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Nepal\u2019s Foreign Minister delivered the speech\u00a0at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on \u201cNepal-India Relations\u201d.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the recent developments that have taken place in the meeting?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During the visit both sides, India and Nepal discussed the entire bilateral relations, including <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">COVID-19 cooperation<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">border management<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. However, the issue of border dispute was not discussed.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">during the Joint Commission meeting, Nepal has raised the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kalapani<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0boundary dispute with India.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But no discussions were carried from India\u2019s side.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But this holds significance because for two reasons,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">this is the first time that the Foreign Minister of Nepal has presented the boundary dispute to India since the issue erupted in November\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2019<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Two,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the observations\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">from<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> the meeting<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> about the border dispute reveal a slight\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">positive\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">change in Nepal\u2019s articulation of the dispute.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Second,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0they also took up Kathmandu\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">vaccine\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">requirement<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to fight the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">COVID-19 pandemic<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Kathmandu approved Serum Institute of India\u2019s (SII)\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Covishield<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0vaccine.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dia<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0assured that the requirements of Nepal would be prioritised after the roll-out of vaccines.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Third<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Indi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0raised the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">issue of \u201csubmission\u201d<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of the report on the \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">review of the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d which is yet to be submitted by\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Eminent Persons Group (EPG)\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">constituted by<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mr. Oli in 2016 to the Indian Prime Minister.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finally, they\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reviewed the development partnership<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0between both sides.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While both sides welcomed the commencement of construction of the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">third\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Integrated Check Posts (<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ICP<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">)<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nepalgunj, they also discussed the benefit of the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(ICP)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0at\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Birgunj<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and Biratnagar.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"&quot;Courier New&quot;\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As a developmental aid, India also conveyed that it would build two\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cultural heritage projects<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in Nepal on the \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pashupatinath\u00a0Riverfront Development\u2019<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and the \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bhandarkhal\u00a0Garden Restoration<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in Patan Durbar\u2019\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">through grant assistance.<\/span><\/b><br \/>\n<hr \/>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"note1\">Importance of nutritional security to improve immunity<\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/covid-vaccine-immunity-coronavirus-cases-nutrition-7148073\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Indian Express<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gs2: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector\/Services relating to Health<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There is a strong\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">case<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to provide\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nutrition sufficiency<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0among citizens to increase immunity against infections.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why we need to provide nutrition sufficiency?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The need for adequate nutrition is\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">summarized<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as follows,<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> the strength and duration of the vaccine response do not depend entirely on the vaccine, it also depends on age, nutritional status, and existing health condition among the persons receiving the vaccines.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Second,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nutrition is an important influencer of both natural immunity and adaptive immunity<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Ignoring the nutrition aspect will lead to <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">neglect of nutrition in public health policies.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"9\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Third,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the body&#8217;s reaction to vaccination depends on nutritional status. For example, diets having high levels of <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ultra-processed foods\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">may incite high levels of inflammations in the body, and also, they adversely affect the composition of <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">healthy biomes in our gut<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> thereby adversely affecting our immunity.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"10\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fourth,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0even studies from various vaccination drives such as cholera, Rota virus have shown that specific nutrition\u2019s are vital for our immunity. For example,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Zinc, selenium, vitamin E<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> can enhance natural immunity.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fifth,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Recent studies have shown that even<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0cellular immunity<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is influenced by nutrition. For example,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Studies from Japan tested with mice states that nutritional state is important for preventing the infectious disease from vaccination<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Similarly, a study from France revealed that elderly persons who have received Zinc, selenium supplements were able to develop more antibodies and fewer respiratory infections compared to others who didn\u2019t receive Zinc, selenium supplements.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What needs to be done to achieve nutritional security?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"12\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">we can think of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">providing nutrition counseling during <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mass\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">immunization<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Programme<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Enabling people to consume nutritional food will enhance their immunity levels and help to build a robust immune response.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"13\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Second,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">we need to\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reconsider our agricultural priorities<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and need to reshape our food systems.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For this, we need to <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">replace processed foods and cereal stripped of\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fibre<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> foods with pulses, millets, vegetables, nuts, and fish<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"14\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Third,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> we need to plan effective strategies for mitigating the adversities of climate change. For example, a recent study from Columbia has found that <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">climate change can negatively impact the nutritional quality of staples <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">resulting in an increase in zinc-deficiency, protein-deficiency, and iron deficiency.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"15\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Diversification of crops by\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">replacing rice cultivation partly with sorghum, millets\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">can improve\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nutritional food security in India<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0along with enhancing Indi\u2019s climate resilience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u00b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"16\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fourth,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ultra-processed foods<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> can be regulated and taxed to improve their production, promotion, and consumption.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India needs to think on a\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nutritional strategy<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that makes consumption of nutritional foods available and affordable which can enable people for consuming\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">balanced diet<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that promotes good growth and good health. The above steps not only will increase nutritional security but also\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reduces the risk of Zoonotic infections like Covid 19<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:257}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"note1\"><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW247529545\" lang=\"EN-IN\" xml:lang=\"EN-IN\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW247529545\">Why caution is required in formation of Bank Investment Company (BIC)?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/union-budget-2021-psb-privatisation-7148097\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">click here<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Syllabus:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GS<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a03<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amid to requirement for bank-led growth to deal with a pandemic induced slowdown, government is facing the chall<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">enges of infusion of capital in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NPA ridden\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PSBs<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Government is looking to form BIC <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to handle its investment<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in PSBs. But a clear strategy is require<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d in its constitution to save\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">BIC<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0from ineffectiveness.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">About Bank Investment Company (BIC)<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">BIC is envisaged to become a holding company for government\u2019s share in PSBs.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s formation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0will ultimately transform all PSBs<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0into\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">BICs\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0subsidiaries.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why government is looking to looking to form Bank Investment Company (BIC)?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As government is focussing on bank-led growth strategy,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Public\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ector\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">anks<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(PSBs<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">have\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a challenge\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to manage their\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">balance sheet due to increasing NPAs.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But government is hesitant in assisting PSBs by capital infusion this time, because<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Despite, capital infusion of nearly Rs 3.1 lakh crore from 2015-16 to 2019-20, PSBs have underperformed.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Their gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) is projected to increase to 16.2 per cent.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thus, as per few reports&#8217; government is planning to form\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bank Investment Company (BIC) to consolidate government shareholding in PSBs.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">About Bank Investment Company (BIC)<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">P J Nayak Committee (formed in 2014 by RBI) Proposed formation of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bank Investment Company (BIC).\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Committee was tasked with analysing the governance at public and private sector banks.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It analysed that recapitalisation will only incur\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fiscal costs without any return. Thus,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">government can either opt for privatisation or complete\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">reformation of bank governance<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In case of complete reformation of bank governance, a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3-step<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0process is suggested:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Government to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">disassociate<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0from operations, management and governance of PSBs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reconstitution of PSB board on professional lines<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Transformation of BICs from an owner to an investor with an aim to protect the government\u2019s financial investment in the banks by raising the returns<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thus, BIC proposal is a right step towards PSB reforms.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0However, caution is required in formation of BIC as well.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Suggestion for BIC formation<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Firstly,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">BIC\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">will need to be allowed to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">bring in<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">essential<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0talent and expertise, and op<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">erate with freedom.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the absence of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">freedom,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0it will result into another reform like Banks Board Bureau (BBB);<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">BBB which was tasked with\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">appointments and strategic decisions for PSBs is no<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0more<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">indepe<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ndent after inclusion of representatives from the RBI and the government<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Secondly, the<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">goals<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of the BIC\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">should be clear<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. If capital\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">raising<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is one of the goals,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0need to maintain a proper portfolio\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">relatively<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0better perfor<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ming and non-performing banks\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to attract investments<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RBI also raised its reservation regarding BIC\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">structure<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, as investors might face challenges in assessing relative risks, returns and performance of the banks.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Way forward<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is important that government deal with the challenges in formation of BICs in advance. Otherwise, privatisation can also be considered by repeal of the Bank Nationalisation Acts and the State Bank of India Act.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"note1\">9 PM for Preliminary examination<\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"note1\"><\/a>Click on \u201cFactly articles for January 16, 2021<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"W9YIfXQt2b\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/factly-news-articles-for-upsc-prelims-jan-162021\/\">Factly :-News Articles For UPSC Prelims | Jan 16,2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Factly :-News Articles For UPSC Prelims | Jan 16,2021&#8221; &#8212; Free UPSC IAS Preparation For Aspirants\" src=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/factly-news-articles-for-upsc-prelims-jan-162021\/embed\/#?secret=GXH9iXErDh#?secret=W9YIfXQt2b\" data-secret=\"W9YIfXQt2b\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Good evening dear reader Here is our 9pm current affairs brief for you today GS Paper -1 HC Ruling on the special marriage act GS Paper -2 Issues in Standardisation of research 6th meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission Importance of nutritional security to improve immunity GS Paper &#8211; 3 Why caution is required in formation&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-january-16-2021\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 January 16, 2021<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":75337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,1540],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-brief","category-daily-current-affairs-for-upsc","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/website-banners-9-PM-DAILY-BRIEF-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1704942018},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77212"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77212\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}