ILearnCANA - July Vol 2

2021
VOL2
|
Dear Aspirants
Team iLearn IAS is proud to present our weekly current affairs magazine.
Keeping in tune with the dynamic demands of the civil service examination, we
bring to aspirants on-going topics that are of relevance, particularly for the
mains exam.
The objective of this magazine is to make the aspirants exam ready in an

exhaustive list of topics. To this end, we provide detailed background notes on
the topics followed by an in-depth analysis of the issues, covering aspects such
as institutional mechanisms, policies, policy gaps, areas of focus, reforms
needed, suggestions and way forward.
We have also included all relevant Prelims topics from the past week.
In order to help the aspirants in monitoring their preparation, we have

included probable question that can be expected for the mains and Prelims
examination. You may also visit our integrated current affairs platform
www.ilearncana.com for your current affairs preparation.
We wish you all the very best and welcome you on board in our endeavors.
Happy Learning!
Team iLearn
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INDIA AND CYBER SECURITY ......................................................................................... 4
1.1 WHY IN NEWS? ................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 SYLLABUS: ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.3 PRACTICE QUESTION:....................................................................................................... 4
1.4 ANALYSIS: ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 16
2. E-COMMERCE REGULATION IN INDIA .......................................................................... 17
2.1 WHY IN NEWS? .............................................................................................................. 17
2.2 SYLLABUS: ...................................................................................................................... 17
2.3 PRACTICE QUESTION:..................................................................................................... 17
2.4 ANALYSIS: ....................................................................................................................... 17
2.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 27
3. FREEDOM OF PRESS IN INDIA ..................................................................................... 28
3.1 WHY IN NEWS? .............................................................................................................. 28
3.2 SYLLABUS: ...................................................................................................................... 28
3.4 ANALYSIS: ....................................................................................................................... 28
3.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 32
4. GROUND WATER CRISIS IN INDIA ................................................................................ 33
4.1 WHY IN NEWS? .............................................................................................................. 33
4.2 SYLLABUS: ...................................................................................................................... 33
4.4 ANALYSIS: ....................................................................................................................... 33
4.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 42
5. COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT & MINISTRY OF COOPERATION ........................................ 43
5.1 WHY IN NEWS? .............................................................................................................. 43
5.2 SYLLABUS: ...................................................................................................................... 43
5.4 ANALYSIS: ....................................................................................................................... 43
5.5. iTips: .............................................................................................................................. 50
WEEKLY PRELIMS COMPILATION..................................................................................... 51
Places in news and Geography ........................................................................................ 52
PANGONG TSO ..................................................................................................................... 52
Art and Culture and History ............................................................................................ 53
Bonalu .................................................................................................................................. 53
1st Floor, Mullassery Towers Visit: www.ilearncana.com|2

Vanross Jn., Trivandrum Contact: 808 9166 792
Bhalia Wheat ........................................................................................................................ 54
Polity ............................................................................................................................. 54
Central Information Commission ......................................................................................... 54
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) ............................................................................ 56
International Relations ................................................................................................... 58
OPEC ..................................................................................................................................... 58
Asian Development Bank ..................................................................................................... 59
Belt and Road Initiative ........................................................................................................ 60
Economics ...................................................................................................................... 62
Anti-dumping Duty............................................................................................................... 62
India Post Payments Bank .................................................................................................... 63
Chardham Highway project ................................................................................................. 64
Science and Technology .................................................................................................. 65
Laser ..................................................................................................................................... 65
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ........................................................................................ 67
Malaria ................................................................................................................................. 68
Environment and Ecology ............................................................................................... 69
Biological Diversity Act, 2002 ............................................................................................... 69
Wildlife Protection Act ......................................................................................................... 71
Schemes ......................................................................................................................... 72
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana ................................................................................. 72
Terms recently in news ................................................................................................... 74

1. INDIA AND CYBER SECURITY
1.1 WHY IN NEWS?
India has made it to the top 10 in Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020 by
International Telecommunication Union, moving up 37 places from the previous ranking.
1.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 3: Basics of cyber security
1.3 PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. Examine the causes of rising cybercrimes in India. What measures have the government
taken to enhance India’s cybersecurity?
1.4 ANALYSIS:
CYBER SECURITY:
• Cyber security involves the techniques of protecting computers, networks, programs
and data from unauthorized access or attacks that are aimed for exploitation.
• The concept includes guidelines, policies, safeguards, technologies, tools and training
to provide the best protection for the cyber environment and its users.
Network The practice of securing a computer network from

security intrusions
Application Focuses on keeping software and devices free of

security threats
Cyber Information Protects the integrity and privacy of data, both in

security security storage and in transit
Operational Includes processes and decisions for handling and

security protecting data
Developing recovery strategies in case of a disaster,
Disaster
to resume normal business operations as quickly as
recovery
possible
CYBERATTACK:
• Cyberattack can be defined as any act that compromises the security expectations of
an individual, organization, or nation in its cyber space.
TYPES OF CYBER ATTACKS:
Based on perpetrators and their motives, Cyber threats can be categorized into:
1. Cyber Espionage:
• Refers to the use of computer networks to gain illicit access to confidential
information, typically that held by a government or other organization.

• The 2019 cyber-attack on Kudankulam nuclear power plant using a data
extraction malware falls under this category.
2. Cyber Crime:
• Cybercrime is any criminal activity that involves a computer, networked
device or a network.
• Most cybercrimes are carried out in order to generate profit for the
cybercriminals. However, some cybercrimes are carried out against
computers or devices directly to damage or disable them, to spread malware,
illegal information, images or other materials. Some cybercrimes do both.
3. Cyber Terrorism:
• It is the convergence of terrorism and cyber space. It refers to unlawful
attacks and threats of attacks against computers, networks and information
stored to intimidate or coerce a government or its people in furtherance of
political or social objectives.
• They are offensive maneuvers that targets computer information systems,
infrastructures or computer networks, with an intention to damage or
destroy targeted computer network or system.
4. Cyber Warfare:
• Though there is no proper definition, it may be defined as actions by a
nation-state or its proxies to penetrate another nation’s computers or
networks for the purposes of espionage, causing damage or disruption.
• It is perceived to be the fifth domain of warfare.

TYPES OF CYBERCRIMES:
1. Hacking: It is the unauthorized accessing of a computer device or a computer
network. Those who engage in the activity are called hackers.
2. Cyber stalking: It is the use of various online platforms as well as other electronic
devices to stalk, harass, or blackmail any person or group.
3. Online identity theft: This is when a person steals another person’s information
(Social Security number, credit card information, bank account numbers etc) through
online means. It can be achieved in a variety of ways such as email phishing,
malware injection, and brute force hacking.
4. Online child abuse: There are many activities that constitute online child abuse
including the downloading, selling, and distribution of child pornography through
websites and forums and the solicitation of children for sex via chat rooms.
5. Ransomware attack: A ransomware attack is when a cybercriminal injects a specific
kind of malware (called ransomware) into your device. The ransomware is designed
to block access to your data until a certain amount is paid, thereby holding it for
ransom. In most cases, ransoms are demanded to be paid in bitcoins or other
cryptocurrencies.
6. Internet fraud (online scams): The purpose of an online scam is for you the victim,
into willingly giving up money under false pretenses.
Cyber terms
• Any “malicious software” designed to secretly access your
computer.
Types:
• Virus: A type of malware aimed to corrupt, erase or modify
Malware information on a computer before spreading to others.
• Trojan Horse: A piece of malware that often allows a hacker to
gain remote access to a computer through a “back door”
• Worm: A piece of malware that can replicate itself in order to
spread the infection to other connected computers.
• A form of cyber attack which aims to make a service unusable by
Distributed Denial of “flooding” it with malicious traffic or data from multiple sources.
Services (DDoS)
• One of the recently discovered DDoS malware was ‘Saposhi’
• A type of software application or script that performs tasks on
command, allowing an attacker to take complete control
Bot & Botnet
remotely of an affected computer.
• A collection of these infected computers is known as a “botnet”

and is controlled by the hacker or “bot-herder”
• It is an email sent from an internet criminal disguised as an email
from a legitimate, trustworthy source. The message is meant to
lure you into revealing sensitive or confidential information.
Phishing
• Its advanced form is spear phishing.It occurs when criminals
obtain information about you from websites or social
networking sites, and customize a phishing scheme to you.
• It is unsolicited email, instant messages, or social media
Spamming messages. These messages are fairly easy to spot and can be
damaging if you open or respond.
• Criminal activity where a criminal impersonates another
Spoofing individual or organization, with the intent to gather personal or
business information.
• It is the use of a malicious website that resembles a legitimate
Pharming
website, used to gather usernames and passwords.
Hacktivism • Hacking for politically or ideologically motivated reasons
INDIA & CYBERCRIMES:

• As per the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) data, nearly 1.16
million cases of cyberattacks were reported in 2020, up nearly three times from
2019 and more than 20 times compared to 2016.
• The NCRB's 2019 crime data showed a 60.4 percent increase in number of cases
registered in 2019 as compared to 2018.
• As per the IBM analysis, India was the second-most targeted country in the Asia-
Pacific region in 2020 as far as cybercrimes are concerned, with a 7 % share in such
incidents globally.
o Ransomware was the most rampant cybercrime accounting for 40% of all
attacks.
o Finance and insurance were the most targeted sector in India (60 per cent),
followed by manufacturing and professional services.
• Cases of serious cyber-attacks have been on the rise in India. Some of these include:
o Attack on Air India (2021): India's national airline suffered a cyber-attack on
its data servers, which affected about 4.5 million customers around the
world. Details including passport and ticket information as well as credit-card
data were compromised.

o Data breach on Domino’s India (2021): Jubilant FoodWorks, which owns
Domino's India, experienced a security incident where data of 18 crore orders
of Domino's India became public.
o Malware attack at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (2019): A malware
infection was detected on the administrative network used for day-to-day
administrative activities.
o Aadhaar data leak (2019): As recently as February 2019, Aadhaar details of
over 6.7 Mn users containing details such as names, addresses and the
numbers were leaked.
o Cyber Attack on Cosmos Bank (2018): A cyber-attack on Cosmos Bank’s Pune
branch saw nearly 94 crores rupees being siphoned off by hackers to a Hong
Kong situated bank.
o WannaCry & Petya ransomware attacks (2017): The ransomware attacks
made its impact felt across the world, including India, where several
thousand computers got locked down by ransom-seeking hackers. The attack
also impacted systems belonging to the Andhra Pradesh police and state
utilities of West Bengal and certain functions at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.
o Data thefts at Zomato (2017): The food tech company discovered that data,
including names, email IDs and hashed passwords, of 17 million users was
stolen by a hacker.
THREATS TO INDIA’S CYBER SECURITY:
• Large share of internet users & Digital illiteracy:
o India is home to the 3rd largest population of internet users. By 2020, India
has around 730 million internet users, with 75% of new users from rural
areas.
o However large shares of these users are digitally illiterate. According to a
recent report by the Digital Empowerment Foundation, digital literacy is
almost no-existent among more than 90% of India’s population.
• Exponential growth of digital space:
o The pandemic has resulted in digital technology adoption being fast
forwarded and the demand for technology-driven products increasing
multifold. But this growth has further exposed our cyber vulnerabilities.
o Eg: Since 2020, cyber criminals are increasingly using relief efforts and public
health information as spam lures, including targeted attacks on critical
components of the vaccine supply chain.

o Also, children have become more prone to online bullying, given the longer
hours spent over the internet due to online classes.
• Service hub:
o India is home to a large share of IT and service-sector industries. It hosts
some of the largest outsourcing services in the world.
o To add to this, through several initiatives such as Digital India, the
government is pushing for large scale digitization. This not only attracts tech
investors, but also tech criminals.
• Obsolete systems:
o India is a major destination for cheap electronic imports with inadequate
security features. Also, there is rampant use of unlicensed software and
cracked licenses. These factors make the country susceptible to hacking and
other malware attacks.
• Import dependency:
o Most equipment and technology for setting up Cyber Security infrastructure
in India are currently procured from global sources. These systems are
vulnerable to cyber threats just like any other connected system.
o These risks can be in the form of inclusion of faults or backdoors in the
system, insertion of hidden methods, Hardware tampering etc.
• Offshore servers:
o Most service providers in India use data servers and processing centers
located beyond the geographical boundary of India.
o This has proved to be a major hindrance in investigating cybercrimes and
ensuring that the firms abide by the Indian cyber and privacy laws.
• Under reporting:
o As per National Crime Records Bureau, Cybercrimes accounted for less than a
percentage (0.43%) or 21,796 cases of a total of 50,07,044 cognizable crimes
in 2017. This indicates a severe case of under reporting of cybercrimes.
o A major reason for the same among individuals is the lack of awareness
regarding cybersecurity. In case of organisations and Service sector
industries, it is the fear of loss of reputation.
• Shortage of professionals:
o Despite having high demand for cybersecurity professional, India is facing an
acute talent shortage in this sector. It has been estimated that as of 2020-
end, India faced a shortage of 1.5 million cyber security professionals.

• Jurisdictional Uncertainty:
o Cybercrimes cut across territorial borders which undermine the feasibility
and legitimacy of applying domestic laws. In the absence of a single
internationally recognized code of law and procedure governing cybercrimes
the law enforcing authorities of individual countries find it extremely difficult
to tackle cybercrimes and criminals while applying their territorial law.
• Limited inter-agency coordination:
o Cyber crimes often pans across the jurisdiction of different agencies, such as
state police forces, Enforcement Directorate, departments under Home and
Foreign Affairs Ministries etc.
o However, till recently there has been no proper mechanism to ensure the
smooth coordination between these agencies in matters of data sharing,
investigation etc.
o Private sector, despite being a major stakeholder in the cyberspace, has not
been involved proactively for the security of the same.
INDIA’S APPROACH TO CYBER SECURITY:
I. LEGISLATIVE MEASURES:
1. Information Technology Act, 2000:
o It includes provisions dealing with unauthorized use of internet or computers.
It is often referred to as the cyber law of India.
o It contains a wide range of offences such as tempering with computer
sources, sending offensive messages, violation of privacy; publishing obscene
material etc., all of which are recognized as illegal activities under the Indian
Penal Code.
Figure 1. Offences under IT Act, 2000
o Provides for the establishment of a Cyber Regulatory Appellant Tribunal

under the Act. This tribunal will handle all appeals made against the order of
the Controller or Adjudicating Officer.
o In 2008, the Act was amended to remove the controversial Section 66A which
dealt with actions against offensive contents on websites.
2. National Cyber security Policy 2013:
o The Policy document outlines a roadmap to create a framework for
comprehensive, collaborative and collective response to deal with the issue of
cyber security at all levels within the country.
o Salient features:
▪ Goals aimed at reducing national vulnerability to cyber attacks,
preventing cyber attacks & cyber crimes, minimising response &
recovery time and effective cybercrime investigation and prosecution.
▪ Focused actions at the protection of critical information infrastructure
and national alerts and advice mechanism, awareness & capacity
building and promoting information sharing and cooperation.
▪ Enhancing cooperation and coordination among all the stakeholder
entities within the country.
▪ Framework and initiatives that can be pursued at the Govt. level,
sectoral levels as well as in public-private partnership mode.
▪ Facilitates monitoring of key trends at the national level such as
trends in cyber security compliance, cyber attacks, cyber crime and
cyber infrastructure growth.
3. Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019:
o The Bill seeks to provide for protection of personal data of individuals, and
establishes a Data Protection Authority for the same.
o The Bill categorizes data into three: Personal data, Sensitive personal data and
Critical personal data.
o The Bill gives the government powers to authorise the transfer of certain
types of personal data overseas and has given exceptions allowing
government agencies to collect personal data of citizens.
o It also mandates data fiduciaries to provide the government with any non-
personal data when demanded.

• Cyber Security Strategy:
o The government is expected to release a new cybersecurity strategy this
year. The vision of this strategy is to ensure safe, secure, resilient, vibrant, and
trusted cyber space.
II. INSTITUTIONAL MEASURES:
1. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in):
o It is an office within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
that deals with cyber security threat.
o Its mandate is to protect Indian cyberspace and software infrastructure
against destructive and hacking activities. It also responds to computer
security incidents, report on vulnerabilities and promote effective IT security
practices throughout country.
2. National Information Centre-Computer Emergency Response Team (NIC-CERT):
o A setup of National Informatics Centre (NIC) to prevent and predict cyber-
attacks on government utilities.
o It will monitor and help in early detection and mitigation of cyber-attacks on
government networks.
3. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC):
o It is an organisation of created under the Information Technology Act, 2000
to battle cyber security threats in strategic areas such as air control, nuclear
and space.

o It will function under the National Technical Research Organisation, a
technical intelligence gathering agency controlled directly by the National
Security Adviser in PMO.
4. Cyber and Information Security (CIS) Division:
o It has been created under the Ministry of Home Affairs to tackle internet
crimes such as cyber threats, child pornography and online stalking.
o Under this, Indian cybercrime coordination centre (I4C) and Cyber Warrior
Police force has also been established.
5. Cyber Surakshit Bharat:
o It is the first public-private partnership of its kind and will leverage the
expertise of the IT industry in cybersecurity and aims at awareness
generation & capacity building.
o It includes awareness programs on the importance of cybersecurity, series of
workshops on best practices and enablement of officials with cybersecurity
health tool kits to manage and mitigate cyber threats.
6. National cyber coordination centre (NCCC):
o It is a cybersecurity and e-surveillance agency that scans communication
metadata and provides real time situational awareness and alert various
security agencies.
7. Cyber Swachhta Kendra:
o It is the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre under the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to create a secure cyber
space by detecting botnet infections in India, enable cleaning and secure
systems so as to prevent further infections.
8. Defence Cyber Agency:
o It is a proposed tri-service agency that seeks to strengthen India’s cyber
warfare capabilities.
o It will work in conjunction with the National Cyber Security Advisor and
would include as many as 1000 personnel from all three branches, the Army,
Navy and the Air force.
III. INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS:
• India-Australia Collaboration for Cyber Technology:
o In June 2021, India and Australia signed a four-year collaboration on cyber
affairs and critical technologies.

o Both the parties agreed to work hand-in-hand to promote and preserve an
open, free, safe and secure internet, enhance digital trade, harness critical
technology opportunities, and address cybersecurity challenges.
o Research and development in various technologies such as artificial
intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics will also be carried out.
• Discussions in the UN:
o India has been utilizing the UN to raise its concerns on increasing cyber
attacks.
o Eg: In June 2021, India raised concerns about cross-border state-sponsored
cyber-attacks during the UNSC Open Debate on "Maintenance of
International Peace and Security: Cyber Security".
OTHER GLOBAL INITIATIVES:
• The International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
o It is a specialized agency within the UN which plays a leading role in the
standardization and development of telecommunications and cyber security
issues.
• Budapest Convention on Cybercrime:
o It is an international treaty that seeks to address Internet and computer
crime by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and
increasing cooperation among nations.
o India is not a signatory to this convention.
• Global Centre for Cybersecurity:
o It was launched by the World Economic Forum (WEF) to serve as laboratory
and early-warning think tank for future cyber security scenarios and help
build a secure global cyberspace.
• Internet Governance Forum (IGF):
o It brings together all stakeholders i.e. government, private sector and civil
society on the Internet governance debate. It was first convened in October–
November 2006.
• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN):
o It is a non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the maintenance
and procedures of several databases related to the namespaces and
numerical spaces of the Internet, ensuring the network's stable and secure
operation. It has its headquarters in Los Angeles, U.S.A.

WAY FORWARD:
India is expected to be one of the largest players in the cyberspace in the coming years.
But for it to be safe and beneficial, India needs to ensure a proper regulatory environment
that ensures privacy and fair play.
• Create an all-encompassing policy: Presently, there are no acceptable norms of
behavior in cyberspace. Cyberspace is a rapidly evolving area and hence, India needs
to update its policy on cybersecurity.
• Human resource development: By 2025, the cybersecurity space is expected to
generate around a million jobs in India. For it to be beneficial for India’s demographic
dividend, India must invest in capacity building and skill development.
• Thrust on digital literacy: Digital literacy must be made part and parcel of school
curriculums. People must be made aware of the relevance of cyber security. For the
same, the scope of initiatives under Digital India campaign needs to be enlarged.
• ‘Atmanirbhar’ in cyber systems: Indigenous capability in manufacture of electronics
should be boosted, so as to reduce India’s import dependency. The government
should also strengthen its monitoring of electronics import, so that only reliable
products make their way to the Indian markets.
• Zero-trust approach: Zero trust security is an IT security model that requires strict
identity verification for every person and device trying to access resources on a
private network, regardless of whether they are sitting within or outside of the
network. Organizations need to adopt a zero-trust approach to their security
strategy.
• Promote cutting edge technologies: Research should be encouraged to leverage
artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor, detect and verify the legitimacy of threats and
automate response to the threats.
• Encourage investment in cybersecurity: The private must be persuaded to actively
invest in cyber security. At present, only a part of security budget is being utilized for
IT security by companies. The government should can also play its role, by creating
degree and PG courses in cyber security domain.
• Strengthen cyber deterrence: According to the International Institute for Strategic
Studies (IISS), India is positioned among the third-tier countries on a spectrum of
cyber warfare capabilities. Given the increasing risk of ransomware attacks,
confrontations with China and threats from non-state actors, India needs to harness
its digital-industrial potential and adopt a whole-of-society approach to improve its
cyber security.

• International cooperation: Global tie-ups should be ensured in creating a peaceful
cyber space. There should be enhanced cooperation among nations, reaffirming a
global call to action for all United Nations member nations to not attack the core of
the Internet even when in a state of war.
CASE STUDY: Kerala’s Cyberdome project
• Cyberdome is the Kerala Police Department’s premier facility dedicated to prevent
cybercrime and mitigate cybersecurity threats to the State’s critical information
infrastructure.
• It involves a team of ethical hackers, expert coders, youth prodigies skilled in
software, law enforcers and civilian volunteers.
• It is envisaged as a collaboration Centre for both the public and private fraternity to
converge and share information, as well as resources, that will escalate the safety of
our cyber space.
• It has also used social engineering as the lynchpin of its policing strategy to snoop on
radical groups that use the net for extremist activities.
• In March 2017, Cyberdome notched up a remarkable victory when it forewarned the
Kerala government of a possible ransomware attack.
• Cyberdome has developed cyber-surveillance tools to detect and convict those
responsible for industrial espionage.
• Cyberdome has also partnered with the Interpol and the International Centre for
Missing and Exploited Children (ICMC) to combat child porn.
1.5. iTips:
• For Prelims, question on various terms like spam, phishing, DDOS etc., names of
recent malwares and other recent cyber attacks can be asked.
• For Mains, questions on the basics of cybersecurity can be asked in GS 3. The
content can also be used in questions related to digital India, e-learning and internal
security.

2. E-COMMERCE REGULATION IN INDIA
2.1 WHY IN NEWS?
The Consumer Affairs Ministry in June 2021 issued a set of new draft e-commerce
rules to protect consumer interest, prevent unfair trade practices, and encourage fair
competition
2.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth,
Development and Employment.
Q. “Overregulation may retard growth and job creation in expanding e-commerce sector”.
Analyze this statement in the context of recent amendments made to Consumer Protection
(E-Commerce) Rules, 2020?
2.4 ANALYSIS:
WHAT IS ELECTRONIC COMMERCE?
• According to MeitY “E-commerce is a type of business model that enables a firm or
individual to conduct business over an electronic network, typically the internet”
• E-commerce operates in all four of the major market segments: business to
business, business to consumer, consumer to consumer and consumer to business
• E-commerce can be a substitute for brick-and-mortar stores, though some
businesses choose to maintain both.
• Now-a-days nearly every imaginable product and service is available through e-
commerce transactions, including books, music, plane tickets, and financial services
such as stock investing and online banking.
• As such, it is considered a very disruptive technology.
STATISTICS:
• Driven by rising smartphone penetration, internet access and increasing consumer
wealth, the Indian e-commerce market is expected to grow to USD 200 billion by
2026 from USD 38.5 billion in 2017.
• Indian e-commerce industry is expected to surpass the US to become the second-
largest e-commerce market in the world by 2034.
ADVANTAGES OF E-COMMERCE:
• Benefits to consumers:
o Ensure competition:
▪ Enables sellers to come closer to customers that lead to increased
productivity and perfect competition >> better quality products with
affordable price will be available to consumers.

o More choice:
▪ The customer can also choose between different sellers and buy the
most relevant products as per requirements, preferences, and budget.
o Easy access and convenience:
▪ Customers have access to virtual stores 24/7, through their hand held
devices such as smart phones etc.
o Reduced transaction cost
▪ E-commerce also leads to significant transaction cost reduction for
consumers.
• Benefits to overall economy:
o Facilitates international trade:
▪ E-commerce has emerged as one of the fast-growing trade channels
available for the cross-border trade of goods and services.
▪ It provides a wider reach and reception across the global market, with
minimum investments.
▪ It enables sellers to sell to a global audience and also customers to
make a global choice.
▪ Geographical boundaries and challenges are drastically reduced.
o Generates more employment:
▪ Growth in the e-commerce sector can boost employment, not only
through increased production houses, but also through ancillary
services such as customer support services, social media marketing
• Benefits to government:
o Fiscal benefits:
▪ E-commerce sector is highly digitized in nature >> which enables
transparent relation between tax authorities and business units >>
thus helps to increase tax collection and curbing black money
generation
o Ease in regulation:
▪ As the e-commerce entities are registered with Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and their business
transactions can be tracked and traced online, enforcement agencies
finds it easy to regulate them.

• Benefits to business
o Wider market access:
▪ E-commerce has helped businesses establish a wider market
presence by providing cheaper and more efficient distribution
channels for their products or services
o Eliminate middle man:
▪ One can promote their work and sell their products directly to the
consumers without the interference of middlemen
o Lesser investment:
▪ Reduced the investment cost since in many cases money can be saved
on buying a storeroom for the display of products
INITIATIVES:
• Constitutional/Legal Provisions
o E-commerce (when it takes place within the country) falls under the category
of inter-state trade and commerce.
o Thus, has been allocated to the Centre (union list) under Schedule VII of the
Constitution.
o It is hence the responsibility of the Centre to ensure its growth and make
rules
• National e-Commerce policy, 2019
o In 2019, a draft National e-Commerce policy has been published
o It lays down strategies to address issues pertinent to the sector - consumer
protection, data privacy, and maintenance of a level playing field.
• Provisions on e-commerce in Consumer Protection Act 2019
o The Act states that central Government may make rules for preventing
unfair trade practices in e-commerce and direct selling, and to protect the
rights of consumers.
o Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020:
▪ Definition and classification:
• The Draft Rules define an “e-commerce entity” as an entity,
in India or abroad, which conducts e-commerce business
either through:
o Inventory-based model, where the entity owns the
inventory and sells it to consumer directly; or

o Marketplace model, where entity acts as a technology
platform facilitating transactions between buyers and
sellers
▪ Liabilities of an e-commerce entity:
• Not to influence the prices of products and services
• Not to adopt unfair methods to influence consumer decisions
on products and decisions
• Display the terms of contract with a seller or service provider
• Take down listings of counterfeit products by sellers after
conducting due diligence etc.
▪ Consumer grievance redressal procedures:
• Every e-commerce entity is required to provide a mechanism
for users to submit their complaints on the website and
publish the name and contact details of a grievance officer,
and ensure redressal of the complaint within one month of
receipt.
▪ Proposed amendment in 2021
• Mandatory display of country of origin:
o To ensure that the domestic manufacturers and
suppliers get a fair and equal treatment on the e-
commerce platform it has been provided that where an
e-commerce entity offers imported goods or services,
it shall incorporate a filter mechanism to identify
goods based on country of origin and suggest
alternatives to ensure fair opportunity to domestic
goods.
• Flash sales ban
o E-commerce companies should not hold flash sales -
which see deep discounts on offer - if these are
organised "fraudulently" using "technological means"
with an intent to benefit select sellers.
• Prohibition of affiliates as sellers
o E-commerce companies must ensure none of their
"related parties and associated enterprises" are listed
as sellers on their shopping websites, and no related

entity should sell goods to an online seller operating on
the same platform.
o The changes could impact business structures used by
Flipkart and Amazon
• Appointment of Chief Compliance Officer
o A nodal contact person for 24x7 coordination with law
enforcement agencies
• Appointment of Resident Grievance Officer
o An officer for redressing of the grievances of the
consumers on the e-commerce platform.
• Framework for registration of every e-commerce entity with
the DPIIT
o Registration of e-commerce entities with Department
for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade would
help create a database of genuine e-commerce
entities and ensure that the consumers are able to
verify the genuineness of an e-commerce entity before
transacting through their platform.
• Prohibition of mis-selling
o Mis-selling means selling goods and services by
deliberate misrepresentation of information by such
entities about such goods or services.
• Prevention of search result manipulation
o Online websites should not mislead users by
manipulating search results and provide ranking for
goods while ensuring its parameters do not
discriminate against domestic goods and sellers.
• FDI guidelines for e-commerce by DIPP:
o FDI Policy allows 100% FDI under the automatic route for the marketplace
model of e-commerce activities.
o However, FDI is not permitted for the inventory-based model of e-
commerce activities.
o The FDI Policy permits 100% FDI through automatic route for entities
engaged in single-brand retail trading.

o The FDI Policy prohibits retail trading in any form through e-commerce for
the companies with FDI engaging in the activities of multi-brand retail
trading.
• Taxation:
o Digital Services Tax (DST)
▪ It is aimed at ensuring that non-resident, digital service providers pay
their fair share of tax on revenues generated in the Indian digital
market
▪ India was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a 6%
equalization levy in 2016, but the levy was restricted to online
advertisement services
▪ In March 2020, it expanded the scope of the existing equalization
levy to a range of digital services that includes e-commerce
platforms
• Capacity Building:
o Efforts to boost digital economy
▪ Rolling out the fibre network for 5G
▪ BharatNet Project, to provide broadband services to 150,000-gram
panchayats.
▪ Digital India initiatives like Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, BHIM, COE-IT,
CERT-In, DigiDhanAbhiyaan, Digitize India, Ebiz, Electronic
Development Fund
o Data protection:
▪ Justice SriKrishna Committee was constituted to make
recommendations related to data protection framework and
protection of privacy in the digital environment.
▪ Personal Data Protection Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha in 2019
(yet to be passed)
• Inclusiveness:
o Tribes India e-Marketplace:
▪ It is an ambitious initiative through which TRIFED aims to onboard 5
lakh tribal producers for sourcing of various handicraft, handloom,
natural food products across the country and brings to you the best
of tribal produce.

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM):
o Government e Marketplace (GeM) is an online platform for public
procurement in India.
o The initiative was launched in 2016 with the objective to create an open and
transparent procurement platform for government buyers
• Other initiatives:
o National Integrated Logistics Plan
▪ E-Commerce will also be included in the National Integrated Logistics
Plan being prepared by the Department of Commerce, which would
focus on faster delivery with emphasis on lower costs.
CONCERNS:
• Still at a nascent stage:
o Despite the high rate of growth of e-commerce in India, the sector is still at a
nascent stage and according to some estimates, it is only 4.3 per cent of the
retail market
• Technological challenges:
o It depends strongly on network connectivity and information technology.
o Mechanical failures can cause unpredictable effects on total processes.
o Considering poor internet quality in India>> it will be concern for the growth
of the sector
• Presence of ‘network effects’
o It means that in the era of data, larger the number of consumers and sellers
it is connected to, the greater the access to potential sources of data and
greater the likelihoods of its success.
o Greater access to data provides a greater digital capital to a corporation,
granting it an advantage over its competitors.
o Without access to adequate data, MSMEs and start-ups remain at a
disadvantage to develop a large number of innovative solutions.
o Therefore a handful of companies today dominate the digital economy >>
they are successfully exploiting the significant first mover’s advantage in the
data-driven ecosystem.
• Limited customer service:
o If you are shopping online for a computer, you cannot simply ask an
employee to demonstrate a particular model's features in person.
o And although some websites let you chat online with a staff member, this is
not a typical practice.

• Lack of a separate legislation:
o Definite legislations to regulate e-commerce transactions are still to be
framed leading to lack of regulation of the sector.
• Vulnerable to cyber-crimes:
o Engaging in e-commerce increases the chance of fraudulent financial
transactions and loss of sensitive financial information.
• Failure in enforcing IPR:
o Protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) on the Internet is a growing
concern.
o There are currently several significant IPR issues including misuse of
trademark rights.
o Online distribution of pirated content through e-commerce is also a matter
of serious concern.
• Inter-disciplinary nature of e-commerce:
o Given the inter-disciplinary nature of e-commerce, the tackling of specific
issues that emerge may be the subject matter of different statutes the
Information Technology Act and Rules, the Competition Act, the Consumer
Protection Act etc.
• Unhealthy competition:
o There are different players in the same area of business leading to decrease
in profitability due to reasons such as aggressive pricing strategies, heavy
discounts and offers, free delivery, high commissions to affiliates and
vendors during sale period to name a few
• Predatory Pricing:
o Predatory pricing as a short-term strategy, adopted by some of the market
giants, may lead to wiping out competition from the market and could be
detrimental to the consumers in the long run.
• Unfair trade practices:
o Fake reviews
▪ There are increasing cases of fake reviews and unfair favouritism in
the display of goods.
o Indulging in “back-to-back” or “flash” sales
▪ Certain e-commerce entities are engaging in limiting consumer
choice by indulging in “back to back” or “flash” sales wherein one
seller selling on platform does not carry any inventory or order

fulfilment capability but merely places a “flash or back to back” order
with another seller controlled by platform.
▪ This prevents a level playing field and ultimately limits customer
choice and increases prices.
o Privacy violation
▪ E-commerce has rendered consumers vulnerable to new forms of
unfair trade practices such as data theft and violation of privacy
• Issues with provisions of the draft rules on e-commerce
o Regulatory overreach:
▪ Proposed rules also seek to harden considerably the regulatory
architecture in the online retail space
▪ It can create more ambiguity over their operations, without imposing
similar constraints on their traditional brick and mortar competitors.
o Fall-back liability clause
▪ According to rules e-commerce firms will be held liable in case a seller
on their platform “fails to deliver goods or services due to negligent
conduct” causing a loss to the consumer.
o No distinction made between marketplace-model and inventory-model e-
commerce entities:
▪ While specifying the obligations of e-commerce entities, the Rules do
not make a distinction between the two models.
▪ For example, the Draft Rules state that e-commerce entities have the
duty to not influence the prices of products and services and to
maintain a level playing field. These provisions prohibiting
influencing of prices will not be relevant to an inventory model since
in this model the e-commerce entity is also the seller of the product
and must have the freedom to take decisions on pricing
WAY FORWARD:
• Making e-commerce sector more inclusive:
o In the presence of network effects which create barriers to entry, small firms
and start-ups attempting to enter the digital sector can be given ‘infant-
industry’ status.
• Promoting domestic research and development:
o This will bring innovation in the sector which will be suited for the Indian
market

• Granting data the status of capital:
o Granting ‘data’ the status of ‘capital’ at par with financial capital of a
corporation, helps in ascertaining the true size of business unit >> hence
government could effectively target its fiscal incentives towards small firms
>> and destroy monopoly of MNCs in e-commerce sector.
• Anti-piracy measures
o Intermediaries should put in place measures to prevent online dissemination
of pirated content.
o A body of industry stakeholders should be created that shall identify ‘rogue
websites’.
• Authentic ratings and reviews
o There should be transparency and non-discrimination in publishing of
ratings and reviews.
o All ratings and reviews for verified purchases must be published as registered
by the consumer
• Robust taxation:
o The current practice of not imposing custom duties on electronic
transmissions must be reviewed in the light of the changing digital economy
and the increased role that additive manufacturing is expected to take.
• Local data centres:
o All major e-marketplace entities should establish their data centre in India, so
that consumer data are not hosted on a server outside the borders of the
country, which may be misused by an enemy country.
• Consumer protection
o The atypical nature of an e-commerce transaction necessitates a consumer
protection framework specific to this sector.
o India should move towards a system for electronic redressal of grievances
including making available compensation to the aggrieved consumer
electronically
• Addressing the payment related issues
o Issues related to payment processes and other financial transactions which
are inherent to e-commerce should be addressed in order to prevent data-
leaks/theft, protect privacy and sensitive data, and enabling secured
transactions.

• Clear definition:
o There should be a more clear-cut definition of what constitutes ‘Unfair
Trade Practice’ and practical legal remedy to tackle such circumventing
practices by e-commerce entities specifically Multinational Companies
(MNCs)
• Categorization of personal data:
o For protection of privacy of users and security of their data, the
parliamentary panel on the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020
has recommended that users’ personal data may be categorised as per the
level of sensitivity and appropriate protection may be assigned for each level.
• Fixing delivery charges:
o The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution should issue
broad guidelines for the fixation of delivery charges charged by the e-
commerce entities along with a cap on the highest limits of the delivery
charges in peak hours of service.
2.5. iTips:
• For prelims, questions are expected on salient provisions of Consumer Protection Act
2019, Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 etc.
• For mains, questions can be asked on merits and demerits of e-commerce, its
regulations in India, concerns associated with it etc.

3. FREEDOM OF PRESS IN INDIA
3.1 WHY IN NEWS?
In April 2021, Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) had said that India was one of the most
dangerous countries in the world for journalists.
3.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 2:
Q. Discuss the role of media in promoting accountability and good governance in India?
3.4 ANALYSIS:
World Press Freedom Index, 2021:
• According to the index published by Reporters Sans Frontières (Reporters Without
Borders), India is ranked 142 among 180 countries for the second successive year.
• India is listed under countries considered “bad” for journalism and is among the
most dangerous places in the world for journalists.
• Among India’s neighbours, Nepal is at 106, Sri Lanka at 127, and Myanmar, before
the military coup, features at 140. However, Pakistan and Bangladesh secured 145
and 152 ranks on the index, respectively.
INDIAN PRESS:
History:
• The first newspaper in India is credited to James Augustus Hickey, who launched The
Bengal Gazette, also the Calcutta General Advertiser, in 1780.
• Several other newspapers followed such as The Bengal Journal, Calcutta Chronicle,
Madras Courier, and Bombay Herald. However, many of them were curtailed by
censorship measures imposed by the British East India Company.
• The most stringent regulations on the freedom of the press in India was the
Vernacular Press Act of 1878, introduced by then Viceroy, Lord Lytton. It was an
attempt to prevent the vernacular press from criticising British policies.
• Right from the early days itself, freedom of the press had been high on nationalist
agenda. As early as 1824, Raja Rammohan Roy had protested against a resolution
restricting the freedom of the press.
• After Independence, the Press Enquiry Committee was set up in 1947 with the aim of
examining press laws in the light of fundamental rights formulated by the
Constituent Assembly.

Present system:
• Freedom of press is implied from the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed
under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
• However, the freedom of the press is not absolute. Article 19(1)(2) lays down
reasonable limitations to the freedom of expression in matters affecting Sovereignty
and integrity of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order,
decency and morality, Contempt of court etc.
• There are as many as 52 laws that relate to media in the country. But there is no
formal body that exclusively deals with the freedom of Press.
• The Press Council of India was constituted in 1966 as an autonomous, statutory,
quasi-judicial body, with the objective of preserving the freedom of the press and of
maintaining and improving the standards of Press in India.
• Other self-regulatory organisations such as News Broadcasters Association (NBA)
and Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) were established that self regulates the
news content aired on television.
• The electronic media complies with the guidelines of Central News Media
Accreditation Guidelines, 1999, which falls under the Central Press Accreditation
Committee that grants accreditation to the representatives of media organisations.
• In addition to the media specific legislation, Section 69A of the Information
Technology Act empowers the governments to direct any agency of the government
or intermediary to block any information in digital media.
Press Council of India:
• The Press Council of India is a statutory, adjudicating organisation in India formed in
1966 by its parliament. Presently, it operates under the Press Council Act of 1978.
• It is the self-regulatory watchdog of the press, for the press and by the press.
• The Press Council of India has issued the "Norms of Journalistic Conduct", which is
one of two journalism-related codes in use in India.
• The Council is headed by the chairman, usually a retired Supreme Court judge. It has
28 members, of which 20 are members of media, 5 are members of the Lok Sabha
and Rajya Sabha and three represent culture, literary and legal fields.
THREATS TO PRESS FREEDOM IN INDIA:

• Attacks against journalists:
o Incidents of violence against journalists have been on the rise. Many were
physically harmed and four journalists were killed in connection with their
work in 2020.

• Intimidation:
o In recent times, extremely violent social media campaigns have openly called
for condemnation of journalists who are critical of the government and have
been labelling them as “anti-national” or “anti-state”.
o India had the third highest cases of intimidation against female reporters.
• Internet shutdowns:
o State and central governments have repeatedly suspended mobile and
internet service for various reasons in recent years. According to digital rights
group ‘Access Now’, of the 155 internet shutdowns that were imposed
globally, India accounted for 109.
o According to Reporters Sans Frontières, a major reason for India’s low press
freedom index has been the government’s shutdown of the internet in the
Jammu and Kashmir
• Indiscriminate use of laws:
o Criminal cases and arrests are increasingly used against journalists rejecting
the official narrative. Journalists are arrested and imprisoned on sedition
charges, or detained under the preventive detention laws like NSA or UAPA.
o Eg: Telugu news channels TV5 and ABN Andhra Jyothi were charged with
sedition for allegedly broadcasting speeches made by an MP criticizing the
government on its handling of COVID crisis.
• Unethical media practices:
o Paid news, advertorials, fake news and unethical business practices in media
are threats to free and unbiased media in India.
o Eg: The alleged TRP manipulation scam of 2020, involved the alleged inflation
by some television channels of their viewership ratings.
• Corporatization of media:
o Today, many of India’s leading media houses are owned by large corporates.
This restricts the autonomy of journalists and they are forced to align with
the interests of corporate.
o There have been several allegations that journalists critical of the ruling party
were sacked, retrenched or asked for voluntary resignations by media owners
due to pressure from political parties.
• Lack of financial security:
o The coronavirus has sent the economies hurtling downwards, resulting in
massive layoffs and record unemployment. The same is reflected in the job

security of journalists, despite media being considered ‘essential service’
status during the pandemic.
• Weak regulatory powers:
o There is no single legislation covering the entire news media in India. Also,
the Press council has limited powers to regulate media. Its directions are
advisory in nature and not enforceable. It also has limited control over digital
media.
• Rise of digital news aggregators:
o With the rise of internet and social media, content aggregation sites like
DailyHunt and Inshorts have become a major source of news. However, many
of these aggregators rarely pay for the original source of news.
WAY FORWARD:
In response to the dismal rank in the press freedom index, the Union government
had set up a committee called the ‘Index Monitoring Cell’ (IMC). The committee concluded
that the media is doing well and that India’s poor score is not in line with the ground
situation, but is the product of “western bias”. However, the committee has made several
key recommendations for improving India’s performance. They include:
• Establishment of Media Council of India:
o The Press Council of India be recast as the ‘Media Council of India’ to cover
the entire gamut of media, i.e., newspapers, periodicals, e-newspapers, news
portals, social media and any other news platform.
• Security for Journalists:
o Legal and Administrative:
▪ Review the various archaic and colonial laws impacting press freedom
in India
▪ Consent of the Press Council of India may be made mandatory for
filing an FIR against a media.
▪ Time-bound investigation and filing of chargesheet by authorities may
be made mandatory in matters related to journalistic expression.
o Financial Security of Journalists:
▪ Create a ‘Journalists Welfare Fund’, as proposed by the Press Council
of India in 2015.
▪ Enact a single legislation/scheme for the welfare of journalists.
▪ Implement the recommendations of Majithia Wage Board.

o Physical safety of Journalists:
▪ Insurance schemes for media persons working in life-threatening
circumstances.
▪ Access to welfare measures and schemes announced by Union and
State Governments.
▪ Provision of bullet-proof identifiable jackets, helmets, etc. wherever
required.
• Re-skilling and upskilling of journalists:
o Online capacity building courses, frequent workshops and other short-
duration programmes may be offered for journalists to aid in capacity
building of the industry.
• Coordination within Ministries/Departments:
o Information & Broadcasting ministry may coordinate with law ministry on
legal amendments, with Home Ministry regarding sensitisation of police and
with Ministry of Labour on implementation of Majithia Wage Board
recommendations across the country.
• Widen the ambit of accreditation:
o Compile a list of working journalists in the field throughout the country. This
can help extend social security benefits to the journalists.
3.5. iTips:
• For mains, the content can be used in essays and questions related to issues faced by
society, accountability of government, measures to promote good governance,
issues of fake news etc. Questions on regulatory bodies like PCI can also be asked.
• For Prelims, questions on pre-independent newspapers and their editors, colonial
press legislations, associated viceroys etc. can be asked.
• Extra reading: Fake news https://www.ilearncana.com/details/ISSUE-OF-FAKE-
NEWS-IN-INDIA/1261
• Extra reading: UAPA https://www.ilearncana.com/details/Unlawful-Activities-
Prevention-Act/1889
• Extra reading: NSA https://www.ilearncana.com/details/National-Security-Act-
1980/805
• Extra reading: Sedition laws https://www.ilearncana.com/details/Sedition-law/1977

4. GROUND WATER CRISIS IN INDIA
4.1 WHY IN NEWS?
Nearly one-sixth of India’s 6,965 groundwater assessment units (block/tehsil/taluka)
are ‘over-exploited’ according to new findings of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
4.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 1: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the
Indian sub-continent)
GS 3: Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems
GS3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact
Assessment.
Q. ‘Policy supported intensive agriculture led to unsustainable groundwater use in India’.
Comment?
4.4 ANALYSIS:
WHAT IS GROUNDWATER?
• Groundwater is water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land
surface.
• It fills the pores and fractures in underground materials such as sand, gravel, and
other rock. This layer where water is held in appreciable amount is called an
aquifer.
• The upper surface of the saturated zone is called the water table.
• Groundwater is recharged from the surface and may discharge to the surface
naturally at springs and seeps.
• Groundwater moves slowly, typically at rates of 7-60 cm per day in an aquifer. As a
result, water could remain in an aquifer for hundreds or thousands of years.

INDIA’S GROUNDWATER SCENARIO:
• The hydro-geological setting of ground water in India can be divided into two:
o Hard-rock aquifers of peninsular India:
▪ These aquifers represent around 65% of India’s overall aquifer
surface area.
▪ Most of them are found in central peninsular India, where land is
typically underlain by hard-rock formations.
▪ These rocks give rise to an extensive low-storage aquifer system.
▪ Initially the water level drops gradually. But once the water table falls
by 2-6 meters, the level tends to drop very rapidly.
▪ These aquifers have poor permeability which limits their recharge
through rainfall. This implies that water in these aquifers is non-
replenishable and will eventually dry out due to continuous usage.
o Alluvial aquifers of the Indo-Gangetic plains:
▪ These aquifers, found in the Gangetic and Indus plains in Northern
India have significant storage spaces.
▪ They are a valuable source of fresh water supply.
▪ However, due to excessive ground water extraction and low recharge
rates, these aquifers are at the risk of irreversible overexploitation.
GROUND WATER AVAILABILITY

• As of April 2015, the usable water resources of the country have been estimated as
1,123 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) per year
• Out of this, the share of surface water and ground water is 433 BCM per year.
• Setting aside 35 BCM for natural discharge, the net annual ground water availability
for the entire country is 398 BCM.
• The overall contribution of rainfall to the country’s annual ground water resource
is 68% and the share of other resources, such as canal seepage, return flow from
irrigation, recharge from tanks, ponds and water conservation structures taken
together is 32%.
INDIA AS A GROUND WATER ECONOMY

• India is a groundwater economy. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ‘World Water Development Report’ states that
India is the largest extractor of groundwater in the world.
• India uses 25% of all groundwater extracted globally.

• Groundwater is one of the most important water sources in India:
o Overall, some 60% of the irrigated land in India is supported primarily by
groundwater supplies and approximately 90 million rural households are
directly dependent on groundwater irrigation.
o Over 80% of the rural and urban domestic water supplies are met through
groundwater.
o About 90% of the groundwater extracted is used by irrigation.
GROUND WATER CRISIS:
• Experts believe that India is fast moving towards a crisis of ground water overuse
and contamination.
• According to new findings of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), nearly one-
sixth of India’s 6,965 groundwater assessment units (block/tehsil/taluka) are ‘over-
exploited’ and this along with two other categories of concern - ‘critical’ and ‘semi-
critical’ - account for 35% of total assessed units.
• Ground water overuse or overexploitation is defined as a situation in which, over a
period of time, average extraction rate from aquifers is greater than the average
recharge rate.

• In India, the availability of surface water is greater than ground water.
• However, owing to the decentralised availability of groundwater, it is easily
accessible and forms the largest share of India’s agriculture and drinking water
supply.
• Northern and eastern India has emerged as major hotspots of groundwater
depletion.
• Compared to the decadal average for 2009-18, there has been a decline in the
groundwater level in 61% of wells monitored by the Central Ground Water Board
(CGWB).
REASONS FOR THE CRISIS:

• Groundwater energy nexus:
o Subsidies on electricity are thought to play a central role in the Indian
groundwater crisis.
o Electricity for agriculture is either free or heavily subsidized in most of the
Indian states.
o Hence, majority of groundwater pumps are unmetered, and if charged, are
billed at a flat, non-volumetric, and highly subsidized tariff.
o This flat rate is responsible for the inefficient usage and excessive
withdrawal of groundwater.
• Green revolution and inapt cropping patterns:
o As per World Bank, more than 80% of the addition to net irrigated area in
India since the Green Revolution has been supported by groundwater use.
o The government encourages farmers to produce water-intensive crops like
rice and sugarcane through increased minimum support prices. This has
encouraged farmers to cultivate them in water stressed areas such as the
semi-arid Punjab plains.
o For irrigation in these areas, farmers rely heavily on groundwater resulting in
severe depletion of the water table.
• Inadequate regulations:
o Currently, the Easement Act, 1882 provides every landowner with the right
to collect and dispose, within his own limits, all water under the land and on
the surface.
o This makes it difficult to regulate extraction of ground water as it is owned by
the person to whom the land belongs.

• Lack of uniformity in regulation
o Water falls under the State List of the Constitution.
o This implies that state legislative assemblies can make laws on the subject.
o Hence there is no uniformity in the laws across the country.
o Also, the central government can only make recommendations to the states
in matters related to groundwater.
• Fragmented institutional arrangement:
o Within the central government, the Ministry of Jal Shakti is responsible for
the conservation and management of water in the country.
o The Ministry of Rural Development also implements certain programmes
related to ground water management.
o In addition, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is
partially responsible for the prevention and control of pollution, including
water pollution, and ground water contamination.
o In addition, there are four major central institutions that address issues
related to ground water: Central Water Commission, Central Ground Water
Board, Central Ground Water Authority and Central Pollution Control Board.
o They work independently, despite having intrinsic connection in their area
of work.
• Pollution:
o Pollution of groundwater can occur when the levels of contaminants like
arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, salinity, etc., increases.
o This can arise due to both natural and anthropogenic reasons.
o In certain areas, the rocks contain mineral compounds of these
contaminants.
o Occasionally, they naturally leach into the groundwater, thereby polluting it.
Natural arsenic pollution is a significant cause of groundwater
contamination in India.
o Anthropogenic causes include discharge of untreated effluents into the
ground, landfills, seepage of chemical laden agricultural water, over
extraction etc.
• Climate change:
o The change in frequency, intensity and patterns in rainfall, as well as change
in temperature has implication for replenishment of groundwater storage.
o Here, Climate change will act as a force multiplier.

o Changes in levels of precipitation or evapotranspiration rates resulting from
rising temperatures can reduce infiltration rates from natural precipitation
and thus reduce recharge.
• Inaccurate estimation:
o The current assessment methodology uses 15,640 observation wells.
However, it is difficult to properly estimate the quantity or quality of
groundwater in the country through this method.
o Also, it does not fully take into account the increased reliance on
groundwater for urban and rural domestic use or the impact climate change
on India’s groundwater resources.
• Ever increasing demand due to population rise:
o Increased demand for water for domestic, industrial and agricultural needs
and limited surface water resources lead to the over-exploitation of
groundwater resources.
IMPACT OF GROUNDWATER DEPLETION:
• On individuals:
o Reduced availability of groundwater can cause shortage of potable water and
eventually droughts.
o Use of polluted groundwater can result in several health issues, such as
Hepatitis, Flurosis, Itai-Itai and Arsenic poisoning.
• On agriculture:
o Over-dependence:
▪ India has an over dependence on groundwater to meet its agricultural
demands.
▪ Hence, any change in the quantity or quality of groundwater can
severely affect the production and productivity from farm lands.
o Decreasing farmer’s income:
▪ Water scarcity decreases farmer profit, as they have to spend more
on ensuring adequate irrigation by digging deeper wells or buying
water.
▪ Groundwater depletion is a major reason for the rising number of
farmer suicides in India.
o Increasing pest attacks:
▪ It can also lead to pest attacks, as was seen in Harchandpur village of
Haryana.

▪ In this village near Gurugram, groundwater has depleted severely >>
this has led to rise in termite attacks.
▪ Earlier the presence of water choked the pores in the soil and killed
the termite. But when the soil became dry, the termite attack
increased.
▪ The termite problem has in turn resulted in changes in cropping
pattern. Earlier the farmers grew pulses. But now they have shifted to
water intensive mustard and wheat, as water protects the crop from
termites.
• On economy:
o By 2030, the country's water demand is projected to be twice the available
supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and
an eventual 6 per cent loss in the country's GDP.
• On society:
o Groundwater depletion can lead to subsidence of land, forcing people to
relocate.
o Jakarta is an example of this issue. The city is sinking because residents and
industries have been draining aquifers, often illegally, to the point that the
land is now collapsing.
o This is one major reason why Indonesia has announced shifting its capital
from Jakarta to the province of East Kalimantan, on Borneo.
o Water scarcity has a disproportionate effect on the poor and vulnerable
sections. They will have to spend more on water, while facing increased
threats from contagious diseases like Cholera and Hepatitis.
o This aggravates the vicious cycle of poverty and widens the gap between
have’s and have-nots in the society.
• On environment and ecology:
o Groundwater shortage keeps additional water from flowing into lakes, rivers
and seas.
o This means that over time, less water will enter as the existing surface water
continues to evaporate. As the water becomes less deep, it will affect
everything in that particular region, including fish and wildlife.
o Loss of soil moisture
▪ Groundwater depletion results in loss of soil moisture. Thus soil
becomes less cohesive and more susceptible to erosion and
degradation. This leads to rise in desertification of land.

o Affects quality of air
▪ Loss of soil cohesion leads to rise in dust particles in air. This
drastically reduces the quality of air. This is evident in case of New
Delhi air pollution.
▪ Here dust is added to the air from the rapidly desertified areas
surrounding the Northern Aravallis and Sutlej-Yamuna plains.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES:
• Atal Bhujal Yojana:
o It is a World Bank-funded, central scheme aimed at improving groundwater
management.
o It will be implemented in seven states: Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh over five years from
2020-21 to 2024-25.
o It is expected that it will benefit about 8,350 gram panchayats in 78 districts.
o Two major components of the scheme:
▪ Institutional Strengthening:
• Monitoring and disseminating ground water data, concepts
such as ‘Water User Associations’ and Water Budgeting and
implementation of gram panchayat-wise water security plans.
▪ Capacity Building Component:
• Better performing districts and Panchayats will get more funds
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana:
o Launched in 2015-16 with objectives to enhance physical access of water on
farms; expand cultivable area under assured irrigation; improve water use
efficiency in agriculture and introduce sustainable conservation practices.
o It has four components:
▪ Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): focuses on faster
completion of ongoing Major, Minor and Medium Irrigation including
National Projects
▪ Har Khet ko Pani: Focuses on creation of new water sources through
minor irrigation. It also encompasses the restoration and renovation
of water bodies, strengthening carrying capacity of traditional water
sources and construction on rain water harvesting structures.
▪ Per Drop More Crop: Focuses on construction of micro-irrigation and
storage systems. This component also promotes efficient water

conveyance and precision water application devices like drips,
sprinklers, pivots, rain-guns in the farm.
▪ Watershed Development: This component focuses on effective
management of runoff water and improved soil & moisture
conservation activities.
• National Project on Aquifer Management (NAQUIM):
o The objective of this programme is to achieve equitable, safe and
sustainable management of India’s groundwater resources through
improved systems of resource mapping, utilization and governance.
o The purpose of aquifer mapping is to prepare maps of the complex geometry
of different aquifer systems of the country, defined by hydro-geological
settings.
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana:
o The Government launched the scheme for rural electrification.
o One of its key components is the separation of agriculture and non-
agriculture feeders to facilitate judicious restoration of supply to agricultural
and non-agriculture consumers in the rural areas.
• Model Groundwater Bill:
o The Union Ministry of Water Resources had brought up a Model Bill for
Conservation, Protection and Regulation of Groundwater
o The bill seeks to move groundwater away from its current avatar under the
Easements Act as a private property resource to a Common Pool Resource.
o The State will hold groundwater as a resource in public trust.
o It seeks to empower Gram Panchayats and Nagarpalikas through a process
of Gram Sabhas and Ward Sabhas to develop management plans for
groundwater use in public domain and through people’s participation and
approval.
WAY FORWARD:
▪ We need to think of groundwater as a common pool resource
o For this, legislative changes, such as changes in the Easement Act, are
essential. In this regard, the model groundwater bill promises immense
potential.
▪ Community water management
o States can draw inspiration from community water management which is
followed in Andhra Pradesh which has shown how aquifer management and
sharing of borewells can ensure equitable distribution of water.

▪ Two-pronged approach
o Both technological solutions (Eg: groundwater injection, micro irrigation) and
traditional water management practices must be suitably incorporated in
the development and conservation of groundwater resources.
▪ Addressing over-exploitation in agriculture sector
o Curbing extensive groundwater withdrawals will require limiting agricultural
electricity subsidies provided by state governments and rationing of power.
o The CWMI report recommends solutions like persuading farmers to adopt
more efficient technologies such as drip irrigation.
o The government should promote alternatives to water-intensive crops. For
example, Maize requires only one-third of water than paddy.
o Further there is need for training farmers on water conservation practices.
▪ Need to set up National Water Commission
o It should be a body with multidisciplinary expertise including in hydrology
(surface water), hydrogeology (groundwater), meteorology (atmosphere),
river ecology, agronomy, environmental economics and participatory
resource management.
BEST PRACTICE:
▪ Mazhapolima Initiative, Kerala
o It is an artificial groundwater recharge program.
o Under this initiative, employees of 100 NGOs received training to install roof
water harvesting systems. In the rainy season, the rooftop rain water is led
through pipes with sand filter at the end, to open dug well to replenish the
aquifer.
o The intervention gives subsidies to poorer households especially in
overexploited groundwater blocks and in areas of high salinity.
▪ ‘Bhungroo’- Ground Water Injection Well
o ‘Bhungroo' is a water management system that injects and stores excess
rainfall water underground.
o This water is then used for irrigation during summers.
4.5. iTips:
• For prelims, questions are expected on salient provisions of Atal Bhujal Yojana,
PMKSY; major findings of Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) etc.
• For mains, questions can be asked on ground water crisis in India, steps taken to
control the crisis, issues associated with it etc.

5. COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT & MINISTRY OF
COOPERATION
5.1 WHY IN NEWS?
• Union government has recently announced the formation of a separate Union
Ministry of Cooperation, a subject that till date was looked after by the Ministry of
Agriculture.
5.2 SYLLABUS:
GS 2:
Q. Critically examine the role of community driven enterprises and co-operatives in rural
development of the country?
5.4 ANALYSIS:
COOPERATIVES:
• A co-operative society is a voluntary association of individuals having common
needs who join hands for the achievement of common economic interest.
• Its aim is to serve the interest of the members, usually from poorer sections of
society, through the principle of self-help and mutual help.
• A co-operative society is a special type of business organisation, where people come
forward as a group, pool their resources, utilise them in the best possible manner,
and derive some common benefit out of it.
• In India, a cooperative society can be formed under provisions of the Co-operative
Societies Act, 1912.
HISTORY OF COOPERATIVES IN INDIA:

Pre-Independence era:
• British India enacted the Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904, which was later
repealed by the 1912 Cooperative Societies Act.
• National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) was established in 1929 as All India Co-
operative Institutes Association to promote and develop the co-operative movement
in India.
• In 1919, provinces were authorized to make their own cooperative laws under the
Montague-Chelmsford Reforms.
• Land Mortgage Cooperative Banks were established in 1938 to provide loans initially
for debt relief and land improvement.

• Co-operative societies were also championed by India’s first Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru.
Post-Independence era:
• From 1948, Reserve Bank started refinancing State Cooperative Banks for meeting
the credit needs of Cooperative Banks and through them the agricultural cooperative
societies.
• The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) was established in
1963 as a statutory Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
for promotion of cooperative movement in India.
• In 1984, Parliament enacted the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act to declutter
different laws governing the same types of societies.
• In 2002, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government announced a National Policy on
Cooperatives to support the promotion and development of cooperatives.
• The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 gave a constitutional status and
protection to co-operative societies.
97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011:
1. It made the right to form co-operative societies a fundamental right (Article 191).
2. It included a new Directive Principle of State Policy on promotion of cooperative
societies (Article 43-B2).
3. It added a new Part IX-B in the Constitution which is entitled “The Cooperative
Societies” (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT).
FEATURES OF COOPERATIVES:
• Open membership:
o The membership of a Co-operative society is open to all those who have a
common interest. A minimum of ten members are required to form a
cooperative society.
• Voluntary Association:
o Members join the co-operative society voluntarily, that is, by choice. A
member can join the society as and when he likes, continue for as long as he
likes, and leave the society at will.
• State control:
o The “co-operative societies” is a subject enumerated in Entry 32 of the state
list of the Seventh Schedule. State legislatures have accordingly enacted
legislations on co-operative societies.

o To protect the interest of members, co-operative societies are placed under
state control through registration. While getting registered, a society has to
submit details about the members and the business it is to undertake. It has
to maintain books of accounts, which are to be audited by government
auditors.
• Sources of Finance:
o In a co-operative society, capital is contributed by all the members. However,
it can raise loans and secure grants from governments after its registration.
o Both Central and State governments provide help to the societies, usually in
the form of capital contribution, loans at low rates of interest, exemption in
tax, subsidies in repayment of loans, etc.
• Democratic Management:
o Co-operative societies are managed by a ‘Board of Directors’, who are
elected by the members. Each member has a single vote, irrespective of the
number of shares held.
• Service motive:
o Co-operatives are not formed to maximise profit, but to provide service to its
members. For example, in a Consumer Cooperative Store, goods are sold to
its members at a reasonable price by retaining a small margin of profit.
• Separate Legal Entity:
o A Co-operative Society is registered under the Co-operative Societies Act and
thus becomes a separate legal entity. It can enter into agreements with
others and can purchase or sell properties in its own name.
• Distribution of Surplus:
o Profit generated is distributed to its members not on the basis of the shares
held by the members, but on the basis of members’ participation in the
business of the society.
• Self-help through mutual cooperation:
o Co-operative Societies convert the weakness of members into strength by
adopting the principle of self-help through mutual co-operation.
TYPES OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES:

• Consumers’ Co-operative Society:
o These societies are formed to protect the interest of general consumers by
making consumer goods available at a reasonable price. They buy goods
directly from the producers or manufacturers and thereby eliminate the
middlemen in the process of distribution.

o Eg: Kendriya Bhandar, a welfare society for central government employees.
• Producers’ Co-operative Society:
o These societies are formed to protect the interest of small producers by
making available items of their need for production like raw materials, tools
and equipments, machinery, etc.
o Eg: Handloom societies like Haryana Handloom and Kerala State Handloom
Weavers Co-op Society Limited.
• Co-operative Marketing Society:
o These societies are formed by small producers and manufacturers who find it
difficult to sell their products individually. The society collects the products
from the individual members and takes the responsibility of selling those
products in the market.
o Eg: Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, which sells AMUL
(Anand Milk Union Limited) milk products.
• Co-operative Credit Society:
o These societies are formed to provide financial support to the members. The
society accepts deposits from members and grants them loans at reasonable
rates of interest in times of need.
o Eg: Village Service Co-operative Society and Urban Cooperative Banks.
• Co-operative Farming Society:
o These societies are formed by small farmers to work jointly and thereby
enjoy the benefits of large-scale farming.
o Eg: Lift-irrigation cooperative societies
• Housing Co-operative Society:
o These societies are formed to provide residential houses to members. They
purchase land, construct houses/flats and allot the same to members. Some
societies also provide loans at low rate of interest to members to construct
their own houses.
o Eg: Central Government Employees Housing Society
ADVANTAGES OF COOPERATIVES:
• Inclusiveness:
o Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all irrespective of their
gender, social, racial, political or religious preferences. This aligns well with
India’s diverse society, promotes inclusive development and strengthens
social capital.

• Promotes participatory governance:
o Cooperatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who
actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. This
participation promotes people’s interest in the overall governance system of
the country.
• Poverty eradication & Community welfare:
o Co-ops offers basic amenities, infrastructure and collective bargaining power
among the poorest people in the community. This encourages upward
mobility and improvement of living standards in the community.
o Also, unlike large industries, profits and benefits accrued by the cooperatives
circulate within the same community.
• Eliminates Middlemen:
o Through co-operatives, the members or consumers control their own
supplies and thus, middlemen’s profit is eliminated.
o Eg: Amul eliminated middle men and purchased milk directly from dairy
farmers. Hence, Amul was able to ensure that farmers get better market
access and fair price for their produce.
• Employment generation:
o Through its activities, cooperatives generate employment opportunities for
the unskilled and the skilled.
• Capacity building:
o Co-operatives provide education and skill training for their members, elected
representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively
to the development of their co-operatives.
o Eg: To extend banking services to its member milk producers, diary giant
Amul recently launched micro-ATM services from Anandpar village in Rajkot.
CASE STUDY: AMUL
• Amul is an Indian dairy cooperative society headquartered at Anand, Gujarat. It is
the world’s ninth largest dairy company.
• Amul was formed as a part of a cooperative movement against exploitation of dairy
farmers by private players.
• The farmers, on the advice of Sardar Patel, formed the Kaira District Co-operative
Milk Producers’ Union Limited. Dr Verghese Kurien was Amul’s true architect.
• In its basic form, the Anand Pattern consists of a three-tier organisational structure
that comprised village co-operative societies, district level dairy unions and state-
level federations.

CASE STUDY: ULCCS, Kerala
• Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) Ltd, was formed in 1925 in
Uralungal hamlet in northern Kerala’s Malabar region. ULCCS was formed as part of a
social movement to fight against social injustice, marginalization and other social
anarchies prevalent during the pre-independent era.
• ULCCS provided employment to over 13,000 labourers directly and indirectly in the
last financial year. It executes projects of NHAI, Public Works Department (Kerala),
Ministry of Panchayati Raj and local administration.
• Today, ULCCS has diversified its activities into IT services, through UL technology
solutions (ULTS) and UL CyberPark. It has become the first primary co-operative to
be recognised as a permanent member of International Co-operative Alliance (ICA).
ISSUES SURROUNDING COOPERATIVES:

• Absence of spontaneity:
o Cooperative movement in India lacks spontaneity, as it rarely emanates from
the people themselves. In many cases, cooperative societies are imposed
upon the people by the government.
• Over reliance on government support:
o Co-operatives in India have failed to be a self-sustaining. They continue to
rely on government patronage both for business and capital requirement,
which makes them susceptible to political interference.

• Functional weakness:
o The cooperative movement has suffered from inadequacy of trained
personnel. This arose due to lack of institutions for training personnel and its
failure to attract the skilled youth.
• Restricted Coverage:
o The size of these societies has been very small. Most of these societies are
confined to a few members and their operations extended to only one or two
villages. Also, most of the societies have been single purpose societies.
o Cooperatives in Eastern and Northeast states are not as well developed as
the ones in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Political Interference:
o The co-operative societies have become the hot bed of politics in rural India.
The selection of beneficiaries is mostly done on political considerations.
o Eg: The sugar cooperatives of Maharashtra command a strong role in the
state’s politics, which has made them highly sought after by political parties.
• Influence of money & caste:
o The essence of the cooperative movement is that it gives all shareholders
equal treatment. However, over the years, this democratic idea got
corrupted and members from well-off classes grew more powerful. Hence,
the top posts of societies are monopolized by the rich/upper classes.
SIGNIFICANCE OF NEW MINISTRY:

‘Ministry of Co-operation’ has been created by the Government for realizing the vision
of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through cooperatives). Its significance include:
• Customized policies: The ministry will provide a separate administrative, legal and
policy framework for strengthening the cooperative movement in the country.
• Promote ease of doing business: The Ministry will work to streamline processes for
‘Ease of doing business’ for co-operatives.
• Expansion of cooperatives: The ministry will enable development of Multi-State Co-
operatives (MSCS) and revive cooperatives as a true people-based movement
reaching up to the grassroots.
• Support for farmers: Through the ministry, the government seeks to create a
successful agriculture and livestock cooperative movement in the country. The
cooperatives, along with the new farm laws can not only increase the income of
farmers and productivity of land but also stop the exploitation of agriculturists by
middlemen in India’ rural areas.

CONCERNS OVER MINISTRY:
• Undermines federalism: Cooperative societies are a state subject in the 7th
Schedule. Hence, union government making laws and regulations on it can pose a
threat to the federal fabric.
• Politically motivated: In states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat, cooperative
societies involved in sugar, milk production, power looms etc. have a strong political
presence and are controlled by opposition parties. These parties argue that the
Central government would try and use the ministry to gain control over these
societies.
5.5. iTips:
• For Prelims, questions on the constitutional provisions regarding cooperatives,
bodies like NCDC, schemes like Sahakar mitra and other initiatives by the
government etc. can be asked.
• For mains, questions on cooperatives can be asked in GS 2 (Social justice) and GS 3
(Economic development).
• Extra read: Sahakar Mitra: https://www.ilearncana.com/details/Sahakar-Mitra/564

Weekly Prelims compilation

Places in news and Geography
PANGONG TSO
Why in news?
o There was a face-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers near the Pangong Tso
lake.
About the Lake:

o Pangong Tso also referred to as Pangong Lake, is a lake in the Himalayas.
o It is situated at a height of about 4,350 m.
o It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to the Tibet, China. Nearly 60%
of the length of the lake lies within the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
o The Line of Actual Control passes through this lake.
o During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.
o It the world's highest saltwater lake.
o It is not a part of the Indus river basin area and geographically is a separate
landlocked river basin.
o The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including
the Bar-headed goose and Brahmini duck. It is not a Ramsar site.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
1.Consider the following statements regarding Pangong Tso lake:
1. Line of Actual Control between India and China passes through this lake.
2. It is a part of the Indus river basin area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Art and Culture and History
Bonalu
About Bonalu:
o Bonalu is a Telangana traditional Hindu festival centered on the Goddess
Mahakali.
o This festival is celebrated annually in the twin cities of Hyderabad and
Secunderabad, as well as in other parts of the state.
o It is celebrated in the month of Ashada Masam, which is around July and/or
August. Special "poojas" (worship/ ceremonies) are performed for Yellamma
(one of the many regional forms of Mahakali) on the first and last day of the
festival.
o The festival is also considered a thanksgiving to the Goddess for fulfillment of
vows.
o The word Bonam is a contraction of the word Bhojanam, a Sanskrit loanword
which means a meal or a feast in Telugu and festival is an offering to the
Mother Goddess.
o Women prepare rice cooked with milk and jaggery in a new brass or earthen
pot adorned with neem leaves, turmeric, vermilion and a lit lamp on top of the
pot.
o Women carry the pots on their heads and make an offering of the Bonam along
with turmeric-vermilion, bangles and sari to the Mother Goddess across the
temples.
o Bonalu involves the worship of Mother Goddess in regional forms like
Maisamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Peddhamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma,
Poleramma, Maremma, Nookalamma.
PRELIMS QUESTION
2.Bonalu is a disease mainly celebrated in the state of:
(a) Gujarat
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Telangana
(d) Kerala
Answer: C

Bhalia Wheat
Why in news?
o The first shipment of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Bhalia variety of
wheat was exported on Wednesday to Kenya and Sri Lanka from Gujarat.
About Bhalia wheat:
o Bhalia Wheat, also known as Daudkhani Wheat is a type of long grain wheat
cultivated in Bhal region in the north of Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat.
o It received registration as Geographic Indication in 2011.
o Bhal region is situated between Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar districts where this
wheat are cultivated starting much before independence of India.
o They are widely used for preparing semolina which is used for making pasta,
macaroni, pizza, spaghetti, vermicelli, noodles etc.
o The sowing starts in late October to the first week of November after rain water
gets drained to the gulf. The produce is reaped in March — April.
o Bhalia wheat does not require irrigation or rain as they are cultivated on
conserved soil moisture.
o Bhalia Wheat are rich in Gluten, a type of amino acid. It is also rich in protein. It
has high amount of carotene and has low absorption of water.
PRELIMS QUESTION
3.Bhalia Wheat is a GI tagged variety of wheat from the state of:
(a) Gujarat
(b) Haryana
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Bihar
Answer: A
Polity
Central Information Commission
Why in news?
o The Supreme Court has directed the Union government and all States to file
status reports on the latest developments regarding vacancies and pendency in
the Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions
(SICs).

How is Central Information Commission constituted?
o It is formed as per Section-12 of RTI Act 2005 which says that the Central
Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a body to be
known as the Central Information Commission.
o The Central Information Commission consists of the Chief Information
Commissioner (CIC) and a number of Central Information Commissioners not
exceeding 10.
o As per RTI act, Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners
shall be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience
in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass
media or administration and governance.
o They are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a
committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of
Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the
Prime Minister.
What is the term of office and other service conditions of IC?
o Earlier, Salaries and allowances payable to and other terms and conditions of
service of the Chief Information Commissioner was to be the same as that of
the Chief Election Commissioner.
o But this was removed by RTI amendment act, 2019 and now the salaries,
allowances, and other terms and conditions of service of the central and state
CIC and ICs are determined by the central government.
o Now, as per current rules, Chief Information Commissioner shall hold office for
a term of three years from the date on which he enters upon his office and
shall not be eligible for reappointment.
Powers and functions of the Central Information Commission:
o It is the duty of the Commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from
any person:
o who has not been able to submit an information request because of
non-appointment of a Public Information Officer;
o who has been refused information that was requested;
o who has not received response to his information request within the
specified time limits;
o who thinks the fees charged are unreasonable;
o who thinks information given is incomplete, misleading or false; and
o any other matter relating to obtaining information.
o The Commission can order inquiry into any matter if there are reasonable
grounds (suo-moto power).
o While inquiring, the Commission has the powers of a civil court.
o During the inquiry of a complaint, the Commission may examine any record
which is under the control of the public authority and no such record may be
withheld from it on any grounds. In other words, all public records must be
given to the Commission during inquiry for examination.
o The Commission has the power to secure compliance of its decisions from the
public authority. This includes:
o providing access to information in a particular form;
o directing the public authority to appoint a Public Information Officer
where none exists;
o publishing information or categories of information;
o making necessary changes to the practices relating to management,
maintenance and destruction of records;
PRELIMS QUESTION
4.Consider the following statements regarding Central Information Commission:
1. It was created under the provisions of Right to information act.

2. Salaries and allowances payable to and other terms and conditions of
service of the Chief Information Commissioner was to be the same as that
of the Chief Election Commissioner.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)
Why in news?
o Centre has allowed any person or institution to contribute to the National
Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the purpose of disaster management.
About the Fund:
o Th NDRF is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

o It supplements State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) of a State, in case of a
disaster of severe nature, provided adequate funds are not available in SDRF.
o The July 2015 guidelines states that natural calamities of cyclone, drought,
earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloud burst,
pest attack and cold wave and frost considered to be of severe nature by
Government of India (GoI) and requiring expenditures by a state government in
excess of the balances available in its own SDRF will qualify for immediate relief
assistance from NDRF.
o The financial assistance from SDRF/NDRF is for providing immediate relief and
is not compensation for loss/damage to properties /crops. In other words, NDRF
amount can be spent only towards meeting the expenses for emergency
response, relief and rehabilitation.
o NDRF is located in the “Public Accounts” of Government of India under
“Reserve Funds not bearing interest”.
o Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under Ministry of Agriculture
(MoA) monitors relief activities for calamities associated with drought,
hailstorms, pest attacks and cold wave /frost while rest of the natural calamities
are monitored by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
o Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audits the accounts of NDRF.
About SDRF:
o The SDRF is the primary fund available with State governments to meet the
expenses of relief operations of an immediate nature, for a range of specified
disasters.
o The Centre contributes 75% of the SDRF allocation for general category States
and Union Territories, and 90% for special category States (northeast States,
Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir).
PRELIMS QUESTION
5.Consider the following statements about National Disaster response fund
(NDRF):
1. NDRF is part of consolidated fund of India.
2. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audits the accounts of
NDRF.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
International Relations
OPEC
Why in news?
o India, the world’ third largest oil importer flagged its concerns over the
increasing global crude oil prices and its impact on consuming nations with
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
About OPEC
o The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an
intergovernmental organization of 13 nations, founded on 14 September 1960
in Baghdad by the first five members (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and
Venezuela), and headquartered since 1965 in Vienna, Austria.
o As of September 2018, the 13 member countries accounted for an estimated
44 percent of global oil production and 81.5 percent of the world's "proven" oil
reserves, giving OPEC a major influence on global oil prices.
o The stated mission of the organization is to "coordinate and unify the
petroleum policies of its member countries and ensure the stabilization of oil
markets, in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of
petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers, and a fair return on
capital for those investing in the petroleum industry."
o The organization is also a significant provider of information about the
international oil market.
o The current OPEC members are the following: Algeria, Angola, Equatorial
Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo,
Saudi Arabia (the de facto leader), the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.
o Ecuador, Indonesia and Qatar are former members.
PRELIMS QUESTION
6.Which of the following countries are members of the Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)?
1. Indonesia
2. Angola
3. Iran
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: B
Asian Development Bank
Why in news?
o The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a $484 million loan for
Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) in Tamil Nadu.
About ADB:
o The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established
in 1966 as a result of Conference on Asian Economic Cooperation held by the
United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East.
o It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
o ADB is an official United Nations Observer.
Objectives of ADB:
o The ADB defines itself as a social development organization that is dedicated to
reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth,
environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.
o As a multilateral development finance institution, ADB provides Loans,
technical assistance and Grants.
o The ADB offers "hard" loans on commercial terms primarily to middle income
countries in Asia and "soft" loans with lower interest rates to poorer countries
in the region.
o ADB also provides direct financial assistance to private sector companies, for
projects that have clear social benefits beyond the financial rate of return.
o ADB maximizes the development impact of its assistance by facilitating policy
dialogues, providing advisory services, and mobilizing financial resources
through co-financing operations.
Members of ADB:
o ADB is composed of 67 members, 48 of which are from the Asia and Pacific
region.

o The bank admits the
members of the United
Nations Economic and
Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
and non-regional
developed countries (I.e.
even non-Asian countries
can be members.)
o Japan and United States hold the largest proportion of shares at 15.607%. China
holds 6.444%, India holds 6.331% and Australia holds 5.786%.
Where does ADB get its funding?
o ADB raises funds through bond issues on the world's capital markets.
o ADB also rely on members' contributions and retained earnings from lending
operations, and the repayment of loans.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
7.The Headquarters of Asian development bank is located in:
(a) Washington DC
(b) Manila
(c) Shanghai
(d) Hong Kong
Answer: B
Belt and Road Initiative
Why in news?
o China is believed to be negotiating with Afghanistan to invest in
Afghanistan's infrastructure through China's international 'Belt and Road
Initiative'
About BRI:
o The Belt and Road Initiative, formerly known as One Belt One Road, is a global
infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in
2013.
o It will invest in nearly 70 countries and international organizations.
o Infrastructure projects include ports, railways, highways, power stations,
aviation and telecommunications.

o "Belt" refers to the overland routes for road and rail transportation, called
"the Silk Road Economic Belt"; whereas "road" refers to the sea routes, or the
21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
o The project has a target completion date of 2049 which coincides with the
100th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
o India has decided not to Join the Belt and Road initiative.
Major Projects undertaken:

o China–Pakistan Economic Corridor
o Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port/ Hambantota Port in Srilanka
o Condor Cliff and La Barrancosa dams in Argentina
o Jakarta–Bandung High Speed Rail in Indonesia
o Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya
o Abuja-Kaduna railway line in Nigeria
PRELIMS QUESTION
8.Consider the following statements regarding “Belt and Road initiative”:
1. It was initiated in 2001 by the Chinese government.

2. It has a target completion date of 2025.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D

Economics
Anti-dumping Duty
About the duty:
o Anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government
imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below the price at which
it is sold in the exporters’ domestic market.
o In order to protect their respective economy, many countries impose duties on
products they believe are being dumped in their national market; this is done
with the rationale that these products have the potential to undercut local
businesses and the local economy.
o The World Trade Organization (WTO) operates a set of international trade rules
for the regulation of anti-dumping measures.
o In general, the WTO agreement permits governments to act against dumping "if
it causes or threatens material injury to an established industry in the territory
of a contracting party or materially retards the establishment of a domestic
industry.
Problems of Anti-dumping duties
o Anti-dumping duties have the potential to distort the market.
o While the intention of anti-dumping duties is to save domestic jobs, these tariffs
can also lead to higher prices for domestic consumers.
o In the long-term, anti-dumping duties can reduce the international competition
of domestic companies producing similar goods.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
9.Consider the following statements regarding Anti-dumping duty:
1. It is regulated by World Trade organization.

2. It is considered as a protectionist tariff.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C

India Post Payments Bank
Why in news?
o India Post Payments Bank Ltd., recently began to offer door step delivery of
insurance services on a trial basis in Uttar Pradesh.
What is the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)?
o IPPB is a Public Sector Bank established with the objective of being present in
all corners of India.
o It has been incorporated under the Department of Posts (Ministry of
Communication & Technology) with 100% equity with Government of India.
Objectives:
o Make banking a simple, affordable and convenient experience for Indians
across the nation.
o Inclusive banking - promote smart saving and investment habits.
o Efficient banking services through digital channels like mobile, UPI, debit cards
which can be used at ATMs, PoS and mobile-PoS.
Services offered:
o Banking Services through both Current and Savings Accounts.
o Domestic Remittance Services via NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer),
IMPS (Immediate Payment Service), AEPS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System),
UPI (Unified Payment Interface) and USSD Payments.
o Direct Benefits Transfer.
o Doorstep Banking with the wide network of post offices and postal employees.
o Third party financial services like insurance, mutual funds, pension, credit
products, forex etc.
o Being a payment bank IPPB cannot issue credit cards and cannot grant loan/
credit out of their own books of accounts.
What is a Payment Bank?
o Payments banks are a type of differentiated bank introduced by the RBI for
promoting financial inclusion and facilitating payments and remittance flows.
o Payments banks can concentrate in only two types of activities – accepting
demand deposits and facilitating payments.
o They operates on a smaller scale without involving any credit risk.
o They can provide payments and remittance services through various channels,
issue ATM and Debit cards, net banking, third party fund transfers and

distribute non-risk sharing simple financial products like mutual fund units and
insurance products, etc.
o Payments bank cannot undertake lending activities - cannot issue loans and
credit cards.
o 25% of its branches must be in the unbanked rural area.
o They also need to maintain Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity
Ratio (SLR) (75%) requirements.
o Foreign shareholding will be allowed in these banks as per the rules for FDI in
private banks.
o It cannot form subsidiaries to undertake non-banking activities.
PRELIMS QUESTION
10.Consider the following statements about India Post Payment Bank (IPPB):
1. India Post Payments Bank has been incorporated as a public sector company
under the department of posts.
2. It will issue credit cards, debit cards and insurance products.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Chardham Highway project
Why in news?
o Due to heavy rains, a newly constructed
section of road on Rishikesh-Gangotri
National Highway, which is being
developed under Char Dham project, in
Uttarakhand's Chamba caved in recently.
About Chardham project:
o Char Dham Expressway National
Highway is a proposed two-lane (in each direction) express National Highway
with a minimum width of 10 metres in the state of Uttarakhand.
o The proposed highway will connect the four holy places of Chota chardham in
Uttarakhand with nearly 900-km all-weather roads.
o The places connected under the project will include Badrinath, Kedarnath,
Champawat, Pithoragarh, Gangotri and Yamunotri
About Chota Char Dham
o It is an important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in the Himalayas.
o Located in the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand the circuit consists
of four sites—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
About Char Dham
o The Char Dham is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India which comprises
Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri and Rameswaram.
PRELIMS QUESTION
11.Which of the following pilgrimage sites are known as Chardham?
(a) Badrinath, Dwaraka, Varanasi and Rameswaram.

(b) Badrinath, Kedarnath, Puri and Haridwar.
(c) Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri and Rameswaram.
(d) Badrinath, Dwaraka, Kedarnath and Rameswaram.
Answer: C
Science and Technology

Laser
Why in news?
o Army is looking at tapping blockchain, lasers for military use.
About Laser
o “Laser” is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation.
o A laser is created when the electrons in atoms in special glasses, crystals, or
gases absorb energy from an electrical current or another laser and become
“excited.”

o The excited electrons move from a lower-energy orbit to a higher-energy orbit
around the atom’s nucleus.
o When they return to their normal or “ground” state, the electrons emit photons
(particles of light).
o These photons are all at the same wavelength and are “coherent”, meaning
the crests and troughs of the light waves are all in lockstep.
o In contrast, ordinary visible light comprises multiple wavelengths and is not
coherent.
o Laser light is different from normal light in other ways as well.
o First, its light contains only one wavelength (one specific color). The particular
wavelength of light is determined by the amount of energy released when the
excited electron drops to a lower orbit.
o Second, laser light is directional. Whereas a laser generates a very tight beam, a
flashlight produces light that is diffuse.
o Because laser light is coherent, it stays focused for vast distances, even to the
moon and back.
o There are many applications for laser technology including the following:
o Laser Range Finding
o Information Processing (DVDs and Blu-Ray)
o Bar Code Readers
o Laser Surgery
o Holographic Imaging
o Laser Spectroscopy
o Laser Material Processing
o Cutting
o Engraving
o Drilling
o Marking
o Surface Modification
PRELIMS QUESTION
12.Laser technology finds application in which of the following fields?
1. DVD
2. Bar Code Reader
3. Surgery
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: D
Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
Why in news?
o UPI enabled digital transactions surged 11.6 per cent month-on-month to Rs
5.47 lakh crore in June this year.
What is a ‘Unified Payment Interface (UPI)’?
o A Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is a single-window mobile payment system
developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
o It eliminates the need to enter bank details or other sensitive information each
time a customer initiates a transaction.
How it works
o The UPI is a real-time payment system.
o It is designed to enable peer-to-peer inter-bank transfers through a single
two-click factor authentication process.
o The interface is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
o It works by transferring money between two bank accounts along a mobile
platform.
o UPI will use existing systems such as Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) and
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) to ensure seamless settlement
across accounts.
o Once a single identifier is established, the system allows mobile payments to be
delivered without the use of credit cards, debit cards, net banking, mobile
wallets etc.
o There is a funds transfer limit of 1 lakh per transaction.
Features of UPI:
o Immediate money transfer through mobile device round the clock 24*7 and 365
days.
o If you are sending money instantly to another UPI account holder, UPI works
faster than IMPS and NEFT mode of payments.
o Universal Application for transaction.
o Single Click 2 Factor Authentication.

o Virtual address of the customer for Pull & Push without the need for details
such as Card no, Account number, IFSC etc.
o The user can access balances and transaction histories along with sending and
receiving money.
Add Ons:
o The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched UPI 2.0 by
adding four new features to make it attractive and safer for users.
o Features of UPI 2.0 are
o Linking of overdraft account: In addition to current and savings accounts,
customers can link their overdraft account to UPI.
o One-time mandate: Customers can pre-authorise a transaction and pay at
a later date.
o Invoice in the inbox: According to NPCI, this feature is designed for
customers to check the invoice sent by merchant prior to making payment.
It will help customers to view and verify the credentials and check whether
it has come from the right merchant or not.
o Signed intent and QR: This feature is designed for customers to check the
authenticity of merchants while scanning QR or quick response code. It
notifies the user with information to ascertain whether the merchant is a
verified UPI merchant or not. This provides an additional security.
PRELIMS QUESTION
13.Consider the following statements regarding “Unified Payment Interface (UPI)”
1. It was created National Payments corporation of India (NPCI).

2. There is a funds transfer limit of 1 lakh per transaction on UPI.
3. It is a real time payments system.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: D
Malaria
Why in news?
o As per the Global Malaria Report 2020 by the World Health Organization
(WHO), in 2019 an estimated 229 million malaria cases and 409,000 deaths in
87 malaria-endemic countries are recorded, with a large concentration of the
total malaria burden (94%) in Africa.
o India shared 2% of the total global malaria cases in 2019.
About Malaria:
o Malaria is a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites.
o The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female
Anopheles mosquitoes, called "malaria vectors."
o There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these
species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest threat.
o World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends DDT as one of the efficient
Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) chemicals to curb malaria mosquito menace.
o DDT is widely used by Southern African countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, etc and India.
o India has set 2030 as the target year for eliminating malaria.
PRELIMS QUESTION
14.Consider the following statements regarding Malaria:
1. It is a bacterial disease.
2. India accounts for 50% of global cases of Malaria.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
Environment and Ecology

Biological Diversity Act, 2002
o It is an act to provide for conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of
its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the
use of biological resources, knowledge and for matters connected therewith or
incidental thereto.
o It was enacted to meet the obligations under Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD).
o The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has been set up in October 2003 in
Chennai as per the Act.

o The NBA performs the following functions: -
o Regulation of acts prohibited under the Act.
o Advise the Government on conservation of biodiversity.
o Advise the Government on selection of biological heritage sites.
o Take appropriate steps to oppose grant of intellectual property rights in
foreign countries, arising from the use of biological resources or
associated traditional knowledge.
The Act introduces the following regulations:
o A foreigner needs to take permission from the NBA before obtaining any
biological resources or associated knowledge from India.
o Indian citizens or corporates need to take permission from the concerned State
Biodiversity Board. (vaidyas and hakkims who are practicing indigenous
medicines are exempted).
o No person should apply for any form of intellectual property protection based
on the research arising out of biological resources without the permission of the
NBA.
o Result of research using biological resources from India cannot be transferred to
a non-citizen or a foreign company without the permission of NBA. (Unless for
publication of the research in a journal or seminar, or collaborative research
made by institutions approved by Central Government.)
Benefit sharing out of usage of biological resources can be done in following
manner:
o Joint ownership of intellectual property rights
o Transfer of technology.
o Location of production, research development units in the area of source
o Payment of monetary and non-monetary compensation
o Setting up of venture capital fund for aiding the cause of benefit claimer.
Note:
o Indigenous and local communities, who either grow the biological resources or
have a traditional knowledge of these resources, are the beneficiaries under the
Biological Diversity Act.
PRELIMS QUESTION
15.Consider the following statements regarding Biological diversity Act,2002:
1. Act was enacted to meet India’s obligations under convention on

Biodiversity (CBD).
2. It makes mandatory for all individuals including Indians to get permission
from National Biodiversity authority while using biological resources for
commercial purposes.
3. Benefit sharing under the act can be done by payment of either monetary
or non-monetary compensation.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: B
Wildlife Protection Act
What is it?
o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted for
protection of plants and animal species.
Salient provisions:
o It extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir which
has its own wildlife act.
o It provides for the establishment of protected areas - Sanctuaries, National
Parks etc.
o The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and
prohibits the capturing, killing, poisoning or trapping of wild animals.
o It has six schedules which give varying degrees of protection.
o It regulates and controls trade in parts and products derived from wildlife.
o It provides for protection of hunting rights of the Scheduled Tribes in Andaman
and Nicobar Islands.
o It also provides for the management of zoos.
Schedules under WPA 1972:
o Species listed in Schedule I and part II of Schedule II get absolute protection —
offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.
o Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also protected, but the
penalties are much lower
o Schedule V includes the animals which may be hunted (vermin).
o The plants in Schedule VI are prohibited from cultivation and planting.

Protected areas under WPA 1972:
o Wildlife Sanctuaries - Notified by State or Central Government.
o National Parks - Notified by State or Central Government.
o The main difference between a wildlife sanctuary and a national park is that
human activities are not at all allowed in a national park. On the other hand,
rights of some limited human activities are provided within the boundary of a
sanctuary.
o Conservation Reserves - The State Government after consultations with local
communities can declare any area owned by the Government, particularly areas
adjacent to national parks or sanctuaries, as conservation reserves.
o Community Reserves - The State Government can, in consultation with the
community or an individual who have volunteered to conserve wildlife, declare
any private or community land as community reserve.
o Tiger Reserve - The State Government on the recommendation of the Tiger
Conservation Authority may notify an area as a tiger reserve, for which it has to
prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan.
PRELIMS QUESTION
16.Consider the following statements regarding Wildlife protection Act:
1. It was enacted in the year 1972.

2. It provides for protected areas like National parks and Wildlife sanctuaries.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
What is it?
o Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship scheme of the
Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
o The objective of this Skill Certification Scheme is to enable a large number of
Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training that will help them in
securing a better livelihood.

o It is implemented by the ministry through the autonomous National Skill
Development Council (NSDC).
Working:
o Skill training would be done based on the National Skill Qualification
Framework (NSQF) and industry led standards.
o Under the scheme, a monetary reward is given to trainees on assessment and
certification by third party assessment bodies.
o Special emphasis has been given to recognition of prior learning.
o It will primarily be focused on a first-time entrants to the labour market and
primarily target Class 10 and Class 12 drop outs.
o Sector Skill Councils (autonomous industry-led bodies by NSDC) and the State
Governments would closely monitor skill training that will happen under
PMKVY.
About PMKVY 3.0
o Spearheaded by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE), this is the latest phase of PMKVY and the phase will focus on new-age
and COVID-related skills.
o Skill India Mission PMKVY 3.0 envisages training of eight lakh candidates over a
scheme period of 2020-2021 with an outlay of Rs. 948.90 crore.
o The 729 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs) empaneled non-PMKK
training centres and more than 200 ITIs under Skill India will be rolling out
PMKVY 3.0 training to build a robust pool of skilled professionals.
o On the basis of the learning gained from PMKVY 1.0 and PMKVY 2.0, the
Ministry has improved the newer version of the scheme to match the current
policy doctrine and energize the skilling ecosystem affected due to the COVID-
19 pandemic.
PRELIMS QUESTION
17.With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY), consider the
following:
1. Skill training would be done based on the National Skill Qualification
Framework.
2. Individuals with prior learning experience or skills shall be assessed and
certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning.
(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Terms recently in news

World
A report published by International Labour Organisation
Employment &
(ILO), it has found that Covid has pushed over 100 million
Social Outlook
more workers into poverty worldwide.
Trends Report
A report published by International Energy Agency (IEA), it
World Energy
has projected that Global energy investment is expected to
Investment
rebound in 2021 and increase 10% year-on-year to around
Report
USD 1.9 trillion.
Awarded by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
India Biodiversity
Change in association with UNDP since 2012.
Awards
Won by Shaji .N.M, a tuber crop farmer from Kerala, in 2021.
Raja or Raja Parba or Mithuna Sankranti is a three-day-long
Raja Parba
festival of womanhood celebrated in Odisha.


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2021

The objective of this magazine is to make the aspirants exam ready in an

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