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Table of Contents
1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE ________________4 3.13.17. Aluminium Wagons ____________________ 55
1.1. Digitalisation of Land Records In India _______ 4 3.13.18. Postal Index Number or PIN Code _________ 56
1.2. Preventive Detention _____________________ 6 4. SECURITY _____________________________ 57
1.3. News in Shorts __________________________ 8 4.1. Use of Space for Defence _________________ 57
1.3.1. Governor and Council of Ministers ____________ 8 4.2. Role of Community in Border Management __ 59
1.3.2. Centre notifies Information Technology 4.3. News in Shorts _________________________ 61
(Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) 4.3.1. Delhi Declaration ________________________ 61
Amendment Rules, 2022 _________________________ 8 4.3.2. Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ______________ 61
1.3.3. Psychological Test of Death Row Convicts ______ 8 4.3.3. C-295 Transport Aircraft ___________________ 62
1.3.4. Grievance Redressal Index (GRI) ______________ 9 4.3.4. Dirty bomb _____________________________ 62
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ______________10 4.3.5. Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) _ 62
2.1. Indus Water Treaty (IWT)_________________ 10 4.3.6. Exercise in News _________________________ 62
2.2. India-Africa Defence Relations ____________ 12 5. ENVIRONMENT ________________________ 63
2.3. UN Peacekeeping Mission ________________ 14 5.1. Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) _____ 63
2.4. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) _________ 17 5.2. Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Forestry _____ 65
2.5. International Criminal Police Organization 5.3. Urban Flooding _________________________ 67
(Interpol) _________________________________ 19 5.4. Mawmluh Cave _________________________ 69
2.6. News in Shorts _________________________ 21 5.5. News in Shorts _________________________ 71
2.6.1. Nord Stream ____________________________ 21 5.5.1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
3. ECONOMY _____________________________22 Synthesis Report, 2022 released by UNFCCC _______ 71
5.5.2. Emissions Gap Report 2022 ________________ 71
3.1. Central Bank Digital Currency _____________ 22
5.5.3. The Coldest Year of the Rest of Their Lives Report
3.2. Internationalization of Rupee _____________ 25 ____________________________________________ 72
3.3. Productivity Challenge of India ____________ 28 5.5.4. State of Climate Action Report 2022 _________ 72
3.4. Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) _ 30 5.5.5. Climate Transparency Report (CTR) __________ 72
3.5. Nobel Prizes 2022 _______________________ 32 5.5.6. World Energy Outlook ____________________ 72
3.5.1. Nobel Prize for Economics 2022 _____________ 33 5.5.7. Greenhouse Gas Bulletin __________________ 73
3.6. Digital Banking Units (DBUs) ______________ 35 5.5.8. State of Mangroves 2022 __________________ 73
3.7. Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022 ________ 36 5.5.9. Lead Poisoning __________________________ 73
3.8. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana_______ 38 5.5.10. Green Crackers _________________________ 74
3.9. Draft Coal Logistic Policy 2022 _____________ 40 5.5.11. Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) _______________ 74
3.10. One Nation One Fertiliser (ONOF) _________ 42 5.5.12. Effects of Light Pollution on Migratory Birds __ 74
5.5.13. Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) _______ 74
3.11. Minimum Support Price (MSP) ___________ 44
5.5.14. IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology __________ 75
3.12. Development of North-East Region ________ 46 5.5.15. Tiger Relocation ________________________ 75
3.13. News in Shorts ________________________ 49 5.5.16. Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary ___________ 75
3.13.1. Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 5.5.17. Sloth Bear _____________________________ 76
2022 Survey Report ____________________________ 49 5.5.18. Durgavati Tiger Reserve __________________ 76
3.13.2. India’s Green GDP _______________________ 49 5.5.19. Mining in Aravallis ______________________ 76
3.13.3. Doom Loop ____________________________ 50 5.5.20. Kolar Fields ____________________________ 76
3.13.4. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Inter- 5.5.21. Blue Flag Beaches _______________________ 76
Operable Regulatory Sandbox (IoRS) ______________ 50 5.5.22. World Green City Award 2022 _____________ 77
3.13.5. Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) _____ 51 5.5.23. Glyphosate ____________________________ 77
3.13.6. Debts Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) ___________ 51 5.5.24. New Island in Pacific Ocean _______________ 77
3.13.7. DAKSH ________________________________ 52
6. SOCIAL ISSUES _________________________ 78
3.13.8. Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) 52
3.13.9. Northward Shift in Sugarcane Production ____ 52
6.1. National Curriculum Framework for
3.13.10. Quality Council of India (QCI) _____________ 53 Foundational Stage _________________________ 78
3.13.11. Business 20 (B20) ______________________ 54 6.2. National Credit Framework _______________ 80
3.13.12. Infrastructure Status to Data Centres ______ 54 6.3. Promotion of Higher Education in Regional
3.13.13. Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) _____ 54 Languages ________________________________ 82
3.13.14. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Route _____ 54 6.4. Gender Pay Parity _______________________ 83
3.13.15. Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index 6.5. Nutritional Security in India _______________ 85
____________________________________________ 55 6.6. Drugs Regulation Ecosystem in India ________ 87
3.13.16. Bharat Series (BH) ______________________ 55 6.7. News in Shorts _________________________ 89
1 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
6.7.1. Results of Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2022 7.7.9. Genetically Modified Mustard _____________ 103
Announced __________________________________ 89 7.7.10. World Health Organization Releases Global TB
6.7.2. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme ______ 89 Report, 2022 ________________________________ 103
6.7.3. Learning Losses __________________________ 90 7.7.11. First-Ever Fungal Priority Pathogens List (FPPL)
6.7.4. YUVA 2.0 (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) ___________________________________________ 104
Scheme _____________________________________ 90 7.7.12. Oral Rehydration Solution _______________ 104
6.7.5. Hunger Hotspots Report ___________________ 90 7.7.13. Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) _________ 105
6.7.6. Global Status Report on Physical Activity 2022 _ 90 8. CULTURE ____________________________ 106
7. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ______________91 8.1. Mahakaleshwar Temple _________________ 106
7.1. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022 _____________ 91 8.2. Numismatics in India ___________________ 107
7.2. Nobel Prize in Physics 2022 _______________ 91 8.3. News in Shorts ________________________ 109
7.3. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2022 __ 93 8.3.1. Modhera ______________________________ 109
7.4. One Health ____________________________ 94 8.3.2. Nobel Prize in Literature__________________ 109
7.5. Flex Fuel ______________________________ 97 8.3.3. Nobel Peace Prize 2022 __________________ 110
7.6. Mars Orbiter Mission ____________________ 99 8.3.4. Nansen Refugee Award __________________ 110
7.7. News in Shorts ________________________ 101 9. ETHICS ______________________________ 111
7.7.1. Commercial 5G Service ___________________ 101 9.1. Social Media and Civil Servants ___________ 111
7.7.2. The Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) _______ 101 10. SCHEMES IN NEWS ___________________ 113
7.7.3. LVM3-M2 ______________________________ 101 10.1. Telecom Technology Development Fund
7.7.4. Sampurnanand Optical Telescope (SOT) _____ 102 scheme __________________________________ 113
7.7.5. Sodium Content on Moon’s Surface _________ 102 10.2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme
7.7.6. Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) _____________ 102
(PM-KISAN) ______________________________ 113
7.7.7. Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) __________________ 102
7.7.8. Partial Solar Eclipse ______________________ 103 11. APPENDIX __________________________ 115

1. POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1.1. DIGITALISATION OF LAND RECORDS IN INDIA
Why in news? Current Status of Digitalisation of Land Records in
India
To boost the digitalisation of land records in India, the central
• Computerization of Land Records (Record of
government has asked the state governments to install local servers
rights) has been completed in 94% of villages.
as well as increase internet speed in sub-registrar offices. • Around 29 States/UTs have displayed Record of
More on the news Rights (RoRs) on Web.
• Integration of land records & property
• The government is also planning to come up with an online registration has been done in 75.78 % of Sub-
registration system under the Digital India Land Records Registrar Offices.
Modernization Programme (DILRMP). • 70.41 % of Cadastral Maps have been digitized.
o It is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Rural o Cadastral maps marks the real estate
Development. boundaries and division of land to define
the ownership and purpose of the land.
About Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme • Textual and spatial data integration has been
(DILRMP) completed for 60.67 % of villages.
• It is a central sector scheme launched in
2016.
• The DILRMP has 3 major components:
o Computerization of land record;
o Survey/re-survey
o Computerization of Registration.
Significance of digitalization of land records
• Better credit delivery in rural areas:
Creation of vast bankable assets across rural
India can help in credit growth, especially in
agriculture and MSME sectors.
• Reduced litigation: Enhanced transparency
in the land records maintenance system will minimize the scope
How is Land ownership recognised in India?
of land disputes.
Land ownership in India is recognised through a
• Infrastructure: Facilitates development of new infrastructure by set of documents including-
easing process of land acquisition and rehabilitation and • Record of rights (RoR), which captures details
settlement of compensation claims. such as the name of the land holder, the
• Revenue Generation: Enhanced local revenues through number and size of the plot area, and revenue
improved property tax billing and collection. rate (for agricultural land),
• Enhanced efficiency of policy making: Digitization will help • Registered sale deed to prove that the
improve policy makers make informed decisions regarding land property has been sold from one person to
value assessment, land use planning, environmental protection the other, and the taxes on the sale have been
paid,
and resource management.
• Survey documents to record a property’s
• Check on fraudulent transactions: Generation of black money boundaries and area, and prove that the
through Benami transactions could be pre-empted and property is listed in government records,
eliminated by the digitization of land records and their regular • Property tax receipts.
updation.
• Easy disbursal of benefits of welfare schemes implemented by Central and State Governments such as crop
insurance, grant of agricultural subsidy etc.
• Cut down the human interface in registration process: This will lower processing time of document registration and
reduce corruption related to transfer, buying and selling of land, and land titles.

Constraints in Digitalization of land records in India Other measures taken to promote digitization
• Legacy issues: Digital records have inherited the bad • National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) is
data from the old documents reflected in never- an in-house advanced software application for the
registration system developed by NIC.
surveyed villages, missing maps and lack of updated
• Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) System
surveys with modern tools.
provides a unique ID of 14 digits for every plot of land in the
• Sub-standard data collection: Land portals in country based on the Georeference coordinate of vertices of
several states suffer from serious inadequacies. the parcel.
o Inadequacies like the wrong data entry, lack of • BhuNaksha: A Solution for digital Cadastral Mapping.
standardised information, mismatch in the • Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised
digital data and information on the older Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme aims to
paper records, inaccurate estimation of extent demarcate inhabited (Abadi) land and provide Record of
of land and so on. Rights/Property Cards in rural areas through the latest
o Mismatch in data sets could potentially invite surveying drone technology.
further legal disputes. • Initiative to transliterate the Records of Rights to any of the
22 languages recognised by the Constitution.
• Limited capacity of the administration: Stake
• Efforts at the State level:
holders and employees, especially at ground level,
o Bhoomi is a project jointly funded by the Centre and the
lack appropriate technical skills required for state of Karnataka to digitise the paper land records and
digitalization. create a software mechanism to control changes to the
• Non-uniformity across the states: Land and its land registry in Karnataka.
management fall under the jurisdiction of the o Telangana’s Dharani project integrates RoR data with
states, leading to lack of data standardization individual land plot maps.
among different states.
• Lack of coordination between the various nodal agencies handling land records like the revenue, survey and
registration overseeing the land make it cumbersome to access them.
• Digital gap: Digitization of land records could make it difficult for poor and vulnerable sections, to establish their titles,
as several old land titles are non-traceable.
• Data leaks and threat of cyber-attacks: Digital presence of property ownership documents can potentially leave the
personal data vulnerable to theft.
• Potential for consumer profiling: Information like the size of a plot of land compounded with the average cost of land
in the area of ownership may be used to indicate the financial situation of the landowner and lead to their profiling.
• Trust issues: Any instances of malicious manipulation of digital land records can raise concerns among landowners
about loss of landholding, State encroachment, corrupt practices etc.
• Other issues: Lack of gender inclusivity in land record management, impact of persisting land conflicts, absence of
fast internet connectivity and data servers, etc.
Way forward
• Providing government employees appropriate skills through comprehensive training programmes.
• Adopt and implement security management systems for safely storing land record data and building trust among
landowners.
• Undertake surveying and mapping of the land using the new technologies such as blockchain, drones, satellite
imagery, GIS etc. to ensure true ground depiction on maps and land records.
• Build capacity among states for by establishing dedicated data centers, high speed processors and fiber optic
networks etc. at the state level.
• Update all textual data prior to digitization by including old titles, mutation records and record or rights.
• Conduct awareness generation programmes regrading digital processes and applications related to land registration.
• Build uniform standards for recording, maintaining and updating land records.

1.2. PREVENTIVE DETENTION
Why in news?
Recently, Supreme Court has ruled that the preventive detention is to be used only in exceptional circumstances.
More on news
• The Supreme Court in an order
observed that preventive
detention is an exceptional
power of the State which affects
the personal liberty of the
individual and has to be
employed sparingly.
o The court distinguished
between law and order situations and public disorder. Preventive detention may apply in the latter but never for
the former situation.
• The bench referred to the 1982 SC decision in ‘Ashok Kumar vs Delhi administration’ case which said preventive
detention is devised to afford protection to society.
o The objective is not to punish a man for having done something but to intercept before he does it and to prevent
him from doing.
About Preventive Detention
• It is the detention of a person on a mere
reasonable apprehension of him doing an
activity dangerous to public order and security.
o Here, the person is confined in custody
without undergoing a trial.
• Constitution gives protection against arrest and
detention under Article 22 (1) and 22 (2).
o These protections are not available to a
person arrested or detained under
preventive detention laws (Article 22(3)).
• Multiple laws such as Code of Criminal
Procedure, Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic
Substance Act (NDPS) 1985, Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act etc. permit Preventive
Detention.
o According to the NCRB ‘Crimes in India
Report 2021’, over 1.1 lakh people were
placed under Preventive Detention in 2021,
highest since 2017.
• The Criminal Procedure Code of India also
provides for Preventive detention under
Section 151.
o According to Section 151 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure, the police are
empowered to make preventive arrests if
they believe they must do so to prevent the
commission of “any cognisable offence”.

Issues associated with Preventive Detention
• Executive Tyranny: Preventive detention laws are designed to be highly administratively steered and restrict the
scope of judicial interference.
• Violate Fundamental Rights: Under preventive detention fundamental rights of the detainee under article 21
(Protection of life and liberty, due process), 19 (Freedom of Expression), 14 (Right to Equality) are breached to a
greater extent than in the arrest.
• Misuse: Instances of misuse of preventive detention are on a rise and it has been used to curb dissent and freedom
of the citizens.
o For instance, 78.33% of all detention orders under National Security Act (NSA) from 2018 to 2020 were found to
be incorrect. Laws Providing for Preventive Detention in India
• Backlogs: Pending cases are overburdening • First Preventive Detention Act (1950) was passed to prevent anti-
courts, so hearing writ petitions against national elements from carrying out acts that are hostile to Nation’s
preventive detention orders can take several security and defence.
months. As a result, the process becomes the • Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) (1971-77) is infamous
persecution. for its excesses during emergency when it was aggressively used
• Advisory Board: The eligibility criteria set by against political opponents, trade unions and civil society groups
the Constitution for the members of the that challenged the government.
advisory board under Article 22 gives the o 44th Amendment Act of 1978 removed MISA.
State the power to make it a purely executive • Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974
committee. provided for preventive detention to maintain and improve foreign
o Such a committee cannot be regarded as exchange and to deter illegal trade.
impartial or free from political • Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) 1985 is
influence. deemed to be most powerful and restrictive laws drawn up under the
• Victimisation of the detainee: Long-time system of preventive detention.
taken by legal system to dispose detention • Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2002 was presented as an act
similar to TADA.
cases, combined with non-availability of
redressal mechanism other than filing writ petitions Supreme Court on Preventive detention
leads to victimisation of the detainee. • AK Gopalan Vs State of Madras (1950): The court gave a
Way forward green flag to the Preventive Detention Act because of the
presence of the explicit provisions of Article 22(5).
• Legal representative: Detainee should be provided • ShibbanLal v. State of Uttar Pradesh: The Supreme Court of
right to consult, represented by a lawyer of his India stated that a courtroom isn’t even competent to
choice at any stage to ensure that the defence is enquire into reality or in any case of the facts which are
effectively put before advisory board and to aid referenced as the grounds of detainment.
informed decision making. • Shambhu Nath Shankar Vs State of West Bengal: Although
• Advisory Board: It should consist of only sitting the concept of Preventive detention in itself is draconian and
infringes the fundamental rights guaranteed in the
judges of High Courts to ensure speedy trial,
constitution, sometimes it is necessary for the state to take
effective and fair decision making while deciding
such extreme steps to maintain the security of the country.
validity and extension of detention.
• Timeframe: Detention order should be made effective only after approval by advisory boards within a prescribed
timeframe. So that, detainee is not forced to be in detention for too long just by executive order.
• Independent body: A commission should be formed to enquire into allegations of misuse of preventive detention,
allegations of coercive use of authority etc. to enhance transparency and prevent misuse.
• Constitutional safeguards: Preventive detention must abide by provisions under Article 21 (due process of law) and
Article 22 (safeguards against arbitrary arrest and detention) along with the statute in question.

1.3. NEWS IN SHORTS
1.3.1. GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF ✓ Each GAC will consist of a chairperson and two
MINISTERS whole time members appointed by the
Central government.
• Recently, Kerala Governor threatened to remove ✓ The GAC will hear appeals by social media
Ministers from their posts if they continued to lower users against decisions of grievance officers
the dignity of his office. appointed by the intermediary.
• Article 164 of the Constitution provides that the Chief o Dispute Resolution Mechanism: Online dispute
Minister shall be appointed by the Governor. resolution mechanism, i.e. digital mode of the
o The other Ministers shall be appointed by the entire appeal process, from filing of appeal to the
Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. decision.
o Additonally, CM and the Ministers shall hold o Obligations for intermediary: Intermediaries can
office during the pleasure of the Governor. develop and implement “appropriate safeguards”
o However, pleasure of the governor has not been to prevent misuse of the grievance redressal
defined. mechanism.
• But there have been instances of Governors dismissing o Time bound: The companies will be required to
Chief Ministers, but those were related to acknowledge complaints from users within 24
constitutional situations in which the legislative hours and resolve them within 15 days or 72 hours
majority of the incumbent government was lost. in case of an information takedown request.
• Various judicial pronouncements for Pleasure of the • Concerns with IT rules
Governor o Excessive government control.
o Mahabir Prasad v. Prafulla Chandra 1969, the o Can act as an effective tool to curb government
governor's pleasure under article 164(1) is subject criticism and dissent.
to Article 164(2). o Additional responsibilities on grievance officers.
✓ Thus the withdrawal of the governor's
pleasure must coincide with the withdrawal of
support to the government by the assembly.
o In Shamsher Singh & Anr vs State of Punjab
(1974), SC declared that Governor shall exercise his
formal constitutional powers only in accordance
with the advice of their Ministers.
o In Nabam Rebia and etc vs Deputy Speaker and
ors (2016), SC ruled that Article 163 of the
Constitution does not give the Governor a general
discretionary power to act against or without the
advice of his Council of Ministers.
• Thus, as per the current understanding, the Governor
cannot remove the ministers at his own will.
1.3.2. CENTRE NOTIFIES INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY (INTERMEDIARY
GUIDELINES AND DIGITAL MEDIA ETHICS
CODE) AMENDMENT RULES, 2022
• IT Rules 2021 has been released under section 87 of IT
1.3.3. PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST OF DEATH
Act, 2000 for Social-Media, Digital Media and OTT
ROW CONVICTS
platforms.
• Key provisions • In a significant order, SC has reiterated the importance
o Grievance Appellate Committees (GAC): The of conducting a psychological evaluation of convicts
Central Government shall establish one or more who have been awarded death sentences. It called for:
Grievance Appellate Committees (GAC) within o Psychological evaluation of condemned prisoners
three months. by expert doctors

o Access to them by mitigating investigators. factors of the crime against the mitigating factors
• It held this will aid Court to have an independent and of the criminal before awarding death penalty.
holistic picture of the physical and mental condition
and background of the condemned person. 1.3.4. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL INDEX
• Death Penalty or capital punishment is the execution (GRI)
of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by
• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) topped
a court of law for a criminal offense.
GRI for the second consecutive month.
o Constitution give power to President of India and
o UIDAI is a statutory authority established under
the Governor respectively to grant pardon and to
provisions of Aadhaar act 2016.
suspend, remit or commute death penalty in
o Administrated by: Ministry of Electronics &
certain cases.
Information Technology.
• Landmark judgements related to death penalty:
• GRI is published by Department of Administrative
o Bachan singh v/s State of Punjab: Supreme court
Reforms and Public Grievances every month.
pointed out only in the rarest of rare cases that are
o It ranks Ministries, Departments and
brutal, the death penalty should be imposed.
Autonomous Bodies.
o Machhi Singh and others v the State of Punjab:
Supreme court stressed weighing aggravating

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
2.1. INDUS WATER TREATY (IWT)
Why in news?
The World Bank has appointed a Neutral Expert (NE)
and a Chairman of the Court of Arbitration (CoA)
regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric
power plants.
More on the news
• The appointments were made under the Indus
Water Treaty (IWT) to resolve the disputes
between India and Pakistan over India’s run-of-
the-river hydroelectric projects.
o Kishanganga Hydroelectricity Project (KHEP)
located on Kishanganga or Neelam, a tributary
of Jhelum, was inaugurated in 2018.
o Ratle Hydroelectric Plant (RHEP) is being
constructed on the Chenab Rivers.
o The World Bank is not financing either project.
• Earlier, Pakistan had asked the World Bank to
facilitate the establishment of a Court of
Arbitration to consider its concerns about the
designs of the two hydroelectric power projects.
o While India had asked for the appointment of an NE to consider similar concerns over the two projects.
About the IWT, 1960
• Since both countries were dependent on water from the Indus river basin for their irrigation, equitable distribution
and infrastructure was needed.
o In 1951, the World Bank offered to mediate the water-sharing dispute.
o Finally in 1960, an agreement was reached between the two countries, leading to the signing of the IWT.
• The IWT delimits the rights and obligations
of India and Pakistan for the use of waters
on the Indus Rivers.
• India, Pakistan and World Bank are the
signatories of the treaty. Though Indus
originates from Tibet, China has been kept
out of the Treaty.
o World Bank is the third-party guarantor.
• Sharing of water
o Eastern rivers: India was allocated to
India for unrestricted use.
o Western rivers: Water of Indus, Jhelum,
and Chenab was allocated largely to
Pakistan.
✓ India is permitted for certain
agricultural uses, to build ‘run of
the river’ hydropower projects with
limited storage (up to 3.6 million acre feet or MAF of water) as per criteria specified in the treaty.
✓ Pakistan raises objections over such projects built by India, if they do not comply with the specifications.
• Pakistan generally objects to Indian projects for utlisation of water from western rivers.
• Example: Salal dam project, Baglihar Hydropower project, Shahpurkandi dam, Ujh Multipurpose project and Ravi-
Beas Link
• Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): Commissioners are appointed by both the countries for cooperation and
information exchange regarding their use of the rivers.
o The PIC is required to meet at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan.
• The treaty provides a 3 tier dispute resolution mechanism of which PIC is the first stage (refer to the infographics).
• IWT does not have a unilateral exit provision, and is supposed to remain in force unless both the countries ratify
another mutually agreed pact.
• Seen as one of the most successful international treaties as it has survived frequent tensions, including conflict and
wars.
Issues with the IWT
• Dissatisfaction over water apportionment: Since 80% water is allocated to Pakistan, the treaty is seen as an unfair
settlement by India.
• Ambiguous and room for conflict: The treaty is extensively technical and the western rivers flow through the
conflicted region of Jammu and Kashmir that paves the way for conflict.
o For example, Frequent objections by Pakistan has led to delaying of Indian projects for decades.
• Lack of mutual trust: The structure does not encourage interactions between riparian which is essential for trust
building.
o Pakistan maintains high troop levels around the canals on the eastern front, fearing that India will try to take
control of the western rivers.
• Suboptimal data sharing: The data sharing of the flow is frequently unfulfilled due to diplomatic tensions.
o Also, the quality of shared data is questioned many times and there is no mechanism for the research community
to get access to it.
• Limited role of the Guarantor: For example, in the current disputes of KHEP and RHEP the World Bank had to appoint
the Neutral Expert and chairman of CoA
Related information
simultaneously. Important international principles for water-sharing
o Such concurrent appointments may pose practical • The Harmon doctrine: It postulates that every state is
and legal risks. sovereign in its water resources and has right to do
o However, the World Bank lacks the power to whatever it likes within its territorial jurisdiction.
decide which one should take the precedence. • Campione Rules: It outline the need to include the water
• Lack of adequate environmental safeguards: Indus of an aquifer (that is, underground water or fossil water)
Basin is one of the world’s most over-stressed aquifers, while determining reasonable equitable share.
but the treaty lacks guidelines to address issues related • Helsinki rules, 1996: It established the principle of
to climate change. “reasonable and equitable utilization” of the waters of an
international drainage basin among the riparian states as
o Also, the IWT does not provide mechanisms and
the basic principle of international water law.
provisions to deal with groundwater in the Indus
• Berlin Rules 2004: It provides that basin states should
Basin. manage the water of an international drainage basin
Reforms needed to make IWT more effective having due regard for the obligation not to cause
significant harm to other basin states.
• Ratification of the UN Water Convention: The
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention)
is an international legal instrument to ensure the sustainable use of transboundary water resources by facilitating
cooperation.
o Initially negotiated as a regional instrument for Europe, it was opened up for accession to all UN Member States
in 2016.
• Global forum on transboundary rivers: A structurally sound forum for solving water conflicts can assist in
comprehensive policy-making to ensure the sustainability of transboundary water resources.
• Promoting open data policy: There is a need to give free data access to international supervisory bodies and other
stakeholders for promoting transparency and applied scientific research.
o This can ease the tension among the
riparian and divert leaders to evenly
focus on the crisis.
• Optimisation of the treaty: Since
unilateral exit is not possible, India should
ensure full utilisation of all accessible
water of the rivers. For example,
o Repair canal systems in Punjab and
Rajasthan to increase their water
carrying capacity.
o Expedite new projects like the one on
the Ujh, as well as the Shahpurkandi
on the Ravi.
• Renegotiate the treaty: Both the
countries should undertake joint research
on the rivers to study the impact of
climate change for ‘future cooperation’
(underlined in Article VII of the IWT).
2.2. INDIA-AFRICA DEFENCE RELATIONS

Why in News?
India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) was held
recently on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in
Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
About India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD)
• IADD was institutionalised (in 2020) to be held
biennially during successive DefExpos.
• Gandhinagar Declaration was adopted as an
outcome document of IADD 2022.
o It proposes to enhance cooperation in the
field of training in all
areas of mutual
interest by
empowerment and
capability building of
African defence
forces, participation
in exercises and
humanitarian
assistance during
natural disasters etc.
o India offered
fellowship for
experts from African
countries through
Manohar Parrikar
Institute for Defence
Studies and Analysis.

Importance of India-Africa Defence Relations
• Geopolitical: A constructive defence and security engagement with African countries would provide excellent
opportunities to enhance India's influence in this increasingly important region.
• To Secure African States Interest: India’s Growing presence in the region will help African nations to remain neutral
in the intensifying great power rivalries.
o The great power rivalry between the West on the one hand and Russia and China on the other has emerged as a
key feature of Africa's strategic landscape.
• Maritime Security: There is a shared concern over the numerous maritime security challenges, especially in Indian
Ocean region (IOR), such as piracy, maritime terrorism, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug
trafficking and human trafficking.
• Securing Sea-lanes of communications (SLOCs): It helps to secure vital maritime chokepoints at the entrances to the
Indian Ocean like Bab-el Mandeb, the Gulf of Aden, Strait of Hormuz and the Mozambique Channel.
• Fight against terrorism: Many African countries and India have been victims of terrorism and radical extremism (from
Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, Jaish e-Mohammad, al-Qaeda etc.) causing threat to greater economic development and
social stability.
• Counter Chinese influence: China
has made massive inroads in
advancing its strategic and economic
interests in the IOR, particularly by
gaining access to strategic ports and
military bases.
• Boosting Defence exports: Defence
exports grew by 334% in the last five
years; India now exporting to over 75
countries and African countries can
be a potential market for India’s
public and private sector
organisations.
• Support to peacekeeping missions: A strong defence partnership could help peacekeeping forces to grasp the
changes that are underway in the nature and role of contemporary peacekeeping operations.
Challenges in India-Africa Defence Relations Initiatives taken
• Rising China’s presence: China's military-to- • Africa-India Field Training Exercise 2019 (AFINDEX-19) to
military activities in Africa, including Defence strengthen defence preparedness and security.
Attaché presence, naval ship visits, arms sales • India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave (IADMC) in 2020 that led
to the adoption of the Lucknow Declaration, which pertains
etc to support military cooperation will pose a
specifically to defence, military, and security cooperation.
challenge to India’s ambitions. o IADMC provides a concrete platform for Indian and African
• Low capital allocation: While the Indian Navy is leaders to conduct sustained discussions at the topmost level.
now more networked and technology-enabled • African countries are among the foremost beneficiaries of Indian
than it was in the past, it still continues to face Navy ‘s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)
budgetary constraints which may negatively operations, non-combatant evacuations and search and rescue
impact future planning and development. operations.
• Interstate and Intra-state conflicts in Africa: • India has participated in several UN peacekeeping missions
Despite efforts by various stakeholders to implemented on the African continent including in the Democratic
establish a peaceful Africa, armed conflicts Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Somalia, Angola, Rwanda,
Sierra Leone, Liberia etc.
continue making it difficult to have a defence
• Bilateral Institutional mechanisms like the Joint Defence
partnership with relevant stakeholders. Cooperation Committees and MoUs /Agreements for defence
• Gap between promises and delivery: Most IOR collaboration have been put in place with key countries.
littorals lack capacity and therefore look
towards India to ensure security of their declared maritime zones. However, India has a poor track record in
converting capital into deliverables or influence.
• Maritime crimes threat: High incidence of piracy off the East African coast in Gulf of Aden and in the Niger Delta
Region and Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, has brought the issue of African maritime security to the world’s attention.
• Identifying areas of mutual benefit: As new and emerging threats (such as cross-border terrorism, transnational
organised crime, illegal immigration etc.) makes it difficult to identify mutual priorities.
• Lack of synchronisation between Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs impacts India’s engagement in
the region as the resource pool is limited.
• Growing influence of violent non-state actors, the impact of extremist ideologies and the threat posed to the
multilateral system by rising populism and nationalism.
Way Forward
• Develop a Pan-African approach: It should be in accordance with African needs and priorities.
• Enhance bilateral engagement: Enhance levels of military-to-military engagement with leading countries like South
Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Ghana and Kenya through institutionalized defence cooperation mechanism including staff
talks, as part of strategic level framework.
• Prioritise security cooperation with Africa: Security cooperation remains an under- exploited area of the India-Africa
strategic partnership.
o It is not viewed as a primary driver of the partnership, especially when considered in relation to trade,
investment and development.
• Timely delivery of projects and requirements.
• Explore new areas of cooperation: There is a need to explore new areas of convergence for defence engagements,
including capacity-building, training, cybersecurity, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
• Increase visibility of Indian defence firms in African markets: Apart from regular interactions at DefExpo and Aero
India, Indian defence firms’ visibility in African markets needs to increase substantially.
o India should conduct multilateral defence cooperation events involving select Africa nations, India and US
AFRICOM components.
2.3. UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION

Why in news?
India has presented reforms to address security and
operational challenges faced by United Nations peacekeeping
missions around the world.
About UN Peacekeeping mission
• The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in
1948, when it deployed military observers to West Asia
to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and
its Arab neighbours.
• It aims to build sustainable security and peace in
countries affected by conflict.
• Mandates:
o Maintain peace and security:
✓ Protect civilians and promote human rights
✓ Assist in the disarmament, demobilization and
reintegration of former combatants
o Facilitate political processes:
✓ Support constitutional processes and the organization of elections,
✓ Assist in restoring the rule of law and extending legitimate state authority.
• The decision to send a peacekeeping mission to a country is made by the UN Security Council (UNSC).
• UN member states contribute military and police personnel under UN command, for which they are paid from UN
funds.
o Other interested states may send their own
separate armed forces to support the UN
mission objectives but are not under UN
command.
• Till now there is 71 peacekeeping operations since
1948 and 12 current peacekeeping operation going
on.
Relevance of the mission
• Absence of alternatives: There is no other
organisation with as much recognition and
membership which has stood the test of time.
• Higher cost benefits ratio: The mission costs only
0.4% of world military expenditure, bulk of the
peacekeeping missions are in areas, where there are
bright chances of conflict arising again.
• Rise in threats: Today a large number of countries
are facing asymmetric threats but do not have
adequate resources to fight the same.
Related information
Action for peace (A4P)
• Action for peace (A4P) was declared in 2018 as a set of mutually-agreed principles and commitments to create peacekeeping
operations fit for the future.
• It is centred on eight priority commitment areas.
• A4P+ is the implementing strategy (with 7 priorities) for A4P for 2021-23
India in Peacekeeping missions

• Currently, India is the 2nd highest amongst troop-contributing countries.
• India’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping began with its participation in the UN operation in Korea in the 1950s.
• India also served as Chair of the three international commissions for supervision and control for Vietnam, Cambodia,
and Laos established by the 1954 Geneva Accords on Indochina.
• In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to the Mission.
• India was also the first country to contribute to the Trust Fund on sexual exploitation and abuse set up in 2016.
• So far India has provided more than 2.5 lakh troops and personnel for the
missions.
• Time and again India has also pitched for reforms for the mission to
overcome to enhance its relevance in the current circumstances.
Challenges faced by UN peacekeeping missions
• Organisational challenges
o Non-inclusive: Troop and police contributing developing countries do
not have a role in the decision-making process.
o Financing: UN peacekeeping missions are facing cash-flow problems
and financial strains due to the late payment and withholding of
assessed contributions.
o Inadequate power with UN secretariat: UN secretariate cannot take
actions against peacekeepers for not protecting civilians from violence
or allegations of sexual abuse and rape.
✓ Military forces deployed on UN missions are
accountable to their own national
commanders and governments.
✓ While the UN can investigate these allegations,
peacekeeper accountability is up to the
country that sends the troops.
o Redundant missions: Redundant missions are a
drain on UN’s depleting resources and minimise
the efficiency in other critical peacekeeping
operations.
✓ For example, the UN Military Observer Group
in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was
established in 1949 to supervise the ceasefire
between India and Pakistan.
✓ However, it has “outlived its relevance” after
the Shimla Agreement of 1972 and the
establishment of the Line of Control.
• Operational challenges
o Waning international support: The failures of Missions in the 1990’s most visibly in Somalia and Rwanda, led to a
reduction in the number of missions and a loss of confidence.
o Rise of regional organisation: Many times the regional organisations like Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
have brokered peace, and the UN has carried out only monitoring roles.
o Safety issues: Safety of peacekeepers are compromised due to rising incidents of:
✓ organized crime,
✓ breakdowns in law and order, and
✓ attacks by extremists.
Reforms proposed by India for the UN peacekeeping mission
• Decision making: Troop and police-contributing countries should have a role in the decision-making process.
• Clear and realistic mandates: Peacekeeping missions should be given “clear and realistic mandates” that are matched
with adequate resources.
o The UNSC needs to avoid terminologies and formulations while crafting mission mandates that may generate
false hopes and expectations.
• Prudent deployment: Peacekeeping missions should be “deployed prudently, with full recognition of their limitations.
• Assessing the mission: The performance of all mission components, military and civilians, and its leadership should
be considered while evaluating a mission.

• Regional approach: Support regional and sub-regional organisations in:
o Mediation
o Monitoring of ceasefires
o Assistance in implementing peace accords, and
o Post-conflict rebuilding
• Exit strategy: Peacekeeping missions should factor in an “exit strategy from their very inception”.
• Cooperation with host: Establishing trust and smooth coordination between a peacekeeping mission’s leadership and
the host state is essential.
• Safety of peacekeepers: All-out efforts to bring the perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers to justice.
• Security of civilians: A host government has the primary responsibility to protect civilians from non-state groups
across its territory.
• Technology: Introduce advanced technology in peacekeeping missions to overcome security challenges.
Conclusion
International peacekeeping may be regarded as one among the many global public goods. Thus, it is desirable to have a
robust regime to govern the issue. Indian interventions are an effort in the direction.
2.4. FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATF)

Why in news?
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced the removal of Pakistan from its “Grey List.”
More on news
• Pakistan has been placed in and removed from “Grey List” in the past too. It was placed in the “Grey List” for the
third time in June, 2018 and remained there till October, 2022.
o As a result of FATF scrutiny, Pakistan has been forced to take some action against well-known terrorists, including
those involved in attacks against the entire international community in Mumbai on 26/11.
• India highlighted in global interest that Pakistan must continue to take credible, verifiable, irreversible and sustained
action against terrorism and terrorist financing emanating from territories under its control.
About Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
• FATF is the global money laundering (ML)
and terrorist financing (TF) watchdog. The
inter-governmental body sets international
standards that aim to prevent these illegal
activities.
• Origin: It was established in 1989, by a Group
of Seven (G-7) Summit held in Paris.
o The summit set up the FATF to develop
and promote policies, globally, to help
eliminate threat posed by money
laundering (ML).
o In 2001, the FATF took over responsibility
for the development of standards in the
fight against terrorist financing.
• Membership: FATF currently comprises 37
member jurisdictions and 2 regional
organisations (Gulf Co-operation Council and
European Commission).
o India became a member of the FATF in
2010.

• FATF recommendations: FATF Recommendations are the international standards set by the FATF to combat money
laundering, terrorist financing, and more recently, the financing of proliferation (PF).
o PF is the transfer and export of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, their means of delivery and related
materials.
o It has issued 40 recommendations to fight money laundering and 9 special recommendations to fight terrorist
financing (Refer infographic).
o In 2005 United Nations Security Council urged all Member States to implement the comprehensive, international
standards embodied in the FATF recommendations.
• FATF Style Regional Bodies: There are eight regional bodies similar to FATF like Asia/Pacific Group on Money
Laundering (APG),
Eurasian Group (EAG),
Caribbean Financial
Action Task Force
(CFATF) and so on.
• Monitoring
compliance: FATF
monitors compliance
with these
recommendations
through a two-
pronged strategy:
o Firstly, member
countries
complete annual
self-assessment
style questionnaire
and
o Secondly, the FATF
regularly conducts on-site Mutual Evaluation Report examinations on individual jurisdictions, assessing the
effectiveness of their national policies.
• FATF’s ‘Black’ and ‘Grey’ lists- These terms do not exist in official FATF terminology but are colloquial phrases used
to describe two lists of countries maintained by the body.
Shortcomings of FATF
• Weakness in Listing Regime: As far as severity of consequences is concerned, black list is a quantum jump over the
grey list. The structural weakness in FATF is reflected in the somewhat simplistic categorisation structure of different
jurisdictions into grey and black.
o This straightjacketed view may not permit a flexible and graduated response.
• Lack of effectiveness: FATF relied upon assurances without actually considering the actual performance.
o For instance, in 2015 Pakistan got out of the grey list by adopting some legal measures in form but saving its
“strategic assets” in content (sanctioned under UNSCR 1267).
• Seen as an instrument of power politics: FATF makes decisions by consensus, and no formal rules exist as to how
many members must object to scuttle a proposal or spare a country from inclusion in grey list.
• Others
o Concerns have also been raised over the group’s informal method of selecting its presidents.
o There are no international agreements as to what constitutes terrorism and terrorist financing which permits
the existence of havens for terrorist networks.
o Countries fail to enhance mutual legal assistance, information sharing and cooperation with national sectors
and those across borders.
o Implementation issues at the country or private sector level, which leads to the misapplication of the FATF
Standards.
Road Ahead
• Categorisation within grey list: While moving between the grey and black lists, there may be a scope for darker
shades of grey.
o There may be those jurisdictions in the grey list that have the will to implement the FATF recommendations but
may lack the necessary technical or administrative capacity.
o At the other extreme, jurisdictions may have the capacity but would be unwilling in intent.
o After categorising, a graduated response may be designed in consultation with different constituents like credit
rating agencies, banks, IMF and WB, etc.
o This approach may provide more flexibility in tackling jurisdictions.
• Making FATF more representative: This can be done by formalizing the appointment at various positions and staff
within the secretariat through a transparent and an open competitive system.
o Further, steps should be taken to ensure job security and independence of the secretariat.
• Inclusion of new risks: FATF should continuously strengthen its standards to address new risks, such as the
regulation of virtual assets, which have spread as cryptocurrencies gain popularity.
• Policy advice and technical assistance: FATF should provide substantial technical assistance to member countries
on strengthening their legal, regulatory, institutional and financial supervisory frameworks.
o Such assistance should be outcome of research/analysis of best international practices.
o Close cooperation and coordination with other key international organizations, including IMF, World Bank,
United Nations, and FATF-style regional bodies can help FATF to meet its objectives.
2.5. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION (INTERPOL)

Why in news?
INTERPOL has launched the first ever police
metaverse specifically designed for law enforcement
agencies worldwide during its 90th General Assembly
in New Delhi.
More on news
• Metaverse refers to real-time 3D virtual spaces,
where users can meet, create, socialise, work, buy
goods and services and attend events with other
people who are not in same physical space.
• INTERPOL metaverse allows registered users to
take virtual tour of its general secretariat
headquarters in France’s Lyon, interact with
other officers via their avatars, and take training courses in forensic investigation and other policing skills.
o This metaverse, provided through the Interpol Secure Cloud, assures neutrality.
o It can be accessed by all 195 member countries and offers benefits like remote work, networking, collecting and
preserving evidence from crime scenes, and delivering training.
About INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in India
• NCB in New Delhi is the sole authorized agency in India for
• It is an inter-governmental organisation comprising contacts with the police agencies of the other countries.
195 member countries, which helps police forces in all • The NCB acts as a branch of the Central Bureau of
these countries to better coordinate their actions. Investigation.
o It enables member countries to share and access • It is under the control of a Deputy Director and two
data on crimes and criminals and offers a range of assistant directors.
technical and operational support.
o General secretariat coordinates organization’s day-to-day activities.
o It is run by a secretary general with its headquarters in Lyon, France, with a global complex for innovation in
Singapore, and several satellite offices in different regions.
• It has a National Central Bureau (NCB) in
each member country, which is the
central point of contact for both the
general secretariat and other NCBs
around the world.
o Each NCB is run by police officials of
that country, and usually sits in the
government ministry responsible for
policing. (Ministry of Home Affairs in
India)
Issues associated with Interpol
• Extradition: Interpol possesses no
influence over its member states and
extradition is possible only through
bilateral agreements concluded between
member states.
o In addition, ideological issues like
political asylum and hospitality for
refugees render the extradition task
more difficult.
• Politically- Motivated Arrests: As per
United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees UNHRC, Interpol’s role in the arrest of
some refugees in 2008 were politically
motivated.
o For example, arrest of Belarusian politician,
Ukrainian politician etc.
• Interpol’s Constitution: Under Article 2, member
states are not in any way obliged to comply with
the demands of General Secretariat, acting as a
hurdle to multinational police cooperation.
• National Sovereignty: Member states are
completely free to pursue their individual
interests while adhering to their laws. This
hinders Interpol in carrying out its responsibilities
effectively in global system.
• Corruption: In 2015, Interpol was Achievements of Interpol
• ID-ART: It is a mobile app, launched by Interpol, to identify stolen cultural
criticised for its multimillion-dollar
property, reduce smuggling, and recover stolen works and artefacts.
corruption deals with private sector o For instance, Police in Romania were able to recover 13th-century
organizations like Federation of Gothic cross that had been stolen.
International Football Association etc. • Securing borders: Checks were made against Interpol’s databases to identify
Way forward people wanted for terrorism, murder, drug trafficking, financial crimes etc.
• Training: Police, immigration authorities were provided specialized Interpol
• Possess Powers: Global organizations training on forensic identification techniques and data sharing mechanisms
should possess the power to make before carrying out tactical operations in the field.
their members obey their decisions • Human Trafficking: Operations highlighting the importance of carrying out
and ensure smooth execution of its targeted, coordinated enforcement actions against criminals engaged in
decisions. human trafficking, migrant smuggling etc.
• Securing Cyberspace: Multisector partnerships to monitor emerging trends,
police the web, and raise public awareness of online risks to build a secure
cyberspace.
• Amending Constitution: Interpol should amend its Constitution to enable it to adopt an assertive position as a supra-
national police force.
• Police reforms: Interpol should sensitize its member states on white collar crimes, standardize investigation
procedures, provide model legislations on money laundering, among others.
• Red Notice: Interpol should delete RNs for those who were granted refugee status as per 1951 Refugee Convention
issued by their states of origin and establish an independent body to review RNs regularly.
• Refugee rights: Interpol should establish mechanism to protect rights of people with international refugee status
by enlisting asylum and extradition experts, as well as strengthen cooperation with NGOs and UN.
2.6. NEWS IN SHORTS

2.6.1. NORD STREAM
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) termed the leakage of methane gas due to rupture of Nord Stream
natural gas pipeline system as the biggest single release.
• Nord Stream is the primary network through which gas reaches Germany from Russia through the Baltic Sea.
o Nord Stream 1 is a 1,224 km running from Vyborg in Russia to Lubmin in Germany.
o Nord Stream 2 is 1200-km pipeline Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald in Germany.
• Significance of Nord Stream Pipeline
o Economical and Environment-friendly: The
1,224 km, $11-billion underwater link is the
shortest, most economical and environment-
friendly route to double Russia’s gas export to
Germany.
o Energy security to Europe: It ensure a highly
reliable supply of Russian gas to Europe.
✓ NS2 is particularly important as Europe
sees a decline in domestic gas production
and an increasing demand for imported
gas.
o Offers stability in region: The pipeline offers
stability to the strategically important energy
trade because Russia’s dependence on the
European Union and vice-versa are increased.
• Methane greenhouse gas is 80 times more harmful than carbon dioxide during the 20 years after it is released into the
atmosphere.
o It is responsible for more than a quarter of the current global warming.

3. ECONOMY
3.1. CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY
Why in news? About the Pilot Project
• 9 prominent banks have been identified for
Recently, RBI has recently launched a pilot project on Central
participation in the pilot project.
Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and also issued a Concept Note on o These are State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda,
CBDC. Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank,
More on news Kotak Mahindra Bank, Yes Bank, IDFC First
Bank and HSBC.
• The purpose of the concept note is to create awareness • In the pilot phase, RBI will issue the digital currency
about CBDCs in general and the planned features of the to each bank's CBDC account at regular intervals
digital Rupee, in particular. for the settlement of the government securities.
• It explains the objectives, choices, benefits and risks of
issuing a CBDC in India, referred to as e₹ (digital Rupee).
• It called for the amendment of the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) Act, 1934 to include Digital Rupee in the definition of
the term “bank note”.
Digital Rupee as proposed by Concept note
• As per the concept note, the design of the Digital Rupee
will be decided based on the circumstances and need so
that it is combatable with the goals of financial and
monetary stability.
• Accordingly,
o Two forms of CBDCs may be introduced:
✓ CBDC-Retail: potentially available for use by all
private sector, non-financial consumers and
businesses.
✓ CBDC-Wholesale: designed for restricted access by
financial institutions.
o e-rupee can be structured as ‘token based’ or
‘account-based’.
✓ Token-based CBDC is a bearer instrument like
banknotes; whosoever holds the tokens at a given point
in time would be presumed to own them.
✓ Account-based system would require maintenance of
record of balances and transactions of all holders of the
CBDC.
o Principle of Managed Anonymity may be followed i.e.,
“anonymity for small value and traceable for high value,”
akin to anonymity associated with physical cash.
o CBDC in India would be based on the Two-tier, Indirect
model (see infographic for details)
o CBDC would be Non-remunerative i.e. Non-interest bearing.
About Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
• RBI defines CBDC as the legal tender issued by a central bank in
a digital form.
• It is pegged to the value of that country's fiat currency and adds
digital form to existing physical form of bank note (Finance Bill 2022).
o Under the RBI Act (1934), RBI has the sole right to issue bank notes in India. Only coins, under the Coinage Act
(2011) and ₹1 note are issued by central government.
Key concepts related to money
• Money: Money is a broader term that refers to an intangible system of value that makes the exchange of goods and services
possible, now and in the future.
• Currency: It is a tangible form of money and is a medium of exchange for goods and services. It's money, in the physical or
digital form.
• Legal tender: It is a currency that is declared legal by the government and used for payment of the debt. All currency notes,
coins and now CBDC are legal tender in India.
• Fiat currency: It is a form of currency that is declared a legal tender and therefore includes all type of currency in circulation.
It is backed by a country's government instead of a physical commodity like gold or any financial instruments like cheque.
therefore has no intrinsic value. It differs from Commodity money, representative money as well as cryptocurrency.
o Commodity money has intrinsic money and is derived from a material like gold or silver.
o Representative money is backed by a physical commodity and issued by the government, like cheques and credit cards.
o Cryptocurrency is free of central authority and backed by blockchain technology.
Rationale for introducing CBDC in
India
• Reduction in cost associated
with physical cash
management: Significant cost is
incurred on printing money in
India (more than ₹4900 crore in
2020-21).
o Apart from this, there is
environmental, social, and
governance (ESG) cost
associated with the currency
management.
o CBDC reduces operational
costs (i.e. costs related to printing, storage, transportation etc.)
• To further the cause of digitisation to achieve a less cash economy:
CBDC shall further the cause of digital payment, given its ease of usage
coupled with sovereign guarantee.
• Supporting competition, efficiency and innovation in payments: CBDC
could enhance resilience in payments, and diversify the range of
payment options.
o For example, CBDCs can facilitate smooth implementation of smart
contracts for direct cash transfer to the farmers in India thereby ensuring transparency
✓ Smart contracts are blockchain based computer protocol for execution of certain actions based on
predetermined conditions. CBDC’s Global scenario
• To explore the use of CBDC for improvement in cross- As per Bank for International Settlements (BIS) survey,
border transactions: CBDCs can make cross border • 90% of central banks are engaged in some form of CBDC
transactions instantaneous and help overcome key work.
challenges relating to time zone, exchange rate • Some countries have launched a CBDC; first was the
differences as well as regulatory requirements across Bahamian Sand Dollar in 2020 and the latest was
jurisdictions. Jamaica’s JAM-DEX.
• Support financial inclusion: Attributes of a CBDC like o Many other countries, including major economies
offline functionality, universal access devices, like China and South Korea, are in the pilot stage and
preparing for possible launches.
compatibility across multiple devices etc, shall make
o China aims for widespread domestic use of the e-
financial services more accessible to the unbanked and CNY by 2023.
underbanked population and in remote regions.
• Safeguard the trust of the common man in the national currency vis-à-vis proliferation of crypto assets: The
unabated use of crypto assets can be a threat to the monetary policy objectives as it may lead to creation of a parallel
economy.
o Also, the volatility of cryptocurrency makes it an unreliable payment option with potential to be misused by non-
state actors.
o CBDC could fulfil demand for secured and stable digital currency as it is backed by the central bank.
What CBDC is not?

• CBDC is not Mobile Money: CBDC is different from the all other existing digital payment systems like UPI and other payment
wallets, card payments and electronic fund transfers.
Mobile money CBDC
• It is only a type of payment • It is a new payment
transaction. instrument.
• It is the liability of commercial • It is the direct liability
banks and other authorized of the central bank as
financial institutions. it is the primary issuer
of the currency.
• Mobile wallets are subject to • CBDC are created to
Know Your Customer (KYC) be universally
age limitations, where some accessible nationally.
age groups are restricted
from creating wallets.
• Mobile money requires the • It is a peer-to-peer
presence of intermediary payment mechanism
issuing and acquiring banks, between senders and
financial institutions, or receivers and
Payment Service Providers eliminates the need
(PSPs) to authorize and for interbank
validate the payments. settlement.
Potential Challenges in adopting digital currencies in India

• Cyber hacks and threats: CBDC ecosystems may be at similar risk for cyber-attacks as the current payment systems
are exposed to.
o Further, with lower financial literacy levels, the increase in digital payment related frauds may also spread to
CBDCs.
• Threat to privacy: Anonymity is one of the key traits of cash, and the rise of digital payments threatens the lawful or
legitimate preference for anonymity as they leave digital trails.
• Impact on monetary policy: The high adoption of CBDC within a country’s financial system could create unnecessary
instability in the economy without proper measures.
• Technology preparedness: Lower level of technology adoption may limit the reach of CBDCs and add to existing
inequalities in terms of accessing financial products and services.
o Also, a large elderly educated population is not comfortable with digital banking.
• Impact on bank credit availability: With popularity of CBDCs, people may begin withdrawing money from their bank
accounts.
o With reduced disintermediation of banks, their ability for credit creation gets constrained leading to an increase
in cost of credit.
• Currency Substitution through cross-border transactions: Without proper international collaboration and common
framework (or standards), the ability of policymakers to track cross-border flows will be limited.
Way ahead
• Robust Regulatory Framework before adopting this technology and keeping it flexible to incorporate dynamic
learning in design of CBDC.

• Protecting Financial Markets by addressing the implications of CBDC and other growing digital assets with focus on
consumers, investors, and business
interests.
• Ensuring high standards of
cybersecurity and parallel efforts on
financial literacy is essential for
dealing with CBDC.
• Ensuring compliance to AML/CFT: A
CBDC payment system would need
to be compliant with Anti-Money
Laundering/Combating the
Financing of Terrorism (AML and
CFT) regulations and requirements.
• Assuring privacy: It will be essential
to consider the way the privacy is
respected, and the data is protected in a CBDC system.
• Following BIS Principles: Design choices must be finalised keeping in mind the foundational principles issued by the
Bank for International Settlements (BIS) to be considered by central banks while issuing a CBDC.
3.2. INTERNATIONALIZATION OF RUPEE

Why in News?
Recently, the central government has made changes to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) to allow for rupee settlement of
international trade for export promotion schemes.
More about news
• The changes imply that the incentives and fulfilment of export obligation under the FTP can be extended to export
payments made in Indian rupees.
• These changes have been notified for imports, exports, export performance for recognition as Status Holders,
advance authorization scheme and Duty-Free Import Authorization schemes, and export promotion capital goods
scheme.
• Government has highlighted that this was done in the light of rising interest in internationalization of Indian Rupee.

RBI guidelines on International Trade Settlement (ITS) in Indian Rupees
• Exports and imports under invoicing arrangement may be
denominated and invoiced in Rupee, while exchange rate between
currencies of two trading partner countries may be market
determined.
• Exporters and importers can now use a Special Vostro Accounts
linked to correspondent bank of partner country for receipts and
payments denominated in rupees subject to Foreign Exchange
Management Act, 1999.
• Also, bank guarantee, setting-off export receivables, advance
against exports, use of surplus balance, approval process,
documentation, etc., related aspects would be covered under FEMA
rules.
About International Currency and International functions of money

Internationalization of Rupee For Governments For Private Sectors
• The Tarapore Committee on Fuller Capital Store of Value International Reserves Currency Substitution
Account Convertibility (CFAC) defined Medium of Vehicle Currency for Foreign Invoicing trade and
international currency as ‘a currency that is Exchange Exchange Intervention financial transactions
widely used for international transactions’. Unit of Anchor for pegging local Denominating trade and
Account currency financial transactions
• An international currency is supposed to
perform three international functions (see table).
○ E.g. today, the US dollar is the most widely accepted currency for international transactions, followed by Euro.
The share of the dollar, as an invoicing currency, is 3.1 times of USA share in world exports and 4.7 times of its
world imports.
○ In the early 1960s, even rupee was accepted as legal tender in Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Malaysia.
But, today, almost 86% of India’s imports as well as 86% of the exports are invoiced in dollars.
• Internationalization of a currency
(rupee here) is a process to increase
rupee acceptance (credibility)
across the world through activities
as given in image.
• It can also be referred to adopting
full capital account convertibility,
i.e., freedom to convert local
financial assets into foreign financial
assets and vice versa.
o Currently, India allows partial
Capital Account Convertibility and full current account convertibility.
○ Current Account Convertibility is the freedom or ability to convert domestic currency into any foreign currency
and vice-versa.
Initiatives toward Internationalization of Rupee
• In India, the broad framework for cross-border transactions is governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act
(FEMA), 1999.

o FEMA replaced the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 to shift India’s approach from that of conservation to
management of foreign
exchange; helping in
significant growth of India’s
exports and capital flows.
• Further, to strengthen India’s
role as an international financial
centre, the government and RBI
has taken a number of initiatives
towards internationalization of
Rupee (see image).
Benefits of Internationalization of
Rupee
• Reduced Foreign Exchange
Reserves requirement for
balance of payment stability due
to reduced dependence on
foreign currency for trade. It can
also reduce the imposed cost of
forex on the economy by Interest
Rate Differential (IRD).
○ IRD is the change in interest
rates between the currencies
of two countries.
• Reduced Vulnerability to External
Shocks because of reduced
dependence on foreign currency.
• Mitigates Currency Risks for Indian
Enterprises by eliminating foreign
exchange fluctuation, reducing the
cost of doing business and support
global growth of Indian businesses.
• Enhance India’s global stature and
respect, helping Indian Businesses through increased bargaining power.
○ E.g., Post-2008 recession, Chinese efforts to internationalize Renminbi helped in increasing its global stature.
Challenges in Internationalization of Rupee
• May complicate Domestic Monetary Policy by limiting its effectiveness and independence, i.e., RBI’s ability to control
domestic money supply and influence interest rates as per domestic macroeconomic conditions.
○ It gives rise to the impossible trinity (Trilemma) of an open economy, meaning no country can simultaneously
reach the policy goals of free capital movement, exchange rate stability, and independent monetary policy.
• Increased Refinancing Risk by aggravating the pass-through risks of external stimulus to domestic financial markets
from non-resident holdings of rupee.
○ For instance, during a phase of global recession, the non-residents can convert their rupee holdings and move
out.
• Heightened Exchange Rate Volatility (value of rupee) in case inflation rate is higher than the global rate or from
uncontrolled flow of capital.
○ It goes against the prerequisite of price stability before the internationalization of a currency as inflation higher
than global rate undermines the use of a currency as an international medium of exchange and a store of value.
• Increased Responsibility to maintain international financial and monetary system order, i.e., increased burden to play
the role of ‘Lender of Last Resort’.
Way Forward
Internationalization of Rupee has significant benefits but to achieve it successfully, would require some pre-requisites-
• Developing a deep domestic financial market and its Infrastructure, including efficient markets for funding and risk
transfer, a precondition to effectively absorb external shocks.
• Effective Management of Capital Inflows (volume and composition) through the right combination of policies,
macro-prudential regulations, market interventions etc.
o E.g., In the capital flows hierarchy, the foreign direct investment is the least risky, followed by equity investment,
followed by debt capital. So, the first focus of policies and macro-prudential regulations should be debt flows.
• Increasing Rupee Acceptance as currency for reserves, i.e., currency in which assets are held. E.g., over $7.5 trillion
of US treasury securities are held by various nations in August 2022.
• Increase India’s Share in Global Merchandise and Commercial Services Trade, helping the rupee to gain acceptance
as currency of trade.
3.3. PRODUCTIVITY CHALLENGE OF INDIA

Why in News?
Indian Productivity Report was released by RBI and Centre for
Development Economics.
About Productivity
• Productivity may be defined as the ratio of the output of
goods and services to the inputs - human as well as others -
used in the production process.
o In other words, it measures how efficiently production
inputs, such as labour and capital, are being used in an
economy to produce a given level of output.
• Different types of productivity measures are:
Labor • It is defined as the ratio of output to number of workers or number of hours worked.
Productivity • With GDP as the measure of output and number of workers as the measure of input, labour productivity
is closely related to GDP per capita, which is a measure of the standard of living in a country.
Total Factor • It is a measure of total
Productivity (TFP) output divided by a weighted
average of inputs; i.e., labour
and capital. Improvements
in TFP bring down
production costs, raise
output levels, and lead to a
higher GDP.
• Also, TFP growth is often
associated with innovation
and technological progress,
the long-run drivers of per
capita income growth.

Significance of Productivity
• Drives economic growth: A highly productive economy means that it is able to produce more goods or services with
the same amount of resource or produce the same level of goods and services with less resources.
• Increased productivity effects everyone: For businesses (brings higher profit and opportunity for more investment),
For workers (translate to higher wages and better working conditions), For government (higher tax revenues).
• Improved competitiveness and trade performance: A swift, substantial augmentation of productivity would enable
India’s production units to penetrate in a much bigger way into the global export markets.
• Better policy formulation: Analysis of changes in factor inputs and productivity at the industry level is essential in
identifying India's growth path to facilitate a pro-growth structural transformation.
• To participate in global value chain: Increased productivity would help better position India in the global value chain
and fend off the intense competition from imports which displaces domestic producers
• Achieving SDGs: Strengthening productivity is particularly important in view of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development as it will help to end poverty (Goal 1), End Hunger (Goal 2), reduce inequality (Goal 10) etc.
Reasons for Low productivity in India
• Lack of skilled workforce: In 2020,
Indian companies had identified skill
gaps as their greatest barrier,
representing 34% of the challenges
they experienced.
o In 2022, this has risen to 60%.
• Large unorganised sector and small
size of firms: This creates several
hurdles to productivity as enterprises
are unable to invest in the machinery
due to a lack of access to capital.
o They are also unable to invest in
worker skilling.
• Innovation limited to frontier firms:
Majority of small enterprises face
challenges related to the
introduction, use and spread of labour productivity-boosting innovation, lack of automation, outdated manufacturing
processes etc.
• Availability of Data: Constraints on data for inputs and output at the detailed industry level made it difficult to
produce a fair analysis of factor inputs and productivity in other sectors of the economy.
• Lack of adoption of good management practices: a high proportion of India’s firms score poorly on basic management
practices such as in the monitoring of performance, the setting of targets and people management.
Way Forward Initiatives taken for improving Productivity
• Lowering barriers to trade and • Various flagship programmes such as Skill India Mission, Make in India,
investment: Barriers to international trade Digital India, Smart City Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and
Urban Transformation, Housing for All, Infrastructure Development
and foreign investment can be detrimental
and Industrial Corridors are oriented towards improving productivity,
to productivity growth as economies with
generating employment opportunities and economic growth.
lower barriers, and greater integration into • Focus on infrastructure development such as National Infrastructure
supply chains, have experienced higher Pipeline, PM Gatishakti, Dedicated Freight corridors etc.
growth. • Technological interventions for processing, product development,
• Encourage growth of firm size: larger firms sustainability, and export orientation in agriculture sector.
are typically more productive than smaller
firms (reflected in higher wages paid by larger firms).
• Improve quality of training: Improve the access of quality and relevant training for all including marginalized section
particularly in the rural areas to raise productivity and income.
o It will also to link opportunities for better livelihood and employment.
• Investing in ICT: It can have a positive impact on growth as ICT equipments enable new organizational models and
other innovations in the production process as well as the production of new goods and services.
• Fostering productivity in industry, particularly manufacturing sector: through initiatives like trade reforms; skills-
upgrading programmes; infrastructure upgradation, improving accessibility to ICT, encouraging FDI and innovation.
• Reforming education for innovation and productivity: For workers to be able to use new technology and capital
productively, education and training systems need to be adapted to provide new skills, competencies and abilities.
3.4. OPEN NETWORK FOR DIGITAL COMMERCE (ONDC)

Why in news?
Related news
ONDC network recently started beta testing with • Shiprocket became the first inter-city logistics provider to plug
consumers in Bengaluru. into the ONDC network.
• Other Network Participants of ONDC:
What is Open Network for Digital Commerce o Buyer side: Paytm Mall, Kotak, IDFC, GOFRUGAL, Craftsvilla
(ONDC)? PhonePe, etc.
o Seller Side: Zoho, Snapdeal, etc.
• ONDC is an initiative of the Department of
o Logistics providers: LoadShare, Dunzo, EKart, etc.
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade o First multinational company to join ONDC: Microsoft.
(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce.
• It was incorporated
as a Section 8 (Non-
Profit Organisation
under Companies Act
2013) company in
December 2021.
o The Quality
Council of India
and Protean
eGov
Technologies
Limited are its
initial promoters.
• It aims at promoting
open networks for all
aspects of exchange
of goods and services
over digital or electronic networks.
• ONDC started its Alpha test phase with a closed user group of buyers first in Bengaluru in April 2022 expanding to
more than 80 cities by September 2022. This validated the apps and confirmed business and operational flows.
o Now in beta testing phase, general public can experience shopping via ONDC and provide early feedback for
necessary action if any before expanding further.

How is ONDC different form traditional e-commerce models?
Unlike traditional paradigm of e-commerce, ONDC is not dependent on any specific platform and technology. It is an open network
of platforms/applications which are interoperable, as a result of which operational control is decentralised.
Significance of ONDC in India

• Ending monopolistic
tendencies: ONDC will lower entry
barriers for local businesses and create
a level playing field for the e-
commerce landscape, currently
dominated by players like Amazon and
Flipkart.
• Enhancement of value for consumers:
Consumers can potentially discover
any seller, product or service by using
any compatible application or
platform. This will increase freedom of
choice for consumers.
o It can bridge the huge disconnect
between the scale of online
demand and the ability of the
local retail ecosystem to
participate.
o India has the third-largest online
shopper base globally, with 14
crore e-retail shoppers in 2020,
only behind China and the US.
o This number is expected to grow significantly with the addition of 37 crore tech-savvy consumers by 2030.
• Moving away from an operator-driven platform-centric model: Consolidating most of the trade of digital commerce
in one platform creates concentration risk. It can also lead to exclusion and discretionary behaviour, limiting the
choice and freedom of the buyers and sellers.
o ONDC resolves these issues by creating a facilitator-driven interoperable decentralised network for e-commerce.
• Formalizing local businesses: Around 1.2 crore hyperlocal merchants (Kirana) account for 80% of the retail sector in
India, with 90% of them being unorganized, or self-organized.
o ONDCs can help in their formalization by creating active digital history and enabling easier access to finance
options.
• Growth and Development: ONDC will enable economic development and livelihood creation opportunities across
the digital commerce value chain i.e., logistics, packaging, last-mile delivery, etc.
• Encouraging widespread participation of small and medium enterprises: ONDC can help lower entry barriers for
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that have the potential to flourish with innovative sales and marketing
efforts.
• Other potential benefits: Enhanced supply chain efficiencies; amplifying geographic and socio-economic coverage of
digital commerce landscape; Standardization of operations; enhanced transparency in pricing; greater innovation
through open network etc.
Potential challenges in implementing ONDC
• Grievance redressal: Decentralized system can lead to lack of clarity over who shoulders the responsibility for
customer service and redressal in case of grievances.
• Difficulties in ensuring compatibility and interoperability of the existing platforms/applications of the buyers and
seller.
• Limited technical capability of local businesses and MSMEs to be onboarded on the digital network.
• Privacy and security concerns: Such open network may lead to collection of personal data which may have privacy
issues and its open nature may expose it to hackers.
• Competition from big players: Local business will find it extremely challenging to compete with the discounts, sales
and other lucrative offers, being offered by prominent e-commerce players.
Way Forward
• Provide technical support to small and local businesses to use and design a technical tool, compatible with ONDC
protocol for their digital onboarding.
• Minimal personal data collection: Data exchange protocols should be designed to minimize friction. Also, it must be
based on clear rules that protect the consumer interest i.e., the platform should be built on “privacy by design”
principles.
• Leverage the strength of India’s Startup ecosystem to build ONDC based applications.
• Establishing trust among consumers: Clear guidelines on grievance redressal need to be established.
o For the purpose, ONDC is conducting a public consultation on 24 issues pertaining to payments, fulfilment of
orders, refunds and cancellations on building trust in the ONDC Network.
• Encourage niche products and services: For instance, ONDC can be integrated with One District One Product (ODOP).
3.5. NOBEL PRIZES 2022

Why in News?
The Nobel Assembly and the Royal Swedish Academy of Science have announced the winners of the Medicine, Physics
and Chemistry Nobel for the year 2022.
About Nobel Prize
• The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden, and based
on the last will of Alfred Nobel (in 1895).
○ Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, and entrepreneur, is popularly known for inventing dynamite, blasting cap, and
smokeless gunpowder.
• Categories: Instituted in 1901, the prize is awarded annually from the bulk of fortune left by Alfred Nobel in five
categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace - conferred to people for the greatest
benefit to humankind in preceding year.

○ The sixth category, the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, was instituted in 1968 by the Royal Bank of Sweden
and was first awarded in 1969.
• What do the winners receive?: The recipient
of each prize receives three things:
○ A Nobel diploma, each of which is a
unique work of art;
○ A Nobel medal;
○ A cash prize of 10 million Swedish
kronor. (They have to deliver a lecture to
receive the money).
• Who awards the prizes?: The Royal Swedish
Academy of Sciences awards the Nobel Prize
in Physics, Chemistry and Economics.
○ The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded
by the Swedish Academy, Stockholm,
Sweden.
○ The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska
Institute, Stockholm, Sweden awards
the Nobel Prize in Medicine
(Physiology).
○ The Norwegian Nobel Committee is
responsible for the selection of eligible
candidates and the choice of the Nobel
Peace Prize laureates.
• Prize winners are called laureates, to signify
the laurel wreath given to victors of contests
in ancient Greece. More than one, but no
more than three, people can win each prize.
• The Nobel statutes prohibit the judges from
discussing their deliberations for 50 years.
Kindly note that, Nobel Prize in Chemistry,
Physics and Medicine have been covered under
Science and Technology section. Nobel Prize in
Literature and Nobel Peace Prize are covered
under Culture section.
3.5.1. NOBEL PRIZE FOR ECONOMICS 2022

Why in News?
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences for
research on banks and financial crises.
More about News
• The prize has been awarded to 3 US-based economists:
o Ben S Bernanke: Former Chair of the US Federal Reserve and currently associated with the Brookings Institution
in Washington DC.
o Douglas W Diamond and Philip H Dybvig are professors of banking and finance.
• Their work focused on understanding the role of banks in the economy (refer to infographics).
• Their findings are of the greatest benefit to society as their insights have improved our ability to avoid both serious
crises and expensive bailouts.

About the Research
Research by Bernanke
• Bernanke analysed the Great Depression of the 1930s, the
worst economic crisis in modern history.
• Before his study, bank failures were seen as a “consequence”
of the financial crisis.
• However, in 1983, he proved bank runs led to bank failures
that turned a relatively ordinary recession into a depression.
o When the banks collapsed, valuable information about
borrowers was lost and could not be recreated quickly.
o Society’s ability to channel savings to productive
investments was thus severely diminished.
• He demonstrated that the economy did not start to recover
until the state finally implemented powerful measures to
prevent additional bank panics.
• Bernanke as the head of the US Federal Reserve used his
wisdom to prevent further deterioration of the 2008
financial crisis.
Research by Diamond and Dybvig: They developed theoretical
models explaining following:
• Conflict of saver and investors:
o For the economy to function, savings must be
channelled to investments. However, there is a conflict
here between savers and investors (refer infographics).
o In their theory, Diamond and Dybvig show how banks
offer an optimal solution to this problem.
✓ By acting as intermediaries that accept deposits from
many savers, banks can allow depositors to access Deposit insurance in India
their money when they wish, while also offering • Deposit insurance in India was launched in 1962.
long-term loans to borrowers. • India was the second country in the world to introduce
o However, their analysis also showed how the such a scheme after the United States in 1933.
combination of these two activities makes banks • In India each depositor in a bank is insured upto a
vulnerable to rumours about their imminent collapse. maximum of ₹ 5 Lakhs for both principal and interest
✓ If a large number of savers simultaneously run to amount.
the bank to withdraw their money, the
rumour may become a self-fulfilling About Bank runs
prophecy – a bank run occurs and the • Bank runs happen when depositors become worried about the
bank’s survival, and rush to withdraw their savings.
bank collapses.
• If enough people do this simultaneously, the bank’s reserves
o These dangerous dynamics can be cannot cover all the withdrawals, and it is driven to bankruptcy.
prevented through the government • Due to bank runs, the recession of 1929 had turned into a full-
providing deposit insurance and acting as a fledged banking crisis by 1930 as half the banks went bankrupt.
lender of last resort to banks.
• Role of banks in the society: Diamond demonstrated how banks perform another societally important function.
o As intermediaries between many savers and borrowers, banks are better suited to assessing borrowers’
creditworthiness and ensuring that loans are used for good investments.

3.6. DIGITAL BANKING UNITS (DBUS)
Why in News?
The PM dedicated 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) as part of efforts to spread the benefits of digital banking to every nook
and corner of India.
Digital Banking Units (DBUs): Setup and Services
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also issued
guidelines on ‘Establishment of DBUs’.
• A DBU refers to ‘a specialized fixed-point
business unit/hub housing certain minimum
infrastructure for delivering digital banking
products & services as well as servicing existing
financial products & services digitally’.
• These are brick-and-mortar banking outlets
with digital infrastructure to deliver a variety of
banking products and services to people via:
o Self-service Zone where customers can
access an ATM, a Cash Deposit Machine,
print pass book, access internet banking, pay
bills and taxes etc.
o Digital Assistance Zone to assist customers to undertake the services including opening of savings account,
current account,
etc.
• Based on the RBI
Guidelines, the 75
DBUs are set as a joint
initiative of the
Government, the RBI,
the Indian Banks
Association and the
participating banks.
o DBUs can be set
up by all
Scheduled
Commercial
banks (SCBs)
(excluding
Regional Rural
Banks, Payments
Banks and Local
Area Banks) with past digital banking experience.
✓ E.g. the banks setting the 75 DBUs include 11 public sector banks, 12 private sector banks and one small
finance bank.
o SCBs are permitted to open DBUs in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, without the need to seek permission from RBI, unless
otherwise specifically restricted.
Significance of DBUs
• Promote Digital financial literacy by acting as digital financial literacy centers and simplification of banking
procedures for increased digital banking adoption.

o It is estimated that 540 million people in India have never made a digital payment.
• Improve Financial Inclusion by taking digital banking to areas which lack connectivity or digital accessibility. For
instance, hassle free account opening, easy access to government schemes etc.
o According to Global Findex Database 2021, India is among seven countries which is home to half the world’s 1.4
billion adults without access to formal banking.
• Build a robust and secure banking system through its special emphasis on cyber security awareness for customers.
o As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 3,432 cases of credit and debit card frauds were filed across
India in 2021.
• Strengthening Digital Economy by pushing banks to adopt digital strategy, launch of new products and services and
foster innovation by collaborating with fintech companies.
o It can facilitate end-to-end digital processing of MSME/retail loans for increased credit penetration in the
country.
• Other Benefits of DBUs:
o Reduced operating costs for banks in the long-run by reducing physical footprint (Light Banking Approach);
o Improved usability through 24X7 banking services (e.g. cash deposit & withdrawal).
o Greater Personalization of products and services by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
in processing real-time data.
o Support Transparency by reducing circulation of cash in the economy, helping in greater formalization of the
economy
Limitations of DBUs
• Low public awareness: People in semi-urban and rural areas lack financial literacy and internet use due to lower
smartphone penetration.
• Digital Connectivity: DBUs need stable internet connectivity and power supply to carry out transactions and offer
enriched customer experience, a challenge in major part of the country.
• Higher Cyber Frauds Risk or threat to privacy because of increased phishing attempts, malware attacks, identity thefts
etc.
• High Initial Cost for banks in infrastructure set up of DBUs and in development, maintenance and security of hardware
and software needed to keep them simple, efficient and safe.
Way Forward
Digital Banking Units can drastically change the way banks and customers interact with one another. But DBUs cannot
operate in isolation. They will have to be accompanied with efforts in the direction of increasing financial education,
improving digital infrastructure and most importantly, ensuring that there is trust in the digital banking ecosystem.
3.7. POVERTY AND SHARED PROSPERITY 2022

Why in news?
The World Bank (WB) recently released the ‘Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2022’ report.
Key Findings of the report

• Setback to global poverty due to COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic increased the global extreme poverty rate to
an estimated 9.3% in 2020 (up from 8.4% in 2019).
• Extent of Poverty: In 2019 nearly half of the world’s Definitions of Poverty by the World bank (based on
population (47%) lived in poverty. consumption level)
Extreme poverty Living on less than US$2.15 a day
• 2020 marked a historic turning point:
Poverty Living on less than US$6.85 a day
o Global Inequality rose for the first time in decades:
Income losses of the poorest 40% of world’s population were twice as high as those of the richest 20%.
o Global median income declined (by 4% percent) for the first time since WB’s measurements began in 1990.
• Uneven economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic: The richest economies have recovered from the pandemic
at a much faster pace than low- and middle-income economies.
India related Findings
• Increase in poverty: As per the
data from the Centre for
Monitoring Indian Economy
(CMIE), the number of people
living in poverty increased by 56
million in 2020.
o Almost 80% of the total 70
million people globally pushed
into poverty during Covid
were in India.
• Rate of Poverty decline was less
than suggested by earlier
estimates: At the US$1.90 poverty
line, latest estimate shows that
poverty was 13.6% in 2017 as
against 10.4% predicted
earlier.
• Absence of recent data for
India severely limited the
measurement of poverty in
South Asia.
o There have been no
official estimates of
poverty available since
2011 which based on
the data of National
Sample Survey
Organisation (NSSO).
• Notable successes during
COVID-19:
o India managed to
provide food or cash
support to 85% of rural
households and 69% of
urban households,
helped by digital cash
transfers.
o Use of Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural
Employment
Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA) to
mitigate income losses during COVID-19 reduced job losses by 7% in rural areas over the baseline employment
rate.
Way forward: Recommendations of the report
• Reorient spending away from subsidies toward support targeted to poor and vulnerable groups: For example,
programs like targeted cash transfers are far more likely to reach poor and vulnerable groups.
• Increase public investment that supports long-run development such as investments in the human capital of young
people or investments in infrastructure and research and development.
• Reforming fiscal policy: Successful fiscal reform to restore pandemic related losses will require the support of
sufficiently powerful domestic coalitions as well as stepped-up global cooperation.
• Mobilizing revenue without hurting the poor: This can be accomplished through property and carbon taxes and by
making personal and corporate income
Case Study of China’s efforts towards poverty alleviation
taxes more progressive.
• The World Bank found that between 1978 and 2019, China’s poverty
headcount dropped from 770 million to 5.5 million people.
• In 2021, China declared that it has eradicated extreme poverty.
Poverty Estimation studies in India

Tendulkar Committee, 2009 • Methodology: Based on Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) computed
on the basis of data from the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).
o For 2011-12, poverty line was estimated at Rs. 816 per capita per month for rural areas
and Rs. 1,000 per capita per month in urban areas.
• Findings: 21.9% of total population were below poverty line in 2011-12.
Rangarajan Committee, 2014 • Methodology: Based on an independent large survey of households by Center for Monitoring
Indian Economy (CMIE).
o Poverty line was estimated as Monthly Per Capita Expenditure of Rs. 1407 in urban areas
and Rs. 972 in rural areas.
• Findings: 29.5% of total population were below poverty line in 2011-12.
NITI Aayog’s National • Methodology: Based on National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) of 2015-16, which captures
Multidimensional Poverty multiple deprivations faced by households across the three macro dimensions of health
Index: Baseline Report including nutrition, education and living standards.
• Findings: 25.01% of India's population as multidimensionally poor.
Other committees for Alagh Committee (1979), Lakdawala Committee (1993)
poverty estimation
3.8. PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA

Why in news?
The Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development recently submitted its report on ‘Implementation of
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)’.
About Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
• It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) implemented by National
Skill Development Corporation.
• It has two major components-

o Centrally Sponsored Centrally Managed (CSCM)
(Central Component), implemented centrally
through National Skill Development Corporation
(NSDC), and
o Centrally Sponsored State Managed (CSSM)
(State Component), implemented by State Skill
Development Missions / State Governments.
• Objective of PMKVY: 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 Individuals with prior learning experience or
skills are also assessed and certified under
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• The scheme is presently in its third phase, which was
launched in January 2021.
o Several new initiatives like Customized
Crash Course Programme for COVID
Warriors, Upskilling for Weavers and
Artisans in Traditional Crafts in
Nagaland and Kashmir etc. were
launched under PMKVY 3.0.
Implementation challenges identified in the
report
• Non-utilization of funds: Under PMKVY
3.0, in 2021-22, out of the total fund
allocation, only 72% was utilised.
• Low placements: Under PMKVY 3.0, out of
about four lakh candidates, only 8% have
been placed.
• Poor functioning of Aatmanirbhar Skilled
Employee Employer Mapping
(ASEEM) Portal due to the large
gap in the number of candidates
registered and those who
actually secured employment.
• Issues under the CSSM
component: Several State Skill
Development Missions face
issues such as-
o Delay in release of funds
from the State Treasury.
o Non-Availability of Trainers
with right Eligibility Criteria.
o Limited or non-availability
of Placement Partner's due to less Industrialization in the State.
o High pendency of assessments with Sector Skills Councils.
o Delay in payments to Sector Skills Councils etc.
o Lack of functional online management system: Out of 36 States and UTs, the online management system for
CSSM component is functional only in 15 States & UTs.

• Outdated skills: Training course and curriculum under PMKVY have not been aligned with the actual industry
requirements.
o Also the practical skills imparted under PMKVY training are not as per the industry needs.
• Complex procedures: The process for reporting the placement details of the candidates is cumbersome.
• High dropout rates: During the implementation of PMKVY 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0, approx. 20% of the total enrolled candidates
dropped out of the training programme.
o Reasons include medical grounds, distance from residence to training centres, accessibility to a job, and issues
specific to females such as pregnancy and marriage.
• Non establishment of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs): Out of the 818 PMKKs allocated, only 722 PMKKs
had been established.
o Reasons for non-establishment are non-availability of suitable infrastructure, COVID led operational and financial
challenges, etc.
• Rural-urban disparity: Centres of PMKVY are concentrated more in urban areas.
Way Forward: Recommendations of the report
• Regular monitoring and strict follow up action to ensure optimal utilisation of the earmarked funds.
• Making the certification process more transparent and effective so that it facilitates more self-employment besides
ensuring fair wages to the skilled candidates.
• Boost the number of employers registered on the ASEEM portal and encourage them to make use of the portal for
the purpose of hiring/employing more skilled candidates.
• Closely monitor the performance of the States through timely and regular interventions to help the States improve
their performance.
• Work in tandem with the defaulting State Governments/UT Administrations so that the online Management System
is put in place there for prudent implementation of the Scheme.
• Identify the areas where the Ministry could effectively intervene and lend support to prevent dropouts.
• Encourage Industry buy-in and contribution for skilling including sharing of training infrastructure, demand
aggregation, introduction of On-Job-Training (OJT), etc.
• Enhance flexibility in course curriculums by introducing courses in partnership with industry, Government
Ministries/Departments and promote apprenticeship opportunities for candidates.
• Encourage the industries/establishments and other employers to participate in such Melas and offer employment
opportunities.
• Ensure establishment of the targeted PMKKs.
3.9. DRAFT COAL LOGISTIC POLICY 2022

Why in news?
Recently, the Ministry of Coal has sought
feedback on Draft Coal Logistic Policy, 2022.
About Draft Coal Logistic Policy, 2022
• Policy aims to identify, evaluate &
eliminate gaps in existing coal evacuation
infrastructure & environment-friendly
transportation of coal from mine to the
end-use plant.
o Coal Logistics means transport of Coal
from origin to destination through
single/multimodal mode of
transportation and includes storage,
loading, for purpose of delivery to
power plants, steel manufacturing, etc.
• Vision of Draft policy envisages is to develop a technologically
enabled, integrated, cost-efficient, resilient, sustainable, and
trusted logistics ecosystem for accelerated and inclusive
growth.
o As per ‘Coal Vision 2030’ commissioned by Coal India in
2017, domestic coal demand was estimated to be 1,300-
1,900 MT per annum by 2030.
Policy Strategies to be taken to improve coal logistics sector
• Smart Coal Logistics Corridors: It needs to be established for
ensuring complete oversight on every tonne of coal from the
mine to the consumption point.
o 'Smart Coal Logistics Corridors' can be
defined as technology-enabled coal Coal transportation in India
• Coal evacuation infrastructure typically comprises of the following
logistics chains that provide real-time
logistics segments:
information regarding logistics processes o First mile logistics
from the mine to the destination. o Trunk mile logistics
• Multimodal network of transport: The Policy o Last mile logistics
proposes to formulate a Multi-modal • Important modes of transport of coal are Rail, Road and the Rail-
Integrated National Coal Evacuation Plan. cum-Sea route and captive modes such as, Merry-Go-Round
o A Technical Support Unit and an Inter- (MGR) Systems, Conveyor Belts & Ropeways.
Ministerial Committee (IMC) will be set up
for formulating the Plan.
• Rights of Way (RoW): RoW of rail and roads
and first-mile evacuation are planned as part
of the mine allocation process.
• Green transportation initiatives: There is need
to focus on modal shift to conveyors, railways
and waterways from road transportation of
coal.
• Data-driven systems: Development of data-
driven systems for monitoring the logistics
ecosystem to enable higher logistics
efficiency.
• Rationalise railway tariff: Railway tariff
rationalization for first- and last-mile
connectivity to and from ports can enhance
the viability of RSR (Rail - Sea - Rail route) for
coal.
• Other Initiatives
o Common user facilities like Railway Siding
where there are 2-3 mines close to each
other.
o Use of conveyor needs to be promoted
wherever it is economical to use.
Way Forward
• Focus on coal gasification: This shall
significantly reduce logistics cost and improve
the overall profitability and viability of the
project.

• Improve transport and infrastructure: Infrastructure developments driven by PPP, restructuring of railway networks
to connect with coal bearing areas, enhancing port capacities and evacuation efficiency, augmenting existing
capacities from existing ports etc.
• Research and exploration: Promote research and exploration activities and modern underground mass production
technologies to deal with land acquisition related issues.
• Engaging stakeholders: Indian Railways, port authority and industry need to work in close collaboration to plan
development of infrastructural facilities as per requirements.
• Dedicated private lines: Logistics availability and co-ordination in offtake arrangements for coal through railways
needs dedicated private lines to be built in areas where future mining capacity will come up.
Initiatives taken to improve coal logistics
• Freight Operations Information System (FOIS): It helps to monitor movement of freight trains which also calculates freight
and other charges.
o The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) also offers Freight Business Data Integration (FBDI) for FOIS that can
be used by the customers for integration with their internal MIS networks.
• PM Gati Shakti: The Plan will holistically look at the interventions required to be taken for reduction of logistics cost for coal
evacuation and thus lead to efficiency gains in coal sector.
3.10. ONE NATION ONE FERTILISER (ONOF)

Why in News? Related News
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PM-KSK)
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers • Government also plans to develop more than 3.25 lakh fertiliser shops across
launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan the country as PM-KSK under Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
Urvarak Pariyojana - One Nation One • PMKSK will help in:
Fertiliser scheme. o catering to a wide variety of needs of the farmers and provide agri-inputs
(fertilisers, seeds, implements),
About the scheme
o testing facilities for soil, seeds, and fertilisers;
• This scheme aims at marketing o generate awareness among farmers;
fertilisers in the country under o provide information regarding various government schemes.
‘Bharat’ brand name. Cabinet has approved Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for various Nutrients
that is Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) for Phosphatic and
• Under the scheme, all subsidised
Potassic (P&K) fertilizers for 2022-23 Rabi Season.
soil nutrients - urea, di-ammonium • This will help in:
phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash o absorbing volatility in international prices of fertilizers and raw materials
(MOP), and NPK - will be marketed o provide smooth availability of fertilizers to farmers at subsidised /
under the single brand Bharat. affordable prices.
o The uniform design of bags • Commercial prices of fertilisers had almost doubled due to Ukraine-Russia
across the country will now conflict and logistics issues due to pandemic.
mention them as 'Bharat urea',
'Bharat DAP', 'Bharat MOP', 'Bharat NPK'
and so on.
o This is applicable to all fertiliser
companies, State Trading Entities (STEs)
and Fertiliser Marketing Entities (FMEs).
• Scheme outlines the specifications of the new
packaging for companies-
o The new “Bharat” brand name and PMBJP
logo will cover two-thirds of the front of
the fertiliser packet.
o The manufacturing brands can only display
their name, logo, and other information on
the remaining one-third space.

About Fertilisers in India
• Fertilizers have played an essential role in
agricultural production, providing vital
nutrients for crops and registering increasing
demands over the years.
• There are 3 basic types of fertiliser used—
urea, Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), and
Muriate of Potash (MOP).
Amongst them, Urea is the most produced (86%),
the most consumed (74% share), and the most
imported (52%).
• Fertiliser industry forms a part of the eight core industries.
o The Indian fertilizer market is projected to register a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period 2022-2027.
o Government decides where manufacturers can sell their products under the Fertiliser (Movement) Control
Order, 1973 issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
• Government provides subsidy to various fertilisers under different schemes.
Fertilizer subsidy in India
• Government is making available fertilizers, namely
Urea and 25 grades for P&K fertilizers to farmers
at subsidized prices through fertilizer
manufacturers/importers.
• Subsidy on P&K fertilizers is being governed by
Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme.
o NBS was introduced in 2010, in continuation
of erstwhile Concession Scheme (1992).
o It covers fertilizers with primary nutrients (N,
P, K and S) as well as any variant of fertilizers
with secondary and micronutrients (except S).
o Subsidy is released directly to fertilizer
companies at approved rates (based on Inter-
Ministerial Committee) recommendation.
• Subsidy for urea is provided under Urea subsidy
Scheme.
o It is a Central Sector Scheme under which Urea is provided to the farmers at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail
Price (MRP) below their normal supply-and-demand-based market rates or what it costs to produce/import them.
o The difference between the delivered cost of Fertilizers at farm gate and net market realization by the urea
units is given as subsidy to the Urea manufacturer/Importer by the Govt. of India.
✓ So, it also includes freight subsidy for movement of urea across the country.
✓ The subsidy is given to the fertilizer manufacturing companies and the rate of subsidy is decided on annual
basis.
o From March 2018, a new direct benefit transfer (DBT) system was introduced, wherein only upon the sale getting
registered on the e-Urvarak platform can a company claim subsidy.
Issues in Fertiliser sector in India
• High Fiscal Burden: Fertiliser accounts for large fiscal subsidies (about 0.73 lakh crore or 0.5 percent of GDP), the
second-highest after food subsidy.
o Large unpaid subsidy backlogs create question on the sustainability of current subsidy regime.
• Import Dependency of Fertiliser sector: India consumes 55 million metric ton (mmt) of fertilizers annually, of which
nearly 30% is imported.
• Ecological impact of excessive fertiliser usage: Excessive use of fertilizers emits significant quantities of greenhouse
gas into the atmosphere.
o In many industrialized countries, overuse of fertilizers has resulted in contamination of surface water and
groundwater.
• Over regulations: Economic Survey of 2016 highlighted that fertiliser sector is highly regulated and only a small
proportion of the small and marginal farmers are benefited.
o 24% of the subsidy is spent on inefficient urea producers, of the remaining, 41% is diverted to non-agricultural
uses and abroad; of the remaining, 24% is consumed by larger presumably richer farmers.
• Limitation for private sectors: With the ONOF scheme, bar on branding will effectively deprive fertiliser makers of
the ability to differentiate their products and retain market shares, serving as a deterrent to private presence in the
sector.
o Private players would also have little incentive to experiment with customised products or new nutrient
combinations.
Way Forward
• Adjust inflation: The main reason for the hefty cost of the fertiliser subsidy bill is that the Centre has not hiked selling
prices even marginally to keep up with inflation.
• Integrated Plant Nutrition Management Bill, 2022: This bill has been put up for public consultation which seeks to
regulate the pricing, movement, distribution, import, and storage of fertilisers in the country to ensure their
balanced use in the country.
• Awareness among farmers: Farmers should be made aware regarding the benefits of balanced usage of fertilizers.
o Also, modelling the fertilizer proportion according to different agro-climatic regions, is needed for the better
growth and health of crops and soil.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Centre can explore the more intuitive solution of decontrolling prices of fertilisers,
while subsidising farmers directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
o Making subsidy payments directly into farmers’ accounts instead of routing it through manufacturers will help in
targeting of small farmers and reduce leakages.
o It will also promote the Centre’s objective of making farmers aware of the subsidy element in fertilisers in a
more direct manner.
3.11. MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE (MSP)

Why in news?
Recently, Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs (CCEA) approved an increase in
Minimum Support Price (MSP) for six rabi
crops for 2023-24.
More on news
• Increase in MSP is in line with Union
Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing
MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times of All-
India weighted average cost of production.
• Maximum rate of return at current MSP is
104% for rapeseed and mustard, followed
by 100% for wheat and 85% for lentils.
o The larger increase in the MSP of
mustard and rapeseed could also help
in the diversion of some area under
wheat to these oilseeds.

About Minimum Support Price (MSP)
• It is a price support mechanism that acts as a safety
net given to farmers to ensure guaranteed prices and
assured markets for their products.
o The MSP-based procurement system is aimed to
save the crops from price fluctuations due to
various unwarranted factors such as the
monsoon, information asymmetry etc.
o MSP system was started in 1966-67 for wheat
and was expanded further to include other
essential food crops, which was then sold to the
poor under subsidised rates under public
distribution system (PDS).
• It is fixed twice a year on recommendations of the
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP-
statutory body) and then approved by CCEA.
• The CACP determines the MSP based on the expenses
incurred by the farmer (See infographics).
o The final MSP is determined as a
function of expenses incurred (A2) and
the imputed value of family labour (FL).
o There have been demands for
considering a different costing method
(C2).
o National Commission on Farmers
(Swaminathan Committee) had also
recommended MSP should be at least
50% more than the weighted average
cost of production.
Issues associated with MSPs
• Procurement: Delay in setting up
procurement centres and lack of
government machinery for procurement of other crops
except wheat and rice (procured by Food Corporation of
India).
• Disparity among states: Farmers of states where the
grain is procured completely by the government benefit
more while those in states that procure less are often
affected.
o In 2021, more than 95% of paddy growers benefit
from MSP in Punjab while in Uttar Pradesh, only 3.6%
of farmer’s benefit.
• Ecological: MSP regime has led to increased production
of wheat and paddy due to higher MSP offered on these
corps. This has led to ecological issues such as decreased
ground water table, salinity as seen in Punjab.
• Fiscal burden: In 2020-21, food subsidy bill was nearly
30% of net tax revenue of the central government,
reflecting huge financial burden on the government.

• Middlemen: MSP-based procurement system is dependent on middlemen, commission agents and APMC officials,
who rope in the maximum benefit leaving farmer with low remuneration for the production.
• Inflation targeting: Higher MSPs could upend the Reserve Bank of India’s inflation targets, hurting economic growth.
o Every one percentage point increase in MSPs leads to a 15-basis point increase in inflation.
• Make India’s agri- exports non-competitive: Mandatory MSPs will render India’s agri- exports non-competitive
because the government’s assured prices are way higher than both domestic and international market prices.
• Farmer Income: Skewed MSP system of rice and wheat discourages farmers to grow other crops and horticulture
products, which has higher demand and could lead to increase in farmers' income.
Way forward
• Improve procurement: Government can bring a law on right to sell at MSP by marginal and small farmers with a
carefully designed methodology.
o Also procurement of crops should be linked with their production of each State.
• Increase diversification in procurement interventions: There is need to revisit the strategy on demand and supply,
including PDS system, for balancing the nutritional security of the population.
• Deficiency price payments (DPP) system: In this scheme, the government, rather than procuring from farmers,
compensates farmers with cash transfers when the market price falls below MSP.
o Example, Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana in Demand for Legalizing MSP
Madhya Pradesh. • Recently, several farmers bodies demanded to legalize MSP.
• Area planning: The cropping system should be o Legalising MSP would put the government under a legal
tailored to local consumption patterns rather obligation to buy every grain of the crops for which
than for only getting the maximum price, MSPs are announced.
irrespective of whether the produce has a o MSP system was not backed by a parliamentary act and
demand or not. therefore, could never be legally enforced across India.
Issues with legalizing MSP
• Income support: For many of non-staple
• Fiscal burden: Some estimates suggest that legalising MSP will
commodities, MSPs are announced with little or cost annually about ₹17-lakh crore for purchasing the 23
no procurement. Thus, a gradual movement to an mandated crops.
income-based support system is needed. • Demand for other crops: If the MSP is legalised, there will be a
o This also obviate the need for physical demand to include other crops, particularly fruits and
procurement and storage by the government. vegetables.
o PM-KISAN is currently attempting this, but • Storage: Inadequate storage for grains procured by the
the support under the programme is grossly government at MSP leads to post harvest losses.
inadequate. • Selling: With stocks piling up, FCI will be forced to dump even
• Center-State Contributory Price Stabilization more, and the price will get further depressed.
Fund: It should be established to insulate farmers o Such sale of agri-produce, combined with the ban on
purchase below the MSP directly from the farmers, will
from a significant fall in prices, either due to
then close all avenues for sale by the farmers.
domestic factors or global trade factors.
3.12. DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH-EAST REGION

Why in News?
Cabinet approved new Scheme “Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE)”.
About Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE)
• PM-DevINE was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 to address development gaps in the North Eastern Region
(NER).
• It is a Central Sector Scheme.
• It will be implemented by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) through North Eastern
Council or Central Ministries/ agencies.
• Scheme will have an outlay of Rs.6,600 crore for the four-year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 (remaining years of
15th Finance Commission period).
• PM-DevINE will provide support to infrastructure and About North Eat Region (NER)
social development projects which may be larger in size • NER comprises eight states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
and will also provide an end–to-end development Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and
solution instead of isolated projects. Tripura.
o The average size of projects under other MDoNER • Population of this region is over 45 million, which
Schemes is about Rs 12 crore only. accounts for about 3.76% of India’s total population.
• NER District SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) • The region covers around 8% of India’s total land area.
Index (Baseline Report 2021-22) report (and its updates) • It accounts for over a third of India’s water resources and
nearly 40% of the hydropower potential.
would increasingly be used for project identification
and formulation under PM-DevINE.
o NITI Aayog and MDoNER, in collaboration with
UNDP, have prepared the NER District SDG Index.
Importance of development of North-East Region (NER)
• Geo-strategic location: NER shares borders with
countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar
and Nepal— and also connects India to the robust
Southeast Asian markets making it conducive to
international trade.
• Huge potential in agriculture trade: This is because of
its suitable soil and other agro-climatic conditions.
o For example, the marketable surplus for pineapple
(95%), jackfruit (83%), cabbage (74%), orange (85%)
etc. is high enough for exports.
• For success of Act East Policy: Without addressing the
development related challenges of NER, no trade deals
involving value chains in the NER and the neighbouring
countries will yield desirable results.
• Unharnessed resource endowments: Important natural resources like land, forest vegetation etc., which are essential
for creating employment and generation of GDP in NER are either underutilized, unutilized, and mismanaged.
• Presence of potent input market catalysts
such as social capital (diversity, cultural
richness), physical (potential energy supply
hubs), human (inexpensive, skilled labour)
and natural (minerals, forests) resources.
Challenges faced in development
• Geopolitical factors: NER continues to
suffer security concerns from the cross-
border conflicts and other illegal activities.
o Military takeover in Myanmar and rising
anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh
further complicate the situation.
• Difficult terrain: Almost 70% of the NER is hilly, with forests covering between 42 and 76% of the area of each of the
States.
o This poses one of the greatest constraints to rapid economic development.
• Predominance of the Informal Economy: There is rampant narcotics trading, as well as other illegal activities like
weaponry trading and trafficking of rare animals and poaching leading to limited official border trade.
• Infrastructure Bottlenecks: It is key to the disconnect between NER and the rest of the country.
o Poor infrastructure and lack of investment are mutually reinforcing, and hamper economic development in the
region.
• Challenges with trade facilitation with
neighboring countries: Goods must be
transloaded between vehicles of different
countries, and the clearance processes are
lengthy, which adds to the time and cost of
transportation.
• Social unrest: Because of armed insurgency,
cross-border migration, movements that
demand for separate federal states and
autonomous units, and ethnic conflicts
impede NER development.
• Socio-environmental dynamics: NER is also
an ecologically sensitive zone, inhabited by
several ethnic communities. Land is
intrinsically linked to culture, and thus
makes it imperative to ensure that any
development activity takes this into
account.
Way Forward
Framework for development of the NER can be
broadly based upon following vital components:
• Social empowerment: To empower rural
communities, create sustainable institutions
so that they manage common activities around microfinance, livelihoods and natural resource management.
• Economic empowerment: Develop the capacity of rural communities to plan and manage funds for various economic
initiatives and common activities for the
Initiatives taken for development of NER
public.
• North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme, to improve
• Partnership development: Partner with
NER’s infrastructure cover projects relating to connectivity enhancing
foreign investors, resource institutions tourism and supply of water and power etc.
and public and private sector • Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme to fill up the
organisations to bring resources such as gap in infrastructure sector of NER through sanctioning the projects
finance, technology, and marketing into prioritized by the State Governments.
the projects so that the community groups • North East Venture Fund, first and only dedicated venture fund for
are able to improve their livelihoods. NER, aims to promote business growth and skill development.
• Subregional forums: More focused • NITI Forum for North East has been constituted for inclusive but
approach in subregional forums, such as sustainable economic growth in NER.
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations • Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East.
(ASEAN) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative • Infrastructure development: Bogibeel Rail cum Road Bridge (on
Brahmaputra river), New Greenfield Airport at Pakyong (Gangtok), Ro-
for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Ro service between Neamati-Kamlabari( Majuli Island ), in Assam etc.
Cooperation (BIMSTEC), can play an
• Science and Technology Interventions in North East (STINER) to bring
important role in enhancing trade and relevant technologies from S&T institutions to the farmers/artisans of
connectivity between the NER and India’s NER.
neighbouring countries. • Three newly emerging corridors with neighboring countries:
• Ascertain consent of people to o Trilateral Highway linking India with Myanmar and Thailand.
implement policies: To ensure that o Kaladan multimodal corridor linking Port of Sittwe in Myanmar to
economic development does not come at NER states.
the expense of the environment or the o Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor.
social and cultural fabric of the region.
• Others: Development of logistics hubs and corridors, Ensuring interoperability of transport systems, improving trade
facilitation, Tapping the potential of low-cost inland waterways, expanding air connectivity etc.
3.13. NEWS IN SHORTS
3.13.1. LOGISTICS EASE ACROSS
DIFFERENT STATES (LEADS) 2022
SURVEY REPORT
• Ministry of Commerce & Industry recently released
Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2022
survey report.
• LEADS is an indigenous data-driven index to assess
logistics infrastructure, services, and human resources
across all 36 States and UTs.
o It’s a key tool to drive logistics sector efficiency
that helps achieve target of bringing down
logistics costs compared to global benchmark.
o It was first launched in 2018.
• Key highlights
o LEADS 2022 adopted classification-based grading
system while previous versions were based on • Recommendations
ranking systems for all states. (refer infographic) o States should draft their respective logistics policy
o Three performance categories include in line with National Logistics Policy 2022.
✓ Achievers (States/UTs achieving 90% or more o Develop grievance redressal system in line with
percentage) Ease of Logistics (E-LogS) portal.
✓ Fast Movers (achieving scores between 80% o Identify and improve condition of intersection
to 90%) roads points.
✓ Aspirers (achieving scores below 80%) o Establish dedicated land bank for logistics
• Significance of LEADS infrastructure.
o Indicator of efficiency of services that are
necessary to boost trade competitiveness and 3.13.2. INDIA’S GREEN GDP
economic growth. • As per a recent RBI paper, Green GDP is growing faster
o Brings to light key logistics-related challenges. (6.27% and 6.61% in the 2000s and 2010s) than
o Offers recommendations to remove various traditional GDP (6.34% and 6.71%, respectively), as
bottlenecks. India took measures to cut carbon emissions, improve
o Guiding & bridging mechanism for identification of resource use efficiency and boost clean energy
interventions enhancing logistics efficiency. capacity.
o Trend had been opposite in past three decades of
20th century, implying growth in that period was
more damaging to environment.

• Green GDP considers estimates for environmental 3.13.3. DOOM LOOP
degradation, depletion of natural resources, and
savings of resources and environment into the national • According to economists, Europe is headed for doom
income accounts. loop.
o It involves subtraction of carbon emission cost, • About Doom Loop
opportunity cost of waste generated, and o Doom loop is the circle of vulnerability where a
adjusted savings of natural resource depletion country’s banking system can be severely hurt by
from GDP. volatility in the price of the sovereign bonds, they
o United Nations first proposed idea of green GDP hold for reserves resulting in a contraction in
in 1993. lending provided by the banks. (see image below)
• Advantages of measuring Green GDP o It is a phenomenon whereby a shock to one part
o Put emphasis on maintaining a balance between of its economic system is amplified by its effect
country’s growth aspirations and environmental on another.
protection.
o Helps to take holistic view, as traditional GDP
calculation ignores cost of degradation of
environment.
o Helps in policy engineering to ensure sustainable
development.
• Related information: Environmental Kuznets Curve

(EKC)
o EKC argues that in initial phases of economic
development, there seems to be a positive
relationship between pollution level and per
capita income.
India’s attempts to measure Green GDP
• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
initiated compilation of environmental accounting under
Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem
Services (NCAVES).
o NCAVES project was launched in 2017 by UN and
European Union to enhance knowledge and
accounting process for ecosystem accounting. 3.13.4. STANDARD OPERATING
• Green Accounting for Indian States & Union Territories PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR INTER-
Project (GAISP) to build a framework for environmentally
adjusted national income accounts.
OPERABLE REGULATORY SANDBOX
• Uttarakhand became 1st state in India to measure Gross (IORS)
Environment Product for quantifying ecological growth
measurement. • The SOP is prepared by the inter-regulatory
technical group (IRTG) on fintech, chaired by RBI’s
fintech department and representatives of Sebi,
Irdai, IFSCA, PFRDA and the central government.

o It provides a framework to regulate newer 3.13.5. ASSET RECONSTRUCTION
fintech products and services falling in the ambit COMPANIES (ARCS)
of more than one financial regulator (see image).
• IoRS is ‘a mechanism to facilitate testing of • RBI has amended regulatory framework for Asset
innovative hybrid financial products / services Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).
falling within the regulatory ambit of more than one • It was based on recommendations of the committee
financial sector regulator’. headed by Sudarshan Sen to undertake
• Key highlights of the framework comprehensive review of the working of ARCs.
o The dominant feature of the product will • Key guidelines are:
determine influence of the regulator and o Allowed ARCS with minimum net owned fund of
₹1000 crore to act as resolution applicants under
regulator under whose jurisdiction such feature
the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016.
will come. This regulator will be the principal
✓ Earlier, Securitisation and Reconstruction of
regulator (PR) and others will be associate
Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security
regulators (AR). Interest Act (SARFAESI Act) prohibited ARCs
o The dominant position will be decided in two from doing other activities than that of
ways: securitisation or asset reconstruction,
✓ type of enhancement to the existing without RBI's permission.
products like loans, deposits, etc., ✓ IBC provides for a time-bound process for
✓ number of relaxations sought by the entity resolving insolvency in companies and among
for undertaking the test under IoRS. individuals.
o International Financial Services Centres o Raised minimum capital requirement for setting
Authority will be PR for Indian FinTechs having up an ARC to Rs 300 crore from the existing Rs 100
global ambition and foreign FinTechs seeking crore in a phased manner.
entry to India. o Changes in corporate governance norms, like to
o IRTG on FinTech will resolve any coordination constitute an Audit Committee, which shall
issue between PR and AR etc. comprise of non-executive directors only.
• About ARC
o ARC has been set up to provide a focused approach
to Non-Performing Assets resolution on
recommendations of Narasimham Committee- II.
o It is a company registered under Section 3 of
SARFAESI Act, 2002.
o It is regulated by RBI as a Non-Banking Financial
Company.
3.13.6. DEBTS RECOVERY TRIBUNALS

(DRTS)
• Govt recently formed exclusive benches at 3 debts
recovery tribunals (DRTs) to resolve cases above Rs 100
crore.
• Government has created these exclusive benches at
DRTs in Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi.
o This has been done in view of a long-standing
demand by banks to get more focus on high-value
cases.
• Significance of this move
o High-value cases are estimated to be numbering
only 1%, but the amount wise constitutes 80% of
claims
o Presently, lot of privately held companies in India
are registered as partnerships or family concern.

✓ These cannot be tried under the insolvency o In respect of transaction-based guarantee cover,
and bankruptcy code (IBC) in the National the guarantee cover is obtained by the lending
Company Law Tribunal which deals with institutions on single eligible borrower basis.
companies only. o Umbrella-based guarantee cover will provide
o Also, data from RBI show that DRTs had ₹2.25 lakh guarantee to Venture Debt Funds registered
crore of debt pending under litigation as of March under AIF regulations of SEBI.
2021 • Scheme will be operated by National Credit Guarantee
• About DRTs Trustee Company Limited.
o The Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act (RDB • This scheme will complement the existing Schemes
Act), 1993 provides for establishment of DRTs with under Startup India initiative viz. Fund of Funds for
original jurisdiction and Debts Recovery Appellate Startups and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.
Tribunals (DRATs) with appellate jurisdiction. o Other programmes under Startup India: Support
o Objective of these tribunals is to provide for Intellectual Property Protection, Self-
expeditious adjudication and recovery of debts due Certification under Labour and Environmental
to Banks and Financial Institutions. laws, Income Tax Exemption for 3 years, Startup
o It also hears cases filed under The Securitisation India Hub etc.
and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and
Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI)
Act,2002.
o At present, 39 DRTs and 5 DRATs are functioning
across the country.
3.13.7. DAKSH
• RBI launched advanced supervisory monitoring system
DAKSH.
• DAKSH is a web-based end-to-end workflow
application that monitors compliance requirements in
a more focused manner with the objective of further
improving the compliance culture in Supervised
Entities (SEs) like Banks, NBFCs, etc.
• The application will also enable seamless
communication, inspection planning, execution, cyber
incident reporting, and analysis, which enables
anytime-anywhere secure access. Related terms
• DAKSH means 'efficient' and 'competent', reflecting • Venture debt is a type of loan offered by banks and
nonbank lenders that is designed specifically for early-
the underlying capabilities of the application.
stage, high-growth companies with venture capital
3.13.8. CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME FOR backing.
• AIFs are privately-pooled investment vehicles for
STARTUPS (CGSS) investing in non-traditional asset classes such as
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal infrastructure funds, private equity funds, venture capital
funds, among others. They allow investors to diversify
Trade (DPIIT) recently notified establishment of Credit
from conventional asset classes.
Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS).
• It aims to provide credit guarantees to loans extended 3.13.9. NORTHWARD SHIFT IN
by Scheduled Commercial Banks, Non-Banking SUGARCANE PRODUCTION
Financial Companies and Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI) registered Alternative Investment • According to the latest NSSO report, northern
Funds (AIFs) to finance eligible Startups. sugarcane-producing states saw a 42 per cent increase
o It was envisaged under Startup India Action Plan in their output value between 2011 and 2020 while that
launched in 2016. of southern states declined 32.4 per cent during the
• Credit guarantee cover would be transaction based same period.
and umbrella based.

• The NSSO report shows the cumulative production 3.13.10. QUALITY COUNCIL OF INDIA
value of sugarcane in Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya (QCI)
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand which
increased from Rs 30,216 crore to Rs 42,920 crore. • Recently, Quality Council of India (QCI) celebrated its
o Meanwhile, the sugarcane output in the five Silver Jubilee.
southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, o It is a non-profit organization registered under the
Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
declined from Rs 26,823 crore to Rs 18,119 crore o It is an autonomous body.
in the corresponding period. o It was set up through a PPP model in 1997 by the
• Reasons for northward shift in sugarcane production Ministry of Commerce and Industry jointly with
o State Advisory Price (SAP): Higher SAP over and the Indian Industry.
above the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) being ✓ It is under the administrative control of
offered in the north, especially by Uttar Pradesh. Department for Promotion of Industries and
✓ For example, the UP government pegged Internal Trade (DPIIT).
sugarcane SAP at Rs 340 per quintal last year o Indian industry is represented by the three premier
whereas sugarcane farmers in Tamil Nadu, industry associations i.e. ASSOCHAM,
Karnataka, and Maharashtra were only able Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and FICCI.
to realise prices in the range of Rs 280-310. • It aims to establish and operate national accreditation
o Water management: The northward shift in structure and promote quality through National
sugarcane production is on account of larger Quality Campaign.
irrigated area in the region. • It is governed by a Council with equal representations
✓ Sugarcane requires large amounts of water to of government, industry and consumers.
cultivate and frequent droughts in o Chairman of Council is appointed by the Prime
Maharashtra and Karnataka in recent years Minister on recommendation of the industry to
has led to widespread farm distress. the government.
o Climate change: Prolonged summer, erratic rainfall • QCI has also launched a campaign–Gunvatta Se
and shortening of winter season in southern states Atmanirbharta: India’s quality movement to celebrate
have drastically reduced sugar production from India’s quality hubs.
cane.
Major Achievements of QCI in various sectors
o Also, Incidence of diseases like rust, leaf
• Healthcare and laboratories
spots, pokka boeng (leaf malformation), smut o Launched PM Jan Arogya Yojana quality certification
(presence of black or grey growth on the programme with National Health Authority for its
cane) etc. has also increased. empanelled hospitals across India.
o Accredited 87 food testing labs under integrated
o Focus on other valuable crops: Southern states are
assessment with Export Inspection Council, APEDA
diverting their water to higher value crops. and FSSAI.
o Other factors: This includes heat-tolerant • Education
sugarcane variety and improved farm o Collaborations with Ministry of Education (MOE) for
management strategies. Quality Intervention in the field of school education
o Launched QCI’s eLearning platform [eQuest: E-
Quality Platform for Employability through Skill and
Training]
• Environment and cleanliness
o QCI certifies ULBs as ODF (Open Defecation Free)
ODF+ and ODF++ to ensure the accessibility of clean
and functional toilets to all its citizens.
o These categories are under Swach Bharat Mission.
o Ranks railway stations across India to monitor
cleanliness and sanitation initiatives to fulfil the
Ministry of Railways mission of Swachh Rail, Swachh
Bharat.
• Economy
o Third party sampling and testing of 20% of Coal
produced in India by Coal India Limited. This has
helped in standardizing the cost of coal mined in India
based on its calorific value to non-power customers.
o Conducted a three-layer evaluation of the Start-Up About Data Centre
Village Entrepreneurship Programme in partnership • It is a dedicated secure space within a centralized
with Ministry of Rural Development. location where computing and networking equipment is
o Financial support provided to 332 MSMEs, including concentrated for purpose of collecting, storing,
43 MSMEs owned by Women entrepreneurs under processing, distributing or allowing access to large
Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) Certification Scheme. amounts of data.
• It provides Network infrastructure (connects servers etc.
3.13.11. BUSINESS 20 (B20) to end-user locations); Storage infrastructure (to store
data); and Computing resources (provide processing,
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal memory, etc. that drive applications).
Trade (DPIIT) hosted Conference on B20 Indonesia
Global Dialogue in partnership with Confederation of 3.13.13. CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
Indian Industry. COMMISSION (CAC)
• About B20
o Formed in 2010, it is the official G20 dialogue • Recently, the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary
forum with global business community. Herbs (CCSCH) has finalized and recommended quality
o Aims to deliver concrete actionable policy standards for nutmeg, saffron, chilli-peppers, and
recommendations on the priorities by each paprika and forwarded these proposed standards to
rotating presidency to spur economic growth and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
development. o The Codex Alimentarius is international food
standards, guidelines and codes of practice
3.13.12. INFRASTRUCTURE STATUS TO contribute to the safety, quality and fairness of this
DATA CENTRES international food trade.
o These food standards, guidelines and codes helps
• The government has accorded infrastructure status to on Protecting Consumer Health and Removing
data centres with more than 5MW capacity of IT load. Barriers to Trade
o Data centre is included in Harmonized Master List • Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the body
of Infrastructure sub-sectors. responsible for all matters regarding the
o Data centres capacity is measured in terms of implementation of the Joint Food and Agriculture
power they consume which reflects on scale of Organization (FAO) and WHO Food Standards
server they are hosting in their facilities. Programme.
o Earlier, it was announced in budget speech 2022- o Membership of the Commission is open to all
23. Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO
• Significance of move: Helps data centre companies to and WHO which are interested in international
get easier access to institutional credit at lower rates, food standards.
attract foreign investments etc. o The Commission meets in regular session once a
• Also, in 2020, Ministry of Electronics and Information year alternating between Geneva and Rome and
Technology has released Draft Data Centre Policy. works in the six UN official languages.
o It aims to make India a Global Data Centre hub, • About CCSCH
promote investment in sector and facilitate state o It is a committee under CAC to elaborate
of art service delivery to citizens. worldwide standards for spices and culinary
• Why focus on data centres? herbs.
o Presently, India has around 499 MW installed o India is the host country for Codex Committee on
power capacity for Data Centres and is projected Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH).
to grow to 1007 MW by 2023.
o Data localisation norms make it crucial to set up a 3.13.14. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
robust data centre infrastructure India. (PPP) ROUTE
o This is necessary to protect India’s digital
sovereignty in connected world. • Railway Ministry Plans to bid out 16 Stations under
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Route.
• This is in addition to the 1253 railway stations that
have been identified for development under the
Adarsh Station Scheme.

o These railway stations will be upgraded to ensure • Ministry of Road Transport came with BH series to
improved basic facilities and accessibility for ensure seamless transfer of vehicles across states and
passengers. free vehicle owners from re-registration process when
• PPP refers to a cooperative agreement between the they shift from one state/UT to another.
government organization and a private firm to o Vehicle registration facility under ‘Bharat series
execute a project or provide services to the local (BH series)’ is voluntary to defense personnel,
population for the long term. employees of central and state government, PSUs,
o It encompasses several delivery models such as private sector companies having their offices in
Operation & Maintenance (O&M), Built-Operate four or more states/UTs.
Transfer (BOT), Builds–Own–Operate–Transfer o Working Certificate is needed to be submitted by
(BOOT), Design-Finance-Build-Operate-Transfer, private sector employees to prevent misuse.
etc.
• Benefits 3.13.17. ALUMINIUM WAGONS
o Help in recovering the project cost, as the present • Recently, Union railway minister flagged off the
railway fair is highly Cross-subsidization. country’s first freight train with an all-aluminium
o Increase the competition and efficiency in the wagon rake.
modernization of railway projects. o It is manufactured in collaboration with Besco
o Tackle the underperformance of the railway due Limited Wagon Division and aluminium major
to a lack of skilled workforce and other Hindalco.
construction equipment. o As reported, Indian railway is planning to deploy
• Challenges for PPP in Railways more than one lakh wagons in the coming years.
o Delay in land acquisition and multiple clearances • At present, India’s high-speed trains, including the
and approvals from various regulatory bodies. Rajdhanis and the Shatabdis, use Linke Hofmann Busch
o Unviable tendering of PPP projects owing to lack (LHB) coaches that are made of stainless steel.
of proper planning and unrealistic cost estimates.
• Significance:
o Ineffective dispute resolution
o Lower carbon footprint: due to its lower weight. It
o Lack of standard PPP practices in line with global
is estimated that for every 100 kg weight
standards.
reduction of the wagon, the CO2 saving is 8-10
3.13.15. COMMITMENT TO REDUCING tonnes.
o Recyclable: Aluminium trains are 100 per cent
INEQUALITY (CRI) INDEX
recyclable.
• India Ranked 123 (161) for reducing inequality, ✓ The recyclability will also help in times of
improving by 6 places from previous ranking. global volatility in metal prices.
• The 2022 CRI Index looks at government policies and o Make Indian Railways' logistics more efficient
actions in 161 countries to fight inequality during the ✓ Carry extra load: It can carry 180 tonnes extra
first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. payload per trip over conventional rakes
• Index is prepared by Oxfam International and ✓ Reduce maintenance cost: Being corrosion
Development Finance. resistant, will reduce maintenance costs.
✓ Speed up production: Aluminium trains take
3.13.16. BHARAT SERIES (BH) less time to manufacture and thus can help
speed up capacity for production.
• Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways o Reduce import: The iron and steel industry
(MoRTH) has proposed to allow conversion of regular consume a lot of nickel and cadmium which are
vehicle registrations into Bharat Series (BH) numbers. imported. So, proliferation of aluminum wagons
o At present, only new vehicles can opt for BH series will result in less import.
mark. o Boost domestic industry: This is good for the
o But with proposed amendment regular registration domestic aluminum industry.
mark can also be converted to BH series subject to
• Though an all-aluminium passenger coach and wagon
payment of requisite tax.
system would raise the cost of manufacturing rolling
o Also, the transfer of vehicles with BH series
stocks by about 35% since the price of aluminium,
registration mark to other persons, who are
globally, is far higher than that of steel. However, the
eligible or ineligible for BH series, has been
advantages of the metal outscore its high price.
facilitated.

3.13.18. POSTAL INDEX NUMBER OR PIN • Overall, India is divided into 9 postal regions (zones)
CODE with the first eight as geographical regions and ninth
being Indian Army.
• Golden Jubilee of PIN Code was commemorated.
• PIN (Postal Index Number) Code, also known as Zip
Code or Area Code, is the post office numbering code
system used by India Post.
• It was first introduced on August 15, 1972.
• It is a 6 digits long code with each digit denoting a
particular meaning (see image).

4. SECURITY
4.1. USE OF SPACE FOR DEFENCE
Why in news?
Prime Minister launched Mission DefSpace at the annual Defense
Expo held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
More about news
• It seeks to develop innovative solutions for the Armed Forces
in the space domain through industry and start-ups.
• Under the mission, 75 challenges are being opened to get
innovative solutions, based on the defence requirements in
the space domain.
Use of space for defence
Use of space for defence can be explained through militarisation
of space and weaponisation of the space.
• Militarisation of the space: It refers to the use of the space to
support the ground, sea and air based military operations.
o Herein, the assets such as early warning communication
system, navigation, command and control, etc are being
placed in space in order to
assist the ground
infrastructure of military.
• Weaponisation of the space:
Placing of space based
devices in the orbit that have
destructive capabilities.
Hypersonic technology
vehicles that travel in the
space to reach the intended
target also weaponise the
space.
o At its most extreme, space
weaponisation would
include the deployment
of a full range of space weapons, including Other Global framework for regulation of Space
satellite-based systems for Ballistic Missile • Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) prohibits nuclear weapons tests
Defence (BMD), space-based Anti-Satellite "or any other nuclear explosion" in the atmosphere, in outer
space, and under water.
(ASAT) weapons and a variety of Space to
• U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) supports
Earth Weapons (STEWs).
governments in building legal, technical, and political
o Two subsets of weaponisation of space infrastructure to support global space activities.
are space control and Space force o It maintains a registry of objects launched into Outer Space.
application. • Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee’s (IADC)
Factors driving growing use of space for defence Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines which cover the overall
environmental impact of the missions with a focus on Limitation
• Geopolitical churnings aggravating threat of debris and Post-mission disposal.
scenario: Technological advancement by the
developed states such as the USA and then USSR created geopolitical chain reaction.

o Rivalry between USA and China to be superpower led China to successfully conduct an ASAT Test in 2007 which
raised security concerns in India.
o In 2016, China also launched QUESS,
world’s first quantum
communication satellite.
o In 2019, India had become the fourth
country after United States, Russia
and China to conduct Anti Satellite
missile test (dubbed as Mission
Shakti).
• Lack of an effective regulatory
mechanism: Currently, there is no
organisation that is empowered to
regulate space. The OST (outer Space
Treaty) lacks the legal and structural
capacity to effectively regulate space.
o Also, with growing space mission and
launches, the Kessler Syndrome
becomes a real threat.
o Kessler Syndrome is a scenario in
which Earth's orbit is overpopulated
with objects and debris, causing catastrophic collision amidst them.
• Weak and ambiguous laws: The OST makes it clear that weapons of mass destruction cannot be deployed in space,
but does nothing to constrain the development, testing, and deployment of non-nuclear space weapons. Also,
defining what constitutes a ‘space weapon’ is becoming increasingly difficult.
o Further, countries are divided on the phrase “peaceful purposes”.
• Space is becoming the next frontier of war: Space is fast emerging as an area of geo-political conflict. As reliance on
Space grows, Space-based assets will become centers of gravity that are likely to be targeted in war and ‘less than
war’ situations.
o Countries like America and China have
already established space dedicated
military commands.
o Space especially the Low Earth Orbits
is becoming more accessible, even to
countries with no previous aspirations
in space and relatively small budgets.
o This has the potential to trigger a
space arms race.
• Military-civil fusion: Security concerns are
compounded by the fact that many key
space capabilities are dual-use, making any
space technology development a potential
weapons programme.
o Thus, Boundaries that separate civil and military Space assets are getting blurred.
o The evolution of Space capabilities has resulted in it becoming possible that even civilian assets may be actually
used to apply military force.
How can we prevent space from becoming a warfighting domain?
• Bringing new law/treaty: There is an immediate need to revise the Outer
Space Treaty to lay down specific provisions for arms control and
demilitarisation.

o Norms or treaties should take into account evolving technologies and the ever increasing number of
participatory nations and, thus, be amenable to ongoing dialogue and future negotiations.
• Global cooperation and coordination: Global cooperative efforts in SSA (space situational awareness), disaster
mitigation, debris removal, scientific exploration and other space related fields are needed.
o It will contribute to transforming outlook towards space and ensure a responsible and safe ecosystem for space
exploration.
• Effective governance of
space: For effective
governance of space and
restoring its position as a
global common, an effective
global governance system is
needed.
o This would help not just in
demilitarising space, but
also help the issues like
growing space debris,
decommissioning
satellites, and even boost
space exploration.
Conclusion
Need of the hour is a meaningful and enforceable space law that delivers immediate and significant diplomatic,
political and even economic consequences for a state which violates norms of responsible behaviour.
4.2. ROLE OF COMMUNITY IN BORDER MANAGEMENT

Why in news?
Prime Minister recently called every village at the
border as the first village of the country and the
people residing near the border as country's
strong guard, thus highlighting role of local
population in border management.
Importance of Community engagement in
border management
• To ensure a secure and safe border: It would
help enhancing security and development of
orders besides providing a sense of belonging
to these people.
o They are the first in line when irregular
events take place at the border.
o In addition, local communities can
identify the most vulnerable persons as
well as the risk factors in terms of safety
and health.
• Improved situational awareness: Border
communities hold vast amounts of intimate
knowledge on the area, characteristics of the
terrain etc.

• Enhanced surveillance: In the difficult areas like coasts, fishermen watch groups can be formed to fill in large gaps
existing in the surveillance cover on a regular basis. They can act as guides to the Armed Forces.
o Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) regularly conduct Community Interaction Programmes (CIPs) for
fishermen in coastal villages wherein they are sensitised about safety and security issues.
• To uphold human rights: Community involvement in border management also helps in ensuring that security
responses do not compromise human rights or inhibit unduly the free movement of goods and people.
• Utilisation of community mechanisms: Improved interaction with local populations would allow gradual
development of a new community-based policing approach to border management.
o Also, it will enhance the utilisation of community mechanisms for managing challenges and conflicts.
• Others:
o Can help in building mutual trust and confidence.
o Engaging communities is a form of citizen engagement that leads communities to contribute to their own
protection while ensuring respect towards the sovereignty of the State.
Challenges in engaging local communities in border management
• Inadequate state capacity: While ethnic homogeneity allows communities to engage across borders, State capacities
to manage the process are notably weak as can be seen in
o Poor or non-existent border infrastructure;
o Basic equipment for transport, Initiatives taken for border area development
• Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP): The programme envisages
communications, and security control is
coverage of border villages on Northern border having sparse
missing, or cannot be maintained; population, limited connectivity and infrastructure, which
o Law enforcement personnel are badly paid often get left out from the development gains.
and inadequately trained etc. o Convergence of existing schemes is proposed under VVP.
• Alienation of border communities: India's border • Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Implemented
population in general quite often feel dissatisfied, through the State Governments/UT Administrations in
alienated and show hostile attitude towards habitations located within 0-10 kms from the first habitation
border security forces. at international border in 16 States and 2 UTs.
o Such attitude is owing to the restrictive nature o Under BADP, the annual action plans of the States/UTs
of tasks performed by forces, which is consisting of works related to village infrastructure like
roads and bridges, health, education etc. are considered
generally against the interest of local
and approved.
population.
• Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme: BIM
o For instance, prevention of smuggling aims to strengthen the border infrastructure for improving
activities lead to a perceived feeling that border management, policing and guarding the borders.
authorities unnecessarily interfere in the • Enhanced budgetary allocation for BRO: Government of India
means of livelihood of local populace. in its Union Budget for FY 2022-23 has increased the capital
• Communication gap: In many areas, border outlay for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), by a record
personnel have little communication with the 40 percent, as compared to FY 2021-22.
local people to prevent connivance with o BRO is not just contributing to enhanced operational
smugglers and other criminals. preparedness but making a very significant contribution
towards socio-economic integration and development of
o Field leadership keeps minimum contact with
the regions.
the local villagers due to lack of knowledge of
local language causing conflict/distrust.
o Hence, a communication gap exists which is detrimental to a congenial working environment.
• Border Fencing and Connected Problems: The construction of the fencing has also generated many differences
between the local villagers and border authorities. Access to the farmland across the fencing is regulated. Frequent
frisking and timely gate opening are irritants to farmers.
• Agitation approach: Often, the criminals with vested interests work against border personnel and exploit the
situation to their advantage. Local population, because of various reasons including hidden economic benefits and
social pressure comes in support of such vested interests.
o Criminals often ensure that such incidents result in a confrontation between the border authorities and the
public.

• Lacunae in mechanisms: In many cases, cooperation between border communities and authorities already exists, but
often in an ad hoc and informal way. This makes them unreliable and slow.
Measures to integrate local communities in border management
• Taking into account local characteristics: Frameworks based on the local characteristics can be established to create
a climate of trust between the authorities and the communities.
• Improving understanding of border community: The relationship between border authorities and border population
should be viewed as a management function.
o This can be achieved by providing adequate security, improving basic amenities and living conditions and
assisting in generating employment opportunities.
o Border authorities should also ensure a strict adherence to code of conduct, ethical standards of discipline and
integrity and attempts on attitudinal changes.
• Political will: The relationship between border forces and local community can essentially survive on Government
support.
o To replace the concept of 'border guarding' by 'border management' at ground level, the responsibility has to
be shared by the Central as well as State Governments.
o Report of task force on border management (2001) recommended accelerated development of infrastructure
along border, especially to wean the border population from illegal activities.
• Improving the Community Relations ability of border personnel: Some steps in this regard are:
o Systematic reappraisal of the grievance redressal mechanism against the force personnel.
o Learn local language, respect women folk, elderly persons and respect local customs.
o Carrying out civic action programmes, sports activities, judicious utilisation of border population grant, etc.
4.3. NEWS IN SHORTS

4.3.1. DELHI DECLARATION • Under resolution 1535 (2004), Counter-Terrorism
Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) to assist the
• UN Security Council (UNSC) Counter Terrorism work of the CTC was established.
Committee’s (CTC) special meeting held in India ended
with the adoption of Delhi declaration, which called 4.3.2. LIGHT COMBAT HELICOPTER (LCH)
for: • The Indian Air Force inducted the indigenously
o Issuing new set of non-binding guiding principles developed (by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.) multi-role
in countering digital terrorism threat. LCH-Prachand. India has become the seventh country
o Counter terrorist exploitation of Information and to make attack helicopters.
Communications Technology (like payment • Only combat helicopter in the world which can land
technologies and misuse of drones etc). and takeoff at an altitude of 5,000 met
o Countering use of technologies for terrorist • Equipped with a countermeasure dispensing system
purposes, while respecting human rights and that protects it from enemy radars or infrared seekers
fundamental freedoms. of the enemy missiles.
o Deepen engagement with civil society, including
women's organizations, private-sector entities etc.
• About CTC
o It was established by UNSC resolution 1373 (2001)
in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks
in the United States.
o It comprises all 15 UNSC members.
o Mandate: Tasked with monitoring the
implementation of steps to enhance countries’
legal and institutional counter-terrorism abilities,
at every level, locally and internationally.
o These steps include, Criminalize the financing of
terrorism, Suppress the provision of safe haven,
Deny all forms of financial support for terrorist
groups etc.
4.3.3. C-295 TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT
• C295 aircraft is being built by the Tata-Airbus
consortium for Indian Air Force.
o It is the first project of its kind in which a military
aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private
company.
o It is also first time that C295 aircraft will be
manufactured outside of Europe.
• About C-295 aircraft
o It is a transport aircraft with 5 to 10-tonne
capacity.
o It can be used for quick reaction and para-
dropping of troops and cargo.
o It will replace the IAF’s ageing Avro-748 planes
(inducted in early 1960s.)
4.3.4. DIRTY BOMB 4.3.6. EXERCISE IN NEWS

• Russia has claimed that Ukraine is planning to use a • Exercise Garuda-VII: It is a bilateral exercise between
dirty bomb. Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force
• Dirty Bomb is a bomb that contains radioactive (FASF) at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
material, such as uranium, which is scattered through • Simbex: The Indian Navy is hosting the Singapore-
the air when its conventional explosive detonates. India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) at
• It doesn't need to contain highly refined radioactive Visakhapatnam.
material, as is used in a nuclear bomb. • IMT TRILAT: It is Indian Navy’s maiden Trilateral
• Instead, it uses radioactive materials from hospitals, Exercise with Mozambique and Tanzania.
nuclear power stations or research laboratories. • Prasthan exercise: An offshore security exercise
• This makes them much cheaper and quicker to make conducted under aegis of Headquarters, Eastern Naval
than nuclear weapons. Command.
o Conducted every six months to integrate efforts of
4.3.5. COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY all maritime stakeholders involved in offshore
ORGANIZATION (CSTO) defence.
• PowerEX: Designed and conducted by CERT-In in
• Kyrgyzstan has cancelled Indestructible Brotherhood-
collaboration with Power-CSIRTs (Computer Security
2022 military exercises for Moscow-led CSTO which
Incident Response Teams in Power sector) for Power
was to be held in October in Kyrgyzstan.
Sector Utilities.
• CSTO alliance is loosely similar to NATO with its
• IBSAMAR: It is a joint multinational maritime exercise,
principle that an attack on one is an attack on all.
among the Indian, Brazilian and South Africa navies.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. MISSION LIFE (LIFESTYLE FOR ENVIRONMENT)
Why in News?
Recently, the Prime Minister (PM) launched Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) at the Statue of Unity at Kevadia,
Gujarat to protect the environment.
About Mission LiFE: Objectives and
Implementation
• Mission LiFE is an India-led global
mass movement which aims to
nudge individual and collective
action to protect and preserve the
environment.
○ Its concept was introduced by
the PM at the United Nations
Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC)
COP-26 (Conference of the
Parties) in Glasgow.
• Objective: Mobilise at least 1
billion Indians and other global
citizens to take individual and
collective action for protecting and
preserving the environment in the
period 2022 to 2027.
○ Within India, at least 80% of all villages and urban local bodies are aimed to become environment-friendly by
2028.
• Mission Duration: It will run as a 5-year programme, visualizing three core shifts in our collective approach towards
sustainability (see image).
○ In 2022-23, the mission will focus on Phase I
• Implementation: NITI Aayog will curate and incubate Mission LiFE in the first year.
○ Subsequently, it will be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in a
non-linear and non-sequential manner.
Need for Mission LiFE
• Environmental degradation and climate change is increasingly impacting ecosystems and people globally.
• According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Sixth Assessment Report- human-caused global
warming of 1.1°C is increasingly impacting nature and people’s lives everywhere despite adaptation efforts to it.
o Without timely action, 800 million to 3 billion people are projected to experience chronic water scarcity due to
droughts at 2°C warming.
• Climate change is also the biggest long-term risk to the global economy and it could lose up to 18% of GDP by 2050
if no mitigating actions are taken (as per Swiss Re Institute’s Climate Economics Index stress-tests).
o India’s economy is highly vulnerable as it can cause significant damage to the agriculture and tourism sector
which account around 18% and 9% of total GDP.
Prospective actions for and Potential Benefits of Mission LiFE
• Launched in the 75th year of India’s independence, the Mission unveiled a list of 75 lifestyle practices that can
promote climate-friendly behavior. Listed under 7 categories (refer image), these actions are:
o Specific and measurable,
o Easy to practice by individuals, communities, and institutions, with minimal supply-side dependencies, and
o Non-disruptive to ongoing economic activity, and, in fact, promoting economic activity in the foreseeable future.
• Helping to change individual and community behavior, it will have a significant impact on the environmental and
climate crises. E.g.
o Circular economy can generate around
₹14 lakh crore of additional cost savings
by 2030;
o Installing water-efficient fixtures (taps
and showers) can reduce water
consumption by 30-40%; and other
benefits as highlighted in image.
• As per United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), if 1 out of 8 billion
people worldwide adopt environment-
friendly behaviours in their daily lives,
global carbon emissions could drop up to
20%.
Steps taken by India in line with the objectives
of LiFE
• Individual-led programs are started to
address climate change, such as Swachh
Bharat Mission, GOBARdhan Scheme and
'Give It Up' Campaign.
• India’s Renewable Energy (RE) capacity is 4th
largest in the world, helping it to achieve the
Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of 40% electric capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources 9 years
ahead of the 2030 deadline.
o India is ranked 4th in wind energy and 5th in solar energy.
• Taking it forward,
India has revised its
INDCs and Mission
LiFE is made part of
it to combat climate
change.
o It will also help
India in its long-
term goal of
reaching net-
zero by 2070.
o It will help the
world in its fight
against climate
change and lead to a sustainable way of life to achieve the sustainable development goals as well.
Quantitatively, the eco-friendly lifestyle is visible through lower average carbon footprint per person of India (1.8 tonnes
per year, in comparison to the global average of 4.5 tonnes).
Also, living in harmony with nature is part of natural lifestyle in India. For instance, Day-to-day activities such as – Use
of clayware in cooking or tea in clay pots, Sun-drying of clothes; Plant based foods; plant-based biodegradable utensils
etc.

Way Forward: Sustainability through Mission LiFE
Mission LiFE encompasses every lifestyle related to the conservation of nature adopted by our ancestors and makes it
part of today’s lifestyle. It will help in connecting people power with global efforts to fight against the climate change
democratically; inspiring people to sync their lifestyle with the resources available on earth and contribute to its
protection by:
• Emboldening the spirit of the P3 model, i.e. Pro Planet People, as it is premised on the basic principles of ‘Lifestyle
of the planet, for the planet and by the planet’.
• Replacing the prevalent 'use-and-dispose' economy (mindless and destructive consumption) with ‘circular economy’
(mindful and deliberate utilization).
• Leverage the strength of social networks to influence social norms; contributing directly and indirectly to almost all
the SDGs, especially Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG
12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14) and Life on Land (SDG 15).
5.2. MAINSTREAMING BIODIVERSITY IN FORESTRY

Why in News?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) published a paper
on forestry titled ‘Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Forestry’ in
partnership with the Center for International Forestry Research
(CIFOR).
Connection between Forests and Biodiversity
• Covering 31% of the world’s land surface, forests are the
source of fibre, fuel, food, and fodder to over 1/3rd of world
population.
• They are home to almost 80% of terrestrial biodiversity
with over 50% being accounted for by tropical rainforests
alone.
• They serve as a safety net for global beings, helping
mitigate and adapt to climate change, help in atmospheric
carbon sequestration, natural disasters mitigation etc.
○ E.g. they store an estimated 296 gigatonnes of carbon.
About Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Forestry and its Approaches
Mainstreaming biodiversity refers to ‘the process of embedding biodiversity considerations into policies, strategies and
practices of key public and private actors to promote conservation and sustainable use of natural resources’.
• Integrating biodiversity concerns into everyday forest management practice and finding optimal outcomes across
multiple objectives, including: Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
○ Productive economic benefits, maintaining or • CIFOR is a non-profit, scientific institution that
enhancing ecosystem services and biodiversity conducts research on the most pressing challenges of
conservation. forest and landscape management around the world.
• Prioritizing forest policies, plans, programmes, projects • It aims to improve human well-being, protect the
and investments with positive impact on biodiversity at environment, and increase equity.
the ecosystem, species and genetic levels. • It conducts innovative research, develop partners’
○ National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans capacity, and actively engage in dialogue with all
(NBSAPs) by countries are an important starting stakeholders to inform policies and practices that affect
forests and people.
point for mainstreaming sector specific policies.
○ They can use various approaches and instruments for mainstreaming biodiversity in forestry for Sustainable
Forest Management (see image).

• Earlier, the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017– 2030 recognized the role of forests in maintaining
biodiversity.
Barriers and Threats to Biodiversity Mainstreaming

• Deforestation: It is the single most important driver of terrestrial biodiversity loss at an alarming rate.
○ Approximately 10 million ha of forest is converted to other land uses every year with agriculture expansion as the
biggest reason.
✓ Around 90% of deforestation between 2000 and 2018 is attributable to agriculture.
○ Up to 30% of tree species are now threatened with extinction. Depletion of vast forests threatens the survival of
wildlife species as well.
• Illegal Forest Activities and Corruption: Illegal timber harvesting accounts for 15-30% global timber production and
50-90% of forest harvesting in tropical countries.
• Low Profile of Conservation outside Protected Areas: Biodiversity conservation outside protected areas often
receives little attention despite being critical to stem biodiversity losses.
• Insufficient Capacity, Financing and Regulatory Oversight: Many developing countries struggle to enforce forest and
biodiversity regulations because of insufficient capacity and resources, especially at sub-national levels.
• Lack of Indigenous Peoples and Local Community Participation: Insufficient consideration of Indigenous Peoples and
Local Communities interests in national forest policy and in the development of forest management plan.
○ Local communities and indigenous Peoples own or manage nearly 1 billion hectares of the world’s forest and
farm land.
Way Forward for integrating Biodiversity in Forest Management
The quality of forest management has a critical role in determining the value of production forests for a range of values,
including biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation in production forest can be enhanced through the following measures:
• Assessing and Managing Risks of Forest Operations to Biodiversity during planning and before initiating any major
operations to mitigate identified risks.
• Establishing and Managing Set-aside Areas to protect old-growth forest and vulnerable habitats, as well as maintain
habitat connectivity.
○ E.g. setting of 15% area as set-aside area within a managed forest.
• Protecting Critical Biodiversity Resources by retaining and protecting key biodiversity resources such as rare plants,
nest sites, large trees, hollow trees, dead wood etc.
• Sustainable Management of Timber Resources as timber harvesting is a major threat affecting a huge number of tree
species. Also, lowering the harvesting volume of timber with a longer rotation period could be a potential method.
• Regulating Non-wood Forest Product (NWFP) Harvest, including plant resources and animals, to ensure
sustainability.
• Sustainable Management of Forest Genetic Resources to maintain and enhance genetic diversity of tree resources.
• Managing and Controlling Invasive Species through invasive species management plan, including the monitoring and
eradication of invasive species.
• Protecting Forests from Illegal and Unauthorized Activities which is a major cause of biodiversity loss.
Conclusion
Mainstreaming biodiversity in forest policy and management supports Sustainable Forest Management by balancing
conservation and sustainable use of forest biodiversity. But its successful integration in forest management requires
synergy of actions from International, National and Local Stakeholders to ensure necessary funding and knowledge
support for everybody.
5.3. URBAN FLOODING

Why in News?
Amid flooding in major metropolitans of India, the Centre highlighted the success of two cities- Davanagere (Karnataka)
and Agartala (Tripura) - as cities which have curbed urban flooding.
About Urban Flooding
• Urban Flooding is defined as an excessive runoff in developed urban areas, where the stormwater doesn’t have
anywhere to go due to poor capacity of the drainage system, causing inundations.
• It is a combination of three aspects- Heavy Rain, developed surfaces and insufficient capacity of drains.
• It is significantly different from rural flooding as the developed catchments of urban areas increase the flood peaks
from 1.8 to 8 times and flood volumes by up to 6
times.
Urban Flooding in India and its Causes
Urban flooding is a world-wide phenomenon but
developing countries like India are more vulnerable to
them. This is because of the greater presence of various
causes of urban floods which can be divided into 3 parts-
• Meteorological Factors:
○ Unprecedented Rainfall: Indian cities witness
heavy rainfall during south-west monsoons. E.g.,
the average monthly rainfall of July in Mumbai is
868 mm which is larger than average annual
rainfall of many cities.
○ Cyclone and Hurricanes: Due to its large coastline,
India is exposed to 10% of the world’s tropical
cyclones.
✓ The development of coastal cities/towns
exposes them to inland flooding and cyclonic
storms storm surges caused by cyclones.
✓ Coastal Erosion, i.e. wearing away the coastal
land by sea, due to natural and anthropogenic
reasons, adds to the flood risk.
○Global Warming: The climate change has led to changed weather patterns and increased episodes of high
intensity rainfall events occurring in shorter periods of time which increases urban flooding risks.
• Hydrological Factors:
○ Change in the Course of Rivers due to restrictions in its flow.
○ Reduced Water Retention Capacity due to deforestation and Soil Erosion.
○ Increased Extent of Impervious Surface due to urbanization (rise in built up area).
○ Decreasing Infiltration Rate due to deforestation - increasing the flood risks as surface runoff becomes more than
the infiltration rate during precipitation.
✓ Infiltration Rate is the velocity or speed at which water enters into the soil. It depends on soil texture (size of
soil particles) and soil structure (arrangement of soil particles).
• Human (Anthropogenic) Factors:
○ Poor Urban Planning and Implementation leading to inadequate stormwater drainage systems or settlements
into areas without drainage infrastructure.
○ Encroachments over natural drains and river floodplains- decreasing the capacity of the natural drains while the
flow of water has increased due to urbanization. E.g. in the 2020 Hyderabad flood most people who died lived in
lake beds.
✓ This includes disposal of solid waste (domestic, commercial and industrial waste) and dumping of
construction debris into the natural drains.
○ Administrative issues such as sudden release or failure to release water from dams. E.g. the 2015 Chennai flood
was caused by indiscriminate discharge of water from Chembarambakkam Lake (CAG report).
○ Urban Heat Island effect leading to an increase in rainfall over urban areas. E.g. Bengaluru is expected to receive
1,000 mm per annum rainfall from current 650 mm per annum while its lakes and catchment areas have
decreased.
✓ Urban Heat Island effect is a phenomenon whereby cities experience higher air temperatures than the
surrounding countryside.
✓ When rain bearing clouds pass over such areas, the hot air pushes them up, resulting in highly localized rainfall
which may sometimes be of high intensity.
○ Illegal Mining of River Sand and Quartzite for construction activities causing irreversible damage through reduced
water retention capacity of water bodies.
Measures taken to address Urban Flooding
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for mitigating Urban Flooding by the Central Government under the Atal
Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). It lays down predefined set of directives or
responsibilities for public agencies in a city/town to in 3 phases:
○ Pre-Monsoon Phase: Preparedness and Planning for Disaster Reduction.
○ During Monsoon Phase: Early Warning, Effective Response and Management, and Relief planning and execution.
○ Post-Monsoon Phase: Restoration and Rehabilitation. Success of Davangere and Agartala: Steps
• National Guidelines on Management on Urban Flooding by the Taken by Local Administration
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with Ministry of • Mapping of Existent Drainage Systems.
Housing and Urban Affairs as Nodal Ministry for Urban Flooding. • Removal of Illegal Encroachments over
○ It includes establishment of Urban Flooding Cells in the Ministry drainage networks.
of Housing and Urban Affairs, State Nodal Departments and • Construction of storm water drains to curb
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) along with other measures such as: water logging and ensure drainage of
✓ GIS Platform Mapping of all Class I, II and III cities and water after heavy rainfall within few hours.
towns,
✓ Establishing Urban Flood Early Warning System,
✓ Rainwater Harvesting as an integral component of the Building Utility,
✓ Removal of Encroachments on Drains and in Floodplains etc.
• Uniform System of Alerts and Warnings by the Ministry of Home Affairs- categorizing alerts in stages – Yellow,
Orange and Red.
• Sponge Cities Plan by ULBs and State Governments to make cities more permeable so as to hold and use the water
which falls upon it etc.
Further steps required to address it
• Legal Support for Planned Development of Urban Areas, i.e., regulating the built environment through Central, State
and Local Building Bye Laws. This includes interventions:
o To stop terrain alteration (flattening or altering drainage routes) from builders, property owners, and public
agencies to avoid irreversible damage to city drains.
o Bringing catchment areas of Rivers, lakes and other water channels under protected areas and include them in
city development plans as part of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) initiative.
✓ BGI is an eco-friendly route to combat climate change and environmental degradation by harnessing blue
(seas, rivers, lakes etc.) and green (trees, parks, forests, etc.) elements for flood resilient cities. BGI is part of
Delhi’s 2041 Master plan.
• Efficient management of flood plains by removing encroachments and building Sponge Cities as part of initiatives
such as AMRUT, National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) and Smart Cities Mission.
o Sponge cities involve use of porous materials and technologies to improve the city’s capacity to absorb rain water.
E.g. Use of
permeable
material for
roads and
pavement,
contiguous
open green
spaces,
green roofs,
etc.
• Proper Design
and
Management of
City’s drainage
systems by
replacing the
antiquated
stormwater
drainage system
with urban
drainage systems
based on principle of hydraulics and needs of future. E.g. use of bioswales to remove debris, widening of drainage to
accommodate higher flows of stormwater.
o Proper operations and maintenance of the system also requires timely pre-monsoon desilting and removal of
sediments.
• Early Flood Forecasting and Warning System for reliable and accurate temporal and spatial data at the local level on
real-time basis to avoid sudden release of water from upstream dams.
• Involving Local Communities in protection and management of wetlands to prevent and mitigate the flood risk.
o It can help in upholding people with traditional rights for fishing and farming and ensure community support in
rainwater harvesting.
• Proper Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning in terms of disaster resilient critical emergency and livelihood
services, having an emergency drainage plan etc.
5.4. MAWMLUH CAVE

Why in news?
Mawmluh Cave, in Meghalaya has been listed as one of the ‘First 100 IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences)
Geological Sites’ in the world.
About IUGS Geological Heritage Site
• According to IUGS, a Geological Heritage Site is a key place with geological elements and/or processes of scientific
international relevance, used as a reference with a substantial contribution to the development of geological sciences
through history.
• The designation of First 100 geological sites is done under the project International Geoscience Programme (IGCP-
731).
o IGCP serves as a knowledge hub of UNESCO to facilitate international scientific cooperation in the geosciences.
• Under the list of first 100 sites, all kinds of geological sites like tectonic, stratigraphical, sedimentological,
petrological, mineralogical, hydrogeological paleontological, geomorphological and those related to the history of
geological sciences, are considered.
About Mawmluh Cave

• Mawmluh Cave also known as Krem Mawmluh, is the fourth longest cave in the Indian subcontinent with a total
length of seven kilometre of cave passages.
• Mawmluh Cave is located is located in Sohra (well-known as Cherrapunji) of the East Khasi Hills District (Meghalaya)
and was first explored by a British official named Lieutenant Yule in 1844.
• Set at an altitude of 4503 m, the cave belongs to the Meghalayan Age and is famous for its stalagmite and other rock
formations.
o Stalagmites are upward-growing mounds of mineral deposits and are crucial for understanding the global
climate system.
• There’s a deep pool inside the cave which is formed by five different rivers that pass through the cave.
Meghalayan Age
• It is the most recent subdivision of the Holocene Epoch, and began about 4,200 years ago, at a time when agricultural societies
around the world experienced a very abrupt, critical and significant drought and cooling.
• It is unique among the many intervals of the Geologic Time Scale in that its beginning coincides with a cultural event produced
by a global climatic event.
• It resulted in the collapse of civilisations in Egypt, Greece, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and the Yangtze
River Valley.
• The Holocene epoch (which started 11,700 years ago) falls under Cenozoic Era and is the time after Ice Age.
o Holocene itself can be subdivided, according to the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) into upper, middle and
lower phases (see infographic).

o Each subdivision of the Holocene Epoch is
marked out by sediments accumulated
on sea floors, lake bottoms, glacial ice
and in stalactites and stalagmites across
the world.
5.5. NEWS IN SHORTS

5.5.1. NATIONALLY DETERMINED • These plans are known as long-term low-emission
development strategies (LT-LEDS).
CONTRIBUTIONS (NDC) SYNTHESIS • These plans typically follow the announcement of a long-
REPORT, 2022 RELEASED BY UNFCCC term target, such as net zero emissions by 2050 or 2070.
• LT-LEDS are typically broader in scope than NDCs and
• It is second such report which is an annual summary of
incorporate developmental goals as well as required
climate commitments made by countries and their levels of investment and government expenditure.
impact on global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• These commitments, known as NDCs, were made by 5.5.2. EMISSIONS GAP REPORT 2022
countries who signed on to the Paris Agreement to
address climate change. • The recently released ‘Emissions Gap Report 2022: The
o They contain information on targets, and policies Closing Window – Climate crisis calls for rapid
and measures for reducing national emissions and transformation of societies’ with a need to realign
on adapting to climate change impacts. financial system to enable the achievement of the Paris
• The report analysed NDCs of 193 Parties to the Paris Agreement.
Agreement, including 24 updated or new NDCs o Emissions Gap report is an annual report released
submitted after COP 26 (Glasgow). by the United Nations Environment Programme
o Updated NDCs are manifestations of the Paris (UNEP).
Agreement’s ‘ratcheting mechanism’— wherein o It assesses the emission gap i.e., the gap between
countries must revise their pledges to be more the pledges taken by different countries to reduce
ambitious every five years. greenhouse gas emissions and the estimated
• Key Highlights of the report reduction required to maintain the average global
o Countries are bending the curve of global temperature rise to below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, by
greenhouse gas emissions downward but these the end of this century.
efforts remain insufficient to limit global Key Findings of the report
temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end
of the century. • High emission gap: To get on track for limiting global
o Cumulative CO2 emissions in 2020-2030 would warming to below 2.0°C and 1.5°C, global greenhouse
likely use up 86% of the remaining carbon budget. gas (GHG) emissions must be reduced by 30% and 45%
o Combined climate pledges could put the world on respectively, compared with current policy
track for about 2.5°C of temperature rise by 2100, projections.
from a possible range of 2.1°C to 2.9°C. • Nationally determined contribution (NDCs) are highly
insufficient: Policies currently in place with no
Related News additional action are projected to result in global
• Another report was also released by the UNFCCC which warming of 2.8°C over the twenty-first century.
summarises 53 long-term emission reduction plans
submitted by countries.
• World average per capita GHG emissions were 6.3
tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) in 2020.
o India is the third largest GHG emitter, but its per o Total global greenhouse gas emission in 2019 was
capita emissions remains far below the world 58.5 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent.
average at 2.4 tCO2e. o Getting on track to achieve 2030 targets will
• Implementation gap: Countries are off track to achieve require an enormous acceleration in effort like
even the globally highly insufficient NDCs. Phasing out coal power generation 6 times faster.
• Inequality: The bottom 50% of households contribute
12% of the global total GHG emissions, whereas the top 5.5.5. CLIMATE TRANSPARENCY REPORT
1% emit contribute 17% of the total. (CTR)
• The CTR provides a concise overview on the state of
climate performance of the G20.
• Key highlights
o G20 members are responsible for around three-
quarters of global emissions. However, they are
still not taking the necessary level of
accountability of action.
✓ Six G20 members including India did not sign
the global methane pledge.
o At 1.5°C, most G20 members can expect water
scarcity and prolonged periods of drought, and
less favorable agricultural conditions.
o India
✓ India lost 5.4% of its gross domestic product,
in the service, manufacturing, agriculture, and
construction sectors due to extreme heat in
2021.
5.5.3. THE COLDEST YEAR OF THE REST
✓ Several areas of Hindukush Karakoram
OF THEIR LIVES REPORT Himalaya, experienced reduced snowfall and
• Released by: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). glacial retreat.
• Key findings ✓ Local precipitation is projected to increase
o Around 624 million children are exposed to one of 5.8% and labour productivity is projected to
three other high heat measures- high heatwave decline by 5% from the reference period of
duration, high heatwave severity or extreme high 1986-2006 at 1.5°C of warming.
temperatures. • Key Recommendations:
o One in four children lives in areas where the o Increase the deployment of renewable energy and
average heatwave event lasts 4.7 days or longer as create sustainable jobs
of 2020. o Use targeted support for poorer households
o Virtually every child on earth will face severe instead of expanding subsidies for all.
heatwaves even with an estimated 1.7 degrees o Expand climate finance for zero-carbon
Celsius of warming in 2050. investments both domestically and through
international cooperation.
5.5.4. STATE OF CLIMATE ACTION
REPORT 2022 5.5.6. WORLD ENERGY OUTLOOK
• Released by: Climate Action Tracker (an independent • Released annually by International Energy Agency
analytic group comprising Climate Analytics and New (IEA).
Climate Institute), the United Nations High-Level • Key findings:
Climate Change Champions, World Resources o World is in the midst of the first global energy
Institute and others. crisis, triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• It provides a comprehensive assessment of the global o India is likely to see world's biggest rise in energy
gap in climate action across the world’s highest- demand this decade, with demand climbing 3 per
emitting systems. cent annually.
• Highlights: • Outlook projects continued expansion in coal
generation (in absolute terms) in India, peaking around
2030.
5.5.7. GREENHOUSE GAS BULLETIN • GMA Goal: To increase the global area of mangrove
habitat through conservation, restoration and equitable
• It is an annual report of the UN’s World Meteorological management.
Organization (WMO). ○ This includes supporting research, advocacy,
o WMO is the specialised agency of the UN for education and practical projects on the ground with
local and community partners with focus on 3 key
meteorology (weather and climate), operational
areas:
hydrology and related geophysical sciences. ✓ Halting Mangrove Loss;
• Key findings of 2022 report ✓ Implementing science-based restoration; and
o Atmospheric levels of the 3 main greenhouse ✓ Building Awareness.
gases warming our planet - carbon dioxide, • It runs a number of initiatives for Mangroves such as
methane and nitrous oxide- all reached new record ‘Mangroves for the Future’ (MFF) - a unique partner-led
highs in 2021. initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystem
o This is the result of both biological and human- conservation for sustainable development.
induced processes. ○ MFF covers Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia,
Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka,
o Emissions will also increase by 10.6% by 2030 from
Thailand and Vietnam.
2010 levels.
5.5.9. LEAD POISONING
5.5.8. STATE OF MANGROVES 2022
• According to a recent report, India bears world’s
Why in News?
highest health, economic burden due to lead
The Global Mangrove Alliance has released its annual poisoning.
report, ‘The State of the World’s Mangroves 2022’. • The report about lead poisoning was prepared jointly
Status of Mangroves in India by government think tank Niti Aayog and Council of
Scientific & Industrial Research.
• As per ‘The State Forest Report 2021’ the total o Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand,
mangrove cover in India was 4,992 sq km, an increase Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh had the highest
of 17 sq Km as compared to 2019. average blood lead levels.
• Top 5 State/UT with mangrove Cover: West Bengal, • Sources of lead
Gujarat, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra o Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring toxic metal found
Pradesh and Maharashtra. in the Earth’s crust. Other sources include:
o Overall, 12 states/UTs have Mangrove Cover. o Mining, smelting and refining industries as
o Sunderbans, spread across India and Bangladesh, primary contributors while unorganized sectors
is the largest Mangrove Forest of the world. (e.g. scrap dealers) as secondary contributors.
Global status of Mangrove Ecosystem o Household Products such as Cosmetic Products,
• Global Mangrove Extent is of 147,359 km2 (2020). It is Ayurveda medicines etc.
higher than previous estimates of 136,000 km2 (for o Lead present in printed circuit boards and
2016) largely due to improved maps rather than real batteries due to unscientific recycling
gains. o Potteries (e.g. utensils and glazed ceramic wares),
• The rates of loss have greatly diminished, with water bodies etc.
averaged losses over the last decade of just 66 km2 of • Health Impacts of Lead
all mangroves per year (327 km2 between 1996 and o Small exposure leads to causes symptoms like
2010). headaches, nausea, irritability, tiredness and
stomach ache.
About Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) o Large exposure affects brain development,
• The GMA was launched in 2018 at the World Ocean especially in children and lowers IQ.
Summit by Conservation International (CI), the
o Lead exposure makes the body susceptible to
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),
anaemia as it prevents formation of haemoglobin.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wetlands International,
and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). o Premature Birth; Reduced birth Weight and Slow
○ Today, the alliance includes more than 30 growth in newly-borns.
organizations.
○ Last year, it published the inaugural ‘The State of the
World’s Mangroves 2021’.

5.5.12. EFFECTS OF LIGHT POLLUTION
ON MIGRATORY BIRDS
• On World Migratory Bird Day (08 October), Light
pollution and its impact on migratory birds has been
highlighted.
• Light pollution refers to ‘excessive, misdirected, or
obtrusive artificial (usually outdoor) light’.
• Components of light pollution include:
o Glare – excessive brightness that causes visual
discomfort.
o Skyglow – brightening of the night sky over
inhabited areas.
o Light trespass – light falling where it is not
5.5.10. GREEN CRACKERS intended or needed.
o Clutter – bright, confusing and excessive
• Green crackers cause 30 per cent less air pollution as groupings of light sources
compared to traditional ones. • Impact of Light Pollution: It washes out starlight in the
o They reduce emissions substantially and absorb night sky, interferes with astronomical research,
dust and don’t contain hazardous elements like disrupts ecosystems, has adverse health effects and
barium nitrate. wastes energy.
• There are three categories of green crackers: o It is a serious threat to nocturnal wildlife,
o SWAS - Safe Water Releaser. especially birds with impacts as given in image).
o STAR – Safe Thermite Cracker. o Also, it leads to disorientation among terrestrial
o SAFAL – Safe Minimal Aluminium animals such as Olive Ridley Sea turtles.
• These can be produced by licensed manufacturers, • Solutions to Light Pollution: Use of Light Shields or cut-
approved by CSIR. off lights, Use of Warm lighting in place of cold lights,
o Additionally, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Use of Motion Sensors to turn on only lights only when
Organisation is tasked with certifying that motion etc.
crackers are made without arsenic, mercury, and
barium, and are not loud beyond a certain
threshold.
5.5.11. COMPRESSED BIO-GAS (CBG)

• Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
inaugurated Asia's largest CBG plant in Sangrur,
Punjab.
• CBG is the compressed and purified bio-gas produced
from waste/bio-mass sources like agricultural residue,
cattle dung etc.
o In 2018, the government launched the Sustainable
Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation
(SATAT) scheme to establish the CBG production
ecosystem.
• Benefits:
o Reduce the problem of Stubble Burning and 5.5.13. ASSISTED NATURAL
related carbon dioxide emissions. REGENERATION (ANR)
o Produce fermented organic manure for organic
• A recent Conservation International report highlighted
farming.
need for Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR).
o Generate employment and additional income for
• ANR is a blend of active planting and passive
farmers.
restoration, where local people intervene to help
trees and native vegetation naturally recover by
eliminating barriers and threats to their growth,
leaning on their knowledge of the land and on ancestral reserve or boost population at another where it has
traditions. reduced considerably.
o For instance, to prevent the spread of wildfires, • Reintroduction means establishing a tiger population
people can build firebreaks and clear the forest in an area which was part of its historical range but
floor of dry debris; to give native trees enough from where it has gone locally extinct.
room to grow, invasive grasses and shrubs can be o India’s first tiger reintroduction programme
removed. happened at STR in 2008- after tigers disappeared
• Advantages of ANR from it in 2005.
o Trees and forests can be restored using ANR at less • Benefits
than a third of the cost of tree planting, based on o To establish a viable, free-ranging population in
WRI estimates. the wild, where tigers have become locally extinct.
o Can restore much more land, much more quickly, o Enhance the long-term survival of wild tigers in a
as it requires very little human intervention. manner that they could potentially perform their
o ANR can ensure that restored land effectively ecological and evolutionary role.
mimics native habitat of local plants and wildlife. o Boosts conservation efforts and often, leads to
o Can create jobs and bring income to landholders, local employment.
as they play role in protecting the new recovery by • About Tigers
building fences, patrolling for fires, monitoring o IUCN status: Endangered.
progress etc. o Tigers are mostly solitary, apart from associations
o Plays a critical role in achieving global goals, between mother and offspring.
including Paris Climate Agreement, Bonn Challenge
About Two tiger reserves
(restore 350 million hectares of degraded and
deforested lands by 2030). Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Sariska Tiger Reserve
• Situated near Aravali hills • The park is located in
5.5.14. IUCN GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM and Vindhya plateau. the Alwar district of
TYPOLOGY • Famous for diurnal tigers. Rajasthan.
• Enclosed by Chambal River • It is a part of the
• It is hierarchical classification framework for and Banas River from the Aravalli Range.
classifying and mapping all Earth’s ecosystems, two sides. • It also harbours
integrating their functional and compositional • Includes the mighty Neelkanth temple,
features. Ranthambore Fort, Jogi built in the 6th
• This allows for help identify ecosystems that are most Mahal, Rajbagh ruins along century; Pandupol
with many lakes like Padam Hanuman Temple;
critical for biodiversity conservation, research,
Talao, Malik Talao, Raj Bagh Kankwadi fort.
management and human wellbeing into future.
Talao. • Species: Indian
• It comprises six hierarchical levels. • Species: Tigers, Leopards, leopard, jungle cat,
o Three upper levels classify ecosystems based on Striped Hyenas, Sambar caracal, striped
their functional characteristics. deer, Chital, Nilgai, etc. hyena, golden jackal,
o Three lower levels of classification distinguish etc.
functionally similar ecosystems from one another
based on compositional resemblance. 5.5.16. KADAVUR SLENDER LORIS
SANCTUARY
5.5.15. TIGER RELOCATION
• India’s first sanctuary for slender lorises was notified
• A Tiger was recently shifted from Ranthambore Tiger recently.
Reserve (RTR) to Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR). • Named Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary, it is in Tamil
• The relocation of Tiger (T-113) aims to increase the Nadu.
tiger population in STR as the majority of the male and o It is declared under Wild Life (Protection) Act,
female tigers in STR have aged. 1972.
o It was done after seeking permission from the • Slender Lorises are arboreal in nature i.e., spend most
National Conservation Tiger Authority (NTCA). of their life on trees.
o NTCA is a statutory body under Wildlife • They are the primates that cannot jump.
(Protection) Act, 1972. • Diet: Insectivorous and feeds on toxic insects’ time on
• Relocation is the relocation of tiger/s from one reserve plants and benefits farmers.
to another to either reduce tiger population in a • Habitat: tropical scrub and deciduous forests native.

• There are two types: o This was banned to restore the traditional
o Grey Slender Loris: found only in South India and ecological value of the hills.
small parts of Sri Lanka. (IUCN- Near Threatened) o Earlier, CAG had also highlighted alarming level of
o Red Slender Loris: found only in Sri Lanka. (IUCN- Ecological degradation in Aravallis.
Endangered) • Significance of Aravallis
o Protected under Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection o Aquifer recharge: Several water streams originate
act 1972. from Aravalli.
✓ Also, with their natural cracks and
5.5.17. SLOTH BEAR fissures, they function as NCR’s most critical
water recharge zone.
• First World Sloth Bear Day on October 12, was
o Climate:
observed Ministry of Environment, Forests and
✓ During monsoons, the mountain range guides
Climate Change and the Central Zoo Authority.
the attenuated monsoon clouds eastwards,
• Features of sloth bear
thus helping nurture the sub-Himalayan rivers
o Identified by their very distinct long, shaggy dark
and feeding the north Indian plains.
brown or black fur, and distinct white V or Y
✓ In the winter months, it protects the fertile
shaped chest patch.
alluvial river valleys (the para-Indus and
o Solitary creatures and generally nocturnal in
Gangetic) from the cold westerly winds from
nature.
Central Asia.
o Diet: Omnivore
o Wildlife: Aravalli are home to large number of wild
o Life span: Up to 40 years.
species and with destruction, chances of man -
o Habitat Range: endemic to the Indian sub-
animal conflict are rising.
continent with small populations in Nepal and Sri
Lanka. About the Aravalli
• Conservation status • It is an almost 700km-long mountain range that starts
o Listed under Schedule I of (Wildlife Protection) Act, from Gujarat, travels through Rajasthan and Haryana
1972. before finishing at Raisina hill, Delhi.
• They have been denuded over the past four decades
• Vulnerable on IUCN Red List.
owing to mining, deforestation and over-exploitation of
its fragile and ancient water channels.
5.5.18. DURGAVATI TIGER RESERVE
• Madhya Pradesh (MP) Wildlife Board approved a new 5.5.20. KOLAR FIELDS
reserve for tigers of Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR). • Centre has decided to revive gold mining at the Kolar
o One-fourth of PTR will get submerged due to fields in Karnataka.
linking of Ken-Betwa rivers. o Mining was shelved earlier because the extraction
o In wake of river linking project, NTCA had asked had become unviable.
UP and MP governments to notify new tiger
• According to an official estimate, the extracts from
reserves.
Kolar gold fields (KGF) mining (gold and minerals like
• Durgavati Tiger Reserve will spread across palladium and rhodium) are likely to fetch a value
Narisinghpur, Damoh and Sagar districts. worth ₹30,000 crore.
• A green corridor linking PTR with Durgavati will be • Operated by the Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), a
developed for the natural movement of the tiger to the public sector undertaking, KGF was one of the world’s
new reserve. deepest gold mines at a depth of 3,000 metres.
• Other tiger reserves in MP: Kanha, Bandhavgarh,
Panna, Pench, Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri. 5.5.21. BLUE FLAG BEACHES
5.5.19. MINING IN ARAVALLIS • The globally recognized International eco-label "Blue
Flag”, has been accorded to two new beaches –
• Report of a joint committee, formed by NGT to Minicoy Thundi Beach and Kadmat Beach- both in
ascertain the extent of illegal mining in Aravalli has Lakshadweep.
reported mining activity at several locations in the o This takes the number of beaches certified under
region despite prohibitory orders. the Blue Flag certification to 12.
o Mining of major and minor minerals in Aravalli hills
in Faridabad, Gurugram and Mewat was banned
by the SC, first in 2002 and then in 2009.

• About Blue Flag tag or Blue Flag certification: 5.5.23. GLYPHOSATE
o Certification is awarded by the Denmark-based
non-profit Foundation for Environmental • Government has restricted use of glyphosate except
Education or FEE. for Pest Control Operators.
o The mission of Blue Flag is to promote • About Glyphosate
sustainability in the tourism sector, through o It is a non-selective herbicide (it will kill most
environmental education, environmental plants), used to clear all kind of weeds from
protection and other sustainable development agricultural fields.
practices. o It prevents the plants from making certain
o It is awarded to beaches, marinas and sustainable proteins that are needed for plant growth.
boating tourism operators. o The major consumption is done in orchards and
o In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of plantation crops.
stringent environmental, educational, safety, and
accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. 5.5.24. NEW ISLAND IN PACIFIC OCEAN
o Award is based on compliance to four main • According to NASA's Earth Observatory, new island has
categories: formed in South Pacific after an underwater volcano
✓ Environmental Education and Information; near Tonga (Home Reef) erupted, oozing lava and
✓ Water Quality; expelling steam and water above surface.
✓ Environmental Management; o Home Reef is part of Tonga-Kermadec subduction
✓ Safety and Services. zone, where three tectonic plates smash into each
other and create an active area for undersea
volcanoes.
o New land mass has quickly grown from one to
more than eight acres in size.
o Earlier, submarine volcanoes flared up in 1852,
1857, 1984 and 2006, producing new islands each
time.
• About Islands created by underwater volcanic activity
o Process of formation- Volcanic islands originate
from passive lava flows on seafloor.
✓ These passive flows harden into rock and
build up the height of the underwater
mountain over millions of years.
✓ Eventually, some volcanoes reach heights
above seafloor where lower pressure allows
for explosive eruptions.
✓ Submarine volcanoes that do not reach sea
level are called seamounts.
5.5.22. WORLD GREEN CITY AWARD 2022 ✓ According to NASA, Islands created by
• Hyderabad city won the overall ‘World Green City underwater volcanic activity can exist for
Award 2022’ and ‘Living Green for Economic Recovery years, though they typically don't last long.
and Inclusive Growth’ award. o Volcanic island ecosystem- Because they evolve in
an isolated environment, many organisms are
• The results are announced by The International
considered endemic species
Association of Horticulture Producers.

6. SOCIAL ISSUES
6.1. NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK FOR FOUNDATIONAL STAGE
Why in News? About Curriculum
• Curriculum refers to the entirety of the organised
Union Minister for Education and Skill Development launched the
experience of students in any institutional setting
National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage.
towards educational aims and objectives.
About National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for Foundational • It includes goals and objectives, syllabi, content to
Stage be taught and learnt, pedagogical practices and
assessment, teaching-learning materials, school
• As per the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, following and classroom practices, learning environment
four NCFs will be developed and culture of the institution, and more.
o National Curriculum Framework for Early
Childhood Care and Education (NCFECCE)
o National Curriculum Framework for School
Education (NCFSE)
o National Curriculum Framework for
Teacher Education (NCFTE)
o National Curriculum Framework for Adult
Education (NCFAE)
• NCF, under NCFECCE, for foundational stage is
the first ever integrated Curriculum
Framework for children between ages 3-8 in
India.
o This is the first Stage in the 5+3+3+4
Curricular and Pedagogical restructuring
of School Education and will be an integral
part of the of the overall NCFECCE,
covering education for children up to the
age of 18.
• Objective is to help in positively transforming
the school education system as envisioned in
NEP 2020, through corresponding positive
changes in the curriculum including pedagogy.
• It will be the basis for all pedagogy adopted
by schools, pre-schools and anganwadis for
children studying between nursery and Class 2.
• It covers a raft of topics, ranging from
curriculum goals, approach to language
education and literacy, home-based learning,
teaching styles, and methods of assessment.
Key highlights of National Curriculum Framework
for Foundational Stage
• Importance to mother tongue: Students
should be taught exclusively in their mother
tongue until the age of eight because
introducing a new language at an early age
reverses the entire learning process.

• Less burden on children: For ages three to six, there should not be any prescribed textbooks for the children, and
instead NCF
recommended simple
worksheets for
curricular goals and
pedagogical needs.
• Ethics component:
Introducing an ethics
component into the
curriculum early on to
build character, lead
productive and happy
lives, and contribute
positively to society.
• Learning through play:
It includes all activities that are fun and engaging to
the child and can take the form of physical play,
interaction, conversation, storytelling, riddles,
rhymes, toys, visual art, music etc.
• Gender balance: Balanced gender and community
representation through use of stories, characters,
and pictures, must be ensured, books need to be
attractive and should grab the attention of young
children.
• Avoid stereotypes: Avoid promotion of
stereotypes in textbooks such as owls and snakes
as evil, or dark-skinned people as scary, or the
mother always handling the kitchen.
• Better learning environment: It needs to be well lit
and well ventilated, inclusive, balance of both
familiar and novel experiences for the child, include
displays of children’s work etc.
• Panchakosha system for education: The
framework has listed the 'panchakosha' concept for
children's education.
o It comprising physical development (sharirik
vikas), development of life energy (pranik
vikas), emotional and mental development
(manasik vikas), intellectual development (bauddhik
vikas) and spiritual development (chaitsik vikas).
o The Panchakosha description is in the Taittiriya
Upanishad.
Conclusion
Just as we would not build a house without solid foundations,
we cannot expect a child to thrive without solid foundational
skills.
This curriculum framework aims to help change practices in
education and not just ideas, that will enable positive
transformation of overall learning experiences for students and building a better foundation for them.

6.2. NATIONAL CREDIT FRAMEWORK
Why in news? About Credits System
Union Minister of Education launched the draft of National • Credits quantify learning outcomes corresponding to
Credit Framework (NCrF) for public consultation. a qualification at a given level, that are subject to valid,
reliable methods of assessment.
Background • In a credit-based education system, a stipulated
amount of credits based either on the number of hours
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, lays emphasis on of learning or student workload are required to
of making the education more holistic and effective by: progress from one level to another, subject to
o Integration of general (academic) and vocational assessments such as examinations.
education. o For instance, 20 credits are required to complete
o Ensuring the vertical and horizontal mobility of a semester along with passing exams.
students and learners between academic and • Credit points give learners, employers, and institutions
vocational streams. a means of describing and comparing the learning
• To realise objectives of NEP 2020, Government of India outcomes achieved.
has approved a High-Level Committee (2021) to develop
a National Credit Accumulation and Transfer Framework for both General and Vocational Education and Training/
skilling.
• NCrF has been jointly developed by a High-Level Committee with members from UGC, AICTE, CBSE, NCERT, Ministry
of Education, Ministry of Skill Development etc.
About National Credit Framework (NCrF)
• NCrF, proposed as part of NEP 2022, is an umbrella framework for skilling, re-skilling, up-skilling, accreditation and
evaluation in educational and skilling institutions and workforce.
• NCrF seeks to integrate the credits
earned through school education, higher
education and vocational & skill
education to ensure flexibility and
mobility among them.
o It will act as guidelines to be
followed by schools, colleges and
universities in adopting the credit
system.
• NCrF will enable learners to earn credits
not just through classroom learning but
through co-curriculars, extracurriculars,
vocational, online or distance learning,
recognition of prior learning etc.
• Framework enables seamless
integration and coordination across
regulators and institutions to enable
broad based, multi-disciplinary, holistic
education across sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities and sports.
• NCrF would be only one credit framework for higher education, school education and skill education and shall
encompass the qualification frameworks for:
o Higher Education i.e., National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF),
o Vocational & skill education i.e., National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF),
o School Education i.e., National School Education Qualification Framework (NSEQF) also known as National
Curricular Framework (NCF).

Key Highlights of NCrF
• Credit levels: NCrF prescribes eight credit levels in schooling till higher education.
• Uniformity: Credits and credit levels will be assigned uniformly between different areas of learning, i.e. arts and
sciences, vocational and academic streams, and curricular and extra-curricular.
• Comprehensive credit framework: The framework will seamlessly integrate the credits earned through school
education, higher education and vocational and skill education by encompassing the National Higher Education
Qualification Framework (NHEQF), National
Credits in Indian Context
Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and
• School Education
National School Education Qualification o At present, there is no established credit mechanism for
Framework (NSEQF). regular school education. However, under the open schooling
• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): After an system, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) follows
Aadhaar-enabled student registration, all the the credit system.
credits earned by a learner through all the • Higher Education
forms, streams, and levels of learning would o Choice Based Credit System (CBCS): Under CBCS, requirement
be stored digitally in ABC. for awarding a degree or diploma or certificate is prescribed in
o ABC was introduced earlier this year for terms of number of credits to be earned by the students.
higher education only to enable the ✓ This framework is being implemented in several
universities across States in India.
transfer of credits across higher education
o Skill Assessment Matrix for Vocational Advancement of
institutions. Youth (SAMVAY): a credit framework for skill based vocational
• Multiple Entry and Exit Options: Lifelong courses which was launched by Ministry of Education.
learning through multiple entry and exit o UGC guidelines for providing skill-based education under
Options as credit transfer mechanism will National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
enable a student to enter, exit and re-enter ✓ NSQF is a national competency-based skill framework to
the educational ecosystem at any point of facilitate mobility both within vocational education and
time. training/ skilling and between vocational education and
• Credits Against Total Notional Hours: The training/ skilling and general education.
NCrF proposes the alignment of notional learning hours—the number of hours a student will spend to achieve a
particular learning outcome across academic classes including preschool, school and higher education.
• Prior learning: It also supports educational acceleration for students with gifted learning abilities and recognition of
prior learning for the workforce that has acquired knowledge and skills informally through the traditional family
inheritance, work experience or other methods.
Benefits of NCrF to Various Stakeholders
Students • Flexibility in the duration of study/ courses through provisions of multiple entries and exit/work options.
• Creditisation of all learning hours, including academic, vocational and experiential learning.
• Establishing multidisciplinary and holistic education with flexible curricula.
• Removing the hard distinction between the education stream (arts, science, social sciences, commerce, etc).
• Enhancing the scope of core learning to include foundational and cognitive both.
Institutions • Unification of higher education institutions to promote multidisciplinary education, creating a diverse and
rich students’ knowledge base.
• Promoting stronger collaboration between institutions.
• Making credit mechanism simpler and uniform.
• Increasing focus on research and innovation.
• Promoting digital learning, blended learning, and open distance learning.
Government • Increase the enrolment of students, helping to fulfil the national vision of complementing the demographic
dividend and transforming India into the Skill Capital of the World.
• Making vocational education and training/ skilling aspirational.
• Highly educated and trained workforce for Aatmnirbhar Bharat.
Industry • Allow students to attain NSQF-approved foundational skills developed by industry and be more employable.
• Re-Skilling and up-skilling of existing employees/ engineers.
• Making students more employable by enabling a more holistic design of the study.
• Creating a multi/ cross-sectoral skilled pool of employable youth.
Conclusion
NCrF will enable this transformation by providing high quality education opportunities integrated with effective skills to
reap the demographic dividend making education and skilling truly aspirational.
6.3. PROMOTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN REGIONAL LANGUAGES

Why in News?
Recently, Union Minister of Home Affairs
launched the Hindi version of MBBS course books
in Madhya Pradesh.
Development of Education in different mediums
during British rule
• East India Company faced an Orientalist-
Anglicist challenge regarding the medium of
education that the company was to impart to
local people in India.
o Orientalists advocated Sanskrit, Arabic
and Persian as the medium of education.
o Anglicists advocated the imparting of
western education through the medium
of English.
• In this regard, English triumphed as the main
language, supported by the Anglicists and
Evangelists.
• Macaulay’s minute of 1835 batted for
English education and suggested downward
filtration theory.
o Aim was to impart modern education to
a hand full of people who will spread the
knowledge to the masses.
• Wood's Despatch (1854) recommended
primary education in vernacular languages for the masses, but secondary and higher education exclusively in
English.
Post-Independence Development
• Radhakrishnan Committee report of 1948-49, known as Report of the University Education Commission,
recommended that English be replaced by an Indian language as the medium of instruction for higher education as
early as practicable.
• Official Language Commission, 1956, that made recommendations on the progressive use of the Hindi language for
all official purposes of the Union.
• Later Emotional Integration Committee (1962), National Education Policies (1968, 1986) also discussed about
medium of instruction in higher education.
Concerns related to promoting higher education in regional language
• Availability of faculty for regional-medium courses: Given the English-medium legacy of higher education in India,
attracting and retaining quality teachers who are willing and able to teach in regional languages would be a challenge.
• Difficulty in industry placements of graduates: For instance, many public sector units accept Graduate Aptitude Test
in Engineering (GATE, conducted in English) scores for entry-level positions.
• Might impact global opportunities: Delivering technical courses in regional languages may prevent students from
competing in global labour and education markets, where fluency in English yields a distinct edge.
• Challenge of many languages: A regional Initiatives taken to promote higher education in regional language
language focus would not be meaningful in a • National Education Policy (NEP) 2022 urges universities to
scenario where an IIT Delhi or Madras sees develop study material in regional languages.
entrants from across the country. • All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has
• Initial Cost: Initial investment in implementation approved several institutes across different states for offering
can be high because of the additional cost of B.Tech degree programmes in regional languages.
developing new learning material and trained • UGC is working with High-Powered Committee on Indian
teachers especially for languages that have not Language Development established by the Ministry of
been standardised. Education to identify experts as well as 10-12 disciplines so
that books could either be translated or written afresh
Way Forward • AICTE has launched an artificial intelligence-powered tool to
translate books, academic journals and videos.
• Build foundation first, for instance, through • Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT)
grants to popularise science and technological is providing publication grant towards the publications of
education in the regional language, etc. University Level Books in regional languages.
• Hiring teachers with multilingual capabilities • Under National Translation Mission (NTM) text books of
including the English language compulsorily can various subjects prescribed in Universities and Colleges are
effectively add to the internationalization of being translated in all Languages of the 8th Schedule.
higher education.
• Technological interventions to serve as aids to teachers, and developing or translating enjoyable books into regional
languages and making these available in colleges and digital libraries.
• Incentives for teachers who know local languages especially in areas with high dropout rates and an overhaul of the
curriculum to make it more engaging and useful.
6.4. GENDER PAY PARITY

Why in news?
Recently, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
announced a “pay equity policy” for its contracted women
cricketers in the country.
More on news
• The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers
will now be the same from the BCCI.
• With this, India has become the second country in
international cricket to implement equal pay for men
and women players, first being New Zealand.
About Gender Pay Parity
• Pay parity means ensuring that employees in the same
job and location are paid fairly relative to one
another, regardless of their gender or ethnicity.
o It is often used as an indicator of gender inequality
in the world of work and is also used to monitor progress towards gender equality by nations and internationally.
• Gender Pay Gap in India:
o India ranked 135 among a total of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2022.
o Men in India capture 82% of labour income, while women earn just 18%, according to World Inequality Report
2022.
What is the need for Gender Pay Parity?
• Address Violence: There is need of gender pay parity to address violence against women, ensure women’s
independence and greater role in decision making.
• Economic gain: As per World Economic forum (WEF), Gender parity can boost India's Gross Domestic Product, thus
help achieve target of $ 5 trillion economy by 2026-2027.
o Full and productive economic growth requires human-centred recovery from the pandemic, which will be made
possible by improving women’s employment outcomes and reducing the gender pay gap.
• Reduce inequality: As per Article 38(2) of Constitution, government should strive towards minimizing inequalities in
income among individuals and Article 39 promises equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
• Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): UN SDGs 8.5 sets the target of full and productive employment and
decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities and equal pay for work
of equal value by 2030.
Measures to address gender pay gap
Challenges associated with Gender pay parity • Constitutional provisions:
• Prevalence of Informal Sector: Women are highly o Article 16: All citizens have a right to equality of
concentrated in care giving work, informal work or opportunity in relation to matters of public employment
or appointment to any office under the state.
in traditional jobs reserved for them which are low
o Article 38(2): strives to minimize inequalities in income
paying and further widens the pay gap.
among individuals.
• Unpaid work: Disproportionate time spent on o Article 39 (d): Promises equal pay for equal work for both
unpaid work hinders women’s ability to take up men and women.
high remunerating jobs, thereby widening the pay • Legislations
gap. o Minimum Wages Act,1948
o As per National Statistical Office (NSO), Indian o Equal Remuneration Act, 1976,
woman spends 19.5% of her time in unpaid o Code on Wages, 2019.
work, while men spend about only 2.5%. o Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017
• Lack of understanding: Equal remuneration for o Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act (MGNREGA), 2005
work of equal value is a challenging concept for
• Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC): Led by ILO, UN
many enterprises to apply. This is because women
Women and OECD, it is an initiative driven by stakeholders
are usually employed in jobs different to those of committed to reduce gender pay gap and make equal pay for
men. work of equal value a reality across all countries and sectors.
• Slow productivity growth: Slow wage growth has o It contributes to achieve Sustainable Development
become an obstacle to achieving sustainable Goals (SDGs) target 8.5 focusing on equal pay between
economic growth, and it is also affecting efforts to women and men for work of equal value.
reduce the gender pay gap.
• Security: Instances of workplace violence against women, sexual harassment etc. discourages women’s participation
in workforce.
• Lack of support in Education: Women in STEM educations faces issues like lack of role models, cultures that tend to
exclude women, persistent stereotypes about women’s intellectual abilities etc. which reinforce a wide gender gap.
Way forward
• Raise the minimum wage: Raising the minimum wage would have an immediate effect in terms of narrowing the
gender pay gap and lifting women out of poverty.
• Hire more women: Recruiting and promoting women to leadership roles within companies helps to reduce the gender
pay gap.
• Encourage remote working: Flexible working gives women the opportunity to handle caring or childcare
responsibilities, as well as maintaining a career and an income. This is a crucial step towards helping to close the
Gender Pay Gap for good.
• Improve work-life balance: According to the European Institute for Gender Equality, a better work-life balance could
help to shrink the gender pay gap. Because women often take on additional responsibilities outside the workplace.
• Gender pay audits: Extend employer responsibilities to undertake compulsory gender pay audits and develop action
plans to eradicate unfair pay practices, with involvement from trade unions.
• Awareness: Equal pay for men and women needs to be promoted through awareness raising, combating gender-
based stereotypes and advocating better sharing of family responsibilities.
• Education: Women should be encouraged to undertake studies and pursue occupations in the areas of science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), which offer better paid employment opportunities.
6.5. NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN INDIA
Why in News?
India has slipped to 107th position in the
Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2022 of 121
countries, from its 101st position in
2021.
About the Global Hunger Index
• Annually published by Concern
Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.
• It was first introduced in 2006. The
2022 edition marks the 17th edition
of the GHI.
Status of Nutritional Security in India
• Index Score: With a score of 29.1,
the GHI finds the level of hunger in
India “serious’’.
o India’s GHI score has decreased
from alarming (in 2000) to
serious (in 2022).
• Child wasting: The index says child wasting or the share
of children under 5 years who have low weight for their
height, indicating undernourishment in the country is
19.3%, the highest in the world.
• Undernourishment and stunting: India’s proportion of
undernourished in the population is considered to be at
a medium level, and its under-five child mortality rate is
considered low.
o Child stunting has seen a Government of India Stand
“significant decrease” • The Ministry of Women and Child Development said that index is an erroneous
from 54.2% in 1998-1999 measure of hunger and suffers from serious methodological issues.
to 35.5% in 2019-2021, • The methodology used is unscientific. Government has highlighted that their
although it is still assessment is on the results of a ‘four question’ opinion poll, was conducted
“considered very high”. telephonically and is unreliable.
• Comparison: India’s • Estimate of Proportion of Undernourished (PoU), population is based on an opinion
poll conducted on a very small sample size of 3000 based on “Food Insecurity
neighbours such as Nepal
Experience Scale (FIES)” Survey Module.
(81), Bangladesh (84),
Pakistan (99) and Sri Lanka(64) have got higher rankings in GHI.
Status of Nutritional Security in the world
• Stagnation in hunger reduction: The 2022 GHI score for the world is 18.2, considered moderate, down slightly from the 2014
score of 19.1.
• Violent conflict: According to the 2022 Global Report on Food Crises, conflict/insecurity was the main driver of acute food
insecurity in 2021.
• Africa South of the Sahara and South Asia are the regions with the highest hunger levels and are most vulnerable to future
shocks and crises.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the economic plight of low- and middle-income countries, slowing economic growth,
driving up prices for goods and services, and increasing projected global poverty rates.
• Climate change is putting stress on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture, increasingly impeding efforts to meet
human needs.

Reasons for the rising hunger and malnourishment Hidden Hunger in India
• Poverty: It restricts food choices and has been the causative • It is a form of under-nutrition that occurs when
intake or absorption of vitamins and minerals is
factor of hunger-related deaths. According to the United
too low to sustain good health despite getting
Nations, about 28 % of the population is poor in India. adequate calories.
• Multidimensional nature of hunger: • In India as per the reports of UNICEF, over 80 per
o Hunger and related under-nutrition is the result of cent adolescents suffer from “hidden hunger”.
various associated factors such as access to safe drinking
water, sanitation, access to food items, etc. (including the issue of Hidden Hunger)
o A person’s ‘nutritional quotient’ in India is also dependent upon demographic factors like gender, caste, age,
etc. For instance, the nutritional needs of girl children and the elderly are not adequately addressed.
• Ineffective implementation of schemes: Studies suggest that less than 50% of the total allocated funds to the
Integrated Child Development Services were utilised in 2018-19. (While only 14 states were able to spend the entire
fund allocated to them under the Mid-Day Meal scheme.)
• A decline in the Purchasing Power: The farm income has remained stagnant in India and the job creation in
manufacturing is not at par to subsume surplus labour.
o This, along with the other structural issues like recession and rise in inflation due to the recent pandemic has
impacted the purchasing power capacity of the poor.
• Food Wastage: As per FAO reports, nearly 40% of the food produced in India is wasted every year due to fragmented
food systems and inefficient supply chains.
Government Initiatives to remove Hunger
• Poshan Abhiyaan: The mission is a multi-ministerial initiative and aims at removing malnutrition from the country by
2022.
• Eat Right India Movement: It was launched by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) to transform
the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians.
• Food Fortification: Food Fortification or Food Enrichment is the addition of key vitamins and minerals such as iron,
iodine, zinc, Vitamin A & D to staple foods such as rice, milk and salt to improve their nutritional content.
• National Food Security Act, 2013: It legally entitled up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population
to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.
• Mid-Day Meal: It aims to provide food to all the children enrolled in government-aided schools, local body schools,
and special training centres.
• Mission Indradhanush: It targets children less than 2 years of age and pregnant women for immunization against
12 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD).
Way forward
• Supply chain management reforms: Robust transportation infrastructure and cold storage will allow food to be
efficiently transported. This would drastically improve access to food and also decrease food wastage.
• Awareness: General public awareness around the issue of food wastage should be made through various innovative
channels like social media.
• Transforming Agriculture: Making agricultural systems to become more efficient, sustainable, climate-smart and
nutrition-sensitive by training farmers.
• Holistic approach: Multisectoral approach with the inclusion of water, education, sanitation, agriculture, nutrition
etc. should be undertaken by governments, civil societies and market forces.
• Global Convergence: Diverse stakeholders such as NGOs, academic institutions, and governments need to come
together at the global level.
o They could lead the drive to attain global nutrition targets, reduce income inequalities, and alleviate poverty with
a keen focus on rolling out food security programmes.

6.6. DRUGS REGULATION ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA
Why in News? Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
After a World Health Organization (WHO) alert on four India-made • CDSCO (working under DGHS) is the central
cough and cold syrups, the Drug Regulation Ecosystem in India has been drug authority on production, distribution,
sale and import of drugs in India.
under scrutiny.
• It regulates the quality, safety, and efficacy
More on News of drugs including vaccines.
• These syrups have been ‘potentially linked with acute kidney injuries and over 66 deaths among children’ in The
Gambia.
• These syrups were manufactured and exported by an Indian company - Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited.
• It holds export only permission for these products (Promethazine Oral Solution BP, Kofexnalin Baby Cough Syrup,
MaKoff Baby Cough Syrup and MaGrip n Cold Syrup).
• The preliminary enquiry from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has revealed that the
manufacturer is licensed by the State Drug Controller for the products under reference.
• The tentative results on syrups have shown presence of Diethylene Glycol (DEG)/ Ethylene Glycol.
o Present as impurities in propylene glycol, they are toxic in nature.
o In India also, at least five cases of DEG poisoning have happened since 1972 including the 2020 incident in Jammu
leading to death of 17 children.
About India’s Drug Regulation Ecosystem
In most cases, patients
lack the specialized
knowledge required to
identify whether drugs
are safe, genuine, and
efficient or adulterated,
spurious and
substandard. The Drug
Regulation Ecosystem
plays an important role
by ensuring that only
safe, good quality and
efficacious drugs reach
the patients.
• The Indian Drug
Regulatory System
originated from the
Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. It regulates the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of drugs and cosmetics.
• The 1940 act and its corresponding rules allow the Centre and State to regulate different aspects of the drugs
ecosystem (see image on India’s regulatory environment).
Main functions of the Central Government Main functions of State Governments
• Approval of new drugs • Licensing of manufacturing establishments and sale premises
• Registration and control of imported drugs • Undertaking inspections of such premises to ensure compliance with
• Approvals for clinical trials license conditions
• Laying down standards for drugs, cosmetics, • Drawing samples for testing and monitoring of quality of drugs
diagnostics, and devices • Taking actions like suspension/cancellation of licenses, surveillance over
• Coordinating activities of the states sale of spurious and adulterated drugs

• The 1940 act also provides for other statutory bodies for various
functions (see image).
What are the challenges in India’s Drug Regulatory Ecosystem?
• Unclear Distribution of Powers and Responsibilities: The Centre and
the States lack clearly codified distribution of powers and
responsibilities.
o For instance, with Health being a State subject under the 7th
schedule of the Constitution, states also exercise substantial
drug regulation in addition to the provisions of the Act of 1940.
• Lack of Independence and Autonomy: Unlike other regulators,
CDSCO is not a statutory body - leading to relatively lesser
independence and autonomy.
o Also, the State Drug Regulatory Authorities (SDRAs) are
statutory bodies but they face issues of lack of uniformity and
proper demarcation of responsibilities. E.g. they are often
conjoined with the food regulation department.
• Lack of Resources: Indian drug regulation follows a command-and-control architecture where the regulator
prescribes standards, distributes licenses, and then undertakes inspection to check for compliance.
o While it provides clarity in regulatory standards, it also requires considerable investment in human resources
and physical infrastructure to set standards, maintain records, conduct inspections, collect, and test samples, etc.
o But CDSCO lacks access to resources required to ensure compliance of around 10,500 pharmaceutical
manufacturing units of 3,000 drug companies across the country.
o The problem is more acute amongst SDRAs, leading to overworked workforce and inefficient administration.
• Lack of Transparency: The regulatory decision-making in India functions behind closed doors. In most cases,
information sharing from the regulator is voluntary and incomplete.
• Prevalence of Corruption: Some CDSCO and SDRAs officials have been caught in the past by CBI for offences like
accepting bribes for drug approval.
To strengthen the effectiveness of the regulatory system, a number of committees [Mashelkar Committee (2003), Ranjit
Roy Chaudhury Committee (2014) etc.] have been constituted in the past.
Recently, draft of ‘The Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2022’ was also shared by the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare. But the ecosystem warrants dedicated, structural and holistic reforms.
What can be done to overcome these challenges?
The safety, quality and efficacy of the medicines is critical in building up faith in India’s pharmaceutical manufacturers as
well as the health system and health professionals, domestically as well
Good manufacturing practice (GMP)
as globally. So, to ensure people faith, good health and strengthen • It is a system to ensure that products are
India’s image as ‘Pharmacy of the World’, following steps can be taken: consistently produced and controlled as per
• Build a streamlined Regulation System which clearly demarcates quality standards.
the responsibilities of all the stakeholders and ensures effective • It helps in ensuring therapeutic effect and
boost pharmaceutical export opportunities
coordination wherever needed.
through international organization.
○ It will help in greater uniformity or harmonized application of
• Currently, around 2,000 manufacturing units
drug regulatory standards throughout the country. in India are GMP certified.
• Provide Statutory Recognition to CDSCO to ensure regulatory
independence and autonomy.
• Building International Co-operation to strengthen regulation and have more manufacturing units adhering to Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMP) set by the WHO.
• Allocate Sufficient Resources for financial independence, and required physical infrastructure/human resources for
effective regulation. E.g. implementing the Mashelkar Committee formula of one drug inspector per 50
manufacturing units and per 200 sales/distribution outlets.
• Ensure Transparent Regulatory Decision-making for better compliance, consistency and trust among stakeholders.
• Public Outreach, both by CDSCO and SDRAs for a proactive public engagement to address information asymmetry
and participatory decision-making.
• Use of Technology to overcome resource constraints with other benefits such as digital databases, ease of licensing,
etc.
6.7. NEWS IN SHORTS

6.7.1. RESULTS OF SWACHH  Direct observation
 Citizen feedback
SURVEKSHAN (SS) 2022 ANNOUNCED
 Service level progress
• Indore ranked first under the Cities with more than 1 o Instituted by Department of Drinking Water and
lakh population and Madhya Pradesh ranked first Sanitation, Ministry of JalShakti (under SBM-
under category States with “more than 100 Urban Local Grameen), since 2018.
Bodies”. o Telangana topped under the Large state category
• The awards were given in ceremony hosted as part of and A&N Islands under Small States & UT
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 by category.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Related News
• About Swachh Survekshan Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation also launched
two campaigns:
o It is the world’s largest urban sanitation and
• "Retrofit to Twin Pit Abhiyan" for promoting twin pit
cleanliness survey conducted by MoHUA (under
toilets in households towards improved faecal sludge
the ambit of the SBM-U) since 2016. management.
o It started out with the assessment of 73 cities, • ‘Swachh Jal Se Suraksha’: to create awareness on the
Swachh Survekshan 2022 has managed to importance of clean and safe drinking water and also help
accomplish the assessment of 4354 cities. to monitor the quality of water supplied in rural
o SS 2022 emphasized on End-to-End Digital households.
monitoring, Swachh City Technology Challenge –
Innovative Solutions from Citizens/Start-ups, etc., 6.7.2. BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO
Gender & Social Inclusion, Covid-19 Response (BBBP) SCHEME
with focus on Municipal Frontline Workers, etc.
• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD)
has revised its flagship ‘BBBP’ scheme to include:
o Skilling of girls in non-traditional livelihood
options where women are historically under-
represented.
o Increasing their enrolment in secondary
education particularly in STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects.
o Raising awareness about menstrual hygiene.
o Promulgating elimination of child marriages.
• Ministry also launched the operational manual to
implement the scheme in districts. It contains:
o BBP activity calendar for guided interventions.
o District Score Card as special mechanism of
performance ranking of districts
o Expands the ministerial convergence beyond
Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare to other ministries like Ministry of
Skill and Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs
and Sports, etc.
• Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2022 awards were
• About BBBP
also announced recently.
o It was launched in 2015 to address the declining
o SSG is annual national ranking of all districts and
Child Sex Ratio and related issues of women
states of India on the basis of following
empowerment over a life-cycle continuum.
quantitative and qualitative sanitation parameters:
o Now, the scheme has been revised and • It is an author mentorship programme to train young
implemented as a component of the Sambal sub- and budding authors (below 30 years of age).
scheme under Mission Shakti. o Its objective is to promote reading, writing and
o It has been expanded to cover all the districts of book culture in the country, and project India and
the country. Indian writings globally.
o There is no provision for DBT or creation of capital o Under the scheme, a total of 75 authors will be
assets under it. selected through an All India Contest
o Implementing Agency: National Book Trust (NBT).
6.7.3. LEARNING LOSSES • It is a continuation of the first edition of YUVA which
• The Union Minister of Finance recently participated in witnessed participation from budding authors in 22
a discussion on paper titled “Learning Losses: What to different Indian languages and English.
do about the Heavy Cost of COVID on Children, Youth,
6.7.5. HUNGER HOTSPOTS REPORT
and Future Productivity”.
o Learning losses due to school closures are one of • It is joint report by Food and Agriculture Organization
the biggest global threats to long-term recovery and World Food Programme.
from Covid-19. • Highlights
• According to UNICEF such learning loss could cost this o Key hunger hotspots include, Afghanistan,
generation of students close to $17 trillion in lifetime Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen,
earnings countries in Horn of Africa etc.
o In India, according to 2021 National Achievement o 222 million people in 53 countries/territories are
Survey average performance of students had facing Acute Food Insecurity.
dropped to 9% as compared 2017. o Key Drivers and Aggravating Factors:
o Also, limited access to digital devices, low Conflict/insecurity, Displacement, Dry Conditions,
connectivity severely constrained remote learning. Economic Shocks, Flood, Political Instability/unrest
• Key initiatives taken by India to overcome learning and Tropical cyclone.
losses
o India undertook National Foundation Learning 6.7.6. GLOBAL STATUS REPORT ON
Study (based on Global proficiency Framework) for PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 2022
grade III students.
• It is published by the World Health Organization
o Teach at the Right Level where children are
(WHO).
divided into instructional groups based on learning
• It measures the extent to which governments are
needs.
implementing recommendations to increase physical
o Alternative Academic Calendar containing week-
activity across all ages and abilities.
wise plans covering syllabus-based learning
• Key Findings
outcomes.
o Less than 50% of countries have a national
o DIKSHA, which has been identified as one of the 12
physical activity policy, of which less than 40% are
Digital Global Goods by India provides a QR coded
operational
textbooks to elementary school children.
o only just over 40% of countries have road design
o Vidyanjali 2.0 to connect volunteers with schools,
standards that make walking and cycling safer.
NISHTHA for integrated teacher training etc.
• The report calls for countries to prioritize physical
6.7.4. YUVA 2.0 (YOUNG, UPCOMING AND activity as key to improving health and tackling NCDs,
VERSATILE AUTHORS) SCHEME integrate physical activity into all relevant policies, and
develop tools, guidance and training to improve
• Ministry of Education recently launched YUVA 2.0 implementation.
scheme.

7. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
7.1. NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY 2022
Prize awarded for: the development of click chemistry and Related Facts
bioorthogonal chemistry. • It was 2nd Nobel Prize in Chemistry for K Barry
Sharpless, who won his first prize in 2001 “for his
Awardees: The prize was given to Carolyn R. Bertozzi (USA),
work on chirally catalyzed oxidation reactions”.
Morten Meldal (Denmark) and K. Barry Sharpless (USA).
• He is the fifth person to receive the Nobel Prize
About Click Chemistry and Bioorthogonal Chemistry twice after Madam Curie, Linus Pauling, John
Bardeen and Fredrick Sanger.
• K. Barry Sharpless and Morten Meldal have laid the o The International Committee of the Red Cross
foundation of click chemistry- a branch of science in which (ICRC) has won it three times while UNHCR, the
molecular building blocks snap together quickly and UN Refugee Agency, has won it twice.
efficiently.
o Click Chemistry is defined as a set of powerful, selective, and
modular blocks that work reliably in both small- and large-scale
applications.
o Instead of trying to make carbon atoms react with each other,
click chemistry focuses on using smaller molecules that
already have a complete carbon frame.
o One such reaction is copper-catalysed azide-alkyne
cycloaddition (CuAAC) that is now widely used medicinal
chemistry (refer image).
• Carolyn Bertozzi developed click reactions that work inside living
organisms to map important but elusive biomolecules on the
surface of cells called glycans.
o Also known as Bioorthogonal reactions, these reactions take
place without disrupting the normal chemistry of the cell.
Significance of the Work
The two concepts of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry had
a tremendous impact on Chemistry and its neighboring sciences in
following ways-
• Development of enzyme inhibitors and receptor ligands,
pharmaceuticals (anticancer agents, antimicrobials etc.),
herbicides, photostabilizers, etc.
• Mapping of complex biological processes like DNA and creating unique materials.
• Bioorthogonal Reactions are used to explore how cells function and track biological processes.
o This has helped in improved targeting of cancer pharmaceuticals.
7.2. NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS 2022

Prize awarded for: experiments with
About Quantum Technology
entangled photons, establishing the violation • Quantum Technology is based on principles of Quantum mechanics that
of Bell inequalities and pioneering quantum describes behavior of particles — atoms, electrons, photons and almost
information science. everything in the molecular and sub-molecular realm.
Awardees: The prize was given to Alain • 2 basic principles of quantum mechanics are:
○ Quantum entanglement: It explains how two subatomic particles
Aspect (France), John F. Clauser (USA) and
can be intimately linked to each other.
Anton Zeilinger (Austria).
○ Quantum superposition: It is a theory that subatomic particles exist
in multiple states simultaneously.
About Quantum experiments and Bell inequalities
• They demonstrated the potential to investigate and control particles that are
in entangled states, laying the foundation for a new era of quantum
technology.
○ Entanglement is when multiple objects – such as a pair of electrons or
photons – share a single quantum state.
○ By measuring the property of one particle we can immediately determine
the result of an equivalent measurement on the other particle, without any
check (see image).
• They also demonstrated a phenomenon called
Quantum Teleportation – a way of
transferring an unknown quantum state from
one particle to another.
○ Quantum Teleportation is the only way to
transfer quantum information from one
system to another without losing any part
of it.
○ It uses features of entanglement which
can be used to transport information,
carried by the object, to another place
where the object is then reconstituted.
○ Anton Zeilinger group also demonstrated
entanglement swapping, i.e. two pairs of
entangled particles that never met (see
image).
• Another important part of their research was
theoretical insight on Bell
inequalities.
○ Bell inequalities make it
possible to differentiate
between quantum
mechanics’ indeterminacy
and an alternative
description using secret
instructions, or hidden
variables.
Significance of the Work

• Entangled quantum states hold
the potential for new ways of
storing, transferring and
processing information. Being at
the heart of quantum physics and
quantum technologies, it will
have implications in:
○ Constructing quantum
computers,
○ Build quantum networks, and
○ Establish secure quantum cryptography, creating avenues for secure quantum encrypted communication.

• These experiments and other similar experiments lay the foundation for research in Quantum Information Science
(QIS).
○ QIS is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand the analysis, processing, and transmission of
information using quantum mechanics principles.
○ It investigates several themes such as Quantum Information Theory, Quantum algorithms and complexity etc.
7.3. NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE 2022

Prize awarded for: discoveries
concerning the genomes of extinct
hominins and human evolution.
Awardee: Prize was given to Swedish
geneticist Svante Pääbo.
About his discoveries on human
evolution
• He sequenced the genome of the
Neanderthal, an extinct relative of
present-day humans.
o Neanderthals developed
outside Africa and populated
Europe and Western Asia from around 400,000 years.
They went extinct around 30,000 years ago.
o He analyzed and sequenced the mitochondrial DNA
(mtDNA) of Neanderthals – demonstrating that
Neanderthals were genetically distinct.
o Though the mtDNA is small and contains only a fraction of
genetic information, it is present in thousands of copies for
sequencing.
o In comparison, the Nuclear DNA (nDNA) tends to degrade
and modify chemically over time, making it difficult to
sequence them.
• He made the discovery of a previously unknown hominin,
Denisova.
o Denisova was discovered in 2008 from a cave in the
southern part of Siberia.

• He also found that gene transfer had occurred from these now extinct hominins to Homo sapiens following the
migration out of Africa around 70,000 years ago.
o Homo sapiens, or anatomically modern human, first appeared in Africa approximately 300,000 years ago.
o About 70,000 years ago, groups of Homo sapiens migrated from Africa to the Middle East and, from there they
spread to the rest of the world (refer image).
Significance of his work
• His research gave rise to a new scientific discipline called paleogenomics, i.e. the study and analysis of genes of ancient
or extinct organisms.
• His work on differences between living
humans from extinct hominins is useful
for:
o Better understanding of human
evolution and migration.
o Understanding how the ancient flow
of genes influences humans today. E.g.
✓ Neanderthal genes affect our
immune response to different
infections, and
✓ Denisovan version of the gene
EPAS1 confers an advantage for
survival at high altitude (commonly found among Tibetans).
7.4. ONE HEALTH

Why in news?
Recently, four multilateral agencies have launched a
One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022-2026) (OH JPA).
About One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022-2026) (OH
JPA)
• It was launched by the ‘Quadripartite’ comprising:
o United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO),
o UN Environment Programme (UNEP),
o World Health Organziation (WHO)
o World Organisation for Animal Health.
• The plan is valid from 2022-2026 and is aimed
at mitigating the health challenges at global,
regional, and country levels.
• It will create a framework and integrate systems
and capacity to collectively better
prevent, predict, detect and respond Other Global initiatives
to health threats to all living beings as • The Pilanesberg Resolution, 2001: It was targeted at multilateral and
well as the environment. bilateral donors and governmental authorities to consider potential wildlife
health impacts in development projects.
• It outlines the commitment of the 4
• One World-One Health: Introduced by The Wildlife Conservation Society
organizations to collectively
(WCS) in 2007 along with 12 recommendations (Manhattan Principles) that
advocate and support the focused on establishing a more holistic approach to preventing epidemic
implementation of One Health. disease and maintaining ecosystem integrity.
• National Framework for One Health, 2021 by FAO guides towards
overcoming the systemic barriers to implement the One Health approach.

• This will help improve the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment, while contributing to sustainable
development.
About One health Concept
• One Health calls for a holistic, integrated and systems-based approach that recognizes the interconnection between
the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment.
• It mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to
health and ecosystems.
• At the same time, the approach
aims at addressing the
collective need for clean water,
energy and air, safe and
nutritious food, taking action on
climate change, and
contributing to sustainable
development.
• It is the primary approach for
addressing the complex health
challenges facing our society,
such as ecosystem degradation,
food system failures, infectious
diseases and antimicrobial
resistance (AMR).
Driving factors for the need for one health approach
• Tackle Emerging infectious diseases (“Disease X” as highlighted by WHO): 75% of Emerging infectious diseases and
almost all recent pandemics are zoonotic in nature.
o Moreover, rising International Travel & Trade increases the potential for infectious diseases to spread quickly
across borders.
o For instance, India recently reported multiple cases of monkeypox infection in travellers returning from UAE
which soon led to the human to human transmission of the virus locally.
• Extension of Human activities: Human activities like encroachment into natural habitats and altering them to extract
resources, expansion of human populations into new geographic areas.
o This results in increased contact among wildlife, livestock, and people, which allows microbes to ‘spill over’
from animals into human populations.
• Urbanization and climate change: These
factors are reinforcing the above trend by
increasing pressure on land use and food
systems and providing new, potentially
more suitable, conditions for pathogens
and diseases to develop and spread.
• Growing threat of antimicrobial
resistance: Emergence and spread of
antibiotic resistant pathogens is on the rise
due to irrational use of antibiotics in
humans and animals, contaminated
environments, and ineffective infection
control policies.
• Increasing inequality, fragility, and
violence: Conflicts and the resulting
fragility and violence, the displacement of

populations, etc heightens the risk of disease transmission and make people and systems more vulnerable to
pandemics.
Steps taken in India to implement One health approach
In India, efforts have been made to bring human and animal health together. And recently, there have been several
proactive steps in this direction:
• Collaboration at national and state levels to combat specific diseases or to overcome disease outbreaks such as the
national influenza pandemic committee to control avian influenza, rabies in the Tamil Nadu and other states.
• Institutional collaboration: Institutes like Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) have collaborated for joint research priorities, to control disease outbreaks.
• One Health Support Unit (OHSU) initiated by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), to develop
a national One Health Framework.
o The framework is aimed at improving national and State-level resource allocation and policy ecosystem on early
prediction, detection, and diagnosis of zoonotic diseases through increased quality, availability, and utility of data
evidence.
o Under it, the pilot project are being implemented in states like Uttarakhand and Karnataka.
• National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Related News
Well-being (NMBHWB): It explicitly links Recently, World Bank released a report titled “Putting Pandemics
biodiversity to human health by integrating Behind Us -Investing in One Health to Reduce Risks of Emerging
biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate Infectious Diseases”.
change, agriculture, health, bio-economy and • Report emphasises on the importance of a Pandemic prevention
capacity-building in the realm of biodiversity approach instead of just Preparedness and Response Plans.
science. • Key highlights:
o It was launched by Prime Minister’s o Investment in pandemic prevention has remained low
Science, Technology and Innovation because the benefits are largely invisible and uncounted.
Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). o Some drivers of pandemics (e.g., forest exploitation, extractive
industry, livestock farming, and urbanization) are closely tied
• ‘One Health’ project: It envisages carrying out
to income generation and livelihoods, which can hinder
surveillance of important bacterial, viral and necessary changes.
parasitic infections of zoonotic as well as o Cost of Prevention guided by One Health principles(
transboundary pathogens in India, including approximately US$11 billion per year) is significantly less than
the North-eastern part of the country. the cost of pandemic preparedness( US$ 30 billion).
o It was launched by Department of
Biotechnology.
• Regional One Health Initiative: It is an
intersectoral approach to tackling the most
urgent health threats in the region, with a
focus on low and middle-income countries
across south and southeast Asia and sub-
Saharan Africa.
Way ahead
Operationalizing a One Health approach requires
improving coordination, communication, and
collaboration between sectors, reinforced by
sustained capacity strengthening. This requires:
• A shift from largely vertical programs focused
on specific diseases to those that can
strengthen overall systems and their
collaboration across sectors.

• Developing databases and models with a consolidated approach of ecologists, field biologists, epidemiologists and
other scientists.
• Strong Nexus of science, social science, indigenous knowledge and policy at national, state and local levels.
• Integration in Pandemic prevention plans: The cost of prevention is moderate, with high returns on the investments.
One heath approach must be central to such plans.
o Strategies as outlined by the World bank report are important in this direction (see box below).
7.5. FLEX FUEL

Why in news?
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has launched first of its kind pilot project on Flexi-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric
Vehicles (FFV-SHEV) in India which would run on 100% petrol as well as 20 to 100% blended ethanol and electric power.
About Flex Fuel vehicles (FFV)
• Like traditional vehicles, flex fuel vehicles have an internal combustion engine, but instead of regular petrol, it can
run on blended fuel — petrol with ethanol or methanol.
o The ethanol mix can vary between 20% and 85%.
o The vehicle has additional sensors and different programming of the engine control module to assess the blend
of the fuel and adjust accordingly.
• Unlike electric hybrid vehicles, no bulky parts need to be added to the basic gasoline vehicle architecture.
• Upgrading existing vehicles to run on high blend of ethanol fuel, however, is possible but expensive and not
considered feasible.
• An FFV-SHEV possesses a flex-fuel engine and an electric powertrain.
o This setup extends dual advantages of higher ethanol use and greater fuel efficiency, as it can run on its EV mode
for a good amount of time, while the engine stands shut off.

Significance of FFV
• Less polluting: According to the US department of energy, they have lower overall greenhouse gas emissions,
between 40-108%, depending on the feedstock used to produce them.
• Manage glut in sugar production: India suffers from a glut in sugar production of 6 million tonnes and in sugar season
2020-21, about 2.4 million tonne was diverted to produce 302 liters of ethanol for blending.
• Burning facility: Possibly the greatest advantage is that the flex fuel vehicle has been designed to burn whatever
proportion of mixture is in its combustion chamber.
o Electronic sensors gauge the blend, while microprocessors adjust the fuel injection and timing.
• Reduce import bill: as they reduce the dependence on crude oil.
• Benefits farm community: wide uptake of ethanol or methanol as a fuel may create additional revenue stream for
farmers and aid in increasing farm income. Steps taken by government
Challenges of FFV • India is aiming to achieve E10 by 2022 and E20
by (20% ethanol blend) by 2025
• Lack of direct benefit to the consumer: Though ethanol costs • Bharat Stage Norms - India directly shifted from
are much lower than petrol at ₹47-64/ltr depending on the BS-IV to BS-VI norms.
sugarcane source, oil marketing companies are expected to • Government has included automobile & auto
pocket the cost differential. components of flex-fuel engines into the
o It is also controlled by the government. So, chances of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
frequent revision are high. • Finance Minister in the Union Budget announced
• Investment in infra: For mass adoption, adequate supply of that unblended fuel shall attract an additional
different types of ethanol blends is needed across the country. differential excise duty of ₹2/ litre from October
2022.
o This would have to be in addition to the existing network
as current vehicles on the road would have to be supplied with fuel that has only 10% ethanol blending.
• Issues with ethanol: Constant supply must be ensured. However, since this largely comes from sugarcane in India,
which is a water-guzzling crop, any drought could have an impact on blending rates.
• Less vis-à-vis environmental benefits: The benefit for the environment is less as compared to battery EVs or hydrogen
fuel cell vehicles of the future.
• Less Mileage: While ethanol raises a vehicle's octane level, it contains less energy. It will take 1.5 times more to
provide the same energy levels.
o The report by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas mentioned that E20 blending will result in drop in fuel
efficiency by nearly 6-7% in 4 wheelers calibrated to E10.
• Resource Scarcity: NITI Aayog in a report mentioned that over 90% of ethanol in India came from sugarcane alone,
and other food crop like maize.
o While availability of sufficient feedstock on a sustainable basis is challenge.
Way forward
• Research and development: There is need of more investment in research and development for optimization of
engine for higher ethanol and alternate fuels like methanol, LNG, CNG blends and improve durability.
• Incentives and pricing: Vehicles compliant with higher ethanol and other alternative fuel blends are to be provided
higher tax benefits.
o For better acceptability of higher flex fuels, retail price of such fuels should be lower than normal petrol and tax
breaks may be considered by the government on ethanol and alternate fuels.
• Infrastructure development: Oil Manufacturing Companies will need to prepare for the projected requirement of
ethanol storage, handling, blending and dispensing infrastructure.
• Augmentation of ethanol production: Over the time, technology for production of ethanol from non-food feedstock,
called “Advanced Biofuels” including second generation (2G) should be promoted, without causing any tradeoff with
the food production system.

7.6. MARS ORBITER MISSION
Why in news?
India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)
spacecraft has lost communication
with the ground stations, bringing an
end to its life after eight long years.
More about news
• It was declared that the
spacecraft is non-recoverable and
attained its end-of-life.
• However, ISRO is working out the
details of whether the spacecraft
ran out of fuel and battery power,
or whether communication was
lost because of an automated
maneuver.
About Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)
or Mangalyaan
• The Rs 450 crore Mars Orbiter Mission was launched onboard PSLV-C25 on November 5, 2013.
o MOM spacecraft was successfully inserted into Martian orbit on September 24, 2014, in its first attempt.
o Mangalyaan was India's first interplanetary mission.
• The mission made India the first Asian country, and the fourth in the world after Roscosmos (Russia), NASA (US),
and the European
Space Agency (EU),
to get to the
planet.
• MOM carried 850
kg of fuel and 5
science payloads
which it has been
using to study the
Martian surface
and atmosphere
since entering the
orbit successfully.
• The spacecraft is
tracked by the
Indian Deep Space
Network (IDSN),
located near
Bengaluru and
complemented by
NASA-JPL's Deep
Space Network.

Significance of MOM
• Advanced technology capability: It is a progress towards a sustained and affordable space programme to explore the
planet.
• Space exploration: It will promote the future capability to actively collaborate and to carry out scientific experiments
of interest to the nation.
o It could propel India to the centre of planetary exploration, which is dominated by the US and Russia.
• Employment Opportunities: It will promote employment generation and human resource development in advanced
science and R&D activities.
• International partnerships: The programme will strengthen international partnerships through the sharing of
challenging and peaceful goals.
o It can be leveraged as a potent foreign policy tool.
Technological Achievements of MOM
• Mars Orbiter Mission has gifted an understanding of the composition of several gases in the Martian exosphere, quantified
the altitude where the Martian atmosphere has a transition from the CO2 rich regime to atomic Oxygen-rich regime during
the local evening.
o The mission is also credited with the discovery of ‘suprathermal’ Argon-40 atoms in the Martian exosphere, which gave
some clue on one of the potential mechanisms for the escape of atmosphere from Mars.
• The MOM spacecraft photographed, for the first time, the far side of Deimos, one of the natural satellites of Mars.
• The mission captured the time-variation of the Martian polar ice caps.
o It also measured the Martian apparent albedo that indicated the reflecting power of the Martian surface.
• The mission gave an opportunity to classify extra-terrestrial landslides using machine learning models.
• Recognition
o Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)- Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) team won the US based National Space Society’s
‘Space Pioneer Award’ for science and engineering category for the year 2015.
o The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded to ISRO in recognition of Mars Orbiter
Mission, for its significant contribution in strengthening international cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.
Other Mars Mission
Space Missions Date of launch Key Features
Perseverance (NASA, USA) 2021 • The rover will search for past life on Mars and collect soil and rock samples
for future return to Earth.
Hope Mission 2021 • It is intended to examine Martian weather and atmospheric layers.
(United Arab Emirates) • During the first year, the orbiter confirmed the existence of a discrete aurora,
a highly localized atmospheric phenomenon on the night side of the planet,
water-bearing clouds that grow and shrink daily.
Tianwen 1 2021 • Tianwen-1 is China's first Mars mission, consisting of an orbiter and a rover
(China) named Zhurong.
• Among the rover’s science instruments is a radar that could detect pockets of
water beneath the surface, which may contain life.
Mars Moons Exploration 2024 • Japan will launch the Mars Moons Exploration (MMX) mission to bring back
(MMX) mission (Japan) rock samples from Phobos, one of the two moons of Mars.
Conclusion
The configuration and design of MOM spacecraft have worked perfectly well throughout all the phases of the mission.
The excellent working of all the systems of the spacecraft has established the deep space mission heritage. The
configuration and design of these systems can also be adopted future interplanetary missions of ISRO.

7.7. NEWS IN SHORTS
7.7.1. COMMERCIAL 5G SERVICE o It is a community of over 100 manufacturers that
are showing leadership in applying Fourth
• Government recently launched commercial 5G service. Industrial Revolution technologies such as
• 5G (5Th generation) is a next generation mobile artificial intelligence, 3D-printing and big data
network technology after 4G LTE networks. It is not a analytics.
single technology but an amalgamation of various
technologies such as: 7.7.3. LVM3-M2
o Massive multi-user MIMO (Multiple input multiple
• ISRO’s heaviest rocket (LVM3-M2) successfully placed
output) enabled network.
36 satellites of OneWeb in orbit.
o Small cell stations to connect the base stations and
• LVM3-M2 mission was the first dedicated commercial
users seamlessly.
satellite mission of New Space India Limited (NSIL).
o Mobile Edge Computing that brings cloud
o NSIL, a public-sector enterprise under
computing closer to the user physically.
Department of Space, is enabling Indian
o Beamforcing which can be visualized as a laser
industries to take up high technology space-
beam between transmitting entity and the user.
related activities and is catering to emerging global
• 5G is believed to accelerate the adoption of cloud
commercial small satellite launch service market.
gaming, AR/VR technology, Internet of Things, etc.
• Mission establishes ISRO’s growing capabilities to
and usher into wider use areas than 4G.
undertake mega missions and fill in vacant niche in
o This includes areas such as healthcare, FinTech,
global market by launching a constellation of satellites
Agriculture and Livestock, Smart Applications,
(see image on competing launch vehicles).
Education, etc.
o Currently, ISRO holds only 2% of global
• Comparison between 4G, 5G and 6G
commercial space sector market.
Parameter 4G 5G 6G (launch
• About LVM3-M2 launch vehicle (earlier called
targeted at end Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark III or GSLV-MK3)
of this decade) o It is a 3-stage launch vehicle consisting of
Cryogenic Upper Stage, Solid Rocket Boosters and
Spectrum 600 MHz, Sub-6 GHz Sub-6 GHz and Core Liquid Stage.
(Frequency 700 MHz, (Gigahertz) 95 GHz to 3 THz o It has a carrying capacity of 8 tonnes to low earth
Bands) 1.7/2.1 GHz, and above (Terahertz) orbit (LEO) and 4 tonnes to geo transfer orbit
2.3 GHz, 24.25 GHz (Up (GTO).
and 2.5 GHz to 100 GHz)
o It is ISRO’s second rocket for global commercial
Peak Data 1 Gbps Up to 20 Gbps Up to 1,000 Gbps market, after its Polar Satellite Launch vehicle
Rates (PSLV).
o It has had four successful missions including
Latency 60-100 5 milliseconds 1 millisecond Chandrayaan-2 and will be used for Gaganyaan
(End to milliseconds (Human Space Flight), Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya
End Delay) L1 (mission to study sun) as well.
About OneWeb
7.7.2. THE GLOBAL LIGHTHOUSE • OneWeb is a joint venture between India’s Bharti
NETWORK (GLN) Enterprises and U.K. government to deliver high-speed,
low-latency connectivity worldwide.
• Recently, World Economic Forum announced the • OneWeb satellites operate in LEO at an altitude of 1,200
addition of three factories to its Global Lighthouse kilometers.
Network-
o Cipla's Indore facility,
o Dr Reddy's Laboratories' Hyderabad facility and
o The Mondelez facility in Sri City, Chennai.
• The Global Lighthouse Network is a World Economic
Forum initiative in collaboration with McKinsey &
Company.

o Study shows that there is a thin layer of sodium
atoms that are weakly bound to the lunar surface
apart from the minor quantities found in lunar
rocks.
• Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, is the second lunar
exploration mission developed by the ISRO. It
consisted of a lunar orbiter, the Vikram lander, and
the Pragyan lunar rover.
7.7.6. TIDAL DISRUPTION EVENTS

(TDES)
• In 2018, scientists observed a black hole ripping a star
into shreds because it got too close.
o It was discovered when scientists were revisiting
TDEs that occurred over last few years.
• TDE refers to an event when a black hole violently rips
apart stars that gets too close.
o When a star comes close to a black hole,
gravitational forces will stretch or “spaghettify”
star. (see
image)
o Then,
elongated
material
7.7.4. SAMPURNANAND OPTICAL spirals
TELESCOPE (SOT) around black
• SOT, located at ARIES, Manora Peak, Nainital hole, gets
(Uttarakhand), completed 50 years of operations. heated up,
o Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational and creates a
Sciences (ARIES) specializes in observational flash that can
Astronomy & Astrophysics and Atmospheric be detected
Sciences. by us millions
• SOT’s major instruments: Cassegrain plate holder, of light years
Meinel camera, photoelectric photometer, polarimeter away.
etc. 7.7.7. GAMMA RAY BURST (GRB)
• SOT has been used for optical observations of comets,
occultation by planets and asteroids, star forming • Astronomers have observed the brightest flash of light
regions and star clusters, active galactic nuclei, etc. ever seen, from an event that occurred 2.4 billion light
years from Earth.
• Important discoveries made: discovery of rings of
o It was a GRB called GRB221009A.
Uranus, Saturn, Neptune; first detection of optical
o This type of GRB is thought to occur when a
afterglows of Gamma-ray-bursts (GRBs); micro-lensing
massive star explodes in a supernova, leaving
event, discovery of quakes in various stars (under
behind a black hole.
Nainital-Cape Survey program) etc.
• GRBs are the most powerful explosions Universe has
7.7.5. SODIUM CONTENT ON MOON’S seen since the Big Bang.
SURFACE o They are brief, but intense, flashes of gamma
radiation.
• Scientists from ISRO have mapped out global o They produce as much energy as Sun will emit
distribution of sodium on the Moon’s surface. during its entire 10-billion-year existence.
o They used the CLASS instrument (Chandrayaan-2
large area soft X-ray spectrometer) carried by
Chandrayaan-2 for the study.

7.7.8. PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 7.7.9. GENETICALLY MODIFIED
• A solar eclipse occurs when Moon gets between Earth MUSTARD
and Sun, and moon casts a shadow over Earth. Solar • GEAC has recommended the environmental release of
eclipses happen only at the new moon phase. transgenic hybrid mustard Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11
o Lunar eclipses occurs when Earth positions itself (DMH-11).
between sun and moon, casting a shadow across o The recommendation will now go for the approval
lunar surface. They can only occur during a full of the MoEFCC.
moon. o Earlier, in 2017, GEAC had cleared its proposal but
• Different types of solar eclipses are: it was vetoed by the Ministry.
o Total solar eclipse: It happens when Moon passes • This paves the way for commercialisation of country’s
between Sun and Earth, completely blocking face first GM food crop.
of Sun. It is only visible from a small area on Earth. o The commercial use will be under the supervision
o Partial solar eclipse: This happens when sun, moon of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)
and Earth are not exactly lined up. Only a part of and will be subject to the Seed Act, 1966.
the Sun will appear to be covered, giving it a • About DMH-11
crescent shape. o DMH-11 has been developed by Delhi University’s
o Annular solar eclipse: It happens when moon is Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants
farthest from Earth. It does not block entire view of (CGMCP) containing two alien genes isolated from
the sun. This looks like a ring around the moon. a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
o Hybrid solar eclipse: Because Earth's surface is o It has been developed by crossing a Indian mustard
curved, sometimes an eclipse can shift between variety ‘Varuna’ (the barnase line) with an East
annular and total as Moon’s shadow moves across European ‘Early Heera-2’ mutant (barstar).
the globe. ✓ In this, the first gene (‘barnase’) codes for a
protein that impairs pollen production and
renders the plant into which it is incorporated
male-sterile.
✓ The second is the ‘barstar’ gene that blocks
the action of the barnase gene.
✓ The resultant F1 progeny is both high-yielding
and also capable of producing seed/ grain.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
• GEAC is the apex biotech regulatory body in India under
the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change
(MoEFCC).
• It has been notified under Environmental Protection Act,
1986.
• GEAC is a body responsible for appraisal of proposals
relating to the “release” of GM organisms and products
(ordinarily considered hazardous) into the environment.
7.7.10. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

RELEASES GLOBAL TB REPORT, 2022
• Key findings- global
o Estimated number of deaths from TB increased
between 2019 and 2021, reversing years of decline
between 2005 and 2019. (Attributed to Covid-19
pandemic.)
o Around 10.6 million people were diagnosed with
TB in 2021, an increase of 4.5% from 2020.
o TB is the second leading infectious killer after
COVID-19 (above HIV/AIDS).

• India specific findings Fusarium spp., Candida tropicalis and Candida
o With 28% of cases, India has the highest TB patient parapsilosis.
count. o Medium group are Scedosporium spp.,
o Gap between estimated TB incidence and Lomentospora prolificans, Coccidioides spp.,
reported number of people newly diagnosed is Pichia kudriavzeveii (Candida krusei),
highest in India (24%). Cryptococcus gattii, Talaromyces marneffei,
o India was among the three countries that Pneumocystis jirovecii and Paracoccidioides spp.
accounted for most of the reduction in 2020 (67% • Fungal pathogens are a major threat to public health
of the global total). as:
• Top five risk factors of TB: undernutrition, HIV o Most fungal pathogens lack rapid, sensitive and
infection, alcohol use disorders, smoking, and affordable diagnostics and only four classes of
diabetes. antifungal medicines (azoles, echinocandins,
• TB is caused by bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis pyrimidines and polyenes) currently available.
which typically affects lungs (pulmonary TB) but can o The incidence and geographic range of fungal
affect other sites. diseases are expanding worldwide due to global
o Most common medications used to treat TB warming and the increase of international travel
include isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and trade.
pyrazinamide etc. o During the COVID-19 pandemic, the reported
o Currently, Bacillle Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the incidence of invasive fungal infections increased
only licensed vaccine available for prevention of significantly among hospitalized patients.
TB. o Fungi that cause common infections become
o It spreads from person to person through air. increasingly resistant to treatment.
Additional information: ✓ Resistance to antifungal medicines is partly
• Drug-Resistant TB: driven by inappropriate antifungal use.
o Multidrug Resistance TB (MDR): resistant to at least
isoniazid and rifampicin.
o Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB):
resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, plus any
fluoroquinolone and at least one of three injectable
second-line drugs.
o Totally drug-resistant tuberculosis (TDR-TB):
resistant to all first- and second-line TB drugs.
• Steps taken by India to check TB
o India’s vision to eliminate TB by 2025, five years
ahead of global target by WHO i.e., 2030.
o National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination
2017-2025 by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
o National Tuberculosis Elimination Program.
o TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign.
o Nikshay Poshan Yojana for nutritional support to TB
patients.
7.7.11. FIRST-EVER FUNGAL PRIORITY 7.7.12. ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTION

PATHOGENS LIST (FPPL)
• Dr Dilip Mahalanabis who pioneered the proper
• World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the
practical, emergency use of oral rehydration solution,
first-ever fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL).
commonly known by its abbreviation “ORS,” for
• The FPPL which includes 19 fungi categorised as critical, diarrhoeal diseases passed away recently.
high, and medium priority will help identify fungi o Dr Dilip Mahalanabis was working in refugee
which pose the greatest threat to public health. camps during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war
o Critical group includes Cryptococcus neoformans, when he came up with ORS.
Candida auris, Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida
• The Lancet called that ORS is the most important
albicans.
medical discovery of the 20th century.
o High group includes Nakaseomyces glabrata
o Diarrhoea was among the leading causes of child
(Candida glabrata), Histoplasma spp.,
deaths in developing countries in the twentieth
eumycetoma causative agents, Mucorales,
century.
• In 2002, Dr Dilip Mahalanabis along with Dr Nathaniel o Additionally, sodium needs glucose to be properly
F Pierce was awarded the Pollin Prize by Columbia absorbed. Therefore, ORS contains both glucose
University (considered the equivalent of Nobel in and sodium.
peadiatrics). • Since 1975, the World Health Organization and UNICEF
• Oral rehydration salts (ORS) are a mixture of have used ORS to treat dehydration due to diarrhea.
electrolytes (salts) and carbohydrates (in the form of o It’s commonly used in countries with limited
sugar) dissolved in water. access to clean water or other hydration options.
o They are used to replace salts and water that the
body loses when you have dehydration caused by 7.7.13. ATHLETE BIOLOGICAL PASSPORT
gastroenteritis, diarrhoea or vomiting. (ABP)
o The electrolytes are potassium and sodium.
• National Anti- Doping Agency (NADA) & NDTL are
• These components maximize fluid absorption in the
hosting 3rd edition of World Anti-Doping Agency
gastrointestinal tract.
(WADA) ABP Symposium.
o The gastrointestinal tract relies on sodium-glucose
• ABP is an Anti-doping tool that monitors selected
cotransporters (SGLTs), which are carrier proteins
biological variables over time to reveal effects of
in the intestinal cells.
doping rather than attempting to detect doping
o Cotransporters help move substances across
substance or method itself.
membranes.
o It works against doping through enhanced target
o Specifically, SGLTs pair together sodium and
testing and analysis, investigations, deterrence,
glucose transport in the small intestine. This allows
and as indirect evidence for use of prohibited
glucose to increase the absorption of fluids.
methods or substances.

8. CULTURE
8.1. MAHAKALESHWAR TEMPLE
Why in news?
The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the first phase of Mahakal Lok in Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple.
More on news
• The Mahakal Lok is the mega corridor project that will expand
the Mahakaleshwar temple complex area, significantly enhancing
the holding capacity.
• The corridor will have two grand gateways:
o Colonnade of 108 ornate pillars which depict Anand Tandav
Swaroop (the elated dance form) of Lord Shiva,.
o a running panel of over 50 murals depicting stories from Shiv
Purana.
• The entire redevelopment plan is expected to cost Rs 705 crore.
About Mahakaleshwar temple
• It is situated in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) on the banks of the river
Shipra.
• The exact time of establishment of Mahakala temple is not known.
As per Puranas, it was first established by Prajapita Brahma.
o Later on, prince Kumarasena (son of king Chanda Pradyota of
Pradyot dynasty) in 6th century BC looked after the law and
order situations of Mahakala temple.
✓ Pradyota dynasty ruled over Avanti ( now Madhya Pradesh), between 8th to 6th century BC.
• Kalidasa in Raghuvansam described this temple as ‘Niketana’ possibly due to the fact that the roofs of temples had
mostly been flat.
• It was redeveloped and reconstructed over the centuries and as a result, the temple complex bears strong influences
of the Bhumija, Chalukya, and Maratha architectural styles.
• The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is among the most eminent of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India:

o It is the only jyotirlinga facing the south, as More about architectural styles
opposed to the traditional placement in north • Bhumija style was characterised by a central Latina/ Shikhara
or east. By facing the south, believed to be the tapering from all sides, with minor spires decorating the
direction of Yama – the God of Death, Shiva central spire.
symbolises that he’s the master of death or • Chalukya style had distinguishable characteristics as their
Mahakaleshwar. stellate(start shaped) and stepped plans.
o It is believed to be swayambhu i.e. self- • Maratha style temples are conspicuous by their
manifested while other Jyotirlingas are wooden sabhamandaps with cypress-shaped columns, stone
fountains, and the shikharas constructed in brick and lime.
believed to have been ritually established.
• One of the most famous features of
Mahakaleshwar Temple is the Bhasma aarti
—the prayer offering of ashes (made from
burning dried wood and cow dung).
o The aarti is quite exclusive and women
are not allowed to witness it.
Key features in the present architecture of the
temple
• The temple is three-storeyed.
o In the lowest middle and uppermost
parts are respectively installed the
lingams of Mahakalesvara,
Omkaresvara and Nagachandresvara.
• Besides Jyotirlinga, images of Ganesa,
Kartikeya and Paravati can be seen in the
garbhagrha.
• The shikhara with the mini-spires is very
peculiar.
• A very large-sized Kunda named Koti Tirtha
also exists in the temple-complex.
• The form of Shiva in Ujjain is that of
Mahakal — the Lord of Time and Death.
Ujjain City-Facts
• The city of Ujjain was also one of the primary centres of learning for Hindu scriptures, called Avantika in the 6th and 7th
centuries BC.
• Later, astronomers and mathematicians such as Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya made Ujjain their home.
• As per the Surya Siddhanta, one of the earliest available texts on Indian astronomy of 4th century, Ujjain is geographically
situated at a spot where the zero meridian of longitude and the Tropic of Cancer intersect.
o In keeping with this theory, many of Ujjain temples are in some way connected to time and space.
• In the 18th century, an observatory was built here by Maharaja Jai Singh II, known as the Vedh Shala or Jantar Mantar,
comprising 13 architectural instruments to measure astronomical phenomena.
8.2. NUMISMATICS IN INDIA

Why in news?
The recent discussion on putting images of Gods and Goddesses on coins and banknotes has renewed interest in
Numismatic history of India.
More on News
• Who changes the design on Currency notes?
o The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and central government have the power to design the currency notes in India.
o Any change in currency design needs to be approved by the RBI’s Central Board and the Central Government.
• How does the process of changing currency notes work?
o RBI’s Department of Currency Management works on the design.
o It submits the design to the RBI and then it sends for recommendation to the central government.
o The Centre gives the final approval for the design of the currency notes.
Beginning of Numismatic study in India
• Numismatics is the study and collection of coins, tokens, and other coin-like objects that people used as currencies
throughout history.
• The term may also refer to the study of money and other payment methods that people use to pay for goods and
services and to settle debts.
• With the discovery of some Roman coins in 1790 begins the history of Indian Numismatics. It started as a subject of
study and research in 1824 when Col. Todd published some Greek, Parthian, and Indian coins in the Transactions of
the Royal Asiatic Society.
• Numismatic Society of India (founded in 1910) at Allahabad was intended as a coordinating body to promote the
knowledge and regulate the study of Indian numismatics.
Major Numismatic stages of India
• Ancient India coinage: Starting with ‘Punch marked’ coins, this era includes coins attributed to ‘Janapadas’ as well as
the ‘Mauryan period’. The motifs found on these coins were mostly drawn from nature like the sun, various animal
motifs, trees, hills etc. and some were geometrical symbols.
• Dynastic Coins: These coins relate to those of the Indo-Greeks, the Saka-Pahlavas and the Kushans. Hellenistic
traditions characterise the silver coins of the Indo-Greeks, with Greek gods and goddesses figuring prominently, apart
from the portraits of the issuers.
o This stage also includes coinage from the Gupta, Post-Gupta and South Indian Empires of Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas,
Pallavas and Hoysalas among others.
• Coins of Medieval period: With the emergence of Turkish Sultans of Delhi in the 12th Century, existing motifs were
gradually replaced by Islamic devices, largely calligraphy. The unit of account came to be consolidated and was
referred to as the 'tanka' with the 'jittals' as the smaller value coins.
• British Indian Coinage: Enactment of Coinage Act of 1835 led uniform coinage with effigies of Prince Willian IV and
Queen Victoria. The act was succeeded by Indian Coinage Act of 1906.
For details on every stage of the numismatic history, please refer to the
‘Appendix: Numismatic history of India’ at the end of the document.
Coins of modern India
• The first Rupee coin of Republic of India was minted in 1950.
o Other denominations of coins of modern India were also produced like
the 1/2 Re, 1/4 Re, 2 Anna, 1 Anna, 1/2 Anna & 1 Pice coins which are
also referred as Anna series or pre-decimal coinage.
o In 1957, India shifted to the decimal system.
• Special coins were minted in memory of important events or personalities.
These are referred to as commemorative Indian coins.
• Some of commemorative coins include coins depicting Mahatma Gandhi,
Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, B. R. Ambedkar, Rajiv Gandhi, Saint
Dnyaneshwar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose etc.
Significance of numismatics in understanding history
• Sources of historical information through inscription: Coins are part of
archaeological sources and are as important as the inscription in history. They confirm the information derived from
literature.

• Help in identification of connections and key events: Tracing ancient Indian coins showcases the marketplaces along
the Silk Road, the trade route that connected the East and West; conquerors and their traveling mints; wars; and
lost kingdoms.
• Key sources for chronological confirmation: Coins with dates are very valuable for the framework of Indian
chronology. For instance, Coins are almost our sole evidence with regard to the Indo Scythian and Indo Bactrian
Kings.
• Placing the extent and influence of empires: The inscription on the coin indicates territory over which the rulers
ruled. The discovery of the same kind of coins at different places helps in fixing the coverage of various kingdoms in
ancient India.
• Other benefits-
o The purity of the metal reflects the financial conditions of the Gupta Empire. Foreign coin hoards found in India
throw light on Indian trade patterns in ancient, medieval, and late pre-colonial times.
o Some coin throws significant light on the personal events of certain rulers.
Conclusion
The numismatic study of India not only provides an insight into political events, extent, and personalities, but also into
social, economic and cultural life of people in those times.
8.3. NEWS IN SHORTS

8.3.1. MODHERA o In 2014, it was declared a UNESCO World heritage
Site.
• PM recently declared Modhera as India’s first 24x7 o Linked Festivals: Uttarardha Mahotsav,
solar-powered village. celebrated in January.
• Along with the Modhera village, the Sun Temple of
Modhera also became the first heritage site in India to
be powered solely by solar energy.
o The PM also inaugurated the 3D Projection
Mapping of the Modhera Sun Temple.
• About Sun Temple of Modhera (Gujarat)
o Built in 1026-27 AD during Chalukya King Bhimdev
I (1022-1063 AD) regime.
✓ The earliest Dilwara Temples and the Rani ki
vav (attributed to his Queen Udayamati) were
also built during his regime.
o Location: One of the four main Sun Temples, it is
located on the banks of River Pushpavati and falls
near the Tropic of Cancer.
✓ The other 3 main Sun Temples are: Konark
Sun Temple (Odisha), Martand Sun Temple
(Jammu and Kashmir) and Dakshinaarka Sun 8.3.2. NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE
Temple (Gaya).
o Temple Architecture: Maru-Gurjara style with • The 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to
temple complex divided into three parts- French author Annie Ernaux for her work that sheds
✓ Gudha Mandapa (the shrine hall) based on light on the murky recesses of memory, family, and
inverted lotus base plinth, society.
✓ Sabha Mandapa or Sita Chavadi (the assembly • The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded by the Swedish
hall) standing on 52 pillars signifying 52 weeks Academy, Stockholm, Sweden.
in a year, and • Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian and non-
✓ Surya Kunda or Ram Kunda (the reservoir) European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
containing 108 shrines.

8.3.3. NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2022 8.3.4. NANSEN REFUGEE AWARD
• Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award • Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany, has
the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022 to one individual and won 2022 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for
two organisations: protecting refugees at Syria crisis.
o Human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski from • Award, established in 1954, honor individuals, groups
Belarus, or organizations who go above and beyond call of duty
o Russian human rights organisation Memorial and to protect refugees, internally displaced or stateless
o Ukrainian human rights organisation Center for people.
Civil Liberties. o It is named after Norwegian explorer, scientist,
• They were awarded for their consistent efforts in diplomat and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen.
favour of humanist values, anti-militarism and o He was first High Commissioner for Refugees for
principles of law. League of Nations and won Nobel Peace Prize in
• Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a committee elected 1922.
by the Norwegian Parliament. o First Laureate: Eleanor Roosevelt, first chair of
the UN in 1954.

9. ETHICS
9.1. SOCIAL MEDIA AND CIVIL SERVANTS
Introduction What makes Social Media different?
“Don’t fall into ‘Singham’ trap. Police uniform is not associated with • Connectedness: Ability to connect
authority and awe but inspires pride.” – Prime Minister. This was spoken in and re- connect like-minded people.
the context of Civil Servants turning into Instagram celebrities. At the same • Collaboration: These connections
enable people to collaborate.
time, IAS officer and collector Prasanth Nair used his social media influence
• Community: Connectedness and
to gather volunteers for cleaning up a lake in Kerala. collaboration helps create and
How have Civil Servants been using Social Media? sustain communities.
Very broadly, social media can be defined as any web or mobile What do All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 say?
based platform that enables an individual or agency to
communicate interactively and enables exchange of user It highlights that no member of the services should
make a statement on any public media-
generated content. E.g., Meta, Twitter, Instagram etc.
• which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any
The advent of social media is transforming the manner in which
current or recent policy or action of the Central
information is shared and distributed. Civil Servants have Government or a State Government.
generally been using it in the following ways: • which is capable of embarrassing the relations
• Connecting with citizens: Civil Servants use social media to between the Central Government and any State
create a personal connect with citizens. This could increase Government.
• which is capable of embarrassing the relations
public participation, build trust, and increase popularity of
between the Central Government and the
the concerned civil servant.
Government of any Foreign State.
• Sharing information and improving awareness: Public
officials including
civil servants share
details of
government
schemes, latest
policy updates,
regulations etc. E.g.,
Delhi Traffic Police
creating traffic law
awareness through
memes.
• Understanding
public viewpoint:
Social Media acts as
database of public
opinion. Many times
it is used by Civil
Servants to gauge
feedback on policies
and programmes.
Also, social media
discussions reflect
underlying issues like castism, communalism, and sexism among others.
• Personal usage: Beyond official capacity, Social Media is also used by Civil Servants in personal capacity for
expressing personal opinion and sharing other content.

Usage of Social Media by Civil Servants creates a Role for Civil Servants in media realm in addition to their bureaucratic
role.
Having this dual role sometimes helps in improving governance. But sometimes, the media role runs counter to the
traditional bureaucratic role. Following can be cited as merits and demerits of the same-
Merits of using social media by civil servants Demerits of using social media by civil servants
• Accessible to the Common People: Civil servants • Principle of Neutrality and Anonymity: Civil Service values
have become accessible to the common people. For suggest that officers be politically neutral and work ‘behind the
example, during Covid-19 pandemic, many civil curtains’. They must keep themselves away from being recognized
servants were accessible to citizens through social publicly or appreciated for that matter, contrary to what social
media. media provides.
• Public service delivery issues have been resolved • Inconsistent with the parliamentary form of government: In a
using of social media. parliamentary form of government, the ministers are directly
• Better policy making: Opinions and feedback from responsible to the people through their elected representatives
Social Media can enable Data based policymaking. and bureaucrats are only accountable to their line of authority.
• Create a Positive outlook: Social media has also • It can blur the distinction between an individual’s professional
been used to create a positive outlook towards an and private identity: Actions online are easily visible to colleagues,
institution long perceived as opaque and employers, and the general public, thus making it difficult to
inaccessible. separate professional and personal selves.
• Awareness: Social media provides a platform to • Undue self-promotion: Fame is sometimes used by civil servants
keep the general public informed and updated about for self-promotion. Many Civil Servants post about their work.
important issues and engage with an audience on a These posts are then promoted by their fans and followers,
deeper level. creating a public narrative of their performance.
What can be done to ensure effective use of social media by civil servants?
Following core values have been suggested by Department of Electronics and Information Technology social media
presence and interaction of civil servants:
• Identity: Always identify clearly who you are, what is your role in the department and publish in the first person.
Disclaimer may be used when appropriate.
• Authority: Do not comment and respond unless authorized to do so especially in the matters that are sub -judice,
draft legislations or relating to other individuals.
• Relevance: Comment on issues relevant to your area and make relevant and pertinent comments. This will make
conversation productive and help take it to its logical conclusion.
• Professionalism: Be Polite, Be Discrete and Be Respectful to all and do not make personal comments for or against
any individuals or agencies. Also, professional discussions should not be politicized.
• Openness: Be open to comments – whether positive or negative. It is not necessary to respond to each and every
comment.
• Compliance: Be compliant to relevant rules and regulations. Do not infringe upon IPR, copyright of others.
• Privacy: Do not reveal personal information about other individuals as well as do not publish your own private
and personal details unless you wish for them to be made public to be used by others.
Conclusion
Civil Servants when using the social media are de facto representatives of government. In this context, they are expected
to uphold as well as project the civil services values such as fairness, integrity, transparency, and courage among others.
Therefore, every post by any civil servant has to contextually relevant and has to pass the litmus test of ethics of public
service.

10. SCHEMES IN NEWS
10.1. TELECOM TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUND SCHEME
Why in news?
Recently, the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) launched Telecom Technology Development Fund scheme
Objectives Salient Features
• To bridge digital divide by • USOF, a body under the Department of Telecommunications, officially launched
developing and manufacturing Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme on October 01st, 2022.
the state-of-the-art technologies • It is aimed for domestic companies and institutions involved in technology design,
for rural and remote areas. development, commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions, to
• To fund R&D in rural-specific enable affordable broadband and mobile services in rural and remote areas.
communication technology o Entities are encouraged
applications. to collaborate with
• Bridge the gap between R&D other domestic
and commercialization of companies, academia,
products and solutions. R&D institutions etc.,
• Create synergies among the as may be necessary
Academia, Research Institutes, while executing the
Start-ups and Industry for project at any stage.
capacity building and • Standardization: Under the
development of telecom scheme, USOF is targeting
ecosystem through outreach to to develop standards to
build rural / remote areas meet countrywide
relevant technologies and requirements and create the
solutions ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, use cases, pilots, and proof of concept
• To promote technology testing, among others.
ownership and indigenous • Funding: Apart from the existing R&D funding mechanisms, an allocation of 5% of
manufacturing, create a culture annual collections from USOF will be available for funding R&D in the Telecom sector,
of technology co-innovation, starting with the funds collected in the financial year 2021-22.
reduce imports, boost export o It entails grants to Indian entities to encourage and induct indigenous
opportunities and creation of technologies tailor-made to meet domestic needs.
Intellectual Property. • IPR: The scheme also intends creation of Intellectual Property Rights.
10.2. PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMMAN NIDHI SCHEME (PM-KISAN)

Why in news?
Recently, the Government released the 12th instalment amount of Rs. 16,000 crores under the PM-KISAN through Direct
Benefit Transfer.
Objectives Salient Features
• To provide • It is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India to augment the income of all the land holding
income farmers of the country.
support to all • It has become operational from December 2018.
land holding • It allows land-owning eligible farmer families to receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments of
eligible farmer ₹ 2,000 each, every four months.
families. o Definition of family for the scheme is husband, wife and minor children.
• To supplement • There are various Exclusion Categories for the scheme.
the financial • Exclusions:
needs of the o All Institutional Land holders.
farmers in o Farmer families with member(s) belonging to following categories: (see image)
procuring • The installment is transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
various inputs
to ensure
proper crop o The benefit shall be paid to only those farmers’ families whose names are entered into the land
health and records except for Forest dwellers, North-eastern states and Jharkhand which has separates
appropriate provisions for land
yields, records.
commensurate • Under the PM-KISAN
with the Scheme, funds are not
anticipated allocated and sanctioned
farm income. State-wise.
• Responsibilities of
identification of
beneficiary farmers
families rest with the
state/UT government.
• Self-registration
Mechanism: Process of
Self-registration of
beneficiaries has been
made simple and easy
through mobile app, PM
KISAN portal and walk-ins
via Common Service
Centers to give the
maximum benefit to the
farmers.
• Physical Verification
Module: To maintain the
authenticity and validity of
the scheme, a mandatory
physical verification of 5%
beneficiary every year is
being done as per the
provisions laid down in the
scheme.
• Demographic Aadhar authentication: Aadhar validation has been made compulsory to make whole
process more transparent.
• Income Tax verification: The beneficiary database in this scheme is being regularly validated with income
tax payee database to have an audited and authenticated user base.
• All PM-KISAN beneficiaries will be given the Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) so that farmers can take easy loans
from the banks.
o This will help all such farmers to get short term loan for crop and animal/fish rearing at a maximum
interest of 4% on timely repayment.

11. APPENDIX

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GS DELHI: 20 DEC, 5 PM 15 NOV, 5 PM 11 OCT, 5 PM

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1.3.2. CENTRE NOTIFIES INFORMATION

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2.2. INDIA-AFRICA DEFENCE RELATIONS

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2.3. UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION

India in Peacekeeping missions

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2.4. FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATF)

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2.5. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION (INTERPOL)

2.6. NEWS IN SHORTS

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What CBDC is not?

Potential Challenges in adopting digital currencies in India

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3.2. INTERNATIONALIZATION OF RUPEE

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About International Currency and International functions of money

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3.3. PRODUCTIVITY CHALLENGE OF INDIA

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3.4. OPEN NETWORK FOR DIGITAL COMMERCE (ONDC)

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Significance of ONDC in India

3.5. NOBEL PRIZES 2022

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3.5.1. NOBEL PRIZE FOR ECONOMICS 2022

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3.7. POVERTY AND SHARED PROSPERITY 2022

Key Findings of the report

Poverty Estimation studies in India

3.8. PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA

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3.9. DRAFT COAL LOGISTIC POLICY 2022

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3.10. ONE NATION ONE FERTILISER (ONOF)

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3.11. MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE (MSP)

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3.12. DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH-EAST REGION

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• Related information: Environmental Kuznets Curve

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3.13.6. DEBTS RECOVERY TRIBUNALS

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