CONTENTS

Part One INCLUSION OF DALIT MUSLIMS & CHRISTIANS WITHIN SC

FOLD #Reservation #Committee 14
LIVESTREAMING OF SC - STEP TOWARDS TRANSPARENCY
Current Affairs Analysis #LiveStream #Transparency 16
SC DELIVERS SPLIT VERDICT ON KARNATAKA HIJAB BAN
02 #Secularism #Hijab Ban 18

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE AMENDMENS CLEARED BY CABINET

#Cooperatives #Governance 21
# G S P a p e r ( P r e l i m s) & G S P a p e r I I I ( M a i n )
RATIONALIZING GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
FEMINIZATION OF AGRICULTURE- CHALLENGES AND
#Govt. Schemes #Governance 23
SOLUTIONS #Banking 02
ORDER OF SENIORITY FOR SC JUDGES
TOKENISATION OF CARDS
#CJI #Judiciary 24
#Finance 03
CONCERNS RAISED ON TELECOMMUNICATION BILL
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (InVITs) #Bill #Telecommunication 25
#Finance 04 UNDERSTANDING DISQUALIFICATION UNDER RPA
RBI GUIDELINES ON ARCS #Disqualification #RPA #Election 28

#Finance 05 SC DIRECTS POLICE CHIEFS TO LODGE FIR AGAINST HATE

SPEECH #Hate Speech #Rights #Governance 30
CRYPTO-ASSET REPORTING FRAMEWORK (CARF)
GRIEVANCE APPELLATE COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA
#Money&Banking 06
USERS #Regulatory Body #Governance 32
GM MUSTARD (DMH 11): BENEFITS & CONCERNS
CONCERNS RAISED ON IMPOSING HINDI
#Agriculture 07 #Hindi #Official Language Committee 34
NATIONAL LOGISTICS POLICY ECONOMIC CONCERNS ON FREEBIES
#Infrastructure 08 #Governance #Freebies 37

CHANGES IN PLI SCHEME FOR SEMICONDUCTOR STRENGTHEN DECENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE

MANUFACTURING #Industry 11 #Decentralisation #Governance 38

DAKSH 12 PILING UP OF RTI PETITIONS DUE TO HEADLESS

INSTITUTION #Governance #RTI 41
IMF'S RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY TRUST (RST) 12
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 45
MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX 12

GLOBAL LIGHTHOUSE NETWORK 12

GLOBAL PENSION INDEX 12

47
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 13 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & Security
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I & I I I ( M a i n )

14 INTERPOL SUMMIT
#International Organisations #Internal Security 47

CONSTITUTION, POLITY AND GOVERNANCE INDIA–UK RELATIONS

# G S P a p e r ( P r e l i m s) & G S P a p e r I I ( M a i n ) #Bilateral Relations 54

 US NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY INDIAN BISONS
#Bilateral Relations 56 #gaur #indianbison #zoological Diplomacy 79

20 TH
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF CPC CHINA TEXTILE INDUSTRIES
#Bilateral Relations 56 #cottontextiles #industriallocation #textileindustries 79
UN PEACE KEEPING FORCE AND ISSUES INVOLVED PRACTICE QUESTIONS 80
#International Organisations 57
UNSC – COUNTER TERRORISM COMMITTEE
#International Organisation #Terrorism 58
82
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 60 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I I I ( M a i n)

61 SECURING INDIA’S CYBERSPACE FROM QUANTUM

TECHNIQUES #IT #Security 82

SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE DR. MAHALANABIS

# GS P a p e r I & G S P a p e r I I ( M a i n) #Science #Personalities 83

GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX RNA ORIGAMI

#Malnutrition 61 #Biology #Technology 84

UGC TO PUSH AUTONOMY FOR COLLEGES AGNI-PRIME MISSILE

#Education 62 #Defence #Technology 85

INDIRA GANDHI URBAN EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE LVM3

SCHEME #Rural Development #Schemes 63 #Space #Technology 85

TELE MANAS GEAC APPROVES COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION OF GM

#Mental Health 65 MUSTARD #Biotech #Science 86

PRACTICE QUESTIONS 66 INDIA’S FIRST INDIGENOUS OVERHAUSER MAGNETOMETER

#Physics #Technology 87
NAVIC
68 #Space #Technology 88

NOBEL FOR WORK ON ‘CLICK CHEMISTRY’

Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & #Chemistry 89
Disaster Management REGENERATIVE BRAKING TECHNOLOGY
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) a n d GS P a pe r I & I I I ( M a i n ) #Technology 90

GROUND WATER POLLUTION PRESENCE OF DIETHYLENE GLYCOL IN COUGH SYRUP

#Pollution #conservation 68 #Biology 91

DELHI POLLUTION INDIAN DEEP TECH AND A CASE FOR A STRATEGIC FUND

#Pollution 73 #R&D ecosystem 92

SAMARTH MISSION PRACTICE QUESTIONS 93

#Cofiring #samarth #samarthmission #cleanenergy 76

MISSION LIFE
#lifemission #climatechange #lifestylechanges 76
95
GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD HISTORY, HERITAGE & CULTURE
#gib #wildlife #biodiversity #iucn 77
# GS P a p e r ( P r e l i m s ) & G S P a p e r I ( M a i n )
FOREST CONSERVATION RULES
FIFTY EXCLUSIVE AND ICONIC HERITAGE TEXTILE CRAFTS
#fra #forestconservationrules2022 #forestrights
#Art & Culture 95
#forestconservationact 78
MODHERA TEMPLE
VULTURES
#artandarchitecture #Medieval India 100
#vultures #iucn #vultureconservation #vultureiucnstatus 78
 NEW MESOLITHIC FINDINGS #Ethics #Integrity #Aptitude 109
#AncientHistory #Mesolithic Age 101 CASE STUDIES for Practice
DASARA FESTIVAL OF MYSURU MAINS GS PAPER IV 112
#Festival #Art&Culture 101
RAJARAJA-I
#Medieval History 101 Part Three
LEAGUE OF NATIONS (1920-46)
#World History 103
Essays of the month
KAMAKHYA TEMPLE
#Art&culture 104
115
JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN POETS ARE THE UNACKNOWLEDGED LEGISLATORS OF
#Modern India #personalities 105 THE WORLD # Philosophical
SUBMITTED BY: NITHILA 116
LOTHAL
#AncientIndia 106 THINK GLOBAL - ACT LOCAL #Globalisation
SUBMITTED BY: SOUMYA RANJAN DASH 118
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 107
WHAT GETS MEASURED, GETS MANAGED. #Miscellaneous
SUBMITTED BY: RAJESH JAKHAR 120
Part TWO
Ethics, Integrity and
Aptitude
108
LAW VERSUS ETHICS: BLIKIS BANO CASE
 Part ONE

Current
affairs
analysis
logical .simple .targeted
analysis & explanation
of all relevant news of the month
 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper III (Main)

Lead Article
FEMINIZATION OF
STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT

• Earmarking at least 30 per cent of the budget allocation

AGRICULTURE- for women beneficiaries in all ongoing
schemes/programmes and development activities.
CHALLENGES AND • Initiating women centric activities to ensure benefits of

SOLUTIONS various beneficiary-oriented programs/schemes reach

them.
#Banking • Focusing on women self-help group (SHG) to connect
them to micro-credit through capacity building
activities and to provide information and ensuring their
October 15 is celebrated every year as International Day of representation in different decision-making bodies.
Rural Women. In this regard, one needs to be aware about
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has
the Feminisation of Indian Agriculture- Status, Initiatives and
declared 15th October of every year as Women Farmer’s
Challenges.
Day.
GROWING FEMINIZATION OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE
CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
With growing rural to urban migration by men, there is Lack of Ownership: Almost 86% of women farmers are
‘feminization’ of agriculture sector, with increasing devoid of property right in land mainly on account of the
number of women in multiple roles as cultivators, patriarchal set up in our society.
entrepreneurs, and labourers.
What must be done? Provision of credit without collateral;
According to Oxfam India, women are responsible for Better access to credit, technology, and provision of
about 60-80% of food and 90% of dairy production, entrepreneurship abilities; Encourage greater
respectively. Further, the Agriculture Census (2010-11) participation of women in the FPOs.
shows that out of an estimated 118.7 million cultivators, DECLINING SIZE OF LANDHOLDINGS
30.3% were females. Similarly, out of an estimated 144.3 The land holdings have doubled over the years in India
million agricultural labourers, 42.6% were females. due to which the average size of farms has shrunk.
ROLE OF WOMEN IN LIVESTOCK SECTOR Therefore, most women farmers fall under the small and
marginal category, having less than 2 ha of land.
• The livestock sector accounted for 5% of national
What must be done? Collective farming must be
income and 28% of agricultural GDP in 2018-19. In the
encouraged to make women self-reliant. Training and
last six years, the livestock sector grew at 7.9% while
skills should be imparted to women as has been done by
crop farming grew by 2%.
some self-help groups and cooperative-based dairy
• Women accounted for 31% of all members of dairy activities (Saras in Rajasthan and Amul in Gujarat).
producer cooperatives in 2020-21. The number of Moreover, government flagship schemes such as the
women’s dairy cooperative societies rose from 18,954 National Food Security Mission, Sub-mission on Seed and
in 2012 to 32,092 in 2015-16. Planting Material and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

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 Economic Development

must include women-centric strategies and dedicated Women generally have less access to resources and
expenditure. modern inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides). The Food
NEED FOR GENDER FRIENDLY AGRICULTURAL TOOLS and Agriculture Organization says that equalizing access
to productive resources for female and male farmers
The female cultivators and labourers generally perform
could increase agricultural output in developing countries
labor-intensive tasks (hoeing, grass cutting, weeding,
by as much as 2.5% to 4%.
picking, cotton stick collection, looking after livestock). In
addition to working on the farm, they have household and What must be done? Krishi Vigyan Kendras in every district
familial responsibilities. Hence, it is important to have can be assigned an additional task to educate and train
gender-friendly tools and machinery for various farm women farmers about innovative technology along with
operations. Most farm machinery is difficult for women to extension services.
operate. WAY FORWARD
What must be done? Manufacturers should be Hence, an ‘inclusive transformative agricultural policy’
incentivized to come up with better solutions. Farm should aim at gender-specific interventions to raise
machinery banks and custom hiring centres promoted by productivity of small farm holdings and integrate women
many State governments can be roped in to provide as active agents in rural transformation. For example,
subsidized rental services to women farmers. going forward, we must formulate women specific
LACK OF ACCESS TO RESOURCES schemes and programmes and at the same time ensure
that at least 30% of the funds are earmarked for women.

Banking and FInance

TOKENISATION OF CARDS
Tokenization is the process of replacing the customer's
account number with a unique alphanumeric token which
#Finance can then be used for transactions. The token will act as the
card at point of sale (POS) terminals, instead of the card’s
details. The token allows payments to be processed
Earlier, in 2019, the RBI had released guidelines on without exposing actual account details. Hence, the online
tokenisation for debit and credit card transactions to portals would not be allowed to store card details.
enhance the safety and security of the payment systems in the HOW TOKENISATION WORKS?
country. The Tokenisation of cards has come into being from • Before shopping online or booking tickets, customers
October 1, 2022. enter card details and opt for tokenisation with the
TOKENISATION OF CARDS merchant (say, Amazon, Flipkart etc.)
Present Status: When you shop online or book tickets • The merchant forwards it to the respective Bank and
online, you tend to save your credit card/debit card details Card networks (VISA, Mastercard, RuPay etc.) and
in those websites. So, you don’t have to remember your requests for token
card details each time. You can simply complete the • Token gets generated and is sent back to the merchant.
transaction each time by entering the CVV number and Merchant would be allowed to save only the token and
OTP. not the card details.
Challenges: Presently, card details get stored with • Customer can complete the transaction using the CVV
merchants such as Flipkart, Amazon, Bookmyshow etc. In and OTP.
event of hacking of these websites, the card details could • Next time, the customer need not enter the card
be leaked and misused. details. The Customer needs to select the saved token
HOW WOULD TOKENIZATION SOLVE THE PROBLEM? with the merchant to complete the transaction.

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 Economic Development

Note: One token is limited to just one card and one The profit earned from such investments is in turn
merchant (online portal). For instance, if you have, say, distributed among the investors.
an ICICI credit card tokenized on Amazon, then, this token • An Infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) is like Mutual
will be applicable only on Amazon. You would have to fund. However, it invests the pooled money of the
generate different token for the same card on Flipkart. investors in the infrastructure projects such as roads,
BENEFITS OF TOKENISATION ports, airports etc.
• Tokenisation provides added layer of security and • The money earned from such investments is in turn
convenience for the customers. distributed among the investors in the form of
• It eliminates the need to enter the account number dividend. The InVITs are regulated by SEBI and
multiple times when shopping on a smartphone or accordingly, SEBI has notified SEBI (Infrastructure
tablet. Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 to regulate their
working.
• Less risk in storing tokens online. Even if it is hacked, it
would not be possible for the fraudsters to decrypt the WORKING MECHANISM OF REIT/InviTs
account details. Step 1: Assets created by the Government which are
operational i.e., Brownfield assets are transferred to the
InVITs. For example, certain identified National Highways
INFRASTRUCTURE which are built by NHAI and have toll collection potential
are transferred to NHAI InVIT.
INVESTMENT TRUSTS Step 2: The InVITs raise money from Retail investors,

(InVITs) Institutional investors and foreign investors. In this case,

the NHAI InVIT would raise money from the investors.
#Finance Certain amount of money would be transferred to NHAI,
which can then use the money for creation of new
infrastructure assets i.e., new National Highways.
National Highways Infra Trust (NHAI InvIT), the infrastructure Step 3: The NHAI InVIT would manage the National
investment trust sponsored by National Highway Authority of Highways transferred to it. Toll revenue collected from
India (NHAI) has raised a sum of Rs 1,430 crore from domestic such National highways is distributed among the
and international investors. investors. Apart from that, certain amount of money is
WHAT ARE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TRUSTS also invested in (a) new National Highway projects (b) Buy
(InVITs)? shares of infrastructure companies (c) Invest in G-Secs.

• A mutual fund company pools in money from the retail Step 4: Profits earned by the InVITs are distributed among
investors and invests that money in the financial the investors.
market in the form of shares, bonds, debentures etc.

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 Economic Development

SEBI GUIDELINES ON InVITs EVOLUTION OF THE ASSET RESOLUTION MECHANISM

• Minimum 80% of the pooled money of the InvITs WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ARCs
should be invested in completed revenue generating Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs): Recovery of Debts Due to
infrastructure projects while the balance 20% can be Banks and Financial Institutions (RDDBFI) Act,1993
invested in under construction projects, equity shares provides for Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) to deal with
of infrastructure companies, G-Secs etc. recovery of bad loans of more than Rs 20 lakhs. The DRTs
• 90% of the profits generated by InvITs should be were also authorised to form Lok Adalat. Initially, the DRTs
distributed among the investors in the form of were successful with recovery rates increasing to 81% in
dividend. 2008-09. However, in 2019-20, recovery rates reduced to
just 4% in 2019-20 due to inadequate infrastructure,
ADVANTAGES OF InVITs
delays etc.
Raise capital for Asset Creation: The InvITs would provide
Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and
the much-needed long term financing for the
Enforcement of Security Interest Act (SARFAESI Act), 2002:
infrastructure sector projects in India. This would reduce
the present burden on the banks and NBFCs and help • If a borrower defaults on a loan, the Banks can give a
them address the problem of Asset-Liability Mismatch notice period of 60 days to the borrower to repay the
(ALM). loans. If the borrower fails to repay within 60 days, the
Banks can take the following actions:
Benefits to retail investors: The small retail investors
would be able to invest in long term infrastructure • Take possession of the pledged assets and then lease
projects and earn dividend without any hassles. The or sell it off to recover the loan amount.
investors are allowed to trade their investments on the • Take over the management of the business of the
stock exchanges facilitating easier entry and exit. borrower.
• Appoint a person to manage the assets.

RBI GUIDELINES ON ARCS o Provides for the Asset Reconstruction Companies

(ARCs) to be registered and regulated by the RBI.
#Finance o Provides for the issuance of Security Receipts (SRs)
by the ARCs.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently issued guidelines to

improve the governance of Asset Reconstruction Companies
(ARCs).

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 Economic Development

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016: Provide for time- Conflict of Interest: Considering that banks are not just the
bound resolution of NPAs through the DRTs (for major shareholders of and lenders to ARCs but also sellers
Individuals) and National Company Law Tribunals (For of NPAs to ARCs, there could be circuitous movement of
companies) funds between banks and these institutions.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SARFAESI ACT AND IBC, 2016 RBI'S GUIDELINES
1. SARFAESI- Applicable only for secured financial Minimum Net Owned Fund (NOF): The minimum NOF for
creditors; IBC- Applicable for both secured and the ARCs has been increased from Rs 100 crore to Rs 300
unsecured financial creditors. crores.
2. Unlike IBC, SARFAESI is not applicable to Operational Allowing ARCs to act as Resolution Applicant under IBC,
Creditors. 2016: Under the IBC, the Banks are required to invite
3. Minimum threshold for invoking IBC: Individuals (Rs applications from different entities for the resolution of
1000); Companies (Rs 1 crore); Minimum threshold for NPAs. However, the current regulatory and legal
SARFAESI: Rs 1 lakh. framework does not allow the ARCs to act as Resolution
Applicants (RA) under IBC i.e., they cannot apply for
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF THE ARCs
resolution of Bad loans under IBC. Hence, now ARCs have
The ARC industry began with the establishment of the been allowed to act as Resolution applicants under IBC.
Asset Reconstruction Company India Limited (ARCIL) in
2003. Presently, there are around 28 ARCs which are
registered and regulated by RBI. Some of these ARCs are CRYPTO-ASSET REPORTING
ARCL, Suraksha Asset Reconstruction, Indiabulls asset
reconstruction, ASREC Ltd., IndiaRF etc. FRAMEWORK (CARF)
PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES #Money&Banking
Poor Recovery rates: The recovery rates of ARCs were
significantly higher in the initial years of their inception.
It is a new global tax transparency framework to provide for
However, in the recent years, it has dropped to just 26%
reporting and exchange of information with respect to crypto
in 2019-20. This is significantly lower than the recovery
assets released by OECD.
rates under IBC (45%)
NEED FOR CARF
Low Percentage of NPAs with ARCs (26%): Since the
introduction of IBC, the Banks have started preferring IBC • In recent years, there has been a rapid increase of
over the DRTs due to time-bound resolution and higher Crypto assets for investment and financial uses.
recovery rates. • Unlike, traditional financial products, crypto assets can
Low Capital Base: Majority of the ownership of ARCs lie in be transferred and held without the intervention of
the hands of Banks and Financial Institutions. Even financial intermediaries, such as banks, and without
though, the Government has allowed 100% FDI through any central administrator having full visibility on either
automatic route, ARCs have failed to attract foreign the transactions carried out or crypto holdings. Crypto
capital. market has given rise to new intermediaries such as
crypto-exchanges and wallet providers.
Higher Borrowings: The ARCs tend to rely heavily on
borrowings from the Banks for their funds. The poor • The above developments mean that Crypto assets and
financial position of ARCs could have negative domino related transactions are not covered by OECD/G20
effect on Banking sector. Common Reporting Standard (CRS), increasing
likelihood of tax-evasion, money laundering and other
Nature of Resolution: The ARCs have relied more on
illegal activities like terror financing etc.
recovery of NPAs through selling-off assets and less on
revival of business. ARCs have rarely used change or • Common Reporting Standard has been highly
takeover of the management of business of the borrowers successful against international tax evasion. Over 100
or conversion of borrowers’ debt into equity as measures jurisdictions exchanged on 111 million financial
for reconstruction. accounts, covering total assets of 11 trillion euros, in
2021.

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 Economic Development

OPERATIONS OF CARF or a similar technology to validate and secure

• CARF will enable automatic exchange of crypto-asset transactions.
transaction data with the jurisdiction of residence of • Entities or individuals that provide services effectuating
taxpayers on an annual basis, in a standardised exchange transactions in crypto assets for, or on behalf
manner like CRS. of customers would be obliged to report under the
• It will target any digital representation of value that CARF.
relies on a cryptographically secured distributed ledger

Agriculture
GM MUSTARD (DMH 11):
• Many countries like Canada etc have already been
safely cultivating GM Rapeseed using the same

BENEFITS & CONCERNS barnase-barstar technology.

• India has already been consuming Genetically Modified
#Agriculture
Soybean as imports are sourced from countries which
cultivate GM Soybean.
Mustard is grown mostly under rainfed conditions in
• Will result in increased farmer income and productivity
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This leads to
as India has already favourably gained from GM
fluctuations of yields due to low penetration of irrigation
Cotton.
infrastructure and vagaries of nature.
• Dr. Deepak Pental has indigenously developed
BENEFITS OF GM MUSTARD
technology for GM Mustard. Successful Commercial
• The introduction of GM mustard hybrid is expected to
cultivation of GM Mustard will give a fillip to Indian
result in increased yield of 25% in mustard crop helping
achieve domestic oilseed production of 17 million science.
tonnes. EDIBLE OIL SCENARIO IN INDIA
• GM mustard variety DMH 11 is expected to help fight • Mustard accounts for 40% of domestic oilseeds
orobranche weed which adversely affects 2.5 million production followed by soyabean (24%) and groundnut
hectares of 7 million hectares of mustard crop. (7%).
• Increase India's oilseed production: India's production
• India's local demand for edible oil has been in the range
of oilseed has been stagnating around 10-11 million
of 24-25 million tonnes.
tonnes over the last 5 years. Commercial release and
farming of improved transgenic mustard can give boost • India meets around 56% of its annual edible oil
to domestic oilseeds production. consumption via imports of around 13-14 million

• Reducing oilseed imports: India prominently import's tonnes. Palm oil is imported from Malaysia and
oilseeds like palm oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil. Indonesia and soybean and sunflower is imported from
Mustard oil is not imported and accounts for 40% of Ukraine, Argentina etc.
domestic edible oil output. However, a rise in domestic • Value of edible oil imports has increased from Rs
mustard production can help address trade deficit by 60,000 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 1,50,000 crore in 2021-22
increased consumption of other imported oilseeds.
due to sharp spike in international prices of oilseeds.
• Improving mustard yields to global levels: Average yield (Volumes of oilseeds import have remained the same).
of mustard has been around 1.5 tonne per hectare
CONCERNS WITH TRANSGENIC MUSTARD
(One-third of global average). This compares poorly
• GM Mustard will be used for human consumption
with other major mustard producers like Canada and
hence greater safety needs to be assessed.
Australia.

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 Economic Development

• Can adversely affect the export of agricultural • GM crops might adversely impact the farm ecology
commodities from India as many developed markets leading to unintended consequences.
such as EU do not import GM crops. WAY FORWARD
• Consumers might not adopt GM crops. • BIOSAFETY: Long term field trials of 20 years should be
• GM Mustard introduced in India should have the conducted before introducing a GM crop for human
pungency that India's mustard oil has. (Rapeseed & consumption.
Canola oil from Canada does not have this, Indian • TIGHTENING OF REGULATORY ECOSYSTEM: GEAC
consumers might not accept) should be empowered with a dedicated legislation.
• Proper labelling for GM crops as mandated by FSSAI Also, human resources and best scientific knowledge
should be used. should be incorporated in GEAC.
• Terminator seeds used in GM crops curb the autonomy • FARMERS RIGHT: Patent right over GM seeds should be
of farmers over seeds. kept at a minimum. Also, indigenous varieties need to
• Overtime the benefits of GM technology plateaus as be protected from genetic pollution.
pests and weeds adjust and develop resistance. Also, • FOR CONSUMERS: Stringent labelling for food products
new pests or weeds might develop. Ex. GM cotton is using GM components should be introduced.
now infested by Pink Bollworm.

Infrastructure
NATIONAL LOGISTICS
developed nations. (India: 13-14% compared to 7-8% in
advanced economies). This makes Indian exports

POLICY uncompetitive and hampers industrial development.

Slow speed and poor timeliness of logistics: Average
#Infrastructure speed of logistics is about 50% slower as compared to
advanced economies. This adds to the freight cost.
Variability and unpredictability of time required adds to
Ministry of Commerce & Industry released the National
Logistics Policy, 2022. Logistics efficiency is a function of the problem. This results in a need for higher inventory
infrastructure, services and human resources. holding across the supply chain pushing costs and
decreasing profits.
Earlier, the government had released PM Gati Shakti National
Master Plan (NMP) for multimodal connectivity Unfavourable inter-modal mix: Currently, the logistics is
infrastructure. NMP adopts a transformative approach for dominated by Road-sector which accounts for over 60% of
improving logistics efficiency and reducing logistics cost, with total freight movement. Coastal and inland waterways are
focus on integration of existing and proposed infrastructure at nascent stage. Despite rail transport being about 45%
development. Thus, the focus on NMP will be developing cheaper to road transport, adoption of rail freight
integrated infrastructure and network planning. movement has been limited due to adverse pricing and
Therefore, the focus on National Logistics Policy will be on rake booking policies of railways due to heavy cross-
efficiency in logistical services (processes, digital framework, subsidisation in favour of passenger hurting freight and
regulatory framework) and human resources. It will provide lack of intermodal facilities to seamless transfer freight
a comprehensive agenda for development of entire logistics between road and rail.
ecosystem in the country. Informal and small players: Logistics sectors in India
CHALLENGES IN LOGISTICS SECTOR characterised by huge number of small players and heavy
High logistics costs: Logistics costs in India are a higher informalisation. They have smaller trucks, smaller
proportion of total value of goods as compared to warehouses and lack of high skilled professionals leading

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 Economic Development

to higher costs. There is absence of logistics hubs which low transparency of freight charges, anti-competitive
act as zones for freight consolidation and disaggregation. practices by players (cartel)
Issues of warehousing and material-handling: • Slow implementation of development of strategic trade
Warehousing in India is characterised by large number of corridors.
private/unorganised warehouses with lower average size Issues of logistics park
with low investments. Lack of availability of higher tenure
• Inadequate availability of logistics park due to
loans for warehouses and GST restricts large size and
suboptimal utilisation, lack of capacity building, high
consolidated warehouses with mechanised material
business risk due to low agility in operations, lack of
handling.
integrated planning.
Disjointed planning: Individual ministries have their
• Complex regulations, fragmented clearances, lack of
respective overall long-term infrastructure plans
harmonised standards make developing new logistics
(Sagarmala, Bharatmala, National Rail Plan etc.). Also,
park challenging.
states have begun to invest heavily in logistics
• Lack of integration in existing logistics
infrastructure in the form of expressways, highways,
network/connectivity nodes harming operational
minor ports etc. There is a need for coordination and
efficiency and multimodal connectivity.
inter-operability in these infrastructure for an efficient
overall logistics system. Issues of logistics services

No common interface for data sharing: Currently, digital • Improvements are needed in customer facing
systems and interfaces of line ministries exist in silos. Also, regulatory regime of logistics enterprises.
there are no tools to enable performance monitoring and • Complex processes, excessive documentation,
network planning, which utilises multiple data streams. fragmented regulatory environment and liability
Lack of standardisation of physical assets and regimes across modes, lack of legislative framework for
benchmarking of service quality standards in logistics standard practices.
operations impedes inter-operability, predictability in TARGETS
service levels and efficient multi-modal logistics. • Reduce logistics cost to comparable global benchmarks
Issues of Logistics human resources by 2030.

• Insufficient courses and programs in logistics and • Improve India's ranking in World Bank's Logistic
supply chain management Performance Index, India should be ranked among top
25 countries by 2030.
• Lack of skilled manpower
• Create data driven decision support mechanism for an
• Inadequate system for job role identification,
efficient logistics ecosystem.
competency mapping, curriculum approval, quality
audit and use of technology. OBJECTIVES

• Inadequate capacity in central & state governments in • Integration: Promote inter-modality, multi-modality
handling logistics related infrastructure or policy through seamless integration of process, digital
issues. systems, policies/plans and legislative requirements.

Federal issues: Lack of a system for continuous • Optimisation: Promote and ensure optimal utilisation
of logistics infrastructure/assets/facilities through
measurement of state-level logistics performance. Lack of
synergetic usage.
coordination between centre and states is essential for
effective logistics sector. • Standardisation: of physical assets, processes,
taxonomy, benchmarking of service quality standards
Export-import logistics challenges
in logistics sector.
• Infrastructure challenges, including last mile
• Modernisation: to promote greater adoption of ICT,
connectivity gaps between gateway ports and relatively
upgraded infrastructure, use of drones, automation,
high transport costs between ports and hinterland.
innovation, green logistics, best practices and facilitate
• Incomplete digitisation and procedural inefficiencies integration with global value chain.
leading to suboptimal utilisation, high cargo dwell time,

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 Economic Development

• Formalisation: to reduce fragmentation, promote d. Improvements in speed of transit by adoption of

excellence, mainstream logistics in higher education, smarter enforcement
upskilling and reskilling of existing workforce. e. De-risking of supply chains through resilient
• Democratisation: to promote inclusivity by addressing infrastructure planning and implementation.
needs of logistics supply and user side and encourage Improved efficiency in regulatory matters and order
public-private participation. processing
STRATEGIES FOR ACHIEVING TARGETS Facilitating simplification of regulatory processes,
Reduction in logistics costs is planned to be through promoting standardisation and digitalisation for greater
measures that improve efficiency in transport, integration and inter-operability.
warehousing, inventory management and regulatory Easing interface between industry and government.
matters and order processing.
Facilitating addressing of gaps in existing policies, liability
Improvement in transportation, through regimes etc.
• Migration towards relatively more efficient, economical Promoting robust ecosystem of innovative digital
and environmentally sustainable modal mix. solutions
• Promoting development of multimodal interconnected Logistics Performance Index (LPI): To improve India’s
infrastructure ranking in LPI,
• Sectoral plans for efficient logistics, addressing issues • Facilitate identification and resolution of issues of
of first and last mile logistics capacity, last-mile connectivity gaps, ground
• Innovations in design of rolling and floating stock and level operation and infrastructure.
associated material handling. • Develop a compendium of reforms to act on for
• Collaborative usage of logistics infrastructure and improvement of India’s ranking.
smart enforcement for minimizing detentions.
LOGISTICS PERFORMANCE INDEX (LPI)
• Roadmap for assessment of requirements of capacities
• It is an index developed by World Bank to help
& potentials of ports/multimodal logistics hubs,
countries identify the challenges and opportunities
parks/cargo terminals etc.
they face in their performance on trade logistics.
• Logistics for efficient harnessing of natural resources,
• Last edition of the rankings was released in 2018 and
• Promote use of drones, automation, new technologies
160 countries participated.
for logistics.
• The ranking is based on survey of operators (global
Improvement in warehousing, through
freight forwarders and express carriers) on logistics
• Adequate development of warehouses with optimal friendliness of countries.
spatial planning using PM GatiShakti NMP
• Six dimensions of trade are included
• Facilitating private investments in warehouses
1. Customs performance
• Facilitating improvement in efficiency, productivity and
2. Infrastructure quality
quality services in warehousing through digitalisation,
standards and technology. 3. Ease of arranging shipments

• Framework guideline for Logistics Park to streamline 4. Quality of logistics services

approval process, facilitate investments and allow 5. Tracking and tracing
optimal utilisation. 6. Timeliness
Improvement in inventory management, through • India was ranked 44 in 2018 edition of LPI.
Improvement in reliability of supply chains by
digitalisation to Data driven system for monitoring and enabling logistics
efficiency, through
a. Facilitate tracking
• PM GatiShakti National Master Plan
b. Improved predictability
• Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)
c. Visibility of replenishment orders

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 Economic Development

• Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Study, RATIONALE

released by Ministry of Commerce & Industry for 1. Concentration and geopolitical risk: Taiwan alone
monitoring logistics performance across States. accounts for 60% of global semiconductor
• Developing robust standardised methodology for manufacturing in the world. With increasing belligerent
calculating logistics costs and institutionalising regular China towards Taiwan, there is a risk of stalling of
national assessment of logistics costs in the economy. critical supplies of semiconductors.
IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL LOGISTICS POLICY 2. Semiconductors account for approximately 20% cost of
A Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan (CLAP) will electronics. As India's domestic electronics
implement the policy. The interventions under CLAP are manufacturing is projected to expand to $600 bn by
divided into key action areas: 2030, India will be requiring $120 bn worth of
semiconductors. This will provide a large market for
(i) Integrated Digital Logistics Systems through Unified
domestic manufacturers of semiconductors. Thus,
Logistics Inteface Platform (ULIP) to be developed by
domestic semiconductor manufacturing will save
Logistics Division under DPIIT.
foreign reserves, boost domestic electronics industry
(ii) Standardisation of physical assets & benchmarking and create employment.
service quality standards
3. Due to greater risk of geopolitics in Taiwan
(iii) Logistics human resource development & capacity (semiconductor hub) and China (electronics hun), India
building comes out as a much safer location for future
(iv) State engagement electronics manufacturing.
(v) EXIM (Export-Import) Logistics 4. India has decided to incentivise all node sizes. Chips
(vi) Service improvement framework with node size 28 nm are more often used in portable
(vii) Sectoral plan for efficient logistics devices such as wearables and mobile phones (their
demand is expanding at faster pace). Chips with node
(viii) Facilitation of development of logistics park
size more than 28 nm are considered to be legacy
Financial & fiscal incentives, through (a) review of GST
nodes they are used more in automobiles and white
rates (b) regulatory interventions to promote multimodal
goods (devices with greater size). India's decision to
transportation, optimal modal mix, higher throughputs,
incentivise all node sizes is expected to boost legacy
energy efficiency etc.
node manufacturing in India.
• Currently, India's domestic consumption is 50-50
CHANGES IN PLI SCHEME between legacy and new age smaller nodes.

FOR SEMICONDUCTOR • US and other European countries are focusing on

boosting new age smaller nodes in their countries, thus

MANUFACTURING India is in better position to attract investment in legacy

node semiconductors.
#Industry
CONCERNS
1. India should focus less on manufacturing as India is
Government is trying to boost semiconductor manufacturing more competitive in chip design and R&D. Fabless
in India. Three consortiums have unveiled plans for companies is the future.
manufacturing of semiconductor chips in India. Government
2. The same money could be utilised in creating
has introduced changes in PLI Scheme for promoting
universities.
domestic manufacturing of semiconductor. Earlier, there was
smaller incentives for semiconductors with size of 28 nm and 3. Despite incentives, often semiconductor industry does
larger (legacy nodes) and higher incentives for not scale up.
semiconductors with node size smaller than 28 nm (modern WAY FORWARD
nodes). However, the incentives are now available for all node 1. India should try and secure critical raw materials for
sizes. This is expected to boost domestic manufacturing of
development of semiconductor industry.
semiconductors.

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 Economic Development

2. Domestic R&D in semiconductor manufacturing and 4. State governments should ensure that firms get easy
technology should be increased. access to land, electricity and other factors of
3. The incentives for qualified bidders under the PLI production.
scheme should be credited to firms on a predictable
basis.

Snippets
DAKSH
• DAKSH is RBI's Advanced Supervisory Monitoring MULTIDIMENSIONAL
POVERTY INDEX
System.
• It is an example of SupTech (Supervision Technology)
• Released by UNDP & Oxford Poverty and Human
which is expected to make supervisory processes more
Development Initiative (OPHDI)
efficient.
• The Index measures poverty on three broad
• It is a web-based end-to-end workflow application
parameters of Health, Education & Standard of Living.
through which RBI will monitor compliance
(Excludes income as a parameter to measure poverty).
requirements in more focused manner with the
objective of further improving compliance culture in • According to MPI, India lifted more than 415 million
Supervised Entities (SEs) like banks, NBFCs etc. people out of poverty between 2005-06 and 2019-21.

• The application will enable seamless communication, • However, India is still home to the largest number of
inspection planning and execution, cyber incident multidimensionally poor worldwide.
reporting and analysis, provision for various MIS
reports etc.
• The Platform will enable anytime-anywhere secure
GLOBAL LIGHTHOUSE
access. NETWORK
• Facilities of Pharmaceutical manufacturer Dr. Reddy's

IMF'S RESILIENCE AND have been included in World Economic Forum's (WEF)
Global Lighthouse Network (GLN).

SUSTAINABILITY TRUST • GLN is an initiative of WEF in partnership with

Mckinsey.
(RST) • GLN recognises manufacturers who are showing
• It is a new fund created by International Monetary Fund leadership in implementing Fourth Industrial
in the wake increasing risk sovereign defaults in low- Revolution (Industry 4.0) to drive productivity,
and middle-income countries across the world. Ex. Sri workforce engagement, sustainability and supply chain
Lanka, Pakistan etc. resilience.
• RST will help low-income and vulnerable middle-
income countries build resilience to external shocks
and ensure sustainable growth, contributing to their GLOBAL PENSION INDEX
longer-term balance of payments stability. • This index is released by mercer CFA institute. The
• It complements the IMF's existing lending toolkit by index measures pension on three variables: Adequacy,
providing longer-term, affordable financing to address sustainability & integrity.
longer-term challenges, including climate change and • India is rank 41st among the 44 countries, ranked by
pandemic preparedness. the index.

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 Economic Development

Practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) With reference to the Card Tokenisation, Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
consider the following statements? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
1. Under this, a code will be generated to replace the (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
actual details of the card.
2. All token under online purchases will be regulated Q.4) Which among the following reports is/are
by the Ministry of Finance. published by the World Bank?
3. The code number will be based on the details of 1. Human Capital Index (HCI)
card, requester, and device in used. 2. Human Development Report
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 3. Logistics Performance Index (LPI)
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only 4. World Economic Outlook Report
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only
Q.2) ‘Crypto- Asset Reporting Framework (CARF)’ is (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4
recently seen in the news is formulated by
which of the following groupings?
Q.5) Consider the following statements about
(a) European Union (EU) National Logistics Policy:
(b) Organization for Economic Co-operation and 1. The Policy creates Network Planning Group which
Development (OECD) will develop India’s infrastructure in the most
(c) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) efficient fashion.
(d) Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries 2. Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) which will
(OPEC) enable data from various government logistics
sectors to be integrated into one place.
Q.3) With reference to the Global Multidimensional Which of the following statements given above is/are
Poverty Index 2022 (MPI), consider the following correct?
statements: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
1. It was published by the World Bank. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. Standard of living has not taken as an indicator to
construct global MPI.

Descriptive Questions
Q1. The recent approval for transgenic mustard is expected to ameliorate India's edible oil crisis. Discuss. Also, discuss
the challenges with transgenic crops.

Q2. Highlight the challenges plaguing India's logistics sector. Also, discuss how the National Logistics Policy will help to
boost India's export competitiveness.

Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-d, 4-b, 5-b

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 CONSTITUTION, POLITY AND
GOVERNANCE
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II (Main)

INCLUSION OF DALIT
• Parliament then by law include in or exclude from the
list of Scheduled Castes such communities which has

MUSLIMS & CHRISTIANS been specified under the Presidential notification.

COLONIAL HANGOVER
WITHIN SC FOLD • The British Administrators believed that caste-based
#Reservation #Committee society was practiced only in the Hindu religion as the
scriptures of any other religion did not extend
legitimacy to this birth-based hierarchy.
Union government has formed a three-member Commission
• It is because of this understanding of the Britishers, only
of Inquiry headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice K.G.
Hindus were allowed to be included in the Scheduled
Balakrishnan, to examine whether the Scheduled Caste (SC)
Castes as part of the Government of India Act of 1935.
status can be accorded to Dalits who have over the years
converted to religions other than Sikhism or Buddhism, • This was later prescribed under the Constitution
mainly to Islam and Christianity. The Commission has been (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 based on Article 341 of
asked to submit its report in two years. The same matter has the Indian Constitution.
been pending in the Supreme Court since 2004 as a Public • However, aspects of cultural assimilation were
Interest Litigation was filed by the NGO Centre for Public overlooked according to which a minority group or
Interest Litigation (CPIL). Supreme Court has therefore
culture comes to resemble a society's majority group or
directed the central government to take a stand on the issue
assume the values, behaviours and beliefs of another
and submit its report. In this backdrop, let us go through the
group whether fully or partially.
development of inclusion of Dalit Muslims and Christians
within the fold of Scheduled Caste in a chronological order. HISTORICAL EFFORTS TO BRING SIKHS & BUDDHIST
UNDER SCHEDULED CASTE
PRESIDENTIAL ORDER UNDER ARTICLE 341
• 1950: The first order under this provision was issued in
• The rationale of recognising communities within the
1950 and covered only Hindus.
fold of Scheduled Castes was to provide safeguards
against historical injustice, remove evils of • 1956: However, after successive demands from the Sikh
untouchability and ostracization (exclusion from the community, an order was issued in 1956, including
community) suffered by the communities. Sikhs of Dalit origin among the beneficiaries of the SC
• Under Article 341 of the Constitution, the President quota.
through public notification specifies certain castes, • 1990: the government acceded to a similar demand
races or tribes or parts of or groups within castes, races from Buddhists of Dalit origin, and the order was
or tribes which is to be included under Scheduled revised to state:
Castes.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
o “No person who professes a religion different from the o The Committee identified the presence of a group
Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion shall be deemed called “Arzal” among Muslims, which is comparable
to be a member of Scheduled Caste.” to Dalits.
SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS TO INCLUDE CHRISTIANS & • ‘Dalits in the Muslim and Christian Communities’,
MUSLIMS WITHIN SC FOLD commissioned by the National Commission for
• Introduction of Private Members Bill after 1990s: Minorities – suggested for including Dalit Muslims and
Several Private Member’s Bills were brought in Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste category based
Parliament for this purpose. In 1996, a government Bill on principles of natural justice and fairness.
called The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders • NSSO 61st round data - found Dalit Muslims to be the
(Amendment) Bill was drafted, but in view of a worst-off in terms of poverty, occupational pattern and
divergence of opinions, the Bill was not introduced in educational attainments compared to Dalits belonging
Parliament. to other major religions.
• UPA Government (Manmohan Singh) set up two • The National Commission for Religious and Linguistic
important panels - Ranganath Misra Commission and Minorities forcefully reiterated and provided legitimacy
Rajinder Sachar Commission. to the demand for making the qualifying criteria for the
• Ranganath Misra Commission (2004) Scheduled Castes religion neutral.
• Lucknow-based Giri Institute of Development Studies
o Also known as the National Commission for Religious
conducted a state-wide survey of social groups among
and Linguistic Minorities, popularly known as
Hindus and Muslims in 2014-15 –
Ranganath Misra Commission.
o The findings of the ‘Backward and Dalit Muslims;
o It recommended 10% reservation for Muslims and
Education, Employment and Poverty’ unequivocally
5% reservation for other minorities in government
established the practice of untouchability among
jobs and favoured Scheduled Caste status for Dalits
Muslims, with Dalit Muslims being the worst-placed
in all religion. social group on all social and economic parameters.
o Recommended delinking of Scheduled Caste status o Dalit Muslims lagged other groups in literacy and
from religion and abrogation of the 1950 Scheduled educational attainment at different levels, as well as
Caste Order which still excludes Muslims, Christians, in services under the state and white-collar jobs.
Jains and Parsis. o They had constrained access to formal financial
• Rajinder Sachar Commission (2005) sources, institutional delivery and social welfare
o It was a high-level committee to study the social, schemes on the one hand, and a higher share of child
labour and poverty on the other.
economic, and educational condition of Muslims in
March 2005. o Among the OBC, “general” and Dalit groups of
Hindus and Muslims, Dalit Muslims experienced
o It brought the issue of inequality of Muslims at
food insecurity for a longer time. They suffered from
national fold and recommended to constitute an
a deficit of durable assets and commensurate
Equal Opportunity Commission to provide a legal consumption.
mechanism to address discrimination complaints,
COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS NOT
including in matters such as housing. CONSIDERED DUE TO LACK OF RELIABLE DATA
o Create a nomination procedure to increase • The report of Ranganath Misra was tabled in both
participation of minorities in public bodies. Houses of Parliament on December 18, 2009, but its
o Establish a delimitation procedure that does not recommendation was not accepted in view of
reserve constituencies with high minority population inadequate field data and corroboration with the actual
situation on the ground.
for SCs.
• A report by a team of sociologists led by Satish
o Recognise degrees from madrasas for eligibility in
Deshpande (commissioned by National Commission for
defence, civil and banking examinations.
Minorities), titled Dalits in the Muslim and Christian

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
Communities — A Status Report on Current Social status can be accorded to Dalits who have over the
Scientific Knowledge, said in January 2008 that there years converted to religions other than Sikhism or
was a strong case for extending SC status to Dalit Buddhism – such as Muslims or Christians.
Christians and Dalit Muslims. • When enacted, the Order only allowed for Hindu
o However, the study, which was commissioned by the communities to be classified as SCs based on the social
National Commission for Minorities, was also not disabilities and discrimination they faced due to
considered reliable due to insufficient data. untouchability. It was amended in 1956 to include Sikh
GOVT. CONSTITUTES BALAKRISHNAN COMMISSION – communities and again in 1990 to include Buddhist
2022 communities as SCs.
• So, in the backdrop of these developments and a • According to Department of Social Justice &
pending PIL in Supreme Court, central government has Empowerment, the commission’s inquiry will also
constituted a three-member commission to be headed investigate changes a Scheduled Caste person goes
by ex-CJI K.G. Balakrishnan to re-consider inclusion of through after converting to another religion and its
Dalit Muslims and Christians within SC-fold implications on the question of including them as SCs.
• The three-member commission will also comprise CONCLUSION - This is an ongoing development and the
Professor Sushma Yadav, member, UGC, and retired IAS Balakrishnan Committee has also been given two years to
officer Ravinder Kumar Jain, and has been given a two-
submit its report. Let us wait for the Supreme Court’s
year deadline to submit a report on the issue — starting
order which might expedite Commission’s
from the day Justice Balakrishnan takes charge of the
recommendations.
commission.

LIVESTREAMING OF SC -
STEP TOWARDS
TRANSPARENCY
#LiveStream #Transparency

A full court meeting of the Supreme Court chaired by the CJI

U.U. Lalit decided to live-stream all Constitution Bench
proceedings of Supreme Court from September 27, 2022.
Accordingly, three separate Constitution Bench on
Economically Weaker Sections, Split in Shiv Sena and Validity
of All India Bar Examination were live streamed on 27th
September for the first time in Indian Judicial History.
OBJECTIVE OF THE COMMISSION
• Government has constituted a committee to examine ABOUT LIVE STREAMING OF SESSIONS OF HC & SC
whether the Scheduled Caste status can be accorded to • Apart from live stream of Supreme Court’s (SC)
Dalits who over the years have converted to religions sessions, Live Streaming of proceedings has also
other than Sikhism or Buddhism. started in High Courts of Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka,
• According to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, Jharkhand, Patna and Madhya Pradesh thus allowing
1950, only those Scheduled Caste (SC) belonging to media and other interested persons to join the
Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist communities can be proceedings.
categorised as SC. • Livestreaming of sessions of Supreme Court and High
• That is why the government has constituted an inquiry Court are done under the guidance of E-Committee of
committee to find out whether Scheduled Caste (SC) Supreme Court.

FOCUS | NOVEMBER 2022 | RAU’S IAS 16

 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• For the Livestream of proceedings of High Courts, e- of the witness if she/he consents to the broadcast
Committee of Supreme Court issued the Model Rules anonymously
for Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings. • To protect confidential or sensitive information,
• The Rules are part of the National Policy and Action Plan including all matters relating to sexual assault and rape
for implementation of Information and Communication • Matters where publicity would be antithetical to the
Technology (ICT) in the judiciary. This will imbue greater administration of justice, and
transparency, inclusivity and foster access to justice.
• Cases which may provoke sentiments and arouse
• The Rules would cover live-streaming and recording of passion and provoke enmity among communities.
proceedings in High Courts, lower courts and tribunals.
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS
SWAPNIL TRIPATHI V SUPREME COURT (2018)
• Restricted to educational purposes - Use of the footage
• SC accepted in principle the idea of live-streaming cases would be restricted for the purpose of news, current
of public importance. affairs and educational purposes. It should not be used
• Live streaming would “virtually” expand the court for commercial, promotion, light entertainment,
beyond the four walls of the courtroom. satirical programs or advertising.
• Appropriate Rules to be framed under Article 145 of the • Live Webcast Not Allowed Without SC’s prior written
Constitution of India. authorization - live streaming or the webcast of the
• SC observed – "Sunlight is the best disinfectant", live proceedings from the Supreme Court should not be
streaming of court proceedings will effectuate the reproduced, transmitted, uploaded, posted, modified,
"public right to know" and bring in more transparency published or re-published to the public.
in judicial proceedings. • Unauthorized usage of the live streaming and/or
SUGGESTIONS MADE BY ATTORNEY GENERAL webcasts a Criminal Offence - punishable under the
Indian Copyright Act, 1957 and the Information
• Introduce live streaming as a pilot project in Court No.1
Technology Act, 2000 or other laws in force.
- CJI’s court, and only in Constitution Bench cases.
• The Law of Contempt should apply to such proceedings
• The success of this project will determine its
- Prohibitions, fines and penalties may be provided for.
applicability in all Court Rooms of Supreme Court and
Courts across India. WHAT IS EXCLUDED FROM LIVESTREAM IN HIGH
COURTS?
• The Supreme Court approved a set of guidelines
suggested by the A-G - which included allowing • Matrimonial matters, including transfer petitions
transcripts and archiving the proceedings. arising thereunder.

• Designating Media Room - litigants, journalists, interns, • Cases concerning sexual offences, including
visitors and lawyers to view live proceedings. This will proceedings instituted under Section 376, Indian Penal
allow decongestion of Court premises Code, 1860 (IPC).

CERTAIN PROHIBITIONS • Cases concerning gender-based violence against

women.
Supreme Court must retain the power to withhold
broadcasting, and to also not permit it in cases involving: • Matters registered under or involving the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) and
• Matrimonial matters
under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of
• Matters involving interests of juveniles or protection Children) Act, 2015.
and safety of the private life of the young offenders
• Cases, which in the opinion of the Bench, may provoke
• Matters of National security
enmity amongst communities likely to result in a breach
• To ensure that victims, witnesses or defendants can of law and order.
depose truthfully and without any fear. • Recording of evidence, including cross-examination
• Special protection must be given to vulnerable or
• Privileged communications between the parties and
intimidated witnesses. It may provide for face distortion their advocates; cases where a claim of privilege is

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
accepted by the Court; and non-public discussions audio proceedings of US Supreme Court showed that
between advocates “judicial interactions at oral argument are highly
• Any other matter in which a specific direction is issued gendered, with women being interrupted at
by the Bench or the Chief Justice. disproportionate rates by their male colleagues, as well
as by male advocates”.
BENEFITS OF LIVESTREAM
CONCERNS – LIVESTREAMING OF COURT
• Strengthen transparent functioning of judiciary:
PROCEEDINGS
arguments and counterarguments made on important
• Copyright Issue regarding telecasting of court
issues along with opinion of respective Judges
proceedings
• Accessibility of Courts for All: Live streaming of
• Privacy Issues while dealing with cases under Article 21
proceedings would be the true realisation of the “open
court system” in which courts were accessible to all. • Lack of internet infrastructure at grassroot level

• Instil faith in judicial Proceedings: enabling ordinary • Lack of understanding of legal and complex
constitutional issues among local populace
citizens to view the workings of the highest court of the
land will go a long way in instilling faith in the judiciary • Circulation of distorted clippings of proceedings may
as well as fostering a critical dialogue with judicial lead to spread of disinformation
functionaries. • Impact on lives of Judges pronouncing giving sensitive
• Strengthens Democracy: Transparency and accessibility judgments

of the process of justice delivery will strengthen the • Studies across the world shows authoritative attitude of
country’s democracy. Judges

• Awareness among Citizenry allow citizens to • May lead to filibustering – leading to inordinate delay
understand context and background of important (cited through introduction of C-SPAN in the US House of
judgments and conflicting rights at stake. Provide clarity Representatives and the US Senate)

of thoughts and opinion, based on informed decision

making.
SC DELIVERS SPLIT VERDICT
• Help Citizens Understand Importance & Respect for
Rule of Law ON KARNATAKA HIJAB
• Make Citizens Realise Judiciary’s Role in ensuring Socio-
Economic Justice by protecting the rights of the
BAN
impoverished, historically marginalised and #Secularism #Hijab Ban
disempowered sections of society.
• Raise the Quality and Standards of Legal Profession: In the case of Aishat Shifa v The State of Karnataka and
public scrutiny will nudge lawyers away from Others, Division Bench of Supreme Court has delivered a split
irresponsible remarks and opinion verdict against the decision of Karnataka High Court (HC)
• Creates level playing field for Junior Lawyers, Law which had supported “banning wearing of hijab in school
Students: livestreaming of judgments will open their premises” as it was not an essential practice within Islam. So,
mind towards various facets of legal jurisprudence at one of the two Judges has dismissed the appeal against the
stake and form knowledgeable and informed opinion Karnataka HC verdict whereas another Judge has allowed the
appeal. Considering the divergent opinion of the two judges,
on number of constitutional and other legal issues.
the matter has now been placed before the Chief Justice of
• Improve Quality of Teaching and Research done in Law
India for allotment to appropriate bench of the Supreme
Schools and Universities: help researchers and
Court.
students to explore new and unexplored avenues of
judicial and legal profession. IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS ON INDIAN SECULARISM

• Reduce Gender based disruptions: A 2017 study by Justice H.R. Khanna - Secularism is neither anti-God nor
researchers at North-western University of archives of pro-God; it treats alike the devout, the agnostic and the

FOCUS | NOVEMBER 2022 | RAU’S IAS 18

 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
atheist. Secularism is not antithesis of religious T.M.A. Pai Foundation - Article 25(2) gives specific power to
devoutness. He would like to dispel the impression that if the State to make any law regulating or restricting any
a person is devout Hindu or devout Muslim, he ceases to economic, financial, political or other secular activity,
be secular. which may be associated with religious practice. This is a
S.B. Chavan Committee’s Report - The process of making further curtailment of the right to profess, practise and
the students acquainted with the basics of all religions, the propagate religion conferred on the persons under Article
values inherent therein and a comparative study of the 25(1). Article 25(2)(a) covers only a limited area associated
philosophy of all religions should begin at the middle stage with religious practice, in respect of which a law can be
in schools and continue up to the university level. Students made. A careful reading of Article 25(2)(a) indicates that it
must be made aware that the basic concept behind every does not prevent the State from making any law in relation
religion is common, only the practices differ. Even if there to the religious practice as such. The limited jurisdiction
are differences of opinion in certain areas, people must granted by Article 25(2) relates to the making of a law in
learn to coexist and carry no hatred against any religion.” relation to economic, financial, political or other secular
activities associated with the religious practice”.

REASONS AGAINST HIJAB BAN IN SCHOOLS & REASONS IN FAVOUR OF HIJAB BAN IN SCHOOLS &
UNIVERSITIES UNIVERSITIES

• Against Fraternity - State Government Order which • A student cannot claim the right to wear a headscarf to
banned wearing of Hijab in schools was against the a secular school as a matter of right - A girl’s right to
constitutional value of fraternity and integrity. Under express herself by wearing a hijab is stopped at the
our constitutional scheme, wearing a hijab should be school gate.
simply a matter of choice. It may or may not be a matter • Secular Schools maintained out of state funds not the
of essential religious practice, but it still is, a matter of place to showcase symbols of religion - Secularism is
conscience, belief, and expression. applicable to all citizens, therefore, permitting one
• Secularity meant tolerance to “diversity” – and wearing religious community to wear their religious symbols
or not wearing a hijab to school was “ultimately a would be antithesis to secularism. Apparent symbols of
matter of choice”. religious belief cannot be worn to secular schools
• Hijab ensures education for girls from conservative maintained from State funds.
families – as their hijab is their ticket to education. • Not Violation of Article 29 (Protection of interests of
• Invasion of Privacy & Denial of Dignity - Asking the girls minorities having a distinct language, script or culture of
to take off their hijab before they enter the school its own) - The State did not deny admission to the
gates, is first, an invasion of their privacy, then it is an students from attending classes and if students did not
attack on their dignity, and then ultimately it is a denial attend classes because of prescribed uniform, then it
to them of secular education. was a voluntary act of such students and cannot be said
to be in violation of Article 29 by the State and not a
• Violates Equality - Not allowing the girls to wear hijab
denial of rights by the State.
would amount to denial of education in a democratic
society thereby violation of equality. • Not Denial of Right to Education - It would not amount
to the denial of the right to education if a student, by
• Discipline cannot come at cost of freedom or dignity - It
choice, does not attend the school. ‘Secularity’ meant
is necessary to have discipline in schools but discipline
uniformity, manifested by parity among students in
cannot come at the cost of freedom or dignity. A
terms of uniform.
student carries her dignity and privacy in her person,
even inside her school gate or classroom. • Adherence to uniform was a reasonable restriction to
free expression as the discipline reinforced equality.
• Deprivation from quality education - The fallout of the
hijab ban had been that some girl students were not • The State had never forced students out of State
able to appear for their Board exams and others were schools by restricting hijab. The decision to stay out was
a “voluntary act” of the student.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
forced to seek transfer, most likely to madrasas, where • Students need to follow the discipline of wearing the
they may not get the same standard of education. school uniform without any “addition, subtraction or
• Forced homogeneity will not allow the students to modification”.
appreciate the rich cultural diversity prevalent in India - • The “ethic of fraternity is best served by complete
schools and pre-university colleges were the “perfect erasure of all differences”, especially the religious
institutions” for children to learn the rich diversity of differences. Wearing hijabs in secular schools would
India and imbibe values of tolerance and stand out and overtly appear differently.
accommodation. This is the time to foster in them
sensitivity, empathy and understanding towards
different religions.

KARNATAKA HC JUDGMENT practices, tenets, historical background, etc. of the given

• It held that wearing the hijab is not an essential religious religion.

practice in Islam and is not, therefore, protected under • Essential part of a religion means the core beliefs upon
by the right to freedom of religion guaranteed by Article which a religion is founded. Essential practice means
25 of the Constitution. The court said it was a those practices that are fundamental to follow a
reasonable restriction that was constitutionally religious belief.
permissible. • It is upon the cornerstone of essential parts or practices

• The Bench also upheld the legality of the Karnataka that the superstructure of a religion is built, without

government’s February 5, 2022, order prescribing which a religion will be no religion.

guidelines for uniforms in schools and pre-university • Test to determine whether a part or practice is essential
colleges under the provisions of the Karnataka to a religion is to find out whether the nature of the
Education Act, 1983. religion will be changed without that part or practice.

• The court held that if Hijab will be allowed in schools, • If the taking away of that part or practice could result in

then there will be two categories of girl students viz., a fundamental change in the character of that religion

those who wear the uniform with hijab and those who or in its belief, then such part could be treated as an
essential or integral part.
do it without. That would establish a sense of ‘social-
separateness’, which is not desirable. • There cannot be additions or subtractions to such part
because it is the very essence of that religion and
• It also offends the feel of uniformity which the dress-
alterations will change its fundamental character. It is
code is designed to bring about amongst all the
such permanent essential parts which are protected by
students regardless of their religion & faiths.
the Constitution.
• The object of prescribing uniform will be defeated if
RESTRICTIONS UNDER ARTICLE 25
there is non-uniformity in the matter of uniforms.
• Under Article 25(1) - all persons are equally entitled to
• The aim of the regulation is to create a ‘safe space’
freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess,
where such divisive lines should have no place and the
practise and propagate religion. But state can regulate
ideals of egalitarianism should be readily apparent to all
such practice on grounds of public order, morality and
students alike. health.
TEST FOR ESSENTIAL PRACTICES OF RELIGION • Further, under Article 25 (2)(a) - state can regulate or
(ACHARYA JAGADISHWARANANDA AVADHUTA) restrict any economic, financial, political or other
• What constitutes an integral or essential part of religion secular activity which may be associated with religious
must be determined with reference to its doctrines, practice.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance

COOPERATIVE
• The election authority will ensure that elections are held
in a fair, free and timely manner, which in turn will help

AMENDMENS CLEARED BY reduce complaints and malpractices.

• The proposed Bill will have provision to debar offenders
CABINET for three years and will bring in more “electoral
discipline”. The cooperative ombudsman will set up a
#Cooperatives #Governance mechanism for redress of member grievances “in a
structured fashion.
Union Cabinet has approved an amendment to the • The Bill proposes to appoint a Cooperative Information
cooperative societies law aimed at making the governance of Officer, who will “enhance” transparency by providing
multi-State cooperative societies more democratic, members timely access to information.
transparent and accountable. The Multi-State Cooperative • Promote Equity and Facilitate Inclusiveness, provisions
Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022, incorporates the provisions relating to representation of women and Scheduled
of the 97th Constitution Amendment which gave Caste/Scheduled Tribe members on the board of multi-
constitutional status and protection to cooperative societies state cooperative societies have been included.
and made the right to form cooperative societies a • Promote Professional Management - provisions have
fundamental right (Article 19). The amendment bill seeks to been made to bring in co-opted directors with
amend the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 by experience in the field of banking, management,
plugging the loopholes. The government also intends to bring cooperative management and finance or having
a new National Cooperative Policy. Cooperative Societies are specialization in any field relating to the objects and
organisations formed by group of people to promote activities undertaken by such multi-state cooperative
economic interests of its members and distribute certain part society.
of profit among its members. Multi-State Cooperative
CONCERNS – FUNCTIONING OF COOPERATIVE
Societies means a society registered under the Act and having
SOCIETIES
functions in more than one state.
• Regional disparity in cooperative development:
PURPOSE - MULTI-STATE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES Cooperative structure has managed to flourish only in
(AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022 a handful of States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka
• Enhance transparency and accountability etc. Currently, central government provides equity and
• Improve ease of doing business credit support to cooperative societies. This benefit
thus gets concentrated in few states where
• It aims to incorporate provisions of the 97th
cooperatives have developed. Regions where
Constitutional Amendment.
cooperatives are developed are already relatively well-
• Reform electoral processes off states; there is a need to focus on development of
• Strengthen monitoring mechanisms cooperatives in poorer parts of the country.
• Improve composition of the Board • Issues of membership: Inability to ensure active
• increase financial discipline and enable raising of funds membership, speedy exit of non-user members, lack of
member communication and awareness building
SALIENT FEATURES - THE MULTI-STATE COOPERATIVE
measures.
SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022
• Governance challenges: Serious inadequacies in
• The Bill has proposed setting up
governance including that related to Boards’ roles and
o cooperative election authority responsibilities.
o cooperative information officer • Cooperatives not seen as economic institutions: A
o cooperative ombudsman to make governance of general lack of recognition of cooperatives as economic
multi-state cooperative societies more democratic, institutions both amongst the policy makers and public
transparent and accountable. at large.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Inability to attract and retain competent professionals the co-operative institutions to give a boost to the co-
leading to poor services and low productivity. operative based economic development model.
• Lack of efforts for capital formation particularly that • The mandate of Government e-Marketplace – Special
concerning with enhancing member equity and thus Purpose Vehicle (GeM - SPV) has been expanded to
member stake. allow cooperative societies to register as buyers on
• Lack of cost competitiveness arising out of issues such the GeM platform.
as overstaffing, a general top-down approach in • Centrally sponsored project for digitalization of
forming cooperatives including the tiered structures. 63,000 functional Primary Agriculture Credit
• Politicization and excessive role of the government Societies (PACS) has been sanctioned to revitalize the
chiefly arising out of the loopholes and restrictive cooperative sector.
provisions in the Cooperative Acts. • Model Bye-laws - To diversify the business activities
• Irregular elections make office bearers remaining in of Primary Agriculture Credit Societies and make
them vibrant multipurpose economic entities, draft
office indefinitely, reducing their accountability and
model Byelaws are being prepared in consultation
increase corruption.
with State Governments, National Cooperative
WAYS REVITALIZE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES Federations and other stakeholders.
• Thus, need was felt for fundamental reforms in the • A new scheme titled “Cooperation to Prosperity” is
functioning of co-operatives to: being formulated in consultation with all the
o Revitalize the institutions to ensure their stakeholders for all-round development of
contribution in the economic development of the cooperatives at all levels.
country. • National Co-operative Database - To facilitate the
o Serve the interests of members and public at large. Government to make appropriate policy
interventions, a National Co-operative Database is
o Ensure their autonomy, democratic functioning and
being created in consultation with State/UT
professional management.
Governments, National Co-operative Federations
STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO and other stakeholders.
STRENGTHEN INDIA’S COOPERATIVE ARCHITECTURE • To modernize and professionalize the education and
• Government has provided relief to cooperative sugar training in the cooperative sector, steps are being
mills by clarifying that they shall not be subjected to taken to reorient the training and educational
additional income tax for paying higher sugarcane Cooperative Institutions in consultation with all the
prices to farmers up to the Fair and Remunerative stakeholders.
Price (FRP) or State Advised Price (SAP).
SC JUDGEMENT IN RAJENDRA. N. SHAH CASE
• Government reduced the surcharge for cooperative
• Earlier Gujarat High Court had ruled that, “co-operative
societies from 12% to 7% for those having a total
societies” are placed under Entry 32 of the State List and
income of more than Rs. 1 crore and up to Rs. 10
hence was within state’s jurisdiction to legislate. So, any
crores. Further, to provide a level playing field
change in that status by the Centre would require the
between co- operative societies and companies,
ratification by at least one-half of the state legislatures
Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) rate for cooperative
as per Article 368(2) of the Constitution. It also affected
societies was reduced from 18.5% to 15%.
federal principles and was against the basic structure of
• As per the notification by the Credit Guarantee Fund the Constitution. Thus, 97th Constitutional Amendment
Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), non- was invalidated.
scheduled Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-
• Supreme Court upheld the Gujarat High Court
operative Banks and District Central Co-operative
judgment but did not strike down Part IXB in its entirety.
Banks as Member Lending Institutions of the scheme
The Court by applying Doctrine of Severability held
with specified eligibility criteria. This will help in
Article 243ZI to 243ZQ as unconstitutional leaving aside
providing adequate, affordable and timely credit to
Article 243ZR and 243ZS.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• Supreme Court struck down part IX B of the • The 14th Finance Commission too recommended
Constitution related to cooperative societies but revising the institutional mechanism for transferring
declared the part related to multi-State cooperative funds from the Union to the states through CSSs to
societies both within the various States and in the Union reduce discretion of Union Government in fund
territories of India as valid. allocation.
• The Court also referred Kihoto Hollohan judgment • Subsequently, to rationalise CSSs, a Sub-Group of Chief
where Doctrine of Severability was applied on Tenth Ministers was constituted in 2015. A reshaping of CSSs
Schedule to render Paragraph 7 of Tenth Schedule of into 28 Umbrella schemes was carried out by them —
the Indian Constitution as invalid. with
• However, the minority judgment questioned the o six ‘Core of the Core’ Schemes
independent workability of Article 243ZR & 243ZS o 20 ‘Core’ Schemes and
without other provisions of PART IXB and declared the
o 2 ‘Optional’ schemes.
entire PART IXB as constitutionally invalid.
• This was done to enhance the impact of the CSSs,
maintain their budget allocation, and grant states
RATIONALIZING flexibility on scheme implementation.
• The 15th Finance Commission has called
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES for discontinuing schemes that are small or no longer
#Govt. Schemes #Governance necessary, and instead putting in place a minimum
budget threshold allocation for CSS. Where the budget
allocation falls below the threshold, the concerned
Over the last three years, over 50% of the existing centrally department will have to specify the rationale for
sponsored schemes (CSS) have been discontinued, subsumed, continuing the scheme. This is because, at present,
revamped or rationalised into other schemes. CSSs work on there are many sub-schemes with relatively small
the principle of matching contributions between the Union budget allocations, leading to limited efficacy and
and state governments. Over the years, state governments impact.
have insisted on rationalizing CSSs as this would free up their GOVERNMENT’S FOCUS ON RESTRUCTURING RATHER
limited funds. Despite the benefits of scheme rationalization
THAN RATIONALIZING CSS
in terms of costs saving and their streamlining, reduction in
budgetary allocation for different sectors has also impacted • Recent examples of the streamlining of schemes also
implementation of such welfare schemes and its impact has indicate that the emphasis has been on restructuring
also been felt by the people. schemes, rather than reigning in the overall budget
allocation for CSSs.
RATIONALISATION OF SCHEME
• Scheme rationalisation is aimed at efficiently utilising • In April 2018, the Union government launched Samagra
limited budgetary resources available with the Union Shiksha under the Ministry of Education. In FY 2019-20,
and state governments. three erstwhile school education schemes were

• Rationalisation of centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) subsumed under Samagra Shiksha, namely:
gives more financial freedom to states as states also 1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA),
contribute to the CSS. 2. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and
RECOMMENDATION OF VARIOUS FINANCE 3. Teachers’ Training and Adult Education (TT & AE).
COMMISSIONS
IMPACT OF REDUCING BUDGETARY ALLOCATION FOR
• The 13th Finance Commission observed that the
WELFARE SCHEMES
number of CSSs should be reduced since states are
required to contribute to the CSS pool of funds as well, • IMPACTS SOCIAL WELFARE - For example, for the Union
straining their overall fiscal resources. Instead, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, there are
Commission recommended greater significance to just three schemes now out of 19 schemes, i.e., Mission
formula-based Plan transfers. Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, Saksham Anganwadi and

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
Poshan 2.0. Mission Shakti itself replaced 14 schemes
which included the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme.
President of India as per Article 124(2) has appointed Justice
• RATIONALISATION OF SCHEMES LEADS TO BUDGETARY
D.Y. Chandrachud as the 50th Chief Justice of India. He will
CUTS – for Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare,
there are now 3 out of 20 schemes (Krishonnati Yojana, succeed the outgoing Chief Justice of India Justice U.U. Lalit
Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperatives and the who had recommended Justice D Y Chandrachud 's name as
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana). his successor on October 11 based on the order of seniority.

• In the FY22-23 Budget, the allocation on fertilizers HOW IS THE SENIORITY OF JUDGES IN THE SUPREME
subsidy was Rs. 1,05,222 crores. Allocation for NPK COURT DECIDED?
fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) was • Appointment of Chief Justice of India is done based on
35% lower than revised estimates in FY21-22. Such "Seniority Principle" - which is decided based on date of
budgetary cuts, when fertilizer prices have risen sharply induction in the Supreme Court.
after the Ukraine war, have led to fertilizer shortages
• A judge who takes oath earlier becomes senior to
and farmer anguish.
another who takes oath later.
• AFFECTS LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE POOR -
• In cases where warrants for appointment of judges to
Government of India launched Garib Kalyan Rojgar
the Supreme Court are issued by the government on
Abhiyaan (GKRA) on 20th June 2020 for a period of 125
days with a resource envelop of Rs.50,000 crore, to different dates, the seniority is automatically decided
boost employment and livelihood opportunities for by virtue of the dates of swearing-in by the CJI.
returnee migrant workers and similarly affected MEMORANDUM OF PROCEDURE - MOP
workers in the rural area, in the wake of COVID-19 • The Current Memorandum of Procedure (MOP) simply
pandemic. However, the scheme subsumed 15 other states that - Appointment to the office of the Chief
schemes and to provide employment during the
Justice of India should be of the senior most Judge of
pandemic, such a scheme should have been expanded.
the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the
This was in addition to decreased budgetary allocation
office. However, the procedure to determine seniority
for MGNREGA by approximately 25% in the FY22-23
has not been defined or provided.
Budget.
• There is no stated rule, whether in the current
• DELAY IN SALARIES FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS - For
Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) or the draft MoP that
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), who are the
is under finalisation, to decide the seniority of judges
first responders, there have been delays in salaries for
up to six months. Regularisation of their jobs continues whose warrants of appointment are issued on the same
to be a struggle, with wages and honorariums stuck at date.
minimum levels. • As the warrants are issued by the government in a
CONCLUSION - Rather than downsizing government sequence, the practice has been for the CJI to
schemes and cutting funding, the focus should be to build administer the oath in the same order. For example, the
capacity to address present challenges by providing a warrants for appointment of former CJI Misra and
corruption-free welfare system, running modern economy Justice J Chelameswar were issued on the same day but,
and providing better public goods. Thus, rather than as Justice Misra’s warrant was numbered above that of
having a target of fewer government schemes, we should Justice Chelameswar, he was sworn in first. This
raise our aspirations towards better public service ensured that he became the CJI as he was deemed as
delivery. senior to Justice Chelameswar.
ON WHAT BASIS ARE THE WARRANTS ISSUED BY THE

ORDER OF SENIORITY FOR GOVERNMENT?

• These are based on the recommendation of the
SC JUDGES Collegium, which comprises the five most senior SC
#CJI #Judiciary judges. The Collegium’s recommendations for any

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance

CONCERNS RAISED ON
name can be returned by the government, but if the
Collegium reiterates the name, the government is
bound to issue the warrant of appointment. The
TELECOMMUNICATION
procedure for this is laid down in the MoP.
• Article 124(2) of the Constitution says: “Every Judge of BILL
the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President #Bill #Telecommunication
by warrant under his hand and seal after consultation
with such of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the
High Courts in the States as the President may deem
necessary for the purpose and shall hold office until he Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued the draft
attains the age of sixty-five years. Provided that in the Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 in a bid to do away with
case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief British-era laws governing the telecom sector. Ministry of
Justice, the Chief Justice of India shall always be Communications has initiated a public consultative process to
consulted.” develop a modern and future-ready legal framework in
telecommunications.
ORDER OF SENIORITY HAS BEEN DEFIED IN THE PAST
INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATION BILL, 2022 –
• Illustration - In February 1964, Justice Gajendragadkar
IMPORTANT TERMS
was appointed as the Chief Justice of India, superseding
• Telecommunication has been defined to mean
Justice Imam who was suffering from a serious illness.
transmission, emission, or reception of any
• The principle was also defied by Indira Gandhi twice messages, whether by wire, radio, optical or other
when she appointed. electro-magnetic systems.
• Justice A.N. Ray superseding Justice Shelat, the senior- • Telecommunication Services has been defined to
most Judge of the Court as well as two other Judges. include broadcasting services, electronic mail, voice
• Justice M.H. Beg (after retirement of Justice A.N.Ray) mail, voice, video and data communication services,
audiotext services, videotext services, fixed and
superseding Justice Khanna.
mobile services, internet and broadband services,
PROCESS FOLLOWED UNDER MEMORANDUM OF satellite based communication services, internet
PROCEDURE TO APPOINT CJI based communication services, in-flight and
• The Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs maritime connectivity services, interpersonal
would, at the appropriate time (1 month before his/her communications services, machine to machine
retirement), seek the recommendation of the outgoing communication services, over-the-top (OTT)
communication services which is made available to
Chief Justice of India for the appointment of the next
users by telecommunication.
Chief Justice of India.
• “Telecommunication Network” means a system or
• Whenever there is any doubt about the fitness of
series of systems of telecommunication equipment,
the senior most Judge to hold the office of the Chief
or telecommunication infrastructure, or both,
Justice of India, consultation with other Judges as including terrestrial or satellite networks or
envisaged in Article 124 (2) (which is presently the submarine networks, or a combination of such
Collegium) - of the Constitution would be made for networks, used or intended to be used for providing
appointment of the next Chief Justice of India. telecommunication services, but shall not include
• After receipt of the recommendation of the Chief Justice customer equipment.

of India, the Union Minister of Law, Justice and • Statutory Framework for Spectrum - The Bill lays
Company Affairs will put up the recommendation to the down explicit statutory framework and regulatory
clarity for the Central Government to undertake
Prime Minister who will advise the President in the
spectrum assignment through Auction. The
matter of appointment.
underlying philosophy of the Bill is that spectrum

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
assignment should serve the common good and (a) Technology agnostic use: To enable the utilization
ensure widespread access to telecommunication of the spectrum in a liberalized and technologically
services. neutral manner, a spectrum assignee may deploy
• Regulatory Sandbox shall mean a framework of new technologies within its spectrum.
special terms and conditions of a license, (b) Re-farming and re-purposing: To enable
registration, authorization or assignment that allows repurposing of any frequency range for a different
persons to conduct live testing of products and use, re-arrangement of the frequency range is
services in a controlled environment under the often required. Therefore, the Bill provides for re-
supervision of the Central Government. farming and harmonization of frequency range.

PURPOSE OF THE BILL (c) Sharing, trading, leasing, and surrender: To enable

• Bill seeks to replace the existing framework comprising effective utilization of spectrum, the bill enables
the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy sharing, trading, leasing and surrender of
Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful spectrum assigned, subject to prescribed terms
Possession) Act, 1950, that govern the sector. and conditions.

• Centre aims to consolidate and amend the existing laws (d) Returning unused spectrum: To ensure efficient
governing the provision, development, expansion and utilization of spectrum, the Bill provide a process
operation of telecommunication services, telecom of return of unutilized spectrum.
networks and infrastructure, in addition to assignment Right of Way (RoW) for Telecommunication
of spectrum. Infrastructure
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION • Right of Way (RoW) is a pre-requisite for establishing
BILL, 2022
telecommunication networks and improvement of
• Inclusion of new-age over-the-top communication telecommunication services. The existing regulatory
services like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram in the framework, based on Right of Way Rules, 2016.
definition of telecommunication services. This will be
• The Bill provides for a robust regulatory framework
subjected to licensing for providing services.
within the federal structure, to obtain RoW in a uniform,
Licensing, Registration, Authorization and
non-discriminatory manner, for establishment of
Assignment
telecommunication infrastructure.
• The Bill recognises the principle of exclusive privilege of
• The Bill seeks to remove the limitations by providing an
the Central Government in relation to
enabling framework that facilitates RoW for laying or
telecommunication services, telecommunication
building telecommunication infrastructure by any
network, telecommunication infrastructure and
facility provider.
spectrum.
Restructuring, Defaults in Payment and Insolvency
• The structure for the Government to exercise this
privilege through the grant of: • In case of mergers, demergers and acquisitions, or
(a) licenses for telecommunication services or other forms of restructuring, the Department of
telecommunication networks Telecommunications, as required.

(b) registrations for establishing telecommunication • A licensee or assignee of spectrum undergoing

infrastructure insolvency proceedings can continue to operate if:

(c) authorization for the possession of wireless (a) it continues to provide the telecommunication
equipment; and service,
(d) assignment of spectrum (b) does not default on the payment of any dues under
Spectrum Management the license or assignment, and

• The Bill provides for an enabling framework for optimal (c) complies with any additional or modified terms and
utilization of spectrum which includes: conditions of license.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
• If such licensee or assignee is unable to comply with • One of the main objectives of TRAI is to provide a fair
these requirements, then the assigned spectrum will and transparent policy environment which promotes
revert to the control of the Central Government. a level playing field and facilitates fair competition.
• The Bill provides an enabling framework for the Central • An amendment to the TRAI Act constituted
Government to address defaults in payment by a Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and
licensee, registered entity, or assignee. Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the
• If Central Government determines that there exist adjudicatory and disputes functions from TRAI.
extraordinary circumstances, it may take the following • TDSAT was set up to adjudicate any dispute between
measures:
a licensor and a licensee, between two or more
(a) Deferment of the payment of such amounts or a part service providers, between a service provider and a
thereof. group of consumers, and to hear and dispose of
(b) Conversion of a part or all the amounts into shares appeals against any direction, decision or order of
in the licensee, registered entity or assignee. TRAI.
(c) Write-off of such amounts or a part; or
CONCERNS EXPRESSED ON THE TELECOMMUNICATION
(d) Relief from payment of such amounts or a part. BILL 2022
Replace USOF with TDF Reducing Powers of TRAI
• Proposes to replace the Universal Service Obligation • TRAI Act mandates the telecom department to seek the
Fund (USOF) with the Telecommunication Development
regulator’s views before issuing a new licence to a
Fund (TDF).
service provider. The proposed Bill does away with this
• USOF is the pool of funds generated by the 5 per cent provision.
Universal Service Levy that is charged upon all telecom
• It has also removed the provision that empowered TRAI
fund operators on their Adjusted Gross Revenue.
to request the government to furnish information or
• The USOF has largely been used to aid rural
documents necessary to make this recommendation.
connectivity. However, the objective regarding TDF is
also to boost connectivity in underserved urban areas, • Bill also proposes to remove the provision where if the
R&D, skill development, etc. DoT cannot accept TRAI’s recommendations or needs
modification, it had to refer the recommendation for
Regulatory Sandbox
reconsideration by TRAI.
• The Central Government may, for the purpose of
encouraging and facilitating innovation and • The Centre is also looking to amend the Telecom
technological development in telecommunication, Regulatory Authority of India Act (TRAI Act) to dilute
create a Regulatory Sandbox. TRAI’s function of being a recommendatory body.

TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA - TRAI Regarding Insolvency Proceedings

• TRAI was established by an Act of Parliament, namely • There is a lack of clarity on whether the spectrum
the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, to owned by a defaulting operator belongs to the Centre,
regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision or whether banks can take control of it.
of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier • Right of Way - Centre cannot act against states or
vested in the Central Government. municipal corporations to impose ‘right of way’ rules, as
• TRAI's mission is to create and nurture conditions for land is a state subject under Seventh Schedule.
growth of telecommunications in the country in a • Regulation of OTT Platforms - More clarity is needed by
manner and at a pace which will enable India to play the government on regulating various aspects of OTT
a leading role in emerging global information society. under the new Telecommunication Bill.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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UNDERSTANDING
FIRST CATEGORY
• In the first category are offences that entail
DISQUALIFICATION UNDER disqualification for a period of six years upon any
conviction.
RPA • If the punishment is a fine, the six-year period will run
#Disqualification #RPA #Election from the date of conviction.
• However, if there is a prison sentence, the
disqualification will begin on the date of conviction, and
will continue up to the completion of six years after the
State Assembly seat of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh (UP) was
date of release from jail.
declared “vacant” by UP Assembly Secretariat after conviction
of Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for three years in case • Categories of Offences Included:
related to hate speech of 2019. However, seat of BJP MLA o promoting enmity between different groups on
Vikram Saini has not been declared vacant despite being
ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence,
convicted for 2 years in a Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013. This
language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to
has led to confusion over the understanding of
disqualification under Section 8 of Representation of People maintenance of harmony
Act, 1951 and even Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant o offence of making statement creating or promoting
Chaudhary has demanded an explanation from the Speaker enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes or offence
of UP Assembly.
relating to such statement in any place of worship or
DISQUALIFICATION UNDER RPA in any assembly engaged in the performance of
There are two categories of criminal cases that attract religious worship or religious ceremonies
disqualification upon conviction under Section 8 of
o offence of bribery
Representation of People Act (RPA), 1951.
o offence of undue influence or personation at an
Section 8 - Disqualification for various criminal election
offences
o offences relating to rape and cruelty to women by
shall be disqualified, where the convicted person is husband and latter’s relatives
sentenced to
• Serious provisions of special laws such as - the
i. only fine - for a period of 6 years from the date of
Protection of Civil Rights Act, Customs Act, Unlawful
such conviction
Activities (Prevention) Act etc. are among the category
ii. imprisonment - from the date of such conviction and of offences that entail disqualification regardless of the
shall continue to be disqualified for a further period
quantum of punishment.
of six years since his release.
• Laws for prevention of Sati, corruption, terrorism and
A person convicted of any offence and sentenced to
insult to national flag and national anthem etc. are also
imprisonment for not less than two years shall be
part of this group.
disqualified from the date of such conviction and shall
continue to be disqualified for a further period of six SECOND CATEGORY
years since his release. • All other criminal provisions form a separate category
Section 8A - Disqualification on ground of corrupt under which mere conviction will not entail
practices disqualification. A sentence of at least two years in

• Question of disqualification to be submitted to the prison is needed to incur such disqualification.

President SECTION 8(4) OF RPA, 1951 STRUCK DOWN (LILY
• Period of Disqualification – shall not exceed 6 years THOMAS VS. UNION OF INDIA)

• Before giving any opinion – President shall take the • Under Section 8(4) of the RPA, MPs & MLAs could avoid
opinion of the Election Commission and act immediate disqualification until 2013 if an appeal was
accordingly filed within three months.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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• So, if within that period, the convicted legislator files an the person’s
appeal or revision application, it will not take effect until disqualification --- So, the
the disposal of the appeal or application. disqualification continues.
• In other words, the mere filing of an appeal against OTHER DISQUALIFICATIONS UNDER RPA 1951
conviction operated as a stay against disqualification.
CHAPTER III - DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP OF
• This provision was struck down by the Supreme Court PARLIAMENT AND STATE LEGISLATURES
in the landmark Lily Thomas vs. Union of India and
Section 9 - Disqualification for dismissal for corruption or
declared as unconstitutional. This has now removed the
disloyalty
protection enjoyed by lawmakers. Until 2013.
• A person who having held an office under the
REMOVAL OF DISQUALIFICATION
Government of India or under the Government of any
• The Supreme Court has the power to stay not only the State has been dismissed for corruption or for disloyalty
sentence, but also the conviction of a person. In some to the State shall be disqualified for a period of 5 years
rare cases, conviction has been stayed to enable the from the date of such dismissal.
appellant to contest an election.
• A candidate dismissed from government service within
• However, the SC has made it clear that such a stay the last five years must produce a certificate from ECI
should be very rare and for special reasons. The RPA that he was not dismissed for corruption or disloyalty.
itself provides a remedy through the Election Such certificate to be filed with Nomination Paper.
Commission.
Section 9A - Disqualification for Government contracts
• Section 11 of RPA, 1951, the Election Commission may
• A person shall be disqualified if, and for so long as, there
record reasons and either remove, or reduce the period subsist a contract entered by him during his trade or
of, a person’s disqualification. business with the appropriate Government for the
Section 11 - Removal or reduction of period of supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works
disqualification undertaken by, that Government.

The Election Commission may, for reasons to be Section 10 - Disqualification for office under Government
recorded, remove any disqualification under this company
Chapter 2 [(except under section 8A)] or reduce the • A person shall be disqualified if, and for so long as, he
period of any such disqualification. is a managing agent, manager or secretary of any
company or corporation (other than a cooperative
• The EC exercised this power for Sikkim Chief Minister
society) in the capital of which the appropriate
P.S. Tamang, who served a one-year sentence for
Government has not less than 25% share.
corruption, and reduced his disqualification to contest
Section 10A - Disqualification for failure to lodge account
a byelection and remain in office.
of election expenses
BASED ON HIGH COURT OR SUPREME COURT’S ORDER
• If the Election Commission is satisfied that a person –
WHEN WHEN (a) has failed to lodge an account of election expenses
DISQUALIFICATION DISQUALIFICATION within the time and in the manner required by or under
CONTINUES ENDS this Act; and
If the Higher Court on Disqualification will be (b) has no good reason or justification for the failure
appeal stays the operation suspended where the Election Commission shall, by order published in the
of only the execution of Higher Court stays both Official Gazette, declare him to be disqualified and any
sentence of imprisonment the conviction and the such person shall be disqualified for a period of 3 years
passed by the trial Court operation of sentence. from the date of the order.
>>> then such stay on the
CONCLUSION – The confusion over disqualification for
execution of sentence
two years must be cleared by the Election Commission
given by the Higher Courts
based on the provisions of Section 8(3) of RPA, 1951. There
will not have any effect on

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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is also a need to simplify the provision of disqualification drawn from different religions or castes of the country
under Section 8 of RPA, 951. are able to live in harmony.
• Court's duty to protect constitutional values - Court is

SC DIRECTS POLICE CHIEFS charged with the duty to protect the fundamental rights
and preserve the constitutional values and the secular

TO LODGE FIR AGAINST democratic character of the nation and in particular, the
rule of law.
HATE SPEECH HATE SPEECH & BLASPHEMY

#Hate Speech #Rights #Governance • Blasphemy (Section 295 of IPC) refers to the action or
offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred
things. Indian penal laws have prescribed punishment
Amidst continuing hate speeches especially close to elections for acts which can be termed as blasphemous or
has prompted the Supreme Court (Shaheen Abdulla v Union hurting religious sentiments from Section 295 to
of India) to express its displeasure over increasing misuse of Section 298 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
religion in the 21st century. The Court has asked the police • Hate speech though not defined under the Indian Penal
chiefs to take “immediate” suo motu action against the Code, Constitution of India or other laws but can be
offenders by lodging criminal cases without waiting for formal regulated through Article 19(2) which allows state to
complaints. The Court also warned authorities that “any impose reasonable restrictions on such speech which
hesitation to act in accordance with Court’s direction will be may incite violence or disturbs public order under
viewed as contempt of court and appropriate action shall be Section 153 and 153A of IPC.
taken against the erring officers.
LINK BETWEEN HATE SPEECH & BLASPHEMY
WHAT PROMPTED THE SUPREME COURT TO TAKE
• Hate speech can be said to be the violation of Article
STERN ACTION AGAINST HATE SPEECH?
19(1)(a) whereby reasonable restrictions clause is
• Petition Filed Against Growing Hate Speech Against attracted and state can take reasonable measures to
Muslim Community - A petition was filed by Shaheen curb such speech which might disturb public order.
Abdulla highlighted the speech delivered at Virat Hindu
• Section 153A and 295A of Indian Penal Code restricts
Sabha organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and
and punishes various elements of hate speech (done
other Hindu Organisations. The Court observed that the
purposely to incite feelings) by explaining the
complaint which has been raised in the writ petition
constituents of such activities which might be
appears to be very serious as it relates to the growing
prejudicial to public harmony or such deliberate or
climate of hate in the country. The Court wanted to
malicious acts which insults religious beliefs.
know what action were taken against hate speeches in
Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand including the call for total • However, the problem so far has been the disparity in
boycott of one community by Parvesh Verma. interpretation of the laws (Section 153A and 295A of
Indian Penal Code) and their implementation by
• Court Asked the Police to File FIR Immediately - The
administrative authorities.
Court has asked the Delhi Police Commissioner and
Director Generals of Police of Uttarakhand and Uttar HATE SPEECH UNDER IPC
Pradesh to file a report even without any formal • Section 153 - Wantonly giving provocation with intent
complaint if any speech attracts offences such as to cause riot – shall be punished for a term up to 1
Sections 153A, 153B and 295A and 505 of the Indian Penal year or with fine or both. And if the offence of
Code (IPC). rioting be not committed, with imprisonment of
• Secularism & Fraternity – The court observed that the either description for a term which may extend to
Constitution of India envisages Bharat as a secular six months, or with fine, or with both.
nation and fraternity assuring the dignity of the • Section 153A - Promoting enmity between different
individual and unity and the integrity of the country is groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth,
the guiding principle enshrined in the Preamble. There residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to
cannot be fraternity unless members of community

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
maintenance of harmony - shall be punished with • Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of
imprisonment which may extend to three years, or outraging the religious feelings of any class of
with fine, or with both. citizens of India,
• Section 153A(2) - Offence committed in place of • by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by
worship, etc – Whoever commits an offence (as visible representations or otherwise, insults or
stated above) in any place of worship or in any attempts to insult the religion or the religious
assembly engaged in the performance of religious beliefs of that class
worship or religious ceremonies shall be punished • shall be punished with imprisonment of either
with imprisonment which may extend to five years description for a term which may extend to three
and shall also be liable to fine. years, or with fine, or with both.
• Section 153B - Imputations, assertions prejudicial to Section 296 - Disturbing religious assembly
national integration - shall be punished with
• Whoever voluntarily causes disturbance to any
imprisonment which may extend to five years and
assembly lawfully engaged in the performance of
shall also be liable to fine.
religious worship, or religious ceremonies
• Section 505 - Statements conducing to public mischief
• shall be punished with imprisonment of either
— Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any
description for a term which may extend to one
statement, rumour or report
year, or with fine, or with both.
o with an intent to cause, fear or alarm to the
Section 298 - Uttering words, etc. with deliberate intent to
public, or to any section of the public whereby
wound religious feelings
any person may be induced to commit an
offence against the State or against the public • Whoever, with the deliberate intention of wounding
the religious feelings of any person,
tranquillity or
o incite, any class or community of persons to • utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing
commit any offence against any other class or of that person or makes any gesture in the sight of
that persons or places any object in the sight of that
community, shall be punished with
imprisonment which may extend to three years, person,
or with fine, or with both. • shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to one
BLASPHEMY LAWS UNDER IPC
year, or with fine, or with both.
Section 295 - Injuring or defiling place of worship, with
STEPS TO DEFINE HATE SPEECH AS A SEPARATE
intent to insult the religion of any class
OFFENCE
• Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of
• Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a committee
worship, or
headed by Prof. Ranbir Singh, Chairperson Vice-
• any object held sacred by any class of persons with Chancellor NLU Delhi to recommend changes in
the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any criminal law is seeking to formulate new provisions that
class of persons or
will make hate speech a separate offence.
• with the knowledge that any class of persons is
• T.K. Viswanathan Committee (2017) suggested adding
likely to consider such destruction, damage or
two new provisions in IPC - Sections 153C and 505A.
defilement as an insult to their religion
• Section 153C would target speech that gravely
• shall be punished with imprisonment of either
threatens any person or group with intention to cause
description for a term which may extend to two
fear or alarm, or incite violence towards them, and
years, or with fine, or with both.
prescribe a sentence of two years in prison and a fine.
Section 295A - Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to
• Section 505A, on the other hand, proposes to punish
outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its
speech or writing that causes fear or alarm among a
religion or religious beliefs
group, or provokes violence against it, on grounds of

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth (v) advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that
or disability. constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO DEFINE HATE SPEECH UNDER or violence
INDIAN LAWS? • Brij Bhushan v. State of Delhi – Supreme Court in 1950
• Increasing instances of hate speech as per NCRB data - stated that public order was allied to the public safety
while there were only 323 cases registered in 2014, it and considered equivalent to security of the State. This
had increased to 1,804 cases in 2020. interpretation was validated by the First Constitution
Amendment, when public order was inserted as a
• Incites Hostility and disturbs public order and
ground of restriction under 19(2).
communal peace
• The importance of allowing expression, howsoever,
• Increasing use of Section 295A of IPC - Section 295(A) is
unpopular has been stressed by J.S. Mill in the following
now usually used to penalise religious dissent, satire,
words, in his work ‘On Liberty’ – “If all mankind minus one,
and any comedic content with religious references.
were of one opinion, and only one person were of the
• Section 295(A) used for political ends – The provision is contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in
also used to silent dissenters or to achieve political ends silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power,
leading to further infractions within the society. would be justified in silencing mankind.”
• Boundary for Disagreements must be drawn -
Democracy thrives on disagreements provided they do
not cross the boundaries of civil discourse. Critical and GRIEVANCE APPELLATE
COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL
dissenting voices are important for a vibrant society.
However, care must be taken to prevent public
discourse from becoming a tool to promote speech
inimical to public order.
MEDIA USERS
• Indian Regulations don’t draw a line between criticism #Regulatory Body #Governance
and premeditated hate speech - Failing to articulate
these distinctions diminishes fair use of Section 295(A)
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has
and makes it more difficult to define and penalise the
introduced the Information Technology (Intermediary
actual crime of hate speech.
Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules,
• Protect Vulnerable Sections - Laws strive to harmonise
2022. The new rules have constituted Grievance Appellate
the freedom of expression with right to equality, hence
Committee which will allow social media users to register their
seeks to prevent such speech which marginalizes the
complaints against decisions of social media platforms like
vulnerable sections of the society. To protect this group
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube etc. Non-uniform grievance
from discriminatory attitudes and practices, it is
redressal mechanism offered by social media platforms and
necessary to curb such forms of expression that have
the potential of inciting fear, hatred and violence and lakhs of unresolved complaints have forced the government
such speeches must be regulated by law. to come up with the idea of Grievance Appellate Committee to
regulate social media platforms. The decisions of the
• Grounds to Restrict Hate Speech - Human Rights
Committee can be challenged in regular Courts.
Council’s ‘Report of the Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENT
opinion and expression on content regulation on • In a major push towards an Open, Safe & Trusted and
internet, expressed that freedom of expression can be Accountable Internet, the Ministry of Electronics and IT
restricted on the following grounds has notified the amendments to protect the rights of
(i) child pornography Digital Nagriks.
(ii) hate speech • It also enhances due diligence requirements and
(iii) defamation ensuring accountability of social media and other
(iv) direct and public incitement to commit genocide intermediaries.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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• They have been notified against the backdrop of complied with by the intermediary concerned and a
complaints regarding the action/inaction on the part of report to that effect shall be uploaded on its website.
the intermediaries on user grievances regarding
WHAT CONTENTS CAN BE FLAGGED BY USERS?
objectionable content or suspension of their accounts.
• “objectionable” content that promotes “enmity between
• The intermediaries now will be expected to ensure that
different groups on the grounds of religion or caste with
there is no uploading of content that intentionally
the intent to incite violence”
communicates any misinformation or information that
is patently false or untrue hence entrusting an • pornography or sexual abuse of children
important responsibility on intermediaries. • trademark, copyright and patent infringements,
• The Rules have also highlighted that intermediaries will • fake information which can be considered as a threat to
have to respect the rights accorded to the citizens of sovereignty of the nation
India under the Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Indian
• misinformation or impersonation of another person
Constitution.
ACTIONS WHICH CAN BE TAKEN
STRUCTURE OF GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL
• Social media platforms can be asked to take down
• Constituting one or more grievance appellate
certain contentious content within 72 hours of
committees by the central government within three
reporting.
months from the date of commencement of the new
rules. • Their decisions on such flaggings can be challenged in
the grievance committees.
• Composition - The 3-member Grievance Appellate
Committee will consist of a chairperson and two whole- • Privacy policy and user agreements of intermediary to
time members appointed by the central government, of be made available in the Eight Schedule Indian
which one will be a member ex-officio and two shall be languages.
independent members. KEY CHANGES EFFECTED IN THE RULES ARE AS UNDER
• Social Media Companies to have Grievance Officers – • Currently, intermediaries are only required to inform
who will investigate the complaints made the users of
users about not uploading certain categories of
social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube
harmful/unlawful content. These amendments impose
etc.
a legal obligation on intermediaries to take reasonable
• Grievance Redressal Process - Any person aggrieved by efforts to prevent users from uploading such content.
a decision of the grievance officer may prefer an appeal The new provision will ensure that the intermediary’s
to the grievance appellate committee within a period of
obligation is not a mere formality.
thirty days from the date of receipt of communication
• For effective communication of the rules and
from the grievance officer.
regulations of the intermediary, it is important that the
• Experts’ Opinion - The Grievance Appellate Committee
communication is done in regional Indian languages as
can seek assistance from any person having requisite
well.
qualification, experience and expertise in the subject
matter. • The amendments have removed the
words ‘defamatory ’and ‘libellous’ and if any content is
• ODR Mechanism - The grievance appellate committee
defamatory or libellous will be determined through
shall adopt an online dispute resolution mechanism
judicial review.
wherein the entire appeal process, from filing of appeal
to the decision thereof, shall be conducted through • Some of the content categories have been rephrased to
digital mode. deal with misinformation and content that could incite

• Compliance of Order passed by GAC - Every order violence between different religious/caste groups.
passed by the Grievance Appellate Committee shall be

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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• The amendment requires intermediaries to respect the SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE PARLIAMENTARY
rights guaranteed to users under the Constitution, COMMITTEE ON LANGUAGES
including a reasonable expectation of due diligence, • Use of Hindi in Technical & Higher Education - It has
privacy and transparency. suggested that the instruction medium in technical and
non-technical higher education institutions such as IITs
• Grievance Appellate Committee(s) will be established to
in Hindi-speaking states be Hindi and their
allow users to appeal against the inaction of, or
corresponding native dialect in other parts of India.
decisions taken by intermediaries on user complaints.
• Use of Hindi or Native Dialect - The committee
However, users will always have the right to approach
proposed that Hindi or a native dialect be used as the
courts for any remedy.
medium of instruction in all technical and non-technical
CONCERNS AGAINST THE NEW RULES institutions throughout the country, with English being
• The decision goes against the government’s previous made voluntary.
order which called for self-regulation by the companies. • Official Language of UN- Hindi to be designated as one
• Central Government can become the sole arbiter or of the official languages of the United Nations.

decider of free speech on internet – hamper free • Prioritise Regional Languages over English in all states.
speech on the social media platform specially if any • Division of States into Region A, B & C States for use of
content criticises government’s policies. Hindi Language - The committee has advised that Hindi
be granted a respectable place in 'A' category states and
• Create division within social media platforms by
be used completely.
incentivising one section to favour the government and
suppress speech that may not be palatable to the • States under Region ‘A’ includes - Bihar, Haryana,
government, public officials. Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Uttar
• Content Moderation may be subject to the whims of
Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Delhi and
majority view – as any content can be flagged against
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
sovereignty, integrity or against nationalist view.
• Region ‘B’ includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, and
Punjab, and the Union Territories of Chandigarh,

CONCERNS RAISED ON Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
• Region ‘C’ - Other states, where the use of Hindi is
IMPOSING HINDI less than 65 per cent, are listed under region ‘C’.

#Hindi #Official Language Committee • 100% Use of Hindi in Region A States & UT - efforts
should be made to use Hindi “100 per cent” in the ‘A’
states. The medium of instruction in IITs, central
A report submitted by the Official Language Committee universities, and Kendriya Vidyalayas in the ‘A’ states
headed by the union Home minister to the Indian President to should be Hindi, while the regional language should be
impose Hindi across the country has triggered angry used in other states, the Committee is learnt to have
reactions. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has cautioned the recommended.
Centre against forcing another language war as the proposal • Reluctance to Use Hindi by Officers will have serious
seems “impractical” as it portrays Hindi-speaking population consequences - The Committee wants state
as first-class citizens and others as second-class citizens. The governments to warn officials that their reluctance to
use Hindi would reflect in their Annual Performance
Committee of Parliament on Official Language was set up in
Assessment Report (APAR).
1976 under Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963. The
• Reduce Usage of English in Official Communication -
Committee reviews the progress made in the use of Hindi for
Attempts should be made to reduce the usage of the
official purposes and make recommendations to increase the
English language in official communication and
use of Hindi in official communications. increase the usage of Hindi as much as possible.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF INDIA

BENEFITS CONSTRAINTS
• Article 343(1) - The official language of the Union shall
• Serves the idea of "One • Does not represent be Hindi in Devanagari script. The form of numerals to
Nation, One Language" India's linguistic diversity be used for the official purposes of the Union shall be
• Used by majority of the • Make official the international form of Indian numerals.
population communication difficult • Article 343(2) - provides that English shall also be
• Serves as a link for states not using Hindi continued to be used in official work of the Union for a
language for as official language period of 15 years from the date of commencement of
communication • The idea of national the constitution, i.e., up to the 25th of January 1965.

• Strengthen unity of language not supported • Again, Article 343(3) made provisions for the
India which has diverse by the Constitution. continuation of English from 26th January 1965 by
language and culture • Hindi is not the mother empowering the parliament to make laws to that
tongue of majority of effect.
Indians • Accordingly, Parliament passed The Official Languages
• Constraints federal rights Act, 1963 to provide for the languages which may be
of states as per Article used for the official purposes of the Union, for
345 or 347. transaction of business in Parliament, for Central and
State Acts and for certain purposes in High Courts.
• Led to protests in non-
Hindi speaking states OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT, 1963
• It allowed continuance of English language for official
CONSTITUTITIONAL PROVISIONS purposes of the Union and for use in Parliament even
ARTICLE 29 - PROTECTION OF INTERESTS OF after1965. As per the Act, both English and Hindi shall
MINORITIES be used for certain specified purposes like resolutions,
rules, general orders, notifications, press
(1) Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of
communiqués, administrative and other reports,
India or any part thereof having a distinct language,
licenses, tenders, etc.
script or culture of its own shall have the right to
conserve the same. • The Act provides for:

(2) No citizen shall be denied admission into any o English language shall be used for purposes of
educational institution maintained by the State or communication between the Union and a State
which has not adopted Hindi as its official language.
receiving aid out of State funds on grounds only of
religion, race, caste, language or any of them. o For communication between states where only one
state has recognised Hindi as its official language,

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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then communication in Hindi shall be accompanied DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION
by a translation of the same in the English language. It shall be the duty of the Commission to make
• Optional use of Hindi or other official language in recommendations to the President as to –
judgments, etc., of High Courts - As from the appointed • Progressive use of the Hindi language for the official
day (26th January, 1965) or any day thereafter the purposes of the Union
Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of • Restrictions on the use of the English language for all or
the President, authorise the use of Hindi or the official any of the official purposes of the Union.
language of the State, in addition to the English
• Language to be used for all or any of the purposes
language, for the purposes of any judgment, decree or mentioned in article 348 (Language to be used in
order passed or made by the High Court for that State. Supreme Court and in every High Court – English
Where any judgment, decree or order is passed or made language)
in any such language (other than the English language), • Form of numerals to be used for any one or more
it shall be accompanied by a translation of the same in specified purposes of Union
the English language issued under the authority of the
• Any other matter referred by the President to the
High Court.
Commission regarding official language of the Union
• A. 350A - Facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at and the language for communication between the
primary stage — It shall be the endeavour of every State Union and a State or between one State and another
and of every local authority within the State to provide State and their use.
adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at In making their recommendations, the Commission shall
the primary stage of education to children belonging to have
linguistic minority groups; and the President may issue • Due regard to the industrial, cultural and scientific
such directions to any State as he considers necessary or advancement of India, and
proper for securing the provision of such facilities. • The just claims and the interests of persons belonging
• This provision was incorporated by the Constitution to the non-Hindi speaking areas about the public
(Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956 based on the services.
recommendations of States Reorganisation COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE
Commission which was headed by Retired Justice Fazal There shall be constituted a Committee consisting of 30
Ali. members, of which
• A. 351 - Directive for development of the Hindi language • 20 members shall be members of the House of the
– It shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread People and
of the Hindi language, to develop it so that it may serve as • 10 members shall be members of the Council of States
a medium of expression for all the elements of the
to be elected by each House in accordance with the system
composite culture of India and to secure its enrichment by of proportional representation by means of the single
assimilating without interfering with its genius, the forms, transferable vote.
style and expressions used in Hindustani and in the other
The Committee shall examine the recommendations of
languages of India specified in the Eighth Schedule, and by the Commission and report to the President their opinion.
drawing, wherever necessary or desirable, for its
SPECIAL OFFICER FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES
vocabulary, primarily on Sanskrit and secondarily on other
(ARTICLE 350B)
languages.
Appointment
APPOINTMENT
• There shall be a Special Officer for linguistic minorities
President shall at the expiration of ten years by order to be appointed by the President.
constitute a Commission which shall consist of a Chairman
• Article 29 provides that any section of citizens residing
and such other members representing the different in Indian territory shall have right to conserve distinct
languages specified in the Eighth Schedule as the language, script or culture of their own.
President may appoint.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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Duty • Government has often adopted off-budget and
• It shall be the duty of the Special Officer to investigate ingenious methods, even side-stepping the Centre’s Net
all matters relating to the safeguards provided for Borrowing Ceiling and Fiscal Responsibility and Budget
linguistic minorities under this Constitution and report Management norms.
to the President upon those matters at such intervals as RBI’S OBSERVATIONS AS PER ‘STATE FINANCES: A
the President may direct. STUDY OF BUDGETS OF 2022-22
Report • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) red flagged 10 States,
• President shall cause all such Reports to be laid before including Andhra Pradesh, for having the highest debt
each House of Parliament and sent to the Governments burden based on the debt-GSDP ratio of 2020-21.
of the States concerned. • Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Punjab exceeded
both the debt and fiscal deficit targets for 2020-21 set

ECONOMIC CONCERNS ON by the 15th Finance Commission.

• Major financial assistance/cash transfer, utility
FREEBIES subsidies, loans or fee waiver, interest free loans
announced by the States in their latest budget speeches
#Governance #Freebies (2022-23) show that the expenditure on freebies ranged
between 0.1% and 2.7% of GSDP for different States.
This is sometimes higher than the total interest
State of Andhra Pradesh has been demanding increase in the payment and shows poor fiscal space available for
devolution of funds from the Central pool for the freebies capital expenditure.
culture. This freebies culture is being practiced despite the • Majority of the states have breached the target of 3%
poor economic performance of many states in the post-COVID under the Fiscal Responsibility Legislation (FRL)
financial situation. In this situation let us analyse the financial
• States have been performing poor on the SGST due to
performance of many Indian states as per the RBI report.
the stagnant industrial growth.
HOW HAS THE STATE BEEN SUSTAINING THESE
• Consolidated Gross Fiscal Deficit of the States surged to
FREEBIES FOR THREE YEARS GIVEN THE IMPACT OF
a historical high, with revenue receipts falling short of
COVID-19 ON THE ECONOMY?
the budgeted amounts by more than 2.7 per cent of
• All the freebies schemes are being driven by loans GDP.
raised from multiple sources.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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• For majority of the financial year 2021, states’ revenues • Long-term borrowing at present means, power of the
have been in the negative states (most negative in the states to control their fiscal in the short-term is less
stamp duties and registration fee). likely to meet. More misses on the FRBM act.
CONSEQUENCES • Impact on the infrastructure development would
• Developmental expenditure on crop husbandry, water jeopardise the long-term sustainable growth of such
supply and sanitation, social security and welfare, states.
housing and rural development was squeezed while • Consistent reliance on the freebies would impact the
capex was cut in key social and economic services like employability aptitude among the poor class. This
water supply and sanitation, medical and public health, would further impact the productivity among these
irrigation and flood control, transport and rural states.
development. This experience underscores the • Freebies also goes against the free play of market
importance of raising additional resources at the sub- forces, thereby impacting the competitiveness among
national levels. the private players.
• Freebies also increases the skewed demand of only
some products. Such as when Colour TV was
announced to be distributed among the voters, there
was a black marketing of the same product.
• It also promotes the collusive corruption in the long run,
where government favours a particular producer of a
product even at higher prices.
• Lastly, freebies go against the genuine confidence
among the consumers on the market. When people
wait of the freebies and restrict their immediate
consumption, all the sellers do not get business all-
round the year.

STRENGTHEN
DECENTRALIZED
• Loan borrowing has increased to the up to 10% to the GOVERNANCE
state GDP (e.g., Karnataka and Maharashtra)
• Due to the freebies culture, states such as Tamil Nadu,
#Decentralisation #Governance
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra has seen three-fold rise
in the revenue expenditure on the cost of capital outlay. Constitution 73rd and 74th Amendment has ensured
• One positive consequence was the high increase in the decentralisation of power and functions which is vital to
social sector services such as education, health, and strengthen participatory democracy, facilitate responsive
employment generation. However, most of it comes governance, ensure greater accountability and enable public
through the promises made under the freebies service delivery. However, despite the constitutional assurance
schemes (e.g., Amma Vodi scheme of Andhra Pradesh of decentralisation of power, concerns have been raised over
in which ₹15,000 is given a year to encourage mothers
delegation of power by the respective state governments
to send their children to school).
irrespective of devolution provided under Article 243G and
LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES Article 243W which provides legislative autonomy to the
• Higher rate of borrowing by the present generation Panchayats and Municipalities respectively.
means, higher tax burden on the future generation.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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CONCERNS HIGHLIGHTED right of the administrative personnel to do associated
• Decentralization has resulted in delegation of functions. planning.

• Non-observance of principle of subsidiarity – leads to • Administrative decentralization seeks to redistribute

centralization of work authority, responsibility and financial resources for
providing public services among different levels of
• Weak Internal Resource Generation at local levels
government. It is the transfer of responsibility for the
through tax and non-tax revenue.
planning, financing and management of certain public
• Irregular meetings of Gram Sabha
functions from the central government and its agencies
• Lack of legal backing for social audit of schemes of state to field units of government agencies, subordinate units
governments or local levels of government.
UNDERSTANDING KEY TERMS • Devolution is a type of administrative decentralisation.
• Decentralisation is usually referred to as constitutional When governments devolve functions, they transfer
transfer of powers from central government to lower authority for decision-making, finance, and
levels in a political-administrative and territorial management to quasi-autonomous units of local
hierarchy. government with corporate status.
• Democratic Decentralization and Delegation - • Devolution usually transfers responsibilities for services
Delegation means the grant of authority from a to municipalities that elect their own mayors and
superior to a subordinate, to be enjoyed not as a right councils, raise their own revenues, and have
but as a derived concession and that also to be independent authority to make investment decisions.
exercised at the pleasure of the superior. The term
• In a devolved system, local governments have clear and
‘democratic decentralization’ on the other hand means
legally recognized geographical boundaries over which
grants of authority by a superior to a subordinate as a
they exercise authority and within which they perform
right to be enjoyed by the subordinate and not as a
public functions.
concession.
• Thus, ‘democratic decentralization’ is an extension of • Delegation is the process of giving permission by the
the democratic principle aims at widening the area of head of a department to the subordinates to do work
the people’s participation, authority and autonomy or to make decisions. As per law, even administrative
through devolution of powers to people’s agencies can delegate their functions to subordinate
representative organizations from the top levels to the offices. However, an administrative agency cannot
lowest levels in all the three dimensions of political delegate those powers or functions which they
decision-making, financial control and administrative themselves are not authorised to perform.
management with least interference and control from KEY CONSTRAINTS IN THE OVERALL WORKING OF
higher levels. LOCAL BODIES
• Democratic v Administrative Decentralisation - • FUNCTIONING – Overlap of functioning of Panchayats
Democratic decentralization is wider than and Municipalities with state government w.r.t.
administrative decentralization. Democratic implementing various developmental schemes. Only
decentralization envisages association of more and minor civic functions are exclusively assigned to the
more people with government at all levels, national, local government.
regional and local. Democratic decentralization stands
• Lack of Human Resource for PRIs has prohibited actual
for people’s right to initiate their own projects for local
devolution of functions as most resources functions
well-being and the power to execute and operate them
under the control of the State Government.
in an autonomous manner. Administrative
decentralization originated in the need for efficiency in • To make devolution functional, the matters listed in the
terms of initiative, performance and speed of Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution needs to be
administrative personnel, particularly at the lower clearly bifurcated from state government’s jurisdiction.
levels. Administrative decentralization means the right • FUNDS - In general, Panchayats in our country receive
to freedom of implementing projects. It involves the funds in the following ways:

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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o Grants from the Union Government based on the o Provision for withdrawal of powers and functions
recommendations of the Central Finance from the Panchayat
Commission as per Article 280 of the Constitution. o Provision regarding approval of the budget of a
o Devolution from the State Government based on the Panchayat by the higher tier or a State authority, etc.
recommendations of the State Finance Commission • These provisions in varied from across states hinder the
as per Article 243-I. autonomy at all level of local governments and restrict
o Loans/grants from the State Government. their functioning as an institution of self-government.
o Programme-specific allocation under Centrally  Other Constraints
Sponsored Schemes and Additional Central • Staff Shortage at ground level
Assistance.
• Postponement of local elections
o Internal Resource Generation - tax and non-tax
• Centralisation of scheme – goes against the principle of
revenue.
subsidiarity
THE REASON FOR POOR FINANCIAL POSITION OF
• Corruption
LOCAL BODIES CAN BE INFERRED FROM BELOW
POINTS • Making gram Sabha irrelevant

• Weak internal resource generation at Panchayat level – CORE PRINCIPLES OF DECENTRALIZATION

partly due to a thin tax domain and partly due to RECOMMENDED BY 2ND ARC
Panchayats’ own reluctance in collecting revenue. • Application of the principle of subsidiarity in the context
• Constraints in the structure adopted by states to of decentralisation - principle of subsidiarity means that
transfer money to the local bodies. what can be done at the lower levels of government,

• Amount of money set aside for such transfers are too should not be centralised at higher levels.
less to meet the basic functions of local bodies. • Clear delineation of functions of local governments vis-
• Money provided for expenditure at local level is tied à-vis State Governments and among different tiers of
with several conditions which makes the money local governments.
inflexible for use. • Effective devolution of these functions and resources
• Panchayats are heavily dependent on grants from accompanied by capacity building and accountability.
Union and State Governments – and most portion of • Integrated view of local services and development
the grants are scheme specific. through convergence of programmes and agencies and
• Panchayats have limited discretion and flexibility in above all, ‘citizen-centricity’.

incurring expenditure. • Effective devolution in financial terms and convergence

of services for the citizens as well as citizens’ centric
• Considering tight fiscal positions, devolution of funds
governance structures.
becomes difficult.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF 2ND ARC ON IMPROVING
 Issues with Functionaries
URBAN GOVERNANCE
• Under various State Panchayati Raj Acts, the respective
State Government or their nominated functionaries • Local Bodies must have stake in law making in state
command considerable power about review and assembly. Legislative Council can be recast as Council
revision of actions taken by PRIs. They control the for Local Bodies.
functioning of Local Bodies by - • The tiers of local government should be left for the State
o Suspending a resolution of the Panchayat Legislature to decide.
o Making Inquiry into the affairs of the Panchayat • Members of Parliament and State Legislatures should
o Removing elected Panchayat representatives under not become members of local bodies. This would
certain specified conditions, endow the local bodies with decision-making
o Inspecting and issuing directives at will capabilities.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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PILING UP OF RTI
• Chairpersons or the members at all level should be
directly elected.

• There must be a single directly elected District Council PETITIONS DUE TO

HEADLESS INSTITUTION
which will function as a true local government for the
entire district. This will make District Planning
Committee Redundant. #Governance #RTI
• Delimitation Commission must be constituted for
urban local bodies. According to a report by Satark Nagrik Sangathan, more than
• There should be clear delineation of functions for each 3.15 lakh complaints or appeals pending with 26 information
commissions across India even after 17 years of Right to
level of local government in the case of each subject
Information Act, 2005 being legislated. The highest number of
matter law.
pending cases were in Maharashtra at 99,722 followed by
• Training of elected representatives and personnel Uttar Pradesh at 44,482, Karnataka at 30,358, the Central
should be regarded as a continuing activity. Information Commission at 26,724 and Bihar at 21,346.

RECOMMENDATIONS - FIFTEENTH FINANCE Year Number of Appeals Pending before

COMMISSION Information Commissions (IC)

• Distribution of grants between rural and urban local 2019 2,18,347 (Data from 26 IC)
bodies in the ratio of 67.5:32.5 to all tiers in the
2020 2,33,384 (Data from 23 IC)
Panchayat - Village/block/district - create durable
2021 2,86,325 (Data from 26 IC)
community assets, improve overall functioning and
provide employment opportunities. 2022 3,14,323 (Data from 26 IC)

• Recommend grants to all tiers of the Panchayati Raj LEGISLATIVE INTENT OF RTI ACT
• Give grants to the Fifth and Sixth Schedule areas and • The RTI Act provides for setting up of the practical
Cantonment Boards regime of Right to Information for citizens to secure the

• Special focus on districts having higher concentration of right to access to information held by or under the

SC/ST population control of public authorities.

• The legislative intent behind the enactment of the RTI
• Provide tied grants to rural local bodies - improve
Act is to –
sanitation, ensure open-defecation free (ODF) status,
supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and o Foster transparency & accountability in the working

water recycling. of every Public Authority.

• Tied grants have also been allocated to ULBs over and o Fulfils rights of citizens to seek information from
public authorities.
above central sponsored schemes for drinking water
including rainwater harvesting and recycling and solid o Bridging gap between information provider and the
waste management. information seeker.

• Differentiated the need of larger cities by categorising o Enhance efficiency in administration of public

Fifty Million-Plus cities authorities.

o Mitigate corruption
• Provided additional funds to ULBs - for issues critical for
planned urbanization - problems of sanitation, air o Promote good governance
quality, ground water depletion, supply and o Harmonise citizens’ rights with preserving national
management of water and efficient solid waste security
management.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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IMPORTANCE OF RTI 5. RTI helped to find out steps taken by the government in
• Right to Information Act has completed 17 years and addressing COVID-19 pandemic - During the COVID-19
over the period of years, the legislation has empowered crisis too, the law has been widely used to seek
citizens to ask questions to the government and make information about availability of medical facilities, like
them accountable for their non-performance. ventilators and ICU beds, and to hold government
departments accountable for delivery of foodgrains
• The right to information has been upheld by the
and social security benefits meant for those in distress,
Supreme Court as a fundamental right flowing from
including migrant workers.
Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees every
citizen the right to free speech and expression. Access 6. RTI helps in exposing corruption and scandals within
to relevant information helps citizens to formulate government - The RTI Act has also been put to effective
opinions and express themselves meaningfully. use by public-spirited citizens to expose corruption and
arbitrary abuse of power by the state. E.g.: Adarsh
• However, in recent years, steps have been taken to
Housing Society Case, 2G case, Commonwealth Games
weaken the institution deliberately so that correct
Case etc.
information does not reach to the common public. In
7. RTI helps civil societies and public-spirited persons to
this Article, let us find out the benefits and problems of
file writ petitions in Courts against government inaction
Right to Information ecosystem in India.
– RTI application and its response is used by NGOs and
BENEFITS OF RTI
Civil Society as an important tool and as genuine
1. Empowers Citizens to hold government accountable for evidence to file cases against misgovernance, non-
non-performance of their duties - By giving every citizen implementation of various rules or laws or even
of India the right to access government files and schemes, lack of access to government services etc.
records, the law has not only created an atmosphere of 8. RTI Applications has been used to find out extent of
transparency within government’s functioning but has criminalisation of Politics – In a recent judgment,
also potentially empowered Indian citizens to question Supreme Court has ordered political parties to publish
those who govern and hold them accountable in case the entire criminal history of their candidates for
of non-performance of duties. Assembly and Lok Sabha elections along with the
2. Allows citizens to participate in decision making process reasons that made them to field suspected criminals
- Since its enactment, the RTI law has been used by over decent people. This judgment is based on
people to seek information to actively participate in contempt of 2018 Supreme Court judgment in Public
decision-making processes and hold governments Interest Foundation v. Union of India which asked
accountable. candidates to publish the criminal details of their
candidates in their respective websites and print as well
3. RTI Application helps Marginalised and Vulnerable
as electronic media for public awareness. Based on the
Sections of the Society in demanding their basic rights
2018 Judgment by Public Interest Foundation v. Union of
and access to important government services - National
India, similar directions were issued by Election
assessments have shown that a large proportion of
Commission during the 2019 Lok Sabha Election.
these are filed by the poorest and the most
9. RTI Applications has been used to find out how much
marginalised who have understood the tremendous
money were transferred through Electoral Bonds
potential of the law to empower them to access their
- Information has been accessed about the anonymous
basic rights and entitlements, especially in the absence
electoral bonds though which thousands of crores have
of effective grievance redress mechanisms to address
been channelled into political parties.
service delivery failures.
10. Most extensively used Transparency Legislation in the
4. RTI helps in times of crisis – RTI applications helps the World - Every year nearly six million applications are
citizens to find out the steps taken by government in filed under the RTI Act, making it the most extensively
addressing any crisis including providing entitlements used transparency legislation in the world. Such
to the needy in times of natural disasters like flood, numbers of applications filed under RTI also suggests
pandemic, earthquake etc. its importance in day-to-day governance at levels of

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
administration and its resounding success in holding Election Commissioner”, and the salaries and other
government responsible at various levels of terms of service of the State Information
administration process. Commissioners as “the same as that of the Chief
11. RTI Act has ensured application of Article 19 of Secretary to the State Government”,
Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Article 19 of • The 2019 Amendment states that salaries, allowances
UDHR - Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and other terms of service of the state Chief
and expression; this right includes freedom to hold Information Commissioner “shall be such as may be
opinions without interference and to seek, receive and prescribed by the Central Government”.
impart information and ideas through any media and • By amending Section 27, the Central Government will
regardless of frontiers. also control through rules, the terms and conditions of
PROBLEMS WITH RTI appointment of Commissioners in the States.
In recent years, efforts have been made to weaken the RTI Is guarantee of tenure so important?
Ecosystem in India. The RTI Amendment passed by Parliament • All the provisions related to appointment were carefully
in 2019 changed the tenure and service conditions for Central examined by a parliamentary standing committee and
Information Commissioners and State Information it was unanimously acknowledged that one of the most
Commissioners. important structural constituents of any independent
1. RIGHT TO INFORMATION (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2019 oversight institution, i.e., the CVC, the Chief Election
• Section 13 of the original Act had set the term of central Commission (CEC), the Lokpal, and the CIC is a basic
Chief Information Commissioner and Information guarantee of tenure.
Commissioners at five years (or until the age of 65, • In the case of the Information Commissioners, they
whichever is earlier). were appointed for five years subject to the age limit of
• The amendment has removed the tenure of 5 years and 65 years. It was on the recommendation of the
replaced with the term “for such term as may be parliamentary standing committee that the Information
prescribed by the Central Government”. So, it means Commissioner and CIC were made on a par with the
that the tenure of Information Commissioners is now at Election Commissioner and the CEC, respectively.
the discretion of the Central Government. • Thus, security of tenure insures not only independence
• Again, Section 13 stated that salaries, allowances and in working of the Commissioners but also
other terms of service of “the Chief Information independence of the institution overall from any
Commissioner shall be the same as that of the Chief interference.
Election Commissioner”, and those of an Information • Lack of such security of officers of Information Commission
Commissioner “shall be the same as that of an Election at Centre and State level tantamount to unwilling
Commissioner”. submission of the institution at the will of the government
• The 2019 Amendment states that the salaries, in power as Information Commissioners can be removed at
allowances and other terms of service of the Chief will in case, they give any decision against the liking of any
Information Commissioner and the Information government.
Commissioners “shall be such as may be prescribed by the 2. INFORMATION COMMISSIONS BECOMING DEFUNCT
Central Government”. & WITHOUT HEAD
• Section 16 of the original Act dealt with state-level Chief • According to the report by Satark Nagrik Sangathan,
Information Commissioners and Information two out of 29 information commissions across the
Commissioners. It had set the term for state-level Chief country are completely defunct, four of them headless
Information Commissioners and Information now and only 5% of the positions being occupied by
Commissioners at five years (or 65 years of age, women.
whichever is earlier). • According to a separate report by the Transparency
• The original RTI Act 2005 prescribed salaries, International, one-fourth information commissioner
allowances and other terms of service of the state Chief posts are vacant and there are only 5% (only 8) women
Information Commissioner as “the same as that of an information commissioners in the country.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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• Out of total 165 posts of Information Commissioners, • Increasing RTI Appeals - Many State Information
42 are Vacant, including two chief State information Commissions do not have sufficient Information
commissioners. Information Commission of Jharkhand Commissioners lead to piling of RTI Appeals.
and Tripura have been completely defuncting for 29 • Information Commissions are becoming parking lots
months and 15 months respectively. Manipur, for retired bureaucrats.
Telangana, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh are • The entire system was also in need of digitisation - Only
without chiefs. 11 information commissions out of 29 provide e-filing
o Several information commissions, including the facility for RTI applications or appeals, but only five are
Central Information Commission, are working at functional.
reduced capacity - This is resulting in build-up of THREE TIER SYSTEM UNDER RTI ACT
severe backlogs of cases resulting in a long waiting
FIRST TIER
time for disposal of cases.
A person who desires to obtain any specific or
o Pending Appeals - As of now, more than 4.2 crore
information under this act, shall make a request in
RTIs have been filed and 26 lakh second appeals are
writing or through electronic means in English, Hindi or
there before the commissions. in official language of the area where the application is
3. INFORMATION COMMISSIONS NOT IMPOSING made with an accompanying fee to:
PENALTY • Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) or State
• An analysis of penalties imposed shows that the Public Information Officer (SPIO); or
commissions did not impose penalties in 95% of the • Central Assistant Public Information Officer or State
cases where penalties were potentially imposable. Assistant Public Information Officer
4. OTHER CHALLENGES FACED BY DIFFERENT • Central Assistant Public Information Officer/Central
STAKEHOLDERS Public Information Officer (CAPIO/CPIO) - provides
• Low Awareness Levels particularly among marginalised information to an RTI applicant within 30 days of the
sections about rules and process of RTI Applications receipt of a request as per section 7, unless:
and where to file them. o it is exempted from disclosure under section 8; or

• Non-uniform RTI Rules & procedures across States, o relates to a third party or
inconvenient mode and non-uniform fee across the o held by another Public Authority – in such
States. instance, application to be transferred within 5
• Unsupportive attitudes of Public Information Officers days of receipt of application
(PIOs) are leading to unsatisfactory and poor-quality SECOND TIER
replies. • The Second tier is designated as the First Appellate
• Ritualistic approach' by First Appellate authority (FAA), Authority (FAA).
huge pendency and leniency towards PIOs at • An RTI applicant:
Information Commission level.
o who does not get the required information within
• Intimidation and threat by the person in power and by 30 days or
political parties o is aggrieved by the decision of CPIO
• Ineffective record management system particularly in May within 30 days – file his first appeal FAA – officer
state field offices/ departments. senior in rank to CPIO
• Inadequate training to PIO & FAAs particularly on key THIRD TIER
order/judgments of Information commissions and
• At the third tier, the Central Information Commission
courts.
has been established as the apex appellate authority
• Increased workloads on PIOs due to understaffed under the RTI Act 2005.
positions of PIOs.

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 Constituti0n, Polity and
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• Second appeal can be filed before the Central • The decision of the government to usurp the powers to
Information Commission against the order of FAA, if set the terms and conditions of service and salaries of
the RTI Applicant is not satisfied or receives no order an independent body must be understood as an
from FAA within 90 days. obvious attempt to weaken the independence and
authority granted by the law.
NEED FOR INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS IN
DEMOCRACY • Not appointing Information Commissioners at the
Central and State level further confirms this notion that
• Independent structures set up to regulate and monitor
RTI is purposely being suffocated slowly towards a slow
the government are vital to a democratic state
death in time.
committed to deliver justice and constitutional
guarantees. CONCLUSION The Right to Information is an important
tool of empowerment and ensures transparency and
• However, centralisation of power not only impacts
accountability of the government towards citizens. Thus,
democratic norms of functioning but also threatens
government should ensure that the Information
freedom of expression through the changes made
Commission at all tiers should function at full capacity as
under RTI Act itself.
it will help in reducing case backlogs which has been piling
• Thus, 2019 RTI Amendment needs to be seen as a ever since. Further, there is a need for digitisation of
deliberate effort to change the architecture of RTI in a services and a Digital RTI Portal (website or mobile app)
regressive manner to silence freedom of speech and can deliver more efficient and citizen-friendly services
expression in our democratic republic. which are not possible through conventional mode. This
• The Information Commission which was vested by law will be beneficial for both transparency seekers and the
with status, independence and authority, will now government.
function like a department of the Central government, and
be subject to the same hierarchy and demand for
obeisance.

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Consider the following statements about recent Q.2) With reference to the Parliamentary Committee
developments: on Official Language, consider the following
statements:
1. Government has constituted a committee to
examine whether the Scheduled Caste status can 1. The Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister of
India.
be accorded to Dalits who have over the years
converted to Sikhism or Buddhism. 2. It is composed of 20 MPs from Lok Sabha and 10
MPs from Rajya Sabha.
2. According to the Constitution (Scheduled Castes)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Order, 1950, only those Scheduled Caste
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
belonging to Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist communities
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
can be categorised as Scheduled Caste.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
Q.3) With reference to the Constitution (One
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019,
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 consider the following statements:

FOCUS | NOVEMBER 2022 | RAU’S IAS 45

 Constituti0n, Polity and
Governance
1. It provides for an additional 10 per cent reservation 4. An invitation to appear before a parliamentary
to the Economically Weaker Sections which also committee is equivalent to summons from a court.
includes members of Other Backward Class, Choose the correct code:
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. (a) 1 and 2 are correct (b) 2 and 3 are correct
2. It defines and categorises the indicators of (c) 1 and 3 are correct (d) 1 and 4 are correct
economic disadvantage based on which
reservation will be provided in public services and
Q.5) With reference to 73rd amendment act of 1992;
educational institutions.
consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. Gram Sabha is a village assembly consisting of all
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
the registered voters in the area of a panchayat.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. The act provides for the reservation of not less than
half of the total number of seats for women.
Q.4) Consider the following statements regarding 3. In case of dissolution, fresh elections to constitute
parliamentary committees ? a panchayat shall be completed before the expiry
1. They have their origins in the British parliament and of a period of six months from the date of its
draw authority from the Constitution. dissolution.
2. The constitution mentions specific provision Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
regarding their composition, tenure, functions etc. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
3. The discretion to refer a matter to committee lies (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
with the President.

Descriptive Questions
Q1. Discuss the importance of livestreaming of the proceedings of Indian Judiciary on Indian Courts and our society at
large.

Q2. Trace the evolution of inclusion of Dalit Muslims and Christians within the fold of Scheduled Caste. What steps have
been taken in this regard and were these steps successful? Explain with the help of examples.

Answers: 1-a, 2-d, 3-d, 4-d, 5-c

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 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS &
Security
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper II & III (Main)

INTERPOL SUMMIT
• The organisation enables member countries to share
and access data on crimes and criminals and offers a
#International Organisations #Internal range of technical and operational support.

Security • Headquarters of INTERPOL are in Lyon, France.

• The General Secretariat of Interpol coordinates day-to-
day activities of INTERPOL.
Interpol Summit was recently organized in New Delhi after a
gap of 25 years. Last time, the Interpol Summit was conducted • General Assembly is INTERPOL’s supreme governing
in India was 1997. During the recent summit, Prime Minister body and comprises delegates appointed by
Modi had called for Global efforts to curb the menace of governments of member countries. The meeting of the
Organized Crime which is seen as one of the biggest General Assembly meets every year. Each member
challenges to the India’s Internal security. In this context, let country has one vote. Functions of the General
us try to understand different dimensions of organized crimes Assembly:
and its linkages. o Analyzing major crime threats
ABOUT INTERPOL o Reviewing INTERPOL’s activities & resources
• Interpol, or International Criminal Police Organization, o Electing INTERPOL’s leadership
established in 1923, is an inter-governmental o Charting future of global law enforcement
organisation comprising 195 member countries, which cooperation.
helps police forces in all these countries to better
coordinate their actions.

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 International Relations & Security

ABOUT INTERPOL NOTICES • INTERPOL launched unveiled the first ever Metaverse
Interpol notices are international requests made by specifically designed for law enforcement worldwide.
member countries for cooperation or alerts allowing • The INTERPOL Metaverse allows registered users to
police in member countries to share critical crime-related tour a virtual facsimile of the INTERPOL General
information. Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France without any
Such notices can also be used by United Nations, geographical or physical boundaries, interact with
International Criminal Tribunals and International other officers via their avatars, and even take
Criminal Court to seek persons wanted for committing immersive training courses in forensic investigation
crimes within their jurisdiction. and other policing capabilities.

1. Red Notice: To seek the location/arrest of a person • INTERPOL Metaverse is provided through the
wanted by a judicial jurisdiction or an international INTERPOL Secure Cloud, ensuring its neutrality.
tribunal with a view to his/her extradition. • INTERPOL also announced creation of an Expert Group
2. Green Notice: To warn about a person’s criminal on Metaverse to represent the concerns of law
activities if that person is a possible threat to public enforcement on the global stage, ensuring Metaverse
safety. is secure by design.

3. Blue Notice: To locate, identify or obtain information on INTERPOL TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT

a person of interest in a criminal investigation. REPORT ON METAVERSE
4. Yellow Notice: To locate a missing person or to identify
During the 90th INTERPOL General Assembly,
a person unable to identify himself/herself.
INTERPOL released Technology Assessment Report
5. Black Notice: To seek information on unidentified on Metaverse.
bodies.
ABOUT METAVERSE
6. Orange Notice: To warn of an event, a person, an object
• Metaverse is a future persistent and
or a process representing an imminent threat and
interconnected virtual environment where social
danger to persons or property.
and economic elements mirror reality. Users can
7. Purple Notice: To provide information on modus interact with it and each other simultaneously
operandi, procedures, objects, devices, or hiding places across devices and immersive technologies while
used by criminals. engaging with digital assets and property.
8. Interpol UNSC Special Notice: To inform Interpol’s • Metaverse is next stage in development of Internet.
members that an individual or an entity is subject to UN
• It aims to enable people around the world to access
sanctions.
shared 3D virtual environments and is powered by
ABOUT I-24/7 broad range of technologies (Immersive
A service called I-24/7 is operated by the Interpol which is technology), including virtual reality (VR),
a Global Police Communications System that provides a augmented reality (AR) and edge computing.
common platform for the member countries’ police • Using an internet connection and specialised
organisations to share sensitive and urgent police hardware like VR headsets or Haptic suits,
information with each other. It links law enforcement individuals can enter these virtual spaces via
agencies of the member countries. avatars, creating a sense of 'virtual presence'.
India’s Central Bureau of Investigation has joined the • Metaverse is expected to become a pervasive part
Interpol’s International Child Sexual Exploitation of everyday life, with individuals using online 3D
(ICSE) initiative that will allow it to collaborate with virtual spaces to work, learn, share, seek
investigators in other countries for detecting child sex entertainment and even access essential services
abuse online and identifying abusers, victims, and crime like banking and healthcare.
scenes from audio-visual clips using specialised software.
• According to research firm Gartner, by 2026, one in
INITIATIVES LAUNCHED every four persons will spend at least an hour a day
1. Launch of INTERPOL METAVERSE in the Metaverse to work, study, shop and socialise.

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 International Relations & Security

• Future of Metaverse is contingent of various • Harassment, impersonation, sexual assault and

technological advances in the fields of Augmented stalking
Reality, Virtual Reality, Edge Computing, Artificial • Counterfeiting and copyright infringement
Intelligence, 5G, Blockchain, Non-Fungible Token
• Terrorism recruitment and training
and other decentralised applications.
• Cyber-Physical attacks
SIGNIFICANCE
• Cyber-attacks in and from Metaverse
Despite being in its early stage, Metaverse has
• Darkverse.
potential to be game changer. Some of the emerging
and possible future use cases of Metaverse are: 2. Identity construct: Managing and establishing
a. Gaming industry and content creators are drivers authenticity of digital identities in Metaverse will
be a challenge for individuals and institutions,
of Metaverse. For ex. Using virtual reality headsets
like Meta's Oculus Rift and Google's Daydream, including law enforcement.
paired with a laptop, phone or gaming console, 3. Secure-by-design, privacy, data protection, ethics
users can access a variety of online virtual worlds, & human-rights: Volume of data collected by firms
such as Meta's Horizon Worlds, Decentraland, operating the Metaverse will magnify the challenge
OverTheReality, The Sandbox, Roblox and of data protection, privacy, ethics and human
Minecraft. rights, with implications for cross-border

b. Capacity building in Metaverse holds promise, information exchange and building regulatory
offering students more opportunities to framework to ensure secure-by-design user
experiences.
collaborate and network, ensuring a greater
engagement through immersion and enabling 4. Navigating interoperability: Interoperability i.e.,
hands-on activities. the ability to unify economics, avatars and systems

c. Metaverse holds great potential in terms of across different virtual worlds is key to the concept
remote work and networking. of Metaverse but will likely present issues for
industry leaders/consortiums and regulators.
d. Business & Banking: Metaverse can help users to
experience technologies and products in near-real 5. Cybersecurity, content and conduct moderation,
life settings. Apparels retailers have already safety & health: Measures will have to be taken to
ensure safety of users online and offline. This
started allowing customers to try clothes in
Metaverse and get to know if the clothes fit them. could range from agreeing to certain technical
standards to raising awareness about security
e. Other industries like Creative Industries,
risks, digital hygiene and VR Hangover.
Experience Industry, Marketing, Virtual Real Estate,
Critical Infrastructure can also use Metaverse in 6. Bridging the digital divide, portability &
creative ways. accessibility: Currently many parts of the world
lack reliable broadband, hardware and/or digital
CHALLENGES OF METAVERSE
skills needed to access Metaverse, accessibility and
1. Crime using Metaverse: Metaverse will challenge inclusiveness will remain important concern.
police services to detect criminal activity and keep
7. Addressing legislative and regulatory gaps to
users safe from new kinds of crimes, called
enable criminalisation: Law enforcement agencies
'Metacrimes'. As the Metaverse grows in
like police cannot without legislation, there is an
popularity, the list of crimes will expand, and in
urgent need for laws that criminalise acts that
some cases defying imagination:
cause harm in or through Metaverse. Such efforts
• Financial fraud, social engineering and scams, may include efforts to regulate the use and
• Online grooming of children and child sexual transactions of virtual assets, given their significant
exploitation featuring Metaverse role in Metaverse. Policing the Metaverse will have
• Hacking & data theft a high cost for law enforcement, in terms of

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 International Relations & Security

awareness raising, training, equipment and and cybercriminals depend on financial fraud to
associated services. launder their illicit gains.
INITIATIVES IN THE METAVERSE SECTOR • In this way, while ‘cybercrime-as-a-service’ is a well-
1. World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched known criminal concept, the pandemic has hastened
Defining and Building the Metaverse Initiative: It is the emergence of ‘financial crime-as-a-service’,
a multistakeholder initiative to develop and share including digital money laundering tools that can prove
actionable strategies for creating governance
critical for criminals seeking to cash out.
frameworks for an interoperable and safe
metaverse.
WAY FORWARD
Building law enforcement capabilities on metaverse:
Police and law enforcement agencies need to
proactively prepare and contribute to shaping safer
online environments.
a. Countering Metaverse Threats: Law enforcement
needs to acquire capacity to counter so-called
'metacrimes'. This will call for raising awareness,
developing a law enforcement presence, training
officers, identity management, closing legislative
gaps, threat analysis, intelligence sharing, MEASURE TO MAKE INTERPOL EFFECTIVE
investigative support and establishing • Setting up a “real time information exchange line”
partnerships. between counterterrorism and anti-narcotics agencies
b. Metaverse as a tool: Rapid development of of member countries.
Metaverse related technologies brings not just • All countries need to have a consensus on the
threats but also opportunities for law enforcement definition of terrorism and terrorist and a consensus
agencies, provided they can acquire right skills, on the cross-border propagation of terrorist ideologies
tools and partnerships. Law enforcement agencies through online radicalisation.
can use metaverse for remote working, training • A network between anti-narcotics agencies of all
and learning, digitalising crime scenes and building member countries. Creating a narco-database at the
partnership and networking. Interpol level.
c. Forensics in Metaverse: As people increasingly use • Interpol is neither an investigative agency nor a front-
Metaverse for various activities like socialising, line police force. It is mandated to share information
learning, working and earning, it will emerge as an and provide back-end technical assistance to law
important source of data and evidence for enforcement agencies.
investigators. Metaverse will facilitate accessing
• Interpol action against notorious fugitives is
data from VR headsets and haptic devices,
consequential upon commensurate action from
recovering evidence from Metaverse
member nations where the fugitives might be seeking
infrastructure, Getting data from third party
shelter.
Metaverse service providers. This will require
• Interpol cannot act on its own. The desired legal course
training of first responders, forensic specialists
of action depends on bilateral arrangements like
and updating of entire criminal justice system.
mutual legal assistance treaties.
2. Financial crime-as-a-service
GLOBAL CRIME TREND REPORT
• Financial crimes and cybercrime are invariably linked,
INTERPOL's first ever Global Crime Trend Report was
as a significant amount of financial fraud takes place
presented to the delegates during this summit. The
through digital technologies (making it ‘cyber-enabled’) report uses data from Interpol's 195 member

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 International Relations & Security

countries, databases and external sources and • Smugglers and traffickers are increasingly relying on
highlights current and emerging threats at both global online tools to facilitate recruitment and target
and regional levels. vulnerable persons.
1. Organised Crime: 3. Financial crime & corruption
• Organised crime was among the top 10 crime trends • Includes money laundering, financial fraud and
most frequently perceived to pose a very threat by corruption as a critical crime-enabler.
all member countries. Organised crime groups are • Money laundering and financial fraud has been
more pervasive in Asia. highlighted as very high threat among financial
• Organised crime groups have a global reach as they crimes.
collaborate with criminal networks to traffic drugs, • Money laundering, although a crime unto itself, is a
illicit goods and wildlife derivatives. critical crime-enabler. Financial institutions often
play central role in laundering illicit proceeds which
• Organised crime groups and criminal networks
sustains and empowers organised crime.
appear to be as resourceful and resilient as ever,
having proven their ability to rapidly adapt and seize • As rates of digitalisation have accelerated,
new opportunities. particularly during the pandemic, online social
engineering for purpose of financial fraud (banking
• Criminal networks and mafia-style criminal groups
& credit card fraud), victim manipulation and
are an important driving force of organised.
impersonation scams are increasing significantly.
• Organised crime is often fuelled by vulnerabilities
• Corruption is one of the most significant enablers of
linked to conflict, instability, in conjunction with organised crimes. However, it is complex to
ample criminal opportunities (presence of natural investigate.
resources, minerals, timber, wildlife etc.)
4. Cybercrimes
• Organised crime growing more violent. Support
• Ransomware, phishing, online scams, distributed
from state actors and corruption, use of legitimate
denial of service attacks and computer intrusion (i.e.,
business and technology are critical facilitators of hacking) are cybercrime trends which pose high
organised crime. threats globally. These attacks are escalating
2. Illicit Trafficking particularly against the business sector, both local
• This includes drug trafficking, human trafficking and and international enterprises, resulting in
migrant smuggling. disruption, data breaches and financial loss.
• Digital extortion (i.e., blackmailing), business email
• Illicit production and distribution of synthetic drugs
compromise (BEC) and botnets are other major
and their precursor chemicals, heroin, cocaine and
cybercrime threats.
cannabis trafficking were drug related offences
perceived as very high by member countries. • Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA)
was ranked among top 10 crime trends and are
• Human trafficking and migrant smuggling affect
expected to increase significantly in future.
every region of the world and are likely the most
5. Terrorism
pervasive global criminal markets. Due to
geopolitical instability, climate change and post- • Jihadist terrorism continues to pose greatest
pandemic recession impacting migration flows terrorist threat at the global level.
demand for smuggling services will likely increase. • Jihadist-motivated terrorism affiliated either with
Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda are particularly
• Environmental crimes, including trafficking in
active in the middle east region. Islamic State
wildlife, fisheries and forestry crimes are increasing.
affiliates like al-Shabab continue to gain influence
• Trafficking is also common in counterfeit medicines and conduct attacks in sub-Saharan Africa.
and consumable goods; illicit firearms are also
• Self-initiated (lone) actors are carrying out majority
widely trafficked.
of attacks nowadays.

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 International Relations & Security

• During the last decade, politically motivated, move beyond national borders through multiple
specifically extreme far-right terrorism has jurisdictions, rendering the process of asset
increased manifolds in North America, Europe and recovery complex and dependent on effective
Asia-Pacific region. international cooperation. Member countries need
• Terrorists are using advanced technologies including to promote development and implementation of
drones, GPS systems and encrypted messaging better national policies, through consultations with
services. agencies like FATF and Egmont Group to improve
tracing, seizure and confiscation of criminal assets.
6. Convergence and re-enforcement of crimes: The
above five priority crime areas converge and sustain • Cybercrime: Collective efforts between law
each other in critical ways. Each crime trend has enforcement agencies, private and public sector is
been greatly transformed and empowered by imperative to prevent, detect, investigate and
technological innovation and use of digital disrupt cybercrime. INTERPOL builds trust among
technologies. member countries to foster exchange and
aggregation of actionable intelligence and insights to
SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERPOL
disrupt cyber threat actors.
• INTERPOL is the only global law enforcement
• Online Child Sexual Exploitation & Abuse (OCSEA):
organisation. Hence, it is strategically positioned to
Immediate action is required against use of cyber
monitor and assess transnational crime trends at
technology to facilitate particularly appalling crimes
global and regional level.
like OCSEA. Countries should establish and properly
• Regional police organisations are focused solely on
equip specialised units for combatting OCSEA.
local criminal landscape. However, Crime is globally INTERPOL has established a network of specialists
pervasive with different local manifestations.
on crimes against children to support capacity
INTERPOL can comprehend both global and local building in this area. National agencies can connect
crime trends and assist national agencies with better with INTERPOL's International Child Sexual
responses.
Exploitation database which will help analyse child
• Transnational crimes and criminal networks are abuse material and identification of victims and
evolving at unprecedented pace. However, national offenders.
law enforcement agencies are often left playing
• Counterterrorism: Increased cooperation among
'catch up' with tools, processes and procedures countries is essential for counterterrorism.
often outdated or inefficient. INTERPOL can support INTERPOL can support in effective data and
member countries to tackle contemporary crimes by
intelligence sharing, multilateral cooperation, inter-
its unique policing capabilities to meet specific agency cooperation and exchange of good practices
needs of national law enforcement agencies and among law enforcement agencies.
frontline offices.
• Data, intelligence and information: The ability to
• Organised crime & trafficking operates as complex, assess crime trends and threats is important for
mafia-styled criminal network infiltrating legal effectively preventing and combatting crimes.
economies and corrupting state institutions.
Countries need to invest and seek support for
Dismantling organised crime groups is fundamental adequate intelligence and analytical infrastructure.
to impeding illicit trafficking flows. INTERPOL can Ex. Project ENACT of INTERPOL supports criminal
coordinate cross-border operations through which
analysis in Africa can be scaled up across the globe.
drugs, arms and human traffickers can be identified
and apprehended. Ex. INTERPOL’s Project I-CAN can ORGANISED CRIMES
be worked upon as a model. Organized crimes are a category of transnational,
• Combating financial crime and corruption, national, or local groupings of highly centralized
particularly money laundering, which ultimately enterprises run by criminals to engage in illegal activity,
sustains and empowers organised crime requires most commonly for profit.
concerted approach. Proceeds of crime often rapidly

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 International Relations & Security

TYPES OF ORGANISED CRIMES • Pakistan, particularly the ISI has realized the vast
• Drug Trafficking - Golden Crescent in the Northwest damaging potential of money laundering, hawala and

and the Golden Triangle in the East leads to cross counterfeit currency to sustain the subversive

border nexus for smuggling and terrorist activities. activities.

• Hawala – An illegal organised system to transfer funds • The ISI has been using these established channels for

from one place to other. smuggling of arms and explosives, which has provided
terrorism greater teeth.
• Cyber Crimes - Ransomware and Malwares are working
• CIA report “ Heroin in Pakistan, sowing the wind”
as transnationally organised activity.
confirms the use of drug money by Pak intelligence
• Human Trafficking – linked with organised crime and is
agencies to finance militancy in Punjab and Kashmir.
considered as one of the most profitable criminal
• Golden triangle produces over one thousand tons of
activities worldwide.
opium which is refined into very high-grade heroin.
• Money Laundering Entities – Shell Companies,
Very little of it is seized in the Northeast due to
Insurance sector, Use of Financial Markets and Banks
ineffective surveillance and enforcement.
by an Organised nexus.

LINKAGES BETWEEN ORGANISED CRIME AND

TERRORISM
• 2018 annual report by United Nations-backed
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)
• India is one of the major hubs for illicit drug trade. IMPACT OF LINKAGES BETWEEN ORGANISED CRIME
• Though drug abuse prevails across India, regions in AND TERRORISM
northwest and northeast have rampant linkages with • Collaborate and appropriate shared tactics by
global narcotics industry. Bolstering each other’s’ capabilities.
• India’s strategic location places it amid two largest
• Enhances their organizational infrastructure - Mumbai
sources of illicit drugs in South Asia- Golden Crescent
attacks of 1992 , 2008 used the routes used for
(Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran) on northwest and
smuggling, Insurgency in Northeast.
infamous Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Thailand, and
Laos) on the northeast. • Helps terrorists with improved access to resources -
• It undermines financial security of India by generating The ISI has been using these established channels for
black money, hawala transactions, money laundering. smuggling of arms and explosives.

• Existence of large cash economy enables cross border • Expands their geographic reach.
terrorist activities and establishment of links with • Both Take place in with weak political control ex –
underworld as gains can be channelized through the
Taliban - Afghanistan.
hawala routes.

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 International Relations & Security

INDIA–UK RELATIONS • Successful partnership between

Oxford University, AstraZeneca and
#Bilateral Relations Serum Institute of India (SII) on
Health Covid19 vaccine demonstrated the
potential of Indian and UK expertise
Rishi Sunak was elected as the prime minister of the UK after
working together to solve
he won the race to lead the Conservative Party in October
international challenges
2022. He is the U.K’s first Asian-origin non-white Prime
Minister to be elected to the top post.
• UK has been supportive of India's
ISSUES HIGHLIGHTS permanent membership of UNSC
and voted favourably in the roll-over
• Merchandise trade between the two decision on UNSC reforms to the 70th
countries was $15.5 billion in 2019-20 session of UNGA.
with the trade balance in favour of • UK is also a strong supporter of
India. Multilateral India's membership of the NSG,
• India is the second-largest source of Collaboration MTCR, Australia Group and
Trade Wassenaar Arrangement.
foreign direct investment after the US
in the UK. • UK and India are current co-chairs of
• UK is the 6th largest investor in India, Coalition for Disaster Resilient
after Mauritius, Singapore, Infrastructure (CDRI). UK is also a
Netherlands, Japan and USA. member of ISA and supports its
activities.
• India and the UK signed Defence and
• Indian Diaspora in UK is one of the
International Security Partnership
largest ethnic minority communities
(DISP) in 2015 to provide a strategic
in the country, including
roadmap and direction to the
approximately 1.6 million British
evolving India-UK Defence Relations.
nationals of Indian origin and about
Defence • UK is deploying Carrier Strike Group 3,51,000 NRIs living in the UK
in Indian Ocean region this year in equating to almost 2.5% of UK
Diaspora
line with its strategic tilt to Indo- population and contributing 6% of
Pacific. the country’s GDP.
• UK will join the Indian-Pacific Oceans • At present there are sixteen Indian
Initiative (IPOI). origin MPs in the UK Parliament and,
out of these, five of them hold key
• India-UK Green Growth Equity Fund
Ministerial posts in the Government.
is mobilising institutional
investments in renewable energy, TEN YEAR ROADMAP FOR INDIA-UK RELATIONS
waste management, electric mobility • Negotiate a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement
and environment sub-sectors in (FTA)
Climate India.
• Doubling India-UK trade by 2030.
change • Early operationalization of the Global
• Strengthening defence partnership, focusing on
Green Grids-One Sun One World One
maritime and industrial collaboration
Grid Initiative (OSOWOG) under ISA
• Closer cooperation in a free and open Indo-Pacific.
and IRIS platform under CDRI which
were jointly launched by India and UK • Maritime Domain Awareness, which includes new
at COP26. agreements on maritime information sharing
• Conclusion of a Logistics MoU.

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 International Relations & Security

• Cooperation and coordination in the UN, including at • On cybersecurity, the UK and India will be working
UNSC and UNFCCC, and other multilateral fora such as multilaterally under the proposed D 10 to combat
G-20, WTO, WHO, Commonwealth, IMF and World Huawei’s lead in 5G.
Bank. • The partnership between Oxford University,
• Promote and uphold a rules-based international AstraZeneca and India’s Serum Institute serves as a
system and work together to promote reformed blueprint for future cooperation on global health
multilateralism initiatives.

UK’S RENEWED ASSERTION POST BREXIT • Post Brexit – when UK is trying to diversify its economic
partners – India can play a crucial role.
• UK is focusing to significantly increase its nuclear
stockpile to counter threats posed by increasing • Both are partnering on the issues of Climate change.
military might of Russia and assertiveness of China. Ex- Green Grid initiative and one sun on world one Grid
at Glasgow COP26.
• UK is looking towards India and Indo-Pacific Region to
ensure that its strategic interests are protected and As India seeks to carve out a new role for itself in the
impact of Brexit on the economy is minimized. evolving global order as a ‘leading power’ and the U.K.
recalibrates its strategic outlook post-Brexit, this is a
• Britain has expressed its desire to acquire partner
unique moment in India-U.K. ties.
status of ASEAN.
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS
• It is part of the AUKUS security Partnership that aims at
countering China in the Indo – Pacific. • Both countries aim to double bilateral trade of both
goods and services to about $100 billion by 2030
IMPLICATIONS OF UK’S TILT
• The UK has been the six the largest source of FDI for
Will declare UK’s political commitment to the region,
India, with inflows of $32 billion between April 2000 and
thereby developing a consensus against an assertive
June 2022.
China.
• It is hoped that following their FTA, India and the UK can
• By aligning with US and Australia, it is amplifying its
broaden the scope of bilateral trade as currently 70
efforts by entering the regional security architecture. percent of India-UK trade is dominated by the services
• On intelligence gathering and sharing – a field the UK sector. The proposed India-UK FTA would ultimately
leads in – there is potential to cooperate more with key cover 90 percent of tariff lines.
Indo-Pacific states such as Japan and India. Ex - 5 eyes • The goal is to double bilateral trade in goods and
• Trade and investment will be a key dimension of the services to US$100 billion by 2030.
UK’s tilt and the UK’s changing relationship with China FTA ISSUES
requires a diversification of trading partners.
• Data localisation and UK companies being allowed to
STAKES FOR INDIA – UK RELATIONS bid for Indian government contracts are among the
• Both view Indo – Pacific as an emerging theatre of Geo- issues causing a possible deadlock in the final stages of
politics. It provides an opportunity for a closer UK-India the India-UK FTA.
partnership. • Negotiations on key issues of mobility/migration and
• UK’s post-Brexit meritocratic immigration policy, along tariffs - on movement of professionals is very
with its move to co-sponsor a motion at the UN that important. Negotiators on both sides will need to get
called out Pakistan’s failure to prevent the financing of unambiguous political mandate.
terrorism, have helped put the relationship on a • India-UK MMP Migration and Mobility Partnership
healthier footing. (MMP) specifically excludes trade in services through
• India has come to the realisation that, alone, the US is movement of natural persons
incapable of constraining China. • The sticky issues include India’s regulatory policies
• Compared to its ties with Japan, Australia and France, concerning the insurance sector.
the UK remains a relatively untapped strategic partner • India’s apparent inability to commit to ratify and
for India. implement all the ILO norms on labour, including those

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 International Relations & Security

aimed at reining in the negotiating power of trade • It hints at India’s possible integration in important
unions. global forums such as the G7.
• It will be quite easier for the UK to agree on • Identifies India as both a bilateral and multilateral
(merchandise) tariffs, given that it anyway keeps much partner in the Indo-Pacific.
lower tariffs, but it may have concerns over market • It recognises India's status as the largest democracy
access in the legal and financial services. and a major defence partner.
• Both have been collaborating through regional
US NATIONAL SECURITY partnerships - Quad and I2U2.

STRATEGY
#Bilateral Relations
20TH NATIONAL CONGRESS
OF CPC CHINA
USA has released its national security strategy which focusses #Bilateral Relations
on both internal as well as external security threats faced by
it. Since USA is one of the most important players in global
20th National congress of the communist party of China was
affairs, this policy has implications for both India and the held recently. Since China is one of the important adversaries
World. In this context let us try and understand the way USA of India in the Indo-Pacific region, its vision for the coming
perceives its security environment. years is crucial to understand its ambitions in the region.
USA'S NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST
• A document which reflects US Government's approach PARTY
of handling the National security challenges of the US. • National Congress is theoretically the highest body
within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• Aims at handling the domestic, Transnational,
• The Congress is the public venue for top-level
conventional as well as Non-conventional security
leadership changes in the CCP and the formal event for
threats.
changes to the Party's Constitution.
• The Strategy aims seeks to sustain
20TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OUTCOMES
o U.S' Global leadership. Xi Jinping was anointed President for an unprecedented
o Improve the U.S. economy. third term.
o Build on a vast network of alliances and • The congress has reinforced the grip of CPC on all
partnerships. institutions across China.

o Counter China as its strategic competitor and Russia • It was concluded that international public opinion was
currently anti-China and included an incitement to
as a disruptor.
overthrow the existing Communist regime.
o Boost U.S. competitiveness and defend democracy.
• To counter such disruptive philosophies, it had become
• Besides the above, it also aims at handling - Climate necessary for the CCP to emphasise ideological
change, food insecurity, pandemics, terrorism, energy coherence and internal discipline.
shortages and inflation. • This would help to avoid the danger of a ‘Soviet style
• Seeks to invest in the “tools of American power and collapse’ caused by ideological laxity, corruption,
influence” by strengthening the economy at home, divisions within the party and attempts by outsiders to
improving critical infrastructure and investing in foment unrest.
technologies such as microchips and semiconductors. • In terms of geo - Politics - the objective is to effectively
reduce the authority and the power of the United
• The strategy clearly considers China as a strategic
States.
competitor especially in the Indo - Pacific.
• Reiterated that CCP’s role is central to Chinese society
IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA and critical to determining China’s role in world affairs.

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 International Relations & Security

• The Party Congress reiterated that the goal is to make the kind of missions that the UN Peacekeepers take
China a modern socialist power by 2035, boost per part in.
capita income to middle income levels, and modernise • India has proposed a 10-point plan, including making
the armed forces. those targeting UN peacekeepers more accountable.
IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA AND THE WORLD BASIC PRINCIPLES
• Xi zinging exercises more power and authority as UN Peacekeeping is guided by four basic principles
compared to any of his predecessor second only to
• Consent of the parties.
Mao Zedong.
• Impartiality.
• Such Power and authority can be exercised in India's
• Non use of force except in self-defence.
neighbourhood and particularly in the Indo – Pacific.
• Defence of the mandate.
• However, China seeks to become Great Power by 2049.
But to achieve this hegemonic status it has many tasks HISTORY OF PEACEKEEPING
to complete. • It was formed as a tool to maintain peace and security
• In such a scenario it is expected that xi zinging would in the conflict areas during cold war period when UNSC
not act hastily to endanger such commanding position. had been paralyzed.
• Before any misadventure, the priority for Xi zinging is • First Peacekeepers were sent to Arab-Israeli war. They
likely to be to consolidate control over the CPC. were unarmed military troops whose primary role was
• Further China faces economic challenges because of to monitor, report and build confidence.
restrictions imposed by the US. • First Armed mission – 1956 Suez Crisis.
• However, a confrontation is expected with India and • First large-scale mission – Congo crisis. 20,000 troops
Japan to ensure its leadership in Asia. were deployed. India contributed heavily to this
• If India is seen as a major recipient of western mission.
technology, the kind being denied to China, China • Since then, UN has employed more than 70 missions.
would make it a point to use its economic, rather than INDIA-UN PEACEKEEPING
military muscle, to deter India’s progress India is one of the founding members of United Nations.
India’s commitments for maintenance of international

UN PEACE KEEPING FORCE

peace have been second to none.
INDIA'S CONTRIBUTION IN PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS

AND ISSUES INVOLVED • 1950 Korean war – Medical Unit and Custodian force
for Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission.
#International Organisations • Indian forces served in Gaza Strip from 1956 to 1967.
• 1960 in Congo, on attaining independence from
A spate of attacks on United Nations Peacekeepers in the Belgium.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid anti-UN protests in • In Iran – Iraq after Gulf War I, On Iraq Kuwait border.
the past few weeks has left two BSF jawans dead. The issues
• Central America, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Rwanda,
of growing fatalities and the lack of clear mandates for the
Sudan/South Sudan.
‘blue helmets’ were at the top of the agenda as UN
• Total 49 mission sending more than 2,08,000 troops.
Peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix held a meeting in Delhi
Highest troop contribution amongst all countries.
as part of a tour to India, Pakistan, the UAE and Japan.
• 156 Indians have sacrificed their lives on peacekeeping
FATALITIES IN PEACE KEEPING MISSIONS
mission, highest for any nation.
• UN Peacekeeping fatalities due to malicious acts (not
• Indian peacekeepers have been awarded with Dag
illness or accidents) that were once on the decline, are
Hammarskjold award for their supreme sacrifices.
rising — from 13 in 2020 to 25 in 2021 and this year as
• India has unique distinction of sending all women
many as 26 till August.
contingent in Liberia.
• New Delhi, which has lost 179 peacekeepers over the
• We also have developed a well-rounded policy on UN
past 60 years, is that they do not get enough of a say in
peacekeeping.

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 International Relations & Security

• India has established training centre in Delhi under • Coordination with host governments will help address
Centre for UN Peacekeeping. misinformation and disinformation against
• Image of Indian peacekeepers is that they have acted peacekeepers and enhance their safety “all-out efforts
in extremely profession manner. They are known for to bring the perpetrators of crimes against
their competence and ability to establish rapport with peacekeepers to justice”
local populations. • The UN should ensure that the proposed memorial wall
• Presently in 2019, according to UN website 6,022 Indian for fallen peacekeepers at the world body’s
troops are deployed in 9 out of 14 UN peacekeeping headquarters is installed urgently.
missions. Primarily in Congo, South Sudan and • Establishing trust and smooth coordination between a
Lebanon. peacekeeping mission’s leadership and the host state
CHANGING NATURE OF PEACEKEEPING is essential for achieving the goals of operations.
• Peacekeepers are often involved in civil wars, where • The role of women peacekeepers “cannot be
constitutional authority does not exist, or is often overemphasised in effective peacekeeping” and India
limited. deployed the first all-women peacekeeping contingent
• Sometimes non-state actors are also involved which in Liberia in 2007,
are not bound to follow any norms. • introducing advanced technology in peacekeeping
• They are also called upon to monitor humanitarian missions to overcome security challenges. In 2021,
relief operations. India supported the rolling out of the “Unite Aware”
• Human rights violations platform to enhance the safety of peacekeepers and
• Assist in mine clearance. signed an MoU with the UNC4ISR Academy for Peace
Operations in Uganda to meet its technology needs.
• Monitor state boundaries.
• There is a need for addressing the insecurity of civilians
• Provide civilian police support.
caused by terrorist groups cannot be ignored but
• Assist in infrastructure building like road, railway, pointed out that a host government has the primary
bridges. responsibility to protect civilians from non-state groups
• Assist in electoral processes. across its territory.
• Reluctance on part of developed countries to • A regional approach is imperative for resolving armed
contribute troops for the mission. conflicts and building collective security against
• Allegations by fund contributing countries of transnational threats posed by terror groups. The role
misappropriation of funds by troop contributing of regional and sub-regional organisations in
countries. mediation, monitoring of ceasefires, assistance in
implementing peace accords, and post-conflict
• Some countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh look at
rebuilding.
peacekeeping to earn foreign exchange. They have
failed to act in responsible manner. • Peacekeeping missions should factor in an “exit
strategy from their very inception”. “There are several
INDIA’S NEW TEN-POINT PLAN FOR PEACEKEEPING
examples of redundant peacekeeping missions which
• Peacekeeping missions should be given “clear and
continue to be a drain on the UN's depleting resources.
realistic mandates” that are matched with adequate
resources. Troop and police-contributing countries do
not have a role in the decision-making process and this UNSC – COUNTER
anomaly should be rectified
• The UNSC needs to avoid terminologies and TERRORISM COMMITTEE
formulations while crafting mission mandates that may #INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION #TERRORISM
generate false hopes and expectations. Peacekeeping
missions should be “deployed prudently, with full
A special meeting of Counter Terrorism Committee of UN
recognition of their limitations.
Security Council was convened in India. This is the first time

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 International Relations & Security

that meeting of UNSC or any of this committees is being resolutions to countering the use of technologies for
organised in India. terrorist purposes, while respecting human rights and
THEME fundamental freedoms.
The theme of this meeting was 'countering the use of new • A new set of non-binding guiding principles to assist
and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes'. Member States in countering the digital terrorism
• Internet, including social media threat will be issued, with a compilation of good
practices on the opportunities offered by the same set
• New payment technologies and fundraising methods
of technologies to tackle threats.
• Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)
• The relevant offices will commit to deepening
UN Security Council’s (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism
engagement and cooperation with civil society,
Committee called on member countries to ensure zero
including women and women's organizations, relevant
tolerance towards terrorist activities and vowed to deal
private-sector entities, and other stakeholders, and
with the menace more vigorously.
build partnerships.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND TERRORISM
UNSC - CTC (COUNTER TERRORISM COMMITTEE)
• In recent years, terrorist groups, their ideological
• Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) of UN Security
fellow-travellers, particularly in open and liberal
Council was established in 2001 in the aftermath of
societies and ‘lone wolf’ attackers have significantly
9/11 terror attacks, pursuant to the UN Security Council
enhanced their capabilities by gaining access to these
resolution 1373.
technologies like virtual private networks, and
• The committee comprises of all fifteen members of the
encrypted messaging services to blockchain and virtual
UNSC.
currencies.
• India has been the chair of the UNSC Counter Terrorism
• They use technology and money, and most
Committee from January this year.
importantly, the ethos of open societies, to attack
freedom, tolerance and progress. • Objectives: The committee has been tasked with
monitoring and implementation of UNSC resolution
• Internet and social media platforms have turned into
1373 and request countries to implement a number of
potent instruments in the toolkit of terrorist and
measures intended to enhance their legal and
militant groups for spreading propaganda,
institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at
radicalization and conspiracy theories aimed at
home, in their regions and around the world.
destabilizing societies.
• The resolution mandates the committee to monitor the
DELHI DECLARATION
full implementation by member states (UN members)
Member States agree that guidelines and implemented
of resolution 1373. For this function, the CTC is assisted
actions should be based on international law and human
by executive directorate, known as Counter Terrorism
rights.
Executive Directorate (CTED).
• Members of the Committee will draft
COUNTER TERRORISM EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE
recommendations to counter the terrorist exploitation
(CTED)
of Information and Communications Technology, such
• It is the executive directorate of the UNSC Counter
as payment technologies and fundraising methods and
Terrorism Committee.
misuse of unmanned aerial systems (UAS, or drones).
• CTED conducts the CTC's policy decisions and conducts
• The body will assist Member States in the
expert assessments of all 193 members states of the
implementation of all relevant Security council
United Nations.

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 International Relations & Security

practice questions
MCQS
Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding 1. It functions under the Counter Terrorism Committee
International criminal police organization under the UN General Assembly.
(INTERPOL)? 2. It helps Counter Terrorism Committee to carry out
1. It is an intergovernmental organization coordinating its policy decisions.
with police force of 194 countries. Which of the following statements given above is/are
2. India has been a founding member of INTERPOL. correct?
3. NIA is designated as National Central bureau of (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
India. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the following statements are incorrect?
(a) 1 and 2 only Q.4) Global Green Grids Initiative has been launched
(b) 2 only by, which of the following countries?
(c) 2 and 3 only (a) UK (b) China
(d) 1 only (c) EU (d) USA

Q.2) Metaverse initiative for law enforcement was Q.5) Consider the following statements about
recently launched by which international Interpol notices:
Organisation? 1. Red notice seeks to locate, identify or obtain
(a) NATO information on a person of interest in criminal
(b) EUROPOL investigation.
(c) INTERPOL 2. Black notice seeks information on unidentified
(d) Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit bodies.
Which of the following statements given above is/are
Q.3) Consider the following statements about correct?
Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Descriptive Questions
Q1. Terror financing is the lifeblood of terrorism. For curbing terrorism, it is essential to comprehensively address the
issue of terrorism. In this respect, discuss the steps required to address the terror financing.
Q2. Interpol has a central role for addressing transnational crimes. Discuss the role of Interpol and mechanisms it must
curb trans-national crimes.
Answers : 1-c, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a, 5-b

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 SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
# GS Paper I & GS Paper II (Main)

GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX

REASONS FOR PREVALENCE OF WIDESPREAD HUNGER
IN INDIA
#Malnutrition • Inappropriate child feeding practices: WHO and
UNICEF recommend that breastfeeding should be
initiated within first hour of birth and infants should be
India had been ranked 107 out of 121 countries on Global exclusively breastfed for first six months. NFHS-5 says
Hunger Index (GHI) 2022, released by Concern Worldwide, an that only 42% of infants are breastfed within one hour
Irish non-governmental organisation (NGO) and of birth and only 64% of infants are exclusively
Welthungerhilfe, a German development and humanitarian breastfed for first 6 months.
aid NGO. The level of hunger in India had been labelled as • Low Female literacy: Nutrition levels are affected by
'serious' by latest edition of the annual country-wise rankings education level of women. Educating women increases
report. awareness about nutrient-rich diet, personal hygiene,
GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX good feeding practices, containing family size in poor,
Each country’s GHI score is calculated based on four malnourished families. But female literacy in India is
indicators. only 65% and is much lower in states like Bihar and
Rajasthan that recorded high levels of malnutrition in
• Undernourishment: Calculated by the share of the
children.
population with insufficient caloric intake.
• Poor Sanitation: Repeated infection with diarrhoeal
• Child stunting: Calculated by the share of children
diseases due to poor sanitation contributes to chronic
under age five who have low height for their age,
malnutrition by inhibiting intestinal absorption of
reflecting chronic undernutrition.
nutrients and is strongly correlated with stunting. The
• Child mortality: Calculated by the share of children proportion of people with access to improved
who die before their fifth birthday, partly reflecting the sanitation facilities in India is only 49% as per NHFS-4.
fatal mix of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy • Micronutrient deficiency: More than 80% of Indian
environments. population suffers from micronutrient deficiencies,
• Child wasting: Calculated by the share of children contributing to compromised immunity. This is mainly
under age five who have low weight for their height, due to lack of dietary diversification, changed dietary
reflecting acute undernutrition. habits, food processing resulting in plant
micronutrient loss and crop homogenisation.
• GHI score is calculated on a 100-point scale reflecting
severity of hunger, where zero is best score (no • Food inflation: With rising food inflation families
hunger) and 100 is the worst. become less able to buy and eat nutritious food.
According to ADB, 1% increase in food inflation leads
• According to GHI 2022, Global progress against hunger
to an increase of 0.3% in both infant and child
has largely stagnated in recent years. The situation is
mortalities, and 0.5% in undernourishment.
likely to worsen due to current barrage of overlapping
• Limitations of existing schemes:
global crises—Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate change,
and economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. o The ICDS program, while successful in many ways,
has not made a significant dent in child

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 Society and Social Justice

malnutrition. This is mostly due to the priority that o Fortification of edible oil, too, was made compulsory
the program has placed on food supplementation, across the country by FSSAI in 2018.
targeting mostly children after the age of three o Fortification of milk was started in 2017 under which
when malnutrition has already set in. the National Dairy Development Board of India
o Stringent conditions to avail benefits of Pradhan (NDDB) is pushing companies to add vitamin D.
Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana have led to exclusion o States have been scaling up the use of double-
of teenage mothers and poor women who birth fortified salt to combat iron and iodine deficiencies.
more than one child, thereby abetting
• Price stabilisation fund to regulate the price volatility of
intergenerational cycle of undernutrition.
important Agri-horticultural commodities like onion,
o Exclusion errors, non-inclusion of nutritious items potatoes and pulses.
such as pulses and edible oil in PDS basket failed to
improve nutritional status of poor households.

IMPACT OF MALNUTRITION ON NATIONAL

UGC TO PUSH AUTONOMY
GROWTH
FOR COLLEGES
It is estimated that, malnutrition can decrease
economic growth of a nation by about 8% due to loss
#Education
in productivity caused by reduced schooling and
cognitive impairments. Research suggests that $1 University Grants Commission (UGC) is making efforts to
spent on nutritional interventions in India could streamline the process of granting autonomous status to
generate $34.1 to $38.6 in public economic returns, colleges, in sync with recommendations of National
three times more than global average. As one of the Education Policy, 2020. As per NEP 2020, “Over a period, it is
fastest growing economies in the world, India requires envisaged that every college would develop into either an
a strong and healthy workforce to sustain its growth autonomous degree-granting college, or a constituent college
levels. of a university – in the latter case, it would be fully a part of
the university.
MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT
BENEFITS OF AUTONOMY
• POSHAN Abhiyaan is an overarching umbrella scheme
With appropriate accreditations, Autonomous degree-
to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant
granting Colleges could evolve into Research-Intensive or
women and lactating mothers by holistically
Teaching-Intensive Universities, if they aspire. These
addressing multiple determinants of malnutrition. It
regulations will also provide freedom to autonomous
involves convergence of multiple programs and
colleges to:
schemes: ICDS, PMMVY, NHM (with its sub
• Determine and prescribe their own courses of study
components such as JSY, MCP card, Anaemia Mukt
and syllabi.
Bharat, RBSK, IDCF, HBNC, HBYC, Take Home
Rations), Swachh Bharat Mission, National Drinking • Redesign curriculum to suit local needs, make it skill-
water Mission, NRLM etc. oriented and in consonance with job requirements.
• Prescribe their own admission rules, decide exam
• Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)
patterns and evolve methods of assessment.
for providing one hot cooked meal in Government and
Government–aided Schools. NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY ON REGULATION OF
HIGHER EDUCATION
• Food fortification: It refers to augmenting nutrient
content of food consumed by masses by genetic or Regulation of higher education has been too heavy-
handed for decades. Presently, regulation of higher
physical loading of nutrients which are generally
education bodies is done through multiple bodies like
deficient in the population. Examples are:
University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for
o Fortification of wheat is being implemented in 12 Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for
states on pilot basis. Teacher Education (NCTE). The regulatory system suffers

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 Society and Social Justice

from basic problems, such as heavy concentrations of o Regional and social disparities continue to exist in
power within a few bodies, conflicts of interest among higher education GER varies from 5.5% in Daman &
these bodies, and a resulting lack of accountability. Diu to 56.1% in Chandigarh.
NEP 2020 envisages a single regulator– Higher Education o Students belonging to the ST group constitute only
Council of India (HECI) for higher education institutions 5.6%.
across the country which would have four verticals to fulfil • Quality: Quality is a challenge in higher education in
various roles, mentioned below: India. Only 3 Indian institutions feature in top 200 in
• National Higher Education Regulatory Council world rankings (QS world university rankings).
(NHERC): It will function as common, single-point • Employability of graduates: According to India Skills
regulator for the higher education sector including Report 2021 less than half of our graduates (45.9%) are
teacher education. It would, however, exclude medical employable.
and legal education.
• Infrastructure: Poor infrastructure like libraries and
• National Accreditation Council (NAC): Accreditation of labs is another challenge to the higher education
institutions will be based primarily on basic norms, system of India.
public self-disclosure, good governance, and
• Research and Innovation: There is inadequate focus on
outcomes, and it will be carried out by an independent
research in higher education institutes due to scarcity
ecosystem of accrediting institutions supervised and
of funds, ill-equipped labs and weak linkage of
overseen by the ‘meta-accrediting body’ NAC.
Research, higher education and Industry.
• Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC): It will carry
• Islands of excellence: India has developed islands of
out funding and financing of colleges and varsities
excellence such as IITs and the IISc. Government
based on transparent criteria, including the
allocates a major chunk of the budget to a few premier
Institutional Development Plans prepared by the
institutes and Central universities while most of the
institutions and the progress made on their
regional and state universities are poorly funded.
implementation.
• Governance issues: Management of Indian education
• General Education Council (GEC): It will frame expected
faces challenges of over-centralisation, lack of
learning outcomes for higher education programmes,
autonomy and transparency. Higher education
also referred to as ‘graduate attributes’. A National
institutes in India are affiliated with UGC or AICTE etc.
Higher Education Qualification Framework will be
Often these affiliations do not give enough autonomy
formulated by the GEC in sync with the National Skills
to design their own curriculum.
Qualifications Framework to ease the integration of
vocational education into higher education.
• The functioning of all independent verticals for INDIRA GANDHI URBAN
Regulation (NHERC), Accreditation (NAC), Funding
(HEGC), and Academic Standard Setting (GEC) and the EMPLOYMENT
overarching autonomous umbrella body (HECI) itself
will be based on transparent public disclosure and use GUARANTEE SCHEME
technology extensively to reduce the human interface #Rural Development #Schemes
to ensure efficiency and transparency in their work.
CHALLENGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR
• Equity in enrolment: Rajasthan state government has rolled out the Indira Gandhi
Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme which intends to
o Though Gross Enrolment Ratio increased over the
provide economic support to the poor and needy families
period, India still lags world average of 33% and
living in the cities, on the lines of the Mahatma Gandhi
comparable countries such as Brazil (46%) and
China (30%). National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

o With increase in enrolments at school level, supply KEY FEATURES

of higher education institutes is insufficient to meet • People in the age group of 18-60 years residing within
the growing demand in the country. limits of urban local bodies are eligible to demand and

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 Society and Social Justice

get employment on demand for 100 days a year in the • High Unemployment rate: Most unemployment data
identified segments. — be it from Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy or
• There is no income limit, though poor people, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) — shows that
unemployment rates are typically higher in urban
especially those who lost their livelihood during the
areas in comparison with villages. Moreover, as rural
COVID-19 pandemic, will be given preference.
unemployment is mostly seasonal, unemployed
• State government’s Department of Local Bodies will be people in the cities face problems throughout the year.
responsible for implementation.
• Low wages and rising inequalities: Indian towns and
• Categories of tasks: cities continue to be plagued by low-wage and poor-
o Environment protection viz. tree plantation at public quality, informal work. PLFS data shows that despite a
places, maintenance of parks and watering plants rise in the prevalence of regular-salaried work, just
on footpaths and dividers. over 50% of the urban workforce remains either self-
employed or in casual wage work.
o Water conservation with tasks like cleanliness and
improvement of ponds, lakes and stepwells, • Lack of social security: Rural poor have usually the
comfort of family and community. Rural poor usually
construction, repair and cleaning of rainwater
have their own homes and have a small quantity of
harvesting structures and restoration of water
land. These resources help rural poor to get through
sources.
the rough times. However, the condition of urban poor
o Other categories are heritage conservation, is much more pathetic. They often do not have houses
removal of encroachments and illegal boards, neither have any assets or savings. They are often
hoardings and banners, and stopping defacement migrant in character employed in informal sector of
of property etc. the economy. Thus, there is a need for a
SIMILAR SCHEMES OPERATIVE IN OTHER STATES comprehensive social security for poor in urban areas.

i. Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme in • Fewer policy solutions for urban poor: Most of the
Kerala. government schemes providing relief — be it from the
Union government or state — prioritise rural
ii. Urban Wage Employment Initiative under UNNATI in
unemployment and poverty. E.g., MGNREGA, PM Garib
Odisha.
Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan. Hence, there are few policy
iii. Mukhya Mantri Shramik Yojana in Jharkhand. solutions specifically targeted towards urban poor.
iv. Mukhya Mantri Yuva Swabhiman Yojana in Madhya CHALLENGES IN ROLLING OUT A NATIONWIDE UEGS
Pradesh. • Availability of funds: A national-level UEG would
National-level Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme: demand a substantial budget allocation. According to
In May 2022, a report, ‘State of Inequality in India’, one calculation, a UEG program that covers an
estimated 20 million urban casual workers for 100
commissioned by Economic Advisory Council to Prime
days, with a wage rate of Rs 300 per day, would cost
Minister (EAC-PM), prepared by Institute for
the union government around Rs 1 lakh crore. This
Competitiveness, has recommended launching National-
would be a huge sum given that Centre and states are
level Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme (UEGS).
grappling with rising expenditures and scarce
NEED FOR URBAN EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE resources. Also, poorly funded Urban Local Bodies
SCHEME have little capacity to provide help.
The need for such schemes providing employment • Classification/identification of jobs: There is a
guarantee is due to growing distress among urban poor, difference in public works involving labour in rural and
which has remained largely unaddressed for a long time, urban areas. Therefore, a bigger problematic area is
further exacerbated by Covid-19 pandemic. Factors identifying the kinds of work that would be provided
include: under the scheme. Works such as road maintenance,
• High Inflation: As per Crisil, urban poor is worst bridge maintenance, and park maintenance are done
affected by India’s persistently high inflation rate. by municipalities. If such works are included under

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 Society and Social Justice

urban job scheme, they will only be replacing one set directly to the worker’s account on the presentation
of workers with others. of job stamps with a due-form work certificate from
• Fundamental issues: UEGS cannot be a mere extension the employer.
of MGNREGA to urban areas, as it fails to address some o Unlike MGNREGA, DUET proposes the scheme
fundamental issues like: should be for both unskilled and skilled workers and
o Strategy to address perennial issue of urban should provide “training” or skilling.
unemployment, which may differ from MGNREGA • Focus on sustainable solutions like the creation of
as rural unemployment is seasonal. employment opportunities in MSMEs, through SHGs,
o Non-clarity of primary objective of UEGS, like self-employment through the availability of easy loans,
MGNREGA which is aimed at preventing distress skilling and reskilling poor workers, improving
migration. educational outcomes and inculcating vocational
education among others.
o Issue of creation of guaranteed urban jobs, i.e.,
should Central government create it or simply give • Raising the minimum income and introducing a
out wage coupons whereby the jobs would be given universal basic income to reduce the income gap and
by a private firm but the coupon holder’s wage facilitate equal distribution of earnings in the labour
comes from the government? market.

o Issue of beneficiaries of UEGS. E.g., Should

someone who is already enrolled in MGNREGA be
allowed to receive benefits under UEGS?
TELE MANAS
• Fear of perverse outcomes: If difference in wages or
#Mental Health
nature of work between rural and urban job
guarantees is too wide, it could create perverse
Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across
incentives. E.g., Relatively, high wages may incentivise
States (Tele-MANAS) initiative has been launched by
rural people for urban migration.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare during October 2022.
• Unsustainable solution: Rural employment guarantee
It aims to provide free tele-mental health services all over
scheme like MGNREGA has failed to produce
the country round the clock, particularly catering to
sustainable outcomes, hence, UEGS could only be a
people in remote or under-served areas.
relief scheme with no sustainable reduction in
WHO estimates that burden of mental health problems in
unemployment and poverty. Also, such programs and
schemes that start as relief measures, tend to be quite India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per
sticky and may create huge law and order issues if the 10000 populations; the age-adjusted suicide rate per
government plans to withdraw them in future. 100000 population is 21.1. The economic loss due to
mental health conditions, between 2012-2030, is
WAY FORWARD
estimated at USD 1.03 trillion. WHO has labelled India as
• Decentralised Urban Employment and Training or the world’s ‘most depressing country’.
DUET model of Jean Dreze:
Acknowledging the mental health crisis in the wake of the
o State government issues ‘job stamps’ and COVID-19 pandemic and an urgent need to establish a
distributes them to approved institutions – schools,
digital mental health network that will withstand the
colleges, government departments, health centres,
challenges amplified by pandemic, Government of India
municipalities, neighbourhood associations, urban
announced National Tele Mental Health Programme
local bodies, etc. Initially, the approved institutions
(NTMHP) in 2022-23.
will be public institutions (private non-profit
institutions could be considered later). ISSUES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE

o Each job stamp can be converted into one person- • Lack of sensitivity: People with any kind of mental
day of work within a specified period, with the health issues are often tagged as ‘lunatics’ by the
approved institution arranging the work and the society.
government paying the wages (statutory minimum) • Lack of access, affordability, and awareness:

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 Society and Social Justice

o The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), 2015- • Lack of State services and insurance coverage: Results
16 found that nearly 80% of those suffering from in most expenses on treatment – when sought – being
mental disorders did not receive treatment for over out-of-pocket expenses, thus worsening the economic
a year. strain on the poor and vulnerable.

o This survey also identified large treatment gaps in • Minimal state intervention: Developed countries
mental healthcare, ranging from 28% to 83% across allocate 5-18% of their annual healthcare budget on
different mental disorders (National Institute of mental health, while India allocates roughly 0.05%
(OECD, 2014).
Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), 2016.
• Economic burden: NMHS (2015-16) revealed that the
• Stigma around mental health issues: This leads to a
median out of pocket expenditure by families on
vicious cycle of shame, suffering and isolation of the
treatment and travel to access care was Rs. 1,000-1,500
patients.
per month. WHO estimates the economic loss to India
• Shortage of mental healthcare workforce: In 2011,
on account of mental health disorders to be US$ 1.03
there were 0·301 psychiatrists and 0·047 psychologists
trillion.
for every 100,000 patients suffering from a mental
health disorder in India. (WHO)

practice questions
MCQS
Q.1) Consider the following statements with (b) It is a helpline to avail geriatric care.
reference to the Total Fertility Rate (TFR): (c) It is a helpline providing guidance to pregnant
1. TFR is the average number of children a woman women.
would have at the current pattern of fertility during (d) It is a helpline to avail mental health assistance.
her lifetime.
2. The current pattern of TFR reflects that India is Q.4) With reference to “Global Hunger Index”,
short of achieving a replacement-level fertility rate. consider the following statements:
3. In India there exist a relative gap between TFR 1. India ranks 108 out of 121 countries in which it
among women in rural and urban areas. fares worse than all countries in South Asia barring
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Afghanistan.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only 2. It is based on four component indicators -
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting
and child mortality.
Q.2) With reference to the tribal community in news, 3. It is a peer-reviewed annual report, jointly
which of the following tribal communities is published by Concern Worldwide and
known for the consumption of dried Bamboo? Welthungerhilfe.
(a) Santhals (b) Koya Which of the statements given above are correct?
(c) Sahariya (d) Konda Reddi (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
Q.3) “Tele-MANAS” was in news recently? (c) 1 and 3 only
(a) It is a helpline for providing basic medical guidance (d) 1, 2 and 3
in remote areas.

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 Society and Social Justice

Q.5) The Hunger Hotspots Outlook Report is (c) International Fund for Agricultural Development
published by the and the World Health Organization
(a) Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (d) NITI Aayog with technical assistance from the
(OPHI) and the UNDP World Bank
(b) Food and Agriculture Organization and the World
Food Programme (WFP)

Descriptive Question
Q1. How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes

the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?

Q2. Development policy in India has not taken enough steps for urban poor. In this respect, highlight the challenges

faced by urban poor. Also, critically analyse the need for urban employment guarantee scheme.

Answers: 1-c, 2-d, 3-d, 4-b, 5-b

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 Geography, Environment,
Biodiversity & Disaster
Management
# GS Paper (Prelims) and GS Paper I & III (Main)

GROUND WATER
replenished. In other areas groundwater is polluted by
human activities.

POLLUTION • Groundwater can also be extracted through a well

drilled into the aquifer. A well is a pipe in the ground
#Pollution #conservation that fills with groundwater. This water can be brought
to the surface by a pump. Shallow wells may go dry if
Indian Express collected three groundwater samples from the water table falls below the bottom of the well. Some
Shraddhanand Colony, near the landfill site, and got them wells, called artesian wells, do not need a pump
tested by an NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing because of natural pressures that force the water up
and Calibration Laboratories) accredited private laboratory.
and out of the well.
ABOUT GROUND WATER
• There is growing concern on deterioration of ground
• Ground water is an essential and vital component of water quality due to geogenic and anthropogenic
our life support system. activities.
• Ground water resources are being utilized for drinking, • The quality of ground water has undergone a change
irrigation and industrial purposes. to an extent that the use of such water could be
• Groundwater can be found almost everywhere. The hazardous. Increase in overall salinity of the ground
water table may be deep or shallow; and may rise or water and/or presence of high concentrations of
fall depending on many factors. Heavy rains or melting fluoride, nitrate, iron, arsenic, total hardness and few
snow may cause the water table to rise, or heavy toxic metal ions have been noticed in large areas in
pumping of groundwater supplies may cause the water several states of India.
table to fall. • Ground water contains wide varieties of dissolved
• Groundwater supplies are replenished, or recharged, inorganic chemical constituents in various
by rain and snow melt that seep down into the cracks concentrations because of chemical and biochemical
and crevices beneath the land's surface. In some areas interactions between water and the geological
of the world, people face serious water shortages materials through which it flows and to a lesser extent
because groundwater is used faster than it is naturally because of contribution from the atmosphere and
surface water bodies.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

ABOUT AQUIFERS
• Aquifers are typically made up of gravel, sand,
sandstone, or fractured rock, like limestone. Water can
move through these materials because they have large,
connected spaces that make them permeable. The
speed at which groundwater flows depends on the size
of the spaces in the soil or rock and how well the spaces
are connected.
• Water in aquifers is brought to the surface naturally
through a spring or can be discharged into lakes and
streams.
• In areas where material above the aquifer is
permeable, pollutants can readily sink into
groundwater supplies. Groundwater can be polluted by
landfills, septic tanks, leaky underground gas tanks,
and from overuse of fertilizers and pesticides. If
groundwater becomes polluted, it will no longer be safe
to drink.

USAGE OF GROUND WATER

Over Utilization of Ground Water:
The level of ground water development is very high in the
states of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, where
ground water development is more than 100%.
This implies that in these states, the annual ground water
consumption is more than annual ground water recharge.
In the states of Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar
Pradesh and the Union Territory of Puducherry, the level
of ground water development is 70% and above.
In rest of the states, the level of ground water
development is below 70%. Over the years, usage of
ground water has increased in areas where the resource
was readily available

Ground Water Overuse

Experts believe that India is fast moving towards a
crisis of ground water overuse and contamination.
Ground water overuse or overexploitation is defined
as a situation in which, over a period, average

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

extraction rate from aquifers is greater than the

average recharge rate. In India, the availability of
surface water is greater than ground water.
However, owing to decentralised availability of
groundwater, it is easily accessible and forms the
largest share of India’s agriculture and drinking water
supply. 89% of ground water extracted is used in the
irrigation sector, making it the highest category user
in the country. This is followed by ground water for
domestic use which is 9% of the extracted
groundwater. Industrial use of ground water is 2%. Tube wells increasingly being the main source of
50% of urban water requirements and 85% of rural irrigation
domestic water requirements are also fulfilled by
GROUND WATER CONTAMINATION
ground water.
Ground water contamination Ground water
Irrigation through ground water contamination is the presence of certain pollutants in
The largest component of ground water use is the water ground water that are more than the limits prescribed for
extracted for irrigation. The main means of irrigation in drinking water. The commonly observed contaminants
the country are canals, tanks and wells, including tube- include arsenic, fluoride, nitrate and iron, which are
wells. Of all these sources, ground water constitutes the geogenic in nature. Other contaminants include bacteria,
largest share. Wells, including dug wells, shallow tube- phosphates and heavy metals which are a result of human
wells and deep tube wells provide about 61.6% of water activities including domestic sewage, agricultural

for irrigation, followed by canals with 24.5%. practices and industrial effluents. The sources of
contamination include pollution by landfills, septic tanks,
Over the years, there has been a decrease in surface water
leaky underground gas tanks, and from overuse of
use and a continuous increase in ground water utilisation
fertilizers and pesticides. It has been pointed out that
for irrigation. The dependence of irrigation on ground
nearly 60% of all districts in the country have issues
water increased with the onset of the Green Revolution,
related to either availability of ground water, or quality of
which depended on intensive use of inputs such as water ground water, or both.
and fertilizers to boost farm production. Incentives such
INLAND SALINITY
as credit for irrigation equipment and subsidies for
Inland salinity in ground water is prevalent mainly in the
electricity supply have further worsened the situation.
arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab
Low power tariffs have led to excessive water usage,
and Gujarat and to a lesser extent in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi,
leading to a sharp fall in water tables.
Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar and
Tamil Nadu. The gradual rise of ground water levels with
time has resulted in water logging and heavy evaporation
in semi-arid regions lead to salinity problem in command
areas. As per recent assessment about 2.46 m ha of the
area under surface water irrigation projects is
waterlogged or threatened by water logging.
COASTAL SALINITY
Coastal areas represent zones where land and sea meet
and comprises variety of complex environments including
Increase in ground water utilization for irrigation deltas, estuaries, bays, marshes, dunes and beaches.
Coastal aquifers have boundaries in contact with

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

seawater and are always under dynamic equilibrium with system originates as nitrate in wastes or fertilizers applied
it. on the land surface. These are direct nitrate sources.
Withdrawal of fresh ground water from these aquifers In other cases, nitrate originates by conversion of organic
may result in in equilibrium resulting in intrusion of saline nitrogen. Ammonification and nitrification are processes
water in coastal aquifers. that normally occur above the water table generally in the
The western coast is characterised by wide continental soil zone, where organic matter and oxygen are abundant.
shelf and is marked by backwaters and mud flats while the Though various nitrogen products are available in the
eastern coast has a narrow continental shelf and is nitrogen cycle, the content of nitrate in Ground Water is
characterized by deltaic and estuarine landforms. Ground probably controlled by nitrification which is directly
water in coastal areas occurs under unconfined to related to the capacity of soil microorganisms to convert
confined conditions in a wide range of unconsolidated ammonia to nitrate to provide growing plants with the
and consolidated formations. assimilable form of nitrogen. Concentrations of nitrate in
the range commonly reported for ground water are not
ARSENIC POLLUTION
limited by solubility constraints. It moves with ground
Arsenic and its compounds are widely used in pigments,
water with no transformation and/or no retardation. Very
as insecticides and herbicides, as an alloy in metals and
shallow ground water in highly permeable sediment or
chemical warfare agents. The occurrence of Arsenic in
fractured rocks commonly contains considerable
ground water is mainly in the intermediate aquifer in the
dissolved oxygen and in these hydrological environment
depth range of 20-100m. The deeper aquifers are free
nitrate commonly migrates large distances from input
from Arsenic contamination. Apart from West Bengal,
areas.
Arsenic contamination in ground water has been found in
In India, high concentration of nitrate (more than 45 mg/l)
the states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh
has been found in many districts of Andhra Pradesh,
&Assam. Arsenic in ground water has been reported in 12
Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka,
districts In Bihar, 5 districts in U.P and one district each in
Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra , Orissa. Punjab,
Chhattisgarh & Assam states.
Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
IRON CONTAMINATION
The highest value being 3080 mg/L found in Bikaner,
Iron in an essential element for both plant and animal Rajasthan.
metabolism. Both ferrous and ferric iron are widespread
Remedial methods available for removing Nitrate from
minor component of most sediments. Soil development
drinking water are Reverse Osmosis, Ion Exchange,
processes result in increase in iron content. The
Bioremediation & Blending.
concentration of iron in natural water is controlled by
LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
both physico-chemical and microbiological factors. In
aqueous solution, iron is subject to hydrolysis and iron Easement Act, 1882 provides every landowner with the
hydroxides are formed during these reactions, especially right to collect and dispose, within his own limits, all water
the ferric form having very low solubility. under the land and on the surface. This makes it difficult
to regulate extraction of ground water as it is owned by
NITRATE CONTAMINATION
the person to whom the land belongs. This gives
Nitrates Aqueous geochemical behaviour of nitrogen is
landowners significant power over ground water. Further
strongly influenced by vital importance of the element in
the law excludes landless ground water users from its
plant and animal nutrition. The most common
purview.
contaminant identified in ground water is dissolved
Water falls under the State List of the Constitution. This
nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO3).
implies that state assemblies can make laws on the
Nitrate in ground water generally originates from nitrogen
subject. To provide broad guidelines to state governments
sources on the land surface in the soil zone or shallow
to frame their own laws relating to sustainable water
subsoil zones where nitrogen rich wastes are buried. In
usage, the central government has published certain
some situations, nitrate that enters the ground water
framework laws or model Bills.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

Concept of public trust doctrine ensures that resources Experts have suggested use of demand management in
meant for public use cannot be converted into private agriculture to address excessive ground water
ownership. Government being the trustee has the exploitation. This will reduce dependence of agriculture
responsibility to protect and preserve this natural on groundwater. These measures include:
resource for and on behalf of the beneficiaries, that is, the
• Dry season crop planning for a specific area depending
people. Additionally, they allow every person the
on aquifer type, ground water extraction, monsoonal
fundamental right to be provided water of acceptable
quality. rainfall and the water table level. This would include
some degree of shift towards higher-value and less-
Fundamental right to water has been evolved by Supreme
Court as part of ‘Right to Life’ under Article 21 of the water consumption crops.

Constitution. Courts have delivered verdicts on concerns • Adoption of modern precision irrigation technologies
such as access to drinking water and on the right to safe such as drip and sprinkler systems which will help
drinking water as a fundamental right. reduce evaporation and other non-beneficial, non-
Central Water Commission is responsible for coordinating recoverable fractions of water use in agriculture.
schemes for conservation and utilisation of water
• Restrictions to control ground water abstraction or use
resources in the country in collaboration with state
through regulatory measures. These may include
governments and monitoring water quality.
restricting the depth of irrigation water wells,
Central Ground Water Board is responsible for developing
establishing and enforcing minimum distances
and disseminating technology related to sustainable use
between irrigation.
of ground water; monitoring and implementing policies
for the sustainable management of ground water ENERGY SUBSIDIES AND GROUND WATER
resources; estimating ground water resources. EXTRACTION

Central Ground Water Authority Constituted under The practice of providing power subsidies for agriculture
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control has played a major role in the decline of water levels in
development and management of ground water India. In 2009, of the total amount of ground water
resources; can resort to penal actions and issue necessary extracted, 89% was for irrigation, and 11% was for
regulatory directives Central Pollution Control Board domestic and industrial uses.
Implementation of the Water (Prevention and Control of
Since power is a main component of the cost of ground
Pollution) Act, 1974 which seeks to restore water quality.
water extraction, availability of cheap/subsidised power in
AGRICULTURE & WATER INTENSIVE CROPS
many states adds to the greater extraction of this
In last four decades, roughly 84% of total addition to net
resource. Moreover, electricity supply is not metered and
irrigated area has come through ground water. The
a flat tariff is charged depending on the horsepower of the
primary cause of over-exploitation has been the rising
pump.
demand for ground water from agriculture.
Decisions such as cropping pattern and cropping intensity Draft National Water Framework Bill, 2013 suggested that

are taken independent of the ground water availability in over extraction of ground water should be curtailed by
most areas. regulating use of electricity needed for its extraction. The

High-Level Committee on restructuring of Food challenge is to find a balance between needs of farmers
Corporation of India in 2014 observed that even though and need to ensure sustainable use of ground water.
Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) are currently announced In this regard, National Water Policy, 2012 recommends
for 23 crops, the effective price support is for wheat and that over extraction of ground water should be minimized
rice. This creates highly skewed incentive structures in by regulating the use of electricity for its extraction.
favour of wheat & paddy, which are water intensive crops
Separate electric feeders for pumping ground water for
& depend heavily on groundwater for their growth.
agricultural use could address the issue.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

INADEQUATE REGULATION OF GROUND WATER LAW (ii) Penalties need to be levied for violations of water

The government, from time to time has stated that ground quality standards.

water needs to be managed as a community resource. (iii) States need to take measures for source control of
However, Section 7(g) of Easement Act, 1882 states that pollutants through sewage and agriculture runoff
every owner of land has the right to collect and dispose entering water bodies in projects for conservation and
within his own limits all water under the land and on its restoration of lakes.
surface which does not pass in a defined channel. The WAY FORWARD
legal consequence of this law is that the owner of the land The phenomena of local water users successfully
can dig wells in his land and extract water based on managing their water resources has been observed in
availability and his discretion. only a few areas. Planning Commission recommended
Additionally, landowners are not legally liable for any that local planners take the following steps while planning
damage caused to water resources because of for ground water management:
overextraction. The lack of regulation for over-extraction • Determining relationship between surface hydrological
of this resource further worsens the situation and has units such as watershed or river basins, and
made private ownership of ground water common in hydrological units below ground such as aquifers,
most urban and rural areas. • Identification of ground water recharge areas,
The CGWB identifies over-exploited and critical areas • Maintaining ground water balance at the level of the
within states. However, the Board does not have the village or the watershed, and
power to stop ground water extraction in such areas and
• Creating regulatory options at the community level
can only notify the owners. Additionally, because of a very such as panchayat. Examples of activities that could be
large number of small users, it becomes increasingly regulated at the local level include drilling depth,
difficult for CGWB to identify and penalise the offenders. distance between wells, cropping patterns to ensure
QUALITY OF GROUND WATER sustainability of aquifers and participatory ground
water management.
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its Performance
Audit of Water Pollution in India observed that despite
increasing pollution of ground water sources and DELHI POLLUTION
presence of contaminants like arsenic, nitrate, fluoride,
salinity, etc., no program at central or state level is being
#Pollution
implemented for control of pollution and restoration of
groundwater. Air pollution in Delhi and the whole of the Indo - Gangetic
Additionally, Central Pollution Control Board and CGWB Plains is a complex phenomenonthat is dependent on a
do not carry out real-time monitoring of water pollution in variety of factors. The first and foremost is the input of
rivers, lakes and ground water sources. pollutants, followed by weather and local conditions.

CAG made the following recommendations about WHY DOES AIR POLLUTION RISE IN OCTOBER EACH

prevention and control of pollution of groundwater: YEAR?

• October usually marks the withdrawal of monsoons in

(i) Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change
Northwest India.
needs to establish enforceable water quality standards
o Once monsoon withdraws, the predominant
for lakes, rivers and ground water to help protect
direction of winds changes to north westerly.
ecosystem and human health,
According to a peer reviewed study conducted by

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

scientists at the National Physical Laboratory, 72 per • Notification of graded response action plan for Delhi
cent of Delhi’s wind in winters comes from the identifying source wiseactions for various levels of air
northwest, while the remaining 28 per cent comes pollution, etc
from the Indo-Gangetic plains. • Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI standards for vehicles
• Reduction in Temperatures by 1st April 2020.

o As temperature dips, the inversion height — which • Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards
is the layer beyond which pollutants cannot disperse and sector-specificemission and effluent standards for
into the upper layer ofthe atmosphere – is lowered. industries.
The concentration of pollutants inthe air increases • Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of
when this happens. ambient air quality.

• Reduction in wind speed during winters • Introduction of cleaner gaseous fuels like CNG, LPG etc

o High-speed winds are very effective at dispersing

and ethanol blending.

pollutants, butwinters bring a dip in wind speed over • Launching of National Air Quality Index (AQI).
all as compared to in summers. • Banning of burning of biomass.

The combination of these meteorological factors makes • Promotion of public transport network
the region prone to pollution. Whenfactors such as farm • Issuance of directions under Air (Prevention and
fires and dust storms are added to the already high base Control of Pollution) Act,1981.
pollution levels in the city, air quality dips further. • Installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring
WHAT ROLES DO FARM FIRES PLAY IN DELHI’S AIR devices by 17 highly polluting industrial sectors.
POLLUTION? • Regulating the bursting of pollution-emitting crackers.
• Farm fires have been an easy way to get rid of paddy • Smog towers to tackle pollution problem
stubble quickly and at lowcost for several years. With
WHAT IS THE GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN?
the use of combine harvesters, the practice became
GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in to
more common as the harvester leaves behind tall
prevent further deterioration of air quality once it
stalks, which mustbe removed before replanting. But
reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.
the practice gained widespread acceptance starting
Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in
2009, when the governments of Punjab and Haryana
2017, the plan was formulated after several meetings
passed laws delaying the sowing of paddy. that the Environment Pollution (Prevention and
• The aim of passing this law was to conserve Control) Authority (EPCA) held with state government
groundwater as the new sowing cycle would coincide representatives and experts. The result was a plan that
with monsoons and less water would be extracted. institutionalised measures to be taken when air quality
deteriorates.
• This, however, left very little time for farmers to harvest
GRAP is incremental in nature and thus, when the air
paddy, clear fields andsow wheat for the next cycle. The
quality dips from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor,’ measures listed
paddy straw and stalks have high silica content and are
under both sections must be followed. Stage 1 of GRAP
not used to feed livestock.
is activated when the AQI is in the ‘poor’ category (201
• The easiest, but the least productive, way to get rid of it to 300), Stage 2 is when it’s in the ‘Very poor’ category
is to set it on fire. (301-400), Stage 3 is when the AQI is the ‘Severe’
STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO COUNTER category (401-450) and finally Stage 4 is when it rises to

DELHI'S AIR POLLUTION the ‘Severe +’ category (more than 450).

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

BENEFITS OF HAPPY SEEDER advantages of co-firing is that an existing plant can be

used to burn a new fuel, which may be cheaper or more
• Pollution Reduction: Happy Seeder removes the
environmentally friendly. For example, biomass is
need to burn rice stubble before planting wheat,
sometimes co-fired in existing coal plants instead of
therefore reducing air pollution.
new biomass plants.
• Soil Conservation: Direct sowing also reduces soil
disturbance, enabling it to retain more nutrients Substituting 5-7 % of coal with biomass in coal-based
and organic content. power plants can save 38 million tonnes of carbon dioxide
emissions, said finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in
• Water Conservation: Possibility of sowing wheat in
her budget speech in 2022.
the residual moisture i.e., saving of one irrigation.
It was also emphasised that the Power Ministry would
• Better Rabi Yields: Possibility of sowing wheat crop
consider reduction in coal supply for those thermal power
just after rice harvesting i.e., option for long
plants that do not comply with the policy on biomass co-
duration wheat and rice varieties.
firing.
• Crop residue as helps in moisture and temperature
conservation.
MISSION LIFE
#lifemission #climatechange
#lifestylechanges

Prime Minister attended a bilateral meeting with UN

Secretary-General, H.E. Mr Antonio Guterres and
subsequently launched Mission LiFE at the Statue of Unity,
Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat.
At the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC
COP26), Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra

SAMARTH MISSION Modi announced Mission Life, to bring individual

behaviors at the forefront of the global climate action
#Cofiring #samarth #samarthmission narrative.

#cleanenergy • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi attended a

bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General, H.E. Mr
Antonio Guterres and subsequently launched Mission
Power Ministry in October 2021 had decreed that all thermal LiFE at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat.
power plants ensure 5% compliance of co-firing by October
• Mission LiFE inspires to do all that can be done in our
2022. To reduce stubble burning and to reduce carbon
everyday life to protect the environment. Mission LiFE
footprint of thermal power plants while increasing the
believes that the environment can be protected by
income of farmers, the government has established the
making changes in our lifestyle
National Mission on Use of Biomass in Thermal Power Plants.
• LiFE envisions replacing the prevalent 'use-and-
SAMARTHA MISSION refers to Sustainable Agrarian
dispose' economy—governed by mindless and
Mission on Use of Biomass in coal-based thermal Power
destructive consumption—with a circular economy,
Plants. As the name suggests, it is a government initiative
which would be defined by mindful and deliberate
to use agro-residue, which was earlier regarded as waste,
utilization. The Mission intends to nudge individuals to
to produce zero-carbon electricity.
undertake simple acts in their daily lives that can
Co-firing is the combustion of two (or more) different contribute significantly to climate change when
types of materials at the same time. One of the embraced across the world.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

• LiFE plans to leverage the strength of social networks The great Indian bustard can easily be distinguished by its
to influence social norms surrounding climate. The black crown on the forehead contrasting with the pale
Mission plans to create and nurture a global network of neck and head. They breed mostly during the monsoon
individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will season when females lay a single egg on open ground.
have a shared commitment to adopt and promote These birds are opportunist eaters. Their diet ranges
environmentally friendly lifestyles. Through the P3 widely depending on the seasonal availability of food.
community, the Mission seeks to create an ecosystem They feed on grass seeds, insects like grasshoppers and
that will reinforce and enable environmentally friendly beetles, and sometimes even small rodents and reptiles.
behaviours to be self-sustainable. KEY FACTS

INDIA’S LEAD IN TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE One of largest flying birds in the world. Declared as the
state bird of Rajasthan.
• The annual per capita carbon footprint in the
MAJOR REASONS FOR DECLINE IN POPULATION
country is only about 1.5 tons, compared to the
world average of 4 tons/ year. • Loss of Habitat due to increase in population,
agriculture and infrastructure development etc.
• India has the fourth largest capacity for renewable
energy in the world. • Collision with electricity transmission lines.

• India is ranked 4th in wind energy and 5th in solar • Stray dogs which are known to attack the bustard’s
eggs and young ones
energy.
DISTRIBUTION
• India’s renewable energy capacity has increased by
about 290% in the last 7-8 years. The Species were formerly widespread across India and
Pakistan. However, at present, its population is estimated
• It has also achieved the target of achieving 40% of
to be of less than 200 across Rajasthan, Gujarat,
the electric capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources 9
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra
years ahead of the deadline.
Pradesh.
• India has also achieved a target of 10% ethanol
PROTECTED AREAS DEDICATED TO GIB
blending in petrol.
• Rajasthan: Desert National Park - Jaisalmer and Balmer
• Through National Hydrogen Mission, India has
• Gujarat: Naliya Sanctuary in Kutch
moved towards an environment-friendly energy
• Madhya Pradesh: Karera Wildlife Sanctuary (The
source.
species disappeared from Madhya Pradesh in early
90s’)

GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD • Maharashtra: Nannaj Grasslands, Solapur

• Andhra Pradesh: Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary
#gib #wildlife #biodiversity #iucn
CONSERVATION STATUS
• Critically Endangered Category of IUCN Red List.
CONTEXT- The recent sighting of three Great Indian
• Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Bustards (GIBs) deep in Pakistan’s Cholistan desert has Act, 1972.
given rise to speculation that the endangered birds might
• It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES.
have flown across the international border from India’s
• It has also been identified as one of the species for the
Desert National Park (DNP). GIBs are critically endangered
recovery programme under the Integrated
in Pakistan because of lack of protection and rampant
Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of
hunting. Environment and Forests, Government of India.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

FOREST CONSERVATION VULTURES

RULES #vultures #iucn
#fra #forestconservationrules2022 #vultureconservation
#forestrights #vultureiucnstatus
#forestconservationact
CONTEXT- Tamil Nadu has launched mission to save
critically endangered vultures.
NCST had recommended to the Union Environment and
Forest Ministry to put the new Forest Conservation Rules, Varieties of vultures found in India: India is home to 9
2022, on hold. Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 have been species of Vulture namely
promulgated to implement the provisions of the Forest Vultures IUCN Status
(Conservation) Act, 1980 which aims at protecting the forest
along with its flora, and fauna. Oriental white-backed Critically endangered
Vulture
MERITS
• Wildlife protection: Rules Incentivise afforestation near Long-billed Vulture Critically endangered
protected areas to promote larger forests, movement Slender-billed Vulture Critically endangered
of wildlife and biodiversity conservation.
Himalayan griffon vulture Nearly threatened
• Inter-regional afforestation: Earlier, compensatory
afforestation had to be done in the same state where Red-headed Vulture Critically endangered
forest land was diverted. New rules allow it in other
Egyptian vulture, Endangered
states as well.
• Decentralised approach: Rules establish Project Bearded vulture Nearly threatened
screening committee in each State/UT to advice Cinereous vulture Nearly threatened
governments in time bound manner.
Eurasian Griffon Least concerned
• Forest trading: They incentivises agro forestry allowing
people to sell it to persons who need to meet ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE
compensatory afforestation targets. • They act an important function as nature’s garbage
LIMITATIONS collectors and help to keep the environment clean of
• Legal complexity: rules are unclear about the authority waste.
i.e., centre or state, which people can hold accountable • Vultures also play a valuable role in keeping wildlife
in case of violation of their forest rights. diseases in check.
• Dilution Gram Sabha consent: clearance of a forest THREAT
without informing its residents erodes the say of local
• Diclofenac is a common anti-inflammatory drug
people.
administered to livestock and is used to treat the
• Dilution of Forest Rights: removal of mandatory clause symptoms of inflammation, fevers and/or pain
of rehabilitation of forest dwellers before the centre’s
associated with disease or wounds.
approval has increased their vulnerability.
• Diclofenac leads to renal failure in vultures damaging
• No time bound approach: Rules do not provide any
their excretory system (direct inhibition of uric acid
timeline for granting the titles.
secretion in vultures).
Concludingly it must be understood that forest
CONSERVATION: The Ministry for Environment, Forests
conservation is not restricted to the legal steps alone,
and Climate Change launched a Vulture Action Plan 2020-
hence focus must also be given to the principles of
25 for the conservation of vultures in the country.
sustainable forest management.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

To upscaling conservation four rescue centres will be Threat: Many possible threats have led to the decline
opened like Pinjore in the north, Bhopal in central India, in population of the Indian Bison.
Guwahati in Northeast and Hyderabad in South India. • Food Scarcity: The destruction in the grasslands has
led to the decline in availability of food for these
INDIAN BISONS animals. Due to the planting of commercially
important trees, the lush grassland has diminished
#gaur #indianbison #zoological which is the prime source of fodder for these wild
Diplomacy cattle. Also, the wild cattle must fight for their food
due to indiscriminate grazing of domestic animals in
the areas where gaurs stay.
CONTEXT: The Indian government is considering a
• Poaching: The illegal hunting of the Indian bison is
proposal from Colombo to export several gaurs, or Indian
done for their commercial value as well as due to the
bisons, to Sri Lanka to revive the population that have
high demand of gaur meat in the illegal market of
been extinct in the island since the end of the 17th century.
Nepal – India border.
ZOOLOGICAL DIPLOMACY: Animals have been used • Human-Animal Conflict: Due to living in proximity
as diplomatic gifts for centuries if not thousands of to human habitations.
years. They are an element of soft power in its purest Conservation Acts:
form. It had been practised worldwide, there is a
• The Indian Bison is deemed as vulnerable according
distinction between “gifts or loans” of animals in
to the IUCN list.
captivity to translocation and reintroduction of a
species, particularly between neighbouring countries • Hence, the Indian Government has already included
with similar eco-systems. Reintroduction is known and the protection of wild bison in the Schedule I of the
has frequently been taken up between countries where Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
the range is contiguous. • It calls for the proper regulation in the indiscriminate
grazing of cattle around the areas where the gaurs
ABOUT INDIAN BISONS stay.

Characteristics:
• It belongs to the family of wild oxen and is the tallest
living and the second heaviest among oxen. TEXTILE INDUSTRIES
• The Gaur is a social animal. They generally live in #cottontextiles #industriallocation
group size of about 30 to 40.
#textileindustries
Location:
• It is native to South Asian Region and Southeast
Asia. CONTEXT- Textile manufacturers should start securing
cotton to meet their requirement, Union
• In India, - Western Ghats, the forests of central India
and forest patches in the Northeast. Textile Minister Piyush Goyal has said.

• 85% of the global population present in India. India produces all four types of cottons – (a) American

Habitat and Diet: cotton, (b) Asian cotton, (c) Egyptian cotton and (d) African
cotton.
• They prefer evergreen forests and moist deciduous
forests. LOCATION FACTORS

• However, they can survive in dry deciduous forests • Proximity to quality raw cotton (Black soil and moist
also. climate) area. 80% of the industry is coterminous with
• They are attracted to grounds which are cotton growing tracts of the country. Areas-
impregnated with salts and minerals. Ahmedabad, Sholapur, Nagpur, Coimbatore.

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

• Proximity to market (domestic + foreign) as cotton is a cotton because of easy transportation of raw cotton
pure raw material and does not lose much weight in and availability of low-cost labour.
process of manufacturing. • Textiles played a major role in industrialization of Japan
• Labour availability: Semiskilled and cheap labour is which was previously an agricultural country. Textile
required as textile industries in general are labour industry flourished in areas of Nagoya, Kyoto, Kobe,
intensive. Osaka etc.
• Transportation: Forward and backward linkages • In western countries, synthetic material is mixed with
through modes like roads, railways, waterways etc are cotton. This has replaced cotton as most important
must to expand the reach of final products. Expansion fiber as it can be made locally than being imported.
in transportation across India is one of the major
reasons for deeper penetration of cotton industries
across India.
• Nearness to the port facilities to export the products.
DISTRIBUTION OF COTTON TEXTILE INDUSTRIES
ACROSS THE WORLD
Traditional producers:
• Industrialisation in 18th and 19th century, long tradition
of high-quality production and domestic market
ensured the domination of cotton industries of Europe
like Britain, France, and Italy etc.
• In Britain, Lancashire was important region because of Reasons for shift of cotton industries from old nuclei
cheap availability of large, skilled labour, coal supplies (Mumbai) to new nuclei (Coimbatore, Nagpur, Bengaluru,
for power, plenty of water for finishing processes, easy Indore etc.)
access to imports from America through Liverpool. • Better transportation - Railway lines penetrating
• This industry declined due to increase in labour cost deeper into peninsula.
and competition from lower cost Asian producers. • Nearness to coal producing areas for power – Nagpur
Newer producers • Wide markets with port facilities – Kolkata.
• Since labour is the most important factor in location of • Better financial facilities – Kanpur.
textile manufacturing industry, easy availability of • Cost of land increased rapidly in Mumbai.
cheap labour enabled Asian countries to start textile
• Shift of the cotton industry from large integrated mills
industries.
to power loom. This led to informalization and setting
• Japan, Hong-Kong and South Korea became important up of textile sector in smaller sectors.
regions for manufacturing even when they don’t grow

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding tackle industrial, vehicular and combustion
Graded Response Action Plan: emissions
1. The plan includes action by various state 2. If air quality reaches the severe+ stage, GRAP talks
governments to be taken throughout the year to about shutting down schools and implementing the
odd-even road-space rationing scheme

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 Geography, Environment, Biodiversity & Disaster Management

Which of the statements/s given above is/are correct? Which among the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) None of the above (c) Both (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) Consider the following statements about Q.4) With respect to “Lifestyle for the Environment
Groundwater regulations: (LiFE) Movement”, consider the following
1. Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been statements:
constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1. It was introduced by France during the 26th COP of
1986. UNFCC in Glasgow.
2. CGWA regulates groundwater development by 2. In India the programme which is part of LiFE will be
issuing of ‘No-Objection Certificate’ for industries organised by Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB).
extracting groundwater. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
3. States do not have power to give ‘no-objection (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
certificate’ for groundwater extraction. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only Q.5) Consider the following pairs of protected areas
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 and their locations:
1. Naliya Sanctuary: Rajasthan
Q.3) With respect to Biomass co-firing, consider the 2. Karela Sanctuary: Madhya Pradesh
following statements: 3. Rollapadu Sanctuary: Andhra Pradesh
1. The Biomass co-firing seeks to mix bio-mass pellets Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
with coal in the existing thermal power plants to
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
generate electricity.
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
2. The Biomass co-firing is presently implemented as
part of SAMARTH Initiative of the Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy

Descriptive Questions
Q1. Discuss the magnitude of India's groundwater crisis. What steps can be taken to improve the situation?
Q2. The problem of stubble burning continues to make the problem of pollution in NCR worse. Discuss the reasons
why despite steps we have not been able to address the issues of stubble burning. Also, list the steps that can be
taken to improve the situation.

Answers: 1-b, 2-a, 3-a, 4-d, 5-b

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 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper III (Main)

SECURING INDIA’S
• Areas of focus: Quantum key distribution, quantum
communication, and quantum computing are among

CYBERSPACE FROM the major focus areas.

RATIONALE
QUANTUM TECHNIQUES • The two centres will conduct intensive research in
#IT #SECURITY generating transformational technologies for use by
armed forces.

The Army has teamed with industry and academic institutions • To change existing cryptography system: The Army's

to develop solutions for secure communications and efforts to advance quantum technology will enable it to

cryptography. This move expands on the plan to construct a transition from existing cryptographic system to post-
quantum cryptography, enabling it to advance into the
quantum computing facility at Military Engineering School in
next phase of communication.
Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.
• Construction of quantum-resistant systems: Use of
QUANTUM COMPUTING
quantum-resistant systems has become imperative
• Quantum computing aims at creation of computer-
due to vulnerability of conventional encryption models
based technologies based on quantum theory.
and growing military uses of quantum technology.
• Nature and behaviour of matter and energy at the
• Existing digital infrastructure that is vulnerable:
quantum (atomic and subatomic) level are explained by
Current encryption standards must be upgraded since
quantum theory. Quantum physics and quantum
they can be cracked using quantum cryptography. RSA
mechanics are terms that relate to the nature and
and other current protocols will rapidly become
behaviour of matter and energy at that level.
obsolete. As a result, any protected target may be
• In traditional computers, Information is encoded in vulnerable to quantum cyberattacks, creating a serious
bits. Each bit has a possible value of either 1 or 0. These weakness in the current digital infrastructure. Making
on/off switches represented by the 1s and 0s ultimately these systems hack-proof will cost a lot of money.
control how computers operate. • Competition from other countries: For instance,
QUANTUM COMPUTING LABORATORY National Quantum Initiative Act of US has already set
• Two research facilities: Army has established a aside $1.2 billion for research into quantum
quantum computing lab and an artificial intelligence technology's potential for use in defence. Two of the
(AI) research facility at Military Engineering School, world's fastest quantum computers are now located in

Mhow, MP. National Security Council Secretariat will China.

back the Army (NSCS). INDIA’S DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS SECTOR

• To educate staff members about cyberwarfare: A • National Mission on Quantum Technologies and
cutting-edge cyber range and cyber security labs are Applications: Spending Rs 8,000 crore on recently
used to train students in cyberwarfare. established National Mission on Quantum

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 Science & Technology

Technologies and Applications was recommended in • Active engagement in international initiatives:

Union Budget 2020–21. involvement in Open Quantum Safe project, a

• Successfully demonstrated a Quantum key Distribution worldwide endeavour for developing and

(QKD) link: A combined team from DRDO and IIT Delhi implementing quantum-resistant cryptographic

successfully tested a QKD connection between two algorithms that was launched in 2016.

cities in Uttar Pradesh, Vindhyachal and Prayagraj, • Finance and motivation must be made available for
which are each 100 kilometres away, in February 2022. India to begin its national endeavours to create
CHALLENGES quantum-resistant systems. The government may
support and promote ongoing open-source efforts
• Current capabilities are insufficient: India currently has
pertaining to post-quantum cryptography to achieve
extremely little resources available for development of
this.
sophisticated systems that can survive quantum
cyberattacks. • Start putting the talents into practise: For vital strategic
sectors, the nation should begin adopting and building
• Threat from China: India's digital infrastructure is
skills in quantum-resistant communications. Long-
already subject to a torrent of assaults from Chinese
distance QKDs may be prioritised to provide secure
state-sponsored hackers, but China's quantum
communications while defending critical information
advancements raise possibility of quantum
from possible quantum cyberattacks, particularly when
cyberattacks on it.
linking military outposts for sensitive communications.
• Dependence on Foreign Hardware: China's hardware is
• Creating a national network: Create a national
a major source of dependence for India.
communication network with quantum cryptography
HOW CAN INDIA CREATE A RESILIENT CYBERSPACE?
technologies integrated to defend cyberspace from any
• Purchasing a quantum-resistant encryption system transnational quantum cyberattack.
from US: As its official encryption system, India should
Cybersecurity concerns are rising as the globe moves
think about purchasing the Suite B Cryptography closer to a time when quantum physics applications in
Quantum-Resistant Suite from National Security crucial fields will be commonplace. India is making
Agency (NSA) of United States. The NSA is creating new, progress, although slowly and steadily. India must tackle
quantum-resistant cypher algorithms for its cypher these problems from various angles. The emphasis on
suite. This would make it easier for India to switch over post-quantum cyber security should be the main
officially to quantum-resistant algorithms. component of this strategy.
• Increasing cryptographic standards: Indian Defence Q. The world is rapidly approaching an age in which
establishment can think about adopting cryptographic quantum physics applications in vital fields will soon be a
norms established by National Institute of Standards reality, escalating cyber security risks. What actions may
and Technology (NIST) of US, which has created several India take in this situation to strengthen its cyberspace's
encryption technologies to counteract quantum resilience and resistance to quantum effects? Discuss.
computer assaults. For establishing a post-quantum
cryptography standard, it has created a set of four
algorithms.
DR. MAHALANABIS
• Partnerships between diplomats in this field: India may #Science #Personalities
pool resources and lessen impending quantum cyber
threats by forming diplomatic alliances with other Dilip Mahalabnis, a public health pioneer and father of ORS,
techno-democracies nations with strong technological which helped save millions of lives, recently passed away. The

sectors, sophisticated economies, and a commitment greatest significant medical advancement of the 20th century,
according to a 1978 Lancet editorial, was ORS.
to liberal democracy.

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 Science & Technology

• In 1970s, ORS was initially made available on a global Q. What do you understand by oral rehydration therapy?
scale to treat millions of children in poor and crisis-
How it may work well in combating the cholera
affected countries who were severely dehydrated. The epidemics that occur every year in India and throughout
most prestigious general medical publication in the
the globe. Discuss.
world at the time, Lancet, described ORS as "the most
significant medical development since penicillin."
ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY (ORT) RNA ORIGAMI
• To treat dehydration caused by fluid losses from
#Biology #Technology
diarrhoea, Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) involves
consuming water flavoured with minimal quantities of
sugar and salt, particularly sodium and potassium. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a single stranded nucleic acid akin
to DNA that’s present in all cells and necessary for translating
• ORT components: Salts, carbohydrates, and water are
combined in ORT to fast reverse the effects of the genetic code into proteins.
dehydration. The salts and carbohydrates draw water RIBO NUCLEIC ACID (RNA)
into your circulation via osmosis, hastening • All biological cells include RNA, a significant biological
rehydration. macromolecule.
• Important electrolytes that restore Blood: ORT also fills
• It plays a major role in the synthesis of proteins by
your blood with important electrolytes (minerals) that
acting as a messenger for DNA, which in turn carries
are lost because of strenuous activity, exposure to
the genetic instructions necessary for the growth and
harsh weather, diarrhoea, and other ailments.
maintenance of life.
Ironically, water alone cannot alleviate dehydration like
ORT since it lacks electrolytes. • Some viruses carry genetic information through RNA
rather than DNA.
• An efficient electrolyte: Until the findings of a research
showed that an oral solution of glucose and • The role that this molecule will play inside the cell is
electrolytes was effective for restoring water and determined by the sort of RNA it contains.
electrolyte losses, intravenous fluid administration • Other cellular RNA components, outside the coding
remained the backbone of cholera care. section of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that will
DEHYDRATION be translated into proteins, are engaged in various
• When you use or lose more fluid than you consume, activities.
your body becomes dehydrated because it lacks the RNA ORIGAMI
water and other fluids it needs to operate normally.
• RNA can generate specific structures to arrange these
Dehydration will occur if lost fluids are not replaced.
molecules by nanoscale folding, or "RNA origami."
CHOLERA DISEASE
• It is an effort to produce intricate RNA-based gadgets
• If untreated, cholera, an acute diarrheal sickness produced by humans.
brought on by consuming water or food infected with
• They interact with other biomolecules, like as RNA and
the Vibrio cholerae bacteria, may be fatal within hours.
proteins, and are persistent in cells. This allows for
• Most infected people will have no symptoms or rather
novel uses, notably in the context of gene control.
minor ones, and oral rehydration solution may
effectively treat them. Children and adults may both WHY ARE THEY USED?
get cholera. • RNA origami has so far been used in two different ways,
• To stop and manage the spread of cholera and other both of which aim to control protein synthesis.
waterborne illnesses, it is essential to provide clean • To obtain precise protein synthesis regulation
water and sanitation. o By adding a potent protein binding site to the
• Public health continues to be threatened by cholera, produced protein's own gene, self-inhibiting protein
which also serves as a sign of inequality and a lack of expression cassettes were created.
social progress.

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 Science & Technology

o The same protein-binding sites were then expressed • The missile improves India's capacity for effective
in enormous quantities in RNA origami. deterrence.
o As a result, the self-inhibited protein may be AGNI MISSILES
expressed because the RNA origami acts as a
• Agni missiles are surface-to-surface ballistic missiles
protein-sponge to bind proteins within the cell.
with a great range and nuclear weapons capability.
o This method assisted in the simultaneous regulation
• Under the Integrated Guided Missile Development
of several proteins and the activation of enzymatic
Program (IGMDP), the Agni-I, the first missile in the
pathways to increase product yields.
series, was created and tested in 1989.
• For use in gene editing
• Realizing the strategic significance of the Agni missile
o The CRISPR-Cas9 enzyme is directed to target
programme when it was successful and split from the
particular DNA sequences by the RNA origami that
IGMDP.
was incorporated into the small RNAs.
• In India's defence budget, it was recognised as a special
o It has protein-binding regions on its scaffolds that
programme and received sufficient funding for future
might draw in transcription factors.
development.
o The transcription factors induced gene expression
VARIANTS OF AGNI MISSILES
by concentrating on promoter sites and binding the
RNA scaffolds there. • A medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 700–
o Researchers have demonstrated that the scaffold 800 km is called Agni I.
orientation and level of transcription factor • Agni II: It has a range of more than 2000 km and is also
recruitment can be used to tune the expression a medium-range ballistic missile.
strength. • Agni III: It has a range of more than 2,500 kilometres
o The anti-cancer medication violacein might be and is also an intermediate-range ballistic missile.
produced with high yield by controlling these several
• Agni IV: It is a road-mobile launchable inter-medium
enzyme pathways.
range ballistic missile with a range of more than 3,500
km.

AGNI-PRIME MISSILE • Agni-V: An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with

a range of more than 5,000 km, it is currently the
#Defence #Technology longest in the Agni family.
• Agni-VI: The intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
Indian new generation medium-range ballistic missile Agni with the greatest range in the Agni family, with a range
Prime was successfully test-fired from the coast of Odisha. of 11,000–12,000 km.
• Agni-P is a modern, upgraded version of the missiles of

LVM3
the Agni class.

• It is the sixth ballistic missile in the Agni series.

• It is a two-staged canisterised missile with a 1,000–

#Space #Technology
2,000 km range capability.
The 36 satellites belonging to the U.K.-based OneWeb were
• Numerous cutting-edge technologies have been
successfully launched into orbit by the ISRO's largest rocket,
introduced, including composites, propulsion systems,
the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3 or GSLV Mark 3). The ISRO
creative guidance and control systems, and cutting-
has renamed the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
edge navigation systems. (GSLV) Mark -III as Launch Vehicle Mark-III, mainly to identify
• It features updated guidance & propulsion its task of placing satellites into a variety of orbits.
technologies and weighs 50% less than Agni 3 missile. LVM3

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 Science & Technology

GEAC APPROVES
• An expendable space launch vehicle called LVM3
(previously known as GSLV) was created, produced,
and used by the ISRO to place satellites and other
spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbits.
COMMERCIAL
• It is the highest of all ISRO vehicles at 49.13 metres. CULTIVATION OF GM
• It's a three-stage spacecraft having a 420-ton lift-off
mass. MUSTARD
• On April 18, 2001, ISRO launched LVM3 for the first #Biotech #Science
time. Since then, there have been 13 launches.
STAGES IN LVM3
The proposal for the commercial cultivation of genetically
• Four liquid strap-on motors with 40 tonnes of modified (GM) mustard has once more received approval
propellant and the S139 solid booster make up the first from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
stage. GM (HYBRIDIZED) MUSTARD
• A liquid engine powered by 40 tonnes of liquid • The process of hybridization entails mating two
propellant makes up the second stage. genetically distinct plant kinds, which may even belong
to the same species.
• The third stage is a 15-ton cryogenic propellant-
carrying cryogenic upper stage (CUS) that was • Such crossings often result in first-generation (F1)
produced domestically. offspring with larger yields than each parent could
produce alone.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PSLV AND LVM3
• Since the blooms of mustard contain both male (pistil)
• Compared to Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, LVM3 has and female (stamen) reproductive parts, the plants are
capacity to launch a bigger cargo into orbit (PSLV). mostly self-pollinating, making such hybridization
• PSLV rocket can launch satellites up to 2000 kg in difficult.
weight and 600–900 kilometres in height. • The potential for creating hybrids is limited since pollen
• LVM3 has a carrying capacity of 5,000 kg and a range of grains from one plant cannot fertilise the eggs of
another.
36,000 km.
HYBRIDISATION IN MUSTARD
• While LVM3 is intended to launch communication
satellites, PSLV is primarily intended to carry earth • This was accomplished by genetic alteration (GM).

observation or remote sensing satellites. • The hybrid mustard DMH-11 was created by
researchers at Delhi University's Centre for Genetic
• LVM3 places satellites in Geosynchronous Transfer
Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP).
Orbit (GTO) and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit, which
• It has two foreign genes that were identified from the
are higher elliptical orbits (GEO).
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens soil bacteria.
UPGRADES BROUGHT BY LVM3
• The first gene, designated as "barnase," produces a
• With a larger cryogenic upper stage and a larger first protein that reduces pollen production and makes the
stage than the GSLV Mk II, the LVM3 can carry plant it is integrated into male sterile.
substantially heavier satellites. • Then, this plant is crossed with a parental line that is
• While the PSLV, which is launched into low Earth polar viable and has the second "barstar" gene, which
orbits, is a four-stage vehicle, both the GSLV Mk II and prevents the barnase gene from functioning.
the LVM3 are three-stage rockets. • Thanks to the barstar gene in the second fertile line, the
• The GSLV Mk-II can launch up to 5,000 kg into low earth resulting F1 offspring can produce both seed and grain
and is high yielding.
orbit and 2,500 kg into geosynchronous orbit.
• They claim to have developed a reliable and practical
• The LVM3 can lift to 8,000 kg to LEO and up to 4,000 kg
mustard hybridization method using the barnase-
to GTO, in contrast.
barstar GM technology.

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 Science & Technology

INDIA’S FIRST INDIGENOUS

• By mating the popular Indian mustard variety "Varuna"
(the barnase line) with an East European mutant called
"Early Heera-2," the technique was utilised to create
DMH-11 (barstar).
OVERHAUSER
• According to the Indian Council of Agricultural MAGNETOMETER
Research's confined field experiments, DMH-11
#Physics #Technology
demonstrated an average 28% yield improvement over
Varuna (ICAR).
• Prior to being made available for purchase, GEAC has An indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer, one of the most

advised the environmental release of DMH-11 for seed precise magnetometers in use by all magnetic observatories
production and testing. worldwide, was created by Indian scientists.
• In other words, it has approved farmer commercial OVERHAUSER MAGNETOMETERS
cultivation, with seed production serving as the first
• A magnetometer is a piece of equipment used in
phase.
science to determine the direction and intensity of the
• The Environment Ministry already blocked this action
in 2016. magnetic field.

TAKE SO LONG FOR GEAC TO CLEAR • The increased accuracy, greater sensitivity, and

• Various green organisations have voiced resistance to efficient power usage of OVH magnetometers are well
GM crops generally. recognised.

• The existence of a third "bar" gene, which renders GM • Both international space programmes and all magnetic
mustard plants resistant to the spraying of the weed- observatories on the planet use them.
killing chemical glufosinate ammonium, is of major
• It has so far been imported into India for these uses.
concern.
PERFORMANCE
• The opponents claim that by encouraging the use of
chemical herbicides, this would result in the • This domestically produced magnetometer performs
replacement of physical labour involved in weeding. on par with an OVH sensor that is presently deployed
• Another worry is that honeybee populations may be at the magnetic observatories of IIG.
threatened or undermined by GM mustard.
• The Indian OVH sensor faithfully and precisely
• Honeybees and a variety of other pollinating insects replicated the geomagnetic diurnal changes.
may find nectar at mustard flowering plants.
• It displayed numerous space weather phenomena'
GENETIC ENGINEERING APPRAISAL COMMITTEE
signatures, including those of geomagnetic storms and
(GEAC)
abrupt impulses, among others.
• A legislative entity recognised by the Environment
(Protection) Act of 1986 is the GEAC. • The creation of a sensitive magnetic resonance imaging

• The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee was (MRI) device might potentially be helpful.

established, and in 2010 it was given its present name. BENEFITS OF OVH MAGNETOMETERS
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change • The cost of sample and sensing experiments, which are
oversees its operations. necessary for geomagnetic sampling, is reduced using
• The organisation controls the usage, production, OVH magnetometers.
storage, import, and export of dangerous microbes or
• It may lessen India's reliance on for-profit OVH
cells and organisms created via genetic engineering in
magnetometers to assess the geomagnetic field.
India.

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 Science & Technology

NAVIC
anywhere on the Earth where there is an
unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS
#Space #Technology satellites. It does not require user to transmit any
data and operates independently of any telephonic
or internet connection.
India wants to enhance use of its regional satellite navigation
(b) GLONASS: Russia
system, NavIC (Navigation in Indian Constellation), on ships
and aircraft that go far from the nation's boundaries. (c) BeiDou: China

ABOUT NavIC (d) Galileo by European Union (EU)

• Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), (e) Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) of Japan: This
is a satellite-based augmentation system to
also known as NavIC, is built with a constellation of
enhance augmentation system to enhance
seven satellites and a 24/7 network of ground stations.
accuracy of GPS. A satellite navigation system
• There are eight satellites in all, however only seven are
independent of GPS is planned for 2023 with 7
still operational. satellites.
• There are three geostationary satellites and four • India's reliance on foreign nations for navigational
geosynchronous satellites. needs so declines.
• IRNSS-1A, the constellation's first satellite, was • It will support India's scientific and technological
launched on July 1, 2013, while IRNSS-1I, the eighth development. For the nation's sovereignty and
satellite, was launched in April 2018. strategic needs, it is crucial.
• The constellation's seventh satellite, IRNSS-1G, was • In compliance with the Nirbhaya case ruling, the
launched in 2016, and the Indian Prime Minister government mandated NavIC-based vehicle trackers
rebranded IRNSS to NavIC. on all commercial cars in the nation in April 2019.
• It was approved for use in the Indian Ocean Region of • Additionally, Qualcomm Technologies has introduced
the World-Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS) by mobile chipsets that enable NavIC.
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2020. • Additionally, with in-depth coverage, sharing the
POTENTIAL USES project with the SAARC countries is one of its intended
potential purposes. This would facilitate future regional
• Navigation on land, in the air, and on the water;
navigation system integration and serve as a
disaster management; monitoring and fleet
diplomatic courtesy from India to the other nations.
management of vehicles, particularly in the mining and
ISSUES AND INTENDED IMPROVEMENTS
transportation sectors.
• L-Band
• Compatibility with mobile devices.
o Since some of the constellation's satellites have
• Precise time (as in power grids and ATMs).
reached the end of their useful lifespan, ISRO aims
• Geodetic data collection and mapping. to replace at least five of them with the enhanced L-
SIGNIFICANCE Band, allowing it to provide the public with superior
• Provides real-time data for two services: global locating services.
o Periodically, five new satellites will be launched to
(1) Standard Positioning Service: Available for Civilian
replace the ones that have failed.
Use
o L-1, L-5, and S Band will be available on the new
(2) Restricted Service: This is encrypted and will be
satellites.
used approved users like Armed Forces.
o The GPS frequencies L1, L2, and L5 are used to
• India joined group of 5 nations with their own
monitor GPS satellite position, health, and accuracy
navigation system. They are:
for civilian applications including aeroplane
(a) Global Position System of USA: It is a Global precision. L1 frequency is used to track GPS satellite
navigation satellite system that geolocation location.

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 Science & Technology

o S band operate at a frequency of 2-4 GHz and a medium earth orbit for our ships and aircraft to reach
wavelength of 8–15 cm. The wavelength and beyond that. We can keep deploying MEO satellites to
frequency of S band radars make them difficult to eventually make this a worldwide issue.
attenuate. They may therefore be used for both local
and global weather monitoring.
• Long Code for Strategic Sector
NOBEL FOR WORK ON
o ISRO only offers short codes currently. To ensure ‘CLICK CHEMISTRY’
that the signal cannot be intercepted, spouted, or
rendered unavailable, the short code must now be
#Chemistry
converted to long code for usage in the strategic
sector. Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger won the

o It will be done to make it more user-friendly and to prize in physics for their advances in quantum mechanics on
increase the user base. the behaviour of subatomic particles, opening the door to
work on super computers and encrypted communication.
• Mobile Compatibility
• It is the physical phenomenon that occurs when a pair
o India's mobile phones are not now able to process
its signals due to technical limitations. or group of particles is generated such that
the quantum state of each particle of the pair or group
o According to media sources, this is unlikely to
cannot be described independently of the state of the
happen until 2025 despite the Indian government's
others.
January 2023 deadline for manufacturers to add
compatibility. • In this quantum mechanical phenomenon, the

NAVIGATION SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL IN THE WORLD quantum states of two or more objects must be
described with reference to each other, even though
• Global System
the individual objects may be spatially separated.
o GPS from the U.S.
• This leads to correlations between observable physical
o GLONASS from Russia.
properties of the systems.
o Galileo from European Union
• Albert Einstein dismissed this idea as a 'spooky action'.
o BeiDou from China.
Replicating reactions that involve bonds between carbon
• Regional System atoms – that are vital to the existence of life – is expensive
o NavIC from India. and often leads to side reactions and loss of material.
o QZSS from Japan. Instead of trying to make carbon atoms react with each
NEED FOR NavIC other, smaller molecules that already have a complete
• Defense departments of the individual countries run carbon frame, can further be linked using oxygen or
the GPS and GLONASS systems. nitrogen atoms as bridges.
• The opportunity for civilian service may be restricted or Simpler reactions, “where there is a strong intrinsic drive
rejected. for the molecules to bond together”, may avoid the loss of
• In terms of delivering position service inside the service material as well as the unwanted side reactions.
territory, NavIC is an autonomous regional system that APPLICATIONS
covers the Indian region. • Bioorthogonal reaction has enabled the study of
• The Indian government has complete authority over it. biomolecules such as glycans, proteins, and lipids in
More satellites would need to be deployed in orbits closer real time in living systems without cellular toxicity.
to Earth than the existing constellation to make NavIC fully • Identify/Tracking Active Enzymes
global like GPS.
• Bioorthogonal Chemistry in Drug Delivery: Drug
NavIC's range now only extends 1,500 kilometres outside delivery is important for the correct functioning of
of Indian territory. However, we would need satellites in a drugs in living things. When a drug acts at the wrong

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 Science & Technology

place or time, it may not have the desired effect or may and fully electric vehicles. One of the requirements of
cause other undesired effects. Improved control over plug-in-hybrids is bigger battery pack.
drug delivery and release is one way to improve the ABOUT REGENERATIVE BRAKING
efficacy of drugs and to minimize their side effects.
• Regenerative braking is a mechanism found on
Bioorthogonal chemistry has been studied as a method
most hybrid and full-electric vehicles. It captures the
to control the release, localization, and formation of
kinetic energy from braking and converts it into the
drugs in vivo.
electrical power that charges the vehicle’s high voltage
• One way that bioorthogonal chemistry has been battery.
applied to drug delivery is in the selective unmasking of
• Regenerative braking also slows the car down, which
drugs. The “click to release” (CTR) method uses
assists the use of traditional brakes.
bioorthogonal chemistry to control the timing and
• In a conventional braking system, a car slows down due
location of drug release.
to friction between the brake pads and rotors. But this
system is highly inefficient when it comes to conserving
REGENERATIVE BRAKING energy. Nearly all the kinetic energy propelling your car
forward is lost as heat when you apply the brakes.
TECHNOLOGY That’s a lot of wasted energy!
• Regenerative braking solves this problem by
#Technology
recapturing upwards of 70% of the kinetic energy that
would otherwise be lost during braking. The amount of
Regenerative braking technology is being employed in electric energy recovered depends on your car model and
vehicles to increase energy efficiency. driving behaviour.

ABOUT HYBRID VEHICLES MECHANISM OF REGENERATIVE BRAKING

• Regenerative braking turns kinetic energy into
Commonly called hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), a hybrid
electricity by reversing the process that drives the car
car is simply one that relies on two different power
forward.
sources for motion. The two different power sources
are typically petrol and electricity and diesel and • In electric cars, the drivetrain is powered by a battery
pack that powers a motor (or motors), creating torque–
electricity.
rotational force–on the wheels.
There are three main types of hybrids vehicle: full
• With regenerative braking, the energy from your
hybrids, mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
spinning wheels is used to reverse the direction of
• Full hybrid (FHEV) can run on just the combustion electricity - from the electric motor(s) to the battery. All
engine (i.e., diesel/petrol), the electric engine (i.e., you must do is remove your foot from the accelerator
power from batteries), or a combination. The Honda or, in some cases, press the brake pedal to activate
City HEV is an example of this. A full hybrid is not regenerative braking. The electric motor not only acts
plugged in to recharge; the battery is recharged by as an electric generator, but it also helps slow your car
running the combustion engine. down because energy is consumed by the wheels as
they rotate the shaft in the electric motor.
• Mild hybrid has an electric motor and combustion
engine which always work together. An example of this ADVANTAGES OF REGENERATIVE BRAKING
is the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza (Soon to be made • Brake pads & rotors may last longer
available). Mild hybrids cannot run in just electric or just • Extended range possibilities for EVs
combustion engine mode; the engines/motors always • Better fuel efficiency for hybrids
work in parallel.
DISADVANTAGES OF A REGENERATIVE BRAKING
• Plug-in hybrids usually have greater electric-only SYSTEM
ranges than full hybrids. Plug-In hybrids essentially • May be less effective at lower speeds
serve as a half-way point between full hybrid vehicles
• Brake pedal may feel different

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 Science & Technology

• Potentially less stopping power • Rampant availability of commercial grade PG which is

Government has approved Phase-II of FAME Scheme with less expensive
an outlay of Rs. 10,000 Crore for a period of 3 years • Cheap version of drugs is hardly tested for their quality
commencing from 1st April 2019. Out of total budgetary • Cost for testing is very high - Every drug firm is
support, about 86 percent of fund has been allocated for mandated to test PG for diethylene glycol and other
Demand Incentive to create demand for xEVs in the impurities before using it for cough syrups. However,
country. This phase aims to generate demand by way of the machine costs around Rs. 15-20 lakhs.
supporting 7000 e-Buses, 5 lakh e-3 Wheelers, 55000 e-4
• Drug Manufacturers skip the test to cut down cost – as
Wheeler Passenger Cars (including Strong Hybrid) and 10
the firms are required to either have this test facility in
lakh e-2 Wheelers. However, depending upon off-take of
their own labs or outsource the test.
different category of xEVs, these numbers may vary as the
REASONS
provision has been made for inter as well as intra segment
wise fungibility. • The cold and cough syrup manufactured by Maiden
Pharmaceuticals Limited was contaminated with
diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol. The
PRESENCE OF DIETHYLENE contamination is said to be the reason for death of 66

GLYCOL IN COUGH SYRUP children in Gambia and based on this the drug was also
marked by World Health Organisations (WHO).
#Biology • Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are colourless
and viscous liquids which have a sweetish taste. While
India’s apex drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard they are popularly used in industrial products such as
Control Organisation (CDSCO) has barred Haryana- paints, stationery ink, brake fluids and antifreeze, they
based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited from manufacturing have been involved in several mass poisoning cases
medicinal drugs due to death of children in Gambia. This was dating as far back as 1937.
done after deaths of children in Gambia on consuming the • The Indian government has said that a full report from
cough syrup have evoked an international outcry. WHO, establishing a clear, causal link for contamination
Under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, the regulation of of the cough syrup with DEG is awaited.
manufacture, sale and distribution of Drugs is primarily • The Union Health Ministry has constituted a technical
the concern of the State authorities committee to advise the Government on its future
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CENTRAL AUTHORITIES ARE course of action against the company.
RESPONSIBLE CONCERNS
• approval of New Drugs • Products of Maiden Pharmaceuticals were banned in
• Clinical Trials in the country Kerala earlier and were also flagged for substandard
• laying down the standards for Drugs quality in Tamil Nadu. Despite this, the company is
selling its products by marketing the same formulation
• control over the quality of imported Drugs
under different names.
• coordination of the activities of State Drug Control
• Despite strict regulations on manufacture of spurious
Organisations and
and contaminated drug under the provisions of Drugs
• providing expert advice with a view of bring about the
and Cosmetics Act, little has been done against gross
uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and
violations of manufacturing norms.
Cosmetics Act.
• Early responses from India’s health establishment have
USAGE OF UNREGULATED DEG
not been encouraging, with assurances that the drugs
• Since paracetamol does not dissolve in water, drug were only cleared for export to The Gambia and not for
makers use solvent Propylene Glycol (PG) to make the sale in India.
cough syrup. This solvent has DEG and EG as
• Despite punishment of imprisonment up to 10 years
impurities.
and fines up to ₹10 lakhs, it has neither deterred the

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 Science & Technology

companies from such gross violations nor has the THINKING. E.g.: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics,
regulator acted against companies on contamination Synthetic Biology, Nanomaterial, Blockchain, Quantum
of the drug with DEG. Computing etc. when combined with each other and
blend it with engineering and design science is leading
• It is also difficult to prove to the Courts that the
to new gateways in the frontiers of technology.
products are directly responsible for the deaths.
• Deep Technologies focus on solving the unresolved
WAY FORWARD
problems faced by the industry by relying on an
• Solvents needs to be developed other than Propylene ecosystem which accelerates the innovation cycle.
Glycol to make drugs that cannot dissolve in water.
• Deep tech involves leveraging mature and emerging
• As of now drug makers are required to test only raw technologies to solve the largest problems facing the
materials. Guidelines must also mandate testing of world today which can range from biotechnologies to
final products for impurities of DEG if PG is used as robotics to artificial intelligence (AI). Deep technologies
solvent. are novel and are significant advances over
• Need to address shortage of staffs by the drug technologies currently in use.
regulator specially at the level of state. For example – • These technologies can have a big impact, take a long
Haryana has mere ten drug inspectors to inspect time to reach market-ready maturity, and require a
manufacturing units in 22 districts. So, efficient law substantial amount of capital. They require concerted
enforcement becomes difficult. R&D to develop practical business or consumer
applications and bring them from the lab to the
• Proper training is required for the professionals to
market.
identify spurious or adulterated drugs manufactured
by pharma companies. • Many of these technologies address big societal and
environmental challenges and will likely shape the way
• According to the former Drug Controller of Haryana,
we solve some of the most pressing global problems.
after recruitment, at least 18-month training should be
These technologies have the power to create their own
there for drug inspectors plus an exit test after training markets or disrupt existing industries.
before he or she goes into the field for inspections.
INDIA IS LAGGING BEHIND IN DEEP TECHNOLOGIES
To rise the value chain for vaccines or drugs
• Today, four technology battlegrounds exist, i.e.,
manufactured in India, it must work harder at its image of
semiconductors, 5G, revolutions in biology and
having an impartial and independent regulator that can
autonomy. Each of these is vulnerable to military
be trusted internationally as well as domestically. conflict, health emergencies and natural disasters.
They are dual use and have steep entry barriers and

INDIAN DEEP TECH AND A India lies at the bottom.

• Unlike the Unites States, Israel or United Kingdom,
CASE FOR A STRATEGIC Government of India has not provided dedicated pool
of funds for the deep technologies to prosper.
FUND • Billions of dollars of funding flow in through agencies

#R&D ecosystem such as the Defence Advanced Research Projects

Agency of United States, the Directorate of Defence
Research and Development of Israel and the Defence
The pursuit of deep technologies and investment for its and Security Accelerator of United Kingdom. These
growth and expansion in India is restricted as neither venture public investments become the oxygen for leap in
capitalists nor the government agencies seem much quantum edge technologies.
interested.
• Despite schemes such as Innovations for Defence
SALIENT FEATURES OF DEEP TECHNOLOGIES Excellence (iDEX) or Technology Development Fund
• Deep Technology is a new chapter in innovation (TDF) scheme of Ministry of Defence, funding for the
bringing together SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & DESIGN deep tech in India not easy to get.

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 Science & Technology

Innovations for The scheme facilitates up to 90

Technology Development per cent of the total project cost
Defence Excellence
Fund scheme of DRDO and allows industry to work in
(iDEX)
consortium with another
The Department of industry/academia.
Defence Minister has approved
Defence Production,
enhancement of funding under WAY FORWARD
Ministry of Defence
Technology Development Fund
has approved a • Utilise the CSR Funds - the annual CSR budget
(TDF) scheme of Ministry of
central sector scheme is ₹15,000 crore, of which a substantial portion goes
Defence to Rs 50 crore per
viz. Innovations for unutilised. CSR has traditionally been utilised for the
project from Rs 10 crore.
Defence Excellence social sector. However, this growing corpus should also
The TDF scheme, executed by be used for the development of strategic technology.
(iDEX) with budgetary
Defence Research and
support of Rs. 498.80 • Large corporations can be incentivised to use some of
Development Organisation
crore for the next 5 this budget to serve the strategic needs of the nation.
(DRDO), supports indigenous
years from 2021-22 to The Government should allow these funds to flow into
development of components,
2025-26. certain strategic tech startups.
products, systems and
The objective of the • High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) can be offered tax
technologies by MSMEs and
scheme is to provide incentives to make equity investment in the same
start-ups.
financial support to critical technology startups which are of high risk. The
The TDF Scheme aims to provide
nearly 300 Startups/ corpus of investment should be tax deductible and no
a major fillip to the defence
MSMEs/ individual more than a certain percentage of annual income.
manufacturing sector by
innovators and about • Create Qualifying Criteria to prevent Misuse of Fund
encouraging the industry to
20 Partner incubators - The pool of investable companies must be limited to
innovate and develop defence
through Defence Government of India-recognised start-ups; startups
technologies to place India on
Innovation should have funding or ‘acceptance of necessity’
the self-reliance trajectory.
Organisation (DIO). granted from the Indian military/Ministry of Defence.

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding: Which of the statements given above is are correct?
1. Click Chemistry is a class of biocompatible small (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
molecule reactions commonly used in (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
bioconjugation.
2. The term bioorthogonal chemistry refers to any Q.2) Consider the following pairs
chemical reaction that can occur inside of living 1. Glonass : Russia
systems without interfering with native 2. Galileo : China
biochemical processes.
3. BeiDou : Europe
3. The field of click chemistry and bioorthogonal
4. GPS : Japan
chemistry has been harnessed to improve the
Choose the correct option :
targeting of cancer pharmaceuticals now being
(a) Only 1 pair is correct
tested in clinical trials
(b) Only 2 pair are correct

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 Science & Technology

(c) Only 3 pair are correct 2. Agni Prime is a medium range nuclear capable
(d) All pairs are correct ballistic missile having maximum strike range of
2000 km.
Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Genetic Engineering Appraisal committee: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
1. GEAC is a non-statutory body under the (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Department of Biotechnology.
2. Rules for creating GEAC were laid down under the Q.5) Consider the following statements:
Biodiversity Act, 2002. 1. Mustard is a cross-pollinating crop.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 2. Barnase-barstar gene is used for producing GM-
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only Mustard.
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Q.4) Consider the following statements: (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. The BrahMos NG (next generation) is a bigger
version of the existing supersonic cruise missile
BrahMos

Descriptive Questions
Q1. Discuss the role of Quantum technology from the national security perspective.

Q2. What is NAVIC? Discuss the benefits of having an indigenous navigation system for India.

Answers: 1-d, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b, 5-b

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 History, HERITAGE & Culture
# GS Paper (Prelims) & GS Paper I (Main)

FIFTY EXCLUSIVE AND

migration, urbanisation and lack of free time to master
a skill.

ICONIC HERITAGE TEXTILE 2. Lack of technical documentation: Skills and technical

knowledge for traditional textiles are often passed
CRAFTS orally due to dearth of detailed documentation. This
#Art & Culture knowledge can be lost when master-craftsmen age or
pass away.
3. Inadequate skill development: There is a lack quality
UNESCO released report named ‘Handmade for the 21st
training, lack of certified courses and limited
Century: Safeguarding Traditional Indian Textiles’ that has
opportunities for skill development.
documented various regional handmade textiles of India. The
report documents the issues of handmade textile sector and 4. Difficulty of attracting youth to textile crafts due to
gives recommendations for their revival. devaluing of traditional knowledge and skills as book
learning and formal education is of greater value and
• Textiles represent a significant share of Indian arts and
traditional knowledge is seen as low status by
crafts.
craftspeople.
• In the 17th & 18th centuries, these fabrics were so
5. Changing demand patterns: Due to urbanisation, the
popular that French and British banned the import of
old system of patronage the linkages between users
Indian textiles to counter dwindling sales of domestic
and makers have been broken. Also, modernity has
cloth. Rough European fabrics were simply no match
changed consumer tastes.
for elegance of Indian textiles.
6. Uncompetitive against industrial mass production:
• Textiles are part of living traditions which are
Handmade textiles are made using painstaking process
influenced by social, economic and cultural factors.
which takes months from ideation to execution and
• Strengths: simply cannot compete with industrial competitors.
o Large employer especially in rural and semi-urban 7. Low quality of life for artisans: Rising cost and
areas particularly women. unavailability of raw material, difficulty to access tools
o Richness of designs and diversity. etc. make it difficult for artisans to a living by practicing
o Despite pressures the designs and demands for this traditional crafts. They also do not have knowledge
have endured. about marketing, branding, sales or GST compliances.

o Large raw material base and tradition. 8. Copies and fakes are rife in textile industry and
practitioners of handmade textiles have limited legal
o Fashion industry can engage with India’s traditional
recourse in such cases. These mill-made or digital
textiles.
textile products are available at much lower prices.
CHALLENGES
9. Environmental issues like lack of water, pollution
1. Social and demographic changes that adversely
control and other environmental concerns affects a
impacts intergenerational knowledge transfer due to
craft’s viability.

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 History, Heritage & Culture

RECOMMENDATIONS • Recognise women artisans and given them equal

• Formulate a comprehensive policy for handmade opportunities: As men move away from
textiles to make this industry viable, competitive and • Provide appropriate infrastructure and technology
equitably structured. The needs of this sector are • Focus on educating, training and upskilling
different from power-loom industry, screen and digital practitioners
printing, machine embroidery and large textile mills.
• Encourage innovation in design and product
• Create systematic and scientific database on development
handmade textile and their practitioners
• Enable access to credit: Access to credit at low interest
• Facilitate convergence within the hand skills sector rates would help textile makers access raw materials
• Protect intellectual property rights of practitioners and and cover their working capital needs. Loans for
raise consumer awareness about authentic versus housing cum work sheds are also needed.
copied products.
• Support ancillary artisans and professions
LIST OF HANDMADE TEXTILE CRAFTS

Handmade
Located Description
Textile Crafts

It is a thick, checked cotton and silk fabric that is woven with traditional
Khes Weaving Panipat, Haryana geometric patterns, in which the two sides appear differently. Most used as a
bedding material.

One of the oldest forms of woven textile. It is used to create most beautiful
Tapestry pieces of wall art. Tapestries often look like they are crafted from
Panipat, Haryana
Weaving brushstrokes, but they are woven, not painted. Wool is the material used for
creating these.

Embroidered representations of Pahari miniatures of the region. Usually

Chamba, Himachal
Chamba Rumal practiced by women in the region. They are made of hand-spun cotton or fine
Pradesh
muslin and finely embroidered by hand.

Thigma or wool Tie-dye design based that is patterned on wool. Found across Ladakh, Zanskar
Ladakh
tie-dye and other trans-Himalayan, high altitude regions.

Danka Textile is decorated using small-faceted metallic plates that are stitched on
Udaipur, Rajasthan
embroidery the cloth by hand with zari (golden) yarn.

These weaves were traditionally made by men while tending their flocks of
Split-ply braid
Rajasthan camels and goats. These weaves were strong enough to be used to girth
weaving
camels in the Thar Desert.

Jamdanis was fine cotton of flowered muslins. They are rarest, finest and most
sophisticated weave of Indian loom. Jamdani weaving flourished in North
Awadh Jamdani Varanasi, UP
India at Lucknow, Jals, Varanasi and Tanda. It was patronised by Nawabs of
Awadh and Rajas of Varanasi.

They are silk saris woven in the Baluchari tradition are characterised by
Baluchari
Varanasi, UP elaborate motifs on the border and pallu depicting mythological and
Weaving
contemporary scenes. Baluchari sari originated in Baluchar Village of

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Murshidabad, West Bengal in 18th century. Later the tradition of this sari was
revived in Varanasi by master weaver Ali Hassan.

An embroidery style that entails twisting thin metallic threads to make raised
Badla or Mukaish
Lucknow, UP high relief patterned embellishments on textile. Patronised by Nawabs of
embroidery
Awadh.

Traditionally woven motifs that are customarily used in Buddhist ceremonial

costumes. Amalgamates elements of satin silk style weaving with weaving
techniques of Varanasi.
Gyasar weaving Varanasi, UP Kinkhwab: They mean ‘little dreams’ in Urdu or cloth of gold. They were woven
with pure gold and silver zari system.
Nakshaband: They were master weavers who translated artworks on to the
loom.

Printed with carved wooden blocks that are hand-stamped on the cloth. It
Hand block- uses tree of life pattern – flowering trees dense with buds and branches, with
Farrukhabad, UP
printing birds and animals printed within branches. Paisley motif (mango) interpreted
in a vast variety of shapes, sizes and intricate detailing is also used.

Checked cotton weave sari. Patterned in checks with the size of the check
Kunbi Weaving Goa varying from community to community It was traditionally worn by
agricultural Kunbi and Gawda communities of Goa.

They are silk sarees having rich enamelled look, dense patterning and use of
Ashavali sari metallic zari yarns. The saree is named after the city of Ashaval, which was the
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
weaving place where the larger town of Ahmedabad was established Ahmad Shah in
15th century.

Part of Parsi tradition, every member of Parsi community is required to wear

Kusti weaving Navsari, Gujarat the sacred woven girdle called Kusti around the neck. It is made from lamb’s
wool or white camel’s hair.

Mashru employs a silk overlay on a cotton base and was considered

permissible for Muslims. Once commonly worn by Muslims since the sacred
Mashru weaving Gujarat
law forbade the wearing of silk against the body Mashru meant permissible.
Historically, used by Rabari and Ahir pastoral communities of Kutch.

It is a densely painted and block printed shrine cloth depicts legends of

Mata-ni-pachedi Ahmedabad, Gujarat
mother goddess worshiped by nomadic Vaghari community of Gujarat.

These are finest examples of Ikat weaving with striking designs and complex
workmanship. Historically, weavers of it came from Salvi community. It uses
Patola weaving Patan, Gujarat
the unique bandhana technique of tie-dyeing, which employs a range of
shades along the length of every single silk or cotton thread.

A thick paste of paint made with boiled castor oil and dyes is used to decorate
Rogan textile fabric with an iron stylus. Patronised by Ahir community of Kutch. It is only
Nirona, Gujarat
painting practiced by men of the families and it is believed that women will take the
closely guarded secret to their in-laws.

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It is a double cloth weave with chequerboard patterning that is filled with

Sujani weaving Bharuch, Gujarat
cotton batting to create a quilt on the handloom.

It employs a process by which geometrical patterns are formed on a fabric by

Tangaliya
Gujarat creating dana (beaded dots) in high relief, giving the effect of bead
weaving
embroidery. Practiced by Dangasia community of Gujarat.

Villages in Mandsaur district of MP practice this form of resist-block printing

Nandana hand- Jawad, Madhya
using wax. Cotton is the base material used. Four main motifs used in
block printing Pradesh
Nandana prints are: Chapakali flower, Mirchi or Chilli, Buta or Mango.

They are traditional brocade with a cotton base and patterned with silk. Its
Aurangabad,
Himroo weaving origin goes back to Tughlaq times. It is woven in running lengths and
Maharashtra
decorated with figurative and geometric motifs. Alternative to Kinkhwab.

Hyderabad, Andhra They are traditional brocade with a cotton base and patterned with silk. Its
Himroo weaving Pradesh and origin goes back to Tughlaq times. It is woven in running lengths and
Telangana decorated with figurative and geometric motifs. Alternative to Kinkhwab.

Siddipet They are handwoven cotton sarees which are characterised by unique
Medak district.
Gollabama Gollabama motif, which is the figure of a milkmaid carrying one milk pot on
Andhra Pradesh
weaving her head and one in her hand. These motifs are entirely made by hand.

It is densely handwoven with small geometric motifs and borders of deep red
Guledgudd Khana Karnataka and maroon. Woven in narrow widths, it is customarily used to make cholis
or blouses. It uses combination of cotton & silk.

These sarees are woven in cotton with the pallu woven in silk with dramatic
Ilkal weaving Bagalkot, Karnataka red & white patterns. A distinctive feature of this sari is the joining of the body
warp with the pallu warp using a series of loops called tope teni technique.

Lambadis also called Lambanis or Banjaras were nomadic tribes who

migrated large distances and are now settled in different parts of India.
During the Mughal times, they worked as professional carriers of goods and
repairers of metal items.
Lambadi/Banjara
Sandur, Karnataka Lambadi embroidery uses bright colours and designs which combines
embroidery
patchwork done by hand with intricate applique work, non-figurative
embroidery and decorative elements like mirrors, beads, buttons, shells,
small bells, wooden tassels, coins and metallic trinklets. The base fabric is
usually blue or red in colour.

They are rich and elaborate silk sarees which are worn for rites of passage like
Molakalmuru silk Chitradurga, marriages and imports occasions. The patterns, motifs and designs used on
weaving Karnataka the borders and pallus of Molakalmuru saris are inspired by temple carvings,
auspicious symbols and nature.

Ayurvedic Balaramapuram, This fabric uses dyeing in herbs and medicinal plants based on the Ayurvedic
textiles Kerala medical system. Only textiles produced on handloom are dyed in this manner.

Sikalnayakanpet Thanjavur, Tamil Kalamkari technique uses hand-painted dye-patterned and is known for its
Kalamkari Nadu bold visual aesthetic.

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Kalamkari technique was used decorate temples and idol chariots taken out
during festivals. It was also used to make thoranams which are cylindrical
decorative hangings for temple chariots.
Sikalnayakanpet Kalamkari is different from Sri Kalahasti Kalamkari. Sri
Kalahasti Kalamkaris produces thematic, narrative and educative temple cloth
hangings meant to be seen from close. However, Sikalnayakanpet Kalamkari
used bold visual aesthetic which allows the designs to be seen from a
distance. Thus, it is used in umbrella covers, cylindrical hangings and chariot
covers.

Traditionally made using tie-dye technique. It is characterised by many tiny

Sungadi or
Madurai, Tamil Nadu dots that fill its body, and its detailed borders woven with metallic zari in
Chungadi
colours that contrast with the sari body.

Uses red and black threads on a white background. Embroidery is done with
Toda embroidery Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu wool skeins on a thick cotton base. Practiced by women of Toda tribe in the
upper Nilgiri plateau.

Woven from the wool of Deccani black sheep by Kuruma ship herding
Gongadi sheep Telangana & Andhra
community. The Deccani sheep is the only Indian breed that produces pure
wool blankets Pradesh
black coarse wool.

It has a unique weaving style as the yarns used to make decorative motifs are
thicker than those used for rest of the sari, and often dyed in contrasting
Bavanbutti
Nalanda, Bihar colours. This creates a 3-D effect.
weaving
A single motif is repeated fifty-two times. Motifs are often geometrical or
inspired by nature and often draw heavily from Buddha’s life.

It is a reversible embroidered quilt which uses intricate geometric patterns

and reflects cultural identity of migrant community of Shershabadi Muslims.
Generally used as a blanket for newborn children or a mattress for newlywed
Kheta couples.
Kishanganj, Bihar
embroidery Note: Shershabadi community is so called because they first settled on land
given to them by Emperor Sher Shah Suri in Malda district. Overtime, the
Shershabadi community migrated along eastern rivers and settled in areas in
around Kishanganj in Bihar and Bengal.

Also known as Ikat. Word ikat is derived from Malayan word mangikat,
Bandha tie-dye meaning to bind or knot. The Meher community mainly weaves these.
Sambalpur, Odisha
weaving Bandha’s unique feature is that its designs are almost identical on both sides
of cloth.

Berhampur Pata It uses Kumbha phoda (temple spire) pattern along the border of sarees with
or Phoda Odisha both sides of cloth being identical. It is also used as part of temple rituals in
Kumbha temples of Odisha.

Famous for door curtains (Parda), wall hangings, table covers, lungi and saris.
Dhalapathar
Khorda, Odisha It uses medium and coarse count cotton threads using a special weaving
Parda
technique with thick counts of cotton yarn.

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Kenduli Pata It is a ritual textile woven with calligraphic verses from the Gita Govinda, a
calligraphic Odisha renowned devotional poem, and presented as offering to the deities.
weaving

Practiced by Dongaria Kondh tribal communities who live in the Niyamgiri hills
Dongaria Kondh of Kandhamal district of Odisha. It involves intricate needlework and
Kandhamal, Odisha
textiles distinctive shawl called Kadapagonda, having a special place in Dongaria
tradition.

In Balaposh quilting, a thin layer of cotton fluff scented with attar (perfume)
Balaposh, West is sandwiched between two layers of silk that are only stitched along the
Fragrant textiles
Bengal edges. Despite absence of a running stitch, cotton filing stays intact in its
place, even after many years of use.

It has a base of natural, undyed mulberry or tassar silk yarns that are woven
Garad-Korial Murshidabad, West
with deep red paisley (kalka) and red borders. Red and white with the Kalka
weaving Bengal
motif symbolises prosperity and fertility.

It is a quilt stuffed with cotton which is embroidered with naturally yellow

tussar silk. Satgaon quilts were in very high demand in Portugal and England
from mid-16th to mid-17th. These quilts were commissioned by Portuguese
Satgaon quilts West Bengal
who exported them to their home country, who set up a trading post in
Satgaon in 1536. Designs incorporate Portuguese themes, biblical themes
and later hindu themes.

It is a quilt stuff with cotton batting, handwoven on the loom by weavers in

Lasing phee Cachar, Manipur
Manipur. Women practice the weaving.

It is a traditional shawl, woven and embroidered by women of Meitei

Saphee Lanphee Manipur community of Manipur. It was once presented as an honour to soldiers for
bravery in battle and gift of honour to chiefs by Meitei kings of Manipur.

It is characterised by intricate and colourful motifs patterned in stripes and

Lepcha weaving Sikkim
woven on the back-strap loom.

Risha handwoven cloth is used as an upper garment by women from different

Risha textile communities of Tripura. Pattern, colours and motifs are differential according
Tripura
weaving to the clan or tribe for whom they are made. It is also used as headgear by
men.

MODHERA TEMPLE
• Built during reign of Bhima I of Chalukya dynasty or
Solanki Dynasty (in 1026-27 CE)
#artandarchitecture #Medieval India • The temple complex is built in Māru-Gurjara style,
which was a western Indian style of Hindu temple
architecture. Later this style, became especially popular
Prime Minister declared Modhera, a village in Mehsana
in Jain temples.
district of Gujarat as India's first solar-powered village.
• This temple complex has three components:
MODHERA SUN TEMPLE
Gūḍhamanḍapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamanḍapa, the
• Located on the bank of Pushpavati River, in Mehsana
assembly hall and Kunḍa, the reservoir.
district of Gujarat.

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• Magnificent Kund known as Ramakund, built in DASARA OF MYSURU

rectangular shape containing 108 shrines to various • It is an annual ten-day festival that starts with the first
gods and demi-gods day of Navratras (a nine-day celebration for Goddesses)
• Three main shrines are positioned on three sides of • Officially designated as a state festival [Naada Habba]
kund, dedicated to Ganesh and Vishnu and an image of of Karnataka, it is entailing government funding.
Lord Shiva dancing the ‘tandav.’
• Dasara marks the slaying of demon Mahishasura by
• It has a ‘Sabha Mandap’ or the assembly hall. Goddess Chamundeshwari and symbolises the
• Twelve Sun representations carved on the pillars triumph of good over evil.
represent the sun according to the twelve months. • Dasara in Mysuru is a legacy of the Vijayanagar
emperors where it was called Mahanavami and the

NEW MESOLITHIC festivities are shown in the relief artwork of the outer
wall of the Hazara Rama temple of Hampi.

FINDINGS • Italian traveller Niccolò de' Conti described the

festival's intensity and importance as a grandeur
#AncientHistory #Mesolithic Age religious and martial event with royal support.
• Wodeyars of Mysuru formed a kingdom in Southern
parts of the Vijayanagara Empire and continued the
Hand axes, scrapers, cleavers and choppers as old as
Mahanavami (Dasara) festival celebration, a tradition
12,000 years to rouletted ware (from Sangam era – 2,000
started initially by Raja Wodeyar I (1578-1617 CE) in
years ago), Roman amphora sherds and glass beads
mid-September 1610 at Srirangapatna.
indicating active trade with Rome were some of the
artefacts found by the most recent Archaeological Survey • This will be the first time President will be inaugurating
of India (ASI) excavation near Chennai. the festival.

• What: Mesolithic age artefacts excavated. • Main place for Dasara celebration is Mysuru Palace.

• Where: Natham Medu

• Period: Mesolithic age to Late Sangam Age RAJARAJA-I
• Findings: #Medieval History
1. Stone tools were produced for hunting
2. rouletted ceramics from the Sangam age, Recently a Tamil language based epic movie with the title
3. Roman amphora sherds Ponniyin Selvan: I was released It is based on the life of Chola
4. Glass beads shows ongoing trade with Rome from ruler Rajaraja I.
that period ABOUT RAJARAJA I

Birth Name: Arulmozhi Varman or Arumozhi Varman

DASARA FESTIVAL OF Period: 985 CE to 1014 CE

Empire: His extensive empire included vast regions of the

MYSURU Pandya country, the Chera country and northern Sri Lanka.
#Festival #Art&Culture He also acquired Lakshadweep and Thiladhunmadulu
atoll, and part of the northern-most islands of the
Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Campaigns against the
In a first, President launched the 10-day celebrations Western Gangas and the Chalukyas extended the Chola
(Dasara), State festival of Karnataka, in Mysuru.
authority as far as the Tungabhadra River. On the eastern

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coast, he battled with the Chalukyas for the possession of Devadana / Land gifted to temples
Vengi. Tirunamattukkani
Contribution: He initiated a massive project of land survey
Pallichchhandam Land donated
and assessment in 1000 CE which led to the
to Jaina institutions
reorganisation of the country into individual units known
as valanadus. ADMINISTRATION OF CHOLAS

After defeating the Pandyas, Rajaraja adopted the • Thanjavur as capital

title Pandya Kulashani ("Thunderbolt to the Race of the • Administrative units: Central, Provincial and Local
Pandyas"), and the Pandya country came to be known as Government (source Uttaramerur inscriptions)
"Rajaraja Mandalam" or "Rajaraja Pandinadu". • Kingship was hereditary.
Contribution to Art and culture: • Royal emblem was tiger.
Built the great Rajarajeshwaram Temple at the Chola • Tax was one-sixth of the produce.
capital Thanjavur. • The Cholas had a strong army made up of seventy
During his reign, the texts of the Tamil poets Appar, regiments.
Sambandar and Sundarar were collected and edited into • Chola king served as chief justice.
one compilation called Thirumurai.
• Most sticking feature of Chola administration was the
Inscriptions at Kandalur Salai. local committee or Sabha at village level. These
IMPERIAL CHOLA DYNASTY committees were created through electoral process.
Sabha’s membership during Chola period as per
• Imperial Chola dynasty was started by Vijayalaya in
Uttaramerur inscription were the following.
ninth century AD. It was Chola dynasty from 850 to
1279 AD from Vijalaya Aditya I to Rajendra III, up to the Sabha’s membership during Chola period as per
end of the dynasty, and considered a pioneering work Uttaramerur inscription.
in South Indian History.
1 All those who wish to become members of the
• Prominent rulers of this dynasty were Rajaraja Chola Sabha should be owners of land from which
and his son Rajendra Chola. revenue is collected.
• Rajaraja built the famous temple of Brihadisvara at 2 Have their own homes.
Thanjavur and Rajeshwara temple in Kerala.
3 Be between 35 to 70 years of age.
• Rajendra Chola built a new capital at
Gangaikondacholapuram. 4 Have knowledge of the Vedas.

• Uttarmerrur Inscription during the Chola dynasty gives 5 Be well-versed in administrative matters and
in detail the functioning of a local government at Ur honest.
(village level).
6 Not have been members of any committee in the
TYPES OF LAND DURING CHOLA ERA last three years, for becoming a member of

Vellanvagai Land for non-Brahmana, another committee.

peasant proprietors 7 Have submitted their accounts and those of their

Brahmadeya Land gifted to Brahmanas relatives

Shalabhoga Land for the maintenance of SOCIETY AND ECONOMY OF CHOLAS

a school • Landholding determined the social status and

hierarchy.

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• Brahmin landholders known as brahmadeya- 6. Nageswaraswamy Temple

kilavars (tax exempted). 7. Moovar Koil
• Temples were given land known as devadana (tax-free). 8. Koranganatha
• Ulukudi (tenants) had no land ownership and forced 9. Valisvara Temple
into cultivation of the lands of Brahmins and 10. Kampaheswarar Temple
vellanvagai village holders.
• Religious
flourished.
sects: both Saivism and Vaishnavism
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
• Construction and upkeep of irrigation tanks resulted in (1920-46)
agricultural prosperity. Kanchi's weaving industry #World History
thrived, particularly silk weaving.
• Metal works for images for temples and utensils. League of Nations had its origin in the proposal of US
• With trunk roads or peruvazhis and merchant guilds, President Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points to create of an
commerce and trade were brisk. international agency that would work for maintenance of
world peace.
• Trade contacts with China, Sumatra, Java, and Arabia
(imports of Horses) • Settle international disputes

COINAGE • Prevent multilateral wars

• Work on collective security.
• The coins of the Chola king Raja Raja-I had the standing
king on one side and seated goddess on the other side • Boycott of aggressor nations calling wars on other
with inscriptions in Sanskrit. nations.

• Rajendra-I’s coins had the legend ‘Sri Rajendra’ or • Economic and Social work: In this field it has brought
the many organisations to provide various socio-
‘Gangaikonda Chola’ inscribed with the emblems of
economic benefits to global community.
tiger and fish.
SUCCESSES OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS
International Labour Organization (ILO)
• Fixed maximum working days and minimum wages
• Started old age pensions along with welfare of the
workers.
Mandates Commission
• It had the responsibility of monitoring the governance
of territories given to member nations as Mandates
(former colonies of Ottoman Empire and Germany).
• Supervising the governance in SAAR territory of
western Europe, was very efficient and successfully
held a plebiscite there in 1935. After the plebiscite,
TEMPLES OF CHOLA EMPIRE SAAR was returned to Germany.

1. Brihadisvara Temple At Thanjavur Resolution of minor international disputes –

2. Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple • Solved the dispute of smaller countries like Finland,
3. Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram Poland, Albania and Czech.

4. Vijayala-Cholesvaram • But none of these disputes threatened the world

peace.
5. Ayikudi Balasubramanya Swami Temple

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• Also, whenever a major power was involved, the

decision of the League was always in favour of the
major power. Union Home minister paid a visit to Kamakhya temple in
Guwahati.
Refugee Organization
ABOUT KAMAKHYA TEMPLE
• It helped the Prisoners of War in Russia to their homes
outside Russia. • Maa Kamakhya or Kameswari is the renowned Goddess
of Desire whose famous shrine is in the heart of
• In 1933, it helped the Jews, who were fleeing to escape
Nilachala Hill situated in the western part of Guwahati,
Nazi persecution, to resettle in different countries
the Capital City of the state of Asom in North-East India.
where they would be safe.
• Maa Kamakhya Devalaya is considered most sacred and
Health Organization
oldest of the 51 Shakti Peeths on earth. It is the
• Research and development and Finding causes of
centrepiece of widely practised, powerful Tantrik
different epidemics.
Shaktism cult in India.
• Succeeded in combating Typhus epidemic in Russia.
• Shaktipeeth are the old temples of Goddess where it is
LIMITATIONS OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS believed that the fifty-one body parts of Goddess Sati
• It lacked enforceable rights and did not have military fell on earth.
force. • There are temples of the Dasamahavidya (ten
• Germany and Russia were not part of the league incarnations of the deity) and five temples of Lord Shiva
whereas India which was not even an independent located in Kamakhya temple complex.
country was made a member. While proposer US did • Temple finds its mention in the Devi Bhagawat, Devi
not join it. Purana, Kalika Purana, Yogini Tantra, Hevajra Tantra etc.
• It was silent on Japanese attack on China in 1931 & Italy • The historical origin of the temple is not known,
attack on Ethiopia in 1936. however, Koch King Biswa Singha, rebuilt the temple in
• In case of mandate nations, it could not call for their around 1553-54. Later renovated by Koch king
respective independence. Naranarayana.
• Militarisation of Germany and Italy could not be • Some of the great religious texts like the Shiva Purana,
controlled. the Devi Bhagavata, the Kalika Purana, the AshtaShakti,
• Wilson had earlier said that the war was fought to make and Pithanirnaya Tantra recognize four major shakti
the world safe for democracy. The Allies had entered Peethas (centres).
into many secret agreements for dividing the spoils of 1. Bimala Temple (Pada Khanda) inside the Jagannath
war. The Soviet Government exposed these secret Temple of Puri, Odisha
treaties. 2. Tara Tarini (Stana Khanda), near Berhampur, Odisha
On the failure of League of Nations to prevent World War 3. Kamakhya Temple (Yoni Khanda), in Guwahati, Assam;
II and restore international peace, Nations decided to and
replace it with United Nations in 1945 as the sole global
4. Kalighat Kali Temple (Mukha Khanda) in Kolkata, West
organisation and provider for international security.
Bengal,
Which represent respectively the parts (Khandas) foot
KAMAKHYA TEMPLE (Pada), breasts (Stana), genitals (Yoni), and face (Mukha) of
the body of Maata Sati.
#Art&culture
IMPORTANT SHAKTIPEETHS OF INDIA

Part of
State in India/
Temple Place Appellation the body Shakti
Country
fallen
Basukinath Temple (part of Basukinath , Hrideshwari
Basukinath Heart Parvati Devi
Baidyanath Temple) Deoghar, Jharkhand Peetham

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 History, Heritage & Culture

Kama koti
Kamakshi Amman Temple Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu Navel Kamakshi Amman
peetham
Pradmunyee Bhavatārini Part of
Shrinkala Bengal Maa Shrinkala
(Pandua) Peetham stomach
Krouncha
Chamundeshwari Temple Mysuru Karnataka Hair Chamundeshwari
Peetham
Alampuram, Jogulamba Thalli
Jogulamba Devi Telangana Yogini Peetham Teeth
Gadwal district (Yogamba)
Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna
Srisailam Andhra Pradesh Srisaila Peetham Neck Bhramarambika
Temple
Mahalakshmi Temple,
Kolhapur Maharashtra Shri Peetham Eye Aai Ambabai
Kolhapur
Mahur,
Renuka Temple Maharashtra Moola Peetham Left hand renuka devi
Maharashtra
Shakambhari
Shakambhari Saharanpur Uttar Pradesh Head Shakumbhari devi
Peetham
Kukkuteswara Swamy Pushkarini
Pithapuram Andhra Pradesh Back Puruhutika devi
Temple Peetham
Oddyana
Biraja Temple Jajpur Odisha Navel Maa Biraja
Peetham
Daksharama Left
Bhimeswara Temple Draksharamam Andhra Pradesh Manikyamba
Peetham cheek
Kamarupa
Kamakhya Temple Guwahati Assam Womb Devi Kamakhya
Peetham
Prayaga Maa
Alopi Devi Mandir Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh Fingers
Peetham Madhaveswari
Jwalamukhi
Jwalamukhi Temple Kangra Himachal Pradesh Head Maa Jwalamukhi
Peetham
Maa
Mangla Gauri Temple Gaya Bihar Gaya Peetham Breast
Sarvamangala
Varanasi
Vishalakshi Temple Varanasi Uttar Pradesh Noses Maa Vishalakshi
Peetham
Pakistan
Sharada Right
Sharada Peeth Sharda, Kashmir Administered Maa Sharada Devi
Peetham hand
Kashmir

JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN
October 11, at the socialist icon’s birthplace, Sitab Diara
village in Bihar’s Saran district.
#Modern India #personalities ABOUT JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN (JP)
JP was born in 1902 in Bihar’s Sitab Diara, a village prone
to frequent flooding, after which his family moved to a
Union Home Minister unveiled a 15-foot statue of village in Uttar Pradesh’s Balia district.
Jayaprakash Narayan or JP on his 120th birth anniversary on
He quit college to join the non-cooperation movement,
before going to study at the University of California,

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 History, Heritage & Culture

Berkeley, where he was influenced by the ideas of Karl To rebuild politics and the state from the grassroots level,
Marx. where real power would be with people’s movements, JP
He returned to India in 1929 and joined the freedom had to engage with the RSS and the Jana Sangh, despite
struggle and the Indian National Congress, upon the disagreeing with them on many counts. During an address
invitation of Jawaharlal Nehru and drawn by a speech by to a national conference in 1968, JP said that while every
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. religious community had its own version of
communalism, Hindu communalism was more pernicious
JP would go onto become founding members of the
than the others because “Hindu communalism can easily
Congress Socialist Party (CSP), but after independence
masquerade as Indian nationalism and denounce all
took it out of the Congress and formed the Socialist Party,
opposition to it as being anti-national”.
which was merged with J B Kripalani’s Kisan Mazdoor Praja
Party to form the Praja Socialist Party
While Nehru was keen on JP joining the Union LOTHAL
government, JP sought to distance himself from electoral #AncientIndia
politics, opting to focus on social causes instead. He was
disillusioned with political parties and called for
communitarian democracy. Parties, he believed, were Prime Minister reviewed the construction of National
centralised and susceptible to moral and financial Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) site at Gujarat’s
corruption. Lothal.

JP MOVEMENT ABOUT LOTHAL

Students in Gujarat began demonstrating in late 1973, in • Lothal is the oldest dockyard in India. Bharuch port
response to mounting mess bills. The protests became (Barygaza) become prominent in later Vedic to
widespread in the state, with workers, teachers and Mahajanapadas period.
several other groups joining in the movement, calling for • Lothal was an essential element of the Harappan
a change in government. civilisation not just because of its fertile cotton and rice-
JP saw the youth of Gujarat that had been able to bring growing lands, but also because of its bead-making
about political change as an alternative route from sector.
electoral politics and recognised the power of students in • The beads and semi-precious stones discovered at
helping him realise his ideas of a new politics, distinct Lothal attest to a high degree of artisanal ability, and
from the one he had grown weary of. many of these beads have been discovered throughout
The protests corruption grew widespread, and students of Mesopotamia, indicating a thriving commerce.
Bihar began their movement in March 1974. The students • Over time, a well-planned township was built, a
approached JP, who left his self-imposed political exile and
hallmark of the Mature Harappan era, coupled with a
led the movement. At a rally in Patna on June 5, he called
ship dock.
for Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution).
• The old village was split into multiple blocks of one or
OPPOSITION TO THE EMERGENCY
two-metre-high platforms built of sun-dried bricks,
When Indira Gandhi imposed an Emergency on June 25, albeit only a tiny fraction is still visible.
1975, JP shifted his focus to opposing authoritarian rule
• Lothal appears to have thrived for many years after the
and opposition parties looked to him for leadership. The
Socialists were naturally drawn to him ideologically, while centre of the Indus civilization had disintegrated in
the RSS and its political front the Jana Sangh sought to Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa.
return to the mainstream and were happy to be dissolved • Its continual dangers — tropical storms and floods –
into the Janata Party that JP had formed. wreaked havoc, destabilising the civilization and finally
JP is celebrated for launching a popular, mass movement bringing it to an end.
against the Indira Gandhi government, which led to the • In 1954-63, archaeologist S.R. Rao led expeditions that
formation of the Janata Party government in the 1977 found several Harappan sites, notably the harbour city
general election, the first non-Congress government in
of Lothal.
the country.

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 History, Heritage & Culture

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reviewed the • Indus valley pottery consists of fine wheel-made wares,
construction of the National Maritime Heritage very few being handmade.
Complex (NMHC) site at Gujarat’s Lothal via video • Plain pottery is more common than painted ware.
conferencing.
• Plain pottery is generally red clay, with or without a fine
• Pottery on the site is mostly ochre red or grey slip

practice questions
MCQs
Q.1) Which of the following statements is/are correct 2. Patola - Gujarat
about the Chola Empire? 3. Garad Koirial - West Bengal
1. The city of Thanjavur was built by Raja Raja Chola.
4. Himroo - Rajasthan
2. At its peak Chola Empire Included territories from
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
(a) Only 1 pair (b) Only 2 pairs
3. Muziris was one of the important Seaport.
(c) Only 3 pairs (d) All the pairs
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only
Q.4) Maru Gurjara style of architecture is found
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1 and 3 only
prominently in which part of the country:
Q.2) Consider the following pairs with reference to
(a) Gujarat (b) Karnataka
the Shaktipeeths in India:
(c) Kashmir (d) Odisha
1. Kamakhya : West Bengal
2. Shakambari : Uttar Pradesh
Q.5) Consider the following statements about
3. Kamakshi Amman Temple : Tamil Nadu
Jayaprakash Narayan:
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
1. He was associated with the Communist Party of
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
India as one of the frontline leaders of the party.
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
2. He later founded the Congress Socialist Party.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q.3) Consider the following pairs:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
Sr. Textiles Places associated
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. Lambadi - Karnataka

Descriptive Questions
Q1. India's handicrafts have a long tradition and vibrant appeal globally. Discuss the challenges faced by India's

handicraft sector and list steps to make handicraft sector more robust.

Q2. Discuss the contribution of Chola empire in India's arts, architecture and literature.

Answers to above MCQs: 1(a), 2(b), 3(c), 4(a), 5(b)

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 Part TWO

Ethics, Integrity
& Aptitude
Coverage from varied sources
 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

LAW VERSUS ETHICS: BLIKIS BANO CASE

#Ethics #Integrity #Aptitude

Ethics is a study of the supreme good, while Law lays down over evil, justice over injustice, was accepted as an
what is convenient for that time and place. Both have a innumerable universal rule. Even though the concept of
common origin but they diverge in their development. equality & respect for human dignity is recognized in the
Ethics is considered universal, but the law is dynamic and Vedic texts.
varies from place to place. For example, value of honesty But the law may not always be just because, in many
is universal in nature, but the law on rape may differ in instances, it may be biased, irrational, and unjust at the
India and Pakistan. Ethics is applied after taking into stages of formation or implementation. That’s why Gloria
consideration individual cases, whereas the application of Steinem said, “Law and justice are not always the same”.
the law is uniform you can see honest and dishonest men
The issue of law versus ethics came into the debate when
in the same society but the law for both is the same.
the Gujrat government released 11 criminals convicted
A study of relationship between law & ethics can be made and sentenced to life imprisonment for the most heinous
from three angles: crimes of gang rape and murder in the name of law, as
1. Ethics (Morals) as the basis of law. remission policy allows premature release of criminals.

2. Ethics (Morals) as the test of positive law. It is generally said that “In a civilised society, laws float on
the ocean of ethics”. But here, in this case, it seems that the
3. Ethics (Morals) as the end of the law.
law was followed in the letter rather than in its spirit.
In some ways, morality is an integral part of the law. Hence, it is argued that it can disturb society’s ethics
Morality is “secreted in the interstices” of the legal system (morals). In this article, we will discuss various aspects (law
and, to that extent, is inseparable from it. This viewpoint and ethics) with the help of this case.
says that law in action is not a mere system of rules but
What was the case?
involves the use of certain principles such as equity &
good. Law & morals act and react upon and mould each In the post-Godhra communal riots of 2002, this horrific
other. In the name of justice, equity, good faith & incident occurred, in which Blikis Bano raped, who was five
conscience, and morals have infiltrated into the fabric of months pregnant. That mob had also murdered many of her
the law. Moral considerations play an important part while family members- including a 3-year-old girl.
making laws and exercising judicial discretion. In this case, 11 individuals were convicted and sentenced
Relation between Law & Justice to life imprisonment. This followed four years of efforts
involving the National Human Rights Commission, the CBI
The ultimate object of every legal system is to secure
and the Supreme Court.
justice. Aristotle tried to explain justice as: justice consists
in what is lawful and fair, with fairness involving equitable Law involved
distributions and the correction of what is inequitable. One of the convicts plead for consideration of remission
Justice in Indian Perspective application under the older remission policy rather than
the newer 2014 policy. The petition cited a 1992 circular,
The ancient Indian concept of Dharma was analogous to
quoted in the 2012 Gujarat HC order, that pertained to the
concepts consistent with righteousness, truth, morality, &
justice. The ideal and object of the law were to promote early release of life-term prisoners who had served 14 clear
justice. Law was governed by Dharma. The victory of good years imprisonment. (Notably, the 2014 policy doesn’t allow

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 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

the premature freedom of those convicted of murder engaged in injustice to people. Hence it can be called an
and gang rape). unethical act.

The Supreme Court admitted the plea and passed it on to Justice Theory: As per the justice theory of john rolls, there
the Gujarat government for examination, as it was under its should be a veil of ignorance before the discussion maker
jurisdiction that the crime took place. so that he can prevent any chance of biasness, but in this
case, it seems that the religion of the convicts played a
The state government formed a panel to consider the
crucial role in their remission.
application. The forum ‘unanimously’ decided in favour of
REFORMATIVE THEORY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THE
remission. Following this, the government gave the green
OTHER SIDE)
light for remission.
According to reformative theory of justice, the object of
“Law without justice is a wound without a cure.”
punishment should be reform of the criminal through the
(William Scott Downey) method of individualization. It is based on the humanistic
This is how we can see that the convicts followed all the due principle that even if an offender commits a crime, he
procedures to get free from jail. Here, in this case, although does not cease to be a human being.
the government and convicts both followed the law of the The reformative theory made a special focus on greater
land, ethics are lacking. Now, as a civilised society, we must attention on the human treatment of prisoners inside the
consider whether following the law merely in letters is prison. This purpose may be achieved through the
sufficient. agencies of parole & probation, which have been accepted
as modern techniques for reforming offenders all around
WHAT DOES ETHICS SAY IN THIS CASE
the world. The modern view is that “the mainspring of
Virtue Ethics: As per Virtue ethics of Aristotle, this act of criminality is greed, and if the offender is made to return
releasing convicts of rape and murder is unethical the ill-gotten benefits of crime, the spring of criminality
because it lacks the highest virtues of justice and wisdom will dry up.”
on the part of government which are fundamental virtues
He may have committed a crime under circumstances
of humans, i.e., further, it may hamper the ethical fabric which might never occur again. Therefore, an effort
of the society as a virtue in the society evolved in a long should be made to reform him during the period of his
time, but a single incident can destroy it. incarceration. The object of punishment should bring
Deontology: As per Kant’s deontology government should about the offender’s moral reform. He must be educated
follow his moral command and conscience so his action and taught some art or industry during the period of his

can become a universal action. But here, in this case, the imprisonment so that he may be able to start his life again
after his release from jail.
step of releasing the convict roof heinous crimes cannot
become universal action, and it also cannot be considered Severe punishment can merely debase them. Men always
as an act derived from the conscience or moral comm. kick against pricks. The whipping will make him baulk. The

Hence, it is a classic example of an unethical act. threat will result in resistance. Prison hell may create the
spirit of defiance of God and man. Hanging a criminal is
Utilitarianism: As per the utilitarian theory, an act can be
merely an admission of the fact that human beings have
considered ethical if it is aimed at the maximum good of a failed to reform the erring citizen. Corporal punishments
maximum number of people. In this case, only a few like whipping and pillory destroy all the finest sentiments
benefited at the cost of more significant interest, i.e., and tenderness in man.
harm. e. and peace, as it may cause tension in the
Reformative theory is also supported by criminology as
country's two largest communities.
well because it regards every crime as a pathological
Contractarians: As per the contrarian theory of John Locke phenomenon, a mild form of insanity, or an innate or
and Rosseau, the state is there to protect the subjects' acquired physiological defect.
rights, but here, in this case, the state itself seems to be

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 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

Punishment is inflicted on a criminal for his imprisonment for a life committed by any person who, at
reformation. Punishment does not always make reform a the date when he appears or is brought before the court,
criminal; on the other hand, kind treatment sometimes is under the age of 16 years, maybe tried by the court of a
produces a better result than punishment. It may be more Chief Judicial Magistrate or by any court especially
favourable to the reformation of the criminal. empowered under the Children Act,196 or any other law

One may commit a crime either because the temptation for the time being in force providing for the treatment,

of the motive is stronger or because the restraints training and rehabilitation of youthful offenders.

imposed by character are weaker the reformative theory Section 360 of Code of Criminal Procedure,
wants to strengthen the character of the man so that he 1973 empowers the court to order the release on
may not become an easy victim to his own temptation this probation of good conduct or after admonition.
theory would consider medicine. According to this theory, Remission policy of 1992 allows the government to
crime is like a disease, so you cannot cure it by killing. release convicts of even rape and murder after the
EXISTING LAWS SUPPORTING THE VIEW OF completion of 12 years of their imprisonment based on
REFORMATIVE THEORY their good conduct while being in jail.
Probation of Offenders Act of 1958 was passed with a Hence, based on the above discussion we can see the
similar object in view. About the Act Supreme Court ethical evaluation from perspective of both granting
observed in Rattan Lal v. State of Punjab that the Act is a remission to the convicts after having served a long
milestone in the progress of the modern liberal trend of sentence. Also, arguments in the first part lay for not
reform in the field of penology. granting remission to the convicts.
Section 27 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 provides
that any offence not punishable with death or

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 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

CASE STUDIES for Practice

MAINS GS PAPER IV

Case Study 1: You are posted as S.P. in a district where • Following the law in letter and spirit: It will ensure rule
of law, which in turn will result into justice to the victims
liquor is prohibited for human consumption. One day 36
but it may pose harm his self-interests of life and career
people died in a village in that district after consuming
which is not good as per hedonism.
spurious liquor. The incident has pushed the state into
swift action, with multiple agencies of the police working • Seeking guidance from the seniors and acting
on a joint investigation. Even the state government, set to accordingly: It will protect him from any mishap it will
face an assembly poll in the next six months, is receiving also promote the teamwork in the organisation but he
a barrage of criticism from the opposition. may be misguided, in that case the very purpose of the
law may defeat.
Your preliminary investigation revealed that a local mafia
is involved in manufacturing this spurious liquor, and he • Leave the case: It may protect and promote his self-
is the relative of a minister in the government. You are interest, but it is against the foundational values of civil
getting threats from the mafia and the minister both. Both services it is also against the principle of justice of John
are offering a whole sum of money to remain silent. Your Rawls.
promotion file is also pending before the same minister. C) Course of action as an S.P.
You may face many difficulties if you do not listen to them. • To prepare himself internally he takes help of
a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case. emotional intelligence to cater the any kind of fear and
b) What options are available to you? Analyse each of pressure and virtues of courage and justice of Aristotle.
them. • As a part of legal administrative system, he should
c) What will be your course of action? follow the all-internal instruments like following the
law, senior’s advice, seeking intervention of other
SOLUTION
higher authorities and whistleblowing at last.
This case study deals with the ethical dilemma of following
• After exhausting of all these internal mechanism
the law to fulfil one’s duty or should surrender the
without giving desired results he can go to media or
responsibility to protect self-interests.
court with the help of NGO so that he ensures the
A) Ethical issues involved in this case are as follows:
justice to the victims for doing so he may need listen to
• Commerce without morality: Selling of liquor in a his conscience as court of conscience is the highest
state where it is prohibited is not only illegal but court.
immoral too.
Conclusion: Thus, we can say that SP should perform his
• Breach of the social contract: Both state and subjects duty in letter and spirit so that menace of illegal acts can
are breaching the contract because state failed to be curtailed in society.
implement the law of liquor prohibition and subjects
are breaching it.

• Lack of good governance: The death of people in a

Case Study 2: A recently renovated footbridge collapsed,
sending tourists plunging into the river in the country’s
state where liquor is Prohibited shows that governance
western state. The accident took place in the town of a
is not prompt.
state, a riverside town known for its Victorian-era bridge.
B) Options available
Tourists have been celebrating Diwali and the new year of

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 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

the state. Some outlets, citing unnamed officials, reported A) Which ethical issues may you face while solving this
that the death toll could be higher, exceeding 140. An case?
official list of fatalities compiled by police showed more B) What are the options available to you?
than 50 children were among the dead, some as young as
C) Critically examine the options listed by you.
5. In addition to the dead, many people are still missing.
D) What will be your course of action?
Some officials estimated up to 400 people were packed
SOLUTION
onto the bridge — far more than the safe limit — when
the suspension cables buckled and the 760-foot span gave This case deals with the rampant corruption in
way. Some visitors clung to a crumpled bridge barely government contracts, administrative lacunae, poor mob
above the waterline, crying for rescue. Others crawled management, promptness of rescue efforts and lack of
along its railings back to shore. More were lost in the awareness among the people.
water. A) Ethical issues involved in the case
It has been observed that corpses were laid in nearly every 1. Crony capitalism: awarding the contract to a firm
corner of free space while hundreds of deceased relatives having no domain expertise.
went from room to room, looking to claim the bodies of
2. Lack of integrity: Not mentioning the name of a
their loved ones. In a 10-foot-by-10-foot room used for
powerful businessman in FIR
post-mortems, doctors were “overwhelmed”
3. Politics without principle: Politicians awarding
Rescue operations were delayed because of the
contracts to their relatives and protecting them from
unavailability of rescue teams at the local level. Scrutiny
the law.
turned to the company tasked with renovating and
operating the bridge. The contractor, Oreva, a large B) Option available to me

manufacturer known for producing clocks and electric 1. Investigate the case properly.
bikes (with no experience in construction work), wrapped 2. Manipulating the case to protect the businessman.
up a six-month bridge renovation last week to coincide
3. Seeking guidance from seniors and acting accordingly.
with the New Year. The firm with no construction
4. Leaving the case.
experience got the contract because of its political linkage.
C) Critically examination of the options
The city official Sandeep Singh Zala told the media that the
bridge was reopened to tourists without obtaining • Investigating the case properly will ensure the rule of
clearance from the government. Zala also highlighted the law but may pose a danger to my life and career.
bridge operators for selling as many tickets as possible • Manipulating the case to protect the powerful
without controlling the flow of people. After a day of businessman may prevent my troubles, but it will
investigation, local police arrested nine people, including defeat foundational values of civil service like integrity.
two Oreva executives, two contractors, three security
• Seeking guidance from seniors may help me in solving
guards and two ticket window clerks.
the case in a requisite manner, and it will also improve
In their initial legal complaint, local police did not name the teamwork and work culture in our organisation, but
Oreva or any other firm. Still, they said they would file they may misguide me if they have vested interests.
culpable homicide charges against “the agency
• Leaving the case may prevent me from various
responsible for maintaining the bridge” and the
tensions, but it shows lack of courage and dedication to
“management agency.” Because the owner of the firm has
service.
political links. As the head of investigating team of this
case, answer the following questions. (250 words)

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 Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

D) Course of action • He can seek guidance from seniors but must ensure

• As head of investigating team, one should be mentally that they are not misleading him.

prepared and internally motivated; He should use • If he finds that his efforts are enough to deliver justice,
emotional intelligence. then can be a whistle-blower, or he can go to the media.

• To ensure the rule of law, he should avoid any kind of Conclusion

prejudices or rumours. This is how it can be concluded that to deal with issues of
• To ensure justice for the victims, he should ensure the crony capitalism and to ensure the rule of law in society,
names of all real culprits in the charge sheet. civil servants should follow the foundational values of civil
services.

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 Part Three

Essays
of

the month
Selected essays from Rau’s GSI students
 Essays OF THE MONTH

Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of

the world
# Philosophical
SUBMITTED BY: NITHILA

Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly Human behaviour stems from attitude. Attitudes in turn
personal of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study are formed by cognition, reinforced by affective

Circle is to present the write-up in its original form, component. Poets provide the information, facts or
realities with a very strong emotional component. This
hence the study circle neither endorses nor rejects any
makes the readers to ponder, question and act or react.
viewpoint in the submission. The purpose is only to
Perhaps, Shelly was true when he wrote: “Our sweetest
showcase the manner of writing.
songs are those that tell of the saddest thoughts.”
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to
Great revolutions of the world attribute part of their
use his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints.
success to thinkers and poets. Random popular emotions
It was late 1950s. An American poet and were given proper morphology by them. The story of
renowned nature lover received a letter French Revolution is incomplete without the fire kindled
from her friend. It spoke of the miserable by Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu and the story of
death of birds, probably due to a pesticide. American War of independence would be incomplete
without the contribution of Thomas Jefferson.
Four years later the poet, penned a masterpiece – “The
Silent Spring.” This book unveiled the adverse effects of When 19th century Europe was under the grips of
DDT on the environment. DDT was at that time being consumerism and materialistic greed, Romanticism
indiscriminately promoted by the governments to emerged as a movement in literature to provide solace

improve agricultural productivity post second world war. and vision for a future to the masses. It began as a
reaction to industrial revolution. William Wordsworth,
This poet, Rachel Carson became the pioneer of modern John Keats, Shelly are ground-breaking poets of this era.
environmental movement in the USA. Despite criticisms, They revived the aesthetic flavor of human lives.
especially from the chemical industry, she succeeded. The
Quran and sayings of Prophet Mohammed form the
sentiment for the nature found resonance with many
foundation of Islamic thought and philosophy. These
nature lovers leading to protests, and demand for ideas were often misinterpreted by corrupt Ulemas and
‘conservation.’ This forced government to bring about multiple factions for personal gains and force warfare.
regulations and motivated chemists to develop ‘Green Later, Sufi poets like Sadi and Rumi brought back
Chemistry.’ “How can someone write about the sea but humanism, love, grace and tolerance to Islam.
leave out poetry?” she would say. Today, behind
Poets have voiced the woes of the world. This has been
international conventions, COPs and agendas for climate true from the very earliest times when poetry began to be
change, she stands, least remembered! written to this day. Tony Morrison in her works brought
out the dark shades of racism in USA. Through his book
Poets have remained unelected representatives of the
“Inglorious Empire,” Shashi Tharoor demanded
people, shaping ideas of humanity since time
reparations from Britain for the illegal occupation of India
immemorial. This essay would delve into those
and usurpation of vast wealth from India. This sparked
unrecognized legislators and how their contribution in
debate on the nature of colonialism and fixing of
making the present world the place it is today.
responsibility of colonizing powers to apologize for their

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 Essays OF THE MONTH

historical actions. Colonized countries were surprised to by Derozio from Young Bengal movement, assaulted the
know that history schools of Britain never taught colonial veil of ignorance and called for scientific temper and
history and the extent of exploitation Britain conducted rationalism. Sri Narayana Guru in his bhajans and bhakti
on its subjects. called for “One caste, One religion, One God” for mankind.
Revolutionaries like Ashfaq Ullah Khan who were willing
India in its long history witnessed the reigns of mighty and
to die for the sake of India’s freedom rallied around songs
public minded kings who emphasized on welfare-oriented
and slogans that motivated them like Inqilab Zindabad.
policies. These benevolent kings were adviced by great
scholars and court poets, like Kalidas for Chandragupta II Poets come from different levels of society and strive for
and Krishnadevaraya had Ashtadiggajas – Council of Eight a better society based on inclusivity. Their compassionate
– men of words, who guided his actions. and kind lens allows them to imbibe positive virtues like
equality, justice, fraternity even before they found echo in
During the ancient times, the metaphysical ideas spread
modern constitutions, like the Preamble of the
out in the Vedas, Upanishads, poetry of Sangam age form
Constitution. For ex. Poets and Saints of Bhakti Movement
the fountainhead of knowledge and wisdom which
came from diverse backgrounds – Kabir (weaver), Ravidas
continues to be relevant to the present day. Upanishads
(cobbler), Mirabai (Rajput Princess) etc. and preached
emphasize esoteric learning and metaphysics, on were
against dogmatism, caste and social barriers and gave
literary councils organized by Pandya rulers during
message of oneness and love for right conduct and god.
ancient times in Tamil Nadu. Here the best literary works
Poets speak for rights of women, transgender,
were awarded, and moral works were incorporated into
homosexuals as famous line by William Wallace on
school education. Today, these Sangam writings are a
motherhood “The Hand that rocks the cradle rules the
storehouse of ethos of the age and provide a window into
world.”
the polity, economy, society and cultural links of the times.
Democracy is founded upon the bedrock of freedom of
Poets of medieval age have even accompanied the kings
speech and expression. Like legislators, poets accept
in their expeditions. Alberuni’s Kitab-ul-Hind was penned
reality and approach it with rationality. The Nightingale of
during Ghori’s invasion. Coincidentally, it can be noticed
India, Sarojini Naidu wrote about “palanquin bearers” and
that a flourishing rule brought prosperous literature or
‘Coromandel fishers.’ Rudyard Kipling called ideal
vice versa! Abul Fazl’s Akbar Nana.
legislators “To walk among the kings, Yet not to lose the
During the freedom struggle, the task of kindling the spirit common touch.”
of nationalism and oneness among Indian masses was the
Dreams and ideals are the life force for poets. They in their
principal goal of freedom fighters. How could the idea
writings are often concerned about ideals, ethics and
“nationhood” be rooted in a land, where there was hardly
morals. These timeless ideals which are powerfully
any commonality, in terms of common language and
communicated continue to motivate leaders and masses
culture, but common exploitation at the hands of British?
for generation. Thirukkural by Tiruvallur inspired Tolstoy
Poets were however at the forefront of drawing the
to write “Kingdom of God is within you.” Both motivated
national imagery. Bankim’s “Vande Mataram” and
Gandhi to launch Satyagraha and bring the greatest
Tagore’s “Jana Gana Mana” were sung and celebrated
empire in history on its toes. When Robert Frost wrote:
during the Swadeshi movement and became the rallying
spirit of millions wanting freedom and self-rule. “The woods are lovely, dark & deep
But I have promises to keep,
The goals of Indian National Movement were not limited
to only Civil & Political liberties but also had a cultural And miles to go before I Sleep”
project of developing a national culture. Social reformers Who can inhibit the urge to introspect?!
like Raja Ram Mohan Roy vehemently opposed the social Despite accolades, the contributions of poets have
evils, questioned Brahmanical hegemony and remained unacknowledged. Often, they are seen as
superstitions, fought for the rights of the marginalized like cynical and rejected as impractical. Some have criticized
women, Dalits and tribals. Powerful writings, for example their dogma as “poets are doubly cut off from reality.”

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Much later, the distance shrank, recognizing them as The pen has always been mightier than a sword. Both
novel, ardent champions of mankind. poets and legislators have wielded it meticulously,
sculpting progress in the sands of time. Today, the mode
Poets have served as “causative agents and ideologues’
of expression has changed. But the idea to read, write,
behind a large transformation of human society.
speak, feel, think and act has not. Doves and pigeons
However, the effort is brought about by more pragmatic
carrying messages have been replaced by the blue bird
personalities who bring these images to fruition, and later
(Twitter). There are anonymous writers and poets, who
celebrated as leaders. Not surprisingly, it is Gandhi and
are analyzing state policy, disseminating objectivity,
not Tolstoy, who was harbinger of Satyagraha! The
addressing insanity, accommodating diversity and
intention of poets, to a major extent, ceases with
fostering fraternity. Societies too are becoming liberal day
expression of events or ideas. It is upon readers, on how
by day, moving towards common goal to realize.
they work these ideas which decides the future.
“When the mind is without fear and head is held high
Poets blunt out blatant truths which are hard enough to
be assimilated by amateur minds. The tale of Salman Where the world is NOT BROKEN up into fragments by
Rushdie hints that twenty first century is still an era where narrow domestic walls
writers and poets should flee for their lives. However, Where dear stream of reason has NOT LOST its way into
unacceptable at first but it often dawns that the radical the dreary desert sand of dead habitat
ideas that poets lay are true and often the voice of the Into that heaven of freedom.
voiceless. As Voltaire’s often quoted saying goes, “I may
My father, let my country awake”
not agree with what you say but I will defend to death you
- Tagore (Gitanjali)
right to say it.” It is essential to creatively engage with
radical ideas and not banish them.

Think Global - Act Local

#Globalisation
SUBMITTED BY: SOUMYA RANJAN DASH

Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly personal thoughts and vision were global in nature
of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study Circle is to yet rooted in India’s psyche and teachings.
present the write-up in its original form, hence the study Despite having a global perspective, he
circle neither endorses nor rejects any viewpoint in the
always chose to act locally starting from
submission. The purpose is only to showcase the manner of
himself as an individual and then on the Indian Society to
writing.
remove social ills plaguing India. His approach to life to
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use think globally and acting locally ultimately made him a
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints. globally revered personality. The same approach can be
In 1893, a conference of religious delegations was extrapolated to a nations’ outlook towards growth, the
organized in Chicago. Everyone had their share of time to guiding force behind scientific endeavors, etc.
address the conference. Then came a man with a modest So here it is prudent to analyze, why is it important to think
attire. He started his address with “My brothers and global? If so, why should we act locally? What challenges
sisters” and conveyed the world as one family. This we face in this approach? And is it all we need to do?
address captured the imagination of the audience like
Thinking global refers to rising above oneself and one’s
none of the speakers. This was Swami Vivekanand whose
surroundings to gain perspective of the whole world and

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humanity at large. It helps us understand human nature. Now that we realize the potential of thinking globally, we
Thinking global is a means to understand the impacts of must also refer special importance to act locally. Acting
our actions on the whole world and its reactions. This way local means starting with a change an individual level first
we can regulate our actions and emotions and positively without delay and procrastination. Acting locally often
cooperate with others. yields better results as it provides a small domain which is

Even in ancient times, there was global engagement in easy to start with. It often happens that, when we act

great civilizations in the world. This is evident in not just locally, others tend to follow us on our success. This is

the close trade relations between Indus Valley Civilization what ideally a leader is supposed to do. Hence, it is

and Mesopotamia but also between the close trade essential that we act local.
relations between Sangam Age kingdoms and Rome. This During the national struggle, Gandhi used to clean his own
exchange for sure was not just limited to the realm of toilets and members of the Congress to do the same with
materiality but also influenced ideas and outlooks. a vision to spread the message of cleanliness. His

This is even evident by the Non-alignment policy and thoughts were shaped by global and scientific

Strategic Autonomy pursued by India in India’s foreign consciousness for clean environment and prevention of

policy. India engaged and wanted to gain from USA and discrimination. However, instead of lecturing others he

USSR. Both camps, despite being engaged in Cold War, himself decided to act locally and become a living

contributed to the development of large integrated steel inspiration for others to emulate.
mills and development of IITs in India. In the international fora too, India not only thinks of global

Thinking global helped India to raise the issue of peace and prosperity. But it also goes one step further

Pakistan’s State sponsorship to terrorism at global and acts locally by starting dialogue with adversaries and

forums. India was able to convey and persuade world neighbors like back-channel diplomacy with Pakistan,

opinion on action against terrorism. Similarly, India’s border dialogue with China.

global leadership on raising injustice towards developing Thinking globally helped India to be aware of the global
countries by developed world has made it a natural leader economic slowdown, but then it did not rest idle. The RBI’s
of the developing and least developed nations. accommodative stance, government’s jobs proposal were

In the economic sphere, thinking global helps us calibrate actions taken at local level that averted worst effects of

our economy by analyzing global threats and prospects. economic slowdown.

We can see this has helped India to have a very low Even in the technology sector, India gives due regards to
currency depreciation in comparison to other economies. data and privacy concerns. This has been an approach of
Also, India was able to take proactive measures and other nations too, most prominently that of the European
escaped the worst effects of Global Financial Crisis. Union with their GDPR regulations, but what makes India

India’s global outlook, motivated India to develop a low stand out is its works on data protection through data

cost, efficient and indigenous commercial space program. protection bill, data localization rules by RBI etc.

ISRO has allowed India to have various developmental But as in earlier case, here too there are challenges in
gains. acting locally.

After having so many benefits of thinking globally, we Acting local is often ineffective in the long run due to its
should analyze the challenges that thinking globally local & limited impact. As we have seen in Climate action,
brings. India’s local actions cannot stop climate change, which

Sometimes leaders who are supposed to be visionary, needs collective action across all stakeholders. Similarly,

bend towards protectionism and hindering think globally tax evasion by companies and trade are areas that are

too like. For example, during the presidentship of Donald beyond local actions.

Trump. Further, enmity and confrontations, hinder global Further, capability and economic constraints of poor and
perspectives, like USA-China trade war has kept them developing nations stops them from acting locally and
from realizing the potential of cooperation. have significant impact. As during Covid, African nations

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were not able to develop vaccines. It needed nations like distrust. The cooperation hence forged will surpass all
India to think global and extend support. limitations of capability.

So, what should we do to think global and act local? It is To conclude, we as Individuals must build our perspective
important to think global and act local. But it is equally for the whole world and start acting first on ourselves and
important to sometimes think locally and cater to local then our society. As a nation, we should keep global good
needs like poverty and inequality in India. At the same in mind and act at the local level first. In this line,
time, we must not stop ourselves at acting locally and government initiatives like Atma-nirbhar Bharat, Vocal for
strive to act globally, when needed. Like India’s efforts to Local can help. The mantra for everyone must be
bring global consensus on framework against terrorism. collective growth and prosperity with initiative at local

It is essential for everyone to remember the words of level. This can help us achieve global cooperation and act

Immanuel Kant that “we must act assuming, everyone thinking the whole world as our family (Vasudhaiva

around acts ethically”. This idea can motivate each nation Kutumbakam.

to think globally with open mind without enmity and

What gets measured, gets managed.

# Miscellaneous
SUBMITTED BY: RAJESH JAKHAR

Disclaimer: The viewpoints in the topic are strictly personal requisite to manage the affairs of government that it
of the writer above. The role of Rau’s IAS Study Circle is to should collect population details from time to time.
present the write-up in its original form, hence the study
Her father further explained her about how data
circle neither endorses nor rejects any viewpoint in the
collection helps in resource management in different
submission. The purpose is only to showcase the manner of
fields of public policy like education, health, social welfare,
writing.
security, disaster management etc. Nisha became more
Therefore, it is the sole responsibility of the reader to use curious to know about different ways of measuring things,
his/her intellect to check the veracity of viewpoints.
what if we do not measure? She further questioned can
There are no problems and only solutions if we still manage without measurement? In upcoming
it solutions are arrived after taking into paragraphs will discuss about importance and methods of
considerations all the consequences of that measurement and importance of measurement for

solution. This is only possible when the effective management.

solution is not an outcome of forced situation. Management can be understood as science of judicious
use of available resources be it material or human.
It was afternoon time on Saturday, suddenly our doorbell
Management improves the efficiency of system. In today’s
rang, Nisha went to open the door and found few people
life management is taught in business schools where
were standing outside with pen and papers in hand. They
management of smallest to biggest things (time to human
came to collect household and population data under
resource management) is given importance.
Census exercise conducted every ten years by
Measurement is pre-requisite to management. Without
government. Nisha was still in her childhood, asked her
availability of data of resources management will not be
father about the details collected by team. She was
effective. For only, when we know what we have at our
curious of why team is so dedicated to collect data in this
hand, what is the demand on those resources can be build
hot summer. Her father explained her that it is a pre-
effective solutions that meet aspirations.

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With emergence of information technology revolution, computers in land records management is modern way of
measurement has become comparatively easier task by land management.
use of computer, internet of things, internet and there is Data collection helps in mapping the topography and
reduction in time taken to measure details. For example, atmosphere of the country. Different disasters can be
census 2021 will be conducted by electronic devices which predicted by modern technology e.g., super computers
will help in collecting data easily. The era of pen and paper predict weather & cyclones. It is by use of seismograph we
is about to go and tablet and computers has taken place can calculate earthquake impact and by long time
to share and collect data. Thus, there is immense focus on evaluation, it has been helpful in managing the impact of
information collection or measurement. earthquakes. By use of satellites, we can manage the
Kautilya, principal mind behind the well-functioning prediction of wildfires, cyclones, draught, floods which
Mauryan State in Ancient India, has mentioned about helps in large resource management be if human of
measurement of enemy and kings own power before physical. For example, we can predict the onset, path of
indulging into war in his magnum opus ‘Arthasastra’. The cyclones in Bay of Bengal & Arabian Sea. Prediction of
quest for measurement has driven the development of an monsoon has been easy because of data collection by
entire discipline of mathematics. Indian Metrological Department.

Let’s discuss how measurement helps in management in In the sphere of international relations, reports of SIPRI
different arenas. institute which tracks nuclear stocks of major powers

In the field of social welfare, government collects details helps in managing the nuclear warfare around globe. It

of people living below poverty, their economic status, became easy to measure power of enemy states by

which helps government to rationalise schemes for a measuring his economical, army, naval powers. Satellites

particular section of people. It helps in reducing financial data has been used to spy on foreign nations to secure

burden on government. Example PM-Jan Dhan Yojana, national interest United Nations & World Food Program

food security act 2013, MGNREGs etc. has used data measurement to fight global poverty and
were somewhat successful in managing global poverty.
In the field of environment management, there are efforts
Example – World Food Program in poor African nations
on both domestic and international levels to measure and
and Afghanistan.
respond to climate crisis. At international level, efforts by
bodies like IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Data measurement has helped in securing national

Change), UNEP, WMO, UNCLOS etc. has mapped security e.g., NCRB holds data of criminals and terrorist,

devastating impacts of industrialisation and climate national data grid etc. Important data on drug trades,

change. IPCC reports on climate change which raised money laundering, fake currency notes, human trafficking

concern of global warming had put countries under helps in managing security of country in better way.
pressure to go for ‘net-zero goals’. After the end of Second World War and emergence of new

At domestic level, National Green Tribunal, NGOs and nation has led to immense growth on data collection of

Environment Ministry are working together to manage the political systems in these countries. By studying these

negative impacts of environment pollution and data sets, we could predict the electoral behaviours. We

environment degradation by collecting data from time to see how data is used in predicting election results before

time. The rising consciousness about water security is result e.g., Exit Polls, as we have discussed the importance

because of mapping of water resources and underground of data collection, can we imagine our self in a situation

water. where there is no measurement has ever taken place?

In legal affairs, data of criminal cases, civil case, disputes Imagine if we do not have data of our population, crimes,

among states guide our society to manage the civil affairs. schools, national bodies, weather system, and judicial

It is the measurement of rising land disputes that led system? What if at the end of semester, a higher education

government to launch schemes like SVAMITRA which institute denies students certificate on behalf of no data

proposes to use of drones in mapping land, use of on attendance? The whole society will be in chaos. We can
relate the idea of justice with measurement. Justice is

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essential for happiness and satisfied life. Human body We have discussed the importance of measuring things,
itself a great source for data. What if we forget, what we to same up we must focus on both measurable and
have done yesterday? Our life be a nightmare. What will immeasurable ideas of life. Measurement is just a one
happen, if we fail to recognise our near ones because of dimension of management. Merely collecting data and
lack of data in our brain? What will happen if our watches measurement will not help in effective management. We
stop today and suddenly, we forget the day, year and era? need to develop capability to manage beyond just

Everything mentioned above is possible if we stop collecting data. E.g., Our judiciary is clogged with

measuring data and information. It will be near impossible thousands of pending cases, which are duly tracked by

to manage without data. It will be a situation of ‘no light at national judicial data grid. The measurement is there the
the end of tunnel’. There will be no future because the response should be not more data and management but

idea of future depends on past and present. If we do not solutions like increase the strength of judges and
measure past and present, how we could have a better improving court management processes. We need to

future? Everything is relatable in this universe. keep on filtering the data to store the relevant data and
discard the irrelevant. Therefore, just measuring
Let’s take example of COVID-19 pandemic. During the
everything will not get managed by itself measuring and
pandemic, total number of infections, and R number
managing are two difficult fields which are inter-
which indicated the rate of increase of infections were
dependent without management, measurement is of no
widely tracked. Was it possible to vaccinate if we did not
use and without measurement, management will be tricky
have predicted the number of vaccines required? It is
process.
because of all the measurement of past and present and
efficient data systems that we could achieve the So, it is not only measurement but what we measure and

vaccination of 135 crore people. how we measure in effective way and the effective
response in line with that data that is more important in
However, there are abstract things which are difficult to
today’s life. We need to keep evolving our methods of
measure. Love, passion, emotion, justice are few things
measurement, so when Nisha becomes young, she could
which are difficult to measure and can only be felt. It does
herself feel the benefits of measuring and managing
not mean we cannot manage the immeasurable things.
things. These are many children like Nisha in our country
We can manage these by emotional intelligence. It is in
which are taking benefit of government programs
benefit of society to manage the non-measureable things.
because of effective data management by our agencies.
It also helps in maintaining order in society. By managing
Example – Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
these abstract ideas, we could also reduce burden on data
collection. Example – By inculcating ideas we can reduce Our focus should be on quality of measurement and

crime in society which will reduce burden on NCRB like management. Our quality of measurement will help us in

institutes. achieving in managing the demographic dividend and

achieving the goals of $5 trillion economy in near future.

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